User:Oberiko/M3 Light Tank
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Weapons of World War II
American light tank development can be traced back to the 1920s when several infantry-support light tanks were developed in small numbers. By the early 1930s these designs had evolved into the Light Tank M2, and there were a series of designs all using the M2 designation, For its day this series were quite well armed, with a 37-mm (1.46-in) main gun, but by 1940 the type was at best obsolescent and was used only for training after reaching its apogee with the M2A4 model.
The events of 1940 in Europe were followed closely by the US Army, which realized that thicker armour would be required by its light tanks. This involved a better suspension to carry the extra weight and the result was the Light Tank M3, based generally on the M2A4. It was in full-scale production by 1941, and mass production of the M3A1 really got under way once the USA had entered the war. Early versions used riveted construction, but welded turrets and eventually welded hulls were successively introduced, and there were also many detail design changes. By the time M3 production ceased 5,811 had been built.
Basic armament of the M3A1 was one 37-mm gun with a co-axial 7.62-mm machine-gun, and four other 7.62-mm (0,3-in) machine-guns (one on the turret roof for AA defence, one in the hull front and two fixed in the sponsons for operation by the driver). Armour thickness ranged from 15 mm (0.59 in) to 43mm (1.69 in).
The Light Tank M3 was used wherever the US Army was involved. It proved to be a thoroughly reliable vehicle and was greatly liked by its crews. Large numbers of M3s were passed to the USA's allies, and the largest recipient was the UK, where the M3 was known as the Stuart. To British eyes the Stuart was large for a light tank, but crews soon learned to appreciate the nippiness and reliability of the vehicle. One thing they did not particularly like was the fact that two main types of engine were fitted to different versions: the normal engine was a Continental 7-cylinder radial petrol engine (Stuart I), but in order to expedite production at a time of high demand the Guiberson T-1020 diesel engine was substituted (Stuart II). This sometimes caused logistic supply problems but it was a burden the Allies learned to survive.
Major variants were the M3A1 (Stuart III and Stuart IV with petrol and diesel engines) fitted with a gyrostabilized gun, powertraverse turret and turret basket, and the product-improved M3A3 (Stuart V) with a larger driving compartment, thicker armour and no sponson guns. The 37-mm (1.46-in) gun was retained throughout the production life of the M3.
By 1944 it had very little combat value, so many M3s and Stuarts serving with reconnaissance units had the turret removed to assist concealment. Extra machine-guns were carried instead. Many of these turretless M3s were employed as command vehicles by armoured formation commanders but these were not the only variations upon the M3 theme. The M3 was widely used for all manner of experiments that ranged from mineclearing expedients to flame-throwers of several kinds. Some vehicles were used for carrying self-propelled artillery, but none were accepted for service. There was even an anti-aircraft version.
With the Allies the M3/Stuarts were used from the North African campaign onwards, Some were passed to the Red Army under Lend-Lease arrangements. The Light Tank M5 was a development powered by twin Cadillac engines that was otherwise generally similar to the M3 series but was recognizable by the raised rear decking that accommodated the twin engines. In British service the M5 was the Stuart VI, the same designation being used for the M5A1 with an improved turret having a bulged rear for radio (as on the M3A3).
LemaireSoft
The "Stuart" (the nickname is British) is the light tank of World War II with the greatest production number. For this type of vehicles, the US proved superior to the Germans (who dropped light tanks from 1942 onwards), the British (who did the same in 1940) and even the Russians (who would try for a longer time but would not turn out anything good). The Stuart was not only fast and well-armed for its category, but it proved mechanically reliable and earned the nickmane "Honey" from its crews. Its star started to fade only in 1945, when a more advanced machine (the Chaffee) came up.
M3: Designated Stuart I by the British and Stuart II if it was equiped with a diesel engine. That tank had its first war experience even before the USA entered the war. The first units, acquired by the British, arrived in Africa in July 1941. Their mobility, robustness and easy maintenance earned them the nickname "Honey". Less powerful than the British Cruiser tanks, a bit short on autonomy, they proved nonetheless well-adapted to their role as a light tank.
M3A1: Designated Stuart III by the British for the standard model and Stuart IV when reengined with a diesel Guiberson. The Stuart was modified to take into account the teachings of its first combat experiences. The gun stabilization system is now standard while the sponson MG's are blanked off: the inside volume was at such a premium that it could not be used up by less useful accessories. The overall height is decreased thanks to the removal of the cupola. After being adopted enthusiastically by their British crews, the Stuart (M-3 or Stuart M5)stayed in service until 1945 as the standard light tank of the US Army. In total, almost 20,000 were built.
M3A3: Called Stuart V by the British. Put into production to integrate the improvements brought by the Stuart M5 into the M-3 series, while retaining the Continental engine. When experience had proved that the engine of the M-5 was more flexible than the Continental, the line of the M-3 was stopped.
M5: Dubbed Stuart VI by the British, just as the M5A1 'Stuart'. The lack of available aircraft engines Continental allowed General Motors to propose the coupling of two Cadillac engines to replace it. So appeared the M-5, which preceded the last version of the M-3, the M3A3 'Stuart'.
M5A1: Named Stuart VI by the British, as well as the original Stuart M5, which it replaced on the production lines. It only differed in minor details. It is the last version of the Stuart.
WWII Vehicles
M3
With events in Europe in 1940, the Army realized the M2 was inadequate and the decision was made to modernize it. A new design with thicker armor was standardized in July 1940. Production started in March 1941 at the American Car & Foundry. It was based on the M2A4, but had thicker armor that was homogeneous rolled and the idler wheel was placed on the ground to act as another road wheel to help distribute the weight.
Initially the engine was the Continental but shortages caused it to be replaced by the Guiberson.
M3: Production started in March 1941 right after the last M2 was produced. In July 1943, the Ordnance Committee declared it obsolete.
M3A1: Standardized in August 1941. Declared obsolete in July 1943.
M3A2: Was going to be made welded like A1 but never produced.
M3A3: Standardized in August 1942, and classified as Limited Standard in April 1943.
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Tracks could often last 1,000 miles, whereas other models required replacement at 500 miles.
During production the riveted turret was replaced by a welded one 7-sided one. Also in early 1942 an all welded hull was produced.
It had volute spring suspension with the rear idler on the ground. This reduced the ground pressure and gave support to the rear of the tank.
M3: From mid-1941 a gyrostabilizer was installed with the gun. Had cupola on the left side of the turret. There was a sponson on each side of the vehicle which had a .30 caliber MG installed. The radios were in the left sponson and were usually the SCR508.
M3A1: Had gyrostabilizer installed and a turret basket with seats for the commander and gunner. Cupola was removed from new turret design.1 A periscope with 360° traverse was installed in the turret roof.
Riveted hulls in early production and then replaced by welded hulls. Sponson machine guns removed.1
The Combination Gun Mount, M23, was installed. It had a periscopic sight.
An improved radio and interphone system was installed.
The US Marine Corps requested the tanks have diesel engines installed and approximately 500 had radial air-cooled engines installed.
M3A3: Had an improved turret with a bulge in the rear for the radio installed. Three additional periscopes are installed.
The hull was redesigned with all welded one piece hull front.1 The front plate was extended which allowed for more room for storage and improved the safety for the driver and assistant driver. The driver's hatches are moved to the top of the hull. Periscopes are installed to provide vision for the driver and assistant driver. The sponsons were extended to the rear and this allowed for more gasoline and ammunition storage. A storage box is added at the rear of the hull.
A sand shield is extended over the top of the suspension.
Additional improvements included easier steering, improved fire protection and ventilation, detachable head lamps, and a detachable windshield. A Combination Gun Mount, M44, with a telescope was installed.
Phased out of production in 1943.
M3 Command Tank: Removal of turret and putting welded box superstructure with .50 cal MG on mount.
M3 with Maxson Turret: In 1942 a quad Maxson .50 cal MG turret was put on in place of the turret. Rejected as similar equipment was on half-tracks.
M3 and T2 Light Mine Exploder: In 1942 a T2 mine exploder on a boom was developed and rejected as too unwieldy.
M3 or M3A1 with Satan Flame-gun: Produced in Hawaii for use by USMC. Gun was removed and flame thrower was installed. Capacity was 170 gallons and range of 40-60 yards. 20 converted in 1943.
M3A1 with E5R2-M3 Flame-gun: Flame thrower put in place of hull machine gun. 10 gallon capacity.
T18 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage: Design started in September 1941. It was to provide a close support vehicle for the M3. Two test vehicles with mild steel superstructures were sent to the Aberdeen Proving Ground. This project was abandoned in April 1942 as it was unsatisfactory with it's high profile and being nose heavy.
T56 3" Gun Motor Carriage: Project started in September 1942 to mount a 3" in a modified M3A3 chassis. The gun was placed in the rear, and the engine was moved to the center. Had limited crew protection and was very heavy. Project dropped in February 1943.
T57 3" Gun Motor Carriage: Same as the T56, but with an up-rated Continental engine from the M3 medium. Project dropped in February 1943.
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Some vehicles also had two 25 gallon jetisonable fuel tanks mounted on the side of the rear deck based on British experience in North Africa.
British Service: Nicknamed "Honey" by British calvary regiments. 84 sent to 8th Army in July 1941.1 Used in Burma, Britain, NW Europe, Italy, and North Africa. Russia1, China1, New Zealand1, and France received some as well.
The British were reported to like this tank at the time of its introduction. It could go about 10-20 mph faster than their own or enemy tanks, and required less maintenance.
Stuart I: M3 with Continental engine.
Stuart II: M3 with Guiberson diesel.
Stuart III: M3A1 with Continental engine.
Stuart IV: M3A1 with Guiberson diesel.
Stuart V: M3A3
Stuart Kangaroo: Removed turret and added seats.
Stuart Recce: As Kangaroo but with various MGs on pindle mounts.
Stuart Command: As Kangaroo but with extra radios.
Stuart 18 pdr. SP: At least one Stuart had it's turret replaced by an 18 pdr field gun.
M5
In the fall of 1941 Cadillac suggested to the Ordnance Department that they should try the M3 with a twin Cadillac engine due to radial engine shortages that were used by the aircraft industry1. It was also to have the Cadillac Hydra-matic transmission that was used in automobiles.
The Ordnance Board was convinced that a car engine would work, so Cadillac converted a tank and drove it for 500 miles at a testing ground. The test showed it to have a smooth ride and was easy to operate. The Ordnance Board was convinced and production commenced.
Due to the shortage of the Continental engines this was standardized for production in February 1942. It was originally going to be designated the M4 Light Tank, but it was decided to use M5 to avoid confusion with the M4 Medium.
In July 1943, another Cadillac production facility in Southgate, California, and Massey-Harris in Racine, Wisconsin, also started production. When M3 production ceased in October 1943, American Car & Foundry started production of the M5.
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M5: Standardized in February 1942. Production started in July 1942.
In February 1942 an M3A1 had 2 Cadillac liquid cooled V-8 car engines installed which meant that the rear deck had to be raised. Fuel tanks were put in the rear corners of the hull. Radiators were placed above the engines.
The flywheel in each engine was connected to the Hydra-Matic Transmission. Since the drive shaft from the Cadillac engines and the Hydra-Matic transmission, some of the traversing mechanisms and parts of the gun stabilizer were moved under the turret basket and this provided more room for the commander and gunner. The turret was extended in back to accommodate the radio.
A single cylinder engine supplied auxiliary power and charged the batteries.
The seats for the driver and assistant driver could be locked in any position. The seats went up under spring pressure and down under body weight. The driver and assistant driver had 360° periscopes in the roof of the hull.
Four escape hatches were provided.
M5A1: Standardized in September 1942. Classified as Substitute Standard in July 1944.
All welded. Had improved turret with more room and radio bulge in rear, with the antenna above the bulge. There was a plate in the bulge that allowed the 37 mm gun to be removed for maintenance. Another periscope in turret for viewing rear better. The commander had a direction finder fastened to the turret roof to indicate the straight ahead position. There was also a spotlight provided.
The antiaircraft gun mounting was moved to the right side of the turret. The commander could traverse the turret and fire the antiaircraft gun at the same time.
Larger escape hatches and positive water sealing door latches installed. An additional escape hatch in the floor of the hull is installed. Pistol ports are supplied with locks.
Had the Combination Gun Mount, M44, installed in the turret. This had a direct 3-power telescope.
M5 Command Tank: Turret removed and replaced by box structure.
M5A1 with Psy-war equipment: Fitted with PA system. 1944-45.
M5A1 with E7-7 Flame Gun: Main gun replaced by flame thrower equipment.
M5A1 with E9-9 Flame-throwing equipment: Based on British Crocodile. Prototype only.
M5A1 with E8 Flame-gun: Original turret removed. Box like superstructure was added with a smaller turret with flame thrower coming from it. Prototype only.
M5 with T39 Rocket Launcher: T39 launcher mounted on turret top. Fired 20 7.2" rockets. Project only.
M5 Dozer: Turret removed and dozer blade added. 1944. Few had turret remain.
T8 Reconnaissance Vehicle: Removed turret and added mounting for .50 cal MG. 1944-45.
T27, T27E1 81 mm Mortar Motor Carriage: The army wanted a mortar carrier based on the M5A1 chassis. The T27 prototype had the turret removed and an armored superstructure installed. The mortar was to fire forward with a 35 degree traverse. A .50 cal MG was also installed. The T27E1 had the mortar lower in the hull so that it didn't stick above the superstructure. Project canceled in April 1944 due to inadequate crew and storage space.
T29 4.2" Mortar Motor Carriage: After the T27 was canceled a design that had more space internally and used a smaller mortar was devised, however, this too had too small of space.
AFV Interiors
M5
As the United States continued its tank development programs after their entrance into World War II, the need to find alternative engines (beyond air cooled aircraft radials) became critical. In the case of the M3 Stuart Light Tank series, two Cadillac automobile engines with Hydramatic transmissions were suggested for the next version and approved for use. A larger hull for the engines was necessary and provided the opportunity to improve the bow sloped armor as well, and with these basic changes the newest US light tank began to take shape. Initially called M4 Light Tank, the new AFV's name was changed to M5 to avoid confusion with the new M4 Medium Tank (Sherman) then in production. New M5 Light Tanks began rolling off the General Motors Cadillac production line in August of 1942 and with the help of the General Motors plant at Southgate, California, and the Massey Harris Company, over 2,000 M5s were produced by the end of the run in December of 1942.
Once the first few vehicles had been delivered to the troops, an improved turret was designed and added to the M5 hull beginning in November of 1942. The larger turret included a large rear bustle to house the vehicle radio and an improved external anti-aircraft mount for the .30cal MG on the right side of the turret. Fire control equipment inside was also modified with improvements in gun laying sights and gun stabilizer controls, and in this new M5A1 an escape hatch was also added to the hull floor behind the assistant driver. The last of the M5A1 Light Tanks left the factory in June of 1944, by which time there had been 6,810 of all the M5 series produced. We will start our internal examination of the early M5 tank in the driver's area and in Part 2 and 3 we will continue with the different turrets and the engine.
AFV Database
M3
The M3 Stuart, known to the British as Stuart I or Honey (it was a "Honey" of a tank), was an evolution of the light tank M2A4, which incorporated a trailing idler suspension to decrease ground pressure and improve weight distribution, a lengthened hull superstructure rear, and also thicker armor. The turret of the M3 had three pistol ports, in contrast to the M2A4's seven. The recoil mechanism of the Stuart was also shortened so that it did not project from the gun shield. Early production M3s had riveted turrets.
The turrets for the M3 Stuart were changed from riveted to welded, but the turret front plate remained bolted on. Late production M3s had round rolled homogeneous steel turrets, and forged steel turret race rings replaced the cast steel turret rings of earlier tanks. The cupolas on the round turrets were also round, and all cupola vision slots were eliminated, although four protected vision slots were reintroduced later. The hexagonal cupola's single hatch was replaced with a split hatch on the round cupola. The round turrets' pistol ports were also fitted with protectoscopes. Two 25gal (95L) jettison fuel tanks were also fitted to late-model tanks, increasing the Stuart's range.
Some late-model M3s were fitted with turrets lacking cupolas, but these turrets did not have a basket or power traverse. These tanks had the 37mm gun M6 in the gun mount M23, but production facilities could not get switched over to installing the turret basket and power traverse mechanism fast enough. The British dubbed these tanks Stuart Hybrid, as they were an amalgamation of the light tanks M3 and M3A1.
The 37mm gun M6 was 6" (15cm) longer than the earlier M5, and the M6 had a semiautomatic breechblock instead of the M5's manual breechblock.
M3(diesel) tanks were called Stuart II by the British. The external difference between gasoline and diesel-powered Stuarts is the difference in length of the air intake pipes leading from the air cleaners on the rear hull to the engine compartment. The pipes on the gasoline-fueled tanks were shorter than those on the diesel tanks, and curved down into the rear deck plate immediately from the air cleaners. The pipes on the diesel tanks ran across the rear deck and through the screen above the engine.
M3A1: M3A1, or Stuart III, was fitted with a power traverse mechanism and a turret basket. M3A1s lacked a turret cupola, and were externally identical to Stuart Hybrids. Besides the 4410 gas-powered M3A1s, 211 M3A1s were powered by the Guiberson T-1020 diesel engine, and were called Stuart IV by the British. The first M3A1(diesel)s were accepted in August 1942. The fixed sponson machine guns were eliminated on M3A1, since tanks were often confined on roadways or by terrain, and the sponson guns could not be brought to bear in those situations.
M3A3: M3A3, or Stuart V, was modified to have a sloped hull similar to the light tank M5 Stuart. M3A3 was also fitted with a new turret incorporating a radio bustle and larger hatches. The new hull armor gave the drivers their own hatches (previously the assistant driver had to exit through the turret), and eliminated the drivers' doors in the front hull. The M3A3's hull can be differentiated from that of the M5 Stuart by the fact that the rear deck on the M3A3 was flat, and the upper sides on the M3A3 were sloped.
The designation of light tank M3A2 was reserved for a design of the M3A1 which was to have a welded homogeneous steel hull, but this tank never materialized.
M5
The light tank M5 was a modified light tank M3 with a new power train and an improved armor layout. A radial engine shortage was expected in 1941, and it was decided to find alternative engines to power tanks. The engines in the M5 were Cadillac automobile engines, each with its own transmission. The hull was all-welded, and the glacis was sloped and moved out to make more room for the drivers. The drivers had their own hatches which were equipped with periscopes. Direct vision for the drivers was through two peepholes which were closed with steel plugs attached with chains. The M5's turret was the same as that on the light tank M3A1. The M5 was originally known as light tank M4, but was redesignated to M5 to avoid confusion with the medium tank M4. The British called the M5 Stuart VI.
The major distinguishing features between the light tanks M5 and M3A3 are the hull sides and rear deck. The M5 had a raised rear deck to accomodate the twin Cadillac engines and vertical hull sides, while the M3A3 had sloping upper hull sides and a flat engine deck.
M5A1: The M5A1 incorporated a new turret which was similar in design to that of the light tank M3A3. The new turret had a radio bustle on the rear with a removable back plate which allowed removal of the 37mm gun. The radio's antenna emerged from the extreme rear of the turret bustle.The .30cal AAMG mount on the new turret was moved from the rear of the turret to its right side, and a triangular shield was added around the AAMG mount late in production. The pistol ports on either side of the turret were redesigned, then deleted later in the production run. The M5A1 incorporated a hull escape hatch behind the assistant driver's seat, and the drivers got larger hatches.
M5A1 was also called Stuart VI by the British.
Battlefield.ru
he M3 "General Stuart" light tank was one of the first American tank that was reached Soviet beaches as the part of Lend-Lease agreement.
The M3 was considered as one of the best light tank of World War II. It had an excellent characteristics: the "Continental" engine provided it with 250 h.p., so the 12-ton tank was able to run fast. It was very maneurable tank, indeed. Unfortunately, from 1942 its 37 mm gun wasn't match to war conditions. All attempts to set up more powerful gun failed because it turret was too small. 37 mm gun had an equal ballistic data as the Soviet 45 mm AT-gun.
This vehicle was in production until 1943, when the more modern M5 modification has introduced. The M3 "General Stuart" served in Africa, Burma, on islands of the Pacific Ocean, in Europe and become the most popular american light tank: 13 859 units were build including the 711 tanks with "Giberson" diesel engine.
During 1942-1943 Red Army received 1,665 of M3A1 "General Stuart" tanks. This tank was an equal to the Soviet T-60 and T-70 light tanks, but some imperfection were detected: its engine was too sensitive to the gas (petrol) quality and the tank silhouette was too big for the light tank. However it was most mass tank of the World War Two: 22,734 units were build.
Robert's Armory
INTRODUCTION During the 1930's the United States Army did not consider tanks to be a relevant weapon on the battlefield. Consequently, little research and development was performed. German victories in Europe exploiting firepower and mobility of tank warfare rekindled interest in tanks among U.S. military leaders, resulting in development plans for a light tank. Several models of the light tank were developed, including the M1, M2 and M3 series. In 1942 production began on the M5 series light tank at the Cadillac Division of General Motors Corporation. There was no M4 light tank designation in order to avoid confusion with the M4 medium tank, then under production. In September of 1942 design improvements were made, culminating in the M5A1, the ultimate refinement of the 1930's vintage U.S. light tank technology. A total production of 6810 M5A1 tanks occurred from 1942 to 1944.
DESIGN CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT Evaluation of the M5A1 design concept entails the basic principles of tank warfare; armor, firepower and mobility. The inherent nature of the light tank implies light armor which is an obvious deficiency for a combat vehicle. The frontal armor was rolled homogeneous steel approximately 1.125 inches (29 mm), sufficient for the Far East theater, but insufficient for German munitions especially toward the end of the war. The vehicle had a relatively high profile (height 101 inches), easing the job of enemy gunners to acquire a target. Light tank also implies light firepower which, in the form of a 37mm main gun, was inferior to other combat vehicles at the time in the European theater. However, the armament was quite effective against Japanese combat vehicles in the Far East theater. Mobility was impressive with a maximum speed of 36 MPH. Interviews with actual drivers indicated that speeds in excess of 45 MPH were readily achieved. The V8 engines were very quiet and the Hydramatic transmissions allowed easy gear shifting, resulting in a stealthy vehicle.
ENGINEERING CHARACTERISTICS The M5A1 was equipped with a .30 caliber bow machine gun, .30 caliber coaxial machine gun, 37 mm main gun and .50 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun. The M5A1 was originally equipped with a .30 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun on the turret but most tankers acquired the .50caliber machine gun since it was more effective. Ground pressure is 12.3 psi. The suspension uses vertical volute springs. The controlled differential is on the right side of the driver. This is essentially a 2 speed automatic shift gear box coupled to 2 drive shafts from 2 automatic 4 speed transmissions. This gives the vehicle 8 speeds forward and 2 speeds in reverse, all automatic shift. The power plant is the 346 cu.in. flat head V8 engine, two of which are mounted in the rear of the vehicle, connected to 4 speed Hydramatic transmissions. Each engine generated 110 horsepower. A two barrel Carter carburetor provides fuel to the engine with thermal spring automatic chokes for cold starts. The tank commander/main gun loader sits on the right, while the gunner sits on the left. A gyroscope to the right of the turret is used to aid in aiming the main gun on irregular terrain. The M5A1 had a crew of 4: the driver, assistant driver/bow gunner, main gunner and tank commander/loader. The M6 periscope was used in 5 locations on the vehicle with 4 looking forward and one to the rear.
USAGE IN WORLD WAR II The M5 made its debut in the invasion of Casablanca in French North Africa. By 1943, and at the time of the invasion of Sicily, the M5A1 was becoming the standard light tank of the American armored divisions. Because of limited firepower, the M5A1 eventually took on reconnaissance and escort duties in Italy and, after the invasion of Normandy, throughout Europe. In the Pacific theater, the M5A1 made its debut at Roi-Namur in February of 1944 and on Saipan, the same year. The M5A1 was quite effective against most Japanese armor, even the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank typically used in the Pacific theater. The 37 mm main gun, although obsolete in Europe, was found to be effective against Japanese targets. Consequently, many other vehicles carrying the 37 mm gun, such as the M8 armored car and M3 anti-tank gun were retained and used in the Pacific theater.
Fine Art Models
The M5A1 light tank was one of the most prolific American tanks of World War II. Built from 1942 on throughout the war, it saw action in every theater. Its 37mm gun was certainly not overpowering and its three .30 cal. Browning machine guns were equally limited. Yet, it looked like a tank should look.
The original light tanks were introduced during World War I to support infantry. But as World War II approached, they needed to evolve as a more-heavily armored vehicles, capable of withstanding fire from automatic weapons. Production of the first tank to incorporate these improvements, the M3, began in March 1941.
The M5 design came about when the Ordinance Department foresaw a shortage of radial engines, the type of engine that powered the M3s but which also were in great demand for aircraft. The Cadillac Division of General Motors proposed a new design, to be powered by twin V8 automobile engines and an automatic transmission, and demonstrated the reliability of such a model by driving a prototype from Detroit to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland, some 500 miles. Before they were done, they had made so many changes that their tank was given a new model number, M5.
Production of the M5 began in March 1942. Initial fears regarding the ability to synchronize engines and transmissions proved unfounded and in August 1942, after a pilot M5 was run for more than 3,000 miles, the Armored Forces Board declared that the new M5 was superior in performance and efficiency than any previous light tank.
By September, M5A1 was introduced with a new turret incorporating space for a radio and rear-mounted antenna, new hatches and new controls. Production at Cadillac in Detroit started in December and continued in Southgate, California and at the Massey Harris Company until June 1944, by which time a total of 6,810 units had been produced. It was the U.S. Army’s standard light tank during that time, after which it was superseded by the M24.
ergernier
This was the British name for the US light tanks of the M2, M3, and M5 series. They were the first US tanks to see combat being used by the British Eighth Army at Sidi Rezegh in November 1941 and by US forces in the Phillipines in 1941-42. More notably, they were the only prewar design of light tank to see the war through - every other design was found to be useless in combat.
The design of the M2 tank dated back to 1933 when, under the orders of General MacArthur http://expage.com/wwiigen45 , the US Cavalry took over the development of armoured vehicles. MacArthur demanded a tank which would function in the traditional cavalry role, (that of fast raiding into and behind enemy lines) together with rapid support for infantry, and for these purposes he demanded a light, fast tank in which speed and firepower was more important than armour protection. From this request came the T2 tank, with a .50in machine gun in its turret and a .30in machine gun in the hull, driven by a converted airplane engine of 250hp and weighing about 6.5 tons. Since the National Defense Act of 1920 laid down that only infantry could have 'tanks', the cavalry vehicles were called 'Combat Cars' - although the looked remarkably like tanks.
This design, which had been developed at the Rock Island Arsenal, was gradually improved throughout the 1930s, small numbers being built as financing was available, until in the spring of 1939 the M2A4 was designed. This had a 37mm gun in its rotating turret and the armour thickness had been increased to 25mm; two machine guns were mounted in sponsons at the sides of the hull, and a third in the turret alongside the 37mm gun; and a new syncromesh gearbox installed. This might well have followed the same course as its predecessors and perhaps only a dozen might have been built, but for the fact that in September Germany invaded Poland and the USA suddenly found some money with which to equip its army. The M2A4 tank went into production in April 1940; a total of 375 were evntually built.
After the lightning campaign in France in 1940 the US Ordnance Department set about redesigning the M2A4 in the light of reports from the battle area. The armour was increased to 37mm thickness which, bringing the weight up to over 13 tons, necessitated a lengthened suspension and track. Other modifications were made so that it eventually became a completely new vehicle - on 5 July 1940 this was standardized as the Light Tank M3, the first model passing from the production line in March 1941.
With the approach of war ant the hastening of the US armament program, many automobile manufacturers were brought into the tank production field bringing with them considerable expertise in mass-production and utilization of components which was new to the armoured vehicle world. One such company, Cadillac Division of General Motors, suggested mounting two Cadillac engines and a Hydromatic transmission in the M3 tank to compensate for the shortage of Continental engines. In October 1941 the company converted a tank and drove it 500 miles to a proving ground to demonstrate it.
The trip alone was sufficient to prove the soundness of the idea, and the M3, fitted with the Cadillac engines and transmission, extra thickness of armour and some other changes, was standardized in November 1941 as the Light Tank M5.
It can be seen from the foregoing that all three tanks were closely related, which is why they were call 'Stuart' in British service without any distinction being made. All had a crew of four, a driver, assistant driver/hull gunner, turret gunner, and commander; all mounted a 37mm gun as their principal armament; all had a narrow, boxy hull and a top speed of about 35mph.
Although designated 'light tanks' they were, infact, rather heavier than most of that class and closely approximated in speed, armament, and protection the British 'Cruiser' class, which is why the British adopted them in the Western Desert. They could be quickly and cheaply built, easily maintained, and were extremely reliable and nimble vehicles, features which endeared them to their crews. While they were outclassed as primary combat tanks by the middle of the war, they were still of great value as training vehicles and they remained in frontline service until the end of the war in armoured reconnaissance regiments in Europe and as fighting tanks in the Pacific, where their light weight was of immense value in amphibious operations.
Misc
The light tank M5 was a modified light tank M3 with a new power train and an improved armor layout. A radial engine shortage was expected in 1941, and it was decided to find alternative engines to power tanks. The engines in the M5 were Cadillac automobile engines, each with its own transmission. The hull was all-welded, and the glacis was sloped and moved out to make more room for the drivers. The drivers had their own hatches which were equipped with periscopes. Direct vision for the drivers was through two peepholes which were closed with steel plugs attached with chains. The M5's turret was the same as that on the light tank M3A1 . The M5 was originally known as light tank M4, but was redesignated to M5 to avoid confusion with the medium tank M4. The British called the M5 Stuart VI.
The US M3 Light Tank was named "General Stuart" by the British after they took possession of the first lend lease M3s in June of 1941. First used in the Western Desert during the second day of the Crusader offensive (to relieve the Australians at Tobruk), the Stuart was sturdy and reliable and although its 37mm gun was small, it was no worse than the Crusader's 2-pounder.
After their experience with the M3 Light Tank, the Americans designed the M3A1 to remedy some of the short-comings of the earlier model, and the changes began with the first new vehicles in May of '42. A Westinghouse gyro-stabilizer and an Oilgear hydraulic traversing mechanism had been tested successfully in some of the later M3 tanks, so this system was incorporated with a new turret basket. The basket had to be fairly high to clear all the equipment down on the hull floor, but it provided the gunner and loader with seats and a place to put their feet. The gunner's turret cupola was deleted on the same improved turret that had been introduced late in M3 production and the hatches and viewing devices up on the roof were changed.
The US General Stuart M2, or Honey as the British called it was very versatile light tank. It first entered production in 1941 as the M2A4 model, which soon became the M3 Light Tank. The M2A4 was supplied to the British in Egypt in 1941, but since the M3 and later M5 models were substantially the same they were all given the same name, but the British did give each variation a different number. They were; Stuart (M2A4), Stuart MK 1 (M3), Stuart MK 2 (M3 Diesel), Stuart MK 3 (M3A1), Stuart MK 4 (M3A1 Diesel), Stuart MK 5 (M3A3), Stuart MK 6 (M5) and Stuart MK 7 (M5A1).
The main difference between the M2A4 and the M3 was increase armour to protect against air attack, which resulted in changes to the suspension to cope with the extra weight better. The main difference between the M3 and the M5 was the increase in the thickness of the armour, a change of engine, plus a few other minor changes. The weaponry of all Stuarts were basically the same, with a 37mm gun and co-axial machine gun the a turret and a hull mounted machine gun, too. It became known as the "Honey" by the British because of it's reliability and handling.
It served in the British Army in many roles such as a Cruiser Tank, in a Reconnaissance role, as an armoured screen and as an armoured escort. Some were used as AOP's by the artillery, with some having the turrets removed and becoming troop carriers or gun tractors.