1:72 scale diecast tank from the Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG4901. M5 Stuart Diecast Model Tank US Army 3rd Armored Div, "Victory", Northern Europe.

Length 3 inches
Wingspan 1.5 inches

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 3rd Armored Division entered combat July 9 1944 and weren�t part of Patton�s 3rd Army. Often assigned as the lead element earned the 3AD the nickname "Spearhead". They fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Falaise Gap, Ruhr Pocket and others. The 3AD was the first Allied unit to enter Germany, to breach the Siegfried Line and first to capture a German town, Roetgen. There were fifteen U.S. Armored divisions in Europe during WWII and 3AD saw the most combat, inflicted the most damage and suffered the most casualties.