WW2 US Military Vehicles
What is your favourite military vehicle of all time?
This is one of many illustrated classic military vehicle guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic US military vehicle art featured in this guide please click here.
WWII was the first almost wholly mechanised conflict in history. It involved the production of motor vehicles at a rate and scale not previously thought possible. The biggest producer, the USA, built over three-million military vehicles during the World War 2 period, sufficient to equip not only the US Army but also a large part of the various allied armies. Six classic US military vehicles are covered in this guide.
Willys Jeep (1/4-ton 4x4)
This is the world famous U.S. Army Jeep used for reconnaissance, personnel transportation, carrying light fire equipment, as an ambulance and generally as an all-purpose field vehicle. During WW2 about 640,000 Willys Jeeps were produced, some were leased to the Russian and British armies.
Crew: 1
Weight: 1,247Kg (2,743lb)
Dimensions: length 3.33m; width 1.57m; height 1.14m
Range: 363m
Armour: none
Armament: none (basic model)
Powerplant: Willys 441 or 442 "Go Devil" 4-cylinder petrol engine developing 60hp (44.7KW)
Performance: maximum road speed 88.5mm/h (55mph)
GMC 2 1/2-ton 6x6 Cargo
One of the classic models was the GMC (General Motors) model 2.5-tonner with the open type cab which appeared later in the war. About 800,00 vehicles were in standard 2.5-ton class, the US Army's most numerous type. Also used by many Allied Armies.
Crew: 1
Dimensions: length 6.82m; width 2.44m; height 3.01m
Range: 255km (165miles)
Armour: none
Armament: none
Powerplant: Hercules RXC six-cylinder petrol engine developing 106hp (79KW)
Performance: maximum road speed 64km/h (40mph)
M3 Gun Motor Carriage
The M3 Gun Motor Carriage, which was basically an M3 Personnel Carrier with a 75mm gun, model M.1897A4 mounted with a shield in the crew compartment, where it had a traverse of 19 degrees left and 21 degrees to the right. The first American self-propelled weapon to be used in combat.
Crew: 13
Weight: 9,072kg (20,000lb)
Dimensions: length 6.23m; width 2.15m, height 2.50m
Range: 320mm (200 miles)
Armour: up to 6-12mm (0.24-0.47in)
Armament: one 75mm M1897A4 gun
Powerplant: White 160AX six-cylinder petrol engine developing 128hp (95.5KW)
Performance: maximum road speed 72km/h (45mph)
Dodge Ambulance T214 3/4-ton 4x4
The standard US ambulance were based on civilian panel van designs. One of the classic models was the Dodge T214-WC54 with all-wheel-drive and steel body. Some 26,000 examples were produced capable of carrying four stretcher or seven seated patients.
Crew: 1
Weight: 2,449kg (5,388lb)
Dimensions: length 4.24m; width 1.99m; height 2.07m
Range: 450km (281 miles)
Armour: none
Armament: none
Powerplant: Doge T214 six-cylinder petrol engine
Performance: maximum road speed 110km/h (68.75mph)
Dodge Weapon Carrier 3/4-ton 4x4
Originally developed as an infantry vehicle to carry the heavier weapons of the company, it later became universal as a cargo and general purpose truck with good cross-country ability. Versions with and without the front-mounted winch were produced.
Crew: 1
Weight: 2,449kg (5,388lb)
Dimensions: length 4.24m, width 1.99m, height 2.07m
Range: 450km (281 miles)
Armour: none
Armament: none
Powerplant: Dodge T214 six-cylinder petrol engine developing 92hp (68.6KW)
Performance: maximum road speed 110km/h (68.75mph)
M7 Priest Howitzer Motor Carriage
Nicknamed the Priest by British crews because of its pulpit-shaped machine gun turret, the M7 was born from US experience with howitzers mounted on half-track vehicles. Using the lower hull and running gear of the M3 tank, a total of 3,490 were built before production ended in 1945.
Crew: 5
Weight: 22,500kg (49,500lb)
Dimensions: length 6.02m; width 2.88m, height 2.54m
Range: 201km
Armour: up to 25.4mm (1in)
Armament: 1x105mm howitzer, 1x12.7mm machine gun
Powerplant: Continental nine-cylinder radial piston engine developing 375hp (279.6KW)
Performance: maximum road speed 41.8km/h (26mph)
No comments:
Post a Comment