| M2 half-track | |
| Origin: | United States |
| Type: | Half-track artillery tractor/reconnaissance vehicle |
| Used By: | See Former operators |
| Designer: | Firestone Defense Division |
| Is Vehicle: | yes |
| Wars: | World War II First Indochina War Cambodian Civil War Nicaraguan Revolution |
| Length: | 5.96m (19.55feet) |
| Width: | 2.2m (07.2feet) |
| Height: | 2.26m (07.41feet) |
| Weight: | 9 metric tons |
| Crew: | 2 |
| Passengers: | 7 |
| Suspension: | Wheeled front axle, rear track |
| Speed: | 45mph |
| Vehicle Range: | 220miles (average) |
| Primary Armament: | 0.5 inch M2 Browning heavy machine gun |
| Secondary Armament: | 14 mines, 10 hand grenades |
| Armour: | 6–12 mm |
| Engine: | 386cid White 160AX inline six |
| Engine Power: | 148hp |
The M2 half-track car was an armored half-track produced by the United States during World War II. Its design drew upon half-tracks imported from France in the 1930s, employing standard components supplied by U.S. truck manufacturers to speed production and reduce costs. The concept was designed, and the pilot models manufactured by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company (before the prototype was officially labeled M2.)[1] Production by the White Motor Company began in 1940 and was expanded to include Autocar.
The M2 was initially intended for use as an artillery tractor, but also found use with reconnaissance units. International Harvester Company built the M9 half-track, a variant of their M5 half track, to fulfill the same purpose. It saw wide use in World War II, chiefly by the United States, but also by its allies. A few legacy units were used in the Nicaraguan Revolution.
The concept of a half-track vehicle had been evaluated by the US Army Ordnance Department using Citroën-Kégresse vehicles.
The Cavalry branch of the US Army found that their wheeled armored scout cars had trouble in wet terrain due to their high ground pressure.
In 1938, the White Motor Company took the Timken rear bogie assembly from a T9 half-track truck and added it to an M3 scout car, creating the T7 half-track car.[2] This vehicle was significantly underpowered. When a further requirement came down from US Army artillery units in 1939 for a prime mover to be used as an artillery tractor, a vehicle with an uprated engine was developed, which was designated the half-track scout car T14.
By 1940, the vehicle had been standardized as the M2 half-track car. The M2 design was recognized as having the potential for use by mechanized infantry, which spawned the larger-bodied M3 half-track. Both the M2 and M3 were ordered into production in late 1940, with M2 contracts let to Autocar, White and Diamond T. The first vehicles were received by the Army in 1941.
The M2 was supplied to armored artillery units as the prime mover and ammunition carrier for the 105mm howitzer, and to armored infantry units for carrying machine gun squads. It was also issued to armored reconnaissance units[3] as an interim solution until more specialized vehicles could be fielded.
Between 1942 and 1943, both the M2 and M3 would receive a number of modifications to the drive train, engine, and stowage, among other upgrades.
Total production of M2 and derivatives by White was about 13,500 units. To meet the needs of Lend-Lease to the Allies, the International Harvester Company produced 3,500 units of the M9. The M9 was the same as the IH-produced M5 but with different internal stowage and apart from using IH mechanical components the M9 was longer than the M2.
The first M2s were fielded in 1941, and would be used in the Philippines, North Africa, and Europe by the U.S. Army, and around the Pacific by the Marines. About 800 M2 and M9 half-tracks were sent to the Soviet Union. Many remaining vehicles initially destined for Lend-Lease were transferred to other U.S. allies, primarily in South America. These vehicles often received a number of upgrades designed at extending service life. The Nicaraguan National Guard received 10 M2s in 1942, which saw heavy action during the 1978-79 Nicaraguan Revolution. The Argentine Army retired its last upgraded M9 in 2006 and donated them to Bolivia.
In 1947, the Finnish heavy vehicle producer Vanajan Autotehdas bought 425 M2 half-track vehicles from the Western Allied surplus stocks located in France and Germany. The vehicles were delivered without armor.[4] Some 359 units were converted into field and forest clearing vehicles, some were scrapped for parts and 60 units were equipped with conventional rear axles and converted into 4×4 or 4×2 trucks. They were badged as Vanaja VaWh. The last units were sold in 1952.[5]
Argentina
Belgium
Brazil
Cambodia
Chile
Israel[7]