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United States' M2 medium tank:
M2 Medium Tank: Aberdeen Tank Museum |
Design
In 1938 work began on a medium tank.6 The T5 Medium was successfully tested at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, and it was then designated the M2 Medium.
The M2 was basically a larger M2 Light Tank.6 Roadwheels increased to three.6
Had an octagonal turret with a 37 mm gun and there were six maching guns around the tank.1 It's role was to support infantry.6
Prototype
Production
Standardized in June 1939.6
1,000 M2A1s were ordered into production in June 1940.1
- M2: 156, 941
- Production: August 1939 -6
- M2A1:
941,6
- Manufacturer: Detroit Tank Arsenal6, Rock Island Arsenal5
Variants
- M2 Medium Tank:
- M2A1 Medium Tank: Armor was thicker.6 Turret was larger.6 The 37 mm gun fired a 1.9 lb. AP shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,600'/sec.5 Had more armor and the turret from the M3 light tank.1
- M2 with E-2 Flame Projector: Experimental mount with flame thrower.3
- T5E2: Had a 75 mm howitzer in the hull.6
Usage
Used only in a training role.1
| M2 | M2A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver, gunners (4).2,4 62,3,4 |
Commander, driver, gunners (4).2,4 51, 62,3,4,5,6 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 38,000 lb2 17.3 tons4, 19 tons3 |
47,040 lb2,6 19 tons5, 21 tons1, 21.4 tons4, 23 tons3 21,336 kg1, 21,377 kg6 |
| Length w/gun | 17' 6"2, 17' 8"3 5.33 m4 |
17' 6"1,2,6, 17.7'5 |
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 9' 3"2, 9' 4.5"3 2.84 m4 |
9' 3"1,6, 9.4'5, 9' 4.5"2 2.819 m6, 2.82 m1,4 |
| Width | 8' 6"2, 8' 7"3 2.59 m4 |
8' 6"1,2, 8.6'5,6 2.59 m1,4, 2.591 m6 |
| Width over tracks | ||
| Ground clearance | 17"5 | |
| Ground contact length | 142"5 | |
| Ground pressure | 9.6 psi5 | |
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| Main | 37 mm M62,4 37 mm3 |
37 mm1,3,6 37 mm M62 37 mm M6, L/535 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 8: .30 cal Browning MG2 8: MG3 |
6: 7.62 mm (.30 cal) MGs1 8: .30 cal Browning MG2 8: MG3 8: .30 cal M1919A4 MG5 |
| MG - hull | 2: MG6 | 2: MG6 |
| MG - sponsons | 4: MGs6 | 4: MGs6 |
| MG - turret side | 2: MGs6 | 2: MGs6 |
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 2002,4 | 2002,5,6 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 12,2502,4 | 12,2502,5,6 |
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 9.52, 321,2, 1"3 Front: 254 |
9.52, 252, 1.25"3 Front: 1"5, 1.26"6 Front: 324,6 Side: 1"5 |
| Hull Front, Upper | ||
| Hull Front, Lower | ||
| Hull Sides, Upper | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | ||
| Hull Rear | ||
| Hull Top | ||
| Hull Bottom | ||
| Turret Front | 1"5 Mantlet: 2"5 |
|
| Turret Sides | ||
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | Wright2 Wright Radial3 |
Wright R-9751 Wright2,5 Wright Radial3 |
| Bore / stroke | ||
| Cooling | Air3 | Air3,5 |
| Cylinders | 92,3 | 92,3, R-95 |
| Capacity | ||
| Net HP | 3503,4,6, 4002 | 3502, 350@2,400 rpm5, 4003,4,6 |
| Power to weight ratio | ||
| Compression ratio | 6.3:15 | |
| Transmission (Type) | Constant mesh5 5 forward, 1 reverse5 |
|
| Steering | Controlled differential5 | |
| Steering ratio | ||
| Starter | ||
| Electrical system | ||
| Ignition | ||
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline5 | |
| Octane | ||
| Quantity | 136 gallons5 | |
| Road consumption | 0.97 mpg5 | |
| Cross country consumption | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | 360°2 | 360°2 Hand5 |
| Max speed | 26 mph2,3 43 kph4 |
26 mph1,2,6, 30 mph3,5 42 kph1,6, 43 kph4 |
| Cross country | 17.2 mph2 | 17 mph5, 17.2 mph2,6 27.6 kph6 |
| Road radius | 130 miles2 | 130 miles1,2,5,6 209 km1,6 |
| Cross country radius | ||
| Turning radius | ||
| Elevation limits | ||
| Fording depth | ||
| Trench crossing | 7' 6"2 | 7' 6"2 |
| Vertical obstacle | 2'2 | 2'2 |
| Climbing ability | ||
| Suspension (Type) | Vertical volute.2 | Vertical volute.2 Vertical volute spring.5 |
| Wheels each side | 3 bogies of 2 wheels each5 | |
| Return rollers each side | 35 | |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin, double pin per shoe, rubber cleat5 | |
| Length | ||
| Width | 1' 2"2 | 1' 1"2, 1 2"5,6 0.357 m6 |
| Diameter | ||
| Number of links | 835 | |
| Pitch | 5.5"5 | |
| Tire tread | ||
| Track centers/tread | 6' 9"2 | 6' 9"2,6, 7'5 2.057 m6 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Airfix Magazine Guide #26 American Tanks of World War 2, Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain, 1977
