RCDs & M3 75mm GMC?

[Dave Block]

First up, thanks again to all who replied so far! Attached is the RCD photo from LAC that I alluded to in my previous post. The second is the one kindly provided by Wim Sikkelbein showing a vehicle in Holland. Something kept bothering me about the latter photo and I realized the fenders are very odd. The M3 75mm GMC was built by AutoCar and should have 'standard' M3-style rounded fenders. This one has the flat-profile M5/M9-style fenders! Could the base workshop lift the whole 75mm assembly out of an otherwise clapped-out M3 and plunk it into an IHC M5/M9? The firepower of the GMC seemed to be greatly appreciated and this is the only explanation I can think of for the obvious fender difference. The orginal M3s had two previous owners before we got them so I can see the vehicle needing replacement before its 'gun'. Any thoughts & insights would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Dave

[Mrs Vampire]

As you can see in the second photograph the set up was highly inaccurate. Though fall of shot pattern was highly regular they, none the less, fell either side of the target bicycle using both the 75mm and the .5

This despite an arrow target indicator and extremely close range.

[Dave Block]

What 'set up was highly inaccurate' and how does it apply to my post? Thanks for taking the time to respond but I have no idea what you are referring to. I managed to borrow a copy of Greenhous's history from the local UoT library and he indicated that the RCD appreciated the extra firepower that the the GMC's could provide. 'Accuracy' didn't seem to be the issue at hand. BTW, I'd love to add a copy of the Greenhous book to my library if there's one going cheap, (i.e. $30.00 + shipping). Just throwing it out there.
Cheers, Dave

[Mrs Vampire]

My apologies Dave...just an attempt at some amusement. If you noticed in the second photo there is a bicycle leaning against the wall with what appear to be bullet holes either side of it .
I thought it would be amusing to suppose that the half track had been practice shooting at it .

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Dave Block

First up, thanks again to all who replied so far! Attached is the RCD photo from LAC that I alluded to in my previous post.

Dave,

I merged your new thread with your old one to keep this subject together.

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Dave Block

This one has the flat-profile M5/M9-style fenders! Could the base workshop lift the whole 75mm assembly out of an otherwise clapped-out M3 and plunk it into an IHC M5/M9? The firepower of the GMC seemed to be greatly appreciated and this is the only explanation I can think of for the obvious fender difference. The orginal M3s had two previous owners before we got them so I can see the vehicle needing replacement before its 'gun'. Any thoughts & insights would be greatly appreciated.

Dave,

Well spotted! Although not a modular design, as far as I can see the gun mount could be taken out and fitted to another half track.
See this cached page of the now defunct AFV Interiors website for some detail information on the M3 75-mm Gun Motor Carriage.

Hanno

[Dave Block]

Thank you so much. I was trying to figure out how to merge the two threads but realized I'd have to take 'moderator lessons' to get results so I left it to the professionals. I can't afford to join the 1:1 scale crowd so I stick to 1:35 plastic where I can 'fudge' some details. After viewing your 'inside the armour' link I can see that it wouldn't have been an insurmountable difficulty for the RCEME to switch mounts (did I mention my dad was in the RCOC/RCEME so I might be biased?). Now, whose going to produce a decent IHC M5 or M9 lend-lease half track?
Cheers, Dave

[paul visser]

Dave,
I have a original photo of the liberation parade in June 1945 in Amsterdam. It is taken on the "van baerlestraat" at the museum plein (concert hall). i think you like this one.

Regards,
Paul

[Dave Block]

I do like this! The first and third vehicles appear to be M5/M9 half-tracks (which officially never had the 75mm GMC mounted) and the centre one is a proper M3 GMC. All sorts of little details set them apart, the lead vehicle has later headlights and side racks while the centre one has the earlier style lights, no racks and both are fitted with front rollers. The third is almost the same as the first but has a winch fitted instead of the roller, a real 'mix n match'. Obviously the placement for the RCA battery wasn't carved in stone either, 'somewhere along the side will do'.
Speaking of the battery markings, can anyone hazard a guess/definitively say what the RCD one would be in this case? I'm looking at Barry Beldam's 'RCA Tac Signs' Vol. Ed.1, 1995 and equating the 'Fox' name to Battery 'F' giving a basic blue square with the smaller red designator square in the lower left quadrant, white 'F1', 'F2', 'F3' or 'F4' depending. (Sigh, a picture really is worth a thousand words!).

Thanks again, Dave