T48 Gun Motor Carriage


Aberdeen Tank Museum

It was ordered to be developed by the Ordnance Committee in April 1942. It was only to be temporary until a more powerful design could be developed.

Originally designed for US and British service but none saw service with US forces.1 Production for Britain was initiated on October 18, 1942.

Placed on an M3 half-track. The gun was mounted in the center of the vehicle behind the front bulkhead. A gunner's seat pivoted independently of the main gun.

  Weight Muzzle Velocity
HE 6.25 lb1 2,720'/sec1
AP   2,700'/sec1
M1 gun could penetrate 55 mm armor at 1,000 yards. Muzzle velocity of 2,800 ft/sec. Gun was positioned between the 2 windshields and placed in a quick release traveling lock.

British Service:
Was equipped with British Wireless Set, No. 19.

Russian Service:
Re-armed with more powerful Russian 57 mm anti-tank gun.

   
CrewCommander, driver, gun crew (3)
51
Physical Characteristics 
Weight 19,000 lb, 21,000 lb1
Length w/gun 20' 3.5"1, 21' 5/8"
Length w/o gun 
Height 7', 8' (approximate)1
Width 7' 1"1
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance 11 3/16"1
Ground contact length 3' 10.75"1
Ground pressure 12.3 psi1
Turret ring diameter 
Armament 
Main 57 mm M1 gun1
Secondary 
MG 
Side arms 5: .30 cal Rifles (British)
Grenades
Quantity 
Main 501, 99
Secondary 
MG 
Side armsGrenades: 22
Armor Thickness (mm) 
Hull Front, Upper 0.5"@0°1, 6
Hull Front, Lower6
Hull Sides, Upper 0.25"@0°1, 6
Hull Sides, Lower6
Hull Rear 0.25"@0°1, 6
Hull Top6
Hull Bottom6
Turret Front 
Turret Sides 
Turret Rear 
Turret Top 
Engine (Make / Model) While 160 AX1
Bore / stroke  
Cooling Water1
Cylinders I-61
Capacity  
Net HP 1471
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) Dual range synchromesh1
8 forward, 2 reverse1
Steering Cam and twin lever1
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type) Gasoline1
Octane  
Quantity 60 gallons1
Road consumption 3.6 mpg1
Cross country consumption  
Performance 
Traverse27.5° both ways
Max speed 45 mph1
Cross country speed  
Road radius 200 miles, 220 miles1
Cross country radius  
Turning radius 30'1
Elevation limits-5° to +15°
Fording depth 2' 8"1
Trench crossing 
Vertical obstacle 1'1
Climbing ability 30° slope1
Suspension (Type) Front: Semielliptic spring1
Rear: Vertical volute spring1
Wheels each side Front: 11
Rear: 2 sets of articulated four-wheeled bogies1
Return rollers each side 11
Tracks (Type) Endless band1
Length 
Width 12"1
Diameter 
Number of links  
Pitch 4"1
Tire tread  
Tire size 8.25 x 201
Track centers/tread 63 3/16"1
Wheel centers 64.5"1
Wheel base 135.5"1
Production 1942: Diamond T, Autocar1

Sources:

  1. Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
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