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I also visited the Estrella Warbird Museum in Paso Robles today. Here are three pics of the M60A3 they have there. According to the museum placard, it arrived at the museum from Camp Roberts in 2003.




Serial number and registration number shot:


I couldn't find the registration number on the glacis. The s/n was stamped on the left, front tow lug but it didn't show up well in my pics.

I don't believe I've ever seen the Reg number stamped into the rear area before. Is this a rebuild type of stamping, mistake, or is it more common than I think?

- SFC_Jeff_Button

I don't believe I've ever seen the Reg number stamped into the rear area before. Is this a rebuild type of stamping, mistake, or is it more common than I think?

I think Joe would be able to answer that one.

Thanks for the picture posts Chris,

She's not a rebuild, Original M60A3 straight from Detroit. One piece bustle rack and all those little "Half-Moon" dimples in the casting are indicators.

Jeff,

Newly produced M60A3's from Detroit would have the SN on the right rear deck and the front left tow lug. The RN would be on the left front hull and right rear hull below the deck SN, just like this example. I never go by the deck number for SN confirmation since they get mixed up some times.

Mainz produced A3's would have the SN/ RN's stamped to small metal plates that were welded over the old numbers. The front tow lug would usually have the old A1 SN ground off and be left blank. Earlier Mainz rebuilds would sometimes still have the old SN left on the lug or were just not ground off well enough. All Mainz SN's end with an "M". The most aggravating thing about these tanks is you really don't know if the SN visible out side is 100% accurate since it's on the deck. Until I get a listing correlating RN's with SN's I assume it's correct.

Anniston produced A3's are the most numerous and had the largest production run. Most SN's are stamped on the front left tow lug, left rear deck, and hull. The old A1 SN's " X " 'd over and tow lug ground off. Just like the early Mainz A3's many early Anniston Tanks didn't grind off the old SN from the lug very well and just stamped the new number over it. Same example didn't have the old SN "X" 'd over on the rear hull and deck either.
There are also some Anniston rebuilds that retained their original A1 SN's. From my understanding these were made once production in Detroit ceased. They are marked the same way. What is interesting is I've found some examples where the old A1 SN's were "X" 'd over just to have the same stamped back in. These SN's do not end with an "A".
The last example I've seen is where the deck and hull have metal plates welded on like a Mainz example but the SN is stamped on both. The tow lug was also ground and stamped with the new SN. The old SN was "X" 'd over on the hull.
As far as registration numbers go, they are usually found on the front left hull if not covered over with many layers of paint. Some got new "JJ" RN's assigned when rebuilt, others retained the original. RN's starting with 09 are original A1 numbers (Applies US Army only). Later A1's and new A3's used the newer six digit "JJ" series. To my knowledge when these A1's were rebuilt they retained the RN. I am still perplexed by the RN assignment for rebuilt A3's along with anything to do with Army M60 RN's.

My long winded answer,

Joe D