Sexton # 130

SDT16 · #1 12-12-10, 19:10

Some more pix. Details of the rear deck. Missing a few tabs and loops.
And some interesting metal work around the air cleaner. I am guessing it is the remnants of some sort of fording kit? I am hoping somebody may have some information on this.

Thanks!

SDT16 · #2 12-12-10, 19:18

It's good to have a friend with a wrecker!!!

Alex Blair (RIP) · #3 13-12-10, 01:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDT16

Some more pix. Details of the rear deck. Missing a few tabs and loops.
And some interesting metal work around the air cleaner. I am guessing it is the remnants of some sort of fording kit? I am hoping somebody may have some information on this.

Thanks!

Rather than Fording kit ,that may be to direct the air away from or to the the air cooled cylinders but I would be careful to mark them and replace them for if you leave them out your engine may very well over heat..But Jesse Browning will know what they are and will jump in here and let you know..He is the primo radial engine Sexton guru..

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 14-12-10, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDT16

And some interesting metal work around the air cleaner. I am guessing it is the remnants of some sort of fording kit? I am hoping somebody may have some information on this.

Sean,

Good to see the Sexton has arrived safely at her destination. The metal work around the air cleaner must be remnants of a fording kit. See this website for images lifted from TM9-2853 "PREPARATION OF ORDNANCE MATERIEL FOR DEEP WATER FORDING - 7 July 1945" - chapter 2 section VIII: preparation of Medium Tank M4A3. Although the M4A3 has a different engine and thus deep water fording system, it shows how the sheet metal ducting was attached to the rear and lower hull of medium tanks.

I am surprised these sort of parts are still attached to the Sexton. Probably the former owner did nothing more than give it a blow over with OD aftre he dragged it from its grave at SECO?

Regards,
Hanno

SDT16 · #5 14-12-10, 23:04

Thanks Hanno!

I have since found some more evidence and will post it soon. But I do believe that we are on the right track.

We are the 3rd owners after Seco I believe. The last owner gave it a quickey sand blast and paint, as it sat as his gate guard in front of his house. He really didn't want to sell it, didn't want to see it go, but knew he wasn't going to get to it and wanted a good home for it. I am the first to give it some Love

Also! We got both of the tracks off today!!!

Jesse Browning · #6 15-12-10, 03:26

I would agree it was a fording kit. I looked through lots of pictures, but cannot find a rear view of the Sexton II or a radial engined Sherman with the fording kit. There is a side view here. http://www.ramtank.ca/sexton.htm 130 is a very interesting vehicle. There are so many subtle differences from the more common late production vehicles. Notice the rear engine deck is not hinged in the middle, but both pieces bolted in place. No hole for the binnicle, rivets galore, mufflers on the engine. Probably originally had Sherman type tracks. This was probably a combat veteran, but the privious owner sandblasted all the markings off. Alex, I'm flattered, but Sexton engine guru I am not. Jesse.

SDT16 · #7 16-12-10, 01:25

Well you beet me to it Jesse! Thats the same link I found of the fording Sexton. I also believe there is a video clip of that scene on YouTube. To add to this theory, the added metal piece around the gun looks to be part of the kit. Here is a picture of the front of our Sexton. Note the welds outlining the area around the gun.

SDT16 · #8 16-12-10, 01:35

Things found::

In the 4 inches of muck under the engine.
-A Sherman style duck bill end connector.
-An unused but bent rivit

In the ammo ready racks . RH rear. Some sort of paper cup. Must have been some sort of end cap from the packing?

And the engine bay.

Jesse Browning · #9 16-12-10, 01:58

Sean; I'm sure you took lots of pictures of that engine compartment. You will need them later. Jesse.

rnixartillery · #10 16-03-16, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDT16

Things found::

In the 4 inches of muck under the engine.
-A Sherman style duck bill end connector.
-An unused but bent rivit

In the ammo ready racks . RH rear. Some sort of paper cup. Must have been some sort of end cap from the packing?

And the engine bay.

A useless piece of information I know but the paper/card cup is a cartridge cap that was inserted into the end of the 25 pdr brass cartridge to keep the contents clean and dry before it was fired !

Rob...................rnixartillery