General Background

German victories in Europe using mobile firepower made the development of light tanks a priority. In early 1942 the GMC Cadillac Division developed the M5 series tanks called the Stuart by the British. By September 1942 the improved M5A1 was developed. Originally equipped with a .30 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun most tank crews upgraded to the .50 caliber machine gun. In Europe the Stuart proved too ineffective against the larger German AFV’s making it an easy target. The M5A1 proved adequate in the Pacific against Japanese armor.

Specifications :

Number Produced 1942 to 1944: 6,810
Crew: 4 / Commander, Gunner, Driver, Co-Driver
Performance
Powerplant : 2 x Cadillac Series 42 V-8 water-cooled engines, 110 hp per engine
Fuel Capacity : approximately 85 U.S. Gallons
Maximum Speed: 37 mph
Range: 100 miles
Turning Radius: 21 ft
Weight : 16.8 ton
Dimensions:
Length : 14 ft 3 in
Width : 7 ft 6 in
Height : 8 ft 5 in
Armament 1 x 37 mm M6 main gun with 147 rounds
M6 ammunition – M51B1 and M51B2 A.P.C. (Armor Piercing Capped), M74 A.P. (Armor Piercing), M63 H.E. (High Explosive)
1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) M1919A5 coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) bow M1919A4 machine gun
Originally 1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) cupola mounted M1919A4 machine gun upgraded in the field to 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) machine gun with 6,500 machine gun rounds