Tamiya M-48 hieght question

[Old Ford dude Jeff]

Okay I read like everyone else that the Tamiya M-48 is 3 maybe 4 inches to high. So being the nosy modler that I am I measured the height of the running M-48A3 and the Patton museum and the static M-48A2 outside. In my measuring it came to a total of 2 inch difference. both the A3 and A2 measured 2 inches shorter than the Tamiya kit. Is the lower height do to added combat weight? I would think that would take TONS of extra stuff. Would do you guys think?

Jeff