M3 Stuart Tank in ET

[BillyTucci]

Hello all,
I'm working on bringing back Sgt. Rock (thread in the books section) and it will showcase the return of Lt. Jeb Stuart Smith and the "Haunted Tank."

Now, the Haunted Tank was for the most part an M3 Stuart -- fighting all through Africa to Patton's Baum assault/rescue mission. I think the crew was captured here and reconstructed the Haunted Tank (very Frankenstein like) out of various others but the result was a Sherman.

I know that it is historically inaccurate to use an M3 and know that since our book begins at Normandy, I can switch out the M3 for an M5a and pretty much no one in the comics industry would notice.

However, the little M3 in the "Haunted Tank" holds a special place in my heart and wonder if I use it instead of the M5a1 would you guys kill me?

Is this incredibly stupid? Was there at least ONE M3 in Normandy or through Operation Anvil? Anywhere in the ETO?

Thanks,
B

[50th]

The books I have titled, "Armor in Normandy" do not show any M3's in them. However, that doesn't mean that there weren't any of them at Normandy.

[Horch]

Just a tid-bit here. The American Car and Foundry Company. (A.F.C.) built several of the Stuart models. The last one came off the assembly line April 17, 1944. It was the M5A1.

[Tom Houlihan]

Well, if they were reissued an M5, couldn't the spirit of the old tank have gone with them? Much like if General Stuart himself had needed a new horse?

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

Well, if they were reissued an M5, couldn't the spirit of the old tank have gone with them? Much like if General Stuart himself had needed a new horse?

That works! Thanks guys, I'll figure it out. I'll do research on the some old Haunted Tank books. If they're in Normandy, with the M3, I'll keep it. Tradition -- however wrong -- might hold some water here with the publisher.

I guess, I was wondering if you guys would be bothered by such a thing.

B

[Tom Houlihan]

Originally Posted by BillyTucci

I guess, I was wondering if you guys would be bothered by such a thing.

Billy, purists and/or pedants would have a problem with it. However, we're talking about a haunted tank in a comic book. I think technical accuracy has started to slide anyway...

Your attempts to maintain historical accuracy, while keeping to the spirit of the original stories, IMHO are worthy of merit. It's fiction, which gives you a little bit of leeway with facts. As long as you use your artistic license with discretion, you're fine!

[Jim O]

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

Billy, purists and/or pedants would have a problem with it. However, we're talking about a haunted tank in a comic book. I think technical accuracy has started to slide anyway...

Your attempts to maintain historical accuracy, while keeping to the spirit of the original stories, IMHO are worthy of merit. It's fiction, which gives you a little bit of leeway with facts. As long as you use your artistic license with discretion, you're fine!

That coming from one of the greatest pendants I know...

I think that you're safe Billy.

[Tom Houlihan]

Originally Posted by Jim O

That coming from one of the greatest pendants I know...

I think that you're safe Billy.

Well, thank... HEY!!!

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by Tom Houlihan

Billy, purists and/or pedants would have a problem with it. However, we're talking about a haunted tank in a comic book. I think technical accuracy has started to slide anyway...

Your attempts to maintain historical accuracy, while keeping to the spirit of the original stories, IMHO are worthy of merit. It's fiction, which gives you a little bit of leeway with facts. As long as you use your artistic license with discretion, you're fine!

Thanks! I've got a couple of weeks before I start drawing the Stuart, but am leaning towards the M3 for sentimental reasons. Shoot, and to think I just spent 40.00 on a die cast M5A1.

[BillyTucci]

Originally Posted by Jim O

That coming from one of the greatest pendants I know...

I think that you're safe Billy.

Thanks! I'll post some more artwork up in the "books" thread.