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Turreted M1
Barbette M1

Convertible Medium Tank M1, turreted1-2
Turreted M1: General
Date of first acceptance 1935 Total acceptances 16
Manufacturer Rock Island Arsenal Crew
4 men:
  • Commander in turret
  • Gunner in turret
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant driver in hull right front
Turreted M1: Dimensions
Weight ~27,000lbs
~12,000kg		 Height 79"
200cm
Length 193"
490cm		 Gun overhang forward 0"
Width 91"
230cm
Turreted M1: Armament
Type Mount Traverse
.50cal MG Turret 360°
(manual)
.30cal MG Turret 360°
(manual)
.30cal MG Ball mount in right bow Manual
Turreted M1: Armor
Maximum .625"
1.6cm
Minimum .25"
.64cm
Turreted M1: Automotive
Engine Continental 7 cylinder gasoline
Horsepower 268 Fuel capacity 41.5gal
157L
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers when tracked, steering wheel when wheeled
Turreted M1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Christie helical springs 4 independently sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth rear drive At front of track None
Turreted M1: Track
Center guide, single pin, steel
Width 12"
30cm		 Pitch 4.75"
12cm
Turreted M1: Performance
Max level road speed Wheeled: 37.8mph
Tracked: 23.9mph
Wheeled: 60.8kph
Tracked: 38.5kph


The convertible medium tank M1 utilized J. Walter Christie's famous suspension design, and was able to run on either tracks or only its road wheels. When running on wheels, a chain was connected from the final drives to the rear road wheels and the tracks were stored on the vehicle's fenders.

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Convertible Medium Tank M1, barbette1-2
Barbette M1: General
Date of first acceptance 1935 Total acceptances 3
Manufacturer Rock Island Arsenal Crew
4 men:
  • Commander in superstructure
  • Gunner in superstructure
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant driver in hull right front
Barbette M1: Dimensions
Height 79"
200cm		 Length 193"
490cm
Gun overhang forward 0" Width 91"
230cm
Barbette M1: Armament
Type Mount
.50cal MG Barbette front
.30cal MG Barbette front, sides, rear
.30cal MG Ball mount in right bow
Barbette M1: Armor
Maximum .625"
1.6cm
Minimum .25"
.64cm
Barbette M1: Automotive
Engine Continental 7 cylinder gasoline
Horsepower 268 Fuel capacity 79.5gal
301L
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers when tracked, steering wheel when wheeled
Barbette M1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Christie helical springs 4 independently sprung dual/track Flat track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth rear drive At front of track None
Barbette M1: Track
Center guide, single pin, steel
Width 12"
30cm		 Pitch 4.75"
12cm
Barbette M1: Performance
Max level road speed Wheeled: 44mph
Tracked: 30mph
Wheeled: 71kph
Tracked: 48kph


Three convertible medium tanks M1 were built without turrets, but rather with a square barbette superstructure. Besides the .50cal and .30cal machine guns in the forward plate, a .30cal MG was fitted in each side of the superstructure and also at the rear.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1994.
    Reprinted with permission from Sherman, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1994, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.

  2. Kirk, William. "Medium Tanks." TANKS! 18 Oct 2000. 11 Dec 2000 <http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/UnitedStates/mediumtanks/MediumTanks.html>. TANKS!



Last updated 18 Feb 2001.

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