M-5A1 Stuart Light Tank

The M-5A1 had a 37mm main gun plus three .30 cal. machine guns. It was powered by two Cadillac Series 42 V-8 engines, 110 HP each. It weighted 17 tons and could reach 36 mph.

The M5A1 was the last model in the M3-M5 series of light tanks used by the U.S. and its allies in World War II, produced in 1943 and 1944. As with the M3 Stuart light tanks, the M5 was not effective in the European Theater where both German and Soviet tanks were much heavier and better armed. They were primarily used as scout vehicles rather than main armor.

M-5A1 Stuart Light Tank. Photo: Courtesy of Frank Robertson.

>M-5A1 Stuart Light Tank in Europe, 1944.

M-5A1 Stuart at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.