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People have been wondering about the "Jumbo" so here is a brief update...I have to thank Don Moriarty for his help, turns out while preparing the tank for export to Canada from the USA, the serial number was is in fact #50398, making this Jumbo # 73, built June 1944. It would have carried US Reg # 3082995. So now she is nicknamed "old # 73". In January of this year we loaded her on an appropriate camo painted low loader and brought her north to Canada where she now resides. I am confident in saying that it is the only M4A3E2 Assault Tank in Canada...go figure. She now sits at the our shop awaiting her turn behind the M4A2, M4A3, M50 and the Stuart...Parts gathering continues and the Littlefield auction was a huge help in the right direction...not only did we get a ton of great Sherman parts, there were plenty of Jumbo parts that were either duplicates or cast off from Jacques Jumbo...We now have enough NOS parts to build 3 or 4 GAA's including NOS cylinder heads, carbs, magneto's etc. As well enough NOS wiring for M4A3's to sink a battleship...So as she sits and waits we collect parts and search for photos bearing the US 3082995 reg. number, how fantastic it would be to find a picture of her in the ETO. Any help from the keen eyes in the crowd would be most appreciated...

I'm a big fan of the Detroit diesel V8's, both turbo and non, a good running 8V71 has a fantastic sound, very compact and makes a GAA feel like a boat anchor....and parts are available world wide. In fact we are in the middle of a Sherman Detroit re- power now.

Yes I was meaning on the turret sides...you think just canvas tarps or maybe tents rolled up?

This fellow in France used an air cooled Duetz diesel...

Ok keen eyes, what type of field gear is hanging on the front right and left of Fury's turret? I can recognize the musette bags and of course helmets and such, but what are the long rolls hanging on either side?

What ever became of this restoration project? Seemed like it was well on the way and then the thread went dead....

PM sent

Hi guys, hopefully this won't get moved to the want adds as I figure I will have better chance of success in the Russian vehicle forum. I am looking for a set of external fuel tanks that mount on top of the fenders of the T54/T55. As well as the tool bins. Will consider any parts in any location, and I would appreciate any leads people may have, I realize that there are many dealers in the Eastern Bloc countries, but would prefer to deal with a fellow enthusiast if possible. Thanks John

There is a real M6 HST in Mission, B.C. Canada, relatively complete with original cab, the owner has both engines for it and has expressed the notion he may entertain selling it. If interested I will advise him of this thread so he can contact potential buyers John

Thank you very much for the info!

Hello does anyone have the proper adjustment procedure for Sherman steering brakes? We have installed new pads and want to make sure we adjust everything properly. Also recommended oil for the transmission and differential is SAE 50 correct? Any help is appreciated. Thanks John

Hey Rick isn't the M747 too wide for anybody but the military to use? And I also don't think you can run a quad axle trailer in California unless under permit. I suppose you could narrow the trailer to legal width and remove one axle or even just sling the fwd axle and remove the tires and wheels. Remember Uncle Sam doesn't stop at the scales!

No Rick the Cromwell was gone, the Comet was still there but no Crommy. Some of the tanks that are going to the Collings foundation have been shipped to them already so it is possible that it is already in Stow or on route. The Crusader ended up in Utah at a great collection.

Try Flanders Technical Supply or Staman International, both advertisers on Milweb. If they don't have one they can point you in the right direction Dave

I was there last Sunday and had a good look at what is for sale in the auction. Most are pretty rough with a few exceptions, the FV's are really rough, not near worth the estimates. As well many big collectors have already had their pick of the best vehicles, the ones left are the ones that held little interest for them or were so rough or incomplete they were passed on. Prior to the auction about a third of the tanks not going to Collings were sold privately including the M48A2 Magach, XM-1 GM Abrams prototype, M48 Patton ser. #1, ex-Serbian M36 Jackson, T62, M51 Sherman, Crusader, Leopard 1, PZ61, BTR 70 etc. The T54 was for sale for years for $45k US or best offer but never sold, now the auction company estimates $75-100k....I think they are way off...and remember the running, driving Conqueror that was for sale in Utah for almost a year, and they were only asking $100k, now they think a tank that is really only valuable to a museum that has a range of British armor will fetch big dollars. Just moving that 70 ton tank down that hill and out of California will add tens of thousands to its sale price. In my opinion, if any of the major collectors wanted any of the tanks that the Collings foundation did not, they would have been sold prior to the auction. I think the Pz. iV and the Sherman Jumbo being sold as private offerings now is a way to hedge their bets against a weak auction return. An opinion I heard repeated several times during my visit last week.

Hey Dave contact The Lord Strathconas Horse Historical Vehicle Troop in Edmonton Alberta, they should be able to help you with technical questions, English manuals etc. The "Strats" still use the Leo today John

Hi Mark yes we have used both a PTO style clutch and bellhousing and even an Allison Automatic in an M50 conversion. M4A3 definitely has more room to play with but I think the 6V92 would fit without having to cut away the original bulkhead. We have used Bus rads before and electric fans as well as belt driven units with the V8's. I'm guessing with your space limitations electric fans will be your best bet. John

Hi Mark we have performed this conversion on the M4A3 several times and have always used V8 Detroit engines, both the 8V71 and the 8V92 both turbo and non turbo. This engine has all the power we have ever needed and more. It is incredibly simple and parts are easy to come by. I can check measurements for you and you can see if it may fit the M4A1 application. You could always go for the 6V92, it is compact, powerful, plentiful and has an evil two stroke sound when it's wound up. I think the 6V53 as used in M113 might be a tad underpowered for the weight of the M4A1. Hope this helps. John

Hi Guys, I am asking for worldwide help from my military vehicle collector friends and family to help me locate a M1917 6 ton tank or Renault Ft-17 or parts, or pieces, reproduction parts or piles of 97 year old scrap metal. Somehow I have been bitten by the WW1 bug and feel I want, no must...find one of these little beasts...I know why don't I start with something easy like the meaning of life instead?...well for me that is tanks, so any help is as always greatly appreciated, might even be a small reward involved! Oh and Yes I have already bent Hayes Otoupalik's ear on the subject! Thank You John

Hi Guys trying to assist my friend in his search for an M26 Pershing turret for his current restoration. He is currently restoring the chassis and running gear under the direction of Roger Condron, tank restorer featured in the Tank Overhaul Series. The collection is one of the largest if not the largest collection of WW2 specific vehicles and is where I was fortunate enough to obtain my M4A3E2 Jumbo project as well as my M4A3. Just trying to lend a hand to a couple of great guys who are very supportive of all military vehicle collectors, large and small. You can contact me here or Roger directly at halftrackt29@aol.com. They are also offering a finders fee for a successful find. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Regards John

Awesome Adrian, I will measure up the best of the ones left intact on the tank! Always happy to trade for parts and pieces fellow enthusiasts are after! thanks John

Any chance I could convince you to run me off a few? And how many first born children might I have to part with to afford such an undertaking? Thanks John

I have managed to locate the 1/2 caged nuts but the 5/8 still elude me. I can make the cages but haven't found the 5/8 square nuts yet. Thanks RMS!

Hi guys working on my Stuart, does anyone have a source for the caged nuts that hold the suspension axles to the floor or the ones that hold the lower armor and glacis to the hull? Looks like the floor nuts are 1/2 inch UNF and the ones that hold the armor are 5/8 UNF. Any help is appreciated. Thanks John

I can help you with most internal parts for the Sherman controlled differential. We had great stocks of Sherman parts after the war and used the M4A2 right up until the early seventies. As well several companies continued using Sherman running gear for a variety of industrial machines. Send me a PM and I would be glad to see if I can assist.