Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4905 US M5A1 Stuart “HOTHEAD” 4th Marine Tank Bttn., Namur, Kwajalein Atoll 1944

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.

The 4th Marine Tank Battalion was formed on May 12, 1943 at Camp Pendleton, California. With the exception of 2 officers, the entire battalion consisted of reservists and it was the first unit to capture Japanese held territory in the Pacific. The 4th MTB participated in battles on Kwajalein, Saipan and their last major operation Iwo Jima. On January 31, 1944 during the Battle of Kwajalein the 4th Marine Division captured the small islands code named Ivan, Jacob, Albert, Allen and Abraham before landing on Roi-Namur on February 1st. M5A1 “Hothead” of the 4th MTB Company Alpha helped the US forces capture the island by February 4, 1944. Of the 3,500 Japanese defenders only 51 survived.

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