In U.S. use, the tanks were officially known as "light tank M3" and "light tank M5". 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).

Nov 28, 2014 · The M5 Stuart light tank gradually replaced the older M3 Stuart in the US and Allied light tank arsenal until 1945.

The M5 Stuart was the Army’s standard light tank at the beginning of World War II. It was primarily used in reconnaissance, flank security, and infantry support roles. The M5 was lightly armored, quick and maneuverable, with a top speed of 36 miles per hour.

This tank proudly shows the emblem of the 66th armoured regiment, the oldest armoured unit in the history of the United States, founded by then Col. Patton of the US cavalry, which later commanded the 304th Tank Brigade during the late part of …

Tankers in an M5 Stuart tank roll through a smashed French town. The tank’s turret could not traverse whenever the driver and bow gunner’s hatches were open. Joe Cotten had an extra machine gun attached to his Stuart’s turret for added firepower.

Jan 30, 2018 · Cadillac converted an M3 Light Tank by installing twin Cadillac engines and Hydra-Matic transmissions that drove the tank through a two-speed automatic transfer case. The new power plant and improved hull shape gave the M5 much more interior space than the M3.

Oct 17, 2018 · The M5 "Stuart" (also "General Stuart") was an extension of the original M3 Stuart Light Tank line of 1941 and brought about by the American military relocation of vital war-making supplies - namely the Continental aero engine used in the M3.

Jun 12, 2020 · The Light Tank M5A1 was the ultimate development of the Stuart tank family. Serial production of the M5A1 began in December 1943 and ended in June 1944 after the adoption of the Light Tank M24. The M5 and M5A1 still remained in frontline use alongside the M24 until the end of the war.

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.

The M5A1 Light Tank was the last model of the M3–M5 tank series. Three manufacturers, Cadillac, Massey-Harris, and American Car & Foundry produced over 6,800 M5A1 tanks between 1942–1944.