M2 light tank | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Role | Light tank |
| Produced | 1935–42 |
| Built | 698 |
The M2 light tank, officially Light Tank, M2, was an American pre–World War II light tank which saw limited use during World War II. The most common model, the M2A4, was equipped with one 37 mm (1.5 in) M5 gun and five .30 cal M1919 Browning machine guns. It was originally developed from the prototype T2 light tank built by Rock Island Arsenal, which had a Vickers-type leaf spring suspension. The suspension was replaced by the superior vertical volute system in the T2E1 series of 1935. This was put into production with minor modifications as the M2A1 in 1936, with ten produced. The main pre-war version was the M2A2, with 239 produced, becoming the main tank in the US Army infantry units in the interwar period. The Spanish Civil War showed that tanks armed only with machine guns were ineffective. This led to the M2A4 with a 37 mm gun as the main armament. A total of 375 were delivered, the last ten as late as April 1942.
Source: M2 light tank on Wikipedia
| M2 light tank Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Unknow |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 27 |
General Characteristics (M2A4 Variant)
The M2 Light Tank was a series of pre-World War II American light tanks. The M2A4 was the final and most produced variant, and its design served as the foundation for the highly successful M3 Stuart light tank.
| Property | Value (M2A4) |
|---|---|
| Role | Light Tank |
| Manufacturer | Rock Island Arsenal, American Car and Foundry |
| Entered Service | 1935 (Initial Models); 1940 (M2A4) |
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Driver, Bow Gunner) |
| Combat Weight | 11.6 tonnes (25,500 lb) |
| Length (Gun Forward) | 4.44 m (14 ft 7 in) |
Armament and Protection
- Main Armament: One 37 mm Gun M5 or M6 (high-velocity anti-tank gun).
- Secondary Armament: Five .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning M1919 machine guns. Two in the bow, one coaxial, and one in each side sponson (a characteristic carried over from earlier multi-turret designs).
- Armor Thickness: Max thickness was up to 25 mm (1 inch) on the front hull and turret face. This was sufficient for contemporary light armor but quickly became inadequate against early WWII anti-tank guns.
- Turret: Small, manually traversed turret.
- Service Status: Used primarily for training in the US, but small numbers saw combat early in the Pacific Theater, notably with the US Marine Corps on Guadalcanal.
Powerplant and Mobility
- Engine: Continental W-670-9A 7-cylinder air-cooled radial gasoline engine (derived from an aircraft engine).
- Power Output: 250 hp (186 kW).
- Maximum Road Speed: 58 km/h (36 mph).
- Operational Range: Approximately 200 km (125 miles).
- Suspension: Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS), which was robust and reliable, providing the basis for later US light and medium tank suspension systems.
- Design Legacy: The M2A4 was virtually identical to the M3 Stuart, except for thinner armor and a slightly less powerful engine, proving the soundness of its underlying design.
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