M3
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WWII Vehicle | |
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| Type | Half-track armored vehicle |
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| Country of origin | USA |
| Crew | 3 + 10 passengers |
| Dimensions | Width 2.22m Length 6.18m Height 2.26m |
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The M3 in World War II[edit]
History[edit]
Between the world wars, the US Army sought to improve the tactical mobility of its forces. With the goal of finding a high-mobility infantry vehicle, the Ordnance Department had evaluated the half-track design by testing French Citroën-Kégresse vehicles. The White Motor Company produced a prototype half track using their own chassis and the body of the M3 Scout Car.
The design, using as many commercial components as possible to improve reliability and speed production, was standardized in 1940 and built by the Autocar Company, Diamond T Motor Company, and the White Company.
The M3 was the larger counterpart to the M2 Half Track Car. The M2 was originally intended to function as an artillery tractor. The M3 had a longer body than the M2 with a single access door in the rear and seating for a 13-man rifle squad. Ten seats were arranged down either side of the vehicle, with three in the cab. Racks under the seats were used for ammunition and rations; additional racks behind the seat backs held the squad's rifles and other stowage. A small rack for mines was added on the outside of the hull just above the tracks. In combat, most units found it necessary to stow additional food, rucksacks and other crew stowage on the outside of the vehicle. Luggage racks were often added in the field, and very late vehicles had rear-mounted racks for this crew stowage.
Early vehicles had a pintle mount just behind the front seats mounting a .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun. The later M3A1 adopted a raised, armored 'pulpit mount' for the .50 caliber, and .30 caliber (7.62 mm) machine guns could be used from mounts along the sides of the passenger compartment. Many M3s were later modified to the M3A1 standard. The body was armoured all around with an adjustable armoured shutter for the engine's radiator and a bullet proof windscreen.
Total production of the M3 ran to nearly 41,000 vehicles. To supply the Allied nations International Harvester produced several thousand of a very similar vehicle, the M5 half track for Lend-Lease.
External Links[edit]
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Aces High II Vehicle | |
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| Type | Half-track armored vehicle |
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| Crew | 3 + 10 passengers |
| Aces High II Ordnance Options | |
| Options | 10x troops, or |
| 8x vehicle supplies, or | |
| 1x field cargo | |
| Aces High II Main Arenas | |
| Earliest MA | Early War |
| Typical perk cost | 0 (Late War) |
| ENY value | 40 (Late War) |
| Available on carrier | no |
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The M3 in Aces High II[edit]
The M3 is a reasonably fast, lightly armored vehicle that can be used to deliver supplies to friendly armor in combat, resupply a field, or bring troops to a field for capturing. A single M3 can deliver eight units of vehicle supplies, one unit of field supplies, or ten troops, the latter being the number necessary to capture a map room.
Since a single M3 can take a field, expect to become a primary target if spotted. Even if you are only delivering vehicle or field supplies, the enemy will likely assume you are carrying troops and attack you mercilessly. While you may be able to soak up a few rounds, the lightly armored M3 will not last long under an onslaught. A common tactic is to keep the M3 in the rear, guarded by anti-aircraft platforms, until needed; or to spawn the M3 at the last minute and make a cannonball run for the map room.
Armament:
The M3 is armed with a single Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun. This single .50 is not a threat to enemy armor, and most aircraft will not take it seriously although you may get a lucky shot. A hit with the .50 may also get you an assist if someone subsequently destroys that target, but it may not be worth attracting the attention (tracers work both ways).
