Fun with Tanks.....
Drivers position.
Gear changing takes practice and despite a lot of "graunches and grinds" till we got the hang of shifting, recent inspection of the transmission shows all teeth to be present and correct. The clutch is fierce and requires an over developed left leg to hold it down for anything more than a quick change. One can see why the later M5 series had the semi-automatic Hydramatic transmissions - but nothing beats the roar of a 7 cylinder radial engine in action .
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WWII tanks were definitely designed for small, slender (and fitter...) soldiers.
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| I don't know why, but I always get the job of cranking the engine over 72 times before starting. This apart from being healthy exercise, prevents damage from hydraulic locks. Then it's a case of "stand well clear" and the fun starts. Virtually every time we "perform" at shows we manage to run it out of gasoline, much to the amusement of the crowd. | |
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Pulling away at the start of Tribute and Promise |
"Our finest hour" |
After a very quick rebuild by another collector, we overhauled it, ground off a lot of spurious welding and repainted it in the markings of the famous 7th Armoured Division. Just in time to make its debut at the 1995 Beltring show (where it won a major prize) then we took part a fortnight later in Tribute and Promise. Then it was off to Northern France to Bethune to take part in their liberation ceremony. There is a famous photo of the lead tank from 7th Armoured Div entering the town carrying some excited locals. That was of course an M3A3 and the local town were delighted when we recreated that special moment and led a convoy of wartime vehicles into the town exactly fifty one years to the day after Bethune and the surrounding area in Nord Pas de Calais were rid of Nazi tyranny.
Since then we have been acquiring lots of spares and knowledge, but still more is needed. If you know of any parts, tank hulks or anything that might be of interest please Contact Us
If you would like to see the M3A3
in action this year, join us and over 2500 military vehicles
at the2002
War and Peace Show, Beltring,
SE England (Its only an hour from London or the Channel ports, so there
is no reason to not come!) The five day show is held from Weds
17th to Sunday 21st July 2002.
Be there! That's an Order!!!
And finally.....
Our old mate, Badger Ross, in an M5A1 Stuart
demonstrates just what happens when the ever popular Hydromatic transmission
jams "on" in the car park.....
| T34 recovered from a swamp in Russia | Ropkey Armor Museum Online! | MILWEB | ||
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-Not to be missed |
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