The M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage, also known as the M16 half-track, was an American self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon built during World War II. It was equipped with four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in an M45 Quadmount. 2700 were produced by White Motor Company from May 1943 to March 1944, with 568 M13 MGMCs and 109 T10 half-tracks being converted into M16s as well.
The chassis was derived from the T1E2 chassis, an earlier version of the M13. Based on an M3 half-track chassis, it replaced the M13 MGMC half-track after early 1944. As aircraft became more advanced, the usefulness of the M16 was reduced. In the Korean War, it was relegated primarily to the ground-support role, being put out of service in the U.S. Army in 1954.
Nicknamed the "Meat Chopper",[1] the M16 was famous for its effectiveness against low-flying aircraft and infantry, making it extremely popular with soldiers. It was used by the United States Army, the British Commonwealth, and South Korea. A similar version of the M16, the M17, was based on the M5 half-track and exported via Lend-Lease to the Soviet Union.
The specifications of the M16 were similar to those of the M3 half-track. It was 21 ft 4 in (6.5 m) long (with a wheelbase of 135.5 in (3.44 m)), 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) wide, and 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) high and weighed 9.9 short tons (9 t).[2] It had suspension consisting of vertical volute spring suspension for the tracks and leaf springs for the wheels.[3]
It was powered by a 128-horsepower (95 kW) White 160AX 386 cubic inch (6,300 cc) 6-cylinder gasoline engine. It had a compression ratio of 6.3:1 and a 60 US gallon (230 L) fuel tank. It could reach a top speed of 41.7 mph (67.1 km/h) and a range of 175 miles (282 km) and a power to weight ratio of 15.8 horsepower per tonne.[3] It had a main armament of four 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns in a M45 Quadmount and 12 millimeters of armor on the front and the sides.[2]
The M16 was an improvement on the twin .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun equipped M13 MGMC and M14 MGMC (built on an M3 and M5 half-track chassis respectively).[4] It was based on an earlier model of the M13 (the T1E2),[a] but the M33 Maxson mount was replaced with the M45 Quadmount and the M2 half-track chassis was replaced by the M3 chassis.[5]
This prototype was originally designated as the T61 MGMC, but after trials at Aberdeen it was accepted as the M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage. A few corrections were made on a pilot vehicle in early 1943 (including the addition of a gun shield) before production started.[6]
A total of 2,877 were produced by the White Motor Company during the period from May 1943 to March 1944, while 568 M13s and 109 T10 half-tracks were also converted into M16s.[7][8] Further production of the M13 and M14 was ceased in favor of production of the M16 and M17 (an M16 built on a M5 half-track chassis).[5]
Service history
A damaged M16 half-track at a German museum in 2004
M16A1 from the German Army 'Bundeswehr' at 'Stahl auf der Heide' 2019 - German Tank Museum Munster
The M16 MGMC entered service in early 1944, with the M13 taken out of action soon after. The M16 was nicknamed "The Meat Chopper" for its deadly firepower, and was extremely popular with troops. In addition to its anti-aircraft role, the M16 was used in an infantry support role, frequently accompanied by the M15 half-track. The M17 MGMC primarily served with the Soviet Union as part of Operation Bagration and a few other battles.[1]
As aircraft became more advanced over the M16's lifetime, its role as a mobile anti-aircraft weapon became limited, and the newer M19 MGMC was more heavily-armed with more powerful and longer-range guns. During the Korean War, it served mainly in the ground-support role, at which it was highly effective.[b] In late 1951, it was declared as "limited standard" and largely taken out of service from the U.S. Army in Korea, although a few examples served until the end of the war.[11] It was declared obsolete by the U.S. Army in 1958.[6]
M16 – A T1E2 with a M45D quad-mount and a M3 half-track chassis.[13]
M16A1– An M16 with a M3A1 half-track chassis equipped the M45F Quad-mount.[1]
M16A2 – M16s with the M45D quad-mount replaced with the M45F Quad-mount.[15]
M17 MGMC – M5 half-tracks with the M45F quad-mount supplied under Lend Lease to the USSR. A total of 1,000 were produced by International Harvester from December 1943 to March 1944.[16] Up to half of the Soviet Union's air defense forces consisted of M17s.[17]
^The T1E2 featured an M33 Maxson mount on a M2 half-track car chassis, with the only difference with other models being the M33 mount, instead of a Bendix mount.[5]
^Most aircraft used during the Korean War went at or close to the speed of sound, making them fast enough to out run a trail of AA fire.[11]
Berndt, Thomas (1993). Standard of U.S. Military Vehicles. Iola, WI: Krause Publications. ISBN0-87341-223-0
Berndt, Thomas (1994). American Tanks of World War II. Minnesota, MN: MBI Publishing Company. ISBN0-87938-930-3
Bowers, William T.; Greenwood, John T. (2011). Passing the Test: Combat in Korea, April–June 1951. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Press. ISBN978-0-8131-4053-7
Chamberlain, Peter; Ellis, Chris (1969). British and American Tanks of World War II. New York, NY: Arco Publishing Inc. ISBN0-668-01867-4
Doyle, David (2011). Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles. (2nd Edition). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. ISBN1-4402-2572-9
Green, Michael (2014). American Tanks & AFVs of World War II. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN1-78200-931-0
Hunnicutt, R. P. (2010). Half-Track: A History of American Semi-Tracked Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN0-89141-742-7
Ness, Leland (2002). World War II Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles. London, UK: Harper Collins. ISBN0-00-711228-9
Zaloga, Steven J. (2004). M3 Infantry Half-Track 1940–1973. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN1-85532-467-9
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16.
M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
May 19, 2023
multiple, motor, carriage, also, known, half, track, american, self, propelled, anti, aircraft, weapon, built, during, world, equipped, with, four, caliber, browning, machine, guns, quadmount, 2700, were, produced, white, motor, company, from, 1943, march, 194. The M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage also known as the M16 half track was an American self propelled anti aircraft weapon built during World War II It was equipped with four 50 caliber 12 7 mm M2 Browning machine guns in an M45 Quadmount 2700 were produced by White Motor Company from May 1943 to March 1944 with 568 M13 MGMCs and 109 T10 half tracks being converted into M16s as well M16 Multiple Gun Motor CarriageAn American M16 in 1945Place of originUnited StatesService historyIn service1943 53WarsWorld War II Korean WarProduction historyDesignerWhite Motor CompanyDesigned1940 42ManufacturerWhite Motor CompanyProduced1942 44No built3 550 including ones that were converted from the M13 and T10 SpecificationsMass9 9 short tons 9 t Length21 ft 4 in 6 5 m Width7 ft 1 in 2 16 m Height7 ft 8 in 2 34 m Crew5Mainarmament4 12 7 mm M2 Browning machine gunsEngineWhite 160AX 386 in3 6 330 cc 6 cylinder gasoline compression ratio 6 3 1 128 hp 95 kW Power weight15 8 hp tonneSuspensionvertical volute springs leaf springs for wheelsFuel capacity60 US gal 230 L Operationalrange175 mi 282 km Maximum speed41 7 mph 67 1 km h The chassis was derived from the T1E2 chassis an earlier version of the M13 Based on an M3 half track chassis it replaced the M13 MGMC half track after early 1944 As aircraft became more advanced the usefulness of the M16 was reduced In the Korean War it was relegated primarily to the ground support role being put out of service in the U S Army in 1954 Nicknamed the Meat Chopper 1 the M16 was famous for its effectiveness against low flying aircraft and infantry making it extremely popular with soldiers It was used by the United States Army the British Commonwealth and South Korea A similar version of the M16 the M17 was based on the M5 half track and exported via Lend Lease to the Soviet Union Contents 1 Specifications 2 Development 3 Service history 4 Operators 5 Variants 6 See also 7 References 7 1 Notes 7 2 Citations 7 3 Bibliography 8 External linksSpecifications EditThe specifications of the M16 were similar to those of the M3 half track It was 21 ft 4 in 6 5 m long with a wheelbase of 135 5 in 3 44 m 7 ft 1 in 2 16 m wide and 7 ft 8 in 2 34 m high and weighed 9 9 short tons 9 t 2 It had suspension consisting of vertical volute spring suspension for the tracks and leaf springs for the wheels 3 It was powered by a 128 horsepower 95 kW White 160AX 386 cubic inch 6 300 cc 6 cylinder gasoline engine It had a compression ratio of 6 3 1 and a 60 US gallon 230 L fuel tank It could reach a top speed of 41 7 mph 67 1 km h and a range of 175 miles 282 km and a power to weight ratio of 15 8 horsepower per tonne 3 It had a main armament of four 0 5 in 12 7 mm machine guns in a M45 Quadmount and 12 millimeters of armor on the front and the sides 2 Development Edit An M16 in March 1951 during the Korean War Further information M13 half track Development The M16 was an improvement on the twin 50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun equipped M13 MGMC and M14 MGMC built on an M3 and M5 half track chassis respectively 4 It was based on an earlier model of the M13 the T1E2 a but the M33 Maxson mount was replaced with the M45 Quadmount and the M2 half track chassis was replaced by the M3 chassis 5 This prototype was originally designated as the T61 MGMC but after trials at Aberdeen it was accepted as the M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage A few corrections were made on a pilot vehicle in early 1943 including the addition of a gun shield before production started 6 A total of 2 877 were produced by the White Motor Company during the period from May 1943 to March 1944 while 568 M13s and 109 T10 half tracks were also converted into M16s 7 8 Further production of the M13 and M14 was ceased in favor of production of the M16 and M17 an M16 built on a M5 half track chassis 5 Service history Edit A damaged M16 half track at a German museum in 2004 M16A1 from the German Army Bundeswehr at Stahl auf der Heide 2019 German Tank MuseumMunster The M16 MGMC entered service in early 1944 with the M13 taken out of action soon after The M16 was nicknamed The Meat Chopper for its deadly firepower and was extremely popular with troops In addition to its anti aircraft role the M16 was used in an infantry support role frequently accompanied by the M15 half track The M17 MGMC primarily served with the Soviet Union as part of Operation Bagration and a few other battles 1 The M16 saw service with U S forces in the Italian Campaign and Operation Overlord the Battle of Arracourt and the Ardennes Offensive in northern Europe 4 9 Small numbers were supplied to the United Kingdom and France under Lend Lease 10 The vehicle was also used widely in the Korean War by the South Korean army the United States Marine Corps and the U S Army 5 As aircraft became more advanced over the M16 s lifetime its role as a mobile anti aircraft weapon became limited and the newer M19 MGMC was more heavily armed with more powerful and longer range guns During the Korean War it served mainly in the ground support role at which it was highly effective b In late 1951 it was declared as limited standard and largely taken out of service from the U S Army in Korea although a few examples served until the end of the war 11 It was declared obsolete by the U S Army in 1958 6 Operators Edit USA United States United States Army U S Marine Corps 5 UK United Kingdom Two received through the Lend Lease program 10 Free France Free French Forces Seventy received through the Lend Lease program 10 France the French Army still had 300 in service in 1984 12 Nazi Germany Wehrmacht Captured from the U S 13 Germany Bundeswehr 1956 1962 Belgium Belgian Army post war use Israel Israel Defense Forces few units during its early ages 14 Japan Japan Ground Self Defense Force Lent by the U S 13 Philippines Philippine Army Portugal Portuguese Army South Korea Republic of Korea Army Lent by the U S 13 Thailand Royal Thai Army Still using in some Anti air unit Netherlands Royal Netherlands Army Several bought from war dumps and used in the anti air units Variants EditM16 A T1E2 with a M45D quad mount and a M3 half track chassis 13 M16A1 An M16 with a M3A1 half track chassis equipped the M45F Quad mount 1 M16A2 M16s with the M45D quad mount replaced with the M45F Quad mount 15 M17 MGMC M5 half tracks with the M45F quad mount supplied under Lend Lease to the USSR A total of 1 000 were produced by International Harvester from December 1943 to March 1944 16 Up to half of the Soviet Union s air defense forces consisted of M17s 17 See also Edit World War II portalList of U S military vehicles by model number List of U S military vehicles by supply catalog designationReferences EditNotes Edit The T1E2 featured an M33 Maxson mount on a M2 half track car chassis with the only difference with other models being the M33 mount instead of a Bendix mount 5 Most aircraft used during the Korean War went at or close to the speed of sound making them fast enough to out run a trail of AA fire 11 Citations Edit a b c Berndt 1994 pp 35 37 a b Ness 2002 p 202 a b Berndt 1993 p 152 a b Zaloga 1994 p 39 a b c d e Hunnicutt 2010 p 123 a b Hunnicutt 2002 pp 140 142 Ness 2002 p 196 Doyle 2011 pp 394 395 Zaloga 1994 p 40 a b c Quantities of Lend Lease Shipments 1946 a b Bowers amp Greenwood 2011 p 405 La 27e division alpine Gazette des Armes in French No 126 February 1984 pp 33 37 a b c d Green 2014 pp 291 292 photo of an IDF M16 MGMC Fresh Military and Security Forum Chamberlain amp Ellis 1969 Zaloga 2004 p 39 Green 2014 p 292 Bibliography Edit Berndt Thomas 1993 Standard of U S Military Vehicles Iola WI Krause Publications ISBN 0 87341 223 0 Berndt Thomas 1994 American Tanks of World War II Minnesota MN MBI Publishing Company ISBN 0 87938 930 3 Bowers William T Greenwood John T 2011 Passing the Test Combat in Korea April June 1951 Lexington KY University of Kentucky Press ISBN 978 0 8131 4053 7 Chamberlain Peter Ellis Chris 1969 British and American Tanks of World War II New York NY Arco Publishing Inc ISBN 0 668 01867 4 Doyle David 2011 Standard Catalog of U S Military Vehicles 2nd Edition Iola WI Krause Publications ISBN 1 4402 2572 9 Green Michael 2014 American Tanks amp AFVs of World War II Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 1 78200 931 0 Hunnicutt R P 2010 Half Track A History of American Semi Tracked Vehicles Navato CA Presidio Press ISBN 0 89141 742 7 Ness Leland 2002 World War II Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles London UK Harper Collins ISBN 0 00 711228 9 Zaloga Steven J 2004 M3 Infantry Half Track 1940 1973 Oxford UK Osprey Publishing ISBN 1 85532 467 9External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M16 M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage amp oldid 1147908797, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
