Jet Powered M-3 Stuart

[maxim]

Going through some pictures from my tractor pulling days in the early 80's I found this picture of a M-3 tank carriage that had a helicopter engine for a primary drive and it was topped by a Chevy pickup body and used to crush cars. There was a 454 V-8 in it also to get it on and off the trailer and move it around. When it came time to do the crushing the jet engine was used. The 454 could do crushing, but barely, and was slow. The jet would just fly. I regret I never got a shot of the drive system. If my memory is correct, I think it was hydrostatic and each engine had a pump on it and the fluid routed depending on which engine was used. I do not know what happened to this vehicle, or whether it still exists. Needles to say it was costly to operate and maintain. But, oh boy it would draw a crowd.

 

[jkelly66]

neeto

 

[pa.rich]

What? No snow plow on it?

 

[OPCOM]

looks like it's smpking a pipe

 

[akeohan]

that this had to be loud

 

[m.walker]

To remove snow you turned the exhaust down !!!

 

[maddawg308]

That's kinda neat, but a shame they had to cut up a perfectly good Stuart to make this. Perhaps it wasn't so bad, and they found the drivetrain and lower hull only, and modified it. Either way, it's kinda cool.

Does this rig still survive? Anyone know?

 

[steelsoldiers]

Wow, that thing is pretty cool. I need an exhaust stack like that on my truck. That way I would just blow soot on myself

I'm gonna have to search around to see if this thing still exists in some way or fashion.

 

[gt1009]

I want one!

 

[davesgmc]

Point that exhaust straight out and it gives a whole new meaning to a "snow blower"

 

[SETOYOTA]

The track on that thing is worth a ton of $$$$$$$$$.

 

[OPCOM]

throw a grille on it and idle and you could cook weenies on the thing