M3A3 Stuart - Grand Bunker Museum - Normandy.

The M3 Light tank was developed after the American tank designers realized that the Light Tank M2 was becoming obsolete and set about improving it, the M2 was based upon the prototype T2 light tank built by Rock Island Arsenal, after it became clear that the US Army was ill-prepared as far as armored vehicles, training and tactics went. and in 1939 it became clear that a new model, which could be favorably compared to the European models, had to be studied for mass production.

The upgraded design, had thicker armor, and for the time the M3 was heavily armored for a Light Tank, it also had modified suspension and new gun recoil system and would be called the Light Tank M3. Production of the vehicle started in March 1941 and continued until October 1943.
The M3 was initially armed with a 37 mm M5 gun and five .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns, 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.

The M3A3 was a new design based on the experience made by the English in North Africa, The A3 would have a gyro-stabilizer, hydraulically controlled turret, and would have the side armament removed by a new frame made of welded steel sheets, with the Continental W-670 gasoline engine.
It would also get new access hatches on the top hull, and the radio equipment was moved to the rear of the turret.

It was supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war, like the Free French Forces which used a lot of these tanks in the Battle of Normandy, Battle for Paris and in the Battle of The Bulge.
The A3 would only see a short production time and was discontinued for the M5 after 3,427 units build.

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■ Information obtained from several sites.
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■ the.shadock.free.fr/Tanks_in_France

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