Stuart VI Recce (was: Stuart Recce replacement)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Excellent Stefan, looks like really good progress!
Can’t wait to see it running.

[Gunner]

Hide the tracks with your hand and, voila: the M113 1/2 Lynx!

Mike

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Neil Ashley
The machine gun ring whilst sensible is probably going a bit further than most of the improvised conversions pictured.

The Americans from memory also did a limited standard version of this vehicle.

Neil,

I spoke to the owner and he showed me the picture that inspired him: it was a picture of the T8 or T8E1 Reconnaissance vehicle.
Reportedly, the Commonwealth Stuart Recce inspired the US Army to standardise the concept, resulting in the T8/T8E1 Reconnaissance vehicle based on the M5A1 Light Tank. But after testing in 1944, the Armored Board only ordered that Theater Commanders be made aware that conversion kits could be made available. I doubt they were actually used in action, let alone in substantial numbers.

Anyway, I did not want sound pedantic and tell the owner who spends his own time, sweat and money on this vehicle that it is "wrong". Luckily he did not fit mine racks on the hull sides and some other features which are typical of the T8/T8E1, so if you hide the MG ring with your hand like Gunner suggested, you see a Stuart VI Recce.

First I thought this conversion was carried out by a friend of mine, but it turned out the current owner converted this Recce tank from the sand coloured Stuart with replica turret, which is well-known from its car crushing performances at Beltring. So there is a second Stuart restored as a Recce tank in the UK. Anyone seen it?

Hanno

[Hanno Spoelstra]

In In the background, Alex posted a picture of a Stuart VI Recce on the "Grote markt" in Bergen op Zoom, Holland.

H.

BergenZoom-2.jpg

[Alex van de Wetering]

Two Recce Stuart V's and one with turret. city Archives of Ede.

source: http://www1.ede.nl/atlantis/?applica...l_per_pagina=9


Alex

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

Close up of a scan of image #NAC PA204157 from Illustrated History of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps 2000 RCACA by John Marteinson and Michael McNorgan.

Caption states: "Honey Tank of the Strathcona Recce Troop at the 'Benedictine' Crossroads, on their way to seizure of a bridgehead over the Melfa River."

So 24 May 1944 in Italy.

regards
Darrell

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi

I was just thinking to myself (safer that way) that maybe Sparrow's Uncle could be talking about an M24 "Chaffee". I know it was 18.5t and the gun was 75mm but it did have twin Cadillacs and that 75mm was rather a short barrel. Also it certainly was "new".

I know Canada had them for a short time but did we have then in Europe in 1945? I know some Brits did.

Just a thought.

regards
Darrell

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

In In the background, Alex posted a picture of a Stuart VI Recce on the "Grote markt" in Bergen op Zoom, Holland.

Anti-Tank troops have an OP tank for the troop commander. In the case of the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment of the 5th Armoured Division, they are using turretless Stuarts in that role (see photo below). I went through the photos on the Bergen op Zoom site and there appears to be only one turretless Stuart VI. All of the other Stuarts have their turrets. There are also photos on the site showing 17pdr M-10s belonging to J Troop of the 5th A/T Regt. Could it be that the lone turretless Stuart VI is the OP tank (RJ) from the anti-tank troop?

[Gunner]

Hi John:

I thought so too for a moment but a closer examination of the Bergen Op Zoom Stuart shows that it is an M5 with the raised rear deck and vertical sides (twin caddies). The 5th ATk Stuarts are M3A3 with the level deck and sloped sides (radial engine).

Mike in Mali

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by John McGillivray

Anti-Tank troops have an OP tank for the troop commander. In the case of the 4th Anti-Tank Regiment of the 5th Armoured Division, they are using turretless Stuarts in that role (see photo below). I went through the photos on the Bergen op Zoom site and there appears to be only one turretless Stuart VI. All of the other Stuarts have their turrets. There are also photos on the site showing 17pdr M-10s belonging to J Troop of the 5th A/T Regt. Could it be that the lone turretless Stuart VI is the OP tank (RJ) from the anti-tank troop?

John,

I never knew turretless Stuarst were used in the OP role. Yes, I think you could be right.

Thanks,
Hanno