Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M171-9

M17: General
Date of first acceptance December 1943 Total acceptances 1,000
Manufacturer International Harvester Corp. Crew
5 men:
  • Commander in cab right
  • Gunner in turret
  • Two cannoneers on right and left of turret
  • Driver in cab left
M17: Dimensions
Combat weight 19,700lbs
8,940kg		 Height 90"
230cm
Length with winch 255.5"
649.0cm		 Gun overhang forward 0"
Width 85.625"
217.49cm		 Front tread 66.5"
169cm
Rear tread 63.8"
162cm		 Wheelbase 135.5"
344.2cm
Ground clearance 11.2"
28.4cm		 Ground pressure, tires 33.5psi
2.35kg/cm²
M17: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation Max elevation rate
Four .50cal M2TTHB MG M45D 5,000 rounds 360°
(electric)		 60°/sec +90° to -10°
(electric)		 60°/sec
Aiming equipment
Reflector sight Mark 9 Model 1 or reflex sight M18 for gunner
M17: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Radiator louvres .31"
.79cm		 27°
Windshield cover .625"
1.59cm		 23°
Sides .31"
.79cm		 0°
Rear .31"
.79cm		 0°
Hood top .31"
.79cm		 83°
Turret
Rolled face-hardened steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Shield .25"
.64cm		 0° to 35°
M17: Automotive
Engine International Harvester RED-450-B; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 143@2,700rpm Torque Net: 348 ft-lb@800rpm Fuel capacity 60gal
230L
Transmission Spicer 1856 constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Steering wheel
Brakes Hydraulic (Hydrovac)
M17: 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 Spring-loaded at rear of track On front wheels
M17: Track
T68E1
Center guide band type
Width 12"
30cm		 Pitch 4"
10cm		 Pitches/track 58 Track ground contact length 46.75"
118.7cm
M17: Performance
Max level road speed 42mph
68kph		 Max grade 60%
Angle of approach 36° 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 M17 was based on the half-track personnel carrier M5, and was essentially the IHC version of the MGMC M16.

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References

  1. 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.
  2. Doyle, David. U.S. Half-tracks: The Development and Deployment of the U.S. Army's Half-track Based Multiple Gun Motor Carriages and Gun Motor Carriages, Part two. Ed. Pat Stansell. Delray Beach, FL: The Ampersand Publishing Group, Inc., 2016.
  3. TM 9-223 Twin Cal. .50 Machine Gun Mount M33 and Multiple Cal. .50 Machine Gun Mount M45. Washington, DC: War Department, 27 July 1944.
  4. TM 9-1223 Ordnance Maintenance--Twin Cal. .50 Machine Gun Mount M33 and Multiple Cal. .50 Machine Gun Mount M45. Washington, DC: War Department, 1 June 1944.
  5. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  6. TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Dept., 1 Sep 1943.
  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 Track Gun Motor/Mortar Carriages." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 4 Jul 2001. 23 Sep 2001 <http://www.siemers.com/wwii/USA/GunMotorCarriage.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.
Last updated 4 Mar 2024.
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© Copyright 2001-24 Chris Conners