The M5 Stuart light tank made its debut in the invasion of Casablanca in French North Africa. By 1943, and at the time of the invasion of Sicily, the upgraded M5A1 was becoming the standard light tank of the American armored divisions. Because of its limited firepower, the M5A1 eventually took on reconnaissance and escort duties in Italy and, after the invasion of Normandy, throughout Europe. In the Pacific theater, the M5A1 made its debut at Roi-Namur in February 1944 and on Saipan later that year. The M5A1 was quite effective against most Japanese armor, even the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank typically used in the Pacific theater. The 37mm main gun, although obsolete in Europe, was found to be effective against lightly skinned Japanese targets. Consequently, many other vehicles carrying the 37mm gun, such as the M8 armored car and M3 anti-tank gun, were retained and used in the Pacific theater.

To relieve wartime demand for the radial aero-engines used in the M3, a new version was developed using twin Cadillac V8 automobile engines and twin Hydra-Matic transmissions operating through a transfer case. This version of the tank was quieter, cooler and roomier; the automatic transmission also simplified crew training. The new model (initially called M4 but redesignated M5 to avoid confusion with the M4 Sherman) featured a redesigned hull with a raised rear deck over the engine compartment, sloped glacis plate and driver's hatches moved to the top. Although the main criticism from units using the Stuarts was that it lacked firepower, the improved M5 series kept the same 37 mm gun. The M5 gradually replaced the M3 in production from 1942 and, after the M7 project proved unsatisfactory, was succeeded by the Light Tank M24 in 1944. Total M5 and M5A1 tank production was 8,884; an additional 1,778 M8 75 mm howitzer motor carriages based on the M5 chassis with an open-top turret were produced.

Pictured here is a 1:43 scale diecast replica of a M5A1 Stuart light tank that was nicknamed "Destruction", and attached to the 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, then deployed to France during September 1944. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Width: 2-1/2-inches

Release Date: August 2022

Historical Account: "Across France" - After training in England from January to July 1944, the 4th Armored Division landed at Utah Beach on July 11th, over a month after the initial Normandy landings, and first entered combat on July 17th; on July 28th, battle action as part of the VIII Corps exploitation force for Operation Cobra, the 4th Armored Division secured the Coutances area. The 4th Armored Division then swung south to take Nantes, cutting off the Brittany Peninsula on August 12th, 1944. Turning east, it drove swiftly across France north of the Loire, smashed across the Moselle, September 11th-13th, flanked Nancy and captured Luneville, September 16th. The 4th Armored Division fought several German panzergrenadier brigades in the Lorraine area including the SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 49 and SS Panzergrenadier Brigade 51 at this time, defeating a larger German force through superior tactics and training.

After maintaining a defensive line from Chambrey to Xanrey to Henamenil between September 27th to October 11th, the 4th AD rested briefly before returning to combat on November 9th with an attack in the vicinity of Viviers. The 4th Armored Division cleared Bois de Serres on November 12th, advanced through Dieuze and crossed the Saar River from November 21st-22nd, to establish and expand bridgehead. It then took Singling, Bining, and Baerendorf on November 24th, before being relieved on December 8th.

The 4th Armored Division received the following unit awards from France: Croix de Guerre with Palm (July 27th-29th, 1944), Croix de Guerre with Palm (September 12th-29th, 1944), and French Fourragere in the colors of the Croix de Guerre.