"Modeling an M5 Stuart" Topic

What is that on the turret?
It doesn't look like tracks..

They definitely are tracks.

Is it not tracks without the rubber blocks and cleets?

Correct -track links or blocks.

Track grousers for attaching to tracks to improve traction in poor conditions.

Yep, these are grousers -- milweb.net/webvert/99710

Jim

thanks all

For you experts, why didn't they up gun the Stuart to, at least, to a 57mm when they created the M-5?

I expect it was space in the turret for the larger weapon and bigger ammo.

Not tracks exactly. Rather, track grousers. Metal cleats to be added to the tracks for deep snow, muddy or icy conditions. The recommended ratio was about 1 grouser added to every 4th link.

For you experts, why didn't they up gun the Stuart to, at least, to a 57mm when they created the M-5?

Because they didn't know they needed to up-gun the Stuart when they developed the M5.

The M5 went into production in 1942, before the US Army forces had landed in French North Africa. The US Army considered the 37mm gun as perfectly adequate for AT work at that time, putting it not only in the Stuart but even in tank destroyers (both the M6 "Fargo", and the M8 Greyhound, which was initially developed to be a light TD before being turned over to the Armored Recon and Mech Cav).

On the M3 Lee / Grant, the 37mm in the turret was considered the primary anti-tank weapon, with the 75mm in the hull sponson being considered mainly for use against emplaced defenses.

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Funny thing about grousers. I always associate them with Stuart turrets or the hull of TDs esp the M10 and model them as such. But I have never seen a Sherman carrying or using grousers, although the tracks are those of the M10. OK, duckbills, even on the inner and outer edge of tracks, but never a grouser…..?