M3 Gun Motor Carriage
| M3 Gun Motor Carriage | |
|---|---|
An M3 Gun Motor Carriage manned by African-American soldiers.
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| Type | Tank destroyer |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ordnance Department |
| Designed | 1940–41 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Produced | August–September 1941 February 1942 – April 1943 |
| No. built | 2,202 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 20,000 lb (9.1 t) |
| Length | 20.46 ft (6.24 m) |
| Width | 6.45 ft (1.97 m) |
| Height | 8.17 ft (2.49 m) (including gun shield) |
| Crew | 5 (commander, gunner, two loaders, and a driver) |
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| Elevation |
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| Traverse |
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| Armor | 0.25–0.625 in (6.4–15.9 mm) |
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Main
armament |
1 × 75 mm (3.0 in) M1897A5 59 rounds |
| Engine | White 160AX, 386 in3 (6,330 cc), 6-cylinder, compression ratio: 6.44:1 147 hp (110 kW) |
| Power/weight | 14.7 hp/ton |
| Transmission | Constant mesh |
| Suspension | Semi-ellipitical longitudal leaf spring for wheels and vertical volute springs for tracks |
| Ground clearance | 11.2 in (280 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 60 US gal (230 l) |
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Operational
range |
150 mi (240 km) |
| Speed | 47 mph (75 km/h) |
The M3 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC) was a United States Army tank destroyer equipped with one 75 mm gun and was produced by . After the fall of France, the U.S. Army decided to make a self-propelled artillery piece from the M1897A4 gun on the M3 chassis, which was designated the T12. After some improvement, it came into production as the M3 Gun Motor Carriage. However, the supply of M2A3 gun shields was insufficient for production needs, so a new gun shield was used. This was designated the M3A1 GMC.
The T12/M3 first served in the Philippines Campaign in 1942 with the Provisional Field Artillery Brigade in the anti-tank and the fire-support role. It then served in North Africa in tank destroyer battalions. It was used ineffectively in the Battle of Kasserine Pass and several other engagements, but was used with success in the Battle of El Guettar. It also served in the Allied invasion of Sicily, but was eventually superseded by the M10 tank destroyer. A total of 2,203 were produced, of which 1,361 were converted back into M3A1 half-tracks.
The M3 GMC also served in the Pacific theater, starting with the Battle of Saipan. It proved effective against the Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go and Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks. It later served in the Battle of Okinawa, the Battle of Peleliu and many other island battles.
The M3 GMC was 20.46 feet (6.24 m) long, 6.45 feet (1.97 m) wide, 8.17 feet (2.49 m) high (including the gun shield), and weighed 20,000 pounds (9.1 t). Its suspension consisted of semi-elliptical longitudal leaf springs for the wheels and vertical volute springs for the tracks, while its transmission consisted of constant mesh. Its ground clearance was 11.2 inches (280 mm).
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Wikipedia