The American M3A1 light tank is a rather unusual tank. On the one hand, it has some superior performance over its predecessor, the M3 light tank, and some designs are more advanced. For example, this was the first time the Americans had assembled a tank by welding. On the other hand, some designs have undermined its combat effectiveness: its interior space has been reduced, and the comfort of its crew in the turret has also decreased. As a result, the Americans modernized it again shortly after it was mass-produced. Thus was born the most complete model of the M3 light tank family: the M3A3 light tank. The tank was mass-produced, but the U.S. Army dismissed it.
Catching up with new standards
Although there were many problems with the turret basket and gun stabilizer of the M3A1 light tank, it was by no means a transitional model. Its total production was almost identical to that of the M3 light tank, and it was widely used in warfare, with users including the U.S. Army itself. However, this tank was put into production in a different context from its predecessor.
The original version of the M3A3 light tank. Some elements, such as pistol firing holes in turrets, have been removed
It was born at a time of fierce competition from light tank designers in the United States. One of the reasons for the competition was the huge demand for the aero engines used in American tanks, so factories had to look for alternatives. During this period, there were also a variety of American medium tanks also seeking new engines.
There's another reason to look for a new engine: Aero engines are cumbersome to use. For tanks, car engines are a simpler and more convenient alternative. In November 1941, the M3A2 light tank carrying two Cadillac 42 series engines entered the validation phase. The V-shaped 8-cylinder engine can produce 110 horsepower, which is a good solution for the U.S. military. On November 13, the U.S. Ordnance Board decided to bring the tank in service with two Cadillac engines, designating it the M4 Light Tank.
Tools placed at the rear of the tank. The production version also has a toolbox set up here
The tank was put into production with a different name and underwent major modifications in its design. Since the M4A1 medium tank went into production in February 1942, the name of the light tank was changed to M5 light tank. The bigger change to the model was the adoption of a new bodywork, the most obvious part of which was the redesigned tilting front armor. This improves the tank's protection and increases the space in the cockpit. The occupant's field of view has decreased, but the overall benefits outweigh the disadvantages.
A cross-section of the tank's interior
The new tank went into production in April 1942, a month before production began for the M3A1 light tank. The military favored the new body design and demanded the same styling on the M3A1 light tank. So the relevant personnel found one from the mass production tank, removed everything except the chassis, and then installed a newly designed hull on this basis. Its prototype is made of mild steel.
First mass-produced M3A3 light tank (fully equipped)
The M3A3 head armor is oblique, the same as the M5 light tank. The difference is that its side armor is also slanted. The upper armor consists of two parts, the lower part of the armor is bolted and removed when inspecting the transmission. A special bezel is provided between the upper and lower sections to protect the joint. The observation device on the front armor was removed and replaced with a special opening that could be closed with plugs. This is only an emergency measure, because the pilot and co-pilot need to observe through the periscope of the hatch during the battle.
From this angle, the track teeth placed on the side of the turret can be seen
Another novelty of this model is the fan located between the top hatches of the cockpit. The driver's and co-pilot's seats were replaced with chair lifts, which allowed the driver to stick his head out of the cabin during the ride. The removable wind deflector is also a nice addition, solving the problem of the wind deflector blocking the field of vision.
The developers of the M3A3 light tank opened up their own design routes in some respects. The sides of its body are oblique, while the M5 light tank is vertical. The characteristic "hump" above the engine compartment has also disappeared.
A large toolbox is set up on the rear of the production version
The turret has also been significantly modified. A large skirt brace was added to the turret, the radio was moved to this position, and the antenna was moved from the engine cover to the back of the turret, which made it easier to use the radio. The turret is flanked by track-toothed mounts that can be mounted when the tank travels through harsh terrain. The anti-aircraft machine gun was moved to the right, and a spotlight was added to the roof. The roof itself has changed dramatically: two large hatches have been added to the roof, which makes access to the turret much easier. The gun mount was also replaced by the M44 combination gun mount. An optical sight is also one of the new features on the roof.
The differences from the M3A1 light tank can be easily seen from above
These design changes to the M3A3 light tank led to an increase in its weight to 14,700 kg, which was nearly two tons heavier than the M3A1 light tank. Therefore, its suspension must also be adjusted with some adjustments. The increase in weight also caused its top speed to drop to 50 km / h. Considering that the ride experience of the crew's occupants has improved, this sacrifice is worth it.
Aid to the Allies
The first mass-produced M3A3 light tank was built in September 1942 by the American Car & Foundry Company. This production version is equipped with large dust shields attached to the fenders and sides of the body. There are good reasons for adding dust shields: based on British experience in the use of M3 and M3A1 light tanks in the desert, adding dust shields is necessary because it can significantly reduce the dust raised by tanks. A large storage compartment was added to the rear of the tank for personal belongings and tarps. Due to the huge demand for M3A1 light tanks and the testing of the validation vehicle, the second M3A3 light tank was not manufactured until November 1942.
Workers prepare for the export of M3A3 light tanks. The absence of pistol firing holes in the turrets meant that the tanks were of the mid- or late-stage type
Many things happened between the production of the first tank and the second one walking off the production line, and these things also affected the fate of this tank. The advent of improved turrets also had an impact on the design of other tanks. The designers learned from the M3A3
Turret, a similar turret was developed for the M5 light tank. On September 21, 1942, the American Ordnance Board approved mass production of the tank equipped with a new turret, naming it the M5A1 light tank. In November, the first mass-produced tanks began to take down Cadillac's factory in Detroit.
Thus, the door to the opportunity given to the M3A3 light tank was closed. It's heavier, slower than its competitors, and doesn't have an advantage in terms of protection. Its maximum armor thickness is only 25 mm, and it has little effect on tilting.
The 751 Gendarmerie Battalion was one of the few U.S. troops equipped with M3A3 light tanks
The U.S. Gendarmerie Is One of the Few Troops using the M3A3 Light Tank. Among them, the 751st Battalion received these tanks. In April 1943, the U.S. Ordnance Board changed the loading status of the M3A3 light tank to "small number of tanks." This choice by the military directly affected the development of self-propelled guns on the platform. All related projects were halted in early 1943.
As you can see, by February 1943, the pistol firing hole was gone
However, the change in the situation does not mean that the tank is "dead". At that time, the transfer of tanks outside the United States under the Lend-Lease Act was in full swing, and the Soviet Union was not even the largest recipient. The British army had the greatest demand for American tanks, because before 1943, britain had not produced light tanks at all. As a member of the Allied forces, French troops actively fighting in North Africa also showed interest in the tank. The "Fighting France" troops were quite active in the North African theater, but their tanks were initially supplied by the British.
In this way, American auto and foundry companies locked in its market.
Late production of the M3A3 light tank
After the production of the M3A1 light tank was completed, mass production of the M3A3 light tank began in January 1943. The tanks were delivered directly to the British army, but they did not catch up with the defeat of the German Afrika Korps in Tunisia. The accumulation of combat experience led to gradual revision of the design. Starting with No. 10443, the pistol firing hole in the turret was removed. Later production tanks used different toolboxes.
The design of the new toolbox is conspicuous
The last M3A3 light tank left the American Automobile and Foundry Company's factory in November 1943. The total production of this type of tank was 3427. By this time, the United States had become the last country in the world to mass-produce light tanks. The fighting in the spring and summer of 1943 sparked a rethinking of light tanks. Due to the rapid development of fragile armor and new anti-tank means, light tanks have a lower chance of survival on the battlefield, even when facing infantry units. The Soviet Union stopped production of light tanks in the autumn of 1943. Germany also decided to drastically limit the production of light tanks and limit their use to reconnaissance. Even Japan stopped producing the Type 95 light tank in 1943.
From Italy to the Pacific
The M3A3 light tank made its debut in the Battle of Sicily in the summer of 1943. The British also named it Stuart V. Some of the tanks of this type entered the battlefield in the original form of the "American", and later, the British gradually modified them according to their own needs. The "classic" Stuart V and M3A3 light tanks differ both inside and out.
The figure shows the configuration of the Stuart V. However, not all British tanks use the same configuration
In the standard configuration, the Stuart V had two smoke grenade launchers mounted on the left side of the turret. The track tooth placement frame was moved to the front of the body. The on-board equipment has also changed: a handheld fire extinguisher bracket and a first-aid kit have been added to the rear. The Stern submachine gun replaced the Thompson submachine gun as a personal defense weapon. The turret also contained the flare gun and its ammunition. Finally, the American-made SCR 508 radio was replaced by the wireless communication suite No.19.
The rear configuration is also different
The supply to Britain meant that the armies using British tanks would also receive the tanks. The Polish army, which was actively fighting in Italy, was one of the main receivers.
The Stuart V was also sent to the Yugoslav People's Liberation Army. Tito acquired the first tanks in 1943, equipped in the First Yugoslav Tank Brigade, but these tanks were only first put into combat in June 1944. Eventually 75 tanks of this type were received by this unit and actively used in combat. In Yugoslavia, the Stuart V's opponents were mostly obsolete tanks, including Polish, French, and Italian tanks captured or taken over by Germany. The American tank was equipped with a 37 mm gun that was large enough to penetrate the armor of those tanks.
Appeared in Stuart V in Normandy, summer 1944
The British had no illusions about the combat effectiveness of light tanks. Therefore, they used these tanks for other purposes. Like the heavily modified Stuart I-IV, the M3A3 was used in the summer of 1943 to be converted into special combat vehicles, often converted into Stuart Recce. The "recipe" for the modification was simple: the turret was removed and the Browning M2HB machine gun was installed in the front. In some cases, the factory would install additional armor plates around the turret seat. The Stuart reconnaissance vehicle is used as a reconnaissance vehicle because it is more maneuverable than ordinary tanks and at the same time can better protect its crew than ordinary armored vehicles.
The Kangaroo armored personnel carrier (Stuart Kangaroo) has a similar design. The third modification was also a turretless tank: the artillery tractor. It was used to tow a 17-pounder anti-tank gun.
Stuart V reconnaissance vehicle from the Second Armored Brigade in Warsaw, Italy, Christmas 1943
These special tanks were first used in Italy in the autumn of 1943. Due to its excellent design, the total number of modifications is also increasing. They were also widely used in the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944.
The various tanks that Yugoslavia modified on the chassis of the Stuart V are worth mentioning. The Stuart Pak tank destroyer is probably the most famous of these, with the Yugoslav army mounting captured German 7.5 cm Pak 40 guns on the body of the M3A3. The Pak 40's own gun shield protects crew members from the front, while additional armor plates provide protection from the side. According to the relevant photos, this tank was produced in large quantities and was also used by the First Tank Brigade of Yugoslavia. In addition, Yugoslavia designed a self-propelled air defense system on the Stuart V platform. The vehicle did not have a turret, but carried a four-pack 2 cm Type 38 anti-aircraft gun.
Stuart V from the First Tank Brigade of Yugoslavia. Among these tanks was a Stuart Pak tank destroyer
The service experience of the M3A3 light tank in the French army is also worth mentioning. The "Combat France" forces accepted 227 tanks of this type, which were supplied directly to France by the United States, meaning that the French used the original M3A3 instead of the Stuart V.
These tanks were mainly involved in the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944 and in the offensive to liberate Paris. France had been using these tanks until the end of World War II. Unlike the British, the French did not modify these M3A3 light tanks.
M3A3 light tank used by France, spring 1945
The second largest user of the M3A3 light tank is China. In total, China received 1,000 vehicles, which were used frequently since 1943. Like the British, Chinese converted some of them into reconnaissance vehicles without turrets. These vehicles were often equipped with additional armor plates to protect the front and sides. Its armament was the same as that of the Stuart reconnaissance vehicle: a Browning M2HB machine gun mounted on a front pivot seat.
Chinese commander of the M3A3 light tank
Although the U.S. military has little disdain for the M3A3 light tank, it has been in service for a long time and has had a wonderful experience. To this day, about 40 tanks of this type are still preserved in the world. Most of these tanks were used as souvenirs or museum exhibits in places where they once served. For example, a tank museum in northern Beijing houses four M3A3s. One of them is a model that was once used in film shooting, made on the SU-76M chassis. Surprisingly, there are still a number of M3A3 light tanks in the United States, at least 14, more than one-third of the total number in existence.