WW II M26A1 Tank Transporter with German Midget Submarine Seehund |
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I got the idea from a picture i saw somewhere, I don't know where anymore, but this was an idea somewhere in the back of my head that lingered for quite some time. I found a great page that gave me good information on the subject. Thispage is a great article from Panzerserra on this subject that I follow and try to build. Unfortunately the Trakz conversion kit is not available anymore. But we still have the DES Kit from France of the M26A1. This is the Kit I use for this project. |
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The Models and Materials needed |
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There are a few kits that depict the M26A1. I chose the DES kit of this vehicle for this project. And for the Seehund I chose the Bronco model. This project also was on my hitlist for quite some time. For the trailer I scavanged the Tamiya kit of the M26 Tank Transporter. Leaving the tractor for another project. |
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Background |
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The M26 and M26A1 were basicaly the same vehicles. apart from the cabin as is apperant in contemporary pictures. Over 600 vehicles of this type were produced. TM 9-767 states:"a. The 40-ton, Tank Transporter Truck-trailer M25 is designed for use in recovering a piece of damaged materiel and transporting it to a place where necessary repairs could be accomplished. The M25 unit consists of the tractor truck (M26) and semitrailer (Ml5), the semitrailer being coupled to the tractor by means of a fifth wheel on the tractor, which automatically locks the trailer to the tractor. Air brakes on the trailer wheels and lighting equipment on the trailer are connected to the tractor air and lighting systems by means of air hose and a jumper cable (carried on the trailer). The trailer air brakes and lights are controlled by the driver of the tractor. The trailer air brakes are automatically set in case the trailer is accidentally, or purposely, disconnected from the tractor." In post war literature not much is known about the M26A1 tractor. Maybe just because these are very similar and only the cab had to be distinguished when ordering spare parts. The combination of the tractor was known as the M25 Tank Transporter Truck Trailer. The unarmored version was the M25A1. |
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Where to find information |
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On the following link some pictures of a restored M26A1 can be found. The following link shows some WW II pictures of the M26A1 in action. In my older archive I found the following pictures of an M26A1 still under restauration, but gives some very good shots for detailing the model. Also the Tankograd No 6017 book gives some very good pictures of this vehicle. |
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          Pictures of the M26A1 in action are rare. The following picture was taken somewhere in France during February 1945. Note that the outer rear wheels of the tractor are removed.  The following picture shows an M26A1 with A new Pershing Tank to be transported to Germany in February 1945. The picture was taken in Antwerp Belgium.  Another picture of this transport mission, showing the M26A1 tractor.  Although the following picture is not so clear, it shows an M26A1 with an LCM loaded on the trailer. Probably before the Rhine crossings. Location is unknown.     |
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Below some pictures of Canadian officers in IJmuiden in the Netherlands during May 1945. They are viewing and inspecting captured Seehund mini-submarines.
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| Besides the publications mentioned above there are a few websites that give information on the Seehund: Uboat.net |
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Building The Models |
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The Final Result |
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