Valcartier Sherman

[James P]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

hopefully when the repaint takes place ... someone can be assigned to reinstall the coaxial 1919A4 Browning.

Not sure which tank you refer to seems the Hull Sherman is missing the Bow MG poking out its ball mount. Kind of sad state the vehicles at the CWM stripped of there turret mounted MGs or a Lynx with nothing mounted. Go to the Armor Museum at Fort Knox KY or even just drive around the base and it seems every intersection has a monument tank sited there AND mounting welded up MGs to complete the look like they are ready to go to battle.

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by James P

Not sure which tank you refer . . . .

See large red colour oval surrounding the protruding barrel jacket and muzzle of the coaxial mounted Browning.

[James P]

What makes you think it is missing ? Eds 1984 pic or did it get pinched since Steves and the first picture showing the tank ?..............BTW I have a pretty good handle on what gun goes where. Q: is the co-axe supposed to stick out that far on this monument tank ?

[Michael R.]

Originally Posted by James P

What makes you think it is missing ? Eds 1984 pic or did it get pinched since Steves and the first picture showing the tank ?..............BTW I have a pretty good handle on what gun goes where. Q: is the co-axe supposed to stick out that far on this monument tank ?

Hi James, I am not suggesting it is missing... apply your pretty good handle on what gun goes where and yes, as you deduced, the coaxial mounting 1919A4 .30 cal barrel assembly is not as fully exposed, for this particular turret model.

Unlike the co-driver bow gun.

Part of my poking fun at the need to “re-install” the item.
Could well be a most current inspection may reveal the part has been removed.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Michael R.

Hi James, I am not suggesting it is missing... apply your pretty good handle on what gun goes where and yes, as you deduced, the coaxial mounting 1919A4 .30 cal barrel assembly is not as fully exposed, for this particular turret model.

Unlike the co-driver bow gun.

Part of my poking fun at the need to “re-install” the item.
Could well be a most current inspection may reveal the part has been removed.

Slightly off topic, but relevant to the discussion of Shermans. I see in the top of the left side image "turret cradle lock". Is this a fixture to immobilize the main gun to prevent damage to the gunner's aiming mechanism, the same way other Shermans have a triangular travel lock for the barrel?

[David Herbert]

Michael,
Yes I had spotted that the .30 was protruding too far but opted to add a bit of satire to the subject - oh well, it was worth a try !

Terry,
The interior 'Turret Cradle Lock' does hold the gun at a fixed elevation to relieve the load on the elevation mechanism. There is also a turret traverse lock that engages with the traverse rack on the turret ring to relieve the load on the turret traverse brake on the traverse gearbox. Both these features are operated from inside the turret and so can be easily released if needed.
These features date from the very beginning of Sherman production but it was found quite early on that the external V shaped gun crutch was a much better way to immobilize the gun and turret together during shipping and long advances. There was a way to release the external crutch from inside the tank but it was a bit crude so the original internal locks were retained and gradually made more substantial as Shermans were developed and were intended to be used when there was a possibility of action but a long advance needed to be made.

David

[Michael R.]

David:

you got me. I should have known better.


The spring loaded “turret cradle lock” showing above and centred on the main gun. The turret traverse lock handle is usually painted red: part time users with age onset memory loss beware. The hydraulic powered turret traverse is not forgiving.