The Art Of Tank Warfare - Chris Keeling

AMERICAN UNITS
M3A1 Stuart
93
Type: Tank Top Speed: 58 KPH (26 off-road)
Availability: Nov 42 – May 45 Redline: 2400 RPM (1800 average)
Playability: AI only Armor:
Main Armament: M6 37mm L/53 Hull Front: 51mm
Depression/Elevation: -9°/+20° Hull Sides: 38mm
Secondary Armament: Hull MG, Coax MG, Hull Rear: 10mm
AA MG
Ammunition: 103 (37mm), 8,270 (MG) Hull Top: 10mm
Smoke: None Superstructure Front: 51mm
Turret Traverse: 20 seconds Superstructure Sides: 38mm
Radio: Yes Superstructure Rear: 10mm
Target Size: Small Superstructure Top: 10mm
Height: 2.3 meters Mantlet: 20mm
Weight: 12.9 tons Turret Front: 51mm
Ground Pressure: 1.2 kg/cm 2 Turret Sides: 38mm
Maximum Slope: 25° Turret Rear: 20mm
Maximum Vertical: 0.61 meters Turret Top: 10mm
The M3A1 light tank (called the “Stuart” by the British, whose habit of naming American tanks after American
generals was eventually adopted by the US Army as official policy) was an improvement on the earlier M2
series, and was officially adopted in 1941. By 1942, this vehicle was already obsolete, 5,811 M3A1 having been
manufactured before production was halted in the Summer of 1942 in favor of the M3A3 model. Although
the commander also acted as the loader in this tank, due to the two-man turret configuration, the light weight
of the 37mm shells made this a relatively easy chore. Early models of this vehicle mounted five machineguns,
the additional two being mounted in the front corners and controlled by the driver. This tank was widely used
in the deserts of North Africa, and could also be found in some numbers in every theater of the war. Despite
its relatively weak gun and thin armor, the total production of all variants of the M3 series totaled 13,859 tanks,
although the vehicle was often consigned to reconnaissance and rear-echelon units after the introduction of the
M5 light tank.
Options: None.