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American light tank development canbe traced back to the 1920s whenseveral infantry-support light tankswere developed in small numbers. Bythe early 1930s these designs hadevolved into the Light Tank M2, andthere were a series of designs all usingthe M2 designation, For its day thisseries were quite well armed, with a37-mm (1.46-in) main gun, but by 1940the type was at best obsolescent andwas used only for training afterreaching its apogee with the M2A4model.The events of 1940 in Europe werefollowed closely by the US Army,which realized that thicker armourwould be required by its light tanks.This involved a better suspension tocarry the extra weight and the resultwas the Light Tank M3, based generallyon the M2A4. It was in full-scale productionby 1941, and mass productionof the M3A1 really got under way oncethe USA had entered the war. Earlyversions used riveted construction, butwelded turrets and eventually weldedhulls were successively introduced,and there were also many detail designchanges. By the time M3 productionceased 5,811 had been built. Basicarmament of the M3A1 was one 37-mm(1.46-in) gun with a co-axial 7.62-mm(0,3-in) machine-gun, and four other7.62-mm (0,3-in) machine-guns (one onthe turret roof for AA defence, one inthe hull front and two fixed in the sponsonsfor operation by the driver).Armour thickness ranged from 15 mm(0.59 in) to 43mm (1.69 in).The Light Tank M3 was used whereverthe US Army was involved. Itproved to be a thoroughly reliablevehicle and was greatly liked by itscrews. Large numbers of M3s werepassed to the USA's allies, and thelargest recipient was the UK, wherethe M3 was known as the Stuart. ToBritish eyes the Stuart was large for alight tank, but crews soon learned toappreciate the nippiness and reliabilityof the vehicle. One thing they didnot particularly like was the fact thattwo main types of engine were fitted todifferent versions: the normal enginewas a Continental 7-cylinder radialpetrol engine (Stuart I), but in order toexpedite production at a time of highdemand the Guiberson T-1020 dieselengine was substituted (Stuart II). Thissometimes caused logistic supplyproblems but it was a burden the Allieslearned to survive, Major variantswere the M3A1 (Stuart III and Stuart IVTheLight TankMSAl was themain combat version of the M2/M3 light tankseriesin service when the United Statesentered the war in late 194 LI t mounted a 37-mm (1.456-in) main gun, and there was provision for threemachine-guns.with petrol and diesel engines) fittedwith a gyrostabilized gun, powertraverseturret and turret basket, andthe product-improved M3A3 (Stuart V)with a larger driving compartment,thicker armour and no sponson guns.The 37-mm (1.46-in) gun was retainedthroughout the production life ofthe M3. By 1944 it had very little combatvalue, so many M3s and Stuartsserving with reconnaissance units hadthe turret removed to assist concealment.Extra machine-guns were carriedinstead. Many of these turretlessM3s were employed as commandvehicles by armoured formation commandersbut these were not the onlyvariations upon the M3 theme. The M3was widely used for all manner of experimentsthat ranged from mineclearingexpedients to flame-throwersof several kinds. Some vehicles wereused for carrying self-propelled artillery,but none were accepted for service.There was even an anti-aircraftversion.With the Allies the M3/Stuarts wereused from the North African campaignonwards, Some were passed to theRed Army under Lend-Lease arrangements.The Light Tank M5 was a developmentpowered by twin Cadillacengines that was otherwise generallysimilar to the M3 series but was recognizableby the raised rear decking thataccommodated the twin engines. InBritish service the M5 was the StuartVI, the same designation being usedfor the M5A1 with an improved turrethaving a bulged rear for radio (as onthe M3A3).SpecificationLight Tank M3A1Crew: 4Weight: in action 12.927 tonnesPowerplant: one Continental W-970-9A 7-cylinder radial petrol enginedeveloping 186.5 kW (250 hp)Dimensions: length 4.54 m (14 ft10.75 in); width 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in); height2.30 m (7 ft 6.5 in)Performance: maximum road speed58 km/h (36 mph); maximum roadTheM3 (and the MS) series wereused by many Allied armies forreconnaissance. This example isseen negotia ting an improvised ,German roadblock outside Harze in *Belgium during the late summer of 1944.range 112.6 km (70 miles); fording0.91 m (3 ft); gradient 60 per cent;vertical obstacle 0.61 m (2 ft); trench 1.83 m (6 ft)
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