In August 1941, the Ordnance Committee approved the development of a lightweight self-propelled gun on the chassis of the M3 or T7 light tanks. However, further study would decide on using the M5 light tank chassis instead. In September 1942, General Motors was awarded a contract to develop two pilot vehicles.
The first of these vehicles was the 4.5 (115 mm) Inch Gun Motor Carriage T16. The M5 chassis was lengthened by one foot and the twin-engine power plant was relocated to the middle of the vehicle. The width was also increased to 109 inches and an extra set of bogie wheels was installed. The 4.5 inch gun could traverse 17 degrees to the left and 20 degrees to the right, and depress at 0 degrees and elevate to a maximum of 40 degrees.
In December that same year, it was decided to mount the 155 mm M1 howitzer on the second pilot. This vehicle was designated as the T64 HMC. On June 29, 1943, it was recommended that the vehicle be redesigned to use the M24 chassis. This redesigned vehicle would go on to become the M41 HMC.
Compared to the old (Tier V) M41 HMC, there is really no differences between the two tanks. All I've done is introduced a stock weapon. The vehicle's top speed is increased by 1 km/h because that's the same thing I've marked for the M5 Light. While this tank's armor thickness is unknown to me, I think we can safely assume this conversion would have half the armor of the chassis it was based on. This was a common practice with the United States when it came to creating "lightweight" conversions.
Guns: 4.5 Inch Gun M1; 155 mm Howitzer M1
The first of these vehicles was the 4.5 (115 mm) Inch Gun Motor Carriage T16. The M5 chassis was lengthened by one foot and the twin-engine power plant was relocated to the middle of the vehicle. The width was also increased to 109 inches and an extra set of bogie wheels was installed. The 4.5 inch gun could traverse 17 degrees to the left and 20 degrees to the right, and depress at 0 degrees and elevate to a maximum of 40 degrees.
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| The T16 HMC armed with the 4.5 inch gun. |
Compared to the old (Tier V) M41 HMC, there is really no differences between the two tanks. All I've done is introduced a stock weapon. The vehicle's top speed is increased by 1 km/h because that's the same thing I've marked for the M5 Light. While this tank's armor thickness is unknown to me, I think we can safely assume this conversion would have half the armor of the chassis it was based on. This was a common practice with the United States when it came to creating "lightweight" conversions.
Guns: 4.5 Inch Gun M1; 155 mm Howitzer M1
Engines: Continental W-670 (262 hp); Twin Cadillac, Serires 44T4 (296 hp)
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T16 GMC (18.9); T64 HMC (19.5)
Hull Armor (mm): 15/13/13
Top Speed: 58 km/h
Crew: 5 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander; Radio)
Parent: M37
Children: M41 Gorilla
Sources:
Parent: M37
Children: M41 Gorilla
Sources:
Hunnicutt, R. P. Stuart. 1992.
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