M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
A historical photograph of the M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
Type	Self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1945–1953 (USA) 1951–1978 (Nederlands)
Used by	United States
Wars	World War II, Korean War
Production history
Designer	Ordnance Department
Designed	1943–1944
Manufacturer	Cadillac
Produced	1944–1945
No. built	285
Specifications
Weight	38,499 lb (17,463 kg)
Length	17 ft 11 in (5.46 m)
Width	9 ft 4.0 in (2.845 m)
Height	9 ft 10.0 in (2.997 m)
Crew	6
Main armament	Two Bofors 40 mm guns with 352 rounds
Engine	Twin Cadillac Model 42, V-8, gasoline 220 hp (160 kW)
Suspension	torsion bar
Operational range	150 mi (241 km)
Speed	35.0 mph (56.3 km/h)

1945–1953 (USA)

The M19 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage (MGMC) was a World War II United States Army self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon on the M24 light tank chassis. It was equipped with two Bofors 40 mm (1.6 in) guns. It was produced by Cadillac near the end of 1944.

The M19 was developed from the T65 which was based on the M5 light tank chassis. The original design was improved upon and designated the T65E1. It was accepted into service in May 1944 as the M19 MGMC, equipping several U.S. Army anti-aircraft units during World War II. The M19A1 was an improved variant with an auxiliary engine and spare barrels for the 40 mm Bofors guns.

During World War II, the M19 and M19A1 saw action in the European Theater of Operations as an assault gun, since the Allies had air supremacy over the skies of Europe. The M19 and M19A1 were also used during the Korean War in the same role.

The M19 MGMC had similar specifications to the M24 Chaffee. It was 17.9 ft (5.46 m) long, 9.33 ft (2.845 m) wide, and 9.83 ft (2.997 m) high. It had a weight of 38,499 lb (17,463 kg), and was powered with a 220 hp (160 kW) Twin Cadillac Model 42, V-8 engine installation. It could achieve a speed of 35 mph (56.3 km/h), and had a range of 150 mi (241 km). The vehicle was operated with a crew of six.

The M19 evolved from the 40 mm Gun Motor Carriage T65 project, which was based on an Armored Force requirement for a light anti-aircraft vehicle based on the M5 light tank chassis. Although trials were successful and a production of 1,000 T65s had been requested, the project was stopped by the Ordnance Department since the M5A1 light tank chassis was being phased out of production.

Since the T65 project was fading away, the Armored Force still needed a light anti-aircraft vehicle, so they made a new project (called T65E1) based on the new T24 chassis (a prototype of the M24 Chaffee). The T65E1 had the same overall layout as the T65 GMC – gun turret at rear with the engines in the middle of the chassis – with a few minor tweaks (including an angular gun shield instead of a straight one).