Strange tank model brought in today

[manayunkman]

This huge heavy model is made by Rheems Mfg. Co. who designed several turrets for the US Army.

 

I can not identify this particular turret.

 

Anyone know?

[CavalryCombatant]

Looking up the contract # online I found one very similar on a surplus forum from 2013.  I can send you a link to the full forum if you’d like, but in short the consensus seems to be that it was made to celebrate Rheems getting the turret contract for the T57/T54E1.  
 

(and here are some pictures of the fellow’s tank and the turret of a T57/T54E1)

 

CC

[tdogchristy90]

12 minutes ago, CavalryCombatant said:

Looking up the contract # online I found one very similar on a surplus forum from 2013.  I can send you a link to the full forum if you’d like, but in short the consensus seems to be that it was made to celebrate Rheems getting the turret contract for the T57/T54E1.  
 

(and here are some pictures of the fellow’s tank and the turret of a T57/T54E1)

 

CC

I did similar googling and found information of a T77 gun tank designed by Rheems. Another version of the T57.

[manayunkman]

I found those and neither one matches this one.

 

Notice how this one has 2 frog eyes on the top of the turret that house it’s range finder, the lines at the base of the turret don’t match but the real clincher is how slim the turret is.

[easterneagle87]

Sure looks the same to me. The bottom model from CalvaryCombatant, the turret is turned around in I think they call it travel mode. I see the same knobs “frog eyes?” on both turrets. 

[manayunkman]

43 minutes ago, easterneagle87 said:

Sure looks the same to me. The bottom model from CalvaryCombatant, the turret is turned around in I think they call it travel mode. I see the same knobs “frog eyes?” on both turrets. 

 

Yes you are correct. 
 

Now that I’m looking it over today it’s obvious.

 

I had been up since 3am yesterday and I wasn’t thinking straight by evening.

 

I apologize for this laps in judgment and attribute it to pushing 70.

[easterneagle87]

It is a very cool model. Is it heavy? Metal , right. How big ? 

[manayunkman]

Thank you Eagle, Cav. and Tdog, I appreciate you all steering me in the right direction.

 

I read yesterday that at Rheems they called the range finder “frog eyes”.

 

The model is cast aluminum, weighs about 22 pounds and is almost 30” from rear to end of barrel.

 

Here are a couple more pictures of this odd turret.

 

 

[tdogchristy90]

Great photos, sir! 

[manayunkman]

Thanks 

 

A strange looking tank.

[Steve B.]

This tank reminds me of the French AMX-13 which actually saw service.

[manayunkman]

They both have oscillating turrets.

 

When it first caught my eye the French AMX came to mind as well.

[easterneagle87]

"Tanks!" for the information! HA! 33 inches and 22 lbs, wow! it's a monster! That is a SUPER cool model for sure.