M2 Light Tank
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{{History | {{History | |||
? | |info= | + | |info= The Light Tank M2 was an American pre-World War II light tank that saw combat with the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion on Guadalcanal in 1942, during World War II. Its service with the 1st Tank Battalion during the Pacific War was its only U.S. combat use during the war; however, it is believed that M2A4s served in Burma and India with the British 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment during their engagements with the IJA 14th Tank Regiment. The M2A4 was the immediate predecessor of the M3 Stuart light tank. | |
== History of development == | == History of development == |
Revision as of 18:37, 3 May 2011
M2 Light Tank
USA | Light Tank | Tier II |
The M2 is the first tank in the US light branch, and also has the dubious honor of being initially armed with the weakest gun in the entire game. While an excellent machine gun, the M2 Browning can best be described as an amusing novelty in World of Tanks. Thankfully, it can be upgraded to the powerful 37mm gun which hits very hard at this tier, considering it's short reload time. While it's armor is unexceptional, it is one of the fastest tier 2 tanks, and it's speed and maneuverability are best used to exploit the sluggishness of other early war tanks. It leads directly to the M3 Stuart.
Modules
Historical Info
History of development
The Light Tank M2 was developed in 1935 by the Rock Island arsenal as an infantry tank for the 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 turret, of which only 10 were made. The US Infantry Branch then decided to switch to a twin turret configuration, with a .30 caliber machine gun in 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 The Spanish Civil War, the US Army drew the 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 was increased to 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, work on a new light tank began based on the M2. Stronger armor and a longer tank hull finally led to the M3 Stuart.
The importance of the M2 lies in its basis for M3, which exploited the high speed and reliability of the mechanical parts based on the M2 program.
Deployment
In December 1941, the M2A1, M2A2, and M2A3 variants were only used for training. A small number of the M2A4 variant took part in the Battle of Guadalcanal 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 tanks in the spring of 1941 . After 36 was delivered, the order was withdrawn in favor of the improved M3 Stuart. There is evidence that indicates these 36 M2A4s ended up 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.
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.
M2A4 (1940) - Single turret with 37mm gun. Thicker armor. 375 units produced.
Light Tanks | T1 Cunningham • M2 Light Tank • T1E6 • T2 Light Tank • T7 Combat Car • M22 Locust • M3 Stuart • MTLS-1G14 • M5 Stuart • M24 Chaffee • T21 • T71 |
Medium Tanks | T2 Medium Tank • M2 Medium Tank • M3 Lee • M4 Sherman • M4A2E4 Sherman • M7 • Ram II • M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo • M4A3E8 Sherman • T20 • M26 Pershing • T23 • T26E4 Super Pershing • T69 • M46 Patton • T54E1 • M48A1 Patton • M60 |
Heavy Tanks | T1 Heavy Tank • T14 • M6 • T29 • M6A2E1 • T32 • T34 • M103 • T57 Heavy Tank • T110E5 |
Tank Destroyers | T18 • T82 • M8A1 • T40 • M10 Wolverine • T49 • M18 Hellcat • M36 Jackson • T25 AT • T25/2 • T28 • T28 Prototype • T30 • T95 • T110E3 • T110E4 |
Self-Propelled Guns | T57 • M7 Priest • M37 • M41 • M44 • M12 • M40/M43 • M53/M55 • T92
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