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UNIQUE ID 1344: M2A2 LIGHT TANK

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Camp Shelby, USA

(Location: Museum Building)


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 1344


Unique ID: 1344
Added to Database: 24 October 2010
Last Edited: 24 October 2010
Type (ID): M2 (1020)
Model (ID): M2A2 (1022)
Location Category (ID): Mississippi Armed Forces Museum (74100)
Location (ID): Museum Building (74100)
Serial Number: 112 (source: D. Moriarty).
Registration:
Name:
Other Identification: “8 Δ 80 Δ F11” painted on nose and hull rear. “8” inside white stars painted on turret sides. White line painted around turret sides.
Collection Reference:
Links: Mississippi Ordnance Plant
References:
Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Rock Island Arsenal Museum, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Illinois, USA (Design parent and sole manufacturer 1936-7)
2: Mississippi Ordnance Plant, USA (Found abandoned ca1978)
3: Mississippi Armed Forces Museum, Camp Shelby, Forrest County, Mississippi, USA (Current location)


Text in original Preserved American Tanks publication:

[No entry]

Text in Preserved American Tanks Update:

[No entry]

Text in original Preserved Tanks In USA publication:

This M2A2 is displayed with its driver’s hatch open so the interior can be viewed. A plaque on the front of this vehicle states: “Donated by Mr. C.W. Floyd of Flora MS.”. The sign beside it reads as follows: “Mississippi’s Only Tank. Although several hundred tanks are maintained at Camp Shelby and throughout Mississippi, all are property of the United States Government except this one. During the Second World War, part of Mr. W.C. Floyd’s land was taken by the government to expand the Flora Ordnance Training Center. Mr Floyd petitioned the federal government for the return of his land in 1950. After begrudgingly paying a fee of $35, Mr. Floyd regained title to his land. When the M2A2 was discovered on the reclaimed land, Mr. Floyd donated it to the Armed Forces Museum with the understanding the tank would never again become federal property. A Tank with a Mysterious Past. The M2 was discovered with curious markings. The unit designation indicated the tank was assigned to the 80th Armored Regiment, a unit that had never trained in Mississippi. Even more puzzling were the swastikas painted on the tank’s hull. Research proved that the tank was transferred to the Flora Ordnance Training Center for training purposes after the M2s were declared obsolete in 1942. Since the tank was not assigned to another armored unit, its previous markings were not altered. The swastikas were painted on the M2 to simulate a German tank during exercises at the ordnance training Center.”
The tank was recovered from a wooded area at the Mississippi Ordnance Plant in 1978-9. The vehicle has since been cosmetically restored and marked as discovered in the woods, F11 from 80th Armor, 8th Armored Division. It had no engine when discovered (and there is no engine in the hull). Beside the tank there is a radial engine in its original crate after being overhauled in 1945. It will eventually be placed in the M2A2. (Source: D. Moriarty).


Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

October 2008

Front right view, photo by J. Wentzel
1: Front right view, photo by J. Wentzel

Taken: 28 October 2008
Contributor: Flickr
Photo ID: 3841
Added: 30 October 2010
Filename: 37886772...
Views: 200
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

    

    

Date Unknown

Front right view
2: Front right view

Taken: Date Unknown
Contributor: J. Daneri
Photo ID: 3806
Added: 26 October 2010
Filename: Dsc00214...
Views: 654
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

 

Rear right view
3: Rear right view

Taken: Date Unknown
Contributor: J. Daneri
Photo ID: 3807
Added: 26 October 2010
Filename: Dsc00218...
Views: 629
Select/Has Priority: 21/0