Production of the M3 Stuart took place between 1941 and 1943 , after design began in 1940, and with nearly 14000being made.
Designed as a light tank and armed with a 37mm main gun, a co-ax MG, hull and one on top of the turret the Stuart (known as ‘Honey’ in British service) was to be found as the light tank company in tank battalions, the main tank in reconnaissance battalions (but the Stuart was removed from the battalions after the disaster of Kasserine Pass in North Africa) and cavalry reconnaissance squadrons.
Though no match for enemy main battle tanks in the European theatre, the tank’s speed and manoeuvrability were of great assistance in reconnaissance roles, until late in the war when replaced by the Chaffee.
The M3 Stuart served in all theatres of combat and was supplied to the British and Commonwealth countries, as well as to Russia through Lend-Lease.
This model is among the first in our ‘Main Battle Tanks’ of World War 2 for the British, American and German armies, and in keeping with our other products in the range, is again ‘28mm detail in 12mm tanks’.