How different is this Korean war M-26 A-1 from a WW2 one?

Maybe you'll find useful info in these threads :

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/150132

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1304955966/T26E3-M26+differences

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1168740244/DML+M-26+%26amp%3B+M-26A-1+Differences

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1284991686/USMC+Korean+M26

HTH

Frenchy

I don't know how many folks here have watched the Korean War tank battles shown on the History Channel, but I got to watch it one night with Mr. Dillon (the guy they interviewed). He told me that he used an M26, but there were T26's in the mix as well. He said many were actually from Europe, and brought right out of the depots. Bob was in the First Cav, and it was his tank platoon that broke the siege down in the pocket. I remember Bob saying the barrels were different (maybe mantlet too), and there was something different in the turret (spent shell case ejection port?), and the fender turn buckles for bracing. Also tracks were different, but he also said he saw the early tracks on M26's as well as late tracks on T26's. Seems like everytime I speak with Bob, I learn something new about that series of tanks
gary

For a WWII tank from the kit you have, you need to change the tracks to the style found in Tamiya's M26 kit. I don't know the track model number, but they are all-steel with straight line cleats on them (see below). You will also need to leave off the turnbuckle supports on the fenders and the radio/telephone box on the right rear. I think that is about it. There may also be something different with the engine deck, but I am not sure.


WWII tracks on T26E3.

The pictured tracks are called T80E1.

HTH

Frenchy

The T80E1 tracks are the Korean War era steel chevron tracks, which are available from AFV Club.


The ones on the Dragon Korean War M26A1 above are Korean War ear T84E1 rubber block chevron tracks, also available from AFV Club.


I am talking about the tracks on the WWII era T26E3 I posted above (and below). I believe it is T81 track.

WWII era T26E3


This one shows the rear w/out the infantry phone box as well. The muzzle break appears different as well, the same as it is in the Tamiya M26 kit.

the only difference between the M-26/ T-26 the WW2 Pershing and the M-26A1 was the use of a different 90mm gun and different tracks

I stand corrected Gino ! You're right about the T81 designation for those pictured in your T26E3 pics.

Here's a T81-fitted Pershing in Korea :



WW2 Productions had released them in resin. Not sure they're still available...

Here's another topic-related thread :
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/thread/1293550883/Tamiya+M-26+to+Korean+War-

Frenchy

Not really.

As stated, some early Korean War ones used the WWII T81 tracks. Some later by the above pic too.

The 90mm gun is the same, but the muzzle brake was different.

The WWII version didn't have the fender turnbuckles or the infantry phone either.

Not to mention the relocated Gun Crutch on the upper engine deck, the M26a1 had the larger Blower housing (the large bulged out part of the glacis between the two drivers hatches) whilst the earlier T26E3 had the smaller one. The DML A1 kit correctly represents this. A lot of M26 were built with this blower so it isn't such a big deal for a Korean war version - it is if you wish to backdate.
THe short list for a Korean Period M26A1 to Korean War M26 is
1, change the Gun Barrel to a WW2 type M3 tube (no bore evacuator)
2. remove the kit supplied Gun crutch and scratch one that mounts either side of the exhaust (Not into the casting as the early t26E3 did)

3. Tracks - the T80E1's were used on some Marine and Army M26 so you can use them but find a supporting photo.

For a Korean M26A1 to a WW2 T26 then you have the additional points:

1. Change the gun crutch to one that mounts integrally to the Exhaust on the rear.

2. Lose the Fender buckles

3. Lose the Tank Telephone box

4. Get T81 tracks

5. Most importantly ALL the WW2 tanks had the Small blower housing (reshape the kit one)

6. Remove the strengthening ribs on the Final drives

The DML Orange Box version of the Pershing has all the parts you need including both types of track, both gun tubes, gun crutches etc although I do not know if they include both Hull/glacis types as DMLs original T26E3 and M26A1 kits had the correct differing hulls. The M26A1 cannot be used for a WW2 one as the Large casting was introduced post war in the production M26.




Cheers
Al

Don't forget at the point they introduced the larger blower housing, they deleted the extra hull mounted periscopes for the driver and bow gunner.

Prior to that, steel plugs were welded into the hull periscope holes shortly after WW2.

G