Wondering if you guys can help me out on a project I have been researching for a while. I would like to Model an M1 Dozer in IDF service. I have been able to find some stuff on the web and on some forums but no clear photo's of how the Rams are attached to the front of the tank, or any of the pluming.
From what I've been able to find on this. It was a kit produced by Cat for the IDF. It uses a conventional C frame and blade from a D6 or D7 not sure which.
There are some photos with the Rams mounted on the side of the vehicle as well. But from the photos I have seen the front mounted rams where more common.
I have a Tamiya M51 and an Adler/Neo turret sitting in the shelve for this. You know what is going to happen. I'll spend a bunch of time taking my best guess at it and someone will release either a kit or a bunch of photos.
Possible pluming is internal. I would find a Cat D6 or D7 and look at how the blade was mounted on it, angles, brackets and pluming, then just copy it to the Sherman.
A kit? I doubt it; we don't even have a proper M1A1 kit in 1/35. An adaptation of a civvie blade is even less likely, so I think you're safe on that score. Unless Dr. Robert's new M1 title had a bunch of images, those are unlikely to surface as well. Yes, I'll be adding the new title to my collection...
So Speedster's advice is sound; look for images and a manual for the D6/D7 and go to town on it. There's a bunch of documentation for sale on eBay, and it's worth taking a look. I found great stuff on Mack DM800 series trucks there. The blade itself looks more D7 than D6, but to judge by the images of tractors for sale on eBay there is more than one style of blade available, too. The picture of the M1 dozer shows a Cummins deck, and it looks to be a flat-plate variant with no cooling louvers on the rear section.
"You could probably use some armor. A Sherman can give you a very nice...edge!"
A kit? I doubt it; we don't even have a proper M1A1 kit in 1/35. An adaptation of a civvie blade is even less likely, so I think you're safe on that score. Unless Dr. Robert's new M1 title had a bunch of images, those are unlikely to surface as well. Yes, I'll be adding the new title to my collection...
So Speedster's advice is sound; look for images and a manual for the D6/D7 and go to town on it. There's a bunch of documentation for sale on eBay, and it's worth taking a look. I found great stuff on Mack DM800 series trucks there. The blade itself looks more D7 than D6, but to judge by the images of tractors for sale on eBay there is more than one style of blade available, too. The picture of the M1 dozer shows a Cumin's deck, and it looks to be a flat-plate variant with no cooling louvers on the rear section.
I think I am just going to have to take my best guess at this, I'll wait until I have Dr. Robert's new book in hand. I think you are correct from other photo's of this I have seen, looks like the flat-plate variant of the Cumin's deck.
I have a Tamiya M51 and an Adler turret on the shelf waiting to start this project, I also have a Resicast D7 on the shelf that I think I can use to pattern some of the details for the C frame and Blade.