M3 and M5 Stuart - USA: Books - History, Types and Construction

Stuart Tank (Vol. 1) - The M3, M3A1, and M3A3 Versions in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

The Stuart light tanks were the first tanks taken into combat by US troops during WWII. Production of these vehicles can be broken into two categories: the early tanks powered by air-cooled radial engines, and late versions powered by twin V-8 engines. This volume explores the early, air-cooled vehicles, the M3, M3A1, and M3A3.
Widely used both by the US Army and US Marines, as well as many Allied nations, these tanks, though lightly armed and armored, were mechanically sound and did much to stem the tide of Axis aggression during the early stages of the US entry into WWII.

Through dozens of archival photos, including previously unpublished images, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existing examples of these vehicles, this early-war combat vehicle is explored and its history is explained. A companion volume will explore the later M5 and M5A1, and M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage versions.

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Stuart Tank (Vol. 2) - The M5, M5A1, and Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Versions in World War II (Legends of Warfare)

The Stuart light tanks were the first tanks taken into combat by US troops during WWII. Production of these vehicles can be broken into two categories: the early tanks powered by air-cooled radial engines, and late vehicles powered by twin V-8 engines. This volume explores the late vehicles with Cadillac water-cooled engines, the M5 and M5A1, as well as the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage.
Stuart light tanks, though lightly armed and armored, were mechanically sound and widely used by US forces in Europe and the Pacific, as well as by Allied nations.

Through dozens of archival photos, including previously unpublished images, as well as detailed photographs of some of the finest existing examples of these vehicles, this early-war combat vehicle is explored, and its history is explained. A companion volume explores the early M3, M3A1, and M3A3 versions.

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Stuart - A History of the American Light Tank (Volume 1)

In this book Richard Hunnicutt outlines the development history of the American light tank and its associated self-propelled guns and support vehicles. Beginning with the modification of the French Renault in the midst of WWI, Stuart covers all pre-Stuart vehicles active during WWI in addition to light tank models and variations active during WWII, with emphasis on the wartime development of M3, M5, and M24 series of light tanks.
A few other vehicles that are not technically light tanks, such as the M18 and LVT, also receive attention here as they share a number of key characteristics with the Stuart. In this comprehensive history, Hunnicutt also touches on postwar modifications and service of vehicles developed during WWII.

In addition to detailing nearly all aspects of technical data and specifications, Stuart features images on nearly every page: photographs, full-color plates, line drawings, and cutaway diagrams, many of which are rare interior shots and diagrams from technical manuals.
While Hunnicutt leaves the writing of the complete combat history of the Stuart to those who manned them in battle, he includes some of the Stuart's actions to demonstrate its uses in combat and attributes, both positive and negative.

The definitive reference tome for the military historian, professional soldier, and tank restorer, Stuart remains the most comprehensive history on the American light tank's development from its beginnings through WWII.

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M3 & M5 Stuart Light Tank 1940-45 (Osprey)

The M3 and M5 family of light tanks were the culmination of American tank development of the 1930s. By the time of the outbreak of the World War II, they were approaching obsolescence, as tank forces in Europe were shifting from light to medium tanks as the main element of their armored forces. First entering combat in the autumn of 1941 in the Western Desert with the British Army, the Stuart quickly proved its inadequacies. The M3 and M5 light tanks proved more suitable in the Pacific theater than in Europe, and fought successfully in many of the major battles including Guadalcanal, Tarawa and Peleliu.

This title narrates this distinctive and unusual fighting vehicle's history.

Contents: Introduction - Combat Car and Light Tank - Lessons of the Spanish Civil War - The M3 Light Tank - The M3 Stuart Goes to War - Desert Debut - First Combat in Asia - M3 Development Continued - Improving the Turret: The M3A1 Light Tank - Improving the Hull: The M3A3 and M5 Light Tank - Specialized Stuart variants - The M3 and M5 in combat - North Africa - The Stuart in the Pacific - The Stuart in Northern Europe 1944-5 - Stuarts in the Mediterranean Theater - Post-war use of the Stuart - The Plates.

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Large Scale Armor Modeling: Building a 1/6 Scale Stuart Tank

This lavishly-illustrated volume takes the reader on an exciting model-building journey as tips, techniques, and artistry intertwine during the construction of a 1/6 scale M5A1 Stuart light tank. Master modeler Bob Steinbrunn uses 234 color photographs and descriptive text to guide the reader in constructing a museum-quality radio-controlled scale model.

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