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| Early non-turreted version of the T50 GMC. |
In September 1941, there was a design made to mount the 3-Inch Gun T9 onto the chassis of the M3 light tank. However, it was concluded this weapon was too powerful for the chassis to handle. In May 1942, the idea was revisited. Designated as the T50 gun motor carriage, this vehicle mounted the 3-Inch gun in either an open turret or on a pedestal mount, also on the M3 light tank chassis. However, this configuration was still unfavorable.
The tank had a five member crew and the armor was only thick enough to defend against .50 caliber rounds (about 25 mm). In July, it was recommended to use the chassis being developed for the T49 GMC, which was a development on the T42 GMC design, and would further evolve into the T67 GMC and eventually the M18 Hellcat. As a result, the T50 GMC project was cancelled in March 1944.
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| Early turreted concept for the T50 GMC |
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| Late design of the T50 GMC based on the T49 (T42) chassis. |
The T50 GMC, while not directly connected to the T42 GMC, shares many similarities. As we've established with the aforementioned tank, the T50 GMC should be simply a turretless version of the T42 GMC. As a result, it can receive some minor improvements to its gun handling and other characteristics to make up for the lack of a turret. We can also give it an advancement of the T9 gun, the M5.
Guns: 57 mm Gun M1; 3-Inch Gun T9; 3-Inch Gun M5
Engines: Lycoming 0-435T (192 hp); Continental W-670 (288 hp)
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T50 Early (??); T50 Late (??)
Hull Armor (mm): 25/25/25
Top Speed: 56 km/h
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