T7
Half Track Personnel Carrier T7

This is the earliest known armored half track to be available to the US Army. Though not mass produced, the vehicle was field tested with regular soldiers in 1938. The vehicle was based on the White M3 wheeled scout car.

Marmon Herrington DHT-5
Marmon Herrington DHT-5

This is probably the only privately produced half track prior to WW2. The Marmon Herrington DHT-5 was available for sale in 1940. It came with a 37mm main gun. The turret was later adapted and used in their famous Locust Light Tank. It is believed that this vehicle was never made available to the US Army for testing.

T1E2
T1E2 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

Perhaps the most important developement from this model is the tracks. The tracks were later standardized on M3, M5, M13, M14, and M17 units. This photo was taken at APG in 1942.

T12 - Photo taken in 1941---T12
T12

Twenty T12 units were produced using the Autocar M3 chassis. Parrish Pressed Steel built the gun shield, and Rock Island Arsenal built the gun mount.

T14 chassis---M2 - 1941---M2 - 1943

M2 interior view---T14 - Photo taken in 1940 - Note the "shine" on the paint. Difficult to see, but there, is the crome spotlight.---M2A1---M2A1
T14, M2, M2A1

The M2 was the produced version of the test vehicle "T14". Between 1941 and 1943, the White Motor Car Company produced 8,423 units, and the Autocar Company made 2,992.

Mark II M3 Prototype
Mark II M3 Prototype

This M3 prototype had a 360 degree swivel mount for a .50cal MG. It was part of a test for the U.S. Navy. The idea was not adopted.

M3 1943. This M3 was photographed at the Ford plant in Chester Pennsylvania. Autocar, Diamond T, and White were the prime contractors for building this vehicle. Why it is at Ford is a mystery.---Maj. General George S. Patton's unique M3. The American armor genius had modifications done to this M3 like the specialized ball mounted .30cal MG with 360 degree visability. This M3 also had special sand skirts and a top cover. None of the modifications were taken up for manufacture.---Top view of a White M3 1941

M3 1942 California Desert---M3 75mm 1941. Designed for anti armor defense. The gun had a muzzle velocity of 2,000fps and could penetrate 3" of hardened steel at 1000 yards. This gun was a considerable hazard against enemy armor of the period. A superior weapon platform.---Diamond T M3 1943. Diamond T Motor Car Company resided in Chicago Illinois.---Diamond T M3 1943. Diamond T Motor Car Company resided in Chicago Illinois.

White M3A1---White M3A1---T29. In 1943 the T29 was standardized as the M3A2.---M3A2

M3A3 - This special variation mounted the M1A1 75mm howitzer.
The M3, M3A1, T29, M3A2, M3A3

(no details)

T31---M5A1---M5A1 undergoing winter tests in Michigan, 1944.
The International Harvester T31, M5A1

The T31 was the "Lend Lease" version of the M3A2 built by International Harvester. Any standardized units were called the M5A1.

International Harvester M2E5 - 1942. Although International Harvester built an equivalent to the M2A1 known as the M9A1, and a similar equivalent to the M3A1 known as the M5A1. On July 10,1942 this photo was taken of an M2E5 which sported the unual short M2 type body. However, the front fenders are flat metal sections which are more in keeping with the overall contours of the remainder of the vehicle. When the IHC M9A1 did appear in 1943, it used curved flat section front fenders, and this M2E5 may well have been the prototype.---International Harvester M9A1
The International Harvester M9A1

In prototype, the vehicle was known as a M2E5.

T10---T10E1
T10, T10E1

A test involving an M2 and the installation of a 20mm Anti-Aircraft gun and mount.

M13
The M13

International Harvester M14
The International Harvester M14

No relationship to the T14 described above.

T28 37mm Automatic Cannon---T28E1

This M15 is shown here in December 1942 at APG.---M15A1
T28, T28E1, M15, M15A1

This halftrack was armed with twin .50 cal MGs and a 37mm cannon.

T16 - Photo taken January 1942. A project attempting to obtain an improved half-track was based upon the M2 half-track car. The frame was lengthened and a new track suspension was installed. The T16 was fitted with larger bogie wheels and track width was increased from 12 to 14 inches. The ground contact length increased from 46.75 inches to 61.5 inches. This increased the ground contact area under the tracks reducing the ground pressure. Another feature of the T16 was a 1/4" folding armored roof. The engine and power train remained the same as on the standard half-tracks. The increased weight of the longer frame and the armor top, slightly reduced the performance. The T16 was judged unsatisfactory and testing was halted.---Diamond T T16 - The half-track truck T16 used a Hercules RXLD gasoline engine or it could be replaced by a General Motors 6-71 diesel. The transmission was a automatic torque converter. The front axle was powered. The equalized rear suspension had 14 inch wide band tracks powered by the front.---Diamond T T16
The T16

Two pilots of the T-16 of the half-track truck T16 were manufactured by Diamond T Motor Car Company with tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground on 1 July 1943. The equalized volute spring suspension was fitted with 12 inch wide band type tracks which were driven from the front. As originally proposed, it was powered by the Hercules RXLD six cylinder, water-cooled, gasoline engine developing 174 horsepower at 2600 rpm. The report of comparative tests of the half-track trucks concluded that they were unsatisfactory and recommended the termination of the program. The main reason was that the user was no longer interested in half-track vehicles. The artillery was now using high speed tractors as prime movers and other users also were shifting to full track vehicles.

M16---M17
The M16, M17

The M16 mounted a M45 Maxson .50cal MG "quad" arrangement. The machine guns were made by Browning. This arrangement achieved real success against aircraft during WW2 (used against "soft" ground targets too). The side armor folded down for ease of turning the guns on their mount. The Brownings could fire 4-500 rounds each per minute at a target with a maximum range of 7200 yards. The muzzle velocity was 2935fps. A crew of 4 was used to operate the vehicle and weapon. The M16 was basically an M3 personnel carrier. The M17 was the same as the M16 but made by International Harvester.

Autocar T17---White T17---White T17---White T17
The T17

Two units were built, one by Autocar and the other by White - at a (then) cost of $35,000 each. The tests were conducted in 1943.

T18 Instrument Carrier - 1943
T18 Instrument Carrier

Developed by Mack Industries to accompany the T59 40mm Gun Motor Carriage (see the Self Propelled Guns section).

White M4A1 with 81mm Mortar---White M4A1 with 81mm Mortar (interior view)
The White M4A1 with 81mm Mortar

M4 was the designation given to the half track which mounted the 81mm mortar (confused yet? - well, do not confuse this unit with the T19 81mm below!)

81mm Mortar Carrier T19. The T19 mounted a 81mm mortar in a test. The T19 was basically the same as issued M3A2 or A1 Half Tracks. This vehicle also carried anti-tank mines. Built by White Motor Car.---M21 - the production model of the 81mm T19.---Mack T19 interior - presented but not accepted for production.---Mack T19 - presented but not accepted for production.
The T19, M21

The T19 was superseded by the M7 Gun Motor Carriage (see Self Propelled Guns). Essentially the T19 was a training vehicle only. All T19s were rebuilt into regular M3 Personnel Carriers and their howitzers placed on new M7 units. The T19 then was given a 81mm mortar in a test. The T19 was basically the same as issued M3A2 or A1 Half Tracks. This vehicle also carried anti-tank mines. Built by White Motor Car and Mack. The White design was standardized vehicle was the M21.

4.2" Chemical Mortar T21
4.2" Chemical Mortar T21

The T21 mounted a 4.2" Chemical Mortar in a test. The T19 was basically the same as issued M3A2 Half Tracks.

T30
T30

Two units were built by White to test a new variation of gun shield. After testing, 328 units were quickly built to arm the then existing six armored divisions in 1942.

T48
T48

This photo was taken in 1942. The T48 was a test of a M3 with a 57mm cannon mounted.

T54---T54E1
T54, T54E1

Called "Anti Aircraft Gun Motor Carriage T54". The vehicle was a test of the 40mm Bofors gun on a M3 chassis.

T58
T58

Called "Anti Aircraft Gun Motor Carriage T58". The vehicle was a test of the Maxon electrical turret and a quad mounting of .50cal Browning MGs on a M3 chassis.

T59---T59 modified---T59E1
T59, T59 modified, T59E1

Called "Anti Aircraft Gun Motor Carriage T58". The vehicle was another test of the 40mm Bofors gun in 1943. Subsequent models basically were improvements in the optics and armor.

T60---T60E1
T60, T60E1

Another test of the 40mm Bofors done in 1943. Very similar to the T54, it is possible that the same chassis was used.

T68
T68

A test of the 40mm Bofors done in late 1942. This test used twin guns.

Mack T1 40mm Gun Motor Carriage---Mack T1 40mm Gun Motor Carriage
Mack T1 40mm Gun Motor Carriage

A test of the 40mm Bofors done in late 1941. This test used the Mack T3 chassis without armor installed. The Mack was well liked, but the gun was not and testing was dropped.

Mack T3 - 1941---Mack T3 - 1942
Mack T3

Tested in 1941 and 1942, the Mack had a very modern design. Without the armor it was tested as the Mack T1 40mm Gun Motor Carriage (above). Only two were built. It was the first "three quarter" track truck made and others were quick to follow.

Half Track Prototype1943
Half Track Prototype1943

This futuristic looking prototype employed spaced armor.

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Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003

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General U.S. Grant

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