Cool, but how does the 20 look on the outside, rather than centre?
Mal
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The twin 50 turret goes hard, imo. This a super cool concept! Considering how much damage an M2 can inflict, it totally makes sense that infantry might want support from a heavily-armoured mg carrier.
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Agreed, perhaps this mantlet -
with 50 cal in 1 side?
Actually how about 30 Cal instead of 50 Cal, to improve ammo endurance?
Mal
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Not really. The trailer was used for the Crocodile as it retained its main gun and therefore needed ammunition storage. When Australia fitted the flamethrower to the Matilda, it replaced the main gun, therefore the fuel tanks for the thrower went in where the ammo was previously and into storage areas:.
Would not want to be the contortionist that needed to re load the far .50 cal…
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I gotta agree with Dennis, the twin .50’s do it for this concept.
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Great work - 2 suggestions. Reducing the size of the exterior turret ring securing bolts might be a consideration as the current diameter might be warranted for a much larger turret. My 2nd suggestion is the track links look a bit oversize unless you are striving for a very reduced ground pressure scenario - since they seem to be modelled after Churchill track links, then perhaps something along those link dimensions could be considered (right now they look to be about 1/16 scale for what I assume will be a 1/35th scale printed kit which I would like to purchase. I am following this thread with interest.
The tracks (and roadwheels) are actually sourced straight from a Churchill. No scaling. It seemed appropriate. oddly enough they are the same width, more or less, as the Panzer 1 F. (and panzer 2 J)
Theoretically at least, they could be swapped out for metal churchill links, if one really wants to get their hobby-snob on.
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I suspect lack of space would still demand the trailer. Even though the propulsion system chosen for the Matilda II Frog seems to have required less space than the Crocodile system with compressed nitrogen, it still demanded a reduction in crew to 3. Clementine starts at 2 crew…
That appears to be a design feature of MG turrets
Mal
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I think the similarity to the Panzer IF is a huge part of it’s appeal while still retaining it’s blatant Britishness.
Aesthetically, yes. Though I think the mix of weapons would be more practical.
Mal
Hi TopSmith
I think your 2nd pic is the connection pipe to the Crocodile’s trailer - an inlet, not a projector.
Is your question to Mousemuffins or open to anyone?
Robin asked whether there would be a flamethrower version back in Sept 21 - the Answer - oh, definitely.
With the passage of time that may have changed?
Mal
Nothing gets the moral up, or down like a flame thrower.
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Hi TopSmith
Have you seen this, fairly old now - The most effective weapon of World War Two - YouTube -
Mal
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Had a thought about this, it’s an Infantry support tank, so how do the crew communicate with the infantry they’re supposed to support? (For more complicated comms than firing tracer at a particular target)
I was thinking the T/C had enough on his plate already - directing the driver, spotting targets, firing, loading & clearing the guns - without adding working radios to his list. I figured driving would be a full time occupation as well, so radio time not a thing there either.
Semaphore flags was a thought, but discarded rapidly.
That left a rear mounted tank/infantry telephone in an armoured box.
Anyone have a better idea?
Mal
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Frankly, this sounds like we need an additional crew member. Surely the tank is big enough to fit a No. 19 wireless or something similar. Now we can’t put it in the turret (looks like it would be too cramped, unless a bustle was added.) But looking at the current renders, it seems like there would be more than enough room in the hull!
A thought, is there enough room for a radio operator in the hull? It could be his job to REALLY use the radio, communicating all the time with other tanks, as well as infantry. Alternatively, make the turret a bit bigger, so it’s two man? Honestly, a two man tank isn’t ideal for infantry cooperation, unless the combat is low-intensity.
Also, I’m assuming that these 50s are fed by continuous belts from the hull? I suppose that would eliminate one job for the commander in the turret.
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Oh let’s not try to get too sensible here. I’m running on the assumption the two man tanks were a good idea. Which they were not. Also I’m thinking of this vehicle as a support tank for super heavies, like the Tortoise. Basically yapping about clearing infantry and wotnot while the big guns move up.
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