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United States' M15 and M15A1 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

Photos

M15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage used in North Africa
United States' M15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage U.S. Army in World War II - Pictorial Record, 1951
M15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
United States' M15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
M15A1 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
United States' 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.

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

Specifications

  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 Gasoline2  
Octane    
Capacity    
Performance    
Traverse 360°2 360°
Speed - Road 45 mph2
64 kph2
 
Speed - Cross Country    
Range - Road 200 miles2
280 km2
 
Speed - Cross Country    
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:

  1. -
  2. World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006

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