Both of these powerplants were originally developed as aircraft engines. The M3 and M3A1 variants were powered by an air-cooled radial engine, either a gasoline-fueled 7- cylinder Continental W-670 (8,936 built) or a 9-cylinder Guiberson T-1020 diesel (1,496 built). Later, the main gun was replaced with the slightly longer M6, and the sponson machine guns were removed. 30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns: one coaxial with the main gun, one on top of the turret in an M20 anti-aircraft mount, another in a ball mount in right bow, and two more in the right and left hull sponsons. Like its direct predecessor, the M2A4, the M3 was initially armed with a 37 mm M5 gun and five. It had 38 mm of armor on the upper front hull, 44 mm on the lower front hull, 51 mm on the gun mantlet, 38 mm on the turret sides, 25 mm on the hull sides, and 25 mm on the hull rear. Production of the vehicle started in March 1941 and continued until October 1943.īy the standards of the era for light tanks, the Stuart was fairly heavily armored. The upgraded design, with thicker armor, modified suspension and new gun recoil system was called "Light Tank M3". Observing events in Europe and Asia during World War II, American tank designers realized that the Light Tank M2 was becoming obsolete and set about improving it. Outside of the Pacific War, in later years of WWII the M3 was used for reconnaissance and screening.ĭevelopment A M3 going through water obstacle, Ft. Stuarts were the first American-crewed tanks in World War II to engage the enemy in tank versus tank combat when used in the Philippines in December 1941 against the Japanese. Stuarts were first used in combat in the North African campaign about 170 were used by the British forces in Operation Crusader (18 November – 30 December 1941). use, the tanks were officially known as "Light Tank M3" and "Light Tank M5". Unofficially, they were also often called "Honeys" by the British, because of their smooth ride. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 Light Tank. The British service name "Stuart" came from the American Civil War Confederate general J. and Allied forces until the end of the war. An improved version of the tank entered service as the M5 in 1942 to be supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. The M3 Stuart/ Light Tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II.
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