MrT
TigerII
I want to also commend you on your photos. They show an extensive array of information for your model. This is the 'if its not completely right, or you took a small liberty with your model, then its completely wrong' category. Unfortunately, this forum category is very picky when it comes to armor. All I can say "Bravo to you, and to your work. You've done a fantastic job.
Thank you!
I try to do my research on the topic I'm modeling. That being said tank crews, in particular American tank crews, will use what ever they can find to give them an advantage or to make their lives easier and they will hang it anywhere as long as it doesn't block the gun. So I think a certain amount of license can be allowed in regard to stowage, but if something is really wrong it needs to be said. In a nice way of course.
That being said, I will second the mention of the Israeli water can. As a vet I can say that our supply system was good enough to where that essential like water cans in a desert environment were never an issue. We always had plenty of GI plastic water cans. Now I did come across some European (German I believe) plastic fuel cans in my career. But never IDF stuff.
One other minor thing (and it's just me) on stowage would be the rucksacks. I have yet to see any Marines ever using the large ALICE pack like you have as part of the stowage. Not to say it didnt happen, I have just yet to see a photo or in person in that era a Marine with that type of ruck. They come in two sizes, medium and large, and you have both as stowage. (from the Tamiya set I presume?). Both are on your build here. Large rucks were only issued (to my knowledge) to Light, Airborne, & Air Assault type units, and of course SOF, but those folks dont have tanks or other AFVs. Medium ALICE packs were standard throughout the Army and Marine Corps at that time. I did spend some time on Pendleton a few months after Desert Storm and we did joke amongst ourselves how the Marines got by with only those Medium rucks. Not to say the tankers could not buy or otherwise acquire their own, but the only tankers I have ever seen with large rucks were those issued them in the 82nd. Nearly every other tanker I came across or saw had the mentality that they would carry whatever in pretty much any other sort of bag, box, or container on the vehicle. Except their ruck... LOL!
As far a stowage placement goes, it will be put anywhere it does not block optics, crew hatches, or weapons/turret traverse & elevation. Basic survival, it can't interfere with how the vehicle fights, or the crew escapes if the fight goes bad.