Light Armored Car M38 Wolfhound1-5

M38: General
Total acceptances 1
Manufacturer Chevrolet Division of General Motors Crew
4 men:
  • Commander in turret
  • Gunner in turret left front
  • Loader in turret
  • Driver in hull left front
M38: Dimensions
Combat weight 15,300lbs
6,940kg
Height 78"
200cm
Length 201.25"
511.18cm
Width 96"
240cm
Tread 80"
cm
Wheelbase Front to center axle: 59"
Front to rear axle: 118"
Front to center axle: 150cm
Front to rear axle: 300cm
Ground clearance 14.5"
36.8cm
Fire Height ~70"
~180cm
Turret ring diameter 56"
140cm
Ground pressure, 3" (7.6cm) penetration 8.1psi
.569kg/cm²
M38: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
37mm Gun M6 M23A2 in turret 93 rounds
(ready)
360°
(manual)
+20° to -10°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible on turret AA mount 440 rounds 360°
(manual)
Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG Coaxial to 37mm gun 1,750 rounds 360°
(manual)
+20° to -10°
(manual)
Aiming equipment
Telescope M70D for gunner
M38: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Front .375"
.953cm
22° to 45°
Sides .375"
.953cm
22°
Rear .375"
.953cm
36°
Top .25"
.64cm
83°
Front floor .375"
.953cm
90°
Rear floor .125"
.318cm
90°
Turret
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Gun shield 1.0"
2.5cm
0° to 60°
Front .50"
1.3cm
27°
Sides .375"
.953cm
27°
Rear .375"
.953cm
80°
Top Open --
M38: Automotive
Engine Cadillac Series 42; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower Net: 110@3,400rpm
Gross: 148@3,200rpm
Torque Net: 244 ft-lb@1,200rpm
Gross: 270 ft-lb@1,200rpm
Fuel capacity 51gal
190L
Transmission Hydramatic, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Recirculating ball with hydraulic power assist, steering wheel
Brakes Hydraulic, internal expanding
M38: Suspension
Type Road wheels
Coil spring 3/side
M38: Performance
Max level road speed 60mph
100kph
Max trench 50.4"
128cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 56'
17m
Max fording depth 48"
120cm
Cruising range ~300mi, roads
~480km, roads

The M38 was a 6x6 vehicle with power-assisted steering on the front four wheels. A 2-speed transfer case effectively doubled the amount of speeds in its Hydramatic transmission. The wheels were independently sprung by coil springs via swing arms, and this improved suspension combined with its evenly-spaced axles and oversized tires granted the M38 greater mobility than the M8 Greyhound that the M38 was expected to replace. Four 6-volt batteries were connected in series for the 24 volt electrical system. A portable 4lb (1.8kg) CO2 fire extinguisher was carried. The most significant difference between the combination gun mount M23A2 and the M23 found in, for example, the light tank M3A1, was that the M23A2 used a screw-design elevating mechanism. A single pilot was completed in October 1943, and standardization was recommended in December 1944. Standardization was granted in February 1945, and in anticipation of British service it was christened Wolfhound. With the end of World War II, however, production did not commence.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Armored Car: A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 2002. Reprinted from Armored Car, R.P. Hunnicutt ©2002, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Novato, CA 94945.
  2. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles. Minneapolis: Victory Publishing, Ltd., 2001.
  3. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, 2nd edition 1944, volume 1. Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Ordnance Technical Division, 1 June 1945.
  4. AGF Board No. 2. Development of Armored Vehicles, volume II: Armored Cars, Scout Cars, and Personnel Carriers.
  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 9 Dec 2023.
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