This M3 A1 Stuart is located in the room called "Les Alliés Seconde Guerre mondiale" (The Allies during the Second World War) in the back of the museum.  Combat Vehicle The M3 A1 Stuart was designed as a light tank meant to replace the M2 as a response to German advancements in their tank design, specifically the Panzer. The tank was first employed by the British in North Africa where it earned the nickname "Stuart" and was admired for its speed and maneuverability despite its relative weakness against German tanks. Such features made the tank popular among U.S. forces in the Pacific. In Europe, the M3 A1 was eventually designated to serve alongside Sherman tanks which offered more firepower and could more effectively engage other tanks. Essentially, the Stuart was effective for reconnaissance or quick operations that required its speed but faced difficulties against heavier enemy tanks. 

"In 1941, light tank M3 A1 was the only machine being produced. Its 4525 specimens were endowed with a star-shaped 7-cylander plane engine. A whole range of modernized versions were developed from this machine and they were still being produced in 1944. The operations in Northern Africa proved this machine's qualities in 1941. It then took part in fights in Italy, Western Europe, the Balkans and the Pacific Ocean."