Brent,
If you do get a chance of close examination of 'your' yarder, the following would be good to look for:
1) Different models of Shermans had different engines and this caused differences in the rear armour (other end to the sprockets!). A photo of the area between the idlers would eliminate some versions.
2) Similarly the original engines had unique designs of access plates in the floor. As the yarder is stood in your photos you might get a usefull photo of the rear four feet of the underside of the hull.
3) As built the hull had towing eyes at the rear vaguely like the ones on the transmission casting. There was often but not always, a shop no. stamped into one or more towing eyes. Quite often this is rather lightly stamped so you have to scrape the paint off to see it - might not be welcomed!
4) Is there signs of the original emergency escape hatch (approx 2' square) in the floor just behind the transmission to the right of centre. Sextons didn't have this, don't think Priests did either.
5) Is there the remains of the 1/2" thick plate that ran the length of the tank above the tracks and closed the horisontal gap between the lower hull and the side of the upper hull. This was welded to the top edge of the 1 1/2" thick lower hull side and the signs of this should be visible somewhere. If not it may be that the lower hull 'tub' is not actually from a tank at all, but home made with Sherman running gear added.
Us tank nuts need more info !
Happy new year to all
David
|