From: Think Tank Subject: Think Tank Vol.0016 11/12/1999 Think.tank@tesco.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS' INDEX 1: Ram tank confusion 2: Ref. Portable bridges 3: BATUS zap numbers 4: Airfix 1/32 Crusader 5: German camo book -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD INDEX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MODELLERS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) From: Paul Roberts [proberts@mail.tamcotec.com] Subject: Ram tank confusion The name Ram does indeed mean the male sheep, there's nothing special about it. As to your description, Robert, it actually applies to the Grizzly, not the Ram. The Griz was the Canadian version of the M4A1 and other than the name confusion, your detail differences are right on. The Ram was a completely different vehicle. Designed for Commonwealth use at a time when the Lee had too many faults and the Sherman didn't exist, the Ram was a very good vehicle when the pilot rolled out in July 1941. An all cast hull (also produced by General Steel Castings) and turret mounting first a 2 pdr and then, after 50 tanks, a 6 pdr, the Ram used the entire lower hull and automotive drive train of the M3 Lee. The Ram was replaced in Canadian armoured regiments in the last couple of months before D-Day by the Sherman. The Sherman was used because of its 75mm gun. While it was technically possible to up-gun the Ram, this wasn't done. Why? I don't know, but it may have to do with the cramped quarters in the turret with a 75mm fitted and the ready availability of the Shermans. As it turned out a fair number of them went to the continent as Kangaroos and OP/Command tanks. HTH, email me if there you have any other questions on the Ram, or other Canadian vehicles. Paul Roberts Paul Roberts | Accuracy Scale Tech Distributing | is our Measure of Scale Model Builders | Quality proberts@tamcotec.com Visit our home page http://www.tamcotec.com/proberts Doh! I really must apologise for the elementary error of confusing Rams and Grizzlies. Sounds as though I need a holiday… By the way, does anybody know what the broad groove in the centre rear of the engine deck was for? Paul points out that it appears on Rams, Grizzlies and M3A1 medium tanks as well. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) From: Juergen Kurz [juergenundkim.kurz@planet-interkom.de] Subject: Ref. Portable bridges Dear Robert, Maybe the portable bridges you mentioned are of the sort of trackways used as engineer store. I know about the Tracked Bridge 12 foot, No3, Class9. This bridge consisted of two steel channels which were laid far enough apart to fit the track width of vehicles. Various patterns weighing between 450lb and 500lb existed. I would be interested in seeing how the bridges carried on the armoured cars looked like. Maybe you can send me a photo to my e-mail address? I hope this helps. Regards, Juergen Kurz MAFVA 7501 "juergenundkim.kurz@planet-interkom.de They could well be those - the fact that I am unfamiliar with them is probably just because I have never seen the No.3 bridge illustrated. My scanner is currently having one of its regular 'down' periods but an example can be found in IWM photo B10147a (on an AEC Mk.III in the Netherlands during 09/1944, and printed on page 15 of Osprey Vanguard 9 on the Guards Armoured Div). I am sure I have seen others on Staghounds but the references escape me at present. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) From: Listmaster Subject: BATUS zap numbers I am building Accurate Armour's Ferret 2/3 as a battlegroup vehicle at Suffield and have now acquired a primary source listing of markings carried, including ERMs, callsigns and zap numbers. The latter are unique ID numbers used from at least 1989 for each vehicle so that in the event of an accident, the occupants can be determined quickly. However, I have failed to find any photographic evidence as to their placement or colours on Ferrets. I seem to recall being told that they were carried on the triangular bins behind the front wheels but can anyone confirm this or provide any more information on the battlegroup (i.e. not range safety) Ferrets (stowage etc.)? Thanks Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) From: Christopher Hughes [Cjm.Hughes@btinternet.com] Subject: Airfix 1/32 Crusader Firstly, thanks to all those who responded to my query re Ram Kangaroos. I guess it's the resin kit option from Milicast... I have another query. Can anyone recall an article on converting the old Airfix 1/32 Crusader into the gun tractor for the 17pdr A/Tk gun? I have the old Airfix mag article on the 1/76 conversion, but a reliable source tells me that the larger scale was also covered - the source being Mr Lynn Thredgold whose models are on display at the Land Warfare Hall at Duxford. I have a salvaged Crusader in lots of pieces (!) and a 17pdr. I would love to do a NW Europe diorama of the gun being brought into action. Incidentally, I work at Duxford as a DAS volunteer. I'm presently helping to restore a 1931 Morris Commercial truck as used by the RASC. Our next project is the RAF Leyland workshop vehicle (the workshop part of which was in the R.E. 8 tableau for many years). After that, we're hoping to have a crack at getting the ex-South African Crusader up and running... Any potential volunteers out there? Cheers, Chris Gerald Scarborough covered it in the book 'Modelling Military Vehicles' by Bruce Quarrie and published by PSL. It is long out of print but as luck would have it, I have a copy and could copy the offending pages. I might even bring them along to DX for you in exchange for a few of those Anzac cookies you were threatening to make a few months ago! It might even encourage me to get along to the workshops again…. I cannot comment on accuracy and the drawings are lacking in detail so you will need to do some additional research as regards internal fittings. I know it was pretty cramped, at least going by the Accurate Armour conversion in 1/35. Me, I prefer to tackle the AA version as an easier option for my Crusader. I spoke to a chap who built one up and he was unable to find much in the way of references but what he found agreed with the AA kit. There are some stowage diagrams (not sure if I have them but Bovington will and the PRPO might) but they may cover the externals only. Incidentally, has anyone seen photos of the gun tractor in service? I have seen a total of one, towing a 25pdr limber and 17pdr in an orchard, which is on the wall of the Bayeux museum. Surely someone must have photographed others? Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) From: Cooper, Mike [Mike.Cooper@reading.gov.uk] Subject: German camo book Dear All Does anyone know anything about a new German book "Tarnanstriche des deutschen Heeres 1914 bis heute" by Johannes Denecke (ISBN: 3-7637-5990)? Apparently this covers both World Wars and Bundeswehr usage. Rather than buy without seeing it I'd like to know if anyone has a copy - and if so if it is well researched and supported by documentation - or if anyone has seen reviews. Does anyone have a price and source? According to one set of comments, this indicates a much wider range of tones and paints in use than I think most of us would have understood, and in any case any coverage of WW1 is of great interest to me Thanks Mike Cooper Reading, UK Mike.Cooper@reading.gov.uk I saw a picture of the cover in the French magazine Steelmasters the other day. It gave a price of FF195 and described it as having 112 pages and 110 photographs. Like an idiot I failed to record the source but Barbarossa Books (barbbook@dircon.co.uk) might have it. Robert -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TRADERS, ANNOUNCEMENTS & NOTICEBOARD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Lockie (Think Tank Listmaster) Visit the Miniature AFV Association website at http://homepages.go.com/~mafva/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Volume