US Army M32B1 Tank Recovery Vehicle

[CarolsHusband]

Hi Jakko.

I'll be watching this with interest. I borrowed an Italeri version from a mate many years ago and took measurements to scratch build all the recovery parts on to a regular Sherman.

I may have to treat myself to a 'real' one sometime.

[Guest]

That sounds like the hard way to go about it

[CarolsHusband]

That sounds like the hard way to go about it :smiling3:

At the time I think Italeri had stopped making it & being the early 90's I couldn't track one down on the internet. It came out alright though.

With your permission I can post a pic.

Or not.

[Guest]

Of course you can — you don’t need to ask permission, as far as I’m concerned

[Guest]

I added the parts the kit provides for the sponsons, and filled the ejector pin marks on the insides of the superstructure parts:

[ATTACH]453539[/ATTACH]

The white bits in the hull are 2 by 2 mm square plastic rod, because the hull floor rests only on four very small points at its corners, and regularly falls off them if you dry-fit it.

After I had sanded the putty on the superstructure parts, I glued the details to their insides and assembled them:

[ATTACH]453540[/ATTACH]

The roof is still loose, but in place here so I could tape the sides to it to get everything square.

Even if it might not look like it, this is a hard part to build. The ring you can see at the bottom is a very, very tight fit around the walls, making it difficult to get everything in without breaking it (it’s very thin, maybe half a millimetre or so). There are also gaps to fill at the front, as you can see, as well as ar the lower rear corners.

[Jim R]

Hi Jakko
That superstructure looks very awkward to line up but you seem to have got it done

it’s very thin, maybe half a millimetre or so.

I suppose trying for scale thickness results in fragile parts. The sides should give it a bit more strength.
Jim

[adt70hk]

Nice start Jakko. But rather you than me on those tracks!

ATB.

Andrew

[Guest]

That superstructure looks very awkward to line up but you seem to have got it done

What I should have done was scrape the inside of the ring a little larger, because getting three of the four parts (front, two sides and rear) in was easy enough, but trying to add the fourth required me to almost force things.

I suppose trying for scale thickness results in fragile parts.

I must say I’m slightly puzzled why it’s a separate part at all. The hull top is a piece they made specifically for the M32B1 kit, with a flap at the front for the winch, the mortar mount moulded on, and holes for the locating pins of this ring in the top. Since the ring of the superstructure sits directly on the roof and was bolted down on the real tank, the only purpose it has being separate, is that you could build an M32 with its superstructure removed … but if you do, you will need to fill its locating holes anyway. In short: why didn’t they mould the ring integrally with the hull top?

Anyway, it’s together now so all I need to do is fill the gaps and add missing detail, mainly stowage and straps on the inside

rather you than me on those tracks!

Yeah, that’s kind of the feeling I have too. I console myself with the thought that at least they’re not Model Kasten

[adt70hk]

What I should have done was scrape the inside of the ring a little larger, because getting three of the four parts (front, two sides and rear) in was easy enough, but trying to add the fourth required me to almost force things.


I must say I’m slightly puzzled why it’s a separate part at all. The hull top is a piece they made specifically for the M32B1 kit, with a flap at the front for the winch, the mortar mount moulded on, and holes for the locating pins of this ring in the top. Since the ring of the superstructure sits directly on the roof and was bolted down on the real tank, the only purpose it has being separate, is that you could build an M32 with its superstructure removed … but if you do, you will need to fill its locating holes anyway. In short: why didn’t they mould the ring integrally with the hull top?

Anyway, it’s together now so all I need to do is fill the gaps and add missing detail, mainly stowage and straps on the inside :smiling3:


Yeah, that}s kind of the feeling I have too. I console myself with the thought that at least they’re not Model Kasten

I see what you mean!! 9 parts per link...... That's half the number of pieces for an entire Armourfast Panther!! Good luck!

[Guest]

I tried finding instructions for them, because I kind of want to know what those nine parts are, but had no luck so far.

[CarolsHusband]

Of course you can — you don’t need to ask permission, as far as I’m concerned :smiling3:

I might have to revisit this for a bit of a refresh ( and a dust). I do remember it being a fun project.

[Guest]

It’s a little dusty, but there seems to be a pretty decent model lurking underneath that

[Guest]

Puttied and sanded:

[ATTACH]453688[/ATTACH]

On the left-hand side is a rack for three 50-round ammo boxes for the .50-calibre machine gun, but the boxes themselves can use some detail as well as straps:

[ATTACH]453689[/ATTACH]

The kit includes two with crosses stamped in, and two without, but the former only have a cross on one side when it should be on all of them (or the visible ones at least ) so I added more from 0.5 mm plastic rod that I scraped into half-round rod. The bits of plastic strip at the top are also part of the lid, and were missed by Tasca, as were the retaining straps (paper-thin plastic card). They still need some small tabs added to the lids, though

Now I have the superstructure together, I discovered a problem, though:

[ATTACH]453690[/ATTACH]

You can see all the way to the vehicle’s nose through the opening in the roof, and it’s very obvious there is no driver’s compartment. After mulling it over for a while, I decided to buy another M10 tank destroyer kit and pinch its parts for this area … I mean, it’s either get one of those for about 30 euros or spend at least that much, if not more, for a resin set. And in the first case, I’ll have another vehicle I can build if I just keep the front hatches closed

[Airborne01]

Puttied and sanded:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]

On the left-hand side is a rack for three 50-round ammo boxes for the .50-calibre machine gun, but the boxes themselves can use some detail as well as straps:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]

The kit includes two with crosses stamped in, and two without, but the former only have a cross on one side when it should be on all of them (or the visible ones at least :smiling3 so I added more from 0.5 mm plastic rod that I scraped into half-round rod. The bits of plastic strip at the top are also part of the lid, and were missed by Tasca, as were the retaining straps (paper-thin plastic card). They still need some small tabs added to the lids, though :smiling3:

Now I have the superstructure together, I discovered a problem, though:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]

You can see all the way to the vehicle’s nose through the opening in the roof, and it’s very obvious there is no driver’s compartment. After mulling it over for a while, I decided to buy another M10 tank destroyer kit and pinch its parts for this area … I mean, it’s either get one of those for about 30 euros or spend at least that much, if not more, for a resin set. And in the first case, I’ll have another vehicle I can build if I just keep the front hatches closed :smiling3:

Onwards and upwards! :upside:
Steve

[JR]

Very much to your normal posting about the actual vehicle, most enjoyable to read.
Should be well worth following. Seat at front please .