The first tank you will find in your hanger is the M5 Stuart, and here we are going to tell you the history of that little tank.

 

• M5 (Stuart VI)

2,075 produced.

Twin Cadillac engines. Redesigned hull similar to M3A3, but with vertical sides and raised engine deck. New turret with turret basket and no cupola.

 

The M5 Stuart was initially called the M4, However to avoid confusion with the M4 Sherman tank it was redesignated to M5.

The hull of the new M4 had been redesigned and had a raised rear deck situated over the engine compartment, and also had a sloped Glacis plate, The driver hatches were moved to the top. The main criticism  of the new Stuart was that it lacked fire power, The improved M5 series kept the 37mm gun and it gradually replaced the M3.

The M5 Stuart was in production from 1942.

Although the M5 was not considered one of the best tanks it did have  some positive features, The tank crews liked its relatively high speed and it mechanical reliability.

It also had the advantage of its gun being capable of delivering high explosive shells  (HE shells).

Another drawback of the M5 was its low fuel capacity and range  its operational range was only 75miles cross country terrains.

The M5 was primarily kept out of tank to tank combat and was used for mainly reconnaissance work The Stuart  continued in the  service of the British Army until the end of the war.

 

In Europe, Allied light tanks like the M5 had to be given cavalry and infantry fire support roles since their main cannon armament could not compete with heavier enemy armoured fighting vehicles. However, the Stuart was still effective in combat in the Pacific Theater, as Japanese tanks were both relatively rare and were lighter in armour than even Allied light tanks. Japanese infantrymen were not well equipped with anti-tank weapons, and as such had to use close assault tactics. In this environment, the Stuart was only moderately more vulnerable than medium tanks.

The M5 played a significant role in the First Kashmir War (1947) between India and Pakistan, including the battle of Zoji-la pass fought at an elevation of nearly 12,000 ft.