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)

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Michael Grieve
...but would prefer to refer to photographic evidence if it exists.

Mike, this is all I can do: a picture of a restored M3A3 at the "Grand Bunker" museum at Ouistreham, France. I pictured it on 11 June when I passed by on my way home and was surprised to see it here as the M3A3 is a rare bird in preservation.

HTH,
Hanno

[Michael Grieve]

Thanks very much for the photo Hanno, that's an excellent start in the search!

Thanks and best regards

Mike

[servicepub (RIP)]

Most people know that I can identify a firearm from 100 paces - these same people mock me for my inability to identify one hunk of 30 tons of steel from another hunk of 30 tons of steel. That said, I believe that this may be what you are looking for.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Michael,
In re-reading your post I see that you wanted a photo of SAR M3A3. I posted this as an example of the vehicle and of the location of the AoS marking. I leave unit identification to the experts but will try to confirm with the original caption at archives.
Clive

[Mark W. Tonner]

Michael;

I don't know if this will help or not, South Alberta Regiment - Recce Stuarts - town square - Bergen-Op-Zoom - 31 Oct 44.
It's about the only photo of SAR Stuarts I could find. (Photo reference: NAC PA 142088).

Cheers

[D.CESAR]

not M3A3 in the BW pics but M5A1 (look at the raised rear deck and the extra armor on the turret sides)

http://211.155.23.140/biku/wartigers/pics/usm3a3.gif

http://211.155.23.140/biku/wartigers/pics/usm5a1.gif

Cheers

Daniel

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by D.CESAR
not M3A3 in the BW pics but M5A1 (look at the raised rear deck and the extra armor on the turret sides)

No one said that they were M3A3's in the pictures posted.

[D.CESAR]

Sorry if I misunderstood but I thought Michael was looking for M3A3 pics

Cheers

Daniel

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by D.CESAR
Sorry if I misunderstood but I thought Michael was looking for M3A3 pics

He is looking for pictures of M3A3 Stuart V's operated by the South Alberta Regiment.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Michael Grieve
Thanks very much for the photo Hanno, that's an excellent start in the search!

Mike, first of all, welcome to this forum. I hope you had a good long trip abroad - to Normandy perhaps?
Anyway, here's the rear view. Hope to meet again someplace, sometime in the future!

H.