American light tank M3 Stuart COBI 3129 - World War II 1:35

You know that:

• At the beginning of World War II, the US Army began a major modernization of its armaments, and with it came the requirement to develop a new light tank.
• The American Car and Foundry Company seized the new opportunity with a typically American approach. The Army made the request in January 1940, and after rapid development and testing, mass production was launched in July of that year.
• The riveted hull, simple but reliable chassis, and affordable engine enabled rapid and inexpensive production in large numbers.
• The M3 tanks were first used in 1941 by the British Army during the battles for the city of Tobruk.
• The weak 37 mm gun was a disappointment for the British, but the tank excelled in speed, maneuverability, and exceptionally high reliability. That is why it was nicknamed "Honey" by British tankers.
• Over 1,600 were delivered to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program. Many tanks were "stolen" immediately upon arrival. Russian soldiers would cut the leatherette from the driver's seat to make boots.
• With the arrival of new heavy German tanks, the M3 was sent only on reconnaissance missions.
• The Stuart tank was produced in 18 different versions and a total of over 22,000 were built.
• The last modernization was a modification by the Brazilian company Bernardini in the 1970s.
• The M3 served in the armies of several African armies until the 1990s.

Technical parameters:

• length 4.5 m, width 2.46 m, height 2.3 m
• weight 12,900 kg
• armor up to 51 mm
• power unit Continental-Wrigh-670-9A gasoline engine with a power of 184 kW
• 5 forward speeds + 1 reverse
• maximum speed 58 km/h
• range 120 km on the road
• wading depth 0.91 m
• main weapon M5 cannon caliber 37 mm
• maximum range 11,750 m
• secondary weapon 1x Browning M2MG machine gun caliber 12.7 mm + 2x M1919A4 MG machine gun caliber 7.62 mm
• crew 4

Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery about an M3 tank:

"Experience with tanks was dearly redeemed at Kasserine Pass. It was clear that the M3 could not be deployed in offensive action on the modern battlefield. But if you need to locate an enemy group's position and then kick its ass, the Stuart is the best reconnaissance vehicle. And kicking German ass is my favorite activity."