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Armor/AFV: AA/AT/Artillery
For discussions about artillery and anti-aircraft or anti-tank guns.
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Looking for 3" M3 AA info
HunterCottage
#116
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Posted: Friday, November 08, 2013 - 11:08 PM UTC
With the latest success in finding out what my Dad was doing during WW2. I was wanting to find a model or drawings of the M3 he was working on before becoming a POW.

To my knowledge there is no outright 3" M3 model in 1/35, but I am not shy to scratchbuilding. So I am looking for any info I can to be able to build one.

If I understand correctly the M3 was somewhat mobile. In Nov 1941, my Dad's unit was ordered to set up their AA by the fixed 6" DC gun at Ramsay Battery on Corregidor Island, Philippines.
HeavyArty
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Posted: Saturday, November 09, 2013 - 12:40 AM UTC
No info for you, but I do have a possible lead.

Check in with Jon "Cobrahistorian" Bernstein. He is the director of the US Army ADA Museum at Ft Sill, OK. He can most likely help you out.

He may see the post as well, but I would send him a message too.

Good luck.
HunterCottage
#116
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Posted: Saturday, November 09, 2013 - 12:49 AM UTC
Thanks Gino!

Jon was the one that pointed me in the right direction about my Dad's service record... Great lad that one!!

I guess I might just have to do that...

Thanks again!!
Frenchy
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Posted: Saturday, November 09, 2013 - 12:50 AM UTC
Here's a M3 emplacement at Corregidor :



Another one at New Fighter Strip, Dobodura, New Guinea. (17 May 43)




H.P.
Cobrahistorian
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Posted: Saturday, November 09, 2013 - 01:46 AM UTC


Two things. Firstly, let me know what you need. I have an M3 3" AA gun (it's currently disassembled) and I have a lot of photos.

Secondly, be patient. There's one in the works.

Jon
HunterCottage
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Posted: Saturday, November 09, 2013 - 03:51 AM UTC
I think I can be patient...
1.90E_31
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Posted: Monday, November 11, 2013 - 11:30 AM UTC
It's actually a more complex mount than the 90mm gun it was replaced by...

HunterCottage
#116
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Posted: Monday, November 11, 2013 - 10:06 PM UTC
Jon,

That is one of the best pics I've seen of the whole emplacement. They were kind of big, weren’t they!!

Thanks for the pic!!
Frenchy
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Posted: Monday, November 11, 2013 - 11:30 PM UTC
Maybe this is another view of the same gun :



Full size

Full size of Jon's picture

H.P.
1.90E_31
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 12:05 AM UTC
They're even more fun all folded up...



Jon
Cobrahistorian
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 12:56 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Maybe this is another view of the same gun :



Full size

Full size of Jon's picture

H.P.


Sure is, Frenchy! This shot is fascinating! The gun is clearly elevated and the crew is able to point it, but the gun itself is still limbered! I had no idea that the M3 could be fired while still mounted on its wheels! Considering it's replacement, the M1 90mm could not be and it took a major redesign to the M2 90mm to allow a quick-fire capability I never expected the 3" gun to be able to fire while still on its wheels!
Frenchy
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 01:51 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The gun is clearly elevated and the crew is able to point it, but the gun itself is still limbered!


Here's my guess (I'm no expert ) : maybe this picture has been taken before the one in your post, while the crew was still placing the gun in battery. The gun is elevated for practical reasons...

H.P.
HunterCottage
#116
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 07:21 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The gun is clearly elevated and the crew is able to point it, but the gun itself is still limbered!


Here's my guess (I'm no expert ) : maybe this picture has been taken before the one in your post, while the crew was still placing the gun in battery. The gun is elevated for practical reasons...

H.P.


I've found the CA Field Manual for the M3 and it seems like detaching the wheels is optional so as to make for possible quick field movements... Coast Artillery Field Manual M3
210cav
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 07:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The gun is clearly elevated and the crew is able to point it, but the gun itself is still limbered!


Here's my guess (I'm no expert ) : maybe this picture has been taken before the one in your post, while the crew was still placing the gun in battery. The gun is elevated for practical reasons...

H.P.


I've found the CA Field Manual for the M3 and it seems like detaching the wheels is optional so as to make for possible quick field movements... Coast Artillery Field Manual M3


Where did you find that manual? Fascinating reading!
HunterCottage
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 08:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Where did you find that manual? Fascinating reading!


Google is your friend...

I just googled "FM 4-125" and took the first full PDF
JPTRR
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RAILROAD MODELING
#051
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Posted: Tuesday, November 12, 2013 - 09:20 AM UTC
This thread is how Armorama stole me from other sites long ago. So much activity and resources with people willing to share.
1.90E_31
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 02:51 AM UTC
The TM for the gun is TM 9-360, and the maintenance manual is TM 9-1360. The -1360 manual is online, but only 39 pages, so if you want to know how to replenish the recompensators, you're good to go...

OK, what type of truck is towing this gun?

Cobrahistorian
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 03:38 AM UTC
Jon,

We had some discussion of the prime mover over on the deuce and a half thread: http://armorama.com/forums/203281&ord=&page=16

It is either a Corbitt T4 or a GMC T95, both are 4-ton prime movers and are both listed as G028.

Jon
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 06:17 AM UTC

Quoted Text

It is either a Corbitt T4 or a GMC T95, both are 4-ton prime movers and are both listed as G028.


I guess it's a 1932 or 1933 Corbitt M1 6x4 prime mover. :

1939 picture :





Here you can see one following a GMC T4 6x4 prime mover (based on the civilian T95) :


Now back to the gun (I just hope the order is OK..) :
















PS : I like the accompanying sound locator trailer :



H.P.
HunterCottage
#116
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 04:11 PM UTC
Where do you get all these!!!!!!!! Awesome pics indeed!
Frenchy
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 10:33 PM UTC
Just take a look here :

http://images.google.com/hosted/life/c19f2c59dab2534a.html

and then you click on the "related images" thumbnails to find other pics from the same album. You should get about a hundred M3-related pics...

PS : I really dig LIFE pics !

H.P.
1.90E_31
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Posted: Wednesday, November 13, 2013 - 11:58 PM UTC
Brian,

Search under the following in Google:

"Us Anti-Aircraft Games source:life"

Go to images, and pick the first photo. Some repeat, but that's where they are.

Jon
1.90E_31
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Posted: Friday, November 22, 2013 - 12:38 AM UTC
This will be a large gun. In scale, the legs are over 8" in length:



and the gun is fairly complex due to the way the upper carriage was designed...



Jon

Cobrahistorian
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Posted: Friday, November 22, 2013 - 01:27 AM UTC
We need a "Like" button on here!
HunterCottage
#116
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Posted: Friday, November 22, 2013 - 05:40 AM UTC
Mega LIKE!!! Great work Jon!!

Will the Range Finder and Height Director be included??
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