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United States' M3 light tank, Stuart

M3 Light Tank captured by the Germans in North Africa:
United States' M3 Light Tank captured by Germans in North Africa
U.S. Army in World War II - Pictorial Record, 1951, pg 56 		M3 Light Tank:
United States' M3 Light Tank 		M3 Light Tank with welded hull:
United States' M3 Light Tank with a welded hull		 M3 Light Tank in Casablanca:
United States' M3 Light Tank in Casablanca
U.S. Army in World War II - Pictorial Record, 1951, pg 28
M3 Light Tank:
United States' M3 Light Tank drawing
Aberdeen Tank Museum 		M3 Light Tank with 7 sided turret.
United States' M3 Light Tank		 M3 Light Tank purchased in July 1942, with war bonds by the community of Banning, California.
United States' M3 Light Tank purchased by Banning, California with bonds in July 1942		 M3 Light Tank
United States' M3 Light Tank
M3A2 Light Tank:
United States' M3A2 Light Tank		      

Design

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 on July 5, 1940.7 Production started in March 1941 at the American Car & Foundry.7 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.1,11

Initially the engine was the Continental but shortages caused it to be replaced by the Guiberson T-1020 diesel, and fitted into 500 M3s.8

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.

Layout

The engines were in the rear with the drive going to the front sprockets, which was controlled by differential steering.7

Crew

The driver was on the left and the hull gunner/assistant driver on the right.7

Prototype

 

Production

Variants

United Kingdom Use

Usage

Experience in Africa

Some vehicles also had two 25 gallon jettisonable fuel tanks mounted on the side of the rear deck based on British experience in North Africa.

Sturdiness

During the retreat in Burma in 1942, Stuarts of the 2nd Royal Tanks went 2,400 miles in eleven weeks with very little maintenance.7

First Action

M3s were used by the 8th King Royal Irish Hussars in August 1941 in Egypt.7 Fought their first battle at Sidi Rezegh on November 19, 1941.7

Organization

There were 72 M3s in a Marine Light Tank Battalion.8

British Service:

Nicknamed "Honey" by British calvary regiments. 84 sent to 8th Army in July 1941.1 Used in Burma7, New Guinea7, Iraq7, Britain, NW Europe7, Italy7, and North Africa7. 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.

  M3 (Stuart I) Stuart II
Crew Commander, gunner, driver, co-driver.3
42,3,4,8 		 
Physical Characteristics    
Weight 27,400 lb3,8
12.2 tons7, 12.3 tons4, 12.5 tons6, 13 tons2
12,428 kg8 		 
Length w/gun 14.8'8, 14' 10"4,7, 14' 10.75"3
4.5 m8, 4.52 m6, 4.53 m2 		 
Length w/o gun    
Height 8' 3"3,4,7, 8.3'8
2.5 m8, 2.51 m6, 2.65 m2 		 
Width 7.3'8, 7' 4"3,4,7
2.2 m8, 2.24 m6, 2.46 m2 		 
Width over tracks    
Ground clearance 16.5"
0.42 m2 		 
Ground contact length 117"  
Ground pressure 10.47 psi, 10.5 psi8
0.7 (kg/cm2)8, 1 (kg/cm2)2 		 
Turret ring diameter 46.75"  
Armament    
Main 37 mm M5 or M6 L/561
37 mm L/562
37 mm M5 or M63,6,8
37 mm4 		 
Secondary    
MG 5: MG4
.30 cal Browning M1919A4, coaxial, hull, AA, 2 in sponsons.
2: MGs2
3: .30 cal Browning MGs3
2: .30 cal Browning MGs in sponsoons.3
5: .30 cal MG, coaxial, hull, AA, sponsons (2)6
3: 0.3" M1919A4, coaxial, hull8
0.3" MG, AA8 		 
Side arms .30 cal M2 tripod mount
.45 cal submachine gun
Hand grenades		  
Quantity    
Main 1033, 832  
Secondary    
MG 6,400-8,2703, 5,4352  
Side arms .45: 500-540
Grenades: 12		  
Armor Thickness (mm) 103, 513
10 - 458
Front: 376
Side: 256 		 
Hull Front, Upper 1.5" (1.75")
1" - 1.5"4
38.12 		 
Hull Front, Lower 5/8-1.75" (1.75-3")  
Hull Sides, Upper 1"@0°
25.42 		 
Hull Sides, Lower    
Hull Rear 1"@0°
25.42 		 
Hull Top 3/8"
9.52 		 
Hull Bottom 3/8-0.5"
6.4 - 12.72 		 
Turret Front 1.5" (1.75")
38.1 m2 		 
Turret Sides 1.25"@0°
25.42 		 
Turret Rear 1.25"@0°
25.42 		 
Turret Top 0.5"@90°
9.52 		 
Engine (Make / Model) Continental W-670-9A
Continental Wright2
Continental W-670 OR Guiberson T1020.3,6
Continental Radial4,54
Guiberson or Continental7
Continental W-6708 		Guiberson T-10205
Bore / stroke    
Cooling Air2,4,8  
Cylinders 72,5,6,8,11
Continental: 77
Guiberson: 97 		 
Capacity    
Net HP 250@2,400 rpm2,8
2504,6 		 
Power to weight ratio 18 hp/ton7, 20.4 hp/ton8  
Compression ratio    
Transmission (Type) Synchromesh
5 forward, 1 reverse2 		 
Steering    
Steering ratio    
Starter    
Electrical system    
Ignition    
Fuel (Type) Gasoline2,8  
Octane    
Quantity 54 gallons
151 liters2
56 (+50 in external tanks) gallons		  
Road consumption    
Cross country consumption    
Performance    
Traverse 360°3, hand  
Max speed 35 mph4, 36 mph3,7,8
57.9 kph2, 58 kph8, 60 kph6 		 
Cross country 15 - 20 mph4, 20 mph3,8
32 kph8 		 
Road radius 70 miles3,7,8, 135 miles
112 km8, 120 km2 		 
Cross country radius    
Turning radius 21'
13 m2 		 
Elevation limits -10° to +20°3  
Fording depth 3'3
0.9 m2 		 
Trench crossing 6'3,8
1.8 m8 		 
Vertical obstacle 2'3  
Climbing ability    
Suspension (Type) Vertical volute and trailing idler.3
Volute Springs2 		 
Wheels each side 42  
Return rollers each side 3  
Tracks (Type)    
Length    
Width 11 5/8"
295 mm2 		 
Diameter    
Number of links    
Pitch    
Tire tread    
Track centers/tread 6' 1"  

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
  4. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  5. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  6. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  7. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  8. Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
  9. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
  10. Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
  11. Airfix Magazine Guide #26 American Tanks of World War 2, Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain, 1977
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