M-3 Halftrack
To distinguish the M3 halftrack from the M2 halftrack, note that the longer M3 body extends further beyond the tracks while the M2 body stops close to the end of the tracks. The M3 also has smaller headlights, mounted to the side of the engine compartment while the M2 lights are fender mounted.
Over 42,000 M3 Halftracks were produced between 1939 and 1944, in a number of variants. The M3A1, introduced in 1945, had an additional .50 cal. machine gun in the front, center next to the driver. The 10 ton vehicle was powered by a White 160AX 6 cyl. 128 hp gasoline engine that moved it at up to 55 mph on the road. They were used through World War II and later, until replaced by the M75 Armored Personnel Carrier.
Among the many variations of the M3 and M3A1 halftracks were:
- M-3 Halftrack Ambulance
- M3 Gun Motor Carriage mounting a 75mm howitzer
- T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage with 105mm Howitzer
- M-15 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage with 37mm cannon and twin .50 cal. machine guns
- M-16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage with Quad .50 machine guns
Recommended Book About the M3 Halftrack
M-3 half-track during training exercises at Ft. Knox, KY, June 1942.
Rear view of M-3 half-track during training exercises at Ft. Knox, KY, June 1942.
Interior of an M-3 half-track during training exercises at Ft. Knox, KY, June 1942.
An M-3 half-track carrying the flag of a medical unit fords a river. Photo taken during the Second Army's Middle Tennessee maneuvers in 1942. A second halftrack can be partially seen in the brush, upper left. Thanks to Bukvoed for proper ID of the M3 halftrack.
M-3 Halftrack crossing the Seine River in France, 1944.
M-3 Halftrack at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
M-3 Halftrack at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.
M-3 Halftrack dataplate. Photo: Courtesy of Benny De Maeyer.
Restored M-3 Halftrack. Photo: Courtesy of Benny De Maeyer.
