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M2
M2A1

Half-track Car M2, early production^1-9,11-13

The half-track car M2 was based on the M2A1/M3 scout car, and was intended to be used as a reconnaissance vehicle and artillery prime mover. The front wheels could be engaged for cross-country travel. On either side of the car, just behind the driving compartment, was an ammunition stowage compartment. The top shelf of these compartments could be accessed from inside the vehicle, and the lower shelves were accessible through bottom-hinged doors in the side armor. The fenders were one of the ways to differentiate between the various types of half-track, and on the M2 they were thick in cross-section. Early half-tracks had a fixed adjustable idler wheel, but this was often damaged when traveling over rough terrain. This was remedied by springing the idler wheel beginning in September 1942, first with a single coil and later with a double coil assembly. Early vehicles also had their headlights mounted on the fenders, but these could be damaged by the muzzle blast from the various artillery pieces that were mounted on half-tracks. Smaller, demountable headlights were positioned on either side of the hood starting in November 1942. Later vehicles also had the option of mounting the anti-ditching roller or a 10,000lb (4,500kg) capacity Tulsa Model 18G winch below the radiator louvres. When fitted with the winch the M2's length was 241.63" (613.74cm). Later vehicles also had mine racks installed from behind the ammunition stowage compartments to the rear of the crew compartment. A 2lb (.9kg) CO₂ portable fire extinguisher was carried.

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Half-track Car M2A1^1-10

The M2A1 did away with the skate rail for the machine guns and replaced it with the M49 ring mount from the M32 truck, which was positioned over the assistant driver's seat on the half-track. The .50cal MG was mounted on this ring mount, and a socket mount was provided for the .30cal MG on each face of the rear compartment. The later ring mount M49A1 added a a deflector shield and a skate-type backrest for the gunner, and substituted a different carriage with a connecting stabilizer.

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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. TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Dept., 1 Sep 1943.
4. SNL G-102 Service Parts Catalog for Cars, Half-track, M2 and M2A1; Carriers, Personnel, Half-track, M3 and M3A1; Carriages, Motor, 75-mm Gun, M3 and M3A1; Carriers, 81-mm Mortar, Half-track, M4 and M4A1; Carrier, 81-mm Mortar, Half-track, M21; Carriage, Motor, Multiple Gun, M13; Carriages, Motor, Multiple Gun, M15 and M15A1; Carriage, Motor, Multiple Gun, M16; Carriage, Motor, 105-mm Howitzer, T19; Carriage, Motor, 75-mm Howitzer, T30; Carriage, Motor, 57-mm Gun, T48. 30 September 1943.
5. Doyle, David. U.S. Half-tracks: The Development and Deployment of the U.S. Army's Half-track Vehicles, Part one. Ed. Pat Stansell. Delray Beach, FL: The Ampersand Publishing Group, Inc., 2014.
6. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
7. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
8. Siemers, Cary. "USA's Half Tracks." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 4 Jul 2001. 6 Aug 2001 <http://www.siemers.com/wwii/USA/Halftracks.htm>.
9. Track Data. Warren, MI: Track & Suspension Laboratory, Components Research and Development Laboratories, Research & Engineering Directorate, US Army Tank-Automotive Center, 23 June 1965.
10. TM 9-710/TO 19-75A-77 Half-track Vehicles Car M2A1; Personnel Carrier M3 and M3A1; 81-mm Mortar Carrier M4, M4A1, and M21; Combination Gun Motor Carriage M15A1; and Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16 and M16A1. Washington, DC: Departments of the Army and the Air Force, 8 May 1953.
11. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
12. FM 30-40 C1 Military Intelligence Identification of United States Armored Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 8 March 1942.
13. TM 9-1710C Ordnance Maintenance--Chassis and Body for Half-track Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 11 September 1942.

Last updated 30 Mar 2024.
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