Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4909 US M5A1 Stuart “Diana” Rabat, Morocco, July 1943

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.

Elements of the U.S. Military and British Commonwealth countries gathered in Morocco to launch an invasion on Sicily during the night of July 9 - 10 1943 called “Operation Husky”. A new camouflage scheme was authorized for the vehicles consisting of earth yellow over olive drab with the U.S. star insignia in white with a double wide white circle around the star. This was meant to prevent misidentification with the German cross. The M5A1 “Diana” had the crew names painted alongside their locations inside the tank.

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