Armortek 1/6th Scale All Metal Kits

1/6th Scale Military Kits

Page 2 of 4

History First delivered in 1941, the great demand for this vehicle resulted in the unusual situation of the M2 Half track being built by three firms, White, Diamond T and the Autocar company. The Half track Engineering committee was formed and charged with designing the half tracks to ensure inter changeability of parts regardless of manufacture. The half-track car M2 was based on the M2A1/M3 scout car, and was intended to be used as a reconnaissance vehicle and artillery prime mover. The front wheels could be engaged for cross-country travel. On either side of the car, just behind the driving compartment, was an ammunition stowage compartment. The top shelf of these compartments could be accessed from inside the vehicle, and the lower shelves were accessible through bottom-hinged doors in the side armor. The fenders were one of the ways to differentiate between the various types of half-track, and on the M2 they were thick in cross-section.		Early half-tracks had a fixed adjustable idler wheel, but this was often damaged when traveling over rough terrain. This was remedied by springing the idler wheel, first with a single coil and later with a double coil assembly. Early vehicles also had their headlights mounted on the fenders, but these could be damaged by the muzzle blast from the various artillery pieces that were mounted on half-tracks. Later half-tracks had smaller, demountable headlights positioned on either side of the hood. Later vehicles also had the option of mounting the anti-ditching roller or a 10,000lb (4500kg) capacity Tulsa Model 18G winch below the radiator louvres. When fitted with the winch the M2's length was 241.63" (613.74cm). Later vehicles also had mine racks installed from behind the ammunition stowage compartments to the rear of the crew compartment.