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BAY AREA BLITZKRIEG |
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| Located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida,Bay Area Blitzkrieg RC model tank club is a organization for those who have radio controlled operational scale model armor. We welcome both experienced and new people in this hobby as well as those in need of help getting started. | ||||||||||
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| All photos and text are Copyright (C) Bay Area Blitzkrieg 2023 | ||||||||||
Bay Area Blitzkrieg - Home Page
Left: oddball and his crew are giving this site a serious look!
Oddball (Donald Sutherland) recently died June 20, 2024.Updated: June 24, 2024
We are working on this site (as time allows) for updates and new topics.
Checkout the "how-to's" on the [Projects] tab.
Membership in the BAB is free. Checkout the Membership page.
Input, including photos, from members is important. All comments - send to the webmaster on the Contacts page.
This web site is managed by Lew Zee. Contact email is on the Contacts page on this site. More information on Tanks and related items can be found on my personal page: Lew's Model Boats.
| Forget about Facebook! - We are on MeWe social media. Subscribe (free) and send messages, get updates, etc. Click this logo for our account >>> |
 | Lew's YouTube Videos. Find lots of videos on Scale Model Boats, Tanks, helpful tips and more! Click this logo to see the listings >>> |
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BAB - Club's VideosYoutube videos for the Bay Area Blitzkrieg. Click on the logo to see the listings >>> |
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Last Meet Update:
With the hot days of summer (2024)
meets are still scheduled.
Next Meeting(s):
Weather permitting and unless a change is indicated, meets for the Bay Area Blitzkrieg will continue to be at the Largo Central Nature Preserve Park (off East Bay Drive and Highland Ave.) Meets are
usually held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month starting at 11:00 AM.
(No meets during major holidays.)
Next Meeting(s):
2nd and 4th Sundays each month
Assault Gun Platoon and the M3 Half Track troop carrier
One of the two (second one still needed) M3 half tracks for the assault gun platoon has been completed.
Here the crew is discussing plans for the next Bay Area Blitzkrieg meet.
About this M3 half track
About this M3 half track
(above, center): This model was created using the Torro M16 multiple gun carriage (half track) and modifying it extensively. (No one makes an M3 troop carrier in 1/16 scale.)
Once the model was stripped down many parts had to be made as well as modificatons to the M16 version. A new RC system (FlySky), steering servo, speed control, and motor with gearbox
was installed. The two existing Torro figures were repainted to match the added crew. BAB member Steve S. 3D resin printed the M1 Garands (6) for Lew Z. Those other
figures were made in resin and ordered from China. There was a number of modifications made so the would sit in the troop carry area.
The "Assault Gun" platoon (above, left):
The M4A3 (105) Sherman (also includes the 75mm version) is not a tank. Tanks are vehicles designed to face other tanks. This vehicle is an "Assault Gun" used to shell enemy
fortifications, convoys, etc. The assault gun platoon was a result of the U.S. Army's redisign of the armored forces where an assault gun platoon was assigned to the
headquarters company of a tank regiment or battalion.
This platoon consisted of three Sherman M4A3's (in this instance 105mm howitzers being the main gun), each with an M10 ammo trailer. There were two half tracks assigned to this platoon, one for the platoon command and communication and the second carried the crew to assist in reloading the Shermans, This half track also towed an M10 trailer.
The Shermans were limited to about 66 rounds of 105mm amunition each. Each trailer could carry up to 44 additional rounds, hence the need for this crew.
This platoon consisted of three Sherman M4A3's (in this instance 105mm howitzers being the main gun), each with an M10 ammo trailer. There were two half tracks assigned to this platoon, one for the platoon command and communication and the second carried the crew to assist in reloading the Shermans, This half track also towed an M10 trailer.
The Shermans were limited to about 66 rounds of 105mm amunition each. Each trailer could carry up to 44 additional rounds, hence the need for this crew.
Arms for the ammo crew (above,
right):
The crew was tyically armed with M1 Garand rifles for self
defence. A 30 cal. machine gun was typically mounted
in the half track. In this instance we have a 50 cal.
bmg. About the M1 Garands: Lew needed six M1 Garands
for the half track's crew. Steve. S. gererously made them
for Lew using his 3D resin printer. Very good detail, even
the tiny triggers printed out. Lew made the slings out of
styrene and painted all of them. It really completes the
half track.
Bay Aea Blitzkrieg's Assault gun
platoon status: We curently have two M4A3 (105)
Shermans ready for "combat." One more arrived in
mid-March. We have the one half track (above) and need one
more. We also have several trailers and are planning on
making a few more.
More to come!
End