http://www.freewebs.com/beansworks/japstewart.htm(rongeorge’s site seems to be down, I can’t reach it)
This is a photo I came across on the net while researching about the Japanese captured M3 Stuarts. I have some questions for you guys regarding this photo, (the one in the red square) What is that -thing?- attached to the back, which looks like a basket of some sort? And also (the one in the blue square) which looks like some kind of reel. According to the Academy “Honey” kit, this captured version was used by the 3rd Chutai, 7th Sensh Rentai in Manila, Philippines. Also from scrounging around the net I learned that these were the best tanks the Japs ever had in WW2. I’m hoping you guys could enlighten me on this one, especially the basket thingy. Any kind of info is very much appreciated. Thanks -beans (I have to mention that I really like this kit a lot, both in value[:)] and quality. I am looking forward to more of Academy’s releases especially the M4A2(used by the russian army) , I am just hoping they don’t increase their prices here on this side of the globe.
The thing in the blue box looks like a spare wheel. And the red box… your guess is as good as mine. I have seen some pictures of the captured Stuarts and they did not have this basket. I have also seen one with the standard (Japanese) cammo paint… looked quite good.
Hope this helps
Herr Gray [:-^]
I agrre about the contents of the blue box … it does look like a spare roadwheel. As far as the red box goes … wouldn’t even venture a guess. It may be just a basket or box attached to the back to toss assorted knick knacks in. Might also be only on this one tank.
Scinse it seems to be on two of the tanks and on the one closest to the picture there seems to be a darker shade near to the bottom left of the “thing” it may be some sort of aux fuel tank… or not maybe it is just a basket.
I went to the “Library” and pulled out my reference. I’ve got the same picture just a little better quality.
The “basket” is just that. An open metal basket. Of the four Stuarts visible in the picture, the basket is on three of them (We can’t see if the fourth has it or not by the photo, but it probably does).
A possibility is that they are used for a place for the infantry to stand when going into battle. This was a tactic used by the Japanese and several Japanese tanks had a rack on the back of their tanks for just that purpose. If it doesn’t look sturdy enough for that, I wouldn’t let that stop you. Some of the other ones I have seen on Chi-Ha tanks for that purpose look quite flimsy.
But, they could just be your standard garden variety equipment rack.
The other item is a road wheel.
I hope this helps.
i must dis agree with latch66 that may be what the steel tubing may be but the whitish object within the framing is in question. it has no open to and definetly is not steel or any other metal if it is it has been painted a bright color to show up white on a black and white photo.
[banghead][bow]
mamacat,
The photo in the books show there is nothing in the racks. The “whitish object” is the sun on the ground behind the tank. In short, it’s a trick of the light and the poor exposure of the picture. This does not show up in the photo from the net, but is clear in the photo in the book.
Check the photo out in either “Stuart U.S. Light Tanks in Action” by Squadron or in “Tank Battles of the Pacific War” by Steve Zaloga. The photo is in both of these books.
Check it out Bud.
If you still feel that’s not it, no problems.
sorry must disagree again (nothing personal) it is impossable that the light can take the same form and brightness even though the tanks are at different distances from the camera also in the whole picture the fourth tank down hase an empty set of tubing on the rear end.
Not taking it personal Mamacat[:)][8D]
If you can, please go look at the same picture in either of the books I’ve mentioned. They are much better in photo quality than the picture off the web. And as a result you can see all the details much better.
If you still disagree, hey no problem. You could be right.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s cool to disagree.[:D]
ive got the Tank battles of the pacific war book here and on page 11 there is a better detailed photo and Latch 66 is right the basket is empty
and the Type 97 on page 32 has a basket frame on the back and it says its for carrying infantry along during the attack
and theres a colour plate of the M3 on page 33 calling the frame a luggage rack
its a good book its armour at war series number 7004
Thanks for the info guys, I could also see a bit of a debate going on as well but regarding the “basket-thingy” I guess I’ll go with Shermanfreak on this. The basket did look kinda’ flimsy and may just be used for assorted knick knacks. hmm? I’m thinking maybe like large shopping carts?[:D][:D][:D][(-D][(-D][(-D]
Glad we could help Bean![:D][(-D]
What kit are you using for your model? The new Academy, or the old Tamiya?
The Academy -honey- kit.
Interesting. Now you’ve gotten me curious also! Hey, why would they put infantry in baskets? Didn’t trust them to hang onto the tank? Thought they might get nervous and get the tank ‘dirty’? The very back of a tank (not the back deck, but behind the tank) is no place to ride! Dusty, bumpy, dirty, dangerous, lurches up and down, I’d think a basket was for stowage, not grunts. I’m going to take a look at some photos also, reply on Monday if this tread is still alive!
Ron
Flying planes into ships is dangerous too[:)]
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Captain Caveman
LOL! It certainly was!! I met a former Kamakazi (obviously didn’t do his mission). He’s now a Japanese National Treasure… a ceramist. Gives one an idea of how much the war wasted in potential human talent.[:(]
Ron.
So, the basket thingie was REALLY for troops??? Can’t type… laughing. I hope they didn’t have anybody who drove like me back then!!
Off subject all over the place today, but if anybody is interested in looking up this artist, Yukio Yamamoto (not the movie maker) a good site is:
http://www.newcenturycampaign.com/Schools/SchoolsList.cfm?c=41#About_Yukio
I’ll take a look at that Stuart photo this weekend too.
Ron
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by Poniatowski
LOL re: basket thingie !!!
i can just picture guys flying off at the first hard turn or sudden stop !
not LOL re: wasted talent… truly a tragedy of any conflict ! [V][:(]
frosty[:)]
LOL!
I hear you!
The information in Steve Zaloga’s book, “Tank Battles of the Pacific War” claims that the Japanese used some “racks” on the back of Chi-Ha’s to transport troops. I am assuming (I gotta be careful with that one!) that the “baskets” on the captured Stuarts are for the same thing. My reason is because you see so little extra gear hanging off a Japanese tank. Apparently they were not like all other tankers in this respect. Most pictures of Japanese tanks show no extra gear hanging on the outside, in or out of “baskets”.
But, I could be wrong. It won’t be the first time or the last![:D]
The picture off the webpage is so bad, that to me it was worth it to go to the picture in the books. It’s not of great quality either, but it sure is a lot better than the one off the web.
It’s definitely some form of “basket”. Whether for troops or gear, that will be left up to the modeler and the “experts”. I wouldn’t push the argument either way until I had either another photo showing otherwise, or some valid written documentation.
Either way. This is going to be a cool build Bean, so please post pictures when you are done![8D][:)]
I agree whole heartedly: Any stuart captured by the Jap Army would be the best tank in their service.
Maybe the basket was used to carry pieces of the soldiers after encountering the rightful owners of the tank [}:)][}:)][}:)][}:)] OOOoohrah I bet seeing a Stuart with a meatball painted on the side really rousted the Americans to fight even harder. Captured vehicles in WW2 has always been an interesting topic. There are so many ways to “use” those captured vehciles.
So are you bulding your kit to match the photo? WIll there be a diorama?
Post some more pics when you get it going 