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59-519: 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 . It was originally developed from the prototype T2 light tank built by the Rock Island Arsenal , which had

118-690: 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 of the United States Army during the interwar period. The Spanish Civil War showed that tanks armed only with machine guns were ineffective. This led to

177-522: A crew of four (commander/gunner, loader, driver, and co-driver). Background: History of the tank , Tank classification , interwar period Light tank The fast light tank was a major feature of the pre– World War II army buildup, where it was expected they would be used to exploit breakthroughs in enemy lines created by slower, heavier tanks, with the goal of disrupting communications and supply lines. Numerous small tank designs and " tankettes " were developed during this period and known under

236-477: A large vehicle to carry it. Gun weight is typically the product of caliber and muzzle velocity . Large caliber guns on light tanks often sacrifice muzzle velocity in interest of saving weight. These guns are effective against close-quarter targets but lack the power and/or accuracy to effectively engage heavier vehicles at a distance. Some light tanks such as the PT-76 are amphibious , typically being propelled in

295-536: A machine gun for armament. At a time of limited military budgets, tankettes were relatively cheap and functioned as reconnaissance vehicles and mobile machine gun posts. In 1928, the British firm of Vickers-Armstrong started promoting another design by John Carden and Vivien Loyd as the " six-ton tank ". Although rejected by the British Army, it was bought by a large number of nations in small numbers. It formed

354-432: A single M2A3 be removed from the assembly line and modified with heavier armor and weapons, to meet the standards of the U.S. Infantry. This vehicle, after conversion, was re-designated as the M2A4. It was equipped with an M5 37 mm main gun, 1 inch (25 mm) thick armor, and a seven-cylinder gasoline engine. Other upgrades included improved suspension, improved transmission, and better engine cooling. Production of

413-420: A variety of names, including the " combat car ". Early light tank designs were generally better armed and armored than armored cars , but used tracks in order to provide better cross-country mobility. The light tank has been one of the few tank variants to survive the development of the main battle tank —in which technological advancements have rendered all previous weight variants obsolete—and has seen use in

472-637: A variety of names. As the Defense Act limited tank development to the infantry, the United States Cavalry began tank development under the name "combat car". In keeping with the high-speed role, the new T5 combat car introduced the new vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS) system, which proved clearly superior to the Vickers leaf spring system. This led to a second prototype of the T2,

531-473: A variety of roles including the support of light airborne or amphibious forces and reconnaissance. Modified IFVs are assuming these roles in many militaries due to their immediate availability, and as a cheaper versatile alternative to developing and fielding a pure light tank. In World War I , industrial initiative also led to swift advances. The car industry, already used to vehicle mass production and having much more experience in vehicle layout, designed

590-401: A vertical volute spring suspension and had a speed of 36 mph (58 km/h), and had a range of 200 mi (320 km). It had one M5 37 mm gun (with 103 rounds), and five .30/06 cal M1919A4 Browning machine guns (with 8,470 rounds) with 6 to 25 mm of armor. It had a 250  hp (190 kW) Continental W-670 9A seven-cylinder radial engine . The vehicle was operated by

649-576: Is a specialized light tank –amphibious with sufficient firepower to engage other reconnaissance vehicles, but very lightly armored. The US fielded small numbers of the M41 Walker Bulldog with a high velocity 76mm gun, and better armor, but it suffered from range limits, and its weight was too heavy for most air transport of the day. The US M551 Sheridan had similar strengths and weaknesses, but could also be airdropped, either by parachute or LAPES . The French had their AMX-13 light tank, which

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708-579: Is unclear. There is evidence that indicates those 36 M2A4s were shipped off from North Africa as part of the British Army 's 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment , fighting in the India and Burma campaigns against the Japanese 14th Tank Regiment. Besides the machine gun mounted coaxially to the main gun, there were three .30 cal. machine guns in the hull. One was mounted in a ball mount in front of

767-559: The American Car and Foundry Company (abbreviated as ACF ), is an American manufacturer of railroad rolling stock . One of its subsidiaries was once (1925–54) a manufacturer of motor coaches and trolley coaches under the brand names of (first) ACF and (later) ACF-Brill . Today, the company is known as ACF Industries LLC and is based in St. Charles, Missouri . It is owned by investor Carl Icahn . The American Car and Foundry Company

826-517: The Infantry Branch decided to switch to a twin turret configuration in the M2E2, with a .30-caliber (7.62 mm) machine gun in a second turret. These early twin-turret tanks were given the nickname " Mae West " by the troops, after the popular busty movie star. The twin-turret layout was inefficient, but was a common feature of 1930s light tanks derived from the Vickers. Further refinements to

885-778: The Jackson and Sharp Company (founded 1863 in Wilmington, Delaware ) and the Common Sense Bolster Company (of Chicago, Illinois ). The unified company made a large investment in the former Jackson & Woodin plant in Pennsylvania, spending about $ 3 million. It was at this plant that ACF built the first all- steel passenger car in the world in 1904. The car was built for the Interborough Rapid Transit system of New York City ,

944-965: The London Underground . In those two years, ACF also acquired the Southern Car and Foundry (founded 1899 in Memphis, Tennessee ), Indianapolis Car and Foundry, and Indianapolis Car Company . In 1916, William H. Woodin , formerly president of Jackson and Woodin Manufacturing Company , was promoted to become president of ACF. Woodin would later become Secretary of the Treasury under U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt . During World War I , ACF produced artillery gun mounts and ammunition, submarine chasers and other boats, railway cars, and other equipment to support

1003-591: 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. This was a poor design with thin armor and a high silhouette. The M3 Stuart saw use in the North African Campaign but

1062-455: The Nomonhan fighting, which lasted from about May through September 1939. The Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tank was equipped with a diesel engine , and although mounting a 37 mm cannon, it was a low velocity gun with a maximum effective range of about 700 meters. However, this conflict would be instrumental in developing the famous T-34 medium tank. Germany's armored Panzer force

1121-584: The Allies. ACF ranked 36th among United States corporations in the value of World War II production contracts. In the past, ACF built passenger and freight cars , including covered hopper cars for hauling such cargo as corn and other grains. One of the largest customers was the Union Pacific Railroad , whose armour-yellow carbon-steel lightweight passenger rolling stock was mostly built by ACF. The famous dome - observation car "Native Son"

1180-613: The British Light Tank Mk VI , French Renault R35 , German Panzer I , Italian L3/35 (classified as a light tank by the Royal Italian Army , a tankette by others), Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tank , Soviet T-26 , and American M2 light tank . The Soviet BT tanks were the most advanced in the 1930s, extremely fast and mounting high velocity 45 mm cannons. Their only drawback were their petrol engines which caught fire often and easily during

1239-606: The Cold War era was the Swedish Ikv 91 (classified as an assault gun by Sweden). It had a low-pressure 90mm gun, strong armor against 20mm grenades, and it was fully amphibious. Light tanks, such as the PT-76 , continue to play a small role in tank warfare , although many are losing favor to cheaper, faster, and lighter armored cars . The light tank still fills an important niche in many armies, especially for nations with airborne divisions, Marine Infantry, or those without

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1298-569: The M2A2 produced the A3 model, which incorporated a modified suspension system that reduced the tank's ground pressure. The weight increased to 10 tons. Following the Spanish Civil War, most armies, including the U.S. Army, realized that they needed tanks armed with cannon and not merely with machine guns. The Cavalry had already opted for a single, larger turret on its nearly identical M1 combat car. In December 1938, OCM No. 14844 directed that

1357-715: The M2A4 began in May 1940 at the American Car and Foundry Company , and continued through March 1941; an additional ten M2A4s were assembled in April 1942, for a total production run of 375 M2A4 light tanks. The M2 light tank led to the US M3-series and M5-series light tanks. The Ordnance Department viewed the M2A4 as a stopgap tank; work to improve it further began in June 1940. The first M3 Stuart tanks began to be produced in March 1941;

1416-707: 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. The tank's only combat service was with the United States Marine Corps ' 1st Tank Battalion in 1942 during the Pacific War . While some sources claim that the M2A4 saw action with British Army tank units in the Burma campaign against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces , historian Mike Green states that

1475-669: The M2A4s and Stuarts would deploy in pairs, so they could cover each other with machine gun fire against Japanese soldiers armed with satchel charges . Ultimately, the Marine Corps determined that the 37 mm guns of the M2s and M3s were not powerful enough to defeat Japanese bunkers, and so they would be replaced with tanks armed with 75 mm guns. Following the end of the Guadalcanal campaign, A Company returned to Australia, where

1534-646: The M2A4s were replaced with the new M4 Shermans in preparation for the Battle of Cape Gloucester in December 1943. They remained in service in some areas of the Pacific Theater until 1943. After they served in the Pacific, they were used for training. Britain ordered 100 M2A4s in early 1941. After 36 of them were delivered, the order was canceled in favor of an improved M3 Stuart . The fate of these vehicles

1593-616: The T1, but used a new suspension system copied from the British Vickers six-ton tank. The first prototype was delivered in 1933. The Defense Act of 1920 had defined tanks to be used in support of the infantry. Through the 1920s a number of theorists outlined an independent role for the tank that required it to move at high speed into the rear areas, a modern version of the cavalry . The British referred to these designs as " cruiser tanks ", but similar high-speed designs were developed under

1652-588: The T2E1, in April 1934, adopting the VVSS from the T5. The T2E1 was armed with one .30 cal (7.62 mm) and one .50 inch (12.7 mm) Browning machine gun mounted in a fixed turret; another .30 cal Browning was mounted on the hull front. The T2E1 was selected for production in 1935 as the M2, which mounted only the M2 Browning in a small one-man turret , and the .30 cal in the hull. After only 10 units were delivered,

1711-596: The U.S. passenger car market is erratic in production and is mostly handled by specialty manufacturers and foreign corporations. Competitors Budd , Pullman-Standard , Rohr Industries , and the St. Louis Car Company have all either left the market or gone out of business. The manufacturing facility in Milton, Pennsylvania , was served by the Norfolk Southern Railway and was capable of manufacturing railcars and all related railcar components. The plant

1770-518: The armor in contemporary light tanks is modular, sometimes up to three configurations. The flat hull necessary for amphibious light tanks to plane across the surface of the water is not nearly as blast-resistant as the V-shaped hull. It has been suggested that underbelly armor appliqué could be applied after the light tanks come ashore and before they encounter explosive devices. A gun capable of defeating modern tanks at reasonable ranges requires

1829-659: The basis of the Soviet T-26 (around 10,000 built) and the Polish 7TP tank and influenced the Italian Fiat M11/39 . The British Army did not use the design as a light tank themselves but a developed version of the Carden Loyd tankette as the starting point for a series of British light tanks intended for use in imperial policing and expeditionary warfare. As the only tank fit for immediate manufacture, it

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1888-406: The bow gunner. The other two were mounted in fixed sponson mounts. These machine guns were fired by the driver; they were aimed by pointing the entire tank at the desired target. Another .30 cal machine gun was normally mounted on the top of the turret for anti-aircraft defense. The 37 mm M5 gun had a manually operated breechblock. The tank commander doubled as loader, like many other tanks of

1947-539: The fact that light tank platoons were not expected to function as a reconnaissance unit, they could be used for reconnaissance purposes. In this role, they were expected to remain behind the main reconnaissance force as the support element and augment the firepower whenever enemy contact was made. The British withdrew their light tank designs from their armored divisions early in the war, but used some later designs for minor amphibious operations and airborne operations. In general they used armored cars for reconnaissance and

2006-542: The first of 300 such cars ordered by that system. In 1903, the company was operating overseas in Trafford Park , Manchester, England, and it was featured on a Triumphal Arch built for the Royal Visit of Edward VII and Queen Alexandra in 1903. The factory buildings were later used by Ford cars, which began manufacturing at Trafford Park in 1911. 1904 and 1905 saw ACF build several motor cars and trailers for

2065-456: The first practical light tanks in 1916, a class largely neglected by the British. Renault 's small tank design, the FT , was the first tank to incorporate a top-mounted turret with a full rotation. The FT was in many respects the first truly modern tank having a layout that has been followed by almost all designs ever since: driver at the front; main armament in a fully rotating turret on top; engine at

2124-410: The gunners shoulder rest overcoming the friction in the mechanism. Depression and elevation of the gun was either through a geared mechanism or, with the gears disengaged, free through movement of the gunner's shoulder rest. The M2A4 was 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m) long, 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m) wide, 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m) high, and weighed 11.6 t (26,000 lb). It had

2183-481: The hatch. Some light tanks, such as the M551 Sheridan , ZTQ-15 and 2S25 Sprut-SD armored reconnaissance vehicle, could be rigged for low- velocity airdrops from transport aircraft . With this method the tank is pulled out of the aircraft by brake chutes and skids to a stop. The crew does not ride in the tank during extraction, but parachutes from another plane. Upon landing, they go to their tank, release

2242-546: The last of the light tank designs, the light tank Mk VIII "Harry Hopkins", was produced only in small numbers. The Japanese made extensive use of light tanks that were much better suited to jungle warfare than larger designs, such as the Type 95 Ha-Go light tank. Light tanks continued to be built, but for very limited roles such as amphibious reconnaissance, support of airborne units , and in rapid-intervention forces that were not expected to face enemy tanks. The Soviet PT-76

2301-671: The lines, and drive it away. Background: History of the tank , Tank classification , Tanks in World War I Background: History of the tank , Tank classification , interwar period Background: History of the tank , Tank classification , Tanks in the Cold War Background: History of the tank , Tank classification American Car and Foundry Company 38°47′06″N 90°28′51″W  /  38.7848658°N 90.4808884°W  / 38.7848658; -90.4808884 ACF Industries , originally

2360-403: The low priority given to the army meant that there were few resources for building tanks. The US Army instead developed and tested tank components such as suspensions, tracks, and transmissions. This paid off when production had to be initiated on the outbreak of war. At the start of World War II, the majority of all of the great powers' tank forces consisted of light designs. The most common were

2419-612: The new tank was not yet in production, it received 36 M2A4s, after which point production of the M3 had come on line. Many of these tanks were deployed during the Battle of Guadalcanal while assigned to A Company, 1st Tank Battalion , where they and M3 Stuarts were typically spread out among infantry units. Their use was generally limited to providing mobile fire support to the Marines, either in disabling Japanese bunkers or using canister shot against Japanese attacks. In defensive engagements,

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2478-515: The number of radios. Throughout the interwar period the US produced only a few hundred tanks. From the end of World War I to 1935, only 15 tanks were produced. Most were derivatives or foreign designs or very poor quality private designs. The Christie designs were among the few better examples, but the US Army acquired only three Christies and did not pursue the idea any further. Budget limitations and

2537-459: The original riveted M3s closely resembled the M2A4, and the two types occasionally served in the same units; an easy recognition feature was the rear idler wheel. On the M2A4, the idler was raised; on the M3 it trailed on the ground, increasing the flotation of the heavier vehicle. The M3 retained the same Continental W-670 engine, but incorporated ½-inch thicker (1½ inch total thickness) armor; with weight increased to 14 tons. The tank initially kept

2596-836: The preferred choice for infantry support in Equatorial nations. Post–Cold War light tanks include the Stingray , ZTQ-15 , M8 Armored Gun System and Kaplan MT / Harimau . Light tanks based on infantry fighting vehicles chassis include the CV90 105T, 2S25 Sprut-SD , Tanque Argentino Mediano , ASCOD LT 105 , and Sabrah . The modern light tank supplements the main battle tank in expeditionary roles and situations where all major threats have been neutralized and excessive weight in armor and armament would only hinder mobility and cost more money to operate. They have also been used for reconnaissance and, in some cases, infantry support. Typically,

2655-443: The rear. Previous models had been "box tanks", with a single crowded space combining the role of engine room, fighting compartment, ammunition stock and driver's cabin. The FT had the largest production run of any tank of the war, over 3,700 (mostly in 1918), and was more numerous than all British and German tanks combined. The Carden Loyd tankette and its derivatives were adopted by several nations as small tracked vehicles carrying

2714-475: The resources and funding for main battle tanks . They have important advantages over heavier tanks in Southeast Asia and other nations in the Equatorial region. Their compact dimensions and short-to-nonexistent barrel overhang lets them maneuver through thick rain forests, and their weight reduces the risk of getting stuck in mud, and simplifies recovery of stuck or damaged tanks. This makes the light tank

2773-438: The same 37 mm gun and the forward firing hull machine guns, but the turret incorporated improvements. Eventually over 4,500 examples of all variants were produced. By December 1941, the M2A1, M2A2 and M2A3 were used for training only. The majority of M2A4s, which went to the US Army, were also used only for training between 1940 and 1942. The US Marine Corps ordered M3 Stuart tanks to outfit its armored units in 1940, but as

2832-583: The tanks were never issued to combat units. The M2A4 light tank led to the development of the M3 Stuart light tank and the M4 tractor artillery prime mover, the former of which saw widespread use throughout World War II. US Army infantry tank design started with the light tank, T1 during the 1920s, which developed into a series of experimental designs which did not enter production. The T2 concept, starting five years later, incorporated several design lessons from

2891-477: The time. There was no turret basket in the M2A4 light tank; the commander stood on the right side, while the gunner stood on the left side. The commander turned the turret onto the general direction of target. The gunner would then bring the target into the M5 telescopic sight. The M20 combination mount had 20° of traverse; this could either be by a handwheel driving the rack and pinion traverse gear mechanism or pressure on

2950-399: The vehicle, or even a troop, had to load and aim the turret gun. The lack of radios with the light tanks was not seen as a major drawback, since French doctrine called for slow-paced, deliberate maneuvers in close conformance to plans. The role of small unit leaders was to execute plans, not to take the initiative in combat. In 1939, a belated effort was made to improve flexibility and increase

3009-417: The water by hydrojets or by their tracks. Most amphibious light tanks weigh little and often utilize aluminum armor. Some light tanks require no modifications for river crossings. Crews simply raise the easily accessible cloth sides around the hull, cover the hatches, turn on the bilge pump and shift the transmission to water operations. Often, a fold down trim vane is erected to stop water from flooding into

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3068-486: Was a key element in the expansion of the British Army in the period leading up to the outbreak of war. In general, French tanks of the 1930s were well-armored, innovative vehicles that owed little to foreign designs. However, the light tanks lacked firepower and almost all French tanks were handicapped by their one-man turrets, even the larger tanks such as the Char B1 , which overworked the commander who, besides directing

3127-514: Was an ACF product. Another important ACF railroad production were the passenger cars of the Missouri River "Eagle", a Missouri Pacific streamliner put in service in March 1940. This train, in its original shape, consisted of six cars including one baggage, one baggage-mail, two coaches one food and beverage car and finally the observation lounge-parlor car. All the passenger equipment was styled by industrial designer Raymond Loewy . Today,

3186-412: Was capable of producing pressure vessels in sizes 18,000–61,000 gwc, including propane tanks, compressed gas storage, LPG storage, and all related components, including heads. The plant, covering 48 acres, provided 500,000 square feet of covered work area and seven miles of storage tracks. The plant ceased production in 2019. The Huntington, West Virginia, production site ceased production in late 2009, and

3245-527: Was designed for its capability to be quickly air-dropped for use with paratroopers and also able to support lightly armed infantry and perform force-reconnaissance effectively. The British FV101 Scorpion , the fire support variant of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) series of vehicles that replaced armored cars in British service, has been described as a light tank and was sold to many smaller nations. Another light tank in

3304-625: Was not especially impressive at the start of the war. In the invasions of Poland and France , the German forces were mostly made up of the Panzer I and Panzer II light tanks. The Panzer I was little more than a training vehicle armed only with machine guns; the Panzer II with a 20 mm cannon. The Panzer division also included some Czech designed light tanks—the Panzer 35(t) and the Panzer 38(t) . American light tank development started with

3363-560: Was originally formed and incorporated in New Jersey in 1899 as a result of the merger of thirteen smaller railroad car manufacturers. The company was made up of: Later in 1899, ACF acquired the Bloomsburg Car Manufacturing Company of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania . Orders for new freight cars were made very quickly, with several hundred cars ordered in the first year alone. Two years later, ACF acquired

3422-465: Was relegated to reconnaissance as soon as US-built medium tanks became available. Further light tank development in the war led to the improved M5 Stuart and then included the M24 Chaffee . Light tanks were issued to tank battalions (one of the four companies was a light tank company), light tank battalions and cavalry reconnaissance squadrons. The original role of the light tank in these formations

3481-616: Was similar to medium tanks and they were expected to engage enemy armor with AP rounds and enemy positions with HE rounds. As a result, tank gunnery training for light and medium tankers was common. US Army Field Manuals written before 1944 clearly show that light tanks were to be part of an armored assault on enemy positions, and examples of fire on enemy armor were in these manuals. When pursuing an enemy, Light Tank Battalions were expected to move parallel with enemy columns and, together with accompanying infantry and engineer units, seize "critical terrain that will block hostile retreat". Despite

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