Japanese tanks


Does anybody know what they used for those Japanese tanks? Were they just US tanks that were passed on as Jap ones or did they actually build functioning mock tanks?


mmm, doughnut...
-Homer J. Simpson

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I think the Lydecker brothers-Republic Studios' special effects wizards-built them on some caterpiller frame.They were masters at miniatures but so much of this film's scenes-including the tanks have to be full size as move amongst actors.(However in FLYING TIGERS they built full sized P-40 planes that taxied on the ground but couldn't fly.Miniatures and stock shots were used for the airborne footage)
I always watch the end of SEEBEES because the effects are fabulous. The oil tank rupture and fire are still exciting and well planned. The fire moves so fast it almost looks as if it were a miniature matted next to the fleeing Japanese but
if so I can't tell..and I've been a student of these pre computer tricks for years.

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They were actual tracked vehicles built for the farming industry and modified for this film and others as needed.
The same vehicles were used in numerous other Republic films - including everything from Gene Autry to Commando Cody.

Nobody to this day has ever equaled Howard and Theodore Lydecker's spfx, they were amazing.

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You are so right. I never get tired of reading/seeing photos of their miniatures. Do you ahve the REPUBLIC CONFIDENTIAL book by Jack Mathis published in 2000?

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Nope I don't but I do have a copy of 1975's "little" gem: "Valley of the Cliffhangers" which is a huge book covering all of Republic's serials from 1936 to 1955.

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Unfortuately I don't. When it sold for $60 or $75 when first published this acquisitive but thrifty book collector put off buying because I figured I could buy a used copy or the paperback reprint. Of course there was only one run per the contract between Mathis and the studio,
For years I corresponded with him about the progress, continued postponemet of REPUBLIC CONFIDENTIAL-THE STUDIO. Bought that in 1999, the ..PLAYERS edition on line soon after . As you know the third edition with synopses, credits, facts about every film was supposedly completed at his death but I don't know if it will ever come out.
Also didn't buy the CLIFFHANGER additions.
I do have all the extant serials however .

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My ex gave me "Cliffhangers". I don't know how or where he got it, but the point is I have it.
There was an update but I wasn't impressed.

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I've seen them offered for $1000-$2500 at nostalgia shows

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Usually 3 grand +.

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