M3 Stuart

Description

As American tank designers began to recognise the outdated and obsoletenature of the M2 light tank, they realised they needed to createsomething new.

The M3 Stuart was a direct upgrade from its predecessor, the M2 light tank,with thicker armour, modified suspension and new recoil system. The M3 Stuartused the 37mm M5 gun (later to be replaced by the new, slightly longer M6 gun)as well as five mounted Browning machine guns.

This was the first U.S. tank to partake in tank-versus-tank combat in WorldWar 2, where a platoon of five Stuarts engaged the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA)4th Tank Regiment's Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks.

The Stuart stands tall, and was favoured by many crews due to its fairly highspeed. It was mechanically reliable and obtained the nickname “Honey” due toits smooth ride.

During 1942, the British Army decided to keep their Stuarts away fromtank-versus-tank combat and instead use them for reconnaissance. A number ofStuart variations arose, including the Stuart Recce, the Stuart Kangaroo and theStuart Command. Making a conversion of these is easy with the new plasticStuart. The Recce had the turret removed in order to achieve an improved speedand range, while the Kangaroo had been converted into an armoured personelcarrier.

The M3 proved itself as an effective armoured vehicle in jungle environments,where the Japanese infantrymen found themselves under-equipped and lackinganti-tank weaponry. This left them with only one option, which was to rely onclose assault tactics. The Stuart was an impressive counter to this, and in thissetting was barely any more vulnerable than a medium tank.

Principal service: 1940–43. Numbers manufactured: 5,811.

Principle combatants:

• British
• American
• Soviet
• Chinese

Captured and used by:

• German
• Japanese

This box contains 1 x plastic M3 Light tank with options to use:

• 5 MMG
• Flamethrower
• External Fuel tanks
• Sand guards
• Rounded or plate turret variants

• This product is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue and paints notincluded.

Delivery

Delivery Rates
Australia Delivery

Our delivery rates vary based on the weight and volume of your total order. An accurate shipping cost will be calculated during the checkout process. Orders are shipped by air via Australia Post straight to your door! 

Delivery Times
The Board Gamer orders ship from our fulfillment partner Mighty Ape. Their warehouse is based in New Zealand with daily flights across the Tasman with Australia Post.

As a result of courier delays the current standard delivery times for In Stock products using Australia Post are as follows: