M2 Light Tank

History of development

That Light tank M2 developed in 1935 by Rock Island arsenal as infantry tank for those US Army. It was inspired by the well-known Vickers 6-ton. Its main armament was one .50 caliber M2 Browning machine gun in a small one-man tower which only 10 were made. US Infantry branch then decided to switch to twin turret configuration, with .30 caliber machine gun it the second turret. These two turret tanks was given the nickname “Mae west“ by the troops, after the popular busty movie star. The twin-turret layout was inefficient, but was a common feature of 1930s light tanks derived from the Vickers, such as the Soviet T-26 and Polish 7TP.

From the events in Spanish civil war the US Army had drawn a conclusion that tanks had to be better armed and protected. By 1940 the twin machine gun turrets were replaced by one larger turret with a 37 mm gun, and armor reached 25 mm. Other upgrades included improved suspension, improved transmission, and better engine cooling.

The fall of France affected the progress on the US tank program. In July 1940, the work on a new “light tank” began based on the past M2. Stronger armoring and a longer tank hull led finally to M3 Stuart.

The importance of the M2 lies in the basis for M3, which represented the high speed and reliability of the mechanical parts based on the M2 program.

Deployment

In December 1941, M2A1, M2A2 and M2A3 only used for training uses. A small number that M2A4 were take part in the Battle of Guadalcanal while assigned to the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion, and remained in service in some areas of Pacific until 1943.

Great Britain ordered 100 M2A4 in the spring 1941 . After 36 was delivered the order was withdrawn in favor of an improved M3 Stuart. There is evidence that indicates those 36 M2A4s were shipped off from North Africa as part of the British Army's 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, fighting in the India and Burma campaigns against the Japanese 14th Tank Regiment.

Specifications

Variants

M2A1 (1935) - .50 MG in a single turret. 10 units were produced.

M2A2 (1935) - Twin turrets. Dubbed "Mae West". 239 units produced.

M2A3 (1938) - Twin turrets, Thicker armor, improved suspension. 72 units produced.