|
|
Patrick Matthews
New Member
|
  
Posted on: Oct 18, 2014 - 5:42am
|
So I'm looking to make the 37mm, even though it's not needed for my current build. I've gathered up Al's drawings and all the photos I could scrounge on the web... but the available web shots are just not showing all the details I want. So, I stopped by the USAF museum at Wright-Patterson to get some close-ups of their example, which is set up as the entire P-39 power plant and gun installation in a separate exhibit.A few snapshots below (I have more!).
Questions:
Anyone else have a photo album, perhaps from PT-658, showing details of the handle/trigger and jury-rigged pedestal?
Did these installations use borrowed pedestal yokes from 20mm's?
Any stories about how the adaptation was developed? Was it up to each crew, or did the tenders' shops develop the hardware?
Thks!
Patrick Matthews
Matthews Model Marine
http://matthewsmodelmarine.wordpress.com/ |
Total Posts: | Joined:
Unregistered | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Oct 18, 2014 - 6:02am
|
Patrick,
Al Ross gave me some excellent advice recently on this subject. Go to the aviation side. I found a place selling the Oldsmobile cannon operating manual for $15.
http://www.ioffer.com/i/us-37mm-m4-aircraft-auto-cannon-p39-pt-boat-manual-153311634
Other than that if you search P-39's and M-4 37mm cannon you'll find information. There's a real good site that I can't put my finger on that really breaks down this weapon. I'm sure somebody will be able to find it.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Jeff D
Moderator
|
 Posted on: Oct 18, 2014 - 7:48am
|
That is a neat display, thanks for sharing Pat.
|
Total Posts: 2198 | Joined:
Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am | IP
Logged
|
|
Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Oct 18, 2014 - 2:21pm
|
No wonder the Russkies loved those P-39s we gave them...the 37 mm cannons in those rear-engine car-door planes chewed up a lot of Krautheads!
|
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined:
Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am | IP
Logged
|
|
Patrick Matthews
New Member
|
Posted on: Oct 22, 2014 - 9:32am
|
Forgive me, for I have not read all the materials...
...but speaking of 37mm cannons, a question on the anti-tank gun so famously used on PT-109: Was this a one-off usage, or did other boats mount the same weapon?
Thx, Pat
Patrick Matthews
Matthews Model Marine
http://matthewsmodelmarine.wordpress.com/ |
Total Posts: | Joined:
Unregistered | IP
Logged
|
|
TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Oct 22, 2014 - 1:39pm
|
Pat;
I will sneak in here and answer this quick, before anyone really notices, a few boats had them, during the same time period, I have seen one or two photos.
Take care,
TED
|
Total Posts: 3033 | Joined:
Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Oct 22, 2014 - 7:34pm
|
I noticed Ted! Surprise! Just a comment and I don't know how true it is. These guns seemed to appear about the same time. I was pretty sure somebody had identified at least 3 boats that had the anti-tank gun permanently mounted. I did read that the down side of this gun was that it took several people to operate it. The auto cannon could be operated by one person and could fire automatically. I don't know for sure but I suspect that these guns were replaced by the auto cannons. Maybe somebody knows? Tracy posted a nice photo of a permanent mount for the 37mm anti tank.
Dave
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Patrick Matthews
New Member
|
Posted on: Nov 1, 2014 - 11:47am
|
OK, have a reasonable model of the early Mk4 37mm, printable in the usual sizes.
But what mount to use?? Every one from this period looks unique! Anyone have a favorite? Or do I just leave that to the modeler...
Ditto for the "handlebars"...
Patrick Matthews
Matthews Model Marine
http://matthewsmodelmarine.wordpress.com/ |
Total Posts: | Joined:
Unregistered | IP
Logged
|
|
David Waples
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 1, 2014 - 12:50pm
|
I would certainly be interested in one of these in 1/35 scale. Maybe two.
As for the mounts there are many. The most common mounts I see that would lend themselves to 3D printing would be the short tripod mounts. I think they are Mk. XIV but not positive about that. Basically the short tripod light naval mount.
The handle that I see most often is an oval handle or more of a race track shape.
Here's a photo of a boat with 37mm on the this mount.
David Waples |
Total Posts: 1676 | Joined:
Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm | IP
Logged
|
|
Will Day
TOP BOSS
|
Posted on: Nov 1, 2014 - 6:09pm
|
I know the 108 boat had one of the early 37mm's at one time.
Will |
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined:
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm | IP
Logged
|
|
