Battlegroup
Name:
Light Tank
Turret Class: Closed Top
Turret Type: Rotating
Crew: 4
Speed: 35
mph (56 km/h)
Weight: 30,000
lb. (13,636 kg)
Engine: Twin
Cadillac, V8, 220 hp, gasoline
|
Introduced
in 1942, the M5A1 Stuart is the lightest tank in the American arsenal. Not
especially speedy for its size, field officers often limited the Stuart
to use as mobile command posts. A variant on the M5A1 chassis, the M8A1
served as a light support tank. This variant underwent three major changes.
First, the turret was replaced with an open top class. Second, the 37mm
main gun was replaced with a short-barreled 75mm L/40. Lastly, the hull
was given slightly better armor. Despite their limitations, both series
continued to serve until the end of the war. |