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This article deals with the M5 Stuart V, formally Light Tank M5 an American light tank of World War II. It was supplied to British and Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war—and used thereafter by U.S. and Allied forces until the end of the war.
Light Tank M5 (Stuart V) | |
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Type | Light tank |
Place of origin | ![]() |
Production history | |
Produced | 1942–1945 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 32,400 lb (14,700 kg) |
Length | 14 ft 2.4 in (4.33 m) |
Width | 8 ft 1.2 in (2.47 m) |
Height | 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) |
Crew | 4 (Commander, gunner, driver, co-driver) |
Main armament | 37 mm M6 in M44 mount 174 rounds |
Secondary armament | 3 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 MG 7,500 rounds |
Engine | Continental W-670-9A, 7 Cylinder air-cooled radial 250 hp (190 kW) |
Power/weight | 17.82 hp/tonne |
Suspension | Vertical volute spring |
Operational range | 74 mi (119 km) |
Maximum speed | 36 mph (58 km/h) (road) 18 mph (29 km/h) (off-road) |
Several models of the light tank were developed, including the M1, M2 and M3 series. In 1942 production began on the M5 series light tank at the Cadillac Division of General Motors Corporation. There was no M4 light tank designation in order to avoid confusion with the M4 medium tank, then under production. In September of 1942 design improvements were made, culminating in the M5A1, the ultimate refinement of the 1930's vintage U.S. light tank technology. First seeing action in 1943 in north Africa, it also served in Europe and with the Marines in the Pacific Theater. 6,810 M5A1 tanks were produced, the most of any US light tank.
The name Stuart given by the British comes from the American Civil War Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart and was used for both the M5 Light Tank and the tank it was derived from, the M3.