M5 Stuart (Light Tank, M5) (Stuart VI)

History

The M5 "Stuart" (also known as "General Stewart") is an extension of the original 1941 M3 Stewart light tank series, and was relocated by the U.S. military to vital war materiel - the Continental Aircraft Engines used in the M3 generated. This move resulted in a modified Stewart light tank, initially known as the "M4" but later changed to the "M5" to differentiate it from the classic M4 Sherman medium tank.

The British Army continued to name their American tanks, the M5 being called "Stuart VI" (M3A3 being called "Stuart V").

When finished, the M5 now features a matching set of Cadillac V8 automotive engines producing 296 horsepower, forcing a redesign of the engine deck at the rear of the fuselage. These engines are mated to a separate Hydra-Matic transmission system running through a 2-speed transfer case, providing improved mileage and noise reduction compared to the original Continental installation. A new front hull design based on the M3A3 Stuart was implemented, bringing improved frontal ballistic protection. The lack of a forward-facing vertical surface on the new fuselage structure eventually resulted in the driver's hatch being moved to the top of the fuselage.

The new tank retains the same 37mm M6 main gun as the M3, which is good against lightly armored vehicles, light fortifications and enemy infantry (the latter when using high-explosive (HE) projectiles). Defense is provided by a coaxial 0.30 Browning machine gun and a bow machine gun on the front right.

The resulting changes result in a more spacious interior for the M5 compared to the previous M3. The crew consisted of four people - driver, commander, gunner and gunner/radio operator.

After acceptance by the U.S. Army and mass production started by General Motors (Detroit Division of Cadillac) in April 1942, the M5 Stuart began a slow process of replacing the active M3 Stuart in theaters across the United States. Agricultural equipment maker Massey Harris and additional manufacturing from plants in Southern California until August.

Production ended in December with an initial total of 2,074 M5s.

Over time, improvements were adopted and it became the "M5A1". A larger turret similar to the M3A3 was installed. An optional .30 caliber Browning anti-aircraft gun (AA) was mounted on the outside of the turret, although this required an exposed crew to operate. The existing assembly line was then commissioned to produce the new brand, and American cars and foundries were added, bringing the total inventory to 6,810 M5A1s by mid-1944. American Car and Foundry was also commissioned to retrofit an existing 775 M5A1s to the new post-war standard.

The .30 caliber shielded machine gun position was eventually introduced in the production of the M5A1, providing a degree of operator protection.

The M5 line was the main frontline light tank in the United States until 1944 when it was itself replaced by the newer M24 "Chaffey" light tank. The M5 light tank primarily fought in the Pacific and Burmese theaters, where Japan's armor was comparable, and its air defenses were not as strong as the Germans in Africa and Europe. The key tactical limitations of the U.S. Army light tank battalion became apparent during the 1943 Battle of Kasserine Pass.

This resulted in them being disbanded and grouped with medium tank companies, while primarily being used for armed reconnaissance/reconnaissance missions. Medium tanks will directly deal with enemy tanks.

Variants of the M5 proved themselves profusely during the war years. Badges include a command tank form with upgraded communications equipment and a turretless reconnaissance model - designated "T8" - armed with only one .50 caliber heavy machine gun. Flame pots were also developed, which mounted flame guns instead of machine guns. The M5A1 without a turret formed the basis of the "M5 Bulldozer" which sawed out a bulldozer blade suitable for engineering work. The M8 75mm howitzer car is a self-propelled artillery system (SPA) based on the M5 chassis and equipped with the M2/M3 75mm howitzer.

1,778 examples of this type were eventually produced. Likewise, the M8A1 75mm Howitzer Motorwagen followed, albeit on an M5A1 chassis. The T82 was a proposed howitzer-carrying vehicle that could manage a 105mm gun, although this move was abandoned in 1945. Another obsolete branch of the M5A1 was the T27/T27E1 development, which used the turretless M5A1 with an 81mm mortar.

The project was also abandoned - but in April 1944.

Post-war use of the M5 included combat service in India and Pakistan during the 1947 War of Independence. Other notable operators include Brazil and Haiti.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

103 x 37mm bullet

7,500 x .30 caliber ammunition

Changes