Diamond T wrecker - converting a tank transporter into a recovery truck - part 1

 I have always really liked the Diamond T wrecker and wanted to convert the Heroics & Ros Diamond T tank transporter tractor unit.  Here is a wrecker parked outside the musee de la liberation in Normany - picture culled from the internet.

This project was another one resurrected from the "in progress" pile at Christmas,  as explained in my earlier post M5 High speed tractor

On with the build!

I had already removed a lot of the rear deck, leaving two wedge shaped sides and the rear box behind the spare wheel.

Here's the original tractor compared to the cut down version (which has been wire brushed, hence shininess).

I bent a staple to make an A-frame from beside the spare wheel to the cab top.

I added at staple to make a frame either side of the generator between the cab and wheel.  Two pieces of .4mm rod to make the acetylene & oxygen tanks.

I tend added two strips of plastic to anchor the rear deck extension.  The strips are the side lockers.

Rear deck added and lockers trimmed to size.

I added a tailgate.

The wrecker has a winch at the front and the bumper has a raised section.  I filed the bottom of the bumper away at the radiator area and added a strip on top to make this feature.

I also added rear mud flaps to tidy up the rear area.  No, you probably won't see much of them...  😀

Here is the rear deck finished.  I added locker lids to the lockers and a plastic carved top to the cab to represent the canvas tilt.  

At this point I'll review the changes to date....

It looks like it can handle rescuing anything....   it also is now definitely different to the original model.

US M5 High speed tractor - model redeemed

 Some while ago I bought a few US M4 high speed tractors from Heroics & Ros.  Whilst most of the castings were OK, one had suffered in the mould and was not going to be "table worthy".  It was bent to the left and the cabin area was only about 2/3 of the required height.

The model nearest the camera is the donor vehicle.  As the running gear was in better condition and height than the bodywork, I decided to create a M5, adding a cabin and reducing the rear deck.  Then it got put in a drawer until this Christmas, when I thought I'd have a go at rescuing it and finishing the model.

Here's the US M4, M5 & M6.

Here's reference photos for the cab.

Suitably armed with a plan, I removed all the bits I did not want and filed down the rear deck and around the sides.

This was then boxed off.

I added the cabin, the rear deck, the rear overhang for the engine radiator, tools, MG mount & cover, front bonnet and fender.  I added the prominent side bars to each side of the running gear.  Sorry, too busy making to photo each stage!

I also bent the legs on a 105mm Howitzer and added a stowage box so the tractor has a load to pull.

Most of my artillery will be truck towed, but as I had the model anyway, I thought I might as well try to make use of it!

As ever, I hope that this inspires you to have a go at making your own.

Back in the game - FOW 2017-03-25

Last Saturday my "irregular" Jakarta opponent and I played FOW for the afternoon.  Chun Long hails from Singapore and had recently brought over scenery and fresh tanks.

We played a scenario based on the battle of Kursk, 1943 - I took the Germans and Chun Long the Russians.  The objective was a railway station at the centre of the Russian base edge.

My OOB was:

Tiger Platoon
Command Tiger Tank x 1
Troop 1 - 2 x Tiger Tank
Troop 2 - 2 x Tiger Tank

Panther Platoon
Command Panther x 1
Recon - 2 x 234/1 (8 wheel Armoured Car)
Panther Troop - 3 x Panther
PzIV Troop - 3 x Pz IV

The German force.

The Russians had lots of:
T34/76
Matildas
Valentines
76mm ATG
Su 100
ISU 152

Chun Long started with his ATG dug in on table, his tanks arrived in turn 1.

I deployed the Tigers to my left, the Panther team to my right.  My initial move was to send my Recce up the road, followed by the Panthers, whilst my Pz IVs stayed on a hill to give support.

Meanwhile my Tigers advanced menacingly & ponderously towards the Soviet defences.  My Recce unit got hit, took casualties & retreated off table, but had stopped the Soviets using the road. 

The Tigers traded shots with the ATG – Disaster!  1 platoon failed its morale test & retreated off table.

The remaining 3 Tigers then set about demolishing the oncoming waves of Russians, whilst on the right the Panthers advanced, halted & retired slowly, their path marked by burning Russian tanks.  

The Panther withdrawal - a trail of burning Russians...

The Pz IVs took a hit and retreated off table, the Panthers likewise a couple of turns later.

The ones that "got away".  The 2 Tigers only fired 1 or 2 shots !

The Tigers continued to shoot/reload/advance to the railway station.  88mm Ammo was getting low, as were Russian stocks of spare tanks & smoke markers.  One Tiger died on a hill, the remaining pair made it to the station and took turns to destroy tanks and ATG at will. 

The "Tiger on the Hill", with some of its victims....

In the end both Tigers succumbed to mass ATG fire, but having destroyed nearly every tank sent against them.  I was still within a whisker of a win.

The Tigers burning at the railway station

The Tigers were superb, with Soviet shot bouncing off or ineffectual.  Chun Long scoured the rulebook but could not find the “for the Rodina!” ram rule!

The end - from the Russian table edge. Panthers came up the road on the left, Tigers over the hill to the right

It was a thoroughly enjoyable and well fought game (…..and I lost).