halftrackinfo

armor plate => m3/m3A1/m16A1 rear armor and bed => Topic started by: spec4don on August 19, 2013, 10:45:50 PM

Title: M3 rear armor input needed
Post by: spec4don on August 19, 2013, 10:45:50 PM

Okay halftrack aficionado's, my M3 idler supports wrap all the way around the back of the frame like an M2. Not normal I know :? Anyway I started looking at mounting the Z channel on the back of the HT. Here is where the fun started. My Z channel stands off the back of the frame about 1" because of the bolts on the bracket. I'm about 99% sure I have to remove  bolts and use them to sandwich everything else. Because right now my tool boxes will not line up. I'll attach some pictures below. Can any one send me some good detailed shots of the back of an M3 and how that armor is all bolted together?
I did find some casting numbers on the idler supports:   Looking from the top down: C86504                     C86504
                                                                                                                                  C86505         C86502
                                                                                                                                       (rear of vehicle)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/2156/medium/HPNX1770.JPG)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/2156/medium/HPNX1771.JPG)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/2156/medium/HPNX1772.JPG)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/2156/medium/HPNX1773.JPG)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/2156/medium/HPNX1775.JPG)

Let me know what you think!

Thanks Don G.

Title: Re: M3 rear armor input needed
Post by: steve1973 on August 20, 2013, 08:11:45 PM

Don,
here is the M3 GMC in the bone yard of Jacques Littlefield tank museum.

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/m3_gmc_idler_support_bracket.jpg)

I found the photo on toadmans tank pictures site.

Steve A.