WWII M23 AMMO TRAILER

A dream of mine, to build an"Ammo Train" of M-23's behind a Mack NO6. (OK the trailers would have to be empty for the Mack to pull two. But it could happen if the Mack were returning to base for resupply.)



With a little help from Photoshop I put together this concept image.

Here is where I am at this point: The Mack NO is finished and the prototype M23 model is making slow progress towards completion.

Basic vehicle dimensions from the book "The American Arsenal".

Photo (right side front) from the Technical Manual:

Of course I had to build the Long Tom 155mm gun first. Back-dated with a resin set of war era civilian tires.

Axle assembly as seen in the Tech Manual.

Fántastic build Michael. Cant wait to see this pictured beside the Long Tom.

Two different pattern resin tire sets, made for back-dating the AFV Club's 155mm & 8 inch guns, are available from Scale Reproductions thru Scale-Link in the UK



The tire on the right comes from the wheel set that INCLUDES the earlier M1 towing dolly and the wheel center is cast as part of the tire.

The more simple tire on the left comes in the set that DOES NOT include the dolly. The wheel center of this tire is cast as a separate piece and this fact can come in handy for modification of other vehicle wheels and tires. (I could not have built the correct tires and wheels for my Mack NO6 if I had not discovered this fact.)

With the wheel set on the right you are also going to get the four air brake accuators you will need to build the M23.



I relied on two "cheater blocks" to support the main cross axle below the trailer rather than to rely totally on the strength of the scale leaf springs to support the model. You might choose to do this differently.

The "walking beam" wheel support seen here mounted mounted on the central cross axle. The leaf spring structure is yet to be added.

Making the spare tire - start with the Scale-Link main wheel/tire, enlarge the wheel center and open up the appropriate lug holes.



*That's the 155mm (or 8 inch) gun.

A little test fit with the M5 Limber.

Towing the M23 with anything other than the Mack NO (or the T26 Sterling) required the use of the M1 or M5 Limbers.

The M23 being towed (without the M5 Limber) by the experimental T26 Sterling. (Photo courtesy of Tony Gibbs.)



The Sterling and the Mack NO both utilized a unique Mack designed hitch that allowed the 155mm & 8 inch gun trails as well as the M23 Ammo Trailers to be connected directly to the towing vehicle WITHOUT the need of either the M1 or M5 Limbers.



Another shot, this time from the rear, again of the M23 being towed by the monster T26 Sterling 8x8. (Photo Tony Gibbs)

Plan drawing created in Google Sketch-Up.

M4 High Speed Tractor pulling the M23 Ammo Trailer. Look at the amount of deflection the M23 suspension is capable of! (Life Magazine Photo)

Rear view of the M23 from the Tech Manual with a handy scaling trick.

M1/M2 Limber (pre-war design) WILL NOT work with the M23 Ammo Trailer.





This design was much slower and more complex to emplace or reattach to the gun.

Please note: Civilian pattern truck tires.

The newer M5 Limber:






The winch lifting capability of the M5 Limber greatly increased the speed and ease with which the gun could be emplaced or removed.

Hitch plates on the M23 with the M5 Limber on the right and the Mack hitch receiver bottom center.



Again, only the M5 Limber was compatible with the M23 Trailer.

The M23 with the M5 as used in Korea.

Again note the different tread patterns used on the same vehicle.


Allied-Axis photo - Pat Stansell & David Doyle

Frank, thanks for your comments and thanks for checking out this thread.

Mike

Believe me, the pleasure was all mines.