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Forums - Research / WW2 |
This WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to WW2 (1939-1945) subjects. |
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| Subject: | M4A1, Lima Liocomotive book survey |  |
| Date: | May 25, 2004 |
| From: | Mike Haines | |
Hi All,
In the past, I have posted on this and other forums requests for information about tank production at the Lima Locomotive Works, and activities at the Lima Tank Depot, during and after WWII.
Now I have a new question, I would like to know if there is sufficient interest in these subjects to warrant publishing a book on them.
The sort of book my partner and I envision would be heavily illustrated with a large portion of the photos being previously unpolished. We would like dig up information on the various phases of production of the M4A1s at LLW, serial number ranges, registration numbers, changes and dates, such as deletion of the rotary sight and twin bow.30 cal. Machine guns, change to heavy duty suspension, etc. We have about 40 photos already and some documentation, but we have quite a ways to go.
As for the Lima Tank Depot, we would like to report on the various modifications and rebuild programs that went on there along with kitting out of tanks and other vehicles.
Tanks and many other types of vehicle were prepped for overseas shipment, which included things like issuing the OVM to each vehicle and packing it away, sealing the tanks to protect them from the ravages of travel by sea. Wheeled vehicle were crated for shipping. Probably the most interesting project they completed was the conversion of 350 Shermans to DD tanks. This project was a very closely guarded secret; therefore it is being somewhat elusive today.
After the war the depot became the Lima Ordnance Depot and later the Lima Army Modification center, where well into the 1950s tank / vehicle modification and storage took place. Today the old depot is the General Dynamics Tank Plant, where M1s continue to be modified and upgraded as well as other projects.
During the late 40s through the mid to late 50s LOD operated the Lima Tank farm. The farm was an offsite location where there was 209 large cylindrical storage “tanks” were built to mothball tanks and other vehicles in sealed humidity controlled conditions.( about 4 -7 vehicles per tank). These tanks resembled oil storage tanks.
We have located several great photos of the Tank Farm, including aerial shots that show row after row of wheeled vehicle being stored there besides the “canned tanks”.
The Tank Farm was torn down around 1960 with the storage tanks being sold as grain storage bins in Kansas and the surrounding area. Some were sold locally and we recently discovered one west of Lima, being used as a barn.
We have also recently located the site of the former tank Farm and there are quite a few of the concrete pads that the tanks were built on surviving, along with 3 small sheds that housed dehumidifying equipment. Some of the pads had a thin flaking covering of asphalt and on a couple of these we located imprints of tank track pads.
There is much much more to tell about Lima’s continuing involvement with military vehicles. We have much more work and research to complete before we will be ready to publish.
So I would like you to tell me if there is an interest in a book on these subjects, and what you would be looking for in such a book.
Any information you may have that will help us would be greatly appreciated. Also if anyone knows of any surviving Lima Built M4A1s (other than Aberdeen’s calliope) we would like that info as well as photos if possible.
One last request; does anyone have any tips for a first time visitor to NARA’s facility in College park MD., I may be going there in July to look in to record group 156.
Please respond to my informal survey on interest in these subjects either on this forum or e-mail me directly at mhaines5@bright.net
Thank you,
Mike Haines |
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