Saw this photo of these 3 Shermans* with boxy structures on them with large square apertures I assume for driver to see out of. Found photo here. HyperWar: Logistical Support of the Armies, Vol. I If it was to hide the fact they were tanks a tarpaulin would do. Anyone know what they are ? https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/USA-E-Logistics1/img/USA-E-Logistics1-p143b.jpg *Mudguards now I've zoomed look more M10ish than Sherman
Hi, I think this is how they were shipped from the USA. There are some other photos around showing them being unloaded from a cargo ship with the “box” on. More for protection from the elements than camouflage I think. Regards Danny
That would make sense for the open-topped M10. The panels look like they've been 'bosticked' at the joints.
Danny and Idler, My thoughts exactly. I was just about to write a reply. M10s with shipping box round open turret. I have seen a photo of them on railway Warwells. The Diamond Ts are having trouble on the slope. One tractor has left its trailer and load to double head the first trailer. Mike
Hi, One taken at Southampton. There were a few other photos taken at Southampton around the same time. Regards Danny
You're possibly onto something with the M10 comment, O. And maybe other SP artillery. Danny's definitely M10. Used to seeing assorted newly-delivered M4s with that big box of stuff on the rear decks, but this packing is different, isn't it. e.g. Makes me wonder if large/specialist guns were sent unfitted, though most likely just weatherguard for open-topped vehicles. Good spot though, mate. I don't recall noticing it before.
Tank Destroyers based on the Sherman as stated previously. Normal Sherman Tanks were taped up for waterproofing on the journey from the USA and all had a large wooden crate on the rear deck containing equipment. Good photographs of an obscure subject. Regards Tom
So not all M10s packed this way. More akin to the Sherman, though I think this is being shipped internally in the US as it's a Signals Corps photo.
Long time looking. Nothing really on this 'box' packing. We might need a thread on shipping/packing methods for vehicles. It is not well-covered on the Internerd.
Some 20 years ago, before the days of quick, simple scanning, I was loaned a copy of a US handbook of vehicle packing cases. Everything from a Jeep with its wheels removed and put in a box to knock down trucks and transporters in packing cases. I do not recall tanks however. A first class Googler could probably find it somewhere. Mike
Not a first class Googler but I did find this. I'm sure I've seen similar pictures of knocked down GMC Jimmys with the wheels off. The GMCs came apart behind the cab so that the chassis was in two pieces The $50 Jeep In A Crate Urban Legend Page
Nice link to a Jeep in a box. I think the Jimmy is an air transportable version. It had to be divided into two parts to get into a Dakota or similar. Mike
Another M10 from Rearming the French, p.242. The text suggests taken around March/May 1944 in North Africa. And more Shermans... and yet more!