T13 Car

In January 1941, an eight-wheeled vehicle built by the Trackless Tank Corporation was tested at Aberdeen. Although considered unsatisfactory as a tank, the performance of the eight-wheel, pneumatic strut, independent suspension did spur some interest. Additional tests at Fort Knox drove further interest in such a system for use with an armored car. In many respects, the "Trackless Tank" exceeded the cross-country capabilities of any other armored vehicle in the arsenal. Following these tests, a contact was negotiated for an armored car based on this design. This would give rise to the T13 armored car.

The original "Trackless Tank" from which the T13 armored car was derived.

In the T13, each wheel was sprung independently. The rear six were chain driven and powered by a Guiberson T-1020 diesel engine, and the vehicle weighed about 7.5 tons. Thirteen of the cars were to be fitted with a light tank-type turret and a 37 mm gun. Another four were to be finished as gun motor carriages. In December 1941, an additional two chassis were ordered which would be finished as howitzer motor carriages. Two modified pilots, designated as the T13E1, were authorized in April 1942. These chassis were lengthened to permit the installation of wheels with 12 x 20 combat tires, and the engine was replaced by W-670-9A gasoline engine.

Modified T13 Pilot #2.

After numerous delays, the first two vehicles arrived at Fort Knox for testing on 7 June 1942. However, many components were experimental, having been designed specifically for these vehicles and they failed multiple times during the tests. Despite its outstanding performance, the weight of the vehicle was more than double what was desired, and the power train was considered to be an inherent source of weakness in the T13's design. After further review, the T13 project was cancelled in its entirety, including the variants based on its chassis.

T13E1.

In World Of Tanks, the T13 Car should be able to reach its top speed easily and sustain it, so expect excellent ground resistance values. It's also decently heavy, but relatively unarmored. As the original Trackless Tank used a .50 caliber machine gun, I think that would make for a suitable stock option. Its gun options overall are rather poor compared to the rest of its peers—a trait which should be expected and remain consistent with Armored Cars in general, in my opinion. These vehicles cannot fight frontal engagements with most vehicles and must rely on their exceptional mobility to flank.



Guns: .50 Caliber MG HB M2; 37 mm Gun M3; 37 mm Gun M5

Engines: Guiberson T-1020 (250 hp); Continetnal W-670-9A (262 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T13 (25/25/25); T13E1 (25/25/25)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T13 (~10); T13E1 (14.53)

Hull Armor (mm): 16/13/13

Top Speed: 72 km/h

Crew: 4 (Driver; Gunner; Commander/Radio; Loader)




Parents: T11 Car
Children: Deerhound
See Also: T7 GMC, T39 HMC

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Armored Car, 2002.

http://www.warwheels.net/USAArmoredCarThesisHAUGHMediumAC.html  

https://www.aviarmor.net/tww2/armored_cars/usa/ac_t13.htm