Japanese M3 stuart

[Grzegames]

[Would you like to see this in-game?]

• Yes
• No

Japanese M3 stuart (日本語M3スチュアート)
M3 tanks were captured by the Japanese in the Philippines and Burma. The exact number of all tanks that the Japanese captured is not known (about 12 in the Philippines, how many in Burma are unknown). They were used in combat from 1942 to 1945. They fought in the Philippines in 1942 and 1944, in India and in Saipan.
Combat use of Japanese M3
For the first time, the captured M3s took part in the capture of the island of Corregidor. The Japanese landing on Corregidor Island was supported by one captured M3 and two Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks. Fighting began on the night of May 5, and thanks to the support of tanks, which weakened American morale, the defending American troops surrendered on May 6. The next confirmed use of M3 tanks was the Battle of Imphal, where the 14th Tank Regiment took part, whose 1st, 2nd, 3rd company was equipped with M3 tanks. On the first day of the operation, these tanks managed to destroy the British M3 lee tank, but due to a lack of supplies and the great force of the British counteroffensive, the 14th Tank Regiment was destroyed and its remnants retreated to Thailand.The next place where Japanese tanks fought was the defense of the Philippines in 1944-1945. It is not known how many Japanese M3s fought there, but it is certain that they did not stand a chance against American infantry and American tanks.There is photographic evidence that at least one M3 fought the Americans on Saipan. The last Japanese M3 tanks surrendered after the Japanese surrender and were in Timor.

Japanese M3 Stuart Tanks

Japanese M3 Stuart Tanks Art

Construction description
The difference between the American and Japanese M3 tanks:

1. No M1919 anti-aircraft rifle
2. In the photos, the Japanese M3 have the side fenders pulled down
3. Some photos show that the side MGs M1919A4 7.62 caliber have been removed

The Japanese army has not introduced any improvements of its own

Japanese M3 in the game
The Japanese version of the M3 thanks to the above modification will differ visually from the American M3, so I suggest that the Japanese version has a flag mounted on top of the turret as in this photo. This will add a unique visual effect that will allow you to distinguish between the American and the Japanese M3.

Specifications

• Length: 4.53 m
• Width: 2.64 m
• Weight: 2.24 m
• Height: 12,7 t
• Top speed: 58 km/h
• Crew: 4
• Operational range: 113 km
• Engine: Continental W-670-9A 262hp (2400rpm)

Armor

• Hull: 44mm 67° front, 25mm 90° sides, 25mm 70° rear, 13mm 0° (front) 10mm 0°(rear) top/bottom
• Super­structure: 16mm 21°(lower) 38mm 73°(upper) front, 25mm 90° sides , 25mm 90°(lower) 25mm 70°(lower) rear, 13mm 0° top/bottom
• Turret: 38mm 80° front, 25mm 90° side, 25mm 90° rear, 13mm 0-15° top
• Mantlet: 38mm 76-90° front

Armament

• Main armament: 1 x 37mm Gun M5 (103 shells)
• Guns: 4 x 7,62 caliber MG M1919A4 (coaxial, bow, 2 x sponson) or 2 x .30 caliber MG M1919A4 (coaxial, bow) (8270 rounds)

Summary
The Japanese M3 Stuart tanks would be very interesting vehicles for Japan in War Thunder. It will provide a different playstyle for Japanese light tanks due to its better handling characteristics, and the M5 gun is comparable to the 47mm gun used on Japanese tanks, which will ensure that it will be a useful vehicle. I encourage you to discuss in the comments and to share your own knowledge on this topic.
Finally, I apologize for the linguistic and logical errors because unfortunately English is not my main language and I had to use google translator.

Sources

M3軽戦車 - Wikipedia
インパール作戦 - Wikipedia
Japoński czołg lekki “M3 Stuart” : r/TankPorn (reddit.com)
Japanese M3 “Stuart” : r/Warthunder (reddit.com)
Captured M3 Stuart (Premium) - Passed for Consideration - War Thunder - Official Forum
Japanese Use of Captured Equipment - Page 5 - Axis History Forum
Japoński M3 Stuart Saipan | Zdjęcia z wojny światowej (worldwarphotos.info)
機械的信頼性が高かったM3/M5スチュワート軽戦車（アメリカ） ｜ 歴史人 (rekishijin.com)

[Exocetta]

I so wish Gaijin had decided to make the nation trees the “Nation of Origin” of vehicles only…

[Person4772]

Please no more copy paste at low tier. we have enough Stuarts in the various techtrees ingame already

[DMYEugen]

+1 Absolutely. Anything to give Japan more vehicles. Japan captured early M3 Stuarts with the sponson MGs as well so Japan could get 2 Stuarts. 3 if you consider the British Stuart they captured to be a separate variant.

[BillyBobDa3rd]

That first picture does have them

[Exocetta]

Japan has plenty of low tier tanks. That isn’t their tree’s problem. But I could see this as maybe a reskin premium or an event vehicle.
But.
The capture of these vehicles have some unsavory history associated with them (Bataan Death March) that Gaijin might not want to memorialize with a special vehicle.

[EddieVanHalo]

Just getting tired of competing against the same tank I am in.Its so 80s.

Every side with the same set of tank shaped pixels.

[Pangolin_Fan]

We need LESS American stuff in Japanese TT, NOT MORE.

[PercussionCap]

+1, all the low tier japanese tanks suck.

[Grzegames]

The Japanese army had a joke during the war that the best tank used in combat was the M3. The Japanese appreciated the M3 very much

[Exocetta]

Cite source. :P

[Grzegames]

japanese wiki after translation

[l2ulan]

+1 as long as Japanese paint and decals are applied, good Premium/Squadron/Event candidate.

[MAUSWAFFE]

@Exocetta

not speedrun thru them with a vanilla generic tank

Though that is the point of a premium, which is where this would fit rather well.

[jon_man1199]

Honestly being that the Japanese used it I’d be fine with it popping up as a premium. More captured tanks would be neat to have as event/BP/regular premiums, ditto with named vehicles.

[shooter1962]

No, just freaking NO!!!..
Now as a squadron vehicle Ok maybe.
Premium only if it’s held to reality and not up tiered to something it never was as captured and modified.
The issue to my point of view is Japan only captured a small portion of these. The issue that the Japan tree needs this is not worthy of discussion because Japan didn’t produce anything during WWII era that even remotely comes close. My view is the trees should reflect reality not wishes , or dreams.

[PercussionCap]

@shooter1962

My view is the trees should reflect reality not wishes , or dreams.

Well, the reality is that they used the M3.

[jon_man1199]

Aye, and actually it’s also kind of neat in the after-action report done by US Forces this particular image was accompanied by a note stating simply “Japanese Light Tank knocked out by Airstrike”

[SinisterIsRandom]

Your opinion is respected but thrown into the paper shredder. Any vehicle for Japan is welcomed cause we get absolutely nothing almost ever.

[SinisterIsRandom]

I wouldn’t say suck however they don’t perform as efficiently compared to other nations. Unless they’re used very cautiously compared to aggressively.