I can understand constantly driving the Jeep around to make it seem like multiple vehicles but how does "rigging the Jeep to backfire" make it sound like a tank? Have not been around that many tanks but never heard one backfire, even if it did backfire, it would sound nothing like a big gun being discharged.
shareActually, I think the idea was stretched a bit "hollywood" style because all they really did was add some chains to the wheels and make it back fire. Out there in the dirt, that would have done nothing to make it sound like a tank. And obviously the tank sound was dubbed because the sound did sound like the tracks of a tank.
"We're going to need a bigger boat..."
Some shermans had airplane "star" engines with backfire problems as the cylinders pointing downward had some gas/petrol left in when the engine is shuted down.
When the engine start, the gas/petrol exploded in the wrong time: it was a common problem, and in most air movie you may hear the planes spup-sput-sput-sputting when they started.
But, yes, the backfire and chains is an Hollywoodism.
It may be that the german supposed there are many people, trucks, motors and "something" moving, but unlikely it sounded like a tank.
I used to be on the Fire Department up north. We had to use tire chains in the winter. If one of them broke or worked loose, it would make a banging & sqeaking sound kind of like a tank. Of course,Fire trucks are alot heaver than jeeps. It would beat hell out of the fenders, too.
shareThanks for posting. I have always wondered if this plot device was "doable" or just a figment of someone's imagination.
shareThe constant backfire is an exaggeration but remember it's a combination of things to make it sound like a tank. Run it in low range so you're hearing straight cut gears which are noisy, drag some chain, and run it rich so it will back-fire off throttle from time to time.
Is it perfect? No. Would it fool an 18 year old kid who doesn't know any better? Likely.