M5A1 Stuart Light Tank, Movie and Parade ready

M5A1 "STUART" LIGHT TANK

As the story goes, this tank saw action in North Africa. On examination, there is a splash mark and a weld repair on the Loader's side of the turret. Who knows how long it sat in some rear area repair depot, long forgotten after the war. In the intervening years it was purchased by the government of Portugal. In the early 80's it was re-imported back to a company in Georgia as scrap iron with 80 other tanks. Supposedly 30 of these vehicles went to private collectors and museums. The other 50, well B&M baked beans come in metal cans. This tank ended up on display at the Camp Meade Motor Court in Middlesex, Vermont. It may have been nic named after the famous Confederate Cavalry General J.E.B. Stuart, but this tank is a Yankee now! Scroll down for update pictures. FINISHED AND READY TO ROLL... Scroll down to see the project pictures...


I'm driving down the road...			...in my tank!

SCROLL BELOW TO SEE THE PROJECT...



			THE NEWEST LEAD THROWER ON THE BLOCK IRON YANKEE
ITS REAL ON THE OUTSIDE & REAL EXPENSIVE ON THE INSIDE			I'VE GOT A TANK

WORK HAS BEGUN!

HEAT

HEAT & OIL

HEAT, OIL, AND PULL!

IT'S NOT PRETTY. THE FORMER OWNER NEVER COULD TRAVERSE THE TURRET. AFTER 25 YEARS OF BEING FROZEN, IT TOOK 8 HOURS OF PULLING, HEATING, TUGGING, AND SEVERAL CANS OF PENETRATING OIL TO BREAK IT FREE. NOW FOR A COUPLE HUNDRED TURNS AROUND TO LOOSEN IT UP! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED OUT!!

Topside of turret w/ periscope covers closed. Covered nub between front covers is for a search light.	Topside hatches open, this is where the roominess ends.	Turret looking forward at gun breach. Aiming site muff is upper left of picture.	Turret basket bottom looking forward at driver's compartment on left of picture. Control levers are mounted overhead. Gauge panel has been removed.
37mm round basket. Blackened mount left of picture is one of 4 gun turret rotation bearings	Inner turret rotation bearings. Old bearing on the right. Completely re-machined bearing on the left. We have bearings if you need them for your project!	Old gun turret bearing at top with newly machined bearing in mounting boss ready for re-assembly.	This is a tank that can shoot on the move! Gyro-stabilized gun system & it still works!
Turret basket. Note elevating seat in middle of picture	Temporary squatter in the engine bay. Soon 2 caddy V8's will roar in this steel box!	Forward slope of chassis w/ driver & gunner's hatch & air vent.	Rear deck, note radiator & fuel tank caps
			Interesting feature in the pictures at left. Gyro stabilized gun system yet the engine is a pull start. Bummer if the engine quits in a running gun battle.
Restored driver's seat w/ back removed	Seat fully assembled	Restoration is underway stay tuned for more pictures.	Amazing what a coat of WD-40 will do!
Updated Pictures - 12/2005
			And pop goes the top!
Outer turret roller assembly	Assembly removed	Roller assembly restored	Periscope block assembly
Air vents	Grenade Box before	Grenade Box after the Metal Shaman worked on it.
"Little Joe" Power Up!	Turret seat assembly	Periscope Box-Pre Shaman	Periscope Box out fitted with latest HIFI gear
One of the air cleaner assemblies	This turret basket is a basket case!	The basket is the actual floor of the turret. And this one has seen years of dirty feet!	Restored basket
		Dramatic improvement from left to right of the transmission bay. These photos were taken 10 months apart...
Updated Pictures 04/2007
The "Little Joe" engine. Located behind the drivers compartment, is a small generator. It is capable of running the necessary electronics & hydraulic pump for the turret. This is an auxiliary engine, easy on fuel & quieter than the main engines when the tank is sitting stationary.	Engine located behind drivers compartment	Engine is in upper left corner, Driver's seat is in upper right	This is Little Joe
Original siren switch bracket after sandblasting	Repro siren switch bracket and NOS siren switch...sweet is the sound of a loud siren!	One of two new stainless gas tanks.	Driver's gauge panel. All restored, rewired, and ready to work!
We built this....	For this...		Because the town got upset when we drove the steel shoed behemoth on the black top. Some creative side plating and we have a parade worthy vehicle!
It appears that all the Stuarts re-imported back in 1982 had additional antenna mounts put on them.	However, this was not original as the “grouser” bracket was cut to make room for the mount.		The offending mount was removed
		and a replacement grouser bracket made and welded back in place...	Back to original. Please contain your excitement
The inside is painted... We are progressing...		Not the original, but it will run for now
Updated Pictures 08/2007
Time to go back together			Many Thanks!!!
Left side of gun turret			Left side of turret restored, just missing the sight face piece and all the rust.
Updated Pictures 03/2008
Ahhh...Nothing more relaxing than grooming radiator fins on a cold winter's day. Do a row have a beer, complete ten rows have a shot!!!!!		Peering into the money hole, Brian wonders if his keys are down there.
	Some engine overheating issues brought us back to using one of two original radiators mounted in its original mounting position.

Drop me a line, Jon Philbrook: emptyriver@comcast.net Simple Web Designs: CPhilbrook