Thinking of doing a diorama where a disabled T-34/76 is in the field and the turret is off that tank (so I can see the inside of the tank as I don’t want to hide the detail).
If the tank was behind the lines getting maintenance, what type of crane would be used to lift the turret off. I saw this and was wondering if this could be used.
If it can’t be used, was there a platform that can be made to have the turret resting on as the maintenance continues.
Exactly.
Thanks Heavy…
I was also looking for a picture of a T34/76 (or 85) with the rear plate removed or lowered so that you can get at the full engine as this is how I want to model it. But I don’t know what to do with the top cover with the screen that sits over the top part of the engine. The top cover seems to be hinged to the rear plate, so if the rear plate is lowered, then the top engine cover must either be removed as well or is still attached to the plate when lowered.
Can’t seem to find a pic of that
That’s an interesting photo. That gantry is stationary unlike the model which is on rollers. So those germans are using another tank to pull the one under repair out from under the turret.
Please post the dio when you’re done Stuart. That sounds really cool and I’d really like to see what you do with it.
Yes,In my head,it is a cool idea.
When finished,it will probably look like a wrecked birdhouse.[:S]
Dunno, does not appear to be any tracks on the one in back–but that may just be the angle of the photo.
And, it’s up an incline, like maybe there’s a towbar between them. So, I wonder if it’s a turret swap from a non-runner to a runner.
my wonder is how did they lift the turret off the tank. Is there a power component attached to the crane chains,or is it just muscle power…and how many does it take to lift it.
You’re right CapnMac, there aren’t any tracks on the rear T-34, but the T-34 operated on a Chrystie type suspension with rubber road wheels. Even the old BT-5 & 7 Russian tanks could run without tracks and so could the first T-34s.
A lot of times, these backwoods maintenance areas depended on a lot of muscle power. But with the pulleys and chains it was easier than you might think. Even back lot auto mechanics today use these very same contraptions to remove engines.
Hard to see in the photo, but, I’ll wager some form of chain hoist was used
There’s a sprocket with teeth to engage the lifting chain, this is turned via a second chain whic hoperates via some gears to give some mechanical advantage.
How much advantage is often not much. There’s a ratchet that engages the lifting chain so that it does not slip back while hoisting.
That chain versions are better than the lever versions (modern version shown)
in that you can get a couple of guys on the chain if required.
The thing that really helps the guys in that photo is that the T34/76 had no turret basket (tough on those inside as you spin the turret for tripping) or they would have needed about twice as much lifing height.