C Co. 194th Tank Bn. Philippines 1941-42 - question about M-3 tank

[BeansEnHay]

Can anyone confirm for me this tank is the M-3 used by the 194th Tank Bn during the Defense of the Philippines ?  I would also like to know the nomenclature. I think M-3 was a series of tanks, but there must have been many. I saw one of these on a base once, but it was so small I honestly thought it was Japanese.

thank you

[Rakkasan187]

This looks like a very early M3, initially I thought it was an M2A4 which was the precursor to the M3 series light tanks. I can't comment on the unit though.

 

The 1st Armored Division Museum has both an M3 Stuart and an M5 Stuart light tank in their collection.

 

The Squadron Signal Book #2018 (Armor #18) "Stuart US Light Tanks in action" have some good images of the early M2A4s and the progression to the M3 series and it also has an image of an M3 of the 192nd Tank Battalion supporting the 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) on December 10, 1941. There is also an image of captured Stuarts used by the Japanese. 

 

Leigh 

[BeansEnHay]

The 194th received a very early version, if not the first. It had a riveted hull and when the vehicle was hit by fire the rivets would sometimes pop off and injure crewman. Later models had the hulls welded. Thanks for your reply.

[BeansEnHay]

Leigh,

your M2A4 comment led me to an article about the 194th Tank’s training  at Ft.Lewis. The M-2  is the vehicle they trained on at Lewis. The 194th received 54 brand new Stuart M-3 Light Tanks when the arrived at their embarkation point in California and began training on them in the Philippines.  There are lots of differences, but similar vehicles.

M-2

Stuart M-3 Light Tank

 

Rob