M3 Lee at an African road block

[MSea]

Well the next project is an old model from the stash that got put together and never painted - amazing what you find under lockdown rules.
Decided to update the WW2 tank to a converted one as a guard at a road block, will add some bar-armour to protect it against RPG rounds and put it in situ at a road block some were in Africa. Got Nathan at Mighty Lancer to get me the Trumpeter "African Freedom Fighters" in 1/35 scale to go with the tank. Before you ask Chris - NO ZOMBIES at the moment, but don't hold your breath.
Will put the tank under an awning of leaves for shade with table,chairs and a fridge next to it and have the people getting to their feet as somebody approaches the barrier. Having worked/been in Africa a lot during the 1970 and 1980 era, have had to go through many such road blocks  so it will bring back many happy memories ??

[zak]

Get on with it then.

[chriswil42]

Finished by 4.00pm?

[MSea]

That's as much of the stbd side bar-armour I have done.
Before you ask Zak, yes I have remembered that the tank has doors on the side for entry/exit so will have swing panels on the bar-armour as well. Now off for a coffee and a rocky road

[chriswil42]

Part-timer!

[MSea]

Just back from having Rocky road/coffee and a long fast walk outside (keeping 2m away from everybody - or is that people keeping away from me ?)  now back to do some more bar-armour before tea.

[kiwichappers]

Africa, road blocks, check points and happy memories. Isn't there a disconnect there? Whatever should make an interesting fresh approach to a military diorama.

[MSea]

No disconnect at all - when we can have meetings again will tell you some hair raising stories about my time in the Merchant Navy.
Dry run with the side -armour  fitted to the tank side.

[MSea]

Second side of bar-armour made and the opening door on the port side added. Decided if it was made in the shut position nobody would know it opened , so made it partly open as shown. the hinges are small sections of angle bar glued on the edges and then glued together.

[chriswil42]

Hi Martin, did this bar armour actually get used in real life? Never seen it before.
Chris

[MSea]

It was used in my head and that were the model came from - ?

[Bigkev]

Hi Msea,

That type of armour has been used in more recent times. Though it is more of a 'shredding' type of protection for anti tank missile projectiles. Often seen on British 'Warriors'.
My understanding is the idea was to shred the projectile before it hit the actual vehicle surface/armour and reduce its effect.
Probably Councilman or Wizzel might have a better, more correct explanation.
Cheers,
Bigkev   

[MSea]

Until we get the correct answer from Councilman or Wizz - I was under the impression the bar -armour detonated an RPG round at a distance from the main armour  thereby lessening the blast effect on the main armour.

[Bigkev]

Hi Msea,
Not being an authority on the subject, I can only say what I interpreted the role of the additional armour and how what I described was intended to work.
Bar armour might work on a different basis to my anti - vehicle description.
Cheers,
Bigkev

[MSea]

We will have to wait for the gruesome  twosome to get the correct answer