The US entered WWII with some armor that was on the brink of obsolescence. This included their Stuart light tank. Undergunned with only a 37mm main gun and lightly armored, they were no real match for German armor. However, they were quite fast and those sent to the British did a superb job in the armored reconnaissance role. When the US entered the war, they also used the Stuart in this role during Mediterranean and European campaigns.  Against the Japanese, who really did not have much better in the way of tanks, the Stuart was able to be useful, though again, the 37mm gun was not much use against hardened defensive positions, a task that was most often given to tanks.

With the growing need for aero engines, it was decided to equip the upgraded M3 Stuart with twin Cadillac engines, each driving a hydromatic transmission. This became the M5 and resulted in an elongated rear section to this tank to encompass the engines and radiators. The M5 Stuart then became the primary US light tank until the Chaffee came into service late in the war. Even then the Stuart was not totally replaced and soldiered on until the end.

In this book, author Jim Mesko has located examples of the M5A and M5A1 with which to provide the photo coverage that makes these books so useful. As with other books in this series, there are extensive full color photos of these vehicles. Unlike some previous titles, there are minimal period photos, those being used are primarily in the introductory historical section. The crisp, clear photos and equally concise photo captions, along with a few pages of color profiles, make this volume an excellent reference for the modeler and one that enthusiasts will want to add to their library.

June 2011

My thanks to Squadron Products for the review copy. Get yours today at your favorite shop or on-line retailer.

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