Hosted by Darren Baker
M85 Machine Gun Barrel?
m75
Joined: July 20, 2002
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 661 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 25, 2016 - 09:35 AM UTC
Does anyone make an aftermarket replacement barrel/flash hider for the M85 commander cupola machine gun on the M-60 series MBTs?
2-32sherman
Joined: February 14, 2003
KitMaker: 64 posts
Armorama: 59 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 09:40 AM UTC
Hi Jim,
that's what I'm looking for years, as most M85 barrels of the kits are not correct, except for the AFV Clib ones!
Eagerly awaiting an answer!
Regards
Hauke
that's what I'm looking for years, as most M85 barrels of the kits are not correct, except for the AFV Clib ones!
Eagerly awaiting an answer!
Regards
Hauke
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 09:58 AM UTC
What would be equally as nice would be a M85 barrel with cover.
Kevlar06
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
Armorama: 2,052 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 10:53 AM UTC
Quoted Text
What would be equally as nice would be a M85 barrel with cover.
I spent 3 years in the 11th ACR, and I know we had them, but I don't ever recall using the cover for the M85. We either had the gun mounted in the field or unmounted in the motor pool. Even in bad weather I don't recall using the cover. We would tarp the turrets to keep weather out, if the tank was going to sit for a while, and the barrels had so much oil on them corrosion wasn't much of a problem. This is probably because we never left the weapons unattended for any reason.
VR, Russ
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 11:41 AM UTC
And where I was it was keep the cover on unless on the range. We were more concerned about dust than moisture.
Most pictures of Marine M60s show them as protection agsinst salt water corrosion. I did a model of one in 29 Palms after the return from DS and made up the covers from tissue.
I am doing another with the snorkel in place and the cover would be on for that. I already had to do a ton of work on the mantlet cover to get the main gun at maximum elevation.
That's another part I would like to see. Mantlet parts for main guns at full elevation.
Most pictures of Marine M60s show them as protection agsinst salt water corrosion. I did a model of one in 29 Palms after the return from DS and made up the covers from tissue.
I am doing another with the snorkel in place and the cover would be on for that. I already had to do a ton of work on the mantlet cover to get the main gun at maximum elevation.
That's another part I would like to see. Mantlet parts for main guns at full elevation.
m75
Joined: July 20, 2002
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 661 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 11:09 PM UTC
Thanks to all for the responses. My issue is with the AFV A2 barrel, which is too thin and the muzzle piece too large, and it was molded "bent" to boot. A solid brass replacement item with the flash hider, AND the barrel extension jacket as well (to avoid trying to roll that very small PE piece)would be quite a help. Helllooooo RB or similar?
HermannB
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
Armorama: 4,067 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 08:41 PM UTC
The flashhider is difficult to replicate in scale. One would require a multi-axle machining centre. Even it can be done in scale, the price would be more than most modellers are willing to spend.
urumomo
Joined: August 22, 2013
KitMaker: 675 posts
Armorama: 667 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 08:53 PM UTC
What does this thing look like ?
AmTrac1833
#431
Joined: February 20, 2014
KitMaker: 376 posts
Armorama: 311 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 09:49 PM UTC
Quoted Text
What does this thing look like ?
Scan of TM cover for the M85
urumomo
Joined: August 22, 2013
KitMaker: 675 posts
Armorama: 667 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 28, 2016 - 10:22 PM UTC
This thing ? :
What's the story on it ?
Why is it shaped so oddly ?
What's the story on it ?
Why is it shaped so oddly ?
AmTrac1833
#431
Joined: February 20, 2014
KitMaker: 376 posts
Armorama: 311 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 12:00 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This thing ? :
What's the story on it ?
Why is it shaped so oddly ?
Looks like a winner! As to why, that's outside echelon.
Kevlar06
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
Armorama: 2,052 posts
Posted: Thursday, December 29, 2016 - 01:38 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextThis thing ? :
What's the story on it ?
Why is it shaped so oddly ?
Looks like a winner! As to why, that's outside echelon.
What modelers commonly refer to as a "flash suppressor" is really a muzzle brake. Believe me, there is not much "flash suppression" on the M-85. What this thing does is dissipate exhaust gases evenly at the end of the muzzle, which is a good thing as the muzzle on the M-85 is mounted adjacent and above the loaders sight periscope, it also reduces recoil on the receiver end, which for a .50 cal is considerable. We call it a flash suppressor, but that's not really what it does.
VR, Russ
urumomo
Joined: August 22, 2013
KitMaker: 675 posts
Armorama: 667 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 04, 2017 - 03:45 AM UTC
KurtLaughlin
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 04, 2017 - 05:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The flashhider is difficult to replicate in scale. One would require a multi-axle machining centre.
Looking at the photo of the real part it wasn't nearly that complicated. It looks like an investment casting that was turned on a lathe and fluted with a cutter in a horizontal milling machine. It could have been made during WW I.
KL
jstarn
Joined: July 19, 2014
KitMaker: 80 posts
Armorama: 74 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 04, 2017 - 09:11 PM UTC
"What this thing does is dissipate exhaust gases evenly at the end of the muzzle, which is a good thing as the muzzle on the M-85 is mounted adjacent and above the loaders sight periscope"
Don't you mean "gunners sight periscope"? Especially since the M85 was first introduced on the M60, which did not even have a loaders periscope?
Don't you mean "gunners sight periscope"? Especially since the M85 was first introduced on the M60, which did not even have a loaders periscope?
Das_Abteilung
Joined: August 31, 2010
KitMaker: 365 posts
Armorama: 351 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 05, 2017 - 08:24 AM UTC
If you hop over to this thread on this site about a new company, MMSP - Mikes MS Productions, the first picture there is a 3D printed M85 barrel .......
http://www.armorama.co.uk/forums/255402&page=1
http://www.armorama.co.uk/forums/255402&page=1
Kevlar06
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
Armorama: 2,052 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 05, 2017 - 11:37 AM UTC
Quoted Text
"What this thing does is dissipate exhaust gases evenly at the end of the muzzle, which is a good thing as the muzzle on the M-85 is mounted adjacent and above the loaders sight periscope"
Don't you mean "gunners sight periscope"? Especially since the M85 was first introduced on the M60, which did not even have a loaders periscope?
Yes, my typo. Thanks for the correction.
VR, Russ
M1A1MstrGn
Joined: February 08, 2017
KitMaker: 22 posts
Armorama: 20 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 - 09:26 PM UTC
This discussion took me back to my Army days. Before then I apprenticed as a Machinist. Fast forward to when in the Army I was issued my 1st M2HB MG, after having been on M60A1s & A3s with M85 MGs. I had a muzzle-brake from an M85 barrel that I intended to mount on an M2HB barrel but I couldn't talk my way into using the lathe that I'd have to have used to turn down the end of the M2 barrel. While (IMHO) the M85 wasn't as good as the M2, (don't get me started comparing the POS M219 vs. the awesome M240s!) I always thought the M85 barrel looked waaay cool. It would've been a VERY un-authorised mod, but knowing the situation where I was, I could've gotten away with it!
It's great that you can get an M85 barrel from Shapeways. I just spent some money with them myself getting commo equipment for my M1A1 build.
It's great that you can get an M85 barrel from Shapeways. I just spent some money with them myself getting commo equipment for my M1A1 build.
Kevlar06
Joined: March 15, 2009
KitMaker: 3,670 posts
Armorama: 2,052 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2017 - 09:41 PM UTC
Quoted Text
....I was issued my 1st M2HB MG, after having been on M60A1s & A3s with M85....While (IMHO) the M85 wasn't as good as the M2....
I agree-- the M85 was unhandy and difficult to operate with the charging handle attached to chains and mounted in the confined space of the commander's coupula. If you ever had a stoppage it was a real headache to clear. But, I found it was accurate when zeroed properly, when the tank was standing still, probably because you had 60 tons of stability underneath it! On the other hand, when the tank was moving it was really difficult to hit anything-- the main gun was stabilized, but the M85 was not, so it gave me great appreciation for those tankers that had gone before me who gunned those tanks in WWII and Korea without stabilization.
VR, Russ
m75
Joined: July 20, 2002
KitMaker: 666 posts
Armorama: 661 posts
Posted: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - 11:19 PM UTC
OK, seems I was away from the site while work intervened (again). Last night I was browsing the Shapeways 3D site and saw that one of the latest 1/35th items is a set of three M85 barrels with the barrel extensions included. Looks like this will be a one-for-one swap with the AFV part. I ordered that, plus two other items, and I'm looking forward to seeing the printed items arrive soon!
 |
WEB HOSTING BY
Copyright ©2021 Armorama and Kitmaker Network, a subsidiary of Silver Star Enterprises
All Rights Reserved. Please read our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.
All Rights Reserved. Please read our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.