Not another Sherman dio I hear you say.....stay with me on this.

Right, here's the concept: a M4 Sherman undergoing an engine change. The lifting of the engine is being done by a GMC CCKW 352 Wrecker. I chose the GMC CCKW 352 Wrecker as I have the Tamiya 2 1/2 ton 6X6 model and I saw the RealModel conversion for the wrecker. There will be a couple of mechanics/fitters as the 'human' element.

Now, this is where I need some 'technical' help. The dio is to be somewhere in the ETO, most probably Normandy, but open to suggestions as to the 'correct' theatre/location. I have no photo's of an engine change being done on a Sherman, so I'm unsure if the GMC CCKW 352 Wrecker would of been used, or if it was used would it of been Normandy or later? The M4 Sherman had a Continental R-985 Radial Engine from the research I've done.

Anyway, if anyone can suggest any 'technical' points for this dio, otherwise I'm going to press on with it.

You have several Shermans to choose from. The M4 and M4A1 were powered by Continental 9 cyl radial aircraft engines. The M4A2 had two GM diesel engines.Some of those were used by the British in the DD version during the Normandy invasion. The M4A3 was powered by the Ford GAA V8, the best of all Sherman engines, and was used mainly by the US Army in Normandy The M4A4 used the Chrysler Multibank composite engine (five 6 cylinder Chrysler engines coupled together and had somewhat longer tracks. Most of those were used by the British. Some were converted to the Firefly version with the 17 pdr. gun and were also used in Normandy.
Hope this helps.
Dick

My guess is your choice of wrecker would be fine. I have seen photos, but the vehicle isn't all that clear to me. Location, however, varies considerably. I have seen barnyards and what looks like fields being used as maintenance depots. Especially after the breakout, when everyone was moving pretty fast. I'd like to see how your diorama turns out.

Cheers for the info guys.

Just wanted to know the correct model Sherman for the Radial engine, and if there was a almighty 'cock-up' with the selection of wrecker, ie not seen in the same theatre or chronologically wrong.

Will start after I complete the current model: Tamiya Humvee with Legends SF conversion. Will post on this thread.

Cheers & beers.

Actually the M4A3 didn't start to be deployed until the break out. The M4 and M4A1 were the Shermans used in most of the Normandy Campaign and were quite prevalent after as well, for example the 4th Armored was equipped with these two types as late as Arracourt in September.

M4’s and M4A1’s would have been seen in Normandy, the M4A3 wasn’t seen until later. Here is a picture of an M4 getting a new power plant. I believe the truck is a Diamond Rio, But I’m not sure.



Another option would be an M31 or M32 Recovery vehicle as I have seen pictures of them beging use to change engins

That's exactly what I'm after Big-John. Err.....is it OK if I use the photo as research?

So the concept I'm after isn't too far from the supplied photo, except for the wrecker as I'm going to be using a GMC CCKW Wrecker.

Actually, I might check out to see if there are any models of the Diamond Reo, M31, or M32. Additionally, does anyone know who makes mechanics/fitters figures?

I'm pretty much going to 'lock in' the Normandy Theatre.

Good luck with this project. Im sure you will get alot of help form here as its needed.

Im just bedazzled by the fact you have access to stuff some of us only dream about, and you go build a Sherman..

But then I wouldnt wanna come home from work and make a model of my factory machines either..

Adam

Yeah well, it's all part of the therapy nah.....just interested in all things 'recoverable', (must be something to do with my job as a Recovery Mechanic) and thought it would make a good dio. No doubt, well for me anyway, this is going to be a long 'works in progress' with a few tears before bedtime.

I'll start with the Wrecker, then Sherman with engine (not too sure if to have the engine in or already slung), figures, and finish with base.

Hi Mark,

I don’t have a lot of time to do some digging right now, but Verlinden makes a few Mechanics figures. And I believe Warriors might have some, do a search on eBay.

I believe the M31 based off of the M3 chassis was primarily used in the Normandy theater as I have seen movie clips of the 2nd and 3rd Armored Division using them.

I’ll have more time next week, so If you need some help searching, just let me know.

I have put a lot of thought into a project like this as well, mainly because I’m a heavy truck mechanic by trade.

Cool concept for a dio. As far as the figs go,don't rule out searching for aircraft mechanics as the USAAC used the same uniforms as the "legs". Just a though. Good luck with your project and above all,have fun!
J

Didn't think of the USAAC, funny how you get focused on one idea and don't look at the many alternatives. Thanks for the suggestion Jerry.

John, I'm using your supplied photo as the basis of my dio. It captures what I want to tell. I hope you don't mind.

Hey Mark
Will be interested in following this project mate. Don't worry about it being a tired theme; I love this stuff
As far as M31s are concerned, I think from memory there are maybe 2 resin conversions on the market for the Tamiya M3 Lee?
There is a MK35 kit and a Legends kit.
I would love this to be made in plastic, as they are just so damned interesting and useful, case in point being your diorama idea.
I would not go the M32 option as they were not as prevalent, and the only kit I know in plastic is the Italeri M32 which features the large hatched M4a1 chassis which itself is rare as rocking horse $hit as most converted were the small hatch M4a1.
I have a few pics floating around of M31s if interested.
Brad

Mark,

I found that photo on the web, so more power to ya!