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M26 Pershing Walkaround Part 2

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M26 Pershing Walkaround Part 1
M26 Pershing Walkaround Part 2
M26 Pershing Walkaround Part 3
MiG-17 Walk Around
P-26A Peashooter Details
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T-72 Details Part 2
T-72 in Iraqi Service

Photographs and Text by Scott Taylor

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This is an overall view of the restored M26 on interior display in the Patton Museum; the vehicle is a runner, and has been known to participate in the 4th of July re-enactments. Although painted in Second World War markings, this vehicle is from the later production batches, as evidenced by the squared bow casting for the 1000 cfm rotoclone blower. This tank is also fitted with T84E1 rubber chevron track.

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The extreme lighting of this shot allows us to see some interesting details along the right side of the Pershing, including the rolled texture of the metal lids of the stowage bins. Also evident is the rough texture of the hull casting at the base of the turret, including casting numbers just inboard of the middle hinge of the nearest bin. At the bottom left of the photo can be seen one of the armoured gas caps.

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We now move to the rear of the Pershing. One of the taillight mounts can be seen here, with a plate immediately above that for mounting a telephone that allowed direct communications between the tank crew and accompanying infantry. This was another postwar fitting commonly seen on Korean conflict vehicles, and is included in DML's M26A1 kit. Details of the rear fender construction can also be seen, as well as the weld seam that follows the fender line along the rear hull.

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This photo shows the standard gun travel lock fitted to most M26s, which was attached directly to the rear plate. Early T26E3s had a travel lock which actually attached directly to the tank's exhaust pipe, while M26A1s had a travel lock located on the engine deck. Note the casting numbers on both the top of the hinged part and underneath the gun crutch.

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An overall view of the rear of the Pershing shows a variety of interesting details. The cast exhaust pipe, complete with a variety of numbers cast into it, is straddled by the gun travel lock in the top centre. The left taillight is missing, allowing us to see how the light was mounted to the hull and how the taillight guard is constructed. Immediately above the taillight guard is a massive lifting hook, identical in construction to those on the bow, while a variety of fittings are visible on the rear plate for stowage of a towing cable. The tow hook can be seen at the bottom rear, while immediately below the "M26" is a bracket for stowage of the towing hook when not in use. Some details of the final drive housings can also be seen. Finally, note the construction of the rear of the hull, as evidenced by the two weld seams that run vertically just outboard of the towing lugs.

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This view down onto the hull decking shows the exhaust grilles, including the hinges and lifting handles. In the foreground is the cast cooling unit housing, with the armoured radiator cap in the center. The two screws visible to either side could be removed and replaced with eyehooks to allow the entire radiator assembly to be removed. The round device immediately to the right of the radiator cap is not on the hull, but is the stowage mount on the turret rear for the .50 calibre machine gun; one of the spare barrel stowage clips, also attached to the turret, can be seen to the lower left.

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Further details of the hinges for the exhaust grilles can be seen in this photograph, which also shows the first aid kit attached to the left rear fender. Immediately forward of that is one of the fender braces. The subtle cast texture of the cooling unit housing can also be seen here.

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Here is a closeup of some T84E1 track links stowed on the left side of the turret of an M26. The construction of the blocks, including details of the guide teeth and end connectors, can be clearly seen, as can the rack for securing the links to the turret side. Note that the guide teeth have been turned around to face outward, with the chevrons on the track blocks, to help the tracks fit flush against the turret rack. Also note that the tracks are stored as two pairs of links, as opposed to a strip of four. On the turret roof, above the tracks, can be seen a turret ventilator. This took the place of the loader's periscope, and was not a standard fitting to any Pershings.

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