Normally an Axis tank commander, Aimee surprised me the other day by proclaiming she was going to begin a serious Easy Eight conversion. She had seen our clubs progression to a series of Sherman tanks and doesn’t want to be left out. The humor of it is she saw the version she wanted on an episode of Lock and Load with R. Lee Ermey. A few hundred dollars for parts off Ebay (thanks Artie!) and she has the DAK commander green with envy!

CALIFORNIA GIRLS ARE UNDENIABLE.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY WANT AMERICAN HEAVY METAL!

Easy Eight by Aimee

Aimee must battle green more often!
Aimee must battle green more often!
Trouble though, gearbox appears to have sheared.
Trouble though, gearbox appears to have sheared.
Further research shows the drive shaft in damaged.
Further research shows the drive shaft in damaged.
Aimee brought her haul over to DAK HQ for the obligatory inspection.
Aimee brought her haul over to DAK HQ for the obligatory inspection.
Nick Aguilar T-23 turret and gun. Impact gear boxes.
Nick Aguilar T-23 turret and gun. Impact gear boxes.
She will do all the M4A3 modifications we have developed at DAK. Engine Deck, rear plate, aircl;eaner.....
She will do all the M4A3 modifications we have developed at DAK. Engine Deck, rear plate, aircl;eaner.....
Oh yeah, Impact T-66 track. They almost disappeared from her stash if you know what I mean.
Oh yeah, Impact T-66 track. They almost disappeared from her stash if you know what I mean.
Nick Aguilar exhaust deflector new to the product line.
Nick Aguilar exhaust deflector new to the product line.
Fits below stock hull but I will strongly recommend the improved back plate.
Fits below stock hull but I will strongly recommend the improved back plate.
The T-66 track and sprockets are very nice. They appear quite sturdy and are heavy!
The T-66 track and sprockets are very nice. They appear quite sturdy and are heavy!
Impact gear boxes, because Jeff wouldn’t have it any other way!
Impact gear boxes, because Jeff wouldn’t have it any other way!
The ‘spread’ now including Ebay purchases for the Tamiya kit and all the aftermarket goodness.
The ‘spread’ now including Ebay purchases for the Tamiya kit and all the aftermarket goodness.
Hull + impact gearboxes.
Hull + impact gearboxes.
Pic 123 shows the barrel from the Easy Eight kit, after it has been sleeved with brass tubing stock.  This increased the diameter of the barrel, and lengthened it to join with the recoil unit.  It also provides a uniform outside diameter which is important for later on.
Pic 123 shows the barrel from the Easy Eight kit, after it has been sleeved with brass tubing stock.  This increased the diameter of the barrel, and lengthened it to join with the recoil unit.  It also provides a uniform outside diameter which is important for later on.
Pic 124 shows the brass tube stock that would form a sleeve through the mantlet.  The uniform O.D. of the barrel with the sleeve is paramount, the idea being the two brass tubes would nest inside each other to allow the barrel to slide back and forth during the recoil cycle.
Pic 124 shows the brass tube stock that would form a sleeve through the mantlet.  The uniform O.D. of the barrel with the sleeve is paramount, the idea being the two brass tubes would nest inside each other to allow the barrel to slide back and forth during the recoil cycle.
Pic 128 shows the mantlet sleeve installed.
Pic 128 shows the mantlet sleeve installed.
Pic 129 shows how the mantlet sleeve and the sleeved barrel nest with each other.  A very secure
Pic 129 shows how the mantlet sleeve and the sleeved barrel nest with each other.  A very secure
Pershing Recoil added for the easy eight effect.
Pershing Recoil added for the easy eight effect.
Test fit of the 76mm T-23 turret. Looking good so far.
Test fit of the 76mm T-23 turret. Looking good so far.
Work on the front end. Add the Transmission cover and remove gun travel lock mounts.
Work on the front end. Add the Transmission cover and remove gun travel lock mounts.
Schumo’s replacement parts include the sheetmetal forward ventilator cover. The hatches have been opened with thread and a lip has been added with sheet styrene.
Schumo’s replacement parts include the sheetmetal forward ventilator cover. The hatches have been opened with thread and a lip has been added with sheet styrene.
Rear detail fixes. To make the appropriate Ford GAA engined Sherman hull, we need to fill in the vents, remove the engine deck, and, fix the back plate.
Rear detail fixes. To make the appropriate Ford GAA engined Sherman hull, we need to fill in the vents, remove the engine deck, and, fix the back plate.
DAK photo
DAK photo
Impact gearboxes installed.
Impact gearboxes installed.
Styrene hatch lip can be seen beside the ventilator hole. A DAK created tip, use surplus bearings and tube for a turret roller bearings. This will improve many aspects of the vehicles performance.
Styrene hatch lip can be seen beside the ventilator hole. A DAK created tip, use surplus bearings and tube for a turret roller bearings. This will improve many aspects of the vehicles performance.
Custom Ousley features include mounts for the charging jack and on/off switch accessible through the open driver and co driver hatches.
Custom Ousley features include mounts for the charging jack and on/off switch accessible through the open driver and co driver hatches.
Time to cram all the innards.. The Ousleys prefer Dean’s connectors and Spektrum radios.
Time to cram all the innards.. The Ousleys prefer Dean’s connectors and Spektrum radios.
Other front end modifications... Shorten and move the gun barrel travel lock. The 75mm and 76mm tanks had the travel lock midway up the glacis. the 105 was lower and had a longer reach.
Other front end modifications... Shorten and move the gun barrel travel lock. The 75mm and 76mm tanks had the travel lock midway up the glacis. the 105 was lower and had a longer reach.
More Schumo details... Lifting Lugs and hatch periscope guards.
More Schumo details... Lifting Lugs and hatch periscope guards.
Shaping up.
Shaping up.
DAK photo
Very impressive, or NICE ASS!
Very impressive, or NICE ASS!
Engine deck replaced with resin kit from Shumo. Aimee has chosen to change the back plate, add mud skirt, and built a late style exhaust deflector.
Engine deck replaced with resin kit from Shumo. Aimee has chosen to change the back plate, add mud skirt, and built a late style exhaust deflector.
Putty added to brush guards for simulated welds. Weather stripping replaced on bow machine gun. Turret Gun and muzzle break in place.
Putty added to brush guards for simulated welds. Weather stripping replaced on bow machine gun. Turret Gun and muzzle break in place.
Looks ready for paint!
Looks ready for paint!
Nice work! The bolts are a nice touch. Also added is the Schumo Tow hitch, tail light brush guards, and luggage rack.
Nice work! The bolts are a nice touch. Also added is the Schumo Tow hitch, tail light brush guards, and luggage rack.
Masked and ready for Primer
Masked and ready for Primer
DAK photo
Primed in black
Primed in black
DAK photo
Nice!
Nice!
Final Coat of OD with ID stripe painted
Final Coat of OD with ID stripe painted
Easy Eight the hard way!
Easy Eight the hard way!
Aimee likes her tanks clean and ready for parade fashion
Aimee likes her tanks clean and ready for parade fashion
Busted right at the weld. Unfortunately Jeff has to cough up $17 bucks for a replacement.
Busted right at the weld. Unfortunately Jeff has to cough up $17 bucks for a replacement.
Impact gearbox, early production. Welded, but the weld is what came undone.
Impact gearbox, early production. Welded, but the weld is what came undone.