75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage T301-8

T30: General
Date of first acceptance February 1942 Total acceptances 500
(108 converted to M3 personnel carriers)
Manufacturer White Motor Co. Crew
5 men:
  • Chief of section in hull right front
  • Gunner in hull left rear
  • Cannoneer in hull right
  • Cannoneer in hull rear
  • Driver in hull left front
T30: Dimensions
Combat weight 20,500lbs
9300kg		 Height over howitzer shield 90"
230cm
Length 240.1"
609.9cm		 Howitzer overhang forward 0"
Width over side armor 77.25"
196.2cm		 Fire height 81.9"
208cm
Front tread 64.5"
164cm		 Rear tread 63.8"
162cm
Wheelbase 135.5"
344.2cm		 Ground clearance 11.2"
28.4cm
Ground pressure, tires 33psi
2.3kg/cm²
T30: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
75mm Howitzer M1A1 Mount T10 60 rounds 45°
(22.5° left and right;
manual)		 +49.5° to -9°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on pedestal mount 300 rounds 360°
(manual)		 Manual
T30: Armor
Assembly
Bolting
Hull
Rolled face-hardened steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Front howitzer shield .375"
.953cm		 35°
Side howitzer shield .25"
.64cm		 0°
Radiator louvres .25"
.64cm		 26°
Windshield cover .50"
1.3cm		 25°
Sides .25"
.64cm		 0°
Rear .25"
.64cm		 0°
Hood top .25"
.64cm		 83°
T30: Automotive
Engine White 160AX; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 147@3000rpm Torque Net: 325 ft-lb@1200rpm Fuel capacity 60gal
230L
Transmission Spicer 3461 constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Steering wheel
Brakes Hydraulic (Hydrovac)
T30: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Front: Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring
Rear: Vertical volute spring		 Front: Steel ventilated disc
Rear: 1 bogie/track;
4 dual/bogie		 1 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
18-tooth front drive Adjustable fixed at rear of track On front wheels
T30: Track
T68E1
Center guide band type
Width 12"
30cm		 Pitch 4"
10cm		 Pitches/track 58 Track ground contact length 46.75"
118.7cm
T30: Performance
Max level road speed 45mph
72kph		 Max grade 60%
Angle of approach 37° Angle of departure 45°
Max vertical obstacle 12"
30cm		 Min turning diameter 59'
18m
Max fording depth 32"
81cm		 Cruising range ~200mi, roads
~320km, roads

The T30 was based on the half-track M3, and was set up much like the 105mm HMC T19, with the upper windshield support beam removed and the windshield cover folding forward over the hood. The .50cal MG was again mounted in the rear of the passenger compartment, and a low howitzer shield was fitted.

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References

  1. TM 9-710 Basic Half-Track Vehicles (White, Autocar, and Diamond T). Washington, DC: War Department, 23 February 1944.
  2. Hunnicutt, R.P. Half-Track: A History of American Semi-tracked Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 2001. Reprinted from Half-Track, R.P. Hunnicutt ©2001, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  3. FM 30-40 Military Intelligence Identification of United States Armored Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 9 January 1943.
  4. TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Dept., 1 Sep 1943.
  5. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  6. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
  7. FM 17-64 Service of the Piece, 75-mm Howitzer T-30, Self-Propelled. Washington, DC: War Department, 11 December 1942.
  8. Track Data. Warren, MI: Track & Suspension Laboratory, Components Research and Development Laboratories, Research & Engineering Directorate, US Army Tank-Automotive Center, 23 June 1965.

Last updated 15 Nov 2023.
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© Copyright 2001-23 Chris Conners