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For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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American Tank Geek Question
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 01:30 AM UTC
The Covid-19 situation has canceled or postponed what would have been an ultimate birthday present for me; driving a tank at the American Heritage museum. But I have a question. I'm a big guy (6'4"/300). I drove a dragster for 20 year and that car had a 23" shoulder hoop, which was tight. I'm pretty sure the tank in question is an M24. Is there an uber-geek out there who can tell me the dimensions of the driver's hatch? I'm trying to figure out if I'd be able to fit. Thank you!
vettejack
Joined: November 23, 2012
KitMaker: 1,277 posts
Armorama: 1,254 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 01:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The Covid-19 situation has canceled or postponed what would have been an ultimate birthday present for me; driving a tank at the American Heritage museum. But I have a question. I'm a big guy (6'4"/300). I drove a dragster for 20 year and that car had a 23" shoulder hoop, which was tight. I'm pretty sure the tank in question is an M24. Is there an uber-geek out there who can tell me the dimensions of the driver's hatch? I'm trying to figure out if I'd be able to fit. Thank you!
Lets put this in a young vs. older thing...just as one example.
Tanks are built for young guys...you know: the 6 ft, strapin' he-man, that weighs 150 soaking wet, and maybe a muscle bound freak of nature. For guys like me, now 66 years old, still 6 feet tall (I think I still am), and over 240 pounds (vs. 165-175 in my military days), there is no way I would attempt trying to get in tanks. If you do, at my size and manage to get in, keep in mind, you then still have to get out! My active duty time (1974-1996), I crawled all over everything, and anything, in and out of the vehicles, when our aircraft would carry them...tons of armor in a lot of those missions. Today...I would never try that. I know my limitations. My 2 cents.
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 02:18 AM UTC
Bill,
The driver's hatch on the M24 is 24.57" wide (side to side) and 20.79" deep (front to back). Where in Connecticut do you live?
The driver's hatch on the M24 is 24.57" wide (side to side) and 20.79" deep (front to back). Where in Connecticut do you live?
Tank1812
Joined: April 29, 2014
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 886 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 02:23 AM UTC
I second Johns point. At 6’3” and 260, it would be not be as fun to get back into a M1. Also getting in is one thing, getting out is another. I was touring the USS North Carolina last year. I could not have made it as a sailor in the 40’s, them boys where small and skinny. Even with the Marine Det the 5” gun would have been horrible.
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 03:31 AM UTC
Hi Matt: thanks for that info! I live in West Hartford; yourself?
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 03:33 AM UTC
Ryan, good point, but after getting out of the dragster for 20 years (and I still can) I think I can handle it at least once! There's always aspirin…...
barnslayer
Joined: July 29, 2002
KitMaker: 102 posts
Armorama: 102 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 06:16 AM UTC
SSGToms gave you the hatch dimensions.
I'd do what they did at the USS Growler museum (next to the USS Intrepid, NYC). They set up a mock hatch out of plywood. Anyone that couldn't fit through didn't go on the sub's tour.
Take some plywood, cut the hatch to SSGToms specs.
I'd add 2x4's around the opening to bulk it up.
Prop the hatch on some cinder blocks or over a hole in the ground and see how you fit.
I'd do what they did at the USS Growler museum (next to the USS Intrepid, NYC). They set up a mock hatch out of plywood. Anyone that couldn't fit through didn't go on the sub's tour.
Take some plywood, cut the hatch to SSGToms specs.
I'd add 2x4's around the opening to bulk it up.
Prop the hatch on some cinder blocks or over a hole in the ground and see how you fit.
tcpyro6
Joined: August 02, 2007
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 16 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 06:57 AM UTC
West Hartford? I'm originally from West Hartford also. Went to Conard. Used to work at War & Pieces on South Main in the Center. Best hobby shop in the world! Too bad it shut down in 06
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 07:04 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Hi Matt: thanks for that info! I live in West Hartford; yourself?
Naugatuck! We're half an hour away from each other. Do you know I have an AMPS chapter that's free?
SSGToms
Joined: April 02, 2005
KitMaker: 3,608 posts
Armorama: 3,092 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 07:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
West Hartford? I'm originally from West Hartford also. Went to Conard. Used to work at War & Pieces on South Main in the Center. Best hobby shop in the world! Too bad it shut down in 06
Tom, I used to go to War & Pieces once a week and talk for an hour (and buy lots of stuff).
tcpyro6
Joined: August 02, 2007
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 16 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 07:22 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextWest Hartford? I'm originally from West Hartford also. Went to Conard. Used to work at War & Pieces on South Main in the Center. Best hobby shop in the world! Too bad it shut down in 06
Tom, I used to go to War & Pieces once a week and talk for an hour (and buy lots of stuff).
It was the best place to be in the early 80's during high school. Rich (owner) is a fantastic guy. Learned a lot there just by listening to the veterans who came in to talk story
Ringleheim
Joined: September 04, 2009
KitMaker: 184 posts
Armorama: 183 posts
Posted: Friday, May 29, 2020 - 07:41 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The Covid-19 situation has canceled or postponed what would have been an ultimate birthday present for me; driving a tank at the American Heritage museum. But I have a question. I'm a big guy (6'4"/300). I drove a dragster for 20 year and that car had a 23" shoulder hoop, which was tight. I'm pretty sure the tank in question is an M24. Is there an uber-geek out there who can tell me the dimensions of the driver's hatch? I'm trying to figure out if I'd be able to fit. Thank you!
Watch this video!
This is "the Chieftain" doing one of his world of tanks videos crawling over and in an M-24.
He was an M-1 tank commander for many years, but he is quite tall at 6'5" I believe, though slender. He struggles to fit in, get in, and get out of, almost everything.
You can see how he handles the M-24 in the video and compare to yourself.
There are 3 videos for the M-24; He's in the driver's hatch for the 3rd video which is the one I'll link, but you might want to see the others.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIqQ3tWAfVI
LonCray
Joined: August 24, 2005
KitMaker: 348 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 31, 2020 - 01:10 AM UTC
I'm 6'5 242. I got to sleep aboard USS New Jersey with Boy Scouts a few years ago and boy that ship was tiny. Berths were definitely made for a smaller breed of man. I have never been inside a tank but now I'm pretty sure that business just isn't for me.
j76lr
Joined: September 22, 2006
KitMaker: 1,081 posts
Armorama: 1,066 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 31, 2020 - 02:01 AM UTC
I was part of a m113 crew while stationed in V N. jumped off and on one ,Drove one, sat in one, ate in one, slept in one .(USAF security ,also a v 100 ). A few years ago I tried climbing in one ,at a museum in Connecticut. I pulled a muscle and it hurt for days !! 
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 12:13 AM UTC
Thanks Barney, GREAT idea!
wildbill426
Joined: December 08, 2006
KitMaker: 403 posts
Armorama: 375 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 12:14 AM UTC
Then I know you. I'm still in touch with Rich.
165thspc
#521
Joined: April 13, 2011
KitMaker: 9,465 posts
Armorama: 8,695 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 12:22 AM UTC
I'm 5'10" and 215 lbs so a bit different problems for me.
Worked on Stuarts and late war Sherman's at the Patton Museum. Had to turn sideways to move in and out of the Stuart driver's hatch. With the Sherman's no problem. Never encountered a small hatch Sherman so not a problem there.
Drove a 113 and the 578 - plenty of space there.
Worked on Stuarts and late war Sherman's at the Patton Museum. Had to turn sideways to move in and out of the Stuart driver's hatch. With the Sherman's no problem. Never encountered a small hatch Sherman so not a problem there.
Drove a 113 and the 578 - plenty of space there.
panamadan
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 1,513 posts
Armorama: 1,449 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 01:15 AM UTC
A good place to drive tanks- https://www.driveatank.com/
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 01:53 AM UTC
In case it matters the inside of US tanks in WW2 were built and designed for someone around 5'9" and 180 pounds.
Postwar they're built around 6' and 200 pounds. The M1 the height was restricted to 5'10" but the tall guys (and officers) were grandfathered.
Russian tanks were built no more than 5'6" . Have some videos of healthy American tankers trying desperately to fit in and can't close the hatch.
Keep your knees and elbows in.
At 5'10" (I have shrunk since I got out) and 200 pounds I still fit but the knees just scream.
I've toured four WW2 submarines. I really have to keep my head down. And don't get me started on 19th century warships. Can't even stand up.
Postwar they're built around 6' and 200 pounds. The M1 the height was restricted to 5'10" but the tall guys (and officers) were grandfathered.
Russian tanks were built no more than 5'6" . Have some videos of healthy American tankers trying desperately to fit in and can't close the hatch.
Keep your knees and elbows in.
At 5'10" (I have shrunk since I got out) and 200 pounds I still fit but the knees just scream.
I've toured four WW2 submarines. I really have to keep my head down. And don't get me started on 19th century warships. Can't even stand up.
tcpyro6
Joined: August 02, 2007
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 16 posts
Posted: Monday, June 01, 2020 - 06:38 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Then I know you. I'm still in touch with Rich.
Bill...Tell him Tom Brown (one of his minions up till '85 when I enlisted in the USAF) says hi. I'll PM you my contact info.
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