History, technical details and pictures

Half Track M3 history

In 1931, the U.S. military wanted to develop a semi-tracked personnel carrier vehicle, as it then existed in the French Army. Drawing on various models, including the French P17 Kegresse, the Americans developed their own half tracked vehicle.

In 1940, while nearly 70 different models had been offered to U.S. ground forces, the decision focuses on the M3 model, which began to be produced that year.

Although these vehicles were used until the end of World War II, the production of the M3 Half Track stoped in 1944.

Different versions of the M3 were produced between 1940 and 1944, including a model (called CPA) armed with a 75 mm anti-tank gun.

Half Track M3 sheet

Creator: USA
Name: Half Track M3

Lenght: 6,17 m
Width: 2,22 m
Height: 2,26 m
Weigth: 5610 kg
Maximum speed: 72 km/h
Range: 312 km

Armament: 12,7 mm Browning machine gun

Crew: 3 men
Transport : 10 men with equipment

Engine: White 160AX 6-cylinder gazoline in-ligne, 147 hp to 3 000 rpm

Front shield: 13 mm
Back shield: 7 mm