I am maybe a little bias but I would recommend it.
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Richard-
The NIM (National Infantry Museum was (IIRC) in the old Hospital at that time. A new structure was built coming onto post from Victory Drive towards Main Gate (now called ACPs). The multi-story brick is beautiful, and has many wonderful displays. It is often voted most popular free museum (operation is funded by the Infantry Association and Foundation) in the country. I’ve never walked away disappointed, and the Medal of Honor space on the lower level is inspiring. I attended GEN Moore’s funeral service there a few years ago.
The Armor & Cavalry Collection was separated from control by NIM a few years ago. The National Armor & Cavalry Heritage Foundation and other professionals in the Army’s CMH (Center for Military History) convinced the PTB that the artifacts collected from Patton Museum and others needed a standalone home. The former Bradley Master Gunner (MG) facility was re-purposed, and a new 100,000 sqft “Tankodrome” built behind it over with the Armor Center on Harmony Church. The Tankodrome has over 200 artifacts on display, and the bays of the MG faility has 40+ bays for preservation and restoration. There are some incredible and some obscure tanks and other artifacts onsite.
We have an Open House this Friday 1200-1600, and one every month and on special days (I could see a VE Day event (80 years). I could say more, but you need a break!
Follow that link I shared!
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Awesome!
From across the field, the hull looked very long in that fuzzy pic!
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Wow so they actually did something with the Harmony Church area. Did basic and AIT there. Great times!
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It is well developed, with a very large complex for TACOM and TARC motor pools (arrow) and the Collection out east about a click.
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Wow looks like a lot of development there. Excellent
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Et al-
I posted this here since it might seem irrelevant if were posted on the 1:1 forum, w/o context.
I was at the USAA&CC (The Collection, on Fort Benning) yesterday, and dove inside an M4A1(76)w. We are preparing it to celebrate the birth of the US Army Armored Force, and to honor the crews who fought in Operation Cobra, one in particular. More on that later.
The data:
76mm ammunition length: ~762 - 788mm (depending on type of projectile) long, and a skinny thing at ~83mm flange (rim) diameter.
The 105mm HE is ~790mm, so not too much longer than the 76mm HVAP. But it is a fat bottomed girl: the rim diameter is 119mm.
Here is the pistol port of the M4A1(76)w T23 turret:
Start pondering!
The pistol port has to be propped open by that lever you can see taken inside at the loader’s station. The handle and latch limit the width to less than 130mm (drawing with ruler). But the bigger problem (no pun intended) is the length (790mm) of the HE round.
Note where the port is in the overhead turret view. Getting the volume of 790mm x 119mm into the turret was difficult (I’d never say impossible) because of the proximity of the breech to the turret ring, even with the gun elevated. We didn’t have an M1 HE mockup, but two experts (Rob C, curator, and David Hobbs, SME on all things Sherman) joined me.
They both assert that getting the rather thick 105mm through the hatch would be complicated. We used a yardstick for reference, and inserted it into the port while observing the swept area. We’d insert it and then sweep it to get an idea of the volume required.
- The first obstacle was the gun breech, even though we were in an M4A1(76)w. While the combination mounts were common, the breech ring is different, larger, and extends towards the port about 125mm. So the space for handling the round is further limited.
- We did later try a blank 105mm (saluting) cartridge. I could wiggle it through, but looking at the space, the complete round would not.
This is all “unscientific”, but it clearly supports Richard’s build and various reference documents that showed ammunition on the back deck. Well done sir!
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Ted thanks for taking the time to check this out- amazing! I have not found the pics I mentioned in my post about rounds being left on the rear deck, I’ll come across them probably by accident at some point while researching something else!
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The model looks fantastic.
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Thank you very much Ralph!
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I should have thought about it before; it makes perfect sense , but a friend of mine recommended a company called Dry Dock models for tie down ropes for AFVs. They make products for model ships like rigging etc. (I was using thread I bought at Michael’s which seemed to work ok), but I ordered two sizes, .4 and .7 sizes. It comes in 6 meter lengths. I’ll post pics when I get them.
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Beautiful work! I’ve never participated in modeling contests but I’d have to imagine this is just the type of work that should take a top prize. Fantastic!
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Thank you for the kind words! I’ve been going to contests since I was a teenager and still do when I get the chance. It’s a great experience imho; looking at great models, talking to other modelers, hanging out with longtime friends and most importantly, buying more stuff!
This model won 1st place in its category and best in show at the Replicon show on March 22. It’s a local show on Long Island. Great turnout this year, I think we had 90 entrants and 300 or so models. I’ll post pics, completely forgot!
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Congratulations on the awards. While most don’t build for awards, it’s still nice to bring home some hardware.
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There’s room for all kinds of modelers. I’ve always been happy to just build for myself and for a few friends and family members. That’s about as far as I’d ever feel comfortable going. I do care about getting big stuff accurate as possible but no one’s going to accuse me of either being a good modeler or a rivet counter, 
!
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Thank you Ryan 
I build for me first and foremost, it’s a labor of love. No doubt it’s very rewarding to be acknowledged by one’s peers.
There are about 6 model shows per year within driving distance for me, I try to get to as many as I can. The most I’ve ever been to in a year is 3. This year I might only get to one more, I’ve got too much going on. I’d like to try to get to AMPS in PA in May but it’s on Mothers Day weekend and I’m doing something both days lol. The following weekend is MFCA - one of the most prestigious figure shows in the country. I don’t think I’ll get to that one but I’ll see.
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I hear ya, I built a figure in honor of my Dad and his Army service in the mid ‘50s. I posted it somewhere on this site. He absolutely loves it, it’s sitting on his shelf. I love doing that stuff.
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All 105mm tanks used the D78461 turret, so all had a pistol port and all had the recountoured (not thickened) right front.
Here’s what the crew service manual fo the tank said:
This was likely the usual way that Shermans were loaded, perhaps with a little less posing and only three of the crew:
The pistol port was commonly used to unload empty casings, however.
Still the same 10 years later:
KL
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Thank you Kurt.
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