M5A1 Stuart Late Hull Late Turret

Add the M5A1 Stuart Late Hull Late Turret to your WWII tabletop force, historical miniature collection, or diorama. This made-to-order model is available in a choice of scales; select your preferred scale from the dropdown.

The M5A1 Stuart—specifically the "Late Hull / Late Turret" production variant—was the definitive, final evolution of the American light tank series used by US, British, and Allied forces during World War II. Built to address the vulnerabilities discovered during early-war combat, this late-production model married a highly optimized, clean hull layout with an advanced turret configuration designed to maximize crew safety and efficiency.

Design and Bodywork

• Chassis & Manufacturer: Built predominantly by the Cadillac Division of General Motors and American Car and Foundry. The M5 configuration separated itself from earlier M3 Stuarts by introducing a completely welded, sloped armor layout.
• The Late Hull Profile: Features a completely flat, steeply angled glacis plate. Unlike early and mid-production M5A1s, the late hull completely eliminated the prominent protruding sponson escape hatches on the hull sides, creating a cleaner, more streamlined armored profile that reduced shot traps. It also added a characteristic heavy steel guard over the rear engine deck to shield the air intake from debris and small arms.
• The Late Turret Structure: Outfitted with the final, optimized "high-bustle" turret layout. This variant featured a distinct, elongated rear storage bustle to house the SCR-508 radio unit, which cleared vital internal space for the crew. It is easily recognized by a prominent, heavy armored shield on the right side of the turret roof to protect the anti-aircraft machine gun mount, alongside a redesigned, quick-release commander’s hatch.
• Interior Access: Entry was gained through two redesigned, flip-open hatches on the forward hull deck for the driver and bow gunner, or via the split commander/gunner hatch configuration directly on top of the turret roof.

Technical Specifications

• Engine: Twin Cadillac Series 42 V8 water-cooled petrol engines running through a hydro-electric transfer box, producing a combined 220 horsepower.
• Transmission: 4-speed Cadillac Hydra-Matic automatic transmission (highly praised by crews for making the tank incredibly agile and easy to drive compared to manual European counterparts).
• Drive Configuration: Tracked suspension utilizing the reliable Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS) system, with the drive sprockets located at the front and trailing idler wheels at the rear.
• Fuel Capacity: 89 US gallons (approx. 337 liters) split across internal tanks, giving it an operational road range of roughly 100 miles.
• Top Speed: Exceptionally fast, reaching up to 36 mph (58 km/h) on paved roads and maintaining impressive high-speed cross-country mobility.
• Weight & Dimensions: Total combat weight of roughly 17 tons. Length ~14 ft 3 in (4.34 m), Width ~7 ft 4 in (2.24 m), Height ~7 ft 6 in (2.30 m).

Capacity & Utility

• Armament: Main battery consisted of a 37mm M6 gun mounted in the turret, paired with a coaxial .30 caliber M1919A4 Browning machine gun. Secondary armament included another .30 caliber ball-mounted machine gun in the bow hull and a flexible .30 or .50 caliber machine gun on the turret roof for anti-aircraft defense.
• Ammunition Payload: Carried a massive internal payload of 147 rounds of 37mm ammunition packed into protected floor lockers, alongside up to 6,500 rounds of machine gun ammunition.
• Crew: 4 personnel (Commander and Gunner in the turret; Driver and Bow Gunner/Assistant Driver in the forward hull).

Wartime Legacy

• Production: Production of this highly refined late-war configuration hit its stride between late 1943 and mid-1944. Out of the 6,810 total M5A1s built, these late-hull/late-turret vehicles represented the peak of American light armor technology during the conflict.
• Notable Service: Deployed extensively during the invasion of Normandy, the push through Northwestern Europe, and the brutal island-hopping campaigns in the Pacific theater. While its 37mm gun was completely obsolete against heavy German tanks like Panthers and Tigers, its speed, mechanical reliability, and refined late-model crew visibility made it a legendary reconnaissance and infantry support vehicle.

Designer: M Bergman
Manufacturer: S&C Foundry
Associated Army: American
Era: WWII
Product features: Printed with high-quality ABS-like gray resin.

This is a 3D-printed product and may have minor imperfections. Some assembly and removal of print supports may be required.