Author Topic: M26 Pershing - Plastic Sprues 201204  (Read 15512 times)

Rubicon Models

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M26 Pershing - Plastic Sprues 201204
« on: December 02, 2019, 01:14:43 pm »
The M26 Pershing was a heavy tank/medium tank of the US Army and was used in the last months of WW2 during the Invasion of Germany and extensively during the Korean War.

Intended as a replacement of the M4 Sherman, a prolonged development period meant that only a small number saw combat in Europe, notably in the 9th Armored Division's dash to take the Ludendorff Bridge during the Battle of Remagen.  In service during the Korean War, the M26 had better firepower and protection than the T-34/85 but struggled in the hilly and muddy terrain.  It was withdrawn in 1951 in favour of its improved derivative, the M46 Patton, which had a more powerful and reliable engine and advanced suspension better able to handle the terrain.  The lineage of the M26 continued with the M47 Patton, and was reflected in the new designs of the later M48 Patton and M60 Patton.  A total of 2,202 units were produced in different variants.

Our kit will cover the following variants (proposed):

1) T26E3 (M26) with 90mm M3 gun - 2,000+ build
2) T26E4 (Super Pershing) with 90mm T15E2 gun - 25 build
3) T26A1 with 90mm M3A1 gun - ~1,200 converted
4) T26E2 (M45) with 105mm howitzer M4 - 185 build

Once the 3D drawings are approved, we will proceed to do prototyping for the M26.


















Enjoy!
;)
« Last Edit: December 04, 2020, 02:35:14 pm by Rubicon Models »

EarlyWarGamer

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Re: New Project of the Month - Dec 2019 - M26 Pershing 191202
« Reply #1 on: December 03, 2019, 02:06:44 am »
This is exciting news!  Especially for those of us interested in gaming the Korean War.

The M26 (armed with a 90mm M3 gun), the M26A1 (armed with an improved 90mm M3A1 gun) and the M45 (an M26 armed with a 105mm howitzer) all saw service in Korea.  As was mentioned, their power-to-weight ratio was such that they had difficulty dealing with the hilly terrain, and units armed with these tanks had them replaced during the first half of 1951.  So they were only in-theater in numbers for 6 months (August 1950 to January 1951) before they were phased out starting in February, but that is when most of the armor-on-armor conflicts happened, and when the war was most fluid.

For those (like me) who enjoy numbers:

By the end of 1950, a total of 1,326 US and 96 British tanks had been delivered to Korea, as follows:
   M24 Chaffee   138   10%   
   M4 Sherman   679   51%      (including M4A3(76) and M4A3(105) variants)
   M26 Pershing   309   23%      (mostly M26 and M26A1, very few M45)
   M46 Patton   200   15%

   Centurion Mk III (A41)   64
   Churchill Mk VII (A22)   20
   Cromwell Mk VIII (A27M)   12

We already have the excellent Rubicon M4A3E8 kit that can be used to build the (76) HVSS and (105) HVSS versions, so this new kit means those building US forces for Korea will go from about 50% of tanks available as plastic kits, to nearly 75% available as plastic kits.

Again, great news for those interested in gaming the Korean War!
« Last Edit: December 03, 2019, 02:11:47 am by EarlyWarGamer »

elias.tibbs

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Re: New Project of the Month - Dec 2019 - M26 Pershing 191202
« Reply #2 on: December 03, 2019, 06:13:19 am »
This I am excited for.

Any plans for an improvised front armour/gun elevation hydraulics add on?
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
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Rubicon Models

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Re: New Project of the Month - Dec 2019 - M26 Pershing 191202
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2019, 01:31:50 pm »
Any plans for an improvised front armour/gun elevation hydraulics add on?
NO!  There is only ONE Pershing with that field conversion.  Not worthwhile doing it commercially; might be an interesting conversion by modellers themselves.

elias.tibbs

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Re: New Project of the Month - Dec 2019 - M26 Pershing 191202
« Reply #4 on: December 04, 2019, 01:45:23 am »
Aww. I own one anyway, but would have been nice in plastic too.

Looking forward to this though.
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
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Tony1955

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Re: New Project of the Month - Dec 2019 - M26 Pershing 191202
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2019, 12:06:54 am »
Looking forward to this. Its going to beef up my Korean UN/US force nicely. Thanks Rubicon

Marcin

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Re: New Project of the Month - Dec 2019 - M26 Pershing 191202
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2019, 12:11:09 am »
I love it! I totally love it! I can't wait to put my hand on it! Rubicon Models thanks a lot for doing more allied gear!
"Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory." - G.S. Patton

Rubicon Models

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2019, 02:16:54 pm »
3D prototypes of the three M26 variants (M45 not shown):



























Enjoy!
;)

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2019, 04:17:02 pm »
Nice.


Pinky

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2019, 12:28:01 am »
Fantastic to see this tank coming.  Great choice of subject, Rubicon!

RFT

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2020, 07:13:12 pm »
Is the turret the same fitting as on the Sherman kits?

apparently this was done as a trial:



elias.tibbs

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2020, 04:38:57 am »
I’ve already asked (for the same reason), the turret ring is a different size. Easy conversion though.
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
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ultravanillasmurf

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2020, 04:42:52 pm »
What were the turret ring diameters?

Was that a modified hull?

elias.tibbs

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #13 on: March 11, 2020, 04:38:39 am »
On the actual tanks? Both 69”, but Edwin said on Facebook that the kits turret ring was different. Was a while ago so maybe that’s changed?
"No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country."
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ultravanillasmurf

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Re: M26 Pershing - Prototypes 191206
« Reply #14 on: March 11, 2020, 05:41:11 am »
On the actual tanks? Both 69”, but Edwin said on Facebook that the kits turret ring was different. Was a while ago so maybe that’s changed?
Thanks.
The M26 might have a closer to scale turret ring (like the M10).