Canadian War Museum's M4A4 "Forceful III"

[Patrick Johnson]

A big thank you for all those who have contributed posts so far. I am especially pleased to hear that pictures may be forthcoming from Adrian Barrell's M4A4 and possibly from the CWM. Thanks Adrian and Jim! The goal is to replicate an installation in an M4A4 as close as possible and knowing the general placement of kit stored around the 19 set (case spare parts No.5c, binocular case, spare vision block, etc. ) would achieve an acceptable level of accuracy. As an example, I'd like to determine whether the spare tubes box was mounted to the shelf holding the WS19 or on a bracket attached to the side of the turret, and what means held it in place. The shelf's actual shape is also important as the shelf for the 76mm Sherman had a forward rolled edge.
Cheers, Patrick

[tankbarrell]

As David pointed out, there are 'official' positions for everything and then what actually happened. I'll take some pics this weekend.

[Ed Storey]

The official positions should always be the solution, anything else is an excuse for 'made up'.

[tankbarrell]

Indeed, but I've looked in a lot of Shermans that have never been out of military ownership and they varied quite a bit from the official situation. As long as you copy what was there, there is nothing wrong with it.

[rob love]

Made up by the actual guys who did it in service is not made up.

Made up by restorers or re-enactors is made up.

The danger is that perhaps only one guy ever did it in the military, a prominent photo of it ends up in the history book, and restorers claim it was commonly done that way.

For instance: large locker from the back of the universal carrier gets moved to the outer front of the carrier to make more room for crew: appears to have been done fairly regularly as evidenced in numerous photos. Not factory, nor approved, but done and I would suggest not incorrect for a restoration.

How about the crooked invasion star on Canadian vehicles? Was this fairly rare or commonly done? Would it be incorrect to put it on mis-angled?

[tankbarrell]

Exactly.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by rob love

How about the crooked invasion star on Canadian vehicles? Was this fairly rare or commonly done? Would it be incorrect to put it on mis-angled?

One could argue it was as per instructions!!

[jdmcm]

Patrick

I may be able to help with some of the turret interior fixtures for your project, lights, ventilator ducting, possibly bino case holder, oddment box etc

Regards
John