Hi everyone

I'm scratch building this trailer and I'm looking for any pictures of this trailer especially the rear walking-beam type axle or bogie. I have done a search on the net and have come up empty.

Thank you

Ralph

I want to second Mechs' request for info on the M23. Seems like there is NOTHING out there on the web.

The MMiR High Speed Tractor book has one photo. Then the current addition of the "Standard Catalog of US Military Vehicles" has another and finally the book "The American Arsenal" has two more plus a dimension drawing.

Problem is: All these photos are front 3/4, passenger side images. No profile pictures, no detail shots on the suspension and no off side pictures to see what is happening on the driver's side.

If anyone out there has some reference information on this trailer I certainly hope they will share it with the rest of us.

Many Thanks

Mike K.
165th Signal Photo Co.

I did some quick digging, and I found a place that does some reprinting of old Army manuals. What you need is Army TM 9-793.
http://www.robvanmeel.nl/?q=content/ord-maint-trailer-8ton-4wheel-ammo-m23-219-p

In the TM should be line schematics of the trailer. I use Army TM's at work and in the beginning of each one is usually an illustration of the vehicle/equipment. I would assume there would be more illustrations in a manual from 1944 considering the illiteracy rate back then.

As far as the axle construction is concerned, are you aware of how a walking axle operates? Centrally mounted, pivots on the mount. These are 10-ton drive axles but should look similar to the ones found on an 8-ton ammo trailer.


ETA: Was not trying to sound condescending! I was just curious if you understood the mechanics of the axle assembly. Also, I am unable to find a free version of the TM for you guys, not available on any .mil sites since the trailer was long ago scrapped.

Hello

How did you do in your request for photos of the M23? I too wish to model the M23 and I have found a few photos. Perhaps we could share what we have?

Regards
Michael Koenig
165th Signal Photo Reenactor Company

p.s. The photo that was recently posted showing walking beam suspension is not correct for the M23. What is shown in that photo is actually NOT what is referred to as a "walking beam". When the spring itself forms the teeter-totter that is not a "beam". A beam by its engineering definition is rigid. The M23 had fixed body mounted leaf springs on each side. These leaf springs support the center pivot of a rigid rocker arm or "walking beam" that in turn supports a spindle, brake assembly, wheel and tire at each of its' ends. Only one axle crosses under the trailer body and that is the axle for the center pivot. The four wheels ride only on short spindles, unlike those of the heavy trailer frame in the photo. The M23 was, overall a much lighter trailer so there were NO axles crossing under the trailer body in line with the wheels.

Here is one drawing from the TM for the M23. Unfortunately the TM is not as well illustrated as others I have seem. (Unfortunately there is no photo of the trailer up on jack stands with the wheels off like you would expect to see.) /Users/mike/Desktop/M23 walking beam.jpg

Sorry I am trying to upload the drawing from the TM but it doesn't seem to want to work???? Can anyone give me advice on uploading photos to Armorama?

I think this might work. Here's the photo"
https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/13711/thumbs/M23_walking_beam.jpg

M23 Ammo Trailer now under construction in 1/35 scale. Body construction is well along and I start on the suspension this weekend.

Progress photos hosted here:

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t461/165thspc/M23%20World%20War%202%20US%20Ammo%20Trailer/

Looks interesting, are there any plans to cast this in resin?

Yes. Quite possibly. This is my trial prototype and I start on the mould patterns shortly.

That's good to hear. I guess this will look good with the HobbyBoss M4.
I will definitely be following this thread.

Of course I want it to go behind my scratch built Mack NO but I am building the M4M HST from HobbyBoss as well

More progress photos and dimension data added today.

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t461/165thspc/M23%20World%20War%202%20US%20Ammo%20Trailer/


Mike
165th Signal Photo Reenactor Company

Such an interesting subject, that additional info and photos are great!

Hi Michael. Really nice scracth work. Never heard of this trailer type before, but as a model it looks so cool. Love that heavy dumper look.

Love the scratch work. Very nice. Will need a bunch of ammunition to fill the cargo bed. Keep the updates coming

Rounds Complete!!

The M23 could carry: 96 - 155mm rounds . . . 62 - 203mm rounds . . . or only 32 of the 240mm shells which would keep that big gun going for about a half hour.

That base plate inside the floor of the trailer is proving to be a real bear!

Mike

This is just the first two layers for the floor. Which only covers the 155mm rounds!

____________________________________________________________________

I don't care what you play, as long as you play it LOUD!

Walking beam axle assembly for the M23. Only the central cross axle was sprung. Photo is from the TM on the M23.

Another photo from the Technical Manual

Just fantastic work Mike. I love to see scratchbuilt stuff.

If interested in scratch building please check out the following link to my scratch built Mack NO Artillery Tractor. It took a gold metal at the AMPS show 3 years ago in Auburn, IN at the Victory Museum.

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t461/165thspc/M23%20World%20War%202%20US%20Ammo%20Trailer/

Sorry I listed the wrong file.

The scratch build Mack NO photo file is at:

http://s1061.photobucket.com/albums/t461/165thspc/WWII%20Mack%20NO%20Artillery%20Tractor/