Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
The M2 light tank, officially Light Tank, M2, was an American light tank of the interwar period which saw limited service 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.
The M3 light tank was an upgrade of the M2 light tank. The Battle of France gave momentum to the US tank program because U.S. observers saw how easily British and French light tanks were decimated by the advanced German Panzers, and in July 1940 work began on a new light tank based on the M2 series.
American light tank development started with the M2 light tank series. These light tanks were mechanically very reliable, with good mobility. However, they had a high silhouette, and only a few saw combat. The M3 Stuart series was an improvement of the M2 with better armor. The new medium tank just entering production in 1940 was the M2A1.
For non-sequential numbers, like M1 Abrams, see bottom of list. M1 combat car, also known as the M1 light tank; M1 light motorcycle; M2 light tank, .5" MG or 37 mm gun, 11-ton
By the time the United States entered the Second World War in December 1941 it had only two tank designs ready for combat: the M1 Combat Car and the M2 Light Tank. Originally both tanks only came equipped with machine guns but in 1940, the M2A4 was upgraded to a 37mm anti-tank gun.
The Stuart was an upgrade of the M2 light tank. The initial upgrade was designated the M3 Stuart and had thicker armor, modified suspension and a 37mm gun. Production of the M3 and later the M5 Stuart started in March 1941 and continued until October 1943 with a total of 25,000 produced.
The Marmon-Herrington Combat Tank Light Series were a series of American light tanks/tankettes that were produced for the export market at the start of the Second World War. The CTL-3 had a crew of two and was armed with two .30 cal (7.62 mm) M1919 machine guns and one .50 cal (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun .
The Medium Tank M2 was a larger development of the M2 light tank. Many components were common or used a similar design, including the tracks and vertical volute spring suspension which, with slight modifications, were later used on the M3 and M4 medium tanks.