I'm getting towards the completion of AFV's M-41 Bulldog.

I've seen models with the exhaust shroud heavily rusted/burned.

Is this correct or would the paint have withstood the heat of the mufflers under the shrouds ? Are these if fact shrouds or are they the mufflers themselves?

Thanks in advance.

The mufflers had sheet metal heat shrouds over them. The heat would probably make the paint discolor, chip and rust. Probably similar to 55 gallon drums used as burn barrels. Shrouds were a safety measure for crewmen who may have stepped, sat or touched the muffler.

Thanks, Rob.

Gunnie's M41A3 Walker BullDog

Yes - Sabot's on the mark. The mufflers ran extremely hot on the BullDog - they glowed at night. The shroud was neatly painted to match the rest of the vehicle, but was quickly heat seared. The link above is to my two pages on the Walker BullDogs...

Gunnie