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Forums - Research / WW2 |
This WW2 forum is intended for asking and discussing reference or historical related issues pertaining to WW2 (1939-1945) subjects. |
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| Subject: | Stuart configuration |  |
| Date: | Feb 23, 2007 |
| From: | Fabricio Menardi | |
Hello!
Today I saw a "strange" Stuart exposed on Escolas de Cadetes, a Brazilian Army cadets schooll. I will try to post some pics soon
The tank, a diesel version, just like the M3A1 has no bolts on verticle hull side and no sponsor 30 cal machine guns. But, just like the Hybrid version the exposed tank has a riveted square hull.
In fact, "the first production M3A1 Diesel shown in the Hunnicutt Stuart book had this configuration, and another photographed in USMC service has been published (it's in a depot next to a couple of AMTRACS, though the caption suggests that the diesel models never made it to Guadalcanal). The M3A1 tanks with the two piece rear panels are not as rare as some suggest (current opinion is that all vehicles with that layout are Hybrid M3's, but without looking inside, this cannot be confirmed).
Since the rear hull change was not one that affected the vehicle's survival, the stocks of old parts would simply have been used up. I doubt there is any direct correlation between the rear hull and the internal turret upgrades that characterize the M3A1."
Could you tell me if any gasoline version has this same configuration?
Proof?
The pix are from "US Light Tanks at War, 1941-45", a Concord Publications book:
Thanks in advance,
Fabrício |
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