page_title: M3 Stuart
section_title: US variants
hierarchical_section_title: M3 Stuart / Variants / US variants
caption_attribution_description: 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 on display at the Musée des Blindés in Saumur. The picture taken August 8, 2006.
context_page_description: The M3 Stuart, officially Light Tank, M3, was an American light tank of World War II. An improved version entered service as M5. It was supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war. Thereafter, it was used by U.S. and Allied forces until the end of the war.
  The British service name "Stuart" came from the American Civil War Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart and was used for both the M3 and the derivative M5 Light Tank. In U.S. use, the tanks were officially known as "Light Tank M3" and "Light Tank M5".
  Stuarts were the first American-crewed tanks in World War II to engage the enemy in tank versus tank combat.
  The Stuart was also the light tank counterpart of the M3 Lee, which was a medium tank.
context_section_description: M3 (British designation "Stuart I")
  5,811 vehicles were produced.
  1,285 M3s had Guiberson diesel installed and were called "Stuart II" by British.
  Late production M3s were fitted with turret developed for M3A1, though without turret basket. These tanks were dubbed "Stuart Hybrid".
  M3A1 (Stuart III)
  4,621 were produced from May 1942 to February 1943.
  New turret with turret basket and no cupola. Gun vertical stabilizer installed. Sponson machine guns were removed.
  M3A1s with Guiberson diesel were called "Stuart IV" by British.
  M3A3 (Stuart V)
  3,427 produced.
  Put into production to integrate hull improvements brought by the M5 into the M3 series. Turret with rear overhang to house SCR-508 radio. Welded hull with sloped armor, 20° in from the vertical, on front and sides.
  M5 (Stuart VI)
  2,075 produced.
  Twin Cadillac engines. Redesigned hull similar to M3A3, but with vertical sides and raised engine deck. Turret as for M3A1.
  M5A1 (Stuart VI)
  6,810 produced.
  M5 with the turret of the M3A3; this was the major variant in US units by 1943.
  75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8
  1,778 units produced.
  Based on M5 chassis. The gun was replaced with the 75 mm M2/M3 howitzer in open turret and a trailer hook was fitted so an ammunition trailer could be towed. Provided fire support to cavalry reconnaissance squadrons.
  75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8A1
  M8 HMC variant based on M5A1 chassis.
  75mm T18 Howitzer Motor Carriage
  Self-propelled gun based on M3 chassis. 75 mm M1A1 pack howitzer was mounted in a boxy superstructure. The project started in September 1941 and was abandoned in April 1942. Only two were produced, 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 was chosen to be produced instead.
  T82 Howitzer Motor Carriage
  Self-propelled 105 mm howitzer based on M5A1 chassis. Development began in 1943. Two prototypes built and tested in August 1944 at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Project was discontinued on June 21, 1945.
  T56 3in Gun Motor Carriage
  Self-propelled gun based on M3A3 chassis. The engine was moved to the middle of the hull and a 3-inch gun was mounted in a superstructure in the rear. The project started in September 1942 and was abandoned in February 1943.
  T57 3in Gun Motor Carriage
  Variant of T56 with Continental engine of the Medium Tank M3. Also dropped in February 1943.
  T27 / T27E1 81 mm Mortar Motor Carriage
  M5A1 with turret replaced by superstructure in which an 81 mm mortar was installed. Also carried .50 cal Browning M2HB machine gun. The project was abandoned in April 1944 because of inadequate crew and storage space.
  T29 4.2in Mortar Motor Carriage
  Design similar to T27, with 4.2 inch (107 mm) mortar. Was abandoned for the same reason.
  T81 Chemical Mortar Motor Carriage
  M5A1-based 4.2 inch (107 mm) chemical mortar carrier.
  M3 with Maxson Turret
  Anti-aircraft variant developed in 1942. Was armed with four .50 cal. machine guns in a turret developed by Maxson Corp. The project was rejected because of the availability of the M16 MGMC.
  40 mm Gun Motor Carriage T65
  Anti-aircraft vehicle based on lengthened M5A1 with Bofors 40 mm gun. Developed into M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage on Light Tank M24 chassis.
  20 mm Multiple Gun Motor Carriage T85
  Anti-aircraft vehicle based on same chassis as T65 (M5A1). Was armed with quad Oerlikon 20 mm cannons.
  M3/M5 Command Tank
  M3/M5 with turret replaced by small superstructure with a .50 cal. machine gun.
  T8 Reconnaissance Vehicle
  M5 with turret removed and mounting for .50 cal machine gun
  M3 with T2 Light Mine Exploder
  Developed in 1942, was rejected.
  M3/M3A1 with Satan Flame-gun
  Ronson flamethrower installed instead of the main gun. 24 tanks were converted for US Marine Corps in 1943.
  M5A1 with E5R1-M3 Flame Gun
  Flame thrower was installed instead of the hull machine gun.
  M3A1 with E5R2-M3 Flame-gun
  Flame thrower was installed in place of hull machine gun.
  M5 Dozer
  M5 with dozer blade. Turret was usually removed.
  M5 with T39 Rocket Launcher
  T39 launcher with 20 7.2" rockets mounted on the top of the turret. Never reached production.
  M5A1 with E7-7 Flame Gun
  Flame thrower was installed instead of the mai
caption: 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 on display at the Musée des Blindés.
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