M39 Armored Utility Vehicle | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Role | Artillery tractor |
| In service | 1945-1960 |
| Built | 640 |
The M39 Armored Utility Vehicle (T41) was an American armored vehicle designed during the Second World War, which saw service in that conflict and in the Korean War. Like a number of vehicles of this type, it was built using an existing chassis, that of the M18 Hellcat.
Source: M39 Armored Utility Vehicle on Wikipedia
| M39 AUV Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Military Vehicle Technology Foundation |
| Photos | 99 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The M39 Armored Utility Vehicle was an American armored vehicle developed during World War II. It was based on the lengthened chassis of the M18 Hellcat tank destroyer and was created to meet the urgent need for a fast, tracked, and armored vehicle capable of various support roles. It lacked a turret, featuring an open-topped hull instead, which simplified production and allowed for easy entry and exit, though it offered less protection to the crew. The M39 served primarily as an armored personnel carrier (APC) for transporting troops and ammunition, a prime mover for towing artillery, and an armored command and reconnaissance vehicle. Its design philosophy prioritized speed and mobility, capitalizing on the M18’s high-performance characteristics. It was used in the Korean War before being retired from front-line service.
| Property | Typical Value (M39) |
|---|---|
| Role | Armored Utility Vehicle, Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) |
| National Origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Buick Motor Division, General Motors |
| Service Entry | 1944 (Limited WWII use), post-WWII general use |
| Crew | 3 (Driver, Commander, Assistant) |
| Capacity (Troops) | 8 infantrymen (in addition to crew) |
| Length | 5.78 m (18 ft 11 in) |
| Width | 2.86 m (9 ft 5 in) |
| Height (Overall) | 2.48 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Combat Weight | 15,690 kg (34,590 lb) |
Powerplant and Performance
- Engine: 1 x Continental R-975-C4 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine.
- Power Output: 298 kW (400 hp).
- Maximum Speed (Road): 80 km/h (50 mph).
- Range (Road): 240 km (150 mi).
- Suspension: Torsion bar type, providing excellent cross-country performance.
- Power-to-Weight Ratio: The high-powered engine combined with its relatively light weight made the M39 one of the fastest tracked armored vehicles of its time.
Protection and Armament
- Armour: Varied steel plating (6.35 mm to 12.7 mm), offering protection against small arms fire and shell fragments, but not heavy anti-tank weapons.
- Fixed Armament: 1 x 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) Browning M2HB heavy machine gun mounted on a ring mount.
- Variants: The M39 replaced the lightly armored M2/M3 half-tracks in many roles. A major derivative was the M41 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC), which mounted the M39’s 76mm main gun.
- Operational Use: While arriving too late for widespread deployment in WWII’s European theater, it saw significant service in the Korean War as an essential part of US armored operations.
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