Turreted M3A3 Stuart Vs of the South Alberta Regiment

[Michael Grieve]

Hi all

Having just come back from a long trip abroad, I thought I'd get back into modelling by resuming work on my AFV Club M3A3 Stuart V. While doing some reading, I discovered that Canadian units in NW Europe operated these vehicles - a Canadian M3A3 sounds like an appealing subject.

"The Canadian Soldier: From D-Day to VE-Day" by Jean Bouchery includes a small colour plate showing an M3A3 Stuart V (still with its turret) of the South Alberta Regiment. From the excellent book "South Albertas" by Donald Graves, I note that the regiment operated M3A3 Stuart V tanks until October 1944, when they were replaced by M5A1 Stuart VI tanks.

My main query is to ask if anyone out there could please point me towards any photos of turreted M3A3 Stuart V in service with the South Albertas, as I haven't been able to locate any as yet. I'd be most interested in picture(s) of the subject of the Bouchery colour plate - partly as the painting shows the Arm-of-Service and formation signs in transposed positions, and I'd like to confirm that was the case - but photos of any Albertas M3A3s would be most appreciated. I'm prepared to make by model based upon the colour plate alone, but would prefer to refer to photographic evidence if it exists.

Thanks for your help

Best regards

Mike
(Canberra, Australia)