Quote:
Originally Posted by ArmySGT.
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Using the above video that ArmySGT provided, I can get a better idea of the mount's construction. First, let's talk materials needed for this project:
1) Two Large gas struts. I'd use 10-Ton LONG TRAVEL shocks (like the various military trucks in a number of armies use), but any large gas strut (like the ones used on the hatches of AFVs or aircraft ramps) will work.
2) High tensile steel to make the Uni-strut Assembly that bolts to the mortar's circular trunnion/carriage mounts. I'd use the girders from a modern multi-story building or a bridge deck strut. This will give you half of the structure without having to fabricate it.
3) High Tensile nuts and bolts. I'd cannibalize these from a bridge as well (you can also take them from a ship or transportable heavy crane).
4) One HIGH STRENGTH RING (with bearings and races) to mount to the truck bed. This would be a NIGHTMARE to have to fabricate (because of the precision fit of the bearings and races) so I would "cut" a complete turret ring out of a small AFV like a BRDM or the reinforced turret ring mounts found on some updated M113's. This ring would then be reinforced with a steel plate to mount the uni-strut to.
You would need:
-A welder
- power supply (for both the welder and tools)
-An Oxy-acetylene torch or a plasma cutter (and air compressor, of course)
-Powered hand tools such as grinders, die grinders, angle cutters, a belt sander and a large drill.
-hand tools to tighten the mounts bolts
-hydraulic's kit (found in a tracked vehicle mechanic's toolkit)
-prybars and pins for moving and setting large weights.
The strut would be a Routine (1.5 x Skill) Welding and Fabrication task taking about 8 hours (for a two man team).
The turret ring removal and plate installation would be an Easy (2 x Skill) Welding and Fabrication Skill and also take 8 hours (for two men). You can halve the time by doubling the laborers on this task (it involves a lot of heavy lifting).
Manufacturing a ring base from scratch would be a Difficult (0.5 x Skill) Welding and Fabrication AS WELL AS a Difficult (0.5 x Skill) Machining Skill. and take two men about 24 hours to properly fabricate.
All of this can be done "in the field," IF you have the resources.