Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4904 M5A1 Light Tank Free French, 1st Squadron, 2nd Regt. “chasseurs d’Afrique”, 1st Armored Div. Rhine Crossing, April 1945

Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Turret turns Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks

With the German victories in Europe using mobile firepower the development of light tanks became a priority. In early 1942 the GMC Cadillac Division developed the M5 series called the Stuart by the British. By September 1942 the improved M5A1 was developed. Originally equipped with a .30 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun most tank crews upgraded to the .50 caliber machine gun. In Europe the Stuart proved too ineffective against the larger German AFV’s making it an easy target. The M5A1 proved adequate in the Pacific against Japanese armor.

On August 15, 1944 the US 1st Airborne Task Force parachuted onto the Provence Coast of southern France as elements of the US 7th Army made an amphibious landing. This was the beginning of “Operation Anvil” also known as “Operation Dragoon”. The next day a force comprised mostly of the Free French 1st Army landed and was charged with liberating the ports of Marseille and Toulon. The purpose of the operation was to provide ports for Allied troop supplies as well as pushing north to join up with Allied forces from the Normandy landing thereby cutting off any escape route for German forces in western France. The Free French Army was the first to reach the Rhone, the Rhine and the Danube.

Specifications for the M5A1 light tank Number Produced 1942 to 1944 - 6,810 Crew - 4 / Commander, Gunner, Driver, Co-Driver Performance Powerplant - 2 x Cadillac Series 42 V-8 water-cooled engines, 110 hp per engine Fuel Capacity - approximately 85 U.S. Gallons Maximum Speed - 37 mph Range - 100 miles Turning Radius - 21 ft Weight - 16.8 tons Dimensions Length - 14 ft 3 in Width - 7 ft 6 in Height - 8 ft 5 in Armament 1 x 37 mm M6 main gun with 147 rounds M6 ammunition - M51B1 and M51B2 A.P.C. (Armor Piercing Capped), M74 A.P. (Armor Piercing), M63 H.E. (High Explosive) 1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) M1919A5 coaxial machine gun 1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) bow M1919A4 machine gun Originally 1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) cupola mounted M1919A4 machine gun upgraded in the field to 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) machine gun with 6,500 machine gun rounds