I have compared drawings of the M3A1 and M5A1 Stuart to this gold painted tank.
I suspect the vehicle is an M3A1 with added side sponsons used to change the appearance.
However, I am still very much a newbie where WWII US armor is concerned.
What do you armor experts think it is?
Modified M3A1 or modified M5A1?
It is the M3A3, AFV Club makes one. Mainly used by Allies. Also stars in an episode of the Twilight Zone called the 7th is Made Up of Phantoms. An M3A3 National Guard tank crew goes back in time (less tank) to fight with Custer at Little Bighorn.
Link to the kit:
www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/…/afv35053.htm
Mirage also makes one in 1/72 scale, but their kits are getting more difficult to locate.
Ah, yes!
I recall that Twilight Zone episode.
Thanks for that info., Rob ! [:D][Y]
I did not remember the M3A3 version.
I will check for kit availability.
Easy way to spot the difference between an M3A3 and M5A1 - The M5A1 has a stepped engine deck, whereas the M3A3’s engine deck is the same level as the rest of the hull.
As I did not know of the M3A3 version, I was confused by the flat decking on the vehicle as on the M3A1, but possessing sponsons similar to the M5A1- hence my question.
Um, I’m wondering why she’s painted gold? If it were Russian I’d think maybe it’s Vlad Putin’s personal cruising machine…
The M3A3, from the “Twilight Zone” Little Big Horn time travel episode had a long “military career” in Hollywood. Aside from the “Zone” and “Combat” it also appeared in a late sixties “Green Hornet”, where it was involved in a shot Out with the Black Beauty, and was used, along with a White Armor car in the pilot for the “Tarzan” series".
It was actual painted gold for a bazaar “Batman” where the usual collection of villains locked themselves into a gold vault, along with plans and tank parts, and attempted to make a get away in a gold tank. They even fired gold shells at the Batmobile. This is sixties TV remember; not Tim Burton.
The Tank was restored to olive drab for a number “Beverly Hillbillies” episodes where Jethro, dressed as General Patton, was driving it around Griffith Park. Sixties TV, remember.
There was a write up about the Tank, the vehicle rental company that owned it, in a classic car magazine some years ago.
I recall seeing that scene in re-runs.
As for the scene from Combat!:
I did not immediately remember that vehicle in the series.
I thought it might have been the episode: Lost Sheep, Lost Shepherd staring Jeffrey Hunter.
Just viewed part of it on You Tube; an interesting intro film mix of 1939/40, 1943 Kursk, 1944 France, and Korean War era vehicles. But Hunter is commanding what I believe is an M24 Chaffee.
Thanks guys, I’d seen the Twilight Zone episode but was unaware of the history of the AFV. Cool stuff!!!
I’ve only seen a few reruns of “Combat” but I’m aware the series ran for many years, in the sixties, and depicted situations ranging from the battlefield to behind the lines espionage. It is safe to assume the studio rented every privately owned World War Two AFV available.
According to Wikipedia the M3A3 appeared, as noted, appeared during the fifth season of the Twilight Zone", “The 7th is Made up of Phantoms”, and on “The Green Hornet” “Seek, Stalk and Distroy” episode originally aired on January 6, 1967. They seem to have missed the “Batman” episode which is odd since the sight of the Penguin, in a purple hat, riding on a gold Stuart tank, is a bit hard to miss.
The “Twilight Zone” note withstanding the M3A3 was never used by the National Guard or any other branch of the US military. It was produced to be exported under the lend lease program. The few examples, still state side, after the end of World War Two, were put on static display in parks and war memorials around the country. While several restored M3A3 exist in Europe the only running example in the US, possibly the the one used in all those sixties TV series, is now part of The Planes of Fame AFV collection in Chino, California.
