John
So you would be the Godbrother then. Right?

Steve

Steve,

I'll wear any hat except top dog as long as I am in with the maffia!

John

I just spoke with the wife of a fellow who owns a WW2 museum and included in the collection is an M5A1 tank.  I'm going next weekend to Dixon, IL where this tank will be participating in a WW2 reenactment.

My question is has anyone figured out how to identify where the M5's were built and is there a list of serial numbers somewhere for the Massey-built tanks?

I'm planning on photographing this tank close-up and interviewing the owner about what information he may have on this specific tank.

If anyone has any questions they would like me to ask please let me know.

Hi John,

Just to get you started again... I stopped in Gas City, Indiana today and what was sitting in front of City Hall!?!?!?  I believe it is a M5 Stuart tank!!!

Here are a few pics.  I will send others to you via email!!  I gentleman that is suppose to know all about the tank was not there but I left my information with the Mayor of the city and he said he would get my info to the guy!!  The Mayor was pumped that someone even took the time to stop and ask about the tank and knew something about it! (Not much on my part) but he did not even  know what it was!!

Without climbing all over it, I looked for anything that might have had a MH casting but found nothing.  I did get a couple pics of the inside but nothing great there either.  Some of the castings did look very familiar with the Massey parts casting numbers but I would guess they all looked about the same.

I was surprised to see how small they really were.  I think I could even get one on my trailer!!  

When I get more info I will post it!!

Gary

Gary,

Well done on finding a TANK!!  The next thing is for you to get a bid on it and report progress.  Who will be the first Massey man to aquire a TANK?

John

Hi guys,
I will readily confess considerable ignorance regarding M-H agricultural equipment, but I am familiar with tanks, including those built by M-H.  

Should you have questions, feel free to reach out to me, I'll try to help.  My email address is ddoyle9570 at aol.com

In the interim, I'd sure like to establish email communication with John Farnworth - where would I find his email address?

Best wishes,
David Doyle
(author of one book on John Deere, and a couple of dozen books about tanks)

Welcome David, 

Glad we were finally able to get you on.  John F is always watching the site so he will be totally excited about anything tanks!!  Make sure you share with us all. The Massey connection with the tanks is very limited so help us out.

Thanks for joining and thanks for your interest in Masseys ( and tanks!)

Gary

johnfarnworth wrote: Here's a shot of assembled tanks in the grounds of M-H at Racine.  Note the water towers proudly blazing M-H to the world!  Malcolm and I went around the perimeter of the plant once and I am sure that one of those water towers still survives but with MF on it

John

The vehicles shown in this photo are M10A1 3-inch tank destroyers, built by Ford and Fisher Body.  Five-hundred of these vehicles, in used condition, were shipped to Massey-Harris beginning in June 1944, where they were converted to M36 90mm tank destroyers. The most obvious aspect of this conversion (but not the only one) was the replacement of the entire turret.  The new turrets were built by Fisher, and were shipped to Racine.  Massey completed the conversions by the end of 1944.
 
Hope this helps,
David Doyle