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M5
Late production M5A1

Light Tank M5 Stuart^1-13,15

The light tank M5 was a modified light tank M3 with a new power train and an improved armor layout. A radial engine shortage was expected in 1941, and it was decided to find alternative engines to power tanks. The engines in the M5 were Cadillac automobile engines, each with its own transmission. The hull was all-welded, and the glacis was sloped and moved out to make more room for the drivers. The drivers had their own hatches which were equipped with periscopes, and a ventilator in the hull roof between the drivers was added later in production. Direct vision for the drivers was through two peepholes which were closed with steel plugs attached with chains. Late in production, an escape hatch was added in the floor behind the assistant driver's seat. The M5's turret was similar to the light tank M3A1's, but the lower height presented by the new transmissions and driveshafts allowed the turret traverse mechanism to be attached to the underside of the turret basket, giving the turret crew more room. The M5 was originally known as light tank M4, but was redesignated to M5 to avoid confusion with the medium tank M4. The British called the M5 Stuart VI.

The major distinguishing features between the light tanks M5 and M3A3 are the hull sides and rear deck. The M5 had a raised rear deck to accommodate the twin Cadillac engines and vertical hull sides, while the M3A3 had sloping upper hull sides and a flat engine deck.

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Light Tank M5A1 Stuart, late production^1-16

The M5A1, also called Stuart VI by the British, incorporated a new turret which was similar in design to that of the light tank M3A3. The new turret had a radio bustle on the rear with a removable back plate which allowed removal of the 37mm gun. The radio's antenna emerged from the extreme rear of the turret bustle. The .30cal AAMG mount on the new turret was moved from the rear of the turret to its right side, and late in production the bracket mount M20 was replaced by a folding mount protected by a triangular shield. The pistol ports on either side of the turret were redesigned, then deleted later in the production run. The M5A1 retained the hull escape hatch behind the assistant driver's seat, and the drivers got larger hatches.

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References

1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, volume 1. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1992. Reprinted with permission from Stuart, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1992, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
2. TM 9-732 Light Tanks M5 and M5A1. Washington, DC: War Department, 27 November 1943.
3. FM 17-68 Crew Drill, Light Tank M5 Series. Washington, DC: War Department, 8 June 1943.
4. FM 17-68 C1 Crew Drill, Light Tank M5 Series. Washington, DC: War Department, 24 May 1944.
5. ORD 7, 8-9 SNL G-103 Vols. II & VIII Organizational Spare Parts and Equipment, Higher Echelon Spare Parts and Equipment (Addendum) Service Parts Catalog for Tank, Light, M5 and M5A1. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Army Service Forces, 5 May 1944.
6. TM 9-1727C Ordnance Maintenance--Hydra-matic Transmission and Propeller Shafts for Light Tanks M5, M5A1, and 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8. Washington, DC: War Department, 5 Feb 1943.
7. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
8. AGF Board No. 2. Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks. 1947.
9. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, 2nd edition 1944, volume 1. Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Ordnance Technical Division, 1 June 1945.
10. Siemers, Cary. "USA's M3 and M5 Light Tanks." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 25 November 2000. 17 January 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/LightM3_M5.htm>.
11. TM 9-1727D Ordnance Maintenance--Transfer Unit for Light Tanks M5, M5A1, and 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8. Washington, DC: War Department, 28 Apr 1943.
12. TM 9-250 37-mm Gun M6, Mounted in Combat Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 3 August 1944.
13. TM 9-1334 Ordnance Maintenance--Stabilizers. Washington, DC: War Department, 22 December 1943.
14. Light Tank Installations M5A1. Fort Knox, KY: The Armored School Tank Department, 1944.
15. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
16. Zuljan, Ralph. "M5A1 Stuart." Second World War Armor. 16 March 2000. 17 January 2001 <http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fltm5a1.htm>. Second World War Armor

Last updated 25 Nov 2023.
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