Ok - I'm going a diorama of a Stuart crossing a revine with an improvised bridge or tree logs. I am going to fill some space with one of the Engineers resting after making the bridge. I have an ax that he will be holding.
Question is - What ELSE would he have used to bring down the trees, saw?
This is WWII era setting/

All of the old Tamiya T34's had a bow saw as stowage. I think these would have been used everywhere.

Patrick

Shovel and pick to dig the logs in, maybe some chain and cables. Sounds like fun... make sure you post pictures!

Excallent additions guys. Cool - little bit of research on the saw and I'm off.
I like the pick and chains too.

This is the Stuart I'm using (old picture, need more dust and interior panels).

I will add more soon.

Thanks

Lots and Lots of explosives!! :-)
I have never met an engineer who didnt like lots and lots of explosives. :-)

Cheers,
Paul

Also you could have track mark where you tank pushed some trees over.

Remember: A sapper who does not like explosives,let alone does not use them, ain't a sapper in my book.
Enjoy

Another good idea here... often the chains were attached to a tree base and the tank... which then went into reverse and just ripped the tree roots out of the ground. then the engineers would come over, cut up the tree and leave the rootball just were it was next to the gapping hole in the ground. THAT really tells a story about building your bridge....

Hi Scott,
Being an ex Sapper I have to agree with Paul160

and Bren

There are basically 2 methods of bringing down a tree with explosives: Strap a load of it to the side of the trunk, (to much and you have to go looking for the tree) or, a neater way, bore into the trunk with a 11/2" wood bit, trees over about 18" would have 2 holes, at right angles, one above the other. Explosives will shatter the trunk so wood working tools are required to finish off. So for your diorama a couple of wood boring bits (we had the bits with an eye at the blunt end that excepted a tapered wooden handle), empty boxes of explosives and reels of detonating cord. with shattered tree trunks. One other thing, tree trunks are heavy, the sappers would more than likely construct "field machines" to help them move and position the logs. Particularly if the gap is wide or, in your case, deep. They would need alot of man power to just man handle the logs, although there are ways. Sappers always have lots of work to do, so they use the easiest way.
I could possibly draw you a couple of field machines and methods of getting the logs over the gap and email them. :-)
Mal

Ok - Man - I just got ANOTHER dio inspiration Holdfast.
My M3 is only going to be about a 5"x7" base. Not a lot of room for field machines.
I love the idea though!

The boxes, smashed logs, fuse, etc is great stuff. Thanks for that, I'll work some of those in.

Thanks guys! (I've got an in progress photo I'm going to try to get to MSN later)