Mock ups.

Von Poop

Funnily enough I saw a documentary an hour or so ago


What was the drama doc?

Steve

 

I haven't seen this for a while but I think the german tank is a Pz3 with a muzzle brake to make it look like a Pz4 it is then morphed into a tank troop. The Tiger is the T34 mock up, also shown are Cromwell and Grizzly ( tank No60 Jan, which is seen in many history series) M5A1 and Czech "251".

I should know these very well the number of times UKTV History repeat programmes but I haven't watched much recently due to the change in timings (it has become daytime only on Freeview) and the tendancy for fiction Sharpe and Catherine Cookson?

Even stuff which should be good is badly done, the tank restoration was seriouusly phsicopanthic, not accurate and very badly researched. Most notably the Sherman story was realy c""p, considering the tanks in question were both Grizzlies tanks No 52 and 76, the series was Canadian being a history channel from Vancouver BC and the fact that the tanks were "made in Canada" failed to get a single mention.

Steve

 

Unfortunately requiring the butchery of a number of Grizzly "kangaroo" ex Portugesse army ex Canadian army. Ok many of the 50 or so turretless Grizzlies went for scrap, but I do wonder about the value of this, particulary with advanced CGI.

Damn, so that's what happened to them!

 

This Chap in NZ is building a 1:1 scale Tiger turret - rather well by the look of it:
The Eva Project, 1:1 scale Tiger1 turret

And I know we've had 'Lulubelle' the Wooden M3 Lee here before... but I can't find it, so here it is again:
DGA


Quite nuts

 

The Eva project Tiger turret appears to have been updated since I last looked.
The Eva Project, p9, More fittings, and progress so far
Seems the chap'd love to build a hull, & even movement is speculated on, but he lives in the real world...


It made me think that how would a "Kelly's Heroes" remake look like with for example Kiefer Sutherland in the role of Sgt Oddball... and with this Tiger turret.

 

Because a full size Tigger chassis that didn't run would be too depressing?
Maybe they just don't make Gazebos that big.

[snip]

Thinking about it, many of the full scale mock-ups made for various tank designs are beautifully 'engineered' bits of carpentry. I wonder if any survive anywhere...

There is a rotting wooden Sherman at an architectural salvage yard near Cheadle (the one near Stoke not the one near Manchester).

The tank is reconerable with some tlc but I dont think it will ever get it...

Its a wierd place, he has 3 american diesel locos at the front and a vast "museum" (room full of junk) from his fathers days as a rag and bone man in the area. I just wish I could remember the name of the place.

 

I thought that this picture in particular would be of interest to Owen who's family history involves the Great Western Railway Workshops at Swidon.

It is hard to believe that the gun is made of wood as the workmanship is to such a high standard, which was always the hallmark of the GWR

Looks like the one fitted to the Churchill on some models, but stand to be corrected by the likes of Adam.

It is from the book, The Great Western at Swindon Works,
by Alan S. Peck

Regards
Tom

 

Found a Land Rover based Sdkfz 222.
Filmpanzer - Journal



Look here for T-34s made up to look like US Armor.
Filmpanzer

That was linked from that chaps blog I linked at top of this post.

Same idea but in reverse.

 

Another mock-up

 

Sorry, I was looking up for a pic of Lieutenant Gruber's Little Tank and these came up.

I agree the first is a dummy, but the "M-4" must be an industrial mock-up, the turret is even cut-out. The side hatch idea was later taken up by the Canadian Ram.

 

The shermans used in A bridge too Far were made of thin steel sheet metal and industrial fiberglass, the desgin was to have an opening turret hatch and the commander gave directions to a driver in a land rover who had a slit to view through
the barrel was a piece of plastic pipe.

The actual tracks revolved when it moved but how I could not work out, they where very strong and supported the weight of a full grown person with ease.

 

My CSE German isnt up to this...
So he has been working on it for 4 years but I couldnt tell if that was full time (what does he do for a job and how does he pay for it?!)

The commentry mentions the machine gun is plastic and then says something about the motor but I didnt get that bit.

Time for a better phrase book I think!

 

Apparently he became bored with building the larger scale model tanks and therefore embarked on the ultimate 1/1 scale Tiger I Model.

I did not catch an occupation, but I believe he must work for a living as he says he takes no holidays and works all his spare time to the detriment of his lady friend and family. He forgot his mothers 70th Birthday.

He has spent 5000 hours workin on the tank up to now and has to move premises as the rent is 5000 euros (Per Year? as it did not clarify)

He recently paid a collector 300 euros for an original piece of tank equipment, this being the collar type hook used as a quick aid for towing connections (I think).

The track parts are 200 euros a piece and he need about 200 pieces!

he Gun bore is made of plastic pipe and the MG42 is also a plastic replica.
I have seen these advertised by airsoft? and they look very convincing.

The motor I believe was said to be 200 PS (HP) but the make I have no idea.

A very dedicated man.

Regards
Tom