3-ton Special Tractor M19181-5

M1918: General
Date of first acceptance 1918 Total acceptances 15
Manufacturer Ford Motor Co. Crew
2 men:
  • Commander/gunner in hull left front
  • Driver in hull right front
M1918: Dimensions
Combat weight 7200lbs
3300kg		 Height 64"
160cm
Length with tailpiece 160"
410cm		 Gun overhang forward 0"
Width 64"
160cm		 Tread 57"
140cm
Ground clearance 14"
36cm		 Fire height ~42"
~110cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 9.2psi
.65kg/cm²
M1918: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.30cal Browning or Marlin tank MG Ball mount in left bow ~2000 rounds 22°
(manual)		 38°
(manual)
M1918: Armor
Assembly
Riveting
Hull
Rolled face-hardened steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper left front 0.5"
1.3cm		 0°
Upper right front 0.5"
1.3cm		 38°
Lower front 0.375"
0.953cm		 60°
Front sides 0.5"
1.3cm		 0°
Rear sides 0.25"
0.64cm		 22°
Upper rear 0.5"
1.3cm		 37°
Lower rear 0.25"
0.64cm		 35°
Front top 0.375"
0.953cm		 90°
Rear top 0.25"
0.64cm		 60°
Floor 0.25"
0.64cm		 90°
M1918: Automotive
Engine Dual Ford Model T; 8 cylinder (4/engine), 4 cycle, vertical L-head gasoline
Horsepower Gross: 34@1700rpm Fuel capacity 17gal
64L
Transmission Dual Ford planetary, 2 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Clutch-brake, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical
M1918: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Leaf spring 2 bogies/track;
3 wheels/bogie		 2/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
10-double tooth rear drive At front of track None
M1918: Track
Single pin, cast with integral grouser
Width 7"
18cm		 Pitch 7"
18cm		 Shoes/track 40 Ground contact length 56"
140cm
M1918: Performance
Max speed 8mph
13kph		 Max trench 60"
150cm
Max grade 50% Max vertical obstacle 20"
51cm
Min turning diameter 27'
8.2m		 Max fording depth 21"
53cm
Cruising range ~34mi
~55km

The M1918 was meant to utilize Ford's mass-production knowledge, and therefore Ford car components were integrated into its design. Each engine had its own transmission, and the driver's steering levers each controlled one of the transmissions. The Browning tank machine gun was fitted initially, but this was replaced on later vehicles by the Marlin machine gun. The Marlin's shielded mount was provided with 38° of elevation and 21° of traverse. The US Tank Corps, after trials in France, decreed that the M1918 was unacceptable, and the contract for the production of 15,000 machines was cancelled following the Armistice.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, volume 1. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1992. Reprinted with permission from Stuart, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1992, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  3. AGF Board No. 2. Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks. 1947.
  4. Tank Data, vol. 2. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: US Army Ordnance School, Jul 1958.
  5. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
Last updated 10 Sep 2023.
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