M3 Stuart

Also known as Stuart tank, Light Tank, M3, Light Tank M3, M3 Light Tank

1941 light tank family

Key facts

Type: Light tank
Place of origin: United States
In service: 1941 ( 1941 ) –present
Designer: U.S. Army Ordnance Department
Manufacturer: American Car and Foundry Company Cadillac division of General Motors General Motors Massey-Harris
Unit cost: $32,915 (M3A1), $27,057 (M5)
Produced: 1941 ( 1941 ) –1944 ( 1944 )
Number span no built: 22,744 M3 and M5
Variants: See Variants
Mass: 33,500 lb (15.20 metric tons)
Length: 15 ft 10.5 in (4.84 m) with sand shields and rear stowage box
Width: 7 ft 6 in (2.29 m) with sand shields

Article

The M3 Stuart/light tank M3 was a US light tank of World War II first introduced into service in the British Army in early 1941. Later, an improved version of the tank entered service as the M5 in 1942, to be supplied to British and other allied Commonwealth forces under lend-lease, prior to the entry of the United States into the war.

The British service name "Stuart" came from the U.S. Civil War Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 light tank. Unofficially, they were also often called "Honeys" by the British, because of their smooth ride. In U.S. use, the tanks were officially known as "light tank M3" and "light tank M5".