M47 Patton Cutaway Tank Restoration at National Armor and Cavalry Collection

[@bradm3a3]

Working with Bill has been a treat, that man has forgotten more about fixing these old rust buckets than I will ever know. And he brings in good breakfast too.

[@chrisferguson5727]

Is that a challenge for tomorrow, Justin?

[@TescoVee]

OMG! Ferguson breakfast is the best!

[@bradm3a3]

@@chrisferguson5727 morgan and I will be there...just saying

[@bradm3a3]

@@TescoVee you coming tomorrow, we gonna get the mk8 all ready to ship out

[@TescoVee]

@@bradm3a3 man I wish! Just too much to do at home, going to start coming out again soon though; really miss the shop & everyone.

[@ED-ti5tc]

I like Bill. He really respects and takes pride in what he's doing. Thank Bill and thank You for what y'all do.

[@Dougeb7]

I always had a soft spot for the M47. Kind of like the old ugly unwanted mutt at the pound. I'm glad they're giving her some love.

[@Vince_A_Bull]

Many thanks to Bill for sharing his operational knowledge. The part about salvaging the rack from the M47 for the M48 you just wouldn’t hear otherwise.

[@dropdead234]

Recent sub, caught the Chieftain's interview and decided if it was worth his time, to see if it was worth mine. Was not disappointed. While he does the technical side, it's also good to hear from the people who fought (and often cursed) with them. Thank you.

[@bradm3a3]

Bill does way more cursing at the tanks now. We both cussed the breach back into place

[@cartjj]

Sofi: This is a great video. Bill really knows his stuff. Thanks. John C.

[@haroldwilkerson2026]

I love listening to the stories that the gentleman tell about the tanks It adds a certain flare ,better than someone just saying this is a tank,gun go boom,engine goes vroom😂

[@draggerlane04090]

Hi Sofie, I'm a Army Vet. 11th aromored cav. I was a 19kilo M1A1/A2 Abrams operator from 1993-2005. I just recently discovered your channel and am amazed of your great interested in tanks. I enjoy watching your content. Keep up the great work that you do.

[@pxrays547]

"Chunk-o-Rust" .....Fantastic. We need people like Bill around.

[@bted72]

"Like standing in the deep freeze at your local Wendy's." 13: 38 Bill is a Legend. Thank you again to National Armor and Cavalry Collection for all your amazing work and efforts.Thanks to Sofi for another great and important video to keep this history highlighted.

[@gusgone4527]

Beautifully done as always. In my opinion the M47 was still very much a WWII technology tank. Perhaps the last of them because later derivatives had some real advances designed from the get-go. By the time the evolution process reached the M60, it was a completely different beast.

[@fritzmobil]

That looks like Sofilein wears an French "VESTE TREILLIS MILITAIRE F2 CAMO Kaki" in front of that lovley M47/ Thx for this new video/ each time a pleasure, you do an great job !

[@cmck472]

He must have the patience of a saint! Well done

[@Arexodius]

Bill is a great talker. He makes anything he says sound interesting. Great skill for tour guiding. Seems really knowledgeable too.

[@SteamCrane]

Very well done presentation! First time listening to Bill, but won't be the last. The mention of the twin mufflers triggered a memory that 60+ years ago I built a plastic "Patton" tank, with no info on the M- number. It had flat oval mufflers on each side of the rear deck. Apparently it was an M47 or earlier. Molding quality was so-so even by the standards of the time. The "almost after" photos at the end are gorgeous! Doing a cutaway is a conditional thing. If it's a rare piece, you don't cut it, but if it's common, the cutaway is extremely helpful. ...and Bill's hat is to die for!

[@nonamesplease6288]

I've never seen Bill before. Based on the other comments and the video, Bill is obviously a tank genius and a legend. Thank you for introducing him to us, your audience. Your videos are full of memorable people. Thoroughly enjoyable experience.

[@castercamber]

Master Gunner, Iraq War vet, retired US Army 1SG. He knows his stuff.

[@andrewhaycox]

Descriptions of loading tank guns are one of my favorite parts of tank museums especially from veterans who had to load the rounds under stress.

[@cking2315]

The sigh he puts in when mentioning rust gets me everythime

[@simonrooney7942]

Bill - amazing. I think you so lucky to be working on this. Much better than WOT ( can I say that?). Sofi - this is one the best videos and although the M 47 was a failure, Bill shows it great for teaching. "Personal Heater" US equivalent of the UK kettle for tea, that they have in their tanks! If you cannot live in the tank, then fighting is bloody hard! Thank you stay safe.

[@vtbmwbiker]

"Glaring deficiency in armor"--- this guy talks like a lot of old NCO's I've had the pleasure of knowing. Bravo! I always liked the M-47. I know it's kind of a "meh" fighting vehicle but It's an odd looking beast that needs some love. Thanks for posting this!

[@robgoodsight6216]

You can feel the "love for the Job" Bill has while he talks about his work...thank you Sofilein!!!!

[@methalox4717]

i've been following your vids for a while and dude, i love your channel (and why not you ?) There's a fantastic quality and a lot of details, everything is very well explained and as a tank and armored vehicles enthusiast i must say you deserves a Stug Life Award. GL HF!

[@fireabend_1226]

very nice video about the restoration of the M47 Patton. It shows well how parts are removed, repaired, repainted and reinstalled. Thank you for showing.

[@slacko1971]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, for letting him talk, your tank videos are simply the best, so informative. Great Job.

[@phillipcornell4836]

SFC Ferguson ! Tell him it is good to see him doing honest work. Mustang MG said so .....

[@williamferguson5161]

This is way better work then dealing with those Mustangs!

[@phillipcornell4836]

@@williamferguson5161 Ha! great work. I might have to make a trip to benning

[@gregoryaparker]

This man is like the tankers version of Wikipedia. He definitely knows what he's talking about. Nice video!

[@alamore5084]

A very skilled and interesting man. I really liked the video and how it was produced. He was allowed to talk and interviewed well without interrupting the flow. I could watch many more of these, please keep em coming!

[@johngreen-sk4yk]

Great presentation, its nice to hear people with first hand knowledge talking about these old warriors , his dedication to preserving this tank is admirable. 👍 Greetings from the UK 🇬🇧 🙂

[@chrispearce9486]

Love these tank cut away videos. Thanks !

[@thomasa7175]

Great work Sofi !! . Your smile shines through your voice !

[@peterb2809]

Amazing dedication - bringing them to life for everyone....thanks for sharing.

[@4CarbideGaming]

Jesus christ. Tooth picking paint away is some level 9000 series of patience.

[@paoloviti6156]

Very interesting and explained very well by Bill and also how hard is to clean up this "opened up" that has been left out for years really making him working like crazy to clean, restore everything inside. He's really doing a great job 👍👍👏

[@carlparker3571]

Love the vids keep em coming please :) The most interesting thing about the M47 to me is that Elvis drove one.

[@henriknilsson7851]

With that WWI tank lurking in the background of this video, and your live stream building of Cobi tank models, I could not resist the urge to buy the Cobi Mark I tank. It should be a fun build!

[@soulseller75]

Very cool!! This is the tank that taught me what a tank looks like on the inside. Excellent content as always Sofi!!

[@stefanmolnapor910]

Just saw the updates on the NACC Twitter link! Wow! Awesome video! Thank you both!

[@ptonpc]

That was a great video and you can see his dedication.

[@TaYamasi]

Thanks Sofi for bringing us the best content of American armor and some. Really appreciate it! greetings from Lithuania :)

[@greatcanadianbacon]

Nice tank! Thanks for the video and information 👍

[@customdioramics7961]

Sofi, you are great and I love your videos. Can't wait to get back into museum again.

[@davidmeek8017]

Aloha Sophi; mahalo for this episode! Love the "in person" history lesson!

[@jamesgoularte8460]

I think I saw that tank at the Fort Knox museum in 1980 basic training

[@richardcarlson2644]

I wish there were more cutaways really adds a lot to understanding them!

[@johnsteiner3417]

The storage box theft story cracks me up. Take what was good and give back the rest.

[@whpruitt1]

Another fascinating behind the scenes at NACM vid! Thanks, Sofi!

[@burnthenight7980]

Good to see ya Soflein hope all is good sun shine ROCK ON

[@wadejustanamerican1201]

Very cool, thanks!

[@whosweptmymines3956]

Great video! That was really interesting.

[@Zajuts149]

It is important that when you bring in tanks for some TLC after a long time outside, that you don't use the 'R'-word about their condition. They are sensitive about that. Use "Outside-itis":)

[@EricPalmerBlog]

Your story is amazing. A gamer that got drawn into the history of real tanks and other AFVs. It is great that games can have that influence. Dear old dad was in a heavy ordnance battalion attached to Patton's 3rd Army HQ 44-45. Recovery of tanks and repair of heavy weapons. He had some great stories. If he were around he would get a kick out of your channel. Thanks and keep up the good work.

[@luciusvorenus9445]

Very cool. Thank you, Bill for sharing your knowledge!

[@wyattmann8157]

Sofi rocks the camo. 🙂

[@JWZ1001]

M47 getting some love is fucking cool. Not jealous of anyone who got stuck as a loader in that thing though, looks awkward as hell to lift those shells out even in a relatively empty vehicle. Hope to look inside the finished piece at one point.

[@abelruiz1563]

Please Sofi activate subtitles, They are very good for those of us who do not speak English well. Furthermore, the M47 has surely served many more years in non-English speaking countries. As is the case in my country, Spain, where highly modified versions still serve.

[@chrisferguson5727]

@Sofilein I'd be happy to help out with that if needed. Bill will tell you I don't have much of a life, lol...

[@oldgoat142]

I'm so glad this came to my attention. I've always had a deep interest in tanks and armored warfare so this is right up my alley. Sofilein, thanks for what you do. Your work has had some positive influence in my novel writing featuring a armored cavalry officer and I greatly appreciate it. I really enjoy your channel.

[@richardcarlson2644]

Nice Job Sophie

[@josefkrakel9136]

I like the armor piercing intro graphic ... could use a little more spalling

[@HanSolo__]

Sofi! What took you so long? I was already worried. Please don't make us wait for your content for so long. 😛 The video is perfect. 👌 I saw once paint in layers put as thick as 1cm on the 1cm rod made into the ring to form elevation wheel. It was on a Soviet-made submarine from early 1970s.😬

[@leighrate]

It always bemuses me how many activities aficidoes get upset about cut aways. Now here's the thing: intellectually you can go "oh yeah, it has (picking a figure out of the air) 4" (100mm) of armour on the turret face", but you can't really appreciate a tanks armour scheme and the reasons behind it until you examine a cut away.

[@N_Wheeler]

I'm totally in favor of cutaway tanks. Stand on a catwalk and see inside the turret?....priceless. I've stood next to many historic tanks, and can't see inside them.

[@iainburgess8577]

I understand being against doing a cutaway to a historic tank Today. But this cutaway Is history: this tank's history. I agree with how it makes the depth of armour real, better even that a separate set of touch samples.

[@nicknicky1378]

Amazing

[@fredfeuerstein8386]

As always, you look enchanting. Greetings from Hamburg, the most beautiful city in the world.

[@henriknilsson7851]

Thanks for showing us an interesting project. There seems to be WWI tank lurking in the rear of the scene. That looks like an interesting project too!

[@chrisferguson5727]

That's the Mark IV.

[@chrisferguson5727]

You should see my favorite Mark V

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

As an ex-diesel mechanic, fabricator, Navy vet, and a manic childhood armor modeler, Id love to volunteer for either armor restos or a battleship museum. Sadly theres nothing even close to me in WA, so I just hafta be happy with my 60s Dodge restos...😞

[@joeshmoe9978]

I got to see a M47 at a memorial site in the upper peninsula of Michigan, and it was a great looking large tank. It was painted in a MERDC scheme, so not accurate...but still cool.

[@K-----]

Bill is the type of guy I always love running into when I go to museums.

[@Spidouz]

Hey, that’s a French army vest… I know it well, I did wear it for few years :)

[@wbradburn8871]

"2407" caused a big smile.

[@dragonpatton2601]

My father test prototype M60 at Ft ft knox and had M48 to

[@dcpower777]

Thank you Kid-o

[@bidenhasdementia8657]

The intro gives a pretty good perspective but you never realize how big these things are until you're standing in front of one.

[@rplpalacio1920]

I love this video keep up the good work

[@timsmith4548]

The heater being on all day is no joke as well as the 'reliability' of them. One nice thing on the Abrams is sleeping on the back deck at night after it was running all day. That would keep you toasty the whole night through. (And maybe keep you cozy enough to sleep through stand-to. So I hear. )

[@fleetadmiralchompa]

With all the changes to the hull, wonder if she'll run under her own power? I know he says it'll be a working display but it'd be cool; great work btw and thanks for sharing!

[@66kbm]

That is a really interesting video. Plenty info and facts. Any chance of seeing more vehicles/armour in the collection being cleaned up? Its good to show the processes involved. I would like to compare this to something similar to the Tank Museums Matilda Workshops....or similar. Keep us updated on the progress please.

[@bradm3a3]

The collection is in the middle of a move into a new building where these old girls won't have to be outside anymore. As to cleaning them all up, the plan is to rotate them out of the new building into the new workplace and touch them up.

[@martiniv8924]

Wow 😯 they really went to town with the Can opener 🤔

[@pxrays547]

Thank you for the video, very informative.

[@MojoDevirus]

I love the M47. =)

[@spm36]

Sorry, can't see past Sofileins beauty .......tankfest in September 2021 Bovingdon please Miss S!

[@bubblesofthecoast6393]

I don’t know why; since I’ve acquired the M47 in both World of Tanks and War Thunder, I always found it to be a cute tank, as weird as I’m sure it sounds. Though I’m a little bothered with all the holes, I think it’s worth it to see the insides of these vehicles, spaces rarely if ever seen at all these days.

[@DeliveryMcGee]

Re: HVAC: a couple of the open-top TDs had the radiator air intake through the turret. Great in north Africa, not so much in Europe in winter.

[@josephdalimonte5106]

The Patton looks pretty modern, I tend to forget it was made in the 50's

[@kasha1702]

Здорово Софи !!! 👍✌👌👌😂

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

Havent had the opportunity to watch this whole channel, but so far its great!! Thank you!! I do find it intriguing how a pretty girl can end up as a "Tank Dork", but have to say its very cool!! Would love to know a woman that can discuss armor evolution and details over brunch...!!!😁

[@joes8087]

you should do a vid on that ww1 Mark VIII "Liberty tank" behind you

[@SteamCrane]

Yes!!!

[@bradm3a3]

Y'all gonna have to wait for that, the current one we have is pretty rough around the edges, buttttttt, there is going to be a better example in the collection soon, as to the vehicle itself I have worked with the director of the collection extensively studying the history of them and can answer any questions on that mk viii

[@SebastiaanKr]

Leuk te zien dat die plezier heeft in zijn werk 👍🏻 top

[@jamesgoularte8460]

the army had those tanks on the range in graf Germany for targets they would fill them up with dirt and tow them out on the range circa 1980s german tankers were still using m48a5 i think

[@TonyCagnoni]

Ti Amo Sofilein

[@missinglincoln]

So if I see an M47 down at the used tank lot...even if they advertise it with "Low Mileage, Only Two Or Three Previous Owners!", I should take a pass?

[@bradm3a3]

Pic it up, even failed unproven tanks are cool

[@Emirhan78]

Love the videos and I noticed that you look a lot like Judy from cyberpunk 😅

[@daddydale52]

A woman after my own heart! Just discovered your site after your appearance on The Chieftain. I’ve been interested in tanks after seeing the movie “The Tanks Are Coming” on our local afternoon movie when I was in grade school. I really enjoy your vlogs especially since you have experienced vets explaining things. B/t/w have you checked out “Forgotten Weapons” on KZbin? Ian is also an engineer and really breaks down the mechanics of weapons. Thanks!

[@mohawkdriver4155]

I would love to be able to devote the time just to help out with these vehicles. Sadly, I live too far away.

[@DeliveryMcGee]

"Most tanks nowadays, or in the last 30 years haven't had any sort of muffler." The turbine-powered M1 is 41 years old, which I assume is what he's referring to, since you can't really make a muffler for a turboshaft engine, but are the Challenger 2, Leopard 2, and all the other piston-engine MBTs really running with open headers? Looking at videos of Leopard 2s rolling coal on acceleration ... yeah, I'm not sure there's room for mufflers between the engine and the exhausts above the drive sprocket, and some videos have better sound than others. I guess once tanks got to 60-70 tons and 120mm guns firing tungsten lawn darts, they gave up on subtlety.

[@ZebraActual]

Cool.. but I think they were planning to put a Lambo door on the turret lol

[@jimhenry1262]

I wish the tank guys would spend some of video time discussing my favorite subject ,armor ,cast versus welded plate. Metallurgy etc.

[@Wareaglegirl9960]

Go Bill!

[@Pratt_]

Great video as always ! I was caught by surprise by your French army vest, this pants are technically retired of service now but are still sometimes issued to do obstacle courses or to reserve troops during their initial training, or both (trust me, I would know lol).

[@Pratt_]

*This vest and the matching pants are technically retired of service

[@ashman187]

I think "Patton (George C Scott) fought" against these in the movie of the same name

[@charlestaylor253]

No. Those were M-48A1's. West German M-47's were used in the 1968 film 'Battle Of The Bulge" to represent the Tiger II to the AFV-ignorant

[@ronaldspencer547]

It had a 65 pound muffler so you could sneak up behind the enemy!

[@TotalRookie_LV]

I guess that team really needs special paint removal tool that car restoration specialists use, it's akin to sandblasting, but actually uses pulverised nut shells, which are softer than metal, thus blasting it removes only paint and rust, leaving metal intact. No idea how expensive the machine itself is and how much expendables for it cost.