Story from Jam Press (Military Tank Auction)
Pictured: The 43 Stuart M5A1 Light Tank.
You can own your own military tank – but it’ll set you back £220,000
You could be the proud owner of a military tank, but it will set you back a small fortune.
The 943 Stuart M5A1 Light Tank took part in the Knobb Creek Gun Shoot and Military Show and was purchased in 2021.
And, the tank is a beast.
As well as having ammunition storage the tank also has an impressive hydraulically operated turret with a ‘de-milled’ M6 gun that is 37mm.
Oomph is given by 'dual four-speed Hydramatic automatic transmissions and a single dual-speed transfer case’.
And, if that wasn’t enough, there is also a signal corps radio, reports Luxury Auto News.
The M5 tank was conjured up in 1942 and was an improved version of the M3 platform.
The M5 was made to use power from the Cadillac engines, with an extended turret meaning there was room for a better radio.
The tank is an olive green colour with white graphics cleverly stencilled on too.
It also has knock-out plugs, a machine gun port and dual headlights and hatches.
The turret also features a de-milled 37mm gun as well as a gyrostabilizer.
But, don’t fear, the machine guns are nowhere to be seen.
Other features of the impressive tank include seating for a driver, co-driver, commander and gunner, meaning there really is room for everyone.
And of course, all important ammunition storage, as well as a radio.
The big wheels have three return rollers and use vertical volute suspension to really lock in power.
And, the panel to control the monster, is quite something too.
It has an 80 mph speedometer alongside an ammeter which is ‘flanked’ by tachometers and gauges that oversee coolant temperature and oil pressure.
The gasoline engines (dual Cadillac V8) have an output of 110 horsepower so it really is a powerhouse.
The tank is set to be sold by auction in Taft, California with the bidding currently sitting at $280,000
