Comparing: M5A1 Stuart vs. M5 Stuart

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.

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.