Half-track Personnel Carrier M3

Half-track Personnel Carrier M3 belonging to the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor.

This view is looking forward into an M3 half-track from the open rear door. The central machine gun pedestal is obvious, and the alternate machine gun mounts on either side of the vehicle are visible just to the rear of the rifle racks on the side walls of the half-track. There is room for 3 in the cab, with the central seat being positioned in front of the machine gun pedestal. The fuel tanks for the vehicle are behind the front two seats on either side of the passenger compartment, and the seat cushions fold up to allow access to stowed equipment.

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Half-track Personnel Carrier M3.

All stowage compartments on this half-track are open. The seats have stowage under them, as well as the floor. The vehicle's fuel tanks are near the front, and a .30cal machine gun is mounted on its pedestal. Rifle clips are also visible around the edge of the passenger compartment. This vehicle is fitted with the small, demountable headlights. (Picture from TM 9-710 Basic Half-Track Vehicles (White, Autocar, and Diamond T).)

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Half-track Personnel Carrier M3.

Deatils of the rear suspension are visible in this picture. This vehicle is fitted with the double-coil spring-loaded idler wheel. (Picture from TM 9-710 Basic Half-Track Vehicles (White, Autocar, and Diamond T).)

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Half-track Personnel Carrier M3.

The rear driving axle is illustrated in this picture. (Picture from TM 9-710 Basic Half-Track Vehicles (White, Autocar, and Diamond T).)

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Half-track Personnel Carrier M3A1 in Engers, Germany.

This M3A1 is armed with a .50cal machine gun mounted on the M49 ring mount above the cab, but the mount is covered. The armored windshield cover is lowered, and the large fender-mounted headlights have been replaced by the dismountable ones. Mine racks are visible under the logs on the side of the half-track. The fenders are thick in cross-section, and the batteries are housed below the right-side door. (Picture taken 27 Mar 1945; available from the 9th Engineer Battalion homepage.)

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Half-track Personnel Carrier M3A1 at the World War II Vehicle Museum and Learning Center.

This half-track is fitted with the late-production double-coil spring loaded idler wheel. The earlier single-coil mechanism was a quick-fix until the double-coil design could be put into production.

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Last updated 20 Dec 2006.

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