M16 Half Track

Country: USA

Entered Service: 1943

Crew: 7

Weight: 10 tons

Dimensions: Length – 6.14m

Armament: Main – 37mm/ 1.46in M1A2 automatic gun

Secondary – 2x 12.7mm/0.5in Browning machine-guns

Armour: Maximum – 12.7mm/0.5in

Powerplant: White 160AX 6-cylinder 95kW/128hp petrol engine

Performance: Speed – Approx – 45mph.

It’s History…

Development started in December 1942 on a new vehicle as a replacement for the M13 which mounted the under-powered twin 12.7mm/50.cal M33 gun. The improved version, known as the M16, carried the M45 gun mount.

The White Motor Company started production on the M16 in May 1943 and continued until March 1944, with a total of 2,877 vehicles. The gun mount was placed in the rear fighting area which had been cleared of all internal fittings. The rear area had no rear door and the tops of the sides were hinged so the guns could fire over the sides and the end of the vehicle.

The new turret for the M16 was fitted with four 12.7mm/50.cal machine guns had to be raised by 152mm/6in so that the guns could clear the sides of the vehicle. The M16 could carry enough ammunition for eight minutes of firing of the M45 gun mount. The M16 could carry five crew members and had a top speed of approximately 45 mph.

The White Motor Company were also given a contract to convert 677 M13 vehicles up to M16 standard, while a further 60 vehicles were converted by Diebold Incorporated, bringing total production of the M16 to 3,614 vehicles in total.

The M16 would see service on most fronts during World War II. They proved extremely valuable to the Marines in the Pacific as they could bring a large amount of firepower into a concentrated area. These vehicles would remain in service with the American Army until 1958. However, the M45 gun mount would remain In service until 1970.

The chassis had changed but the M45 would find widespread use during the Vietnam War mounted on M54 5-ton supply trucks. In 1980 these vehicles were still in service in 12 different countries.