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The riveted construction of the medium tank M3 is obvious here. This vehicle is not fitted with stabilization since it lacks counterweights on the 37mm or short 75mm M2 guns. The machine gun in the commander's cupola is present in its right aperture, and one of the driver's hull machine guns has been retained. Track grousers are stored in the box below the driver's hatch, and the tank's siren is positioned below the 75mm gun. Here the crew, Cpl. Larry Corletti, Pvt. Murril Chapman, and Pvt. Louis Robles, practice dismounting from a disabled vehicle. (Picture taken 12 Feb 1943 by Sgt. Calvano; available from the U.S. Army Center of Military History.)
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The different turret on this vehicle marks it as a British Grant I. The British did not use the turret machine gun cupola and placed a radio in the bustle of the turret of the Grant. The rear of the engine compartment can be seen, including the rectangular exhaust pipes in the center, and the engine's air cleaners in each upper corner. Engine access was provided by the double doors, and the hole in the rear armor was for a hand starter crank. Taillight groups can be seen above the fenders. A pistol port is visible on the rank's right side, and an antenna mount is mounted on the opposite side of the vehicle.
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This cast, smooth-lined M3A1 is armed with the short-barreled 75mm gun M2, and since neither it nor the 37mm guns are fitted with counterweights, this tank also lacks stabilization. The holes can be seen for the hull-mounted machine guns. This tank also has the early suspension bogies which have the return roller on top of the brace. The aperture to the left of the 37mm gun was for the gunner's periscope. The machine gun in the cupola emerged from the right opening; the left was for a vision slot. There is a ventilator above the pistol port in the front of the hull, and there are antenna mounts behind the turret and behind the front hull pistol port. This tank is wearing the T48 rubber chevron tracks.
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Most of the identifying features for M3A5 are on the rear of the vehicle, since the major difference between M3A5 and M3 is that the former is powered by twin diesel engines rather than the radial gasoline engine. This tank is not fitted with stabilization since it lacks counterweights under the 37mm gun and around the end of the short 75mm gun M2's barrel. It also is running on the T49 parallel bar steel tracks. (Picture from Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks.)
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This is a 3/4 front view of the GM 6046 engine. The power from each engine was sent through its drive shaft and gear to a common driven gear which in turn drove the propellor shaft. The individual engines were designated model 671LA24M (right-side engine) and 671LC24M (left-side engine). The engine weight as installed was 4855lb (2202kg). (Picture from TM 9-1750G Ordnance Maintenance--General Motors Twin Diesel 6-71 Power Plant for Medium Tanks M3A3, M3A5, and M4A2.)
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The legend for this cross-sectional view is as follows: 1. Oil cooler adapter. 2. Oil cooler. 3. Blower housing. 4. Blower rotors. 5. Air cleaner. 6. Secondary fuel filter. 7. Camshaft. 8. Rocker arm. 9. Injector. 10. Injector control rack tube lever. 11. Water outlet manifold. 12. Exhaust manifold. 13. Balancer shaft. 14. Valve rocker cover. 15. Push rod. 16. Section of piston and connecting rod. 17. Air box. 18. Solenoid air inlet control. 19. Air inlet housing. 20. Connecting rod bearing shell. 21. Crankshaft. 22. Main bearing shell. 23. Lubricating oil pump assembly. 24. Lubricating oil pump driven gear. 25. Air heater. 26. Air heater fuel pipe. 27. Clutch shift levers. (Picture from TM 9-1750G Ordnance Maintenance--General Motors Twin Diesel 6-71 Power Plant for Medium Tanks M3A3, M3A5, and M4A2.)
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M3A3 was essentially an M3A5 with a welded rather than riveted hull. The sharp lines on the hull of this tank indicates that it has been welded rather than cast. (Picture from Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks.)
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The large Chrysler multibank engine installed in M3A4 necessitated a longer hull to fit in the tank. The distance between the bogies was also therefore increased, and the rear deck roof and engine compartment floor had bulges to accomodate the A57 engine. (Picture from Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks.)
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The legend for this cross-sectional view is as follows: A. Tube, water pump air relief (engine no. 1 to no. 2). B. Coil, ignition, assembly (no. 1 engine). C. Cleaner, air, crankcase ventilator, assembly. D. Shaft, drive, tachometer. E. Pump, water, assembly (no. 1 to no. 5 engine). F. Tube, water pump air relief (no. 1 engine). G. Filter, oil (absorption type). H. Coil, igntion (no. 5 engine). I. Pipe, exhaust (nos. 4 and 5 engines). J. Tube, fuel pump to branch connection, assembly (for nos. 4 and 5 carburetors). K. Connection, water pump air relief tube. L. Pump, water, assembly (no. 5 engine). M. Distributor, ignition, assembly (no. 5 engine). N. Tube, water pump air relief (no. 4 to no. 5 engine). O. Tube, fuel pump to no. 1 carburetor, assembly. P. Plate, serial number, engine. Q. Pump, fuel, assembly. R. Coil, ignition, assembly (no. 4 engine). S. Support, engine, rear. T. Pump, water, assembly (no. 4 engine). U. Tube, radiator outlet, assemblt (nos. 4 and 5 engines). V. Distributor, ignition, assembly (no. 4 engine). W. Pan, oil. X. Plug, drain, oil pan. Y. Tube, fuel pump to branch connection, assembly (for nos. 2 and 3 carburetors). Z. Distributor, ignition, assembly (no. 3 engine). AA. Pump, water, assembly (no. 3 engine). BB. Tube, radiator outlet, assembly (nos. 2 and 3 engines). CC. Coil, ignition, assembly (no. 3 engine). DD. Cock, drain, cylinder water jacket, assembly. EE. Distributor, ignition, assembly (no. 2 engine). FF. Tube, water pump air relief (no. 2 to no. 3 engine). GG. Pump, water, assembly (no. 2 engine). HH. Coil, ignition, assembly (no. 2 engine). II. Distributor, ignition, assembly (no. 1 engine). JJ. Generator, assembly. KK. Pipe, exhaust (nos. 1, 2, and 3 engines). (Picture from TM 9-1750F Ordnance Maintenance--Power Unit for Medium Tanks M3A4 and M4A4.)
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