Anybody watch "Tank Overhaul" on Military Channel?

[jagdpanzer347]

Greetings all. Just curious as to wether any fellow members watch this show and enjoy it as much as myself. The effort and attention to detail these guys put into restoring these old relics is amazing. The show about the Panther that had been in a river for forty years was particularly impressive.

To keep this gun-related, does anyone know what is required to demill the main armament on these vehicles? Is the barrel permanetly plugged, or the breech welded shut? Any input would be appreciated.

-jagd

 

[JWarren]

I saw parts of that episode a while back-- pretty neat.

It's my understanding that the barrel is typically permanently plugged, and most likely there would be some modification to the chamber or firing mechanism that would allow a round to be inserted, but not fired.


John

 

[ron8903]

Yes, very entertaining.

 

[armoredman]

Not all tank guns are de milled. There is an M18 Hellcat for sale, forget where, with live 76mm main gun.
Wish I had the Military Channel again, I would LOVE that show. Panther was an awesome medium tank, adopted by Spain after the war.

 

[jagdpanzer347]

Hhhmmm, I wonder what the cost and availability of 76mm rounds is?

-jagd

 

[Dr. Dickie]

Hhhmmm, I wonder what the cost and availability of 76mm rounds is?

Two years ago, I was buying them for $75/1000, now with the war on, they have shot through the roof. And my local Walmart quit selling them:banghead:

 

[ABTOMAT]

From what I've read they usually cut the breech off. I don't think barrel plugging is required, since some folks with demilled tanks fire blackpowder or rig them with propane noisemakers.

 

[candr44]

I wish I had seen it but I don't have cable.

I use to overhaul the engines for M-60 tanks. The M-60 engines probably have more nuts and bolts in it than an entire car and cost $125,000. They also take a month to 2 months to overhaul if you have all the parts and tools.

The World War 2 American tanks I have seen are a lot simpler. Nothing but a radial aircraft engine and some mechanical controls.