Stuart VI Recce (was: Stuart Recce replacement)

[Ron Goldstein]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Although a turretless Stuart VI Recce exists, pictures of them in use are scare. Here are some Honeys with the turret removed as used by Recce Troop of the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars (RAC) (source)

Hi Gents

I know I've posted here before, but browsing the internet just now I came across these fascinating photos of Stuart tanks that had the turrets removed. I went back to my diaries and found the following:

My first shock on joining "A" Squadron was to find the following:
l. I had been assigned as wireless operator to the SSM (Squadron Sergeant Major), one Sgt. Major "Busty" Thomas, as Welsh as it was possible to be.
2. His tank wasn’t the nice, solid-looking Sherman on which I had been trained for the past three months, but was instead a Stuart tank from the 8th Army desert days. To make matters worse its turret had been removed and the only protection "up top" was a canvas hood that was designed to keep the rain off.
3. The SSM's job on the battlefield was to act as nursemaid to the squadron, and this involved anything and everything that no-one else had been detailed for, including picking up stragglers, prisoners, the wounded, and in fact every job that no one else could be spared for, or, would want to do.

Full article below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar/s...a2310003.shtml

Cheers

Ron

ps
Sorry to confuse you good folk but I've just realised that my previous posting was made under my nom-de-plume of "49th Light Ack Ack"......that's the problem with changing horses in midstream

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Ron Goldstein

I went back to my diaries and found the following:

Dear Ron,

Great to have a veteran among us. Thanks for your contribution

Best regards,
Hanno

[Dutchy]

Hi gents, newbie here.
I hope you don't mind my commenting, but I've just finished reading a great book called Taming The Panzers - Monty's Tank Battalions (3RTR at War) where the turretless modification to the Stuart gets a mention.

The reasoning behind removing the turret in the first place was apparently that it stuck up too high over the 'bocage' hedging in France when the recce units were belting round the small lanes. As the turret (a) offered minimal protection, (b) made an ideal target and (c) the armament was pretty useless by then, it was therefore decided to get rid.

Apparently after removing the turret, the 3RTR recce Sqn guys welded a semi-circle of steel (usually from a knocked out Sherman or suchlike) over half the remaining hole and mounted a MG on the new base.

Unfortunately, the book was woefully short of pics of the conversion.

HTH

[Dutchy]

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing a turretless Stuart model I've just finished.

It's based on a Tamiya M5A1 with a scratch built interior and has markings for 3RTR in the Normandy bocage '44. Initially I only put a .30 on the front mount but after reading some of Ron's writings elsewhere decided that an AA .50 needed fitting too.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ken.hol...00Dsc03495.jpg

Ron, apologies if I've got things in the wrong place - but you didn't give much detail away.

[Ron Goldstein]

Hi Ken

Purely by chance I spotted your Honey model and I'm flattered to learn that you added the .50 Browning after reading my earlier posting.

As to the model itself, I am most impressed !

If I was pushed to make comment as regards to how accurate the model is I would have to admit that we seemed to have more room in the hull of the tank than the model shows but, let's face it I only have my memory to rely on and we are talking about 64 years ago

Best regards and well done that man !

Ron

[Dutchy]

Thanks for the kind words Ron.
I have to admit, the interior was down to quite a bit of guesswork based loosely on a pic of an add-on kit you can get for the standard model. As the add-on cost more than the kit itself I thought I'd make my own from scratch.

[Haridimos]

Jumped here from the sister thread M3 Stuart recce / command pics / info required when I remembered that I had a photo of a Stuart mk 6 Gun towing conversion,
at the AFTER THE BATTLE magazine #37 issue.

The photo shows a Stuart VI at Portsmouth scrapyard ca 1982.

stuart mk6_portsmouth_1982.jpg