This WWII Tank Is So Good, It Served Over 70 Years – SlashGear

Whereas some tanks focus on the biggest guns and the thickest armor, the M3 and M5 tanks were practical. The heavy armor and weapon of some tanks usually means a tremendous lack of mobility, and in many combat situations, the ability to quickly move around and respond can have more of a premium than one might expect. As such, the specifications of the M3 definitely highlight that the tank wasn’t made to go up against armored targets.

The dimensions of the M3 Stuart are around 14 feet long, around 7 feet wide, and around 7 feet high. Weighing 14.7 tons, the M3 Stuart also used a seven cylinder 250 horsepower engine that gives it a range around 75 miles traveling at medium speeds. The M3 also features a 37mm main cannon, complimentary M1919 machine guns, and armor that ranged between 13 to 51mm, or .5 inches to 2 inches. Likewise, even the upgraded M5 Stuart boasted similar qualities, weighing 16.5 tons and measuring around 14 feet and 2 inches long, 7 feet and 4 inches wide, and 7 feet and 6.5 inches high. The M5 Stuart still utilized a 37mm cannon, as well as M1919A4 machine guns and armor that ranged from .375 inches to 2 inches thick. In other words, a layman may have trouble distinguishing between different Stuart versions. 

{Featured image by Imperial Japanese Army via Wikimedia Commons| Cropped and scaled | Public Domain}