U.S M3A1 Halftrack NORMANDY 1944/ Forces of Valor 1/32

 

History The M3 halftrack started development in the 1920's and became the Half-Track M2 as a gun motor carriage. French-built Citroen-Kegresse variants were purchased for trials by the US Military and engineers went to work, melding the hull of a White Scout Car M2 to the Kegresse halftrack suspension. Production ensued in 1941 and halftracks rolled off assembly lines in the thousands. The M2 graduated to the designation of M3 Halftrack as the halftrack became a full-fledged armored personnel carrier. In this way, the M3 effectively replaced the M2. A .50 caliber heavy machine gun was mounted to the cab rooftop (a pulpit mount would later make the M3 the M3A1) and a pintle-mounted .30 caliber light machine gun was stowed in the rear (original M3's did not include the .30 caliber machine gun mount - the M3A1 did however). Original M3's would have the .50 caliber pintle-mounted in the center of the rear quarters. A longer hull and bench seating also was part of the M3 models. Halftracks came in a multitude of 'looks' as can be seen from the canvas sided rear quarters, to the open top or armor-plated versions. The halftrack chassis was also used for a variety of armament mounts, one which included a shielded anti-aircraft version that wielded quad-fifty caliber heavy machine guns. Seating varied per model from 10-13 occupants. Anti-tank mine racks were often fitted to the sides for operational vehicles. The US Army began to scale back production of halftrack vehicles by 1944 in favor of fully-tracked vehicles. The British were using American halftracks in the battles raging across North Africa. The Israeli Army is reported to still utilize the halftrack (albeit refurbished and modernized to some extent) in some limited supplementary roles. Other nations continue to use the American halftrack as a battlefield recovery vehicle. Production of American halftracks numbered 41,170. The halftrack was also shipped to the Soviet Union in large numbers from 1942 onwards through the Lend-Lease Act. Major Series Variants: • M2 - Base Production Model (gun tractor) • M3 - Longer hull; APC variant; White 160AX engine. • M3A1 - Circular pulpit gun mount introduced • M3A2 - Designed as mortar carrier, APC or air defense system. • M3 - Communications Variant • M3 - Ambulance Variant • M3 - Artillery Tow Vehicle • M3 - Mortar Carrier • M16 MGMC - Quad-50 Air Defense Variant • M5 - Alternative production methodology; Lend-Lease production model. • M5A1 - M5 with M49 machine gun mount • M5A2 - M5 and M5A1 combination production • M9 • T-12/M3 GMC - 75mm Gun Motor Carriage • T12 HMC - 75mm or 105mm Pack Howitzer • T48 GMC - 57mm Gun Motor Carriage • T30 HMC - M1A1 75mm Gun Motor Carriage • T38 HMC - T7 105mm Pack Howitzer • T19 HMC - M2A1 105mm Howitzer • M21 MMC - 81mm Motor Mortar Carriage • T21 - 4.2 inch mortar carrier (never produced) • M13 MGMC - 2 x 12.7mm machine gun AA variant. • M16 MGMC - Shielded 2 x 12,7mm gun AA variant. • M16A2 MGMC - Addition of rear door to hull. • M17 - Based on M5 chassis for Lend-Lease to Soviet Union. • T58 - Quad-Fifty mount with electrically powered turret (prototype) • M15 CGMC - 2 x 12.7mm heavy machine guns fitted above 37mm autocannon with added crew protection. • M15A1 CGMC - 2 x 12.7mm machine guns fitted under 37mm autocannon. • M15 Special - Fitted with 40mm Bofors L/50 guns. • Various other minor prototype versions as well.

M3A1: General
Date of first acceptance	October 1943	Total acceptances	2862 + 2209 converted from personnel carriers M3 + 1360 converted from 75mm GMC M3 + 281 converted from 57mm GMC T48 + 90 converted from 105mm HMC T19
Manufacturers	Autocar Co. Diamond T Motor Car Co.	Crew	13 men

M3A1: Dimensions
Combat weight	20,500lbs 9300kg	Height	106" 269cm
Length with winch	249.63" 634.06cm	Width over mine racks	87.50" 222.3cm
Front tread	64.5" 164cm	Rear tread	63.8" 162cm
Wheelbase	135.5" 344.2cm	Ground clearance	11.2" 28.4cm

M3A1: Armament
Type	Mount	Ammunition	Traverse	Elevation
.50cal M2HB MG	Flexible on ring mount M49	700 rounds	360° (manual)	Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG	Flexible on pintle mounts	7750 rounds	360° (manual)	Manual

M3A1: Armor
Assembly
Bolting
Hull
Rolled face-hardened steel
Location	Thickness	Angle from vertical
Radiator louvres	.25" .64cm	26°
Windshield cover	.50" 1.3cm	25°
Sides	.25" .64cm	0°
Rear	.25" .64cm	0°
Hood top	.25" .64cm	83°

M3A1: Automotive
Engine	White 160AX; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, in-line gasoline
Horsepower	Net: 147@3000rpm	Torque	Net: 325 ft-lb@1200rpm	Fuel capacity	60gal 230L
Transmission	Spicer 3461 constant mesh, 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering	Steering wheel

M3A1: Suspension
Type	Road wheels	Track return rollers
Front: Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring Rear: Vertical volute spring	Front: Steel ventilated disc Rear: 1 bogie/track; 4 dual/bogie	1 dual/track
Drive sprockets	Idlers	Shock absorbers
18-tooth front drive	Spring-loaded at rear of track	On front wheels

M3A1: Track
Center guide band type
Width	12" 30cm	Pitch	4" 10cm	Pitches/track	58	Track ground contact length	46.75" 118.7cm

M3A1: Performance
Max level road speed	45mph 72kph	Max grade	60%
Max vertical obstacle	12" 30cm	Min turning diameter	59' 18m
Max fording depth	32" 81cm	Cruising range	~200mi, roads ~320km, roads