M3 Stuart External fuel drop tanks

carl brown · #1 03-02-09, 18:09

Does any one have any info, pictures or drawings on the external fuel drop tank system and mountings that were fitted on the REAR of some M3 Stuarts ?

There are a couple of pics in Hunnicutt Stuart of a British M3 with full stowage and I have seen one picture of an Australian M3 Hybrid knocked out with what looks like brackets to hold the rear drop tank.

It appears to me that part of this modification involved relocating the shovel stowage brackets to below the engine compartment access doors.

Any ideas ?

Carl

carl brown · #2 03-02-09, 18:20

Here is a picture of the Australian M3 Knocked out in New Guinea I believe.

Carl

Scrivo18 · #3 04-02-09, 07:59

Hi

My Stuart which is a Hybrid chasis has the shovel mount relocated under the engine doors. There are 2 bolt holes in the rear armour that the drop tank mounts would have bolted to I believe.
I have not seen mounts but I have seen a fuel tank

Tim Scriven

BSHEVLIN · #4 04-02-09, 09:55

a few pics for you Tim

marco · #5 04-02-09, 21:24

Carl,

Here is a photo from the early type rubber covered jettison tank.
Lenght is 92 cm, diameter 45cm.

Marco Hogenkamp.

carl brown · #6 06-02-09, 13:06

Marco

Is this the same tank as used on your Staghound ? Is it a spare ? Anyone know where I could find one to buy or trade ?

Carl

marco · #7 06-02-09, 17:59

Carl,

The rubber covered jettison tank is the old type and holds 25 gallons.
This type was used on the Stuart and on early Staghounds.
On the Staghound, this type was also used for a short period without the rubber covering.
In this case, wooden blocks were mounted on the tank supports to compensate for the smaller radius oof these tanks.

The latest type used on the Staghound is all steel, it has the same outer dimensions as the old type and holds 37 gallons.
I do not know if these were used on the Stuart also.

I really wouldn't know were to find these tanks.
The tank on the photo is the only survivor of the rubber type I have ever seen.
I can sent you photo's and dimensions from the 37 gallon tank and the straps which hold the tank if you are interested.

Marco

drcowie · #8 06-02-09, 22:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrivo18

Hi

My Stuart which is a Hybrid chasis has the shovel mount relocated under the engine doors. There are 2 bolt holes in the rear armour that the drop tank mounts would have bolted to I believe.
I have not seen mounts but I have seen a fuel tank

Tim Scriven

Looks like the btm of the bracket bolts to the 2 holes for the engine guard (wide out) & may be they drilled out a couple of rivets for the top fixing