Saturday, June 8, 2013

M2 Light Tank

M2 Light Tank
M2 Light Tank
Tank Historical Info 

The Light Tank M2 was an American pre-World War II light tank that saw combat with the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion on Guadalcanal in 1942, during World War II. Its service with the 1st Tank Battalion during the Pacific War was its only U.S. combat use during the war; however, it is believed that M2A4′s served in Burma and India with the British 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment during their engagements with the IJA 14th Tank Regiment.

TypeLight tank
Place of originUnited States
Specifications
Weight11.6 tonnes (11.4 long tons; 12.8 short tons)
Length4.43 m (14.5 ft)
Width2.47 m (8 ft 1 in)
Height2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Crew4 (Commander/gunner, loader, driver, co-driver)

Armor6–25 mm (0.24–0.98 in)(Hull:Front-25mm Sides-25mm Rear-25mm)(Turret:Front-16mm Sides-16mm Rear-16mm)
Main
armament
1x 37 mm Gun M5
103 rounds / .50 cal Gun MG HB M2 1800 rounds
Secondary
armament
5x .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns
8,470 rounds
EngineContinental W-670-9A, 7 Cylinder
245–220 hp (183–160 kW)
SuspensionVertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS)
Operational
range
320 km (200 mi)
Speed58 km/h (36 mph)

M2 Light Tank variants
  • M2A1 (1935). .50 MG in a single turret. 10 units were produced. 
  • M2A2 (1935). Twin turrets. Dubbed "Mae West". 239 units produced. 
  • M2A3 (1938). Twin turrets, Thicker armor, improved suspension. 72 units produced. 
  • M2A4 (1940). Single turret with 37mm gun. Thicker armor. 375 units produced.
    This variant was the immediate predecessor of the M3 Stuart light tank.
    M2A4 Light Tank
    M2A4 Light Tank
M2A4 Light Tank
Fitters are at work assembling an M2A4 light tank which has just arrived at a British ordnance depot.
References

Monday, June 3, 2013

T1 Cunningham Light Tank

T1E2 Cunningham Light Tank
T1E2 Cunningham Light Tank

T1E4 Cunningham Light Tank
T1E4 Cunningham Light Tank
Tank Historical Info 

The T1 Cunningham was a US light tank design that never left the prototype stages. Officially carrying the designations of T1E2 and T1E4, it continued through the development stages from 1922 through 1928. This tank was never mass produced, nor was it ever fielded. It is unknown how many were actually produced in the prototype stages, but there is at least one known to have been created, currently at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, USA.

TypeLight Tank
Place of originUnited States of America
Tank Service history
In servicePrototype only
Used byUnited States of America
Tank Production history
DesignerJames Cunningham
Designed1922
ManufacturerJames Cunningham, Son & Company (Rochester, NY)
Unit costUnknown
ProducedPrototypes only 1922-1934
VariantsT1E2 and T1E4
  • T1E2 Light Tank: It could fire 1.91 lb shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,550'/sec. Manufacturer: Cunningham
  • T1E4 Light Tank: Had a turret located more centrally. Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal, Production: 1932
Tank Specifications
Weight8.8 tons (7.98 metric tons) (T1E2)
8.6 tons (7.8 metric tons) (T1E4)
Length12 ft 9.6 in (T1E2)
15 ft 5 in (T1E4)
Width6 ft 2.4 in (T1E2)
7 ft 2.75 in (T1E4)
Height7 ft 7.2 in (T1E2)
6 ft 6.75 in (T1E4)
Crew2 (T1E2) 1.Commander, Driver 2.Gunner, Radio Operator, Loader

Armor(T1E2) Hull Armour (inches) front 0.6 (15.24 mm), sides 0.4 (10.16 mm)
Turret Armour (inches) front 0.6 (15.24 mm), sides 0.25 (6.35 mm)
(T1E4) Hull Armour (inches) front 0.625 (15.875 mm), sides 0.25 (6.35 mm)
Turret Armour (inches) front 0.5 (12.7 mm), sides 0.25 (6.35 mm)
Main
armament
(T1E2)
Main: 37 mm M5, L/50 smoothboregun, (104 rounds)
Secondary: .30 cal M1919A4, coaxial, (3000 rounds)
(T1E4)
Main: 37 mm semi-automatic M1924smoothbore, (80 rounds)
Secondary: .30 cal M1919A2 MG,coaxial, (3000 rounds)
EngineCunningham V8 gasoline, water cooled
132 hp (98 kW) (net) (T1E2)
140 hp (100 kW) (T1E4)
Suspension(T1E2) Leaf springs with 4 two wheeled bogies
(T1E4) Vickers-Armstrong type Semi-elliptic springing
Operational
range
T1E2 - Unknown
T1E4 - 85 miles
Speed(T1E2) 18.2 mph (29.29 kph)
(T1E4) 20 mph (32.2 kph)

T1 Cunningham Light Tank Pictures

T1e2 Cunningham front right view
Front right view
T1e2 Cunningham left view
Left View
T1e2 Cunningham front right view
Right View
Others Cunningham Light Tank Historical Photo