From the Big Screen to Backstage: The Indiana Jones Tank at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, you’ve probably held your breath during one of the film’s most thrilling action sequences — the desert tank chase. As Indy clings to the side of a monstrous war machine, dodging gunfire and fighting to save his father and friends, it's hard to forget the sheer scale and presence of that tank. But what might surprise you is that this very tank is living at Walt Disney World.
Nestled in a quiet area just outside the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the tank from Last Crusade has become a hidden gem of movie magic and Imagineering storytelling.
Hollywood Prop Meets Real-World Inspiration
While this beast of a machine looks like it could be a relic of World War I, it’s actually a film prop built specifically for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The production team designed the tank to resemble the British Mark VIII “Liberty” tank, one of the largest and most powerful tanks developed during World War I.
The Real Deal: British Mark VIII “Liberty” Tank
The Mark VIII, also known as the “Liberty Tank,” was a joint effort between the British and American governments during World War I. Designed as a heavy tank, it weighed approximately 38 tons and carried up to 10 crew members, including a commander, driver, gunners, and mechanics. Its armor thickness reached up to 16mm (0.63 in), and it was powered by a 300-horsepower Liberty V12 engine — a marvel of its time.
The tank featured two large sponsons (side gun emplacements), a central turret, and all-around tracks that made it suitable for trench warfare. Though the war ended before the tank saw widespread use, its design heavily influenced later armored vehicles and remains one of the most significant early examples of international military engineering.
The version seen in The Last Crusade mimics the Mark VIII’s size and configuration but was built on a modern chassis (an excavator base) to allow for maneuverability during filming. It wasn’t just for show — this tank could actually move and support actors during stunt work. The guys over at Tank Encyclopedia did a real big Deep Dive into the making of the tank.
Finding the Tank at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
After watching the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, most guests exit the theater and continue on toward Echo Lake — but if you slow down and look to your right, you’ll spot this tank partially hidden behind crates, netting, and camouflage. It’s easy to miss unless you're looking for it, but once you know it’s there, it becomes a must-see photo op.
It’s not a main attraction, but it’s a great example of Disney’s deep attention to detail, and a wonderful nod to The Last Crusade — even though the show itself is based on Raiders of the Lost Ark. This quiet display connects the dots between the Indiana Jones films and brings a bit of extra storytelling into the park for those who look closely.
A Disney Detail Worth Discovering
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is full of storytelling gems, and this tank is one of the best hidden in plain sight. Whether you're a movie buff, a history nerd, or just a fan of Indy’s globetrotting adventures, take a moment to stop and appreciate this piece of film history.
It’s a rare chance to get up close to a tank that wasn’t just built for a movie — it was part of one of cinema’s greatest action franchises. And now, it’s part of your Disney day too.
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