Hauling a Tank

[Deleted]

Ok you real truck drivers out there, I've got a question for you. I recently saw on Great Models Webstore a Soviet T-34/85 medium tank in 1/25 scale. (What type of tank did you think I was talking about?) The T-34/85 was produced in 1944, weighs in at 32 tons (64000 lbs), and (as on 1996) still in use with 27 countries. The T-34 series tank is the second most produced tank in the world after the T-54/55 series. Enough trivia, on with the questions:

I'd like to build the tank as a museaum tank being hauled someplace. My questions are what would I need to haul something like that? Obviously a low-boy, but what about the tractor. Does it need to be something special? What's the best way to secure a tank to the trailer? Anybody got any low-boy plans they want to share!

Thanks for your help.

[41chevy]

This is a Scammel and trailer hauling a Chieftan ABL . A heavy lowboy (like the Revell) will haul it. they generally have chaulks (?) locking tracks front and rear and through front and rear tow hooks are heavy chains and chain binders. tractor wise...most and heavy OTR tractor will move it. Paul

[okdoky]

Hi there Jim

Here are a couple of pics of the mighty AS90 getting loaded onto the British version of the HET tank transporter. With a tank the size of the T34 it is likely that most heavy haulage low loaders would handle this. If the tank tracks are wide then they could use side extension pieces and boards to widen the low loader.

Securing the tank would use the exact same principles as those used on the AS90 with chain stretchers and shackles in a crossover pattern front and rear with additional chains out at the four corners (total 8 from the four shackle points 2 front and 2 rear would be a very secure load).











You might also want to add timber blocking under the tank that would prevent the tank springing on its own suspension as on the DROPS flat rack which was taking a small Scimiter recce tank at the same military show.




Hope this is of some help

All the best

Nige

[okdoky]

Found more pics of the Scimiter on the flat rack





Hope this helps

Nige

[Deleted]

Those pics helped a lot. Thanks, guys.

[okdoky]

Glad to be of some help mate

All the best

Nige

[locoengr]

ONLY on the TRUCKSTOP website could a very unusual question like this come up. THEN, be answered the same day, and with pictures!! I mean this ALL in a good way. Unbelievable!!
Bruce

[Deleted]

Yes, there have been some strange questions asked on this forum, and this one is right up there. I remember a member from Canada had to haul a Leapord for his final heavy haul exam (or something like that), and that picture got me thinking. I'm not sure if I'll ever be able to pull this off, but I'd like to try! Found a T-34 for $20, but not a trailer yet. Well, I've got some time.

Might try smething simpler first. I know during WWII the Italian's used to ship their L6/40 tanks by FIAT MOD. 626. Saw a picture of one unloading one time. The L6/40 was a small tank.

[okdoky]

How about this for an odd looking tank transporter trailer.



Would make a good scratch build if you could figure out an itlaian truck to tow it with.

Or this based on a 1/24 dolly axled trailer kit. Scratch build the tank in 1/24 for a real nice combination.



Looks like it would fit straight on the back of a truck too. Here it is getting loaded on a trailer



All the very best

Nige

[Deleted]

That's an Italian WWII tank as well. It looks to be a M13/40.

Your photos don't really show the truck, but this is probably it:

www.modelvictoria.it/vehicles/fiat_mod_626_nl_militare.htm

Where in the world do you cme up with all of these photos?

[okdoky]

Hi Jim

The AS90 and DROPS truck pics came from my video walk around I did last year after the Military show in our local park in Stirling. The others I found doing a basic search on PC

Italy ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, tank ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ww2

Up popped these.

Enjoy and looking forward to your build blog when you get round to doing one.

All the very best and glad to help out.

Nige

[okdoky]

By the way, if you do build one, please also post it on this site too.

ipmsuk.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=imlv

Trying to build up a Loggies theme on that site.

Cheers

Nige

[78KW]

Jim, did you find what you were looking for as far as tank transport info? We haul tanks with goosenecks at Fikes Truck Line, where I'm leased. One of our gooseneck guys has a 379 with a big ICT sleeper and everything, so whatever you come up with should do.

[ajy]

i seen one a few months ago going down 80/94 heading tward the ill state line.it was a normal 379 pete with a dfop goosneck trailor hauling a m1a1 abrams tank.

www.country-supply.com/newtrailersforsale.htm
look at the white trail king trailor.that is what the tank was on.

[dieseldoc]

Trumpeter puts out a tank recovery / transporter kit called the Faun SLT56 in 1/35 scale which is a european vehicle some where in the era of the Bosnian war. As well Tamiya puts out a kit that is called the Dragon wagon. This is an American tank recovery / transporter some where in the era of Viet Nam. These 2 kits are rather pricey over 100 bucks. But recently I have seen them in 1/72nd scale at a reasonable price. No here is my Idea. pick up the 1/72nd scale kit for referance (build it if you want) measure it out put those numbers in to the scale calc program and scratch build the trailer in 1/24 or 25 with the output numbers from scale calc.
I also have in my modeling library an out of print book publish by wings and wheel on the Faun SLT 56 if you need more referance pics.