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M32B2
M32B1
M32
M32B3

Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B21-4
M32B2: General
Date of first acceptance June 1943 Total acceptances 26
Manufacturer Lima Locomotive Works
M32B2: Dimensions
Combat weight 67,600lbs
30,700kg		 Height 116"
295cm
Hull length, without sandshields 233"
592cm		 Width without sandshields 103"
262cm
Tread 83"
211cm		 Ground clearance 17"
43cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.9psi
.956kg/cm²
M32B2: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in turret AA mount -- 360°
(manual)		 Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG Ball mount in right bow -- 20° left, 25° right
(manual)		 +20° to -10°
(manual)
81mm mortar Front hull 30 rounds Manual Manual
M32B2: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 2.0"
5.1cm		 56°
Lower front 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 56°
Sides 1.5"
3.8cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 0° to 10°
Top .75"
1.9cm		 83° to 90°
Front floor 1.0"
2.5cm		 90°
Rear floor .50"
1.3cm		 90°
M32B2: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6046; 12 cylinder (6/engine), 2 cycle, twin in-line diesel
Horsepower Net: 375@2100 crankshaft rpm
(188/engine)
Gross: 410@2900 propellor shaft rpm
(205/engine)		 Torque Net: 1000 ft-lb@1400 crankshaft rpm
(500/engine)
Gross: 885 ft-lb@1900 propellor shaft rpm
(443/engine)		 Fuel capacity 148gal
560L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M32B2: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M32B2: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M32B2: Performance
Max level road speed 25mph sustained
30mph dash
40kph sustained
48kph dash		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 40"
100cm
Cruising range ~150mi, roads
~240km, roads


The M32B2 was based on the hull of the medium tank M4A2 Sherman. The gun turret was replaced with a nonrotating turret which was welded up from flat plates on early vehicles, and later vehicles had rounded plates forming the turret front and sides. An A-frame crane was hinged at the front hull, and was folded back over the vehicle and locked by another A-frame hinged on the rear plate when traveling. The crane struts were increased from 4.5" (11cm) diameter to 5.5625" (14.129cm) during the production run. The crane could lift 30,000lb (14,000kg) if stationary, and 20,000lb (9000kg) if the load needed to be moved. The front and rear suspension bogies were locked if it was necessary to lift loads over 10,000lb (4500kg). A 60,000lb (27,000kg) winch was installed behind the driver's seat. The thirty 81mm mortar rounds were smoke shells for providing cover if recovering a tank under possible enemy observation.

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Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B11-4
M32B1: General
Date of first acceptance December 1943 Total acceptances 1055
Manufacturers
  • Pressed Steel Car Co.
  • Federal Machine and Welder Co.
  • Baldwin Locomotive Works
M32B1: Dimensions
Combat weight 64,200lbs
29,100kg		 Height 116"
295cm
Hull length, without sandshields 232"
589cm		 Width without sandshields 103"
262cm
Tread 83"
211cm		 Ground clearance 17"
43cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.2psi
.927kg/cm²
M32B1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in turret AA mount -- 360°
(manual)		 Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG Ball mount in right bow -- 20° left, 25° right
(manual)		 +20° to -10°
(manual)
81mm mortar Front hull 30 rounds Manual Manual
M32B1: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Upper cast, lower rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 2.0"
5.1cm		 37° to 55°
Lower front 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 45°
Sides 1.5"
3.8cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 0° to 10°
Top .75" to .5"
1.9cm to 1.3cm		 83° to 90°
Front floor 1.0"
2.5cm		 90°
Rear floor 0.5"
1.3cm		 90°
M32B1: Automotive
Engine Continental R974 C4; 9 cylinder, 4 cycle, radial gasoline
Horsepower Net: 400@2400rpm
Gross: 460@2400rpm		 Torque Net: 940 ft-lb@1700rpm
Gross: 1025 ft-lb@1800rpm		 Fuel capacity 175gal
662L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M32B1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M32B1: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M32B1: Performance
Max level road speed 21mph sustained
24mph dash
34kph sustained
39kph dash		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 40"
100cm
Cruising range ~120mi, roads
~190km, roads


M32B1 was converted from M4A1. Staring in May 1945, Baldwin converted 37 M32B1s to M32A1B1 standard, by replacing the vertical volute spring suspension with horizontal volute spring suspension. The newer Sherman combat tanks were also using HVSS, so parts commonality was maintained. The 81mm mortar was deleted from later production M32A1B1s, and the crane lifting boom was eliminated from the right crane strut and replaced with a raising sheave mounted on the center of the hull front.

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Tank Recovery Vehicle M321-4
M32: General
Date of first acceptance March 1944 Total acceptances 563
Manufacturers
  • Pressed Steel Car Co.
  • Federal Machine and Welder Co.
M32: Dimensions
Combat weight 64,300lbs
29,200kg		 Height 116"
295cm
Hull length, without sandshields 232"
589cm		 Width without sandshields 103"
262cm
Tread 83"
211cm		 Ground clearance 17"
43cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.2psi
.927kg/cm²
M32: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in turret AA mount -- 360°
(manual)		 Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG Ball mount in right bow -- 20° left, 25° right
(manual)		 +20° to -10°
(manual)
81mm mortar Front hull 30 rounds Manual Manual
M32: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 2.0"
5.1cm		 56°
Lower front 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 56°
Sides 1.5"
3.8cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 0° to 10°
Top .75"
1.9cm		 83° to 90°
Front floor 1.0"
2.5cm		 90°
Rear floor .50"
1.3cm		 90°
M32: Automotive
Engine Continental R975 C1; 9 cylinder, 4 cycle, radial gasoline
Horsepower Net: 350@2400rpm
Gross: 400@2400rpm		 Torque Net: 800 ft-lb@1800rpm
Gross: 890 ft-lb@1800rpm		 Fuel capacity 175gal
662L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M32: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M32: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M32: Performance
Max level road speed 21mph sustained
24mph dash
34kph sustained
39kph dash		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 40"
100cm
Cruising range ~120mi, roads
~190km, roads


The M32 was based on the medium tank M4.

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Tank Recovery Vehicle M32B31-4
M32B3: General
Date of first acceptance May 1944 Total acceptances 318
Manufacturers
  • Lima Locomotive Works
  • Pressed Steel Car Co.
M32B3: Dimensions
Combat weight 64,100lbs
29,000kg		 Height 116"
295cm
Hull length, without sandshields 232"
589cm		 Width without sandshields 103"
262cm
Tread 83"
211cm		 Ground clearance 17"
43cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.2psi
.927kg/cm²
M32B3: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in turret AA mount -- 360°
(manual)		 Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG Ball mount in right bow -- 20° left, 25° right
(manual)		 +20° to -10°
(manual)
81mm mortar Front hull 30 rounds Manual Manual
M32B3: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 2.0"
5.1cm		 56°
Lower front 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 56°
Sides 1.5"
3.8cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 10° to 22°
Top .75"
1.9cm		 83° to 90°
Front floor 1.0"
2.5cm		 90°
Rear floor .50"
1.3cm		 90°
M32B3: Automotive
Engine Ford GAA; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, 60° vee gasoline
Horsepower Net: 450@2600rpm
Gross: 500@2600rpm		 Torque Net: 950 ft-lb@2200rpm
Gross: 1040 ft-lb@2200rpm		 Fuel capacity 168gal
636L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M32B3: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M32B3: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M32B3: Performance
Max level road speed 26mph sustained
42kph sustained		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 36"
91cm
Cruising range ~130mi, roads
~210km, roads


M32B3s were converted from M4A3 Shermans. Starting in March 1945, Baldwin and International Harvester converted eighty M32B3s to M32A1B3s. The M32A1B3 was analogous to the M32A1B1.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1994.
    Reprinted with permission from Sherman, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1994, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.

  2. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.

  3. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.

  4. Siemers, Cary. "USA's M4 Medium Tanks." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 11 Feb 2001. 21 Feb 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/MediumTanksM4.htm>.



Last updated 10 Dec 2002.

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© Copyright 2001-02 Chris Conners