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United States' M15 and M15A1 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
M15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage used in North Africa U.S. Army in World War II - Pictorial Record, 1951 |
M15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage  |
M15A1 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage  |
Design
The M15 was to replace the M13 and M14 as they weren't meeting expectations.2
The M15 was made from a M3 Half Track chassis. It had the rear compartment removed and the M42 multiple gun mount was mounted on the flat bed.2 The guns could rotate a full 360°.2
Armament
The 37 mm could fire 40 rounds per minute and the MGs 500 rounds per minute.2
The M15 had a 37 mm M3E1 and two .50 cal MGs in a combined mount.
37 mm gun had ceiling of 6,200 yards, range of 8,875 yards. The .50 cal MGs had range of 7,200 yards.
Prototype
Production
- M15: 6002
- Manufacturer: Autocar
- Production: February 1943 - April 19432
- M15A1: 1,6522
- Manufacturer: Autocar2
- Production: October 1943 - February 19442
Variants
- M15: Used a M6 Sighting System. Entered service in May 1943.2
- M15A1: Used M54 gun mount.2 37 mm M1A2 Gun in a M3A1 Gun Carriage with a M5 Sighting System. Was lighter and had lower silhouette than M15. Platform provided for the loader and lead setter. Rail is provided at rear to help crew get into gun mount. There was more room for the crew.2
Usage
M15
The M15 was used in Sicily, Italy, and north western Europe.2
M15A1
The M15A1 was used in Italy and north western Europe.2
Post World War II
The M15s were used in the Korean War and remained in service until the late 1950s.2
| M15 | M15A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | 72 | 7 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 10 tons2 | 20,800 lb |
| Length w/gun | 20' 3"2 6.14 m2 |
20' 3.5" |
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 8'2 2.44 m2 |
7' 10" |
| Width | 8' 2"2 2.49 m2 |
7' 4.5" |
| Ground clearance | 11 3/16" | |
| Ground contact length | 3' 10.75" | |
| Ground pressure | ||
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 37 mm M1A22 | 37 mm M1A2 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 2: 0.5" Browning MG2 2: 12.7 mm Browning MG2 |
2: M2 .50 |
| Side arms | 4: .30 cal Carbines | |
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 2402 | 200 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 3,4002 | 1,200 |
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 0.5"2 12.7 mm2 |
|
| Hull Front, Upper | 6 | |
| Hull Front, Lower | 6 | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | ||
| Hull Rear | ||
| Hull Top | ||
| Hull Bottom | ||
| Turret Front | 6 | |
| Turret Sides | 6 | |
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | White 160AX2 | White 160AX |
| Cylinders | 62 | |
| Net HP | 1282 | |
| Transmission | ||
| Fuel type | Petrol2 | |
| Octane | ||
| Capacity | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 360°2 | 360° |
| Max speed | 45 mph2 64 kph2 |
|
| Cross country speed | ||
| Road range | 200 miles2 280 km2 |
|
| Cross country speed | ||
| Turning radius | ||
| Elevation Limits | -5° to 85° | |
| Fording depth | ||
| Trench crossing | ||
| Vertical Obstacle | ||
| Suspension (Type) | ||
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Track length | ||
| Tires | ||
| Track width | ||
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- -
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
