Stuart tank fuel tank

[Mrs Vampire]

Hi Marco...nup they are Stuart. What I don't have are the turn buckles.

Which I will resolve today.

The plain steel tanks are much less in diameter than the rubberised ones so I need short turnbuckles for the steel tanks and long ones for the rubber tanks.

I was told the rear tank was steel on Australian Stuarts ...I am not sure of the veracity of that claim. I am also looking for information on the Rear M3A1 bracket which is different to the earlier M3 Brackets. ( photo Below of M3 )

I also had the turnbuckle end on the wrong end of the mechanism . I put the chain link over the hook thinking the adjustable end went into the latch....ah well it was a 50/50 guess .

The Staghound set up was quite different It does not appear to have been connected to the main fuel system while the vehicle was on the move.

The Stuart tanks have the feed pipe coming out the middle lower tank directly below the filler hole. They also did not have those steel fittings on the end. The Stuart had a rubber hose with a special fitting that went into the top of the filler cap on the main tanks. They were connected to the main tanks port and starboard until jettison. The photo of the rear armour of my Stuart above shows the Spigot in the centre of the armour where the fuel was connected to the Stbd fuel tank feed. You can just make it out on the Buna M3 photograph Below. That tank does not appear to be set up for quick release., It looks like the Aux Tank was bolted on and removed before combat.

Also the straps are made of webbing not steel... I have originals to guide me on that.

I still have a couple of sets of original straps in as found rotted condition.

Gina

[Mrs Vampire]

and these from the archive .

[Luke R]

Thanks for your reply's fellas.
Marco that fuel tank is a Staghound drop tank.