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M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
includes five plastic M3 Stuart tanks, one plastic Commander sprue, one Decal Sheet and seven Unit cards.

As well as serving with US armored divisions in the light battalions of the armored regiments, thousands of M3 Light Tanks were supplied to Britain and the Soviet Union.

Check out the M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon in the store here...

The British codenamed the tank ‘General Stuart’, after the famous American Civil War cavalry commander, and the name caught on with US troops as well.

The M3 Stuart was mechanically reliable, and even though it had lighter armor and a smaller gun than the latest German panzers, its small size and high speed made it well suited to probing enemy defences and fighting a free-wheeling and tactical style of moving battle.

The Allies have the fascists on the run in North Africa, but the fight is not over yet. The United States is the newest army to enter the war. They boast some of the best tanks in the world, backed up by well-equipped infantry, either marching to battle on foot or riding in half-tracks, and the latest deadly tank destroyers. Their troops are inexperienced, but they have trained hard and are eager to prove themselves. They will need to learn quickly, as they face a cunning and battle-hardened enemy.

Click here to find out more about Fighting First...

Fighting First: US Forces In North Africa 1942-43 
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)

Watching the unfolding events in Europe, American tank designers realized that the Light Tank M2 was becoming obsolete and decided to review options for improving it. The upgraded design, with thicker armor, modified suspension and new gun recoil system was called "Light Tank M3". Production of the vehicle started in March 1941 and continued until October 1943.

M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)

Like its predecessor the M3 was initially armed with a 37mm M5 gun and five .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns: coaxial with the gun, on top of the turret in an M20 anti-aircraft mount, in a ball mount in right bow, and in the right and left hull sponsons. Later, the gun was replaced with the slightly longer M6, and the sponson machine guns were removed. For a light tank, the Stuart was fairly heavily armored. It had 38 mm of armor on the upper front hull, 44 mm on the lower front hull, 51 mm on the gun mantlet, 38 mm on the turret sides, 25 mm on the hull sides, and 25 mm on the hull rear.

M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)  M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
Internally, the radial engine was at the rear and the transmission at the front. The prop shaft connecting the two ran through the middle of the fighting compartment. The radial engine, having its crankshaft high off the hull bottom, contributed to the tank's high silhouette. When a revolving turret floor was introduced in the M3 hybrid and M3A1, the crew had less room. In contrast to the M2A4, all M3/M5 series tanks had a trailing rear idler wheel for increased ground contact.
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have issues with any components.
Plastic M3 Stuart Sprue (x5)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
Plastic Commander Sprue (x1) Decal Sheet (x1)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
Unit Cards
Fighting First (x1) Movement Orders (x1)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
M3 Stuart (x2) M3 Stuart HQ (x1)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)
M3 Stuart Tank Destroyer Company HQ (x1) M3 Stuart OP (x1)
M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56) M3 Stuart Light Tank Platoon (Plastic) (UBX56)


Last Updated On Wednesday, November 2, 2022