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United States' M2 medium tank
Photos
M2 medium tank:  Mark Holloway |
M2 medium tank with an E2 flamethrower:  Fort Knox (Mark Holloway) |
M2 medium tank with an E2 flamethrower:  Fort Knox (Mark Holloway) |
M2A1 medium tank:  Aberdeen Tank Museum |
M2A1 medium tank on a prewar training exercise: |
Design
In 1938 work began on a medium tank.4 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.4 Roadwheels increased to three.4
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.4
Production
Standardized in June 1939.4
1,000 M2A1s were ordered into production in June 1940.1
- M2: 154, 941
- Production: August 1939 -4
- M2A1: 941,4
- Manufacturer: Detroit Tank Arsenal4, Rock Island Arsenal5
Variants
- M2 Medium Tank:
- M2A1 Medium Tank: Armor was thicker.4 Turret was larger.4 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.4
Usage
Used only in a training role.1
Specifications
| M2 | M2A1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, driver, gunners (4).2 62,3 |
Commander, driver, gunners (4).2 51, 62,3,4,5 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 38,000 lb2 19 tons3 |
47,040 lb2,4 19 tons5, 21 tons1, 23 tons3 21,336 kg1, 21,377 kg4 |
| Length w/gun | 17' 6"2, 17' 8"3 | 17' 6"1,2,4, 17.7'5 |
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 9' 3"2, 9' 4.5"3 | 9' 3"1,4, 9.4'5, 9' 4.5"2 2.819 m4, 2.82 m1 |
| Width | 8' 6"2, 8' 7"3 | 8' 6"1,2, 8.6'4,5 2.59 m1, 2.591 m4 |
| 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 37 mm3 |
37 mm1,3,4 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: MG4 | 2: MG4 |
| MG - sponsons | 4: MGs4 | 4: MGs4 |
| MG - turret side | 2: MGs4 | 2: MGs4 |
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 2002 | 2002,4,5 |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 12,2502 | 12,2502,4,5 |
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 9.52, 321,2, 1"3 | 9.52, 252, 1.25"3 Front: 1"5, 1.26"4 Front: 324 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, 4002 | 3502, 350@2,400 rpm5, 4003,4 |
| 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 |
| Speed - Road | 26 mph2,3 | 26 mph1,2,4, 30 mph3,5 42 kph1,4 |
| Speed - Cross Country | 17.2 mph2 | 17 mph5, 17.2 mph2,4 27.6 kph4 |
| Range - Road | 130 miles2 | 130 miles1,2,4,5 209 km1,4 |
| Range - Cross Country | ||
| 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"4,5 0.357 m4 |
| Diameter | ||
| Number of links | 835 | |
| Pitch | 5.5"5 | |
| Tire tread | ||
| Track centers/tread | 6' 9"2 | 6' 9"2,4, 7'5 2.057 m4 |
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
- Airfix Magazine Guide #26 American Tanks of World War 2, Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain, 1977
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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