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M3 Half-track file photo [10287]

M3 Half-Track

CountryUnited States
Primary RoleTransport

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Carrier, Personnel Half-track M3 transports were developed in 1940 as an attempt by the United States Army to improve tactical maneuverability; they were accepted for service in May 1941. The design was developed to use as many commercially available component as possible in order to simplify production. They had the capacity to transport 13 men (ie. one rifle squad), carrying 3 men in the cabin and 10 men in the rear. Total production quantity was just shy of 41,000 vehicles. The M5 variant of the M3 Half-track was manufactured for Lend-Lease for the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and the Soviet Union. The design was also used as the foundation for several self-propelled guns. They remained in service in US, UK, Israeli, and other friendly forces long after WW2.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Jun 2010

SPECIFICATIONS

M3
MachineryOne White 160AX 6-cylinder inline gasoline engine rated at 147hp
SuspensionFront: Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring; Rear: Vertical volute spring
Armament1x7.62mm .30cal Browning M1919A4 machine gun
Armor13mm windshield cover, 6.4mm sides, rear, hood, and over radiator louvres
Crew1
Length6.16 m
Width1.96 m
Height2.30 m
Weight9.1 t
Speed72 km/h
Range282 km off-road; 320 km on-road

M3A1
MachineryOne White 160AX 6-cylinder inline gasoline engine rated at 147hp
SuspensionFront: Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring; Rear: Vertical volute spring
Armament1x7.62mm .30cal Browning M1919A4 machine gun, 1x12.7mm .50cal Browning M2HB machine gun
Armor13mm windshield cover, 6.4mm sides, rear, hood, and over radiator louvres
Crew1
Length6.34 m
Width2.22 m
Height2.69 m
Weight9.3 t
Speed72 km/h
Range282 km off-road; 350 km on-road

Photographs

US 75mm gun on exercise, Tennessee, United States, Jun 1941US 75mm gun on exercise, Tennessee, United States, Jun 1941
See all 31 photographs of M3 Half-Track Transport



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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. marc says:
23 Feb 2011 05:20:53 AM

we have a Halftrack m3 with framenumber m3 1591,is it possible to know the date of delivery and where it has served during the war,we are not abble to find any more details,kind regards

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M3 Half-Track Transport Photo Gallery
US 75mm gun on exercise, Tennessee, United States, Jun 1941US 75mm gun on exercise, Tennessee, United States, Jun 1941
See all 31 photographs of M3 Half-Track Transport


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