Any metal rule will work. It’s not going to fold up on itself going down the bore and once it’s hooked and pulled taut the stretch isn’t going to matter. You are looking to see whether it is 156 inches or 175, not 155.97 or 156.00.
They were always looking to improve, that’s why they went from the M2 to M3 75mm in the M3 medium and designed the T6 medium turret to mount a higher velocity 75mm than the M3 when available.
and this led to the M1A2.
KL
Yes, I was just reflecting that it’s long and tough. I used it decades ago developing support structures/hangers for nuclear stuff.
We are nearly finished. The volunteers (all LTs using their spare time to fix old tanks!) made great progress. You can see it:
Pics taken at different times door open and door closed. Two-tone camouflage is really well done, by a gifted 97-pound LT who starts ABOLC next week. We’re still sorting things: I’working on getting the split hatch latches to work, and on finding/fabricating a vision cupola periscope cover. Might go steal one from the back lot. We have “as-found” track and aa roll or three of essentially unused track marking will be last, after the colors cure I wager.
@KurtLaughlin
The barrel is indeed 156” (13’) exactly muzzle to breech ring. JJ (our machinist) got the length, taper, and everything perfectly.
It sure looks nice, but none of my display shelves are strong enough to hold it! 
Seriously, those guys did a great job.
Looks excellent Ted! Great work there!
We have quite a crew! All are Armor/Cav officers, backed up by some VERY experienced NCOs and WOs!
Mentoring this group (there are several more) has been great fun, and part of my role is about life and a career in the Army. But equally important is just being there to help them see our Collection as more than just empty hulls and turrets that are silent. The volunteers also assist at the Open House events. They have learned stories about Eagle 7, and a few of us met Clarence Smoyer, the gunner at that fated duel on the streets of Cologne. Meeting him, sharing his experience, and learning about about the crews who operated or supported these vehicles has brought them the human nature of combat, and has brought life to these silent memories now on display inside the TSF (Training Support Facility)
Just a sample of our young leaders.
I’m not sure when the “reveal” is planned yet. We’ll keep you posted.
Wow! What a sexy tank!
I hope this restoration draws attention from the model companies. No reason that Pool shouldn’t get the treatment that other great tankers have. How many Thunderbolt kits have we seen and we’ve never actually had one single accurate dedicated Lafayette Pool kit that I can recall.
The Collection has had lots of impact on new kits, the TAKOM company in particular. So hope springs eternal!
SSG Pool and his crew more or less stayed below the radar. Unlike the Nazis (and a perhaps totalitarian regimes in general), tank aces ere not a thing during WW2. He certainly earned his awards, and his leadership is probably the most important legacy we could memorialize.
He lost only one crewman, the replacement gunner on his last tank. PFC Kenneth King was killed outright by the 7,5cm round fired by a Panther nearly point-blank. This event also severely wounded Pool and ejected him from the tank. His focus on training and disciplined tactics earned him the respect of many.
You’re right: he deserves a place in the pantheon. He has an Access Control Point named for him on Fort Benning, the one leading to Harmony Church and the Armor Center. I hope this project will inspire current and future Tankers.
That’s fantastic news! Hopefully we’ll get a model of your restoration in the near future. Long long overdue if you ask me.
