Has anyone ever attempted to convert an M4 to an M6 high speed tractor? Looks like a lengthened hull, double wheeled track gear ala Sherman HVSS and rear end arrangement.

Not that simple:

Length
M6 21'-6"
M4 17'-6"

Width
M6 10'
M4 8'- 1"

Height
M6 8'-8"
M4 8'-3"

Engine
M6 2 × Waukesha 145GZ 6-cylindergasoline engine
2 × 190 hp at 2100 rpm (141.68 kW)
M4 Waukesha 145GZ OHV I6 gasoline engine
210 hp (156 kW)

Scalemates list Rhino Models for 2013, but I haven't seen a web page for Rhino Models?

I'm quite sure Rhino's kit announcement was an April Fool published on PMMS back in 2013...

You can notice the "check the date" written on the box art (along with the "Moveable front wheels" and "Pneumatic rubber tires" as well...)

H.P.

Modifying the chassis and cab looks relatively easy as do the tracks plus sprocket wheels, the running gear is a whole 'nother matter though. The points where to measure length, width and height will hopefully be available somewhere?

In case you need it you'll find a TM for the M6 here :

http://fr.scribd.com/doc/165549567/Tm-9-788-38-TON-HIGH-SPEED-TRACTOR-M6-1952

H.P.

I looked at the photos in the book High Speed Tractor published by Ampersand

There is an overhead shot of the M4 on page 28 and one of the M6 on page 82.
They cannot be compared directly, but it is clear from the layout of the roof that the M6 is much wider. There are longitudinal air ducts on the cab roof of the M6 that are not present on the M4.

Also while again the photos cannot be directly compared, the rear plate (between the tracks) of the M6 is definitely wider.

The proportions (width vs height) of the cab front also indicate that the M6 is much wider.


It might be possible to splice the the cab front together from two M4 fronts, to use the cab sides, and widen the roof, but it might actually be easier to scratch build the body.

My M4A3 build is taking up a nice amount of styrene additions in some places so that is the approach I am thinking of for upsizing the basic M4 parts. The biggest hurdle will be scratch building the entire running gear unless that can be 3D designed and printed (which I am unfortunately not proficient in), then I could probably make short work of the conversion in a reasonable amount of time.

Try looking here: https://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/newkitnews/balaton.html
looks like one will be released

Howdy Y'all
Looks interesting, but let me ask a stupid question. What did the M6 tow? It seems some tractors towed specific guns although I would think you would've used what you had. I have a conversion for the Bandai 155 mm Long Tom into an 8-inch gun. My research shows different tractors were used to tow the 8" gun vs. the 8" howitzer. I want to keep the bolt counters off my case as much as possible. I also don't know if I will have an 8" howitzer or a different 8" gun. I guess sometimes you just have to just go for it, especially in 1/48 scale.
Take care,
Don "Lakota"

I always felt the open, arched spoked road wheels were the real stopper for me in considering a scratch/conversion.

The M6 HST was intended to tow heavy artillery pieces like the 240 mm howitzer M1 and the 8-inch Gun M1 :



Here it's towing the empty carriage of the 240 mm M1 :



H.P.

Or pulling M23 ammo trailers:


Photo property of Allied-Axis Books; Pat Stansell/David Doyle - used here for discussion and research purposes only.

Check out Balaton Modell has posted 10 pictures of the parts on their Facebook page and they look good.
I wonder what the cost of this kit is going to be.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1846016012350927.1073741922.1463629373922928&type=3

Cheers,

Ralph