GI Joe bridge layer tank

[aferguson]

i bought one of these some time ago and came across it again today. It's realy quite a neat little gizmo. It's basically a scissor bridge laying tank. During WWII the british used these all throughout Italy and especially europe. They were mounted on Valentine tank chassis.

The Joe 'Toss and Cross' bridge layer chassis looks nothing like a valentine but it is the right width and height for a 1/18 valentine, but needs to be about 2 inches longer. The bright spot is the bridge itself. Quite realistic looking and works well. It's 1/18 scale in width and is big enough for a 1/18 sherman tank to cross. It should be longer (it's 17 inches long, should be about 22) but otherwise very much looks the part.

Scissor bridges were used thousands of times in the final year of the war....one valentine alone launched its bridge over 1200 times.

The US didn't have any bridge laying tanks during the war..at least not in europe, so it would only be appropriate to use it for british/canadian/polish forces but that aside it's a neat little gizmo for letting your shermans cross those annoying kitchen sinks or backyard puddles that are blocking their advance.

[pickelhaube]

Pics ?

[aferguson]

here's one with the bridge partially open:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-GI-JOE-Brid ... 23119f93f8

[pickelhaube]

[tmanthegreat]

Ahh, the good old days of the GI Joe line when they made things that had a grounding in reality. The 21c and Bravo Team items we would get at TRU Target and Wal Mart 20 years later were light years ahead in terms of quality, detail and accuracy, but GI Joe items were their forerunners and some items still hold their ground even today in terms of realism. My GI Joe Mauler and Equalizer tanks (really just modified versions of the actual experimental US Army HSTV(L) light tank) fit right in for the most part with my other realistic tanks, as do a few of the other Joe vehicles. The aircraft, not quite so much, but they were still cool as heck in their day and truly pioneered the concept of "Xtreme Detail" long before 21c and its competitors existed

[aferguson]

i gather you don't like the bridge layer PH?

I think it's dandy. Who cares what the hull looks like? Just weather it up and put some realistic looking markings on it. The important things are the bridge laying ability and the bridge itself. Bridge layers were an important part of the advance through europe and are neat as heck, i think.

[Jesse James]

GI Joe is, was, and always will be the greatest toy line in history to me... I don't think I had more fun as a kid than when I was playing with GI Joes on the hill out back. I destroyed so many, but loved each and every one of them.

When I start trying to name "favorites", I always just drift off and wind up with at least 20 guys... Flint, Steeler, Flash, Clutch, Stalker, Airborne, Firefly, Stormshadow... I can never settle on even just 3 guys.

[Plane Nuts]

Ahhhhhhhhh, bringing back the memories you are, Aferg.

This was the very first Joe vehicle I ever owned. If my deluded memories serve me, it was a Sears exclusive from the Christmas catalog. Can't remember what ever happened to my bridge layer, but I always wanted more vehicles to cross the bridge.

[Threetoughtrucks]

There was a few different WW2 Sherman version of a bridge laying tanks.

Sherman Twaby.
Had three sections, one scissor ramp on either end of a fixed section on the top of the tank, with no turret. Samr as the Churchill ARK.

Sherman ARK.
Same as Twaby but with longer lattice girder ramps.

Sherman Plymouth.
Had a section of Bailey bridge attached to the top.

Two more were developed as copies of the Churchil AVRE.

Don't know how many were built or even if they were successful., I just found them looking for something else. Just a pic of the Twaby. Interesting.

TTT

[aferguson]

none of them were used in europe. A small number (ie 2 maybe) of the ARKs were used in Italy, but that's it.

The US had no 'funnies' in europe at all, save the sherman DD, although i think the mine roller with the giant wheels should count, it's not considered to be one of the 'funnies'.

[Threetoughtrucks]

Italy doesn't count as part of Europe? Gee, I wonder if they know?

The Sherman was the subject of hundreds of variations to do everything from bridge laying, AAA tanks, armored wreckers up to prime movers for big artillery and very loud recon turretless vehicles and ambulances. Not all made it to any front at all.

TTT

[aferguson]

you know what i meant..

:p