It’s been a hot minute since the last time I posted an M60 I inspected. Was lucky enough with the time change to capture the M60A3 in Calvin Oklahoma (34.965031, -96.255376) coming back from Lawton. Used my cell phone so no elevated shots.

This is M60A3 SN 2023A, confirming what is listed in the AFV register and TACOM list. Her Registration is JJ045S, which is what was assigned when she was produced at Anniston as an A3. She is a typical amalgam of M60A1 parts used to make an A3. Her hull is a late model GEN IV from the 70’s with an original A1 SN 8527. The turret is a General Steel casting produced in 1970. It is of the later design incorporating the so called “Chin” filling. What was really satisfying about this tank was she still has her original paint scheme and prior unit markings were visible, providing at least some history since her production as an A3. There are two sets of distinct markings. The older set shows she was assigned to the 194th Armor Brigade, 5-73 Armor Battalion, C Company, as C32 at Fort Knox. This was an active-duty unit stationed there until June of 1987 when deactivated.

The other marking’s show she was assigned to the 50th Armor Division, 7/112th Armor Battalion. This Division was a National Guard Unit based in both New Jersey and Vermont. When the Army went to its Division 86 organization, the 50th AD was given a “Round Out” Brigade which consisted of the 36th Infantry Brigade of the Texas National Guard. This tank was assigned to it under the 7/112th Armor Battalion based in Bryan Texas until retirement.

It can be assumed that since her manufacture at Anniston Army depot as an M60A3 (1982/83), she was assigned new to 5-73 Armor at Fort Knox. When this unit deactivated, she went through a turn in process which required the crews to mechanically refurbish her for turn in. A common process in the Army which many soldiers preferred not to experience. A depot rebuild would receive new paint. Once turned in she was assigned to 7/112th Armor in Texas. This coincides with their activation in 1988. This also could explain why she still had her 5-73 Armor markings, since many of these National Guard tanks once assigned would sit in storage facilities most of their life rarely used.