| M38: General | |||
| Total acceptances | 1 | ||
| Manufacturer | Chevrolet Division of General Motors | Crew |
|
| M38: Dimensions | |||
| Combat weight | 15,300lbs 6,940kg |
Height | 78" 200cm |
| Length | 201.25" 511.18cm |
Width | 96" 240cm |
| Tread | 80" cm |
Wheelbase | Front to center axle: 59" Front to rear axle: 118" Front to center axle: 150cm Front to rear axle: 300cm |
| Ground clearance | 14.5" 36.8cm |
Fire Height | ~70" ~180cm |
| Turret ring diameter | 56" 140cm |
Ground pressure, 3" (7.6cm) penetration | 8.1psi .569kg/cm² |
| M38: Armament | ||||
| Type | Mount | Ammunition | Traverse | Elevation |
| 37mm Gun M6 | M23A2 in turret | 93 rounds (ready) |
360° (manual) |
+20° to -10° (manual) |
| .50cal M2HB MG | Flexible on turret AA mount | 440 rounds | 360° (manual) |
Manual |
| .30cal M1919A4 MG | Coaxial to 37mm gun | 1,750 rounds | 360° (manual) |
+20° to -10° (manual) |
| Aiming equipment | ||||
| Telescope M70D for gunner | ||||
| M38: Armor | ||
| Assembly | ||
| Welding | ||
| Hull | ||
| Rolled homogeneous steel | ||
| Location | Thickness | Angle from vertical |
| Front | .375" .953cm |
22° to 45° |
| Sides | .375" .953cm |
22° |
| Rear | .375" .953cm |
36° |
| Top | .25" .64cm |
83° |
| Front floor | .375" .953cm |
90° |
| Rear floor | .125" .318cm |
90° |
| Turret | ||
| Rolled homogeneous steel | ||
| Location | Thickness | Angle from vertical |
| Gun shield | 1.0" 2.5cm |
0° to 60° |
| Front | .50" 1.3cm |
27° |
| Sides | .375" .953cm |
27° |
| Rear | .375" .953cm |
80° |
| Top | Open | -- |
| M38: Automotive | |||||
| Engine | Cadillac Series 42; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline | ||||
| Horsepower | Net: 110@3,400rpm Gross: 148@3,200rpm |
Torque | Net: 244 ft-lb@1,200rpm Gross: 270 ft-lb@1,200rpm |
Fuel capacity | 51gal 190L |
| Transmission | Hydramatic, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse | ||||
| Steering | Recirculating ball with hydraulic power assist, steering wheel | ||||
| Brakes | Hydraulic, internal expanding | ||||
| M38: Suspension | |
| Type | Road wheels |
| Coil spring | 3/side |
| M38: Performance | |||
| Max level road speed | 60mph 100kph |
Max trench | 50.4" 128cm |
| Max grade | 60% | Max vertical obstacle | 24" 61cm |
| Min turning diameter | 56' 17m |
Max fording depth | 48" 120cm |
| Cruising range | ~300mi, roads ~480km, roads |
||
The M38 was a 6x6 vehicle with power-assisted steering on the front four wheels. A 2-speed transfer case effectively doubled the amount of speeds in its Hydramatic transmission. The wheels were independently sprung by coil springs via swing arms, and this improved suspension combined with its evenly-spaced axles and oversized tires granted the M38 greater mobility than the M8 Greyhound that the M38 was expected to replace. Four 6-volt batteries were connected in series for the 24 volt electrical system. A portable 4lb (1.8kg) CO2 fire extinguisher was carried. The most significant difference between the combination gun mount M23A2 and the M23 found in, for example, the light tank M3A1, was that the M23A2 used a screw-design elevating mechanism. A single pilot was completed in October 1943, and standardization was recommended in December 1944. Standardization was granted in February 1945, and in anticipation of British service it was christened Wolfhound. With the end of World War II, however, production did not commence.
