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M2
M2A1

Half-track Car M2, early production1-9,11-12

M2: General
Date of first acceptance May 1941 Total acceptances 11,415
(1,266 converted to M2A1)
Manufacturers
  • White Motor Co.
  • Autocar Co.
Crew 10 men
M2: Dimensions
Combat weight 19,195lbs
8,706.9kg
Height 89"
230cm
Length with roller 234.75"
596.27cm
Width 77.25"
196.2cm
Front tread 64.5"
164cm
Rear tread 63.8"
162cm
Wheelbase 135.5"
344.2cm
Ground clearance 11.2"
28.4cm
Ground pressure, tires 29.4psi
2.06kg/cm²
M2: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on skate mount M30 or M35 700 rounds 360°
(manual)
+35° to -25°
(manual)
.30cal M1919A4 MG Flexible on skate mount M29 or M35 7,750 rounds 360°
(manual)
+35° to -25°
(manual)
M2: Armor
Assembly
Bolting
Hull
Rolled face-hardened steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Radiator louvres .25"
.64cm
26°
Windshield cover .50"
1.3cm
25°
Sides .25"
.64cm
Rear .25"
.64cm
Hood top .25"
.64cm
83°
M2: Automotive
Engine White 160AX; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 147@3,000rpm Torque Net: 325 ft-lb@1,200rpm Fuel capacity 60gal
230L
Transmission Spicer 3461 constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Steering wheel
Brakes Hydraulic (Hydrovac)
M2: 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 Adjustable fixed at rear of track On front wheels
M2: Track
T68E1
Center guide band type
Width 12"
30cm
Pitch 4"
10cm
Pitches/track 58 Track ground contact length 46.75"
118.7cm
M2: Performance
Max level road speed 45mph
72kph
Max grade 60%
Angle of approach With winch: 33°
Without winch: 37°
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 half-track car M2 was based on the M2A1/M3 scout car, and was intended to be used as a reconnaissance vehicle and artillery prime mover. The front wheels could be engaged for cross-country travel. On either side of the car, just behind the driving compartment, was an ammunition stowage compartment. The top shelf of these compartments could be accessed from inside the vehicle, and the lower shelves were accessible through bottom-hinged doors in the side armor. The fenders were one of the ways to differentiate between the various types of half-track, and on the M2 they were thick in cross-section. Early half-tracks had a fixed adjustable idler wheel, but this was often damaged when traveling over rough terrain. This was remedied by springing the idler wheel beginning in September 1942, first with a single coil and later with a double coil assembly. Early vehicles also had their headlights mounted on the fenders, but these could be damaged by the muzzle blast from the various artillery pieces that were mounted on half-tracks. Smaller, demountable headlights were positioned on either side of the hood starting in November 1942. Later vehicles also had the option of mounting the anti-ditching roller or a 10,000lb (4,500kg) capacity Tulsa Model 18G winch below the radiator louvres. When fitted with the winch the M2's length was 241.63" (613.74cm). Later vehicles also had mine racks installed from behind the ammunition stowage compartments to the rear of the crew compartment. A 2lb (.9kg) CO2 portable fire extinguisher was carried.

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Half-track Car M2A11-10

M2A1: General
Date of first acceptance October 1943 Total acceptances 1,643 + 1,266 converted from half-track M2
Manufacturers
  • White Motor Co.
  • Autocar Co.
Crew 10 men
M2A1: Dimensions
Combat weight 19,600lbs
8,890kg
Height 106"
269cm
Length with winch 241.63"
613.74cm
Width over mine racks 87.50"
222.3cm
Front tread 64.5"
164cm
Rear tread 63.8"
162cm
Wheelbase 135.5"
344.2cm
Ground clearance 11.2"
28.4cm
Ground pressure, tires 29.4psi
2.06kg/cm²
M2A1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on ring mount M49 or M49A1 700 rounds 360°
(manual)
+80° to -20°
(manual)
.30cal M1919A4 MG Flexible on pintle mounts 7,750 rounds 360°
(manual)
Manual
M2A1: Armor
Assembly
Bolting
Hull
Rolled face-hardened steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Radiator louvres .25"
.64cm
26°
Windshield cover .50"
1.3cm
25°
Sides .25"
.64cm
Rear .25"
.64cm
Hood top .25"
.64cm
83°
M2A1: Automotive
Engine White 160AX; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 147@3,000rpm Torque Net: 325 ft-lb@1,200rpm Fuel capacity 60gal
230L
Transmission Spicer 3461 constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Steering wheel
Brakes Hydraulic (Hydrovac)
M2A1: 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
M2A1: Track
T68E1
Center guide band type
Width 12"
30cm
Pitch 4"
10cm
Pitches/track 58 Track ground contact length 46.75"
118.7cm
M2A1: Performance
Max level road speed 45mph
72kph
Max grade 60%
Angle of approach With winch: 33°
Without winch: 37°
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 M2A1 did away with the skate rail for the machine guns and replaced it with the M49 ring mount from the M32 truck, which was positioned over the assistant driver's seat on the half-track. The .50cal MG was mounted on this ring mount, and a socket mount was provided for the .30cal MG on each face of the rear compartment. The later ring mount M49A1 added a a deflector shield and a skate-type backrest for the gunner, and substituted a different carriage with a connecting stabilizer.

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References

  1. TM 9-710 Basic Half-Track Vehicles (White, Autocar, and Diamond T). Washington, DC: War Department, 23 February 1944.
  2. 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.
  3. TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Dept., 1 Sep 1943.
  4. SNL G-102 Service Parts Catalog for Cars, Half-track, M2 and M2A1; Carriers, Personnel, Half-track, M3 and M3A1; Carriages, Motor, 75-mm Gun, M3 and M3A1; Carriers, 81-mm Mortar, Half-track, M4 and M4A1; Carrier, 81-mm Mortar, Half-track, M21; Carriage, Motor, Multiple Gun, M13; Carriages, Motor, Multiple Gun, M15 and M15A1; Carriage, Motor, Multiple Gun, M16; Carriage, Motor, 105-mm Howitzer, T19; Carriage, Motor, 75-mm Howitzer, T30; Carriage, Motor, 57-mm Gun, T48. 30 September 1943.
  5. Doyle, David. U.S. Half-tracks: The Development and Deployment of the U.S. Army's Half-track Vehicles, Part one. Ed. Pat Stansell. Delray Beach, FL: The Ampersand Publishing Group, Inc., 2014.
  6. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  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 Tracks." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 4 Jul 2001. 6 Aug 2001 <http://www.siemers.com/wwii/USA/Halftracks.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.
  10. TM 9-710/TO 19-75A-77 Half-track Vehicles Car M2A1; Personnel Carrier M3 and M3A1; 81-mm Mortar Carrier M4, M4A1, and M21; Combination Gun Motor Carriage M15A1; and Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16 and M16A1. Washington, DC: Departments of the Army and the Air Force, 8 May 1953.
  11. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
  12. FM 30-40 C1 Military Intelligence Identification of United States Armored Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 8 March 1942.
Last updated 8 Dec 2023.
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© Copyright 2001-23 Chris Conners