M3A3 Stuart (France)

This page is about the light tank M3A3 Stuart (France). For other versions, see M3 Stuart (Family). For other uses, see M3 (Disambiguation).

▄M3A3 Stuart

▄M4A1

▄M3A3 Stuart

▄M4A1

France

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
2.3	2.7	2.7

Class:

Light tank

Research:9 200

Purchase:16 000

Show in game

Description

France operated a large number of M3A3s leased from the United States, part of the 651 light tanks operated by Free France. The 2nd Armored Division was the largest user of this tanks, meanwhile the 1st and 5th divisions operated a mix of M3A3s and M5A1s. The tanks were usually designated for recon roles and sometimes infantry support, although regular Shermans or self propelled howitzers were preferred for this. The units were kept available in Recon Armored units at the battalion level. The tanks were operated from D-Day to the end of World War II.

It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury". The M3A3 offers a good platform with a mediocre firepower for its BR. Being a Stuart, it has a very good mobility, but it has a lacklustre cannon, while the penetration is not usually a problem the tank does suffer from mediocre ammunition, and the Stuart's high speed makes it hard to aim with the stabilizer, since this stops working at high speeds. The tank however is very fast and nimble, and because of its small size, it is able to evade danger in most situations.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull25 / 25 / 25

Turret38 / 31 / 31

Crew4 people

Visibility89 %

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
• Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, MG port, transmission carter)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	25.4 mm (40°) Upper Glacis - Cheeks 25 mm (44-50°) Upper Glacis - Top 20 mm (spherical) MG port 50 mm (23-29°) Upper Glacis - joint plate 50 mm (44-46°) Upper Glacis - Bottom 44.4 mm (25-43°) Lower Glacis	25.4 mm (20°) Top 25.4 mm Bottom	12.7 mm (40-59°) + 4 mm Upper glacis 25.4 mm (cylindrical) + 4 mm Upper plate 25.4 mm (8°) Upper plate - Cheeks 25.4 mm (21°) Lower glacis	25 mm (40°) Front glacis 12.7 mm (16°) Centre and rear
Turret	38.1 mm (12-14°) Turret front 50.8 mm (spherical) + 38.1 mm (12-14°) Gun mantlet	31.75 mm 15 mm Add-on tracks	31.75 mm	12.7 mm (16°) Front 12.7 mm Centre 12.7 mm (16°) Rear

Notes:

• Suspension wheels, tracks and bogies are 15 mm thick.
• Mudguards and the rear storage box are 4 mm thick.

The frontal armour on the ▄M3A3 Stuart is pretty tough for a light tank with 25 mm on the front & sides of the hull, and a large, 50 mm thick gun mantlet covering up most of its frontal turret. When angled correctly it can bounce off quite a few shots. However it can still be easily penetrated by average guns at its battle rating. From the front, the 4 crew members are sitting pretty close together, making it highly possible to get all knocked out at once by a shell with explosive filler like the Soviet 45 mm AP or the German short 75 mm APHE. The transmission and the engine are all quite small and low, and the ammunition stowage racks are also small, reducing the chance of being immobile or suffering ammo rack detonation. There is also an empty area under the turret servants and in front of the driving compartment, which will absorb those shells with weak damage.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB65 / 8 km/h

RB and SB59 / 7 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

1 back

Weight14.4 t

Engine power

AB500 hp

RB and SB262 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB34.7 hp/t

RB and SB18.2 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	65	8	14.4	406	500	28.19	34.72
Realistic	59	7		232	262	16.11	18.19

One of the best aspects of the ▄M3A3 Stuart is its superior mobility. It has a top speed of 58 km/h and doesn't lose too much speed on soft terrains as it's tracked, making it one of the fastest tanks at the BR alongside with the famous BT series tanks. The turning ability is also amazing, since the hull is short and wide enough, allowing it to turn agilely. However, when trying to stop the tank while it is travelling at full speed, the brakes tend to be inefficient, giving it a long braking distance and making it very sluggish when stopping.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB436 → 626

RB499 → 717

SB618 → 888

Total cost of modifications8 430

9 500

Talisman cost640

Crew training4 500

Experts16 000

Aces160

Research Aces190 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

30 / 40 / 40 %

118 / 118 / 118 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 420 Cost: 470 80 Suspension Research: 380 Cost: 430 70 Brake System Research: 380 Cost: 430 70 Filters Research: 700 Cost: 790 135 Transmission Research: 550 Cost: 620 105 Engine Research: 550 Cost: 620 105	Improved Parts Research: 420 Cost: 470 80 Improved FPE Research: 380 Cost: 430 70 Crew Replenishment Research: 700 Cost: 790 135 Smoke grenade Research: 550 Cost: 620 105	Horizontal Drive Research: 420 Cost: 470 80 37mm_usa_m3_APC_ammo_pack Research: 420 Cost: 470 80 Adjustment of Fire Research: 380 Cost: 430 70 Airstrike Research: 380 Cost: 430 70 Elevation Mechanism Research: 700 Cost: 790 135 Artillery Support Research: 550 Cost: 620 105 Improved optics Research: 550 Cost: 620 105

Armaments

Main armament

37 mm M6 cannon

Vertical stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving

Ammunition174 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

3.7 → 2.9 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

37 mm M6					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	174	-10°/+20°	±180°	Vertical	19.0	26.4	32.0	35.4	37.7	3.77	3.34	3.07	2.90
Realistic					11.9	14.0	17.0	18.8	20.0

The ▄M3A3 Stuart is armed with an 37 mm M6 cannon as its main armament, the gun still packs a fierce punch if aiming at the correct area and firing at the correct distance. It is a small calibre fast-firing gun with a maximum penetration of 84 mm at 100 m (M51B1 shell), being able to penetrate most of the opponents it will face. While it lacks the post-penetration damage to knock out most enemy tanks, it can quickly finish them off with its fast reload. The penetration and trajectory drop significantly beyond 500 m. Note that the gun has a vertical stabiliser, giving the player a huge advantage in some cases, but keep in mind that the stabiliser only works when the tank is slower than 10 km/h.

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M74B1	AP	79	76	65	54	45	37
M51B1	APCBC	87	84	73	60	50	41

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M74B1	AP	883	0.87	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°
M51B1	APCBC	883	0.87	-	-	-	48°	63°	71°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M3A3 Stuart (France)

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
174	131 (+43)	87 (+87)	44 (+130)	1 (+173)	Yes

Notes:

• Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
• The visual discrepancy concerns the total number of shells as well as the number of shells per rack:
  • 144 shells are modeled but you can pack 174 shells.
  • Rack 1 is modeled as 3 shells but contains 43 shells.
  • Rack 2 is modeled as 52 shells but contains 44 shells.
  • Rack 3 is modeled as 24 shells but contains 43 shells.
  • Rack 4 is modeled as 55 shells but contains 44 shells.
• To go into battle with the turret and the flanks empty of ammo, pack 44 (+130) shells (racks 1 to 3 emptied).

Machine guns

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun

Ammunition4 500 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition3 000 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	4,500 (250)	500	-10°/+70°	-60°/+15°
Coaxial	3,250 (250)	500	N/A	N/A

The M3A3 has two M1919A4 machine guns, one being coaxial to the main gun and the other roof-mounted. The two machine guns can quickly incapacitate the exposed crews on some vehicles or do some serious damage to those low-flying aircraft. The machine gun will only destroy poorly protected vehicles such as AS 42, FlakPanzer I and GAZ-AAA. The penetration of around 10 mm is not enough to go through the frontal armour of those light armoured tank destroyers like SU-5-1, Panzerjager 1 or 15cm sIG 33 B Sfl.

Usage in battles

The M3A3 Stuart is best used as a point-capper and a hit-n-run tank. Its extreme mobility gives the player uncountable ways to play with the enemy. At the start of a battle, it can quickly cap a nearby point first, but note that some wheeled vehicles, like the Sd.Kfz.234 series in a mixed battle can still outrun the M3A3 on-road, therefore posing a great threat. Or it can get to an ambush position near the point and wait until the prey comes. With its reliable gun, the M3A3 should be able to destroy the first wave of enemies easily and quickly.

In the middle stages of a battle, the M3A3 can utilise its excellent mobility and get to wherever needs help while carefully looking around. If the M3A3 unexpectedly encounter an enemy in its path, don't panic! Circle around the enemy and try to force it to turn, this way it usually cannot aim at the M3A3 accurately, then reduce the M3A3's speed down under 10 km/h and keep moving. Now the M3A3's stabiliser will give the tank a great chance to hit while on the move as it stabilises the gun when the tank is under 10 km/h, making it easier time to put the gun on target while moving compared to the enemy.

The frontal armour of this tank is also quite good at a distance. Find a building or a big rock as cover and angle the hull for about 40 degrees. When ready to fire, go out of cover and stop once the 37 mm gun is exposed, don't go out too much or the thin side armour will be exposed to be hit. Keep in mind that with this tactic the player should only engage the low-penetrating enemies at more than 400 m, as their penetration will drop significantly at that distance while the M3A3 can still penetrate 73 mm of armour, which is enough to go through most of its opponents like the T-50, SU-76M or Crusader Mk III.

Enemies worth noting:

Specific enemy vehicles that bear mentioning are firstly any Germans with the 20 mm KwK/FlaK38 cannon, this gun might be small but can have up to 64 mm of penetration, which is enough to go through the M3A3 almost anywhere. These guns can also fire 10 rounds at 280 rounds/min before having to reload the clip, meaning that they will very easily take out your crew before you have a chance to respond. To counter, the best chance you have is to angle your frontal armour which can make it difficult for the PzGr 40 rounds to penetrate. The Russian T-50 and T-126 are vehicles you will also see commonly, these have fairly thick and angled frontal armour that will prevent you from easily getting through. These tanks can also carry an APHEBC round that will destroy you in one shot with little difficulty, to counter you should use your speed to attempt to get a side shot into either the turret or engine. If the T-50 cannot move you can outrun its turret and finish it without much difficulty.

It is likely that the M3A3 will encounter some rough heavies, like the Matilda III and the B1 bis. The best tactic against these types of targets is to use the M3A3's fast speed, get within 200 m from them and attack, with shooting at point-blank range being the most effective way. Before conducting an attack, check the M3A3's and the enemy's surroundings to make sure no one will ambush the M3A3. While charging, use the M3A3's quick turns to suddenly change direction to avoid being shot if they are aiming and firing at the M3A3. Once the tank is at the ideal distance, manoeuvre so that the gun is perpendicular to their armour. Do not shoot if the enemy is angling! The small calibre 37 mm gun is very likely to bounce off or not penetrate against sloped armour.

For the Matilda III, shoot at the middle of the near-vertical frontal plate to knock out the driver first, since the 37 mm shell is not enough to knock out the gunner after penetrating. Once it is immobile, go to its side and finish it by shooting its hull sides. Or, shoot the right side of the gun mantlet to disable its gunner. For the best chance of penetration, do not shoot its turret side.

For the B1, either aim for the near-vertical frontal armour plate at the right side of the hull, or the turret ring to incapacitate the commander/gunner, or simply move to its side and knock out the crews one by one by hitting its flat side armour.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great firepower: cannon has good penetration, excellent rate of fire and gun depression of -10 degrees, allowing the M3 to manoeuvre to any terrain and adapt to it well
• Excellent acceleration, top speed and turning ability on all terrains; easily outruns common opponents like the Pz.III and Crusader
• Access to a vertical stabiliser which most tanks don't have, giving it an advantage in a sudden encounter
• Respectable sloped armour that, if angled, might bounce some shells from a distance, such as the 37 mm M6 on other M3 Stuarts
• Small turret profile makes it harder to get hit

Cons:

• Weak armour against high-penetration shells like the 76 mm F-34/ZIS-5
• Its shells do not have explosive filler, severely limiting the post-penetration effect especially against spacious tanks like the LVT(A)(1)
• Inefficient brakes when trying to stop the tank at full speed
• Hull is fairly tall for a light tank and the crews are closely packed, reducing its survivability
• While fast, it is still slower than the Sd.Kfz.234 series on the road

History

The US lend-leased a total of 651 light tanks to the Free French forces, including 273 M3A3s, delivered prior to D-Day. All the light tanks of 2nd French Armoured Div. were M3A3s during the 1944 fighting in France. 1st and 5th Divisions had a mix of M3A3 and M5A1. Three of the five armoured recon battalions integral to the Free French infantry divisions also had a mixed fleet, while the 2 non-divisional armoured recon battalions, the 1st and 2nd Spahis Algeriens, were entirely M3A3-equipped. They would continue in service from D-Day until the end of the war in Europe.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M3A3 Stuart (France) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The M3A3 Stuart (France) Light Tank - Orangefan

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

• M5 Stuart (Family)
• M8 General Scott (Family)

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• A13 Mk II 1939

External links

• [Wikipedia] M3 Stuart
• [Tanks Encyclopedia] Light Tank M3 Stuart

U.S. Army Ordnance Department/Corps*
Light tanks	T18E2 · M24 (Designed in collaboration with Cadillac)
M3 Stuart	M3 · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC)
M5 Stuart	M5A1
Medium tanks	M3 Lee
M4 Sherman	M4 · M4A1 · M4A2 · M4A3 (105) · Calliope
	M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (76) W
M26 Pershing	T20 · T25 · M26 · M26E1 · M26 T99
Patton Series	M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47
Prototypes	T54E1 · T95E1
Heavy tanks	M103
M4 Jumbo	M4A3E2 · Cobra King · M4A3E2 (76) W
M6 Heavy	M6A1 · M6A2E1 · T1E1
M26 Pershing	T26E1-1 · T26E5
Prototypes	T14
T29	T29 · T30 · T34
T-32	T32 · T32E1
Tank destroyers	M3 GMC · M10 GMC · M56
M8 GMC	M8 HMC · M8A1 GMC
M36 GMC	M36 GMC · M36B2
Prototypes	T28 · T95
SPAAGs
Production	M19 MGMC · M42
Export/Captured	␗M8 HMC · SU-57
Stuart	Stuart I · Stuart III · ␗M3A3 Stuart · ␗M3A3 (1st PTG) · ▄M3A3 · ▄M3A3 Stuart · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) · ␗M5A1
Lee/Grant	▂M3 Medium · ▃Grant I · Grant I
M4 Sherman	Sherman II · ▄M4A1 · ␗M4A1 (75) W · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▂M4A2 · ▄M4A3 (105) · ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▄M4A3E2
	␗M4A4 · ␗M4A4 (1st PTG) · ▄Sherman V · ▄M4A4 · ▄Sherman I Composito
M26 Pershing	M26 "D.C.Ariete" · M26A1
M47 Patton	mKPz M47 G · ▅M47
M10 GMC	␗M10 GMC · ▄M10 GMC
M36 GMC	␗M36 GMC · M36B1 · ▅M36 · ▄M36B2
M19 MGMC	▅M19A1
M42 MGMC	▅M42 · ␗M42
	*The Ordnance Department was renamed to the Ordnance Corps after the Army Reorganization Act of 1950.