M3A1 (USMC) - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2024-07-06T08:50:02Z

‎Description

U44629479: /* Usage in battles */ Edits

2023-08-28T04:01:16Z

‎Usage in battles: Edits

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-05-08T23:30:03Z

‎Description

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-05-08T23:23:40Z

‎Description

U28580205: Updated description format

2023-04-14T23:55:22Z

Updated description format

U38088265: /* Ammo racks */

2023-02-22T16:26:52Z

‎Ammo racks

U44629479: Edits

2023-01-23T10:53:02Z

Edits

U44629479: /* Ammunition */ Converted to transclusion

2023-01-23T10:50:49Z

‎Ammunition: Converted to transclusion

U38088265: /* In-game description */ Reformatted

2022-10-24T21:44:23Z

‎In-game description: Reformatted

U38088265: /* Main armament */

2022-09-18T11:04:12Z

‎Main armament

@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The [[M3 Stuart]] light tank was developed from [[M2A4]], consisting of many improvements to the design such as a trailing idler suspension. Additional improvements were soon implemented, primarily a new turret that came with new gun stabilizers, hydraulic turret traverse mechanism, and a turret basket for the turret crew, and the new design was named the M3A1 Stuart in 1941. The M3A1 gradually replaced the M3 light tanks in service, including the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which received them in 1942. The M3A1 would serve in the USMC in their various Pacific Campaign against the Japanese until the end of World War II. One modification performed by the USMC in 1944 was a flame-thrower tank, which used 24 M3A1 and attached a flame gun in the hull machine gun position. These modified M3A1 were nicknamed “Satan” and were used in the various battles in the Marianas.
+The [[M3 Stuart]] light tank was developed from the [[M2A4]], incorporating many improvements to the design such as a trailing idler suspension. Additional enhancements were soon implemented, primarily a new turret that came with new gun stabilizers, hydraulic turret traverse mechanism, and a turret basket for the turret crew, and the new design was named the M3A1 Stuart in 1941. The M3A1 gradually replaced the M3 light tanks in service, including in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which received them in 1942. The M3A1 would serve in the USMC during their various Pacific Campaigns against the Japanese until the end of World War II. One modification performed by the USMC in 1944 was a flamethrower tank, which used 24 M3A1 and attached a flame gun in the hull machine gun position. These modified M3A1 were nicknamed "Satan" and were used in the various battles in the Marianas.
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was first introduced with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], and is available in the US Starter Pack on the Gaijin Store. The tank, performance-wise, is the same as the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree in a unique camouflage scheme. As such, the M3A1 continues to show great mobility as characteristic of a light tank. While the 37 mm may seem anemic at its battle rating, it can still attack through enemy weak points, encouraging a gameplay of caution to wait for the right opportunity to catch the enemy off-guard on its flank as they either pass by the Stuart without noticing it, or is pre-occupied with other allies.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was first introduced with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], and is available in the US Starter Pack on the Gaijin Store. The tank, performance-wise, is the same as the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree in a unique camouflage scheme. As such, the M3A1 continues to show great mobility as characteristic of a light tank. While the 37 mm may seem anemic at its battle rating, it can still attack through enemy weak points, encouraging a gameplay of caution to wait for the right opportunity to catch the enemy off-guard on its flank as they either pass by the Stuart without noticing it, or are preoccupied with other allies.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 129: / Line 129: @@
 '''Enemies worth noting:'''
-Specific enemy vehicles that bear mentioning are firstly any Germans with the 20 mm [[KwK38 (20 mm)|KwK38]] or [[FlaK38 (20 mm)|FlaK38]] cannons, these guns might be small in calibre but can have up to 48 mm of penetration, which is enough to go through the M3A3. Combined with a rate of fore of 280 rounds per minute, and a very short reload time, these guns will very easily take out your crew before you have a chance to respond. To counter these opponents, the best chance you have is to angle your frontal armour which can make it difficult for their PzGr 40 HVAP-T 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.
+Specific enemy vehicles that bear mentioning are firstly any Germans with the 20 mm [[KwK38 (20 mm)|KwK38]] or [[FlaK38 (20 mm)|FlaK38]] cannons, these guns might be small in calibre but can have up to 48 mm of penetration, which is enough to go through the M3A3. Combined with a rate of fire of 280 rounds per minute, and a very short reload time, these guns will very easily take out your crew before you have a chance to respond. To counter these opponents, the best chance you have is to angle your frontal armour which can make it difficult for their PzGr 40 HVAP-T 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 M3A1 (USMC) 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 M3A1 (USMC)'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 M3A1 (USMC)'s and the enemy's surroundings to make sure no one will ambush the M3A1 (USMC). While charging, use the M3A1 (USMC)'s quick turns to suddenly change direction to avoid being shot if they are aiming and firing at the M3A1 (USMC). 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.

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 The [[M3 Stuart]] light tank was developed from [[M2A4]], consisting of many improvements to the design such as a trailing idler suspension. Additional improvements were soon implemented, primarily a new turret that came with new gun stabilizers, hydraulic turret traverse mechanism, and a turret basket for the turret crew, and the new design was named the M3A1 Stuart in 1941. The M3A1 gradually replaced the M3 light tanks in service, including the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which received them in 1942. The M3A1 would serve in the USMC in their various Pacific Campaign against the Japanese until the end of World War II. One modification performed by the USMC in 1944 was a flame-thrower tank, which used 24 M3A1 and attached a flame gun in the hull machine gun position. These modified M3A1 were nicknamed “Satan” and were used in the various battles in the Marianas.
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was first introduced with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], available in the US Beginner's Pack on the Gaijin Store. The tank, performance-wise, is the same as the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree in a unique camouflage scheme. As such, the M3A1 continues to show great mobility as characteristic of a light tank. While the 37 mm may seem anemic at its battle rating, it can still attack through enemy weak points, encouraging a gameplay of caution to wait for the right opportunity to catch the enemy off-guard on its flank as they either pass by the Stuart without noticing it, or is pre-occupied with other allies.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was first introduced with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], and is available in the US Starter Pack on the Gaijin Store. The tank, performance-wise, is the same as the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree in a unique camouflage scheme. As such, the M3A1 continues to show great mobility as characteristic of a light tank. While the 37 mm may seem anemic at its battle rating, it can still attack through enemy weak points, encouraging a gameplay of caution to wait for the right opportunity to catch the enemy off-guard on its flank as they either pass by the Stuart without noticing it, or is pre-occupied with other allies.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 The [[M3 Stuart]] light tank was developed from [[M2A4]], consisting of many improvements to the design such as a trailing idler suspension. Additional improvements were soon implemented, primarily a new turret that came with new gun stabilizers, hydraulic turret traverse mechanism, and a turret basket for the turret crew, and the new design was named the M3A1 Stuart in 1941. The M3A1 gradually replaced the M3 light tanks in service, including the United States Marine Corps (USMC), which received them in 1942. The M3A1 would serve in the USMC in their various Pacific Campaign against the Japanese until the end of World War II. One modification performed by the USMC in 1944 was a flame-thrower tank, which used 24 M3A1 and attached a flame gun in the hull machine gun position. These modified M3A1 were nicknamed “Satan” and were used in the various battles in the Marianas.
-The ''{{Specs|name}}''' in War Thunder was first introduced with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], available in the US Beginner's Pack on the Gaijin Store. The tank, performance-wise, is the same as the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree in a unique camouflage scheme. As such, the M3A1 continues to show great mobility as characteristic of a light tank. While the 37 mm may seem anemic at its battle rating, it can still attack through enemy weak points, encouraging a gameplay of caution to wait for the right opportunity to catch the enemy off-guard on its flank as they either pass by the Stuart without noticing it, or is pre-occupied with other allies.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was first introduced with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], available in the US Beginner's Pack on the Gaijin Store. The tank, performance-wise, is the same as the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree in a unique camouflage scheme. As such, the M3A1 continues to show great mobility as characteristic of a light tank. While the 37 mm may seem anemic at its battle rating, it can still attack through enemy weak points, encouraging a gameplay of caution to wait for the right opportunity to catch the enemy off-guard on its flank as they either pass by the Stuart without noticing it, or is pre-occupied with other allies.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]] and is identical to the [[M3A1 Stuart]] in the tech tree. The M3A1 (USMC) is available in the US Beginner's Pack on the Gaijin Store.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 ==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
-[[File:Ammoracks_M3A1 Stuart.jpg|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the M3A1 Stuart (identical)]]
+[[File:Ammoracks_M3A1 Stuart.jpg|right|thumb|x350px|[[Ammo racks]] of the M3A1 Stuart (identical)]]
-<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
+<!-- '''Last updated: 2.23.1.43''' -->
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 |-
@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 ! Visual<br>discrepancy
 |-
-| '''106''' || 71&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+70)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+105)'' || No
+| '''106''' || 99&nbsp;''(+7)'' || 52&nbsp;''(+54)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+105)'' || No
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 112: / Line 112: @@
 ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 |-
-| Coaxial || 3,250 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
+| Coaxial || 3,250 (250) || 500 || - || -
 |-
 | Pintle || 3,000 (250) || 500 || -5°/+70° || ±60°

@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 ! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull || 38.1 mm (18°) ''Upper plate'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Crew compartment sides'' <br> 15.8 mm (70°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 44.4 mm (cylindrical) ''Transmission housing''  || 25.4 mm || 12.7 mm ''Upper plate'' <br> 25.4 mm (20°) ''Lower plate'' || 15.8 mm (20°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 12.7 mm
+| Hull || 38.1 mm (18°) ''Upper plate'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Crew compartment sides'' <br> 15.8 mm (70°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 44.4 mm (cylindrical) ''Transmission housing'' || 25.4 mm || 12.7 mm ''Upper plate'' <br> 25.4 mm (20°) ''Lower plate'' || 15.8 mm (20°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 12.7 mm
 |-
-| Turret || 38.1 mm (6°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50.8 mm (spherical) ''Gun mantlet''  || colspan="2" | 31.75 mm (cylindrical) || 12.7 mm (15°) ''Front'' <br> 12.7 mm ''Rear''
+| Turret || 38.1 mm (6°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50.8 mm (spherical) ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" | 31.75 mm (cylindrical) || 12.7 mm (15°) ''Front'' <br> 12.7 mm ''Rear''
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 94: / Line 94: @@
 ! Visual<br>discrepancy
 |-
-| '''106''' || 71&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+70)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+105)'' ||  No
+| '''106''' || 71&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+70)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+105)'' || No
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 126: / Line 126: @@
 '''Enemies worth noting:'''
-Specific enemy vehicles that bear mentioning are firstly any Germans with the [[KwK38 (20 mm)|20 mm KwK/FlaK38]] cannon, this gun might be small but can have up to 64 mm of pen, which is enough to go through the M3A1 (USMC) 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 Soviet [[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.
+Specific enemy vehicles that bear mentioning are firstly any Germans with the 20 mm [[KwK38 (20 mm)|KwK38]] or [[FlaK38 (20 mm)|FlaK38]] cannons, these guns might be small in calibre but can have up to 48 mm of penetration, which is enough to go through the M3A3. Combined with a rate of fore of 280 rounds per minute, and a very short reload time, these guns will very easily take out your crew before you have a chance to respond. To counter these opponents, the best chance you have is to angle your frontal armour which can make it difficult for their PzGr 40 HVAP-T 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 M3A1 (USMC) 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 M3A1 (USMC)'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 M3A1 (USMC)'s and the enemy's surroundings to make sure no one will ambush the M3A1 (USMC). While charging, use the M3A1 (USMC)'s quick turns to suddenly change direction to avoid being shot if they are aiming and firing at the M3A1 (USMC). 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.
@@ Line 139: / Line 139: @@
 '''Pros:'''
-* Great cannon with good penetration, excellent rate of fire and gun depression; it can effectively penetrate common opponents like the [[Pz.II (Disambiguation)|Pz.II]] and [[Chi-Ha (Family)|Chi-Ha]], as well as heavy targets like the [[B1 bis]] or [[Matilda III]]
+* Great cannon with good penetration, excellent rate of fire and gun depression; it can effectively penetrate common opponents like the [[Pz.II (Family)|Pz.II]] and [[Chi-Ha (Family)|Chi-Ha]], as well as heavy targets like the [[B1 bis]] or [[Matilda III]]
-* Excellent acceleration, top speed and turning ability on all terrains; easily outruns slower opponents like the [[Pz.III (Disambiguation)|Pz.III]]
+* Excellent acceleration, top speed and turning ability on all terrains; easily outruns slower opponents like the [[Panzer III (Family)|Pz.III]]
 * Access to a vertical stabiliser which most tanks don't have, it is an advantage in close quarter encounters
-* Respectable frontal armour that, if angled, might bounce some shells from a distance (eg. Japanese 37 mm/German 20 mm)
+* Respectable frontal armour that, if angled, might bounce some shells from a distance (e.g. Japanese 37 mm/German 20 mm)
 * Small turret profile makes it harder to get hit when hull-down
 * Empty space below the turret crew can absorb poorly aimed shots, they tend to not do much damage
@@ Line 149: / Line 149: @@
 '''Cons:'''
-* Weak armour against high-penetration shells like 50 mm Kwk 39 or 76 mm F-34
+* Weak armour against high-penetration shells like 50 mm KwK39 or 76 mm F-34
 * 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

@@ Line 81: / Line 81: @@
 ==== Ammunition ====
-{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+{{:M6 (37 mm)/Ammunition|M74B1, M51B1}}
 ==== [[Ammo racks]] ====

@@ Line 200: / Line 200: @@
 The USMC variant represents an M3A1 used by the United States Marines Corps.
-=== In-game description ===
+{{break}}
 Production of the M3A1 Stuart modification got underway in April 1942, with its primary changes affecting turret construction. The turret was a horseshoe-shaped M3, though it did not have a cupola, and two triangular hatches on its roof served as exits for the crew. The gunner and reloader had periscopes. The turret rotated using a power traverse as opposed to the manually rotated M3. Its faster rotation speed required changes in its construction, in particular a basket fitted with seats for the crew members.
@@ Line 206: / Line 208: @@
 From April to August of 1942 the M3A1 was produced alongside the M3. Changes were made gradually, meaning that some later M3s featured welded bodies and new turrets. They lacked, however, the basket and power traverse, and were called Stuart Hybrids. Some early M3A1s had sponson-mounted machine guns (the intervening models plugged up the openings) and riveted bodies. By the end of February 1943, 4,621 M3A1s had been assembled, 211 of them with the Guiberson T-1020-4 engines (called Stuart IVs by the British). It is worth noting that the M3A1s with welded bodies should have been designated M3A2s, though that never actually happened.
 == Media ==

@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 {{main|M6 (37 mm)}}
-The main weapon on the M3A1 (USMC) is a 37 mm M6 cannon featuring two rounds, AP and APCBC. This is a fairly standard gun for early American tanks as it is also featured on the [[M5A1]], [[M22]] & [[LVT(A)(1)]] although some of these vehicles also include a HE round that the M3A1 (USMC) lacks. This gun 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/B2 shell), being able to penetrate most of the opponents it will face. The penetration power and gun accuracy drop a lot beyond 500 m and become unreliable past 700 m. The gun is equipped with a vertical stabiliser, giving the M3A1 (USMC) a huge advantage in some cases as you can fire precisely while moving, but keep in mind that it activates only when the tank is driving under 10 km/h.
+The main weapon on the M3A1 (USMC) is a 37 mm M6 cannon featuring two rounds, AP and APCBC. This is a fairly standard gun for early American tanks as it is also featured on the [[M5A1]], [[M22]] & [[LVT(A)(1)]] although some of these vehicles also include a HE round that the M3A1 (USMC) lacks. This gun 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. The penetration power and gun accuracy drop a lot beyond 500 m and become unreliable past 700 m. The gun is equipped with a vertical stabiliser, giving the M3A1 (USMC) a huge advantage in some cases as you can fire precisely while moving, but keep in mind that it activates only when the tank is driving under 10 km/h.
 While it lacks the post-penetration damage to disable most enemies in one shot, it can quickly finish them off with its fast reload. Knowledge of enemy vehicle layouts is essential with ammunition lacking post-penetration explosive damage. Make sure to target modules and crew positions to maximise the damage. Disabling the enemy gunner on your first shot will be critical to win engagements as you'll most likely need several shots to destroy an enemy vehicle.