Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4907 US M5A1 Stuart “Sloppy Joe” 92nd Cavalry Recon. Sqn., Germany, Jan 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.

The 12th Armored Division used geometric signs on the front hull as a means of identifying the tank, unit, battalion, squadron etc. The tank belonged to the 92nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and called “Sloppy Joe” after the American sandwich of the same name. The 12th AD arrived in England on October 2, 1944 and then France a month later. In early January 1945 the 12th AD suffered heavy losses at Herrlisheim trying cross the Rhine. In mid January the 12th AD was relieved to regroup and in February was much more successful.

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