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M67
M67A1
M67A2

Flame Thrower Tank M67^1-3

The M67 was based on the M48A1 tank. The main armament was composed of the fuel and pressure unit M7 combined with the flame gun M6, and the flame gun was placed in a dummy 90mm gun tube to disguise the vehicle as a regular gun tank. The dummy tube was shorter and thicker than the actual 90mm gun tube, and was fitted with drainage drip shields and holes that allowed entrance of air for combustion. A cover on top of the tube let crews get to the flame gun ignition assembly. The loader's hatch provided access to the fueling and charging controls for the flame thrower; consequently roof turret access was restricted to the TC's cupola. The main fuel container had a 398gal (1510L) capacity, but the usable volume was less due to various losses. The atomizer was fed by the secondary fuel system, which had a 10.2gal (38.6L) tank, and both systems were pressurized to 325psi (22.8kg/cm²). When fitted with a ⅞" (2.22cm) nozzle, the fuel would last 55 seconds; with a ¾" (1.9cm) nozzle, the tank could fire fire for 61 seconds. The headlight brush guards were modified on the M67 to clear the flame gun's larger depression angle, and the auxiliary engine muffler was moved from the rear deck to the right rear fender to make way for the flame fuel container vent. All M67s were used by the US Marine Corps.

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Flame Thrower Tank M67A1^2-6

The M67A1 was first built in 1955--although not standardized until January 1959--and used the hull of the M48A2. The fuel and pressure system was modified, and the main weapon was now the M7A1-6. The improved turret control system from the M48A2 was used, and the gunner received a 1.5x XM30 periscopic sight in contrast to the M67's unitary periscopic sight M21. The pressure system used nine containers to store 10ft³ (.3m³) of air pressurized to 3,000psi (210kg/cm²). After the main fuel load was expended, the final pressure was around 600psi (42kg/cm²). The operating pressure in the main fuel container was 255-280psi (17.9-19.7kg/cm²). When fitted with a ⅞" (2.22cm) nozzle, the fuel discharge rate was 5.7gal/sec (22L/sec), yielding a firing time of 60 seconds; with a ¾" (1.9cm) nozzle, the discharge rate was 4.9gal/sec (19L/sec) for a firing time of 70 seconds. The secondary fuel system operated at the same pressure as the main fuel container, and had a 10.2gal (38.6L) tank which was drained at 300mL/sec. The atomizers were fed by the secondary fuel system at a rate of 1.5-3mL/sec. The M67A1 was the only version used by the Army.

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Flame Thrower Tank M67A2^2-3

The M67A2 was again solely a Marine initiative, and brought the flame tank hull up to M48A3 standard. In addition to the work on the hulls, the M67 turrets were improved to M67A1 standard.

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References

1. Standard Military Vehicle Characteristic Data Sheets. Center Line, MI: Army Tank and Automotive Command Research & Engineering Directorate, July 1960.
2. Hunnicutt, R.P. Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank, volume 1. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1984.
3. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
4. TM 3-1040-206-30 Field Maintenance Third Echelon Flame Thrower, Mechanized, Main Armament, Turret Mounted, M7A1-6. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 13 November 1959.
5. TM 3-1040-206-35P DS, GS, and Depot Maintenance Repair Parts and Special Tool Lists Flame Thrower, Mechanized, Main Armament, Turret Mounted, M7A1-6 (FSN 1040-620-4546) (End Item Code 440). Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 15 April 1965.
6. TM 9-500 C3 Data Sheets for Ordnance Type Materiel. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Department of the Army, 12 October 1966.

Last updated 29 Sep 2024.
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