Interesting find, and kind of makes sense to match the inside colour, but seems a lot of effort considering all the ones intended for ground use that would be green…
Definitely a unicorn. That type can is the one permanently affixed inside the tank for the coax or bow gun’s ammo. It is part of the tank and is refilled with belted ammo as needed. Standard ammo cans that were shipped from the factory through the supply system to troops were OD and did not close like that one does.
Bit more PE done.
Put the carry handles on the .50 and .30 boxes I’d put together.
Have just glued down the remaining 3 .30 lids. Once they are set, will do the carry handles.
Also put the .30 ammo box mount on the side of the gun cradle.
Also got the retaining straps connected on the rear stowage racks.
1 more thing I have to add is the vehicle radio, but I’m not totally sure where in goes ?? Also would it of had a straight or curly cable to the handset ?
Hopefully get a coat of OD over it all during the weekend
I want to build another one now after watching this build. You’re handling the PE well
John - here are 2 photos from Hunnicutt’s Halftracks that show the M3A1. The M3A2 isn’t even in the book! Anyway, the radio is located in the right rear of the troop compartment, under the overhang next to the antenna mast. You can just see it on the right in the rear view. It’s under the canteens in the top view. HTH!
Thank you Matt, that helps out a lot. I will have to have a look at mine later and see how I can get that included.
Hi Matt,
the M3A2 is definitely in the Hunnicutt book, coverage starts on page 72 and finishes with line drawings on page 78.
Hope that helps.
I was rereading through the instructions and they actually have the radio placed somewhere near and underneath the armoured ring for the .50, near the crew seats. It’s just a little mention of it at the end. it doesn’t really make sense as to positioning as I can’t suss out where it would go, unless it’s mounted on top of the fuel tank.
Maybe they just used manufacturing artistic measure and put it there, and in reality it did go where Matt @SSGToms said towards the rear doors on the right hand side?
The T29 had the radio mounted in place of the two seats directly below and behind the MG pulpit, in front of the fuel tank. You can see this in an earlier photo posted in the thread by petbat.
The overhead photos of the interior of the final M3A2 show no radio installed.
That is some really good detailing you’re doing there… that PE set does make it look a whole lot better… those ammo lid handles, is that PE or does that come with the 3D printed set?
Thanks for that bit of info Ken. I think I will leave the radio out then, and leave the inside as it is
Yes, it’s PE Bert. The set did come with a decal for the dash, but I lost that years ago sadly.
Body is now on the chassis and painted
And luckily remembered to fit the dash before the steering wheel and seats go in
Keep Ruckin, Johnny, Ruck On!
Quick question to all you American vehicle tool spotters out there … Would the handles on the axe, sledge and handgrip on the shovel be a wood colour or were they painted as per the vehicle colour ??
A couple of posts ago it shows the handles painted.
Good recall Ryan, cheers buddy.
That’s one job a bit easier to do
Got back into this and started on some internal work.
Bearing in mind that only 5 were built, I won’t be going crazy with an over worn finish… Dusting and some simple wear and tear and that will probably be it. I take the paint finish was the same method on say Shermans ? I know people have said it was a hard wearing finish so there would be little chipping and paint wear ?
Anyway, some external and inside bits
Fitted the 2 external Jerry cans and the MG pulpit is now fitted
Seat covers, front seats all added and painted. Did a very feint dry brush of oily steel on the gangway tread plate to show a bit of wear on that and the foot/stowage rail.
Thread plate looks good like that. The fuel can in the holder with strap looks great!
Thanks @KoSprueone …
Question on the tracks. Being rubber banded, was there any steel reinforcement within the actual track ?
I’m wondering how they would wear and what they would look like … ??
Found this manual: ‘Basic Half-Track Vehicles’ (see pg. 232).
And this YouTube video (approx. time-stamp: 5:30).
—mike