PLAY
Ground Vehicles
M3 Stuart
I
Rank
AB
1.7
RB
2.0
SB
2.0
Battle rating
USA
Game nation
Light tank
Main role
2,900
RP
Research
700
SL
Purchase
General information

The M3 is the first variant of the M3 light tank family. While observing events in Europe and Asia during World War II, American tank designers noticed the M2 was becoming increasingly obsolete and set about improving the design. The M3 was developed following the German invasion of France during World War II. The fast collapse of France prompted the U.S. Army to consider a new doctrine, which resulted in an independent U.S. armoured force. The M3 was an improved design with thicker armour, redesigned suspension, and a new gun recoil system. The vehicle's production began in March 1941 and lasted until October 1943. Furthermore, the M3 chassis served as the basis for a variety of weaponry throughout the war (for example, the 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 (HMC), also known as the M8 "Scott").

Introduced in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals", the M3 is a U.S. Army light tank that shares many common characteristics with the M2 light tank family. With a better engine, slightly improved armour thickness, and a more reliable transmission system, the M3 is able to manoeuvre around the battlefield extremely easily. In general, it offers a very similar playstyle to a light attack or scouting vehicle, making it well-suited for beginners to learn and experience the beginning of the U.S. Army ground forces. Many variants of the M3 light tanks family were also seen in service in many other countries throughout the world during World War II, which is reflected in the ground forces in many other nations in War Thunder.


Camouflages:

Survivability and armour
Armour front / side / back
Hull 44 / 25 / 25 mm
Turret 38 / 25 / 25 mm
Visibility 88 %
Crew 4 persons
Mobility
Max speed
Forward 5056 km/h
Backward 67 km/h
Power-to-weight ratio 20.618.339.432 hp/t
Engine power 262232500406 hp
Weight 12.7 t
Optics
Gunner
Commander
Driver
Optics zoom
1.9x–3.5x
Armaments
37 mm M5 cannon
Ammunition 103 rounds
Reload basic crew → aces
3.7 → 2.9 s
Vertical guidance -10 / 20°
Turret Rotation Speed basic crew → aces
Horizontal 1411.926.419201737.627.2 °/s
Vertical 2.82.29.86.343.2149 °/s

AmmunitionTypeArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
AP777464534436
APCBC868371594940
7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun
Ammunition 2,000 rounds
Belt capacity 250 rounds
Reload basic crew → aces
10.4 → 8 s
Fire rate 500 shots/min
Vertical guidance -10 / 70°
Horizontal guidance -60 / 60°
Turret Rotation Speed basic crew → aces
Horizontal 6353.6118.685.79076.5169.4122.4 °/s
Vertical 6350.4220.5141.19072315201.6 °/s

BeltBelt fillingArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
AP/T13127320
3 x 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition 6,250 rounds
Belt capacity 250 rounds
Reload basic crew → aces
10.4 → 8 s
Fire rate 500 shots/min

BeltBelt fillingArmor penetration (mm) at a distance:
10 m100 m500 m1000 m1500 m2000 m
AP/T13127320
Economy
Repair cost Basic → Reference
AB 100 → 129 SL
RB 87 → 112 SL
SB 114 → 147 SL
Crew training 200 SL
Experts 96,000 SL
Aces 20 GE
Research Aces 1,000 RP
Reward multiplier AB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 10 % SL
100 % RP
Total cost of modifications 2,970 RP
890 SL
Talisman cost 190 GE

Research order:

Mobility
Protection
Firepower
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