The M18 Hellcat tank destroyer was fast and light. It could reach a speed of 55 miles per hour (89 kph) and weighed less than 18 tons. It moved well cross-country. The Hellcat was very active in Italy and Northwest Europe. It was extremely effective, and knocked out many enemy tanks. The M18 had the …
Category Archives: American World War II Tanks
M2 Light Tank Series
America had four main types of light armored fighting vehicles (AFVs) just before World War II began in Europe. These were Combat Cars M1 and M2, which were used by the cavalry, and Light Tanks M2A2 and M2A3, which were provided to the infantry. The design of all four of these vehicles was derived from …
M22 Locust Light Tank
The M22 Locust light tank was designed in the United States by the American engineer Walter Christie. Although it was an American-made tank, the Locust was never used by American forces. It was shipped to Britain as part of the Lend-Lease program and used by the British during World War II. Armament on the Locust …
M24 Chaffee Light Tank
The M24 Chaffee light tank was designed to be a replacement for the M5 Light tank. It was named after Major General Adna Romanza Chaffee, Jr., who played an instrumental role in developing the United States’ armored force. The main armament on the M24 was a 2.95 inch (75mm) gun that was adapted from the …
M26 Pershing Heavy Tank
In 1942, the US began developing a series of experimental tanks that were supposed to improve upon the M4 Sherman medium tank. These tanks were designated the T20 through the T26. The T26E3 was the prototype for the M26 Pershing heavy tank. Designed to be a match for Germany’s Tiger and Panther tanks, the M26 …
M36 Gun Motor Carriage
When it appeared in 1944, the M36 gun motor carriage had the most powerful gun in an action. The main gun on this tank destroyer was so heavy that a new, round turret had to be built to accommodate it. The 3.54 inch (90 millimeter) main gun was able to knock out Germany’s Tiger and …
M4 Sherman Medium Tank
During World War II, the Allies used the M4 Sherman medium tank more than any other tank. The US built more than 49,000 Sherman tanks during World War II. This amounted to more than half of America’s tank production, and to the combined output of Germany and Great Britain. When production of the M3 Medium …
M5 Light Tank
When the M3 light tank series was being produced, America needed radial engines to power aircraft. There was a concern that there would not be enough radial engines for all the airplanes that were being built, so the US decided to try to find other types of engines to power tanks. The M5 light tank …
M6 Heavy Tank
The M6 heavy tank was supposed to be a heavy version of the M3 and M4 medium tanks. It was the most powerful tank in the world when it was built. It weighed just under 45 tons and its armor was, at a maximum, 5.24 inches (133mm) thick. The M6 could move at a speed …