1/18 Sherman T-23 Full Build !!!

[pickelhaube]

Not sue if I should have posted this under Phil's post or not so I made my own.

Here it is :

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=22062

I started this on Sat. I have a full 2 days into it so far.

This may turn into the snow ball effect. I am not sure if this can just sit on one of the Shermans out there. Or if I will have to do a front glacias plate.

I used a FOV turret as the base. Styreen ribs to get the shape. BBI coupala and escape side hatch . With a FOV gunners top hatch.

AND PLENTY OF BONDO. !!!!

I probably need at least 2 more days on this. I will spend Labor Day laboring on this and hopefullu Tuesday I will get back on those moulds

[exether_mega]

WOW ! That's cool to see a T-23 coming

Great job as always Pickelhaube

phil

[mikeyt]

hope you can make it fit a 21st Century good to see it started

[exether_mega]

hope you can make it fit a 21st Century

I hope so

phil

[normandy]

Pickel, man your moving right along with this turret and it's looking good!!!

[plasticboy]

It turn out really good, love to see many type of Sherman appear.

[pickelhaube]

hope you can make it fit a 21st Century

I hope so

phil

It will fit on all of the Shermans out there. 21st, BBI and of course the FOV. But will it be correct ? I do not know.

I think that it would be perfect for the BBI with it's slanted front hatches and that big rear grill.

Were these used on the M4 hull ?

[tom@skyworkstoys]

Pickle,

Turret looks really good! Will this fit the 21st Century tanks?

[exether_mega]

Hey Pickel,

it may fit better on BBi Sherman but it can be mounted on slope hull version too.



phil

[pickelhaube]

Hey Pickel,

it may fit better on BBi Sherman but it can be mounted on slope hull version too.



phil

Hey Phil,

That is the later version of the M4A1. I think it has the angled hatches up there. My M4A1 has the earlier strait hatches.

Will this fit on the 21st Sherman ? Yes it will !!! Would it be correct ?

Maybe somebody else with more Sherman knowlage can answer this ?

BTW

Look at the pic Phil posted ( thanks Phil !!! )

Do you guys see all of the tabs and rods around the mantlet ? That is for a water proof shroud that went around it to keep the rain out.

I was planning on not putting all of those things on my mantlet. Did they all have them ? Maybe the earlier ones did not.

Plus this version has the muzzel break it is a American copy of the German muzzel break. I have seen pics with and with out the break. Do you guys want this ?

You Sherman guys input are needed.

Can anybody shed some light on these details ?

[Threetoughtrucks]

Much too dusty...

TTT

[Panther F]

That is an M4A1 76W Sherman and they are called large hatches or small hatches according to us Shermanholics.

[exether_mega]

No muzzle brake for me.
No need for rods around mantlet for me.

It can be correct on a 21st Sherman. Maybe a modification on the field.

Anyway, they will fit on my BBi Sherman

phil

[grockwood]

In US service the T-23 turret was used on the later M4A1 and M4A3 hull with the larger angled hatches. The early style hulls such as the 21st Century and F0V weren't used because the driver and co-driver's hatch wouldn't open with the gun facing ahead. It wouldn't be too hard to rework the FOV's front to make the later verson. Also the Muzzle brake and manlet cover would be on later Shermans with the HVSS. Out of desperation I believe the IDF did mount the T-23 turret on earlier hulls. Not real sure on that though.

[pickelhaube]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all of the replies.

One more thing.

Should the turret have the long barrel or the shorter 76 mm barrel ? If I go with the earlieer version .

The longer barrel is about 130mm long in 1/18 scale.I will have to make this .

If it takes the 76 mm. I will not have to make the barrel .

Thanks

[exether_mega]

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all of the replies.

One more thing.

Should the turret have the long barrel or the shorter 76 mm barrel ? If I go with the earlieer version .

The longer barrel is about 130mm long in 1/18 scale.I will have to make this .

If it takes the 76 mm. I will not have to make the barrel .

Thanks

For my part, go with the long barrel.

phil

[Threetoughtrucks]

For my part, I would go with the longer barrel. I would like the muzzle break but if it becomes troublesome or expensive to make, I could live without the muzzle break.

TTT

[grockwood]

Not sure I understand your question. The T-23 turret only mounted the 76mm gun, which was a fairly long gun. The same gun as the picture of the M4A1 w76mm posted earlier in this message . I believe it was refered to as the M1 76mm/L55. By short gun are you referring to the gun in the M10.? That is a navel gun refered to as a 3 inch/76mm/l53.

[pickelhaube]

OK guys for all general purposes the turret is done. I just need to cannalbalize all of the parts off of a BBI turret and it will be done. I will have to get back to that. I really need to start the moulds on the other 2 projects I got going on.

I do not get paid to make prototypes. The money is made from the castings.

I am thinking of also coping the BBI front glacias and hatch area so it can be used on the FOV.

I made the barrel from scratch and stole the muzzel break from a Panzer. I did not get the chance to see if it was correct. I will do that when I put all the pieces parts on and correct the break if needed.

Here it is

The first pic is in " the pink " with texture.













I will also be making the second earlier round hatch. The oval hatch was the later style.

All you will have to do is cut out the oval one and drop the round one in the hole.

If you want to do that version.

[exether_mega]

Pickel, you're the one who keep this hobby alive !

Great work man. Looking realy realy cool

phil

[AMERICAN_GRENADIER]

looks great

[1958Zelda]

that looks Great!

[Grognard]

Looks great. i'd be interested in one also.

[pickelhaube]

Thanks guys !!!!

I have been looking at doing the Jumbo Sherman for a while.

It used the T-23 turret as a base and had 6 inches of additional armor casted around it.

The daunting thing are those duck bill track tabs. That is why I have held off.

But it is still cool looking.

I would make the duck bills , new turret, mantlet, front glacias,top hatch area,front tranny cover and additional side armor.

If I were to do this project it would be after or during the T-34 project.

I will make it to fit on the FOV Shermie.

Anybody interested in this project ?

[exether_mega]

Count me in for one !

phil