Light Tank M22 Locust^1-13

The M22 light tank was intended for airborne use, and the C-54 Skymaster cargo aircraft was the original carrier plane. When transported by the C-54, the turret of the M22 was removed, and the hull was suspended below the plane via lifting brackets at the four corners of the hull. The turret of the Locust was designed to be easily removable for this reason, and British tests found that the tank could be reassembled in ten minutes or less using the aircraft's integral hoists. Combined with the fact that the laden C-54 would require a large runway, though, the reassembly process meant that achieving any measure of surprise was seriously hindered for the tanks. The British Hamilcar glider and later American aircraft like the C-82 Packet could carry the M22 ready for battle. The tank was never used operationally by US troops, but eight M22s were part of the British airborne force that assaulted enemy positions along the Rhine during Operation Varsity in March 1945.

The suspension of the M22 included strengthening braces running between the two bogie brackets and between the rear bogie and idler assembly. The commander and gunner had their own hatches, and the driver was protected by a protruding hood on the hull left front that was hinged at the top. The first 27 M22s featured a protected direct vision slot for the driver, which was replaced with a vision port which was closed with a steel plug. The steel plug closure system was similar to the driver's direct vision setup in the light tank M5. The sides of the driver's hood were also sloped on later tanks. The exhaust pipe for the M22 exited the engine compartment in the rear, and then curved up to the right rear fender of the tank, where the muffler rested.

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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. TM 9-724 Light Tank T9E1. Washington, DC: War Department, 17 November 1943.
3. TM 9-1724A Ordnance Maintenance--Engine and Engine Accessories for Light Tank T9E1. Washington, DC: War Department, 6 August 1943.
4. TM 9-250 37-mm Gun M6, Mounted in Combat Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 3 August 1944.
5. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
6. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, second edition 1944, volume I: Tank and Automotive. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Technical Division, 1 June 1945.
7. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, second edition 1944, volume II. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Technical Division, 1944.
8. AGF Board No. 2. Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks. 1947.
9. Roberts, Charles C., Jr. US Airborne Tanks 1939-1945. Yorkshire, England: Frontline Books, 2021.
10. Flint, Keith. Airborne Armour: Tetrarch, Locust, Hamilcar and the 6th Airborne Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment 1938-50. Solihull, West Midlands, England: Helion & Co., Ltd., 2004.
11. Miller, David. The Illustrated Directory of Tanks of the World. Osceola, WI: MBI Publishing Co., 2000.
12. Siemers, Cary. "USA's M22, Locust, Airborne Light Tank." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 25 Nov 2000. 31 Jan 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/M22Locust.htm>.
13. Zuljan, Ralph. "M22 Locust." Second World War Armor. 16 Mar 2000. 31 Jan 2001 <http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fltm22.htm>. Second World War Armor

Last updated 24 Nov 2024.
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