Stuart pic from Concord book

[Scorza]

Hello! It is me with some about Stuarts again!

Is the Stuart (page 14, bottom) with a pair of Marine stand guards in its front a M3A1 model? For me it is a M3 Hybrid. What you think?

Regards,

Angelo

[ED GILBERT]

That is an M3A1 from C Company, 1st Tank Battalion. Contrary to all that has been published, the photo was NOT taken on Guadalcanal according to one of the men in the photo.

Please note that the Marines did not use the various designations like Hybrid, et cetera. These were largely post-war and modeler's artifacts. Period records refer to more detail of individual equipment, since then (as today) the builders are prone to making incremental changes on the production line which are not reflected in separate "M" numbers.

With that said, the USMC tank units usually left their unusual sub-marks behind as depot queens, since they caused logistical problems. For example, there is no record - or individual recollection - of any diesel light tanks being sent to Guadalcanal. Just too much trouble....