World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe M2 Half Track Car vehicles were standardized in 1940 and were first deployed in 1941. As the United States was drawn into WW2 later that year, they immediately saw action in the Philippine Islands; as the United States' involvement in the war grew, M2 half-track vehicles followed wherever US Army troops and US Marines were deployed. They could carry 10 soldiers in the rear. In total, 13,500 were built. 800 of them were sent to the Soviet Union as part of the lend-lease program. After the war, many of them were sent to US Allies, primarily South American nations. The 10 M2 half-track vehicles sent to Nicaragua saw action during the 1978-1979 revolution. Argentinian M2 half-track vehicles remained in service until 2006.

SPECIFICATIONS

M2

Machinery	One White 160AX 6-cylinder inline gasoline engine rated at 147hp
Suspension	Front: Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring; Rear: Vertical volute spring
Armament	1x .50cal Browning M2 machine gun
Armor	13mm windshield cover, 6.4mm sides, rear, hood, and over radiator louvres
Crew	1
Length	5.96 m
Width	1.96 m
Height	2.30 m
Weight	8.7 t
Speed	72 km/h
Range	320 km

Photographs