Comparing: M5 Stuart vs. Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. vs. M5A1 Stuart

A further modification of the M3 Stuart, the M5 entered production in April 1942. By June 1944 a total of 8,884 vehicles in two variants had been produced. The tank was used in all theaters of war.

Developed by the BMM company as a new light reconnaissance tank on the chassis of the Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) from July 1940. The vehicle used welding technology instead of rivets. The new engine and improved transmission allowed for a top speed of 64 km/h. Development was discontinued in favor of the VK 1303. Five prototypes were manufactured.

The first tanks of the M5 series were produced in April 1942, and a new modification, the M5A1, was preferred over other variants. After the M24 Chaffee was developed, the M5A1 tanks were deemed obsolete and were exported to other countries, including China. A total of 100 tanks of this type were supplied to the Kuomintang. During the Civil War (1946–1949), many of these vehicles were captured by the PLA.