M2 Light Tank
The M2 Light Tank is an American tier 2 light tank. Shorter and smaller than its tier 2 cousin, the T2 Medium Tank, the M2 Light Tank has many of the same stats plus a much more powerful engine. In its stock configuration, it is initially armed with the weakest gun in the entire game. While an excellent machine gun the M2 Browning is at best described as an amusing novelty in World of Tanks. Thankfully, it can quickly be upgraded to the Hispano-Suiza Birgikt auto-cannon, which does more damage and has higher penetration than the .50 caliber.
Later the gun can be upgraded again with a powerful 37mm gun that hits very hard for its tier, considering its short reload time. The M2 is one of the fastest and most decently-armored among the tier 2 tanks. It has a bit of difficulty in tight spaces, but in the open it is very fast and nimble. Its speed and maneuverability are best used to exploit the sluggishness of other early war tanks.
- The M2 Light Tanks leads to the M3 Stuart.
A02 M2 lt/ModulesA02 M2 lt/EquipmentA02 M2 lt/Consumables
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Above average engine power
- Above average top speed
- Above average hull armour
Cons:
- Below average traverse speed
Combat Effectiveness
Early Research
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 began on a new light tank 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 the 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 while assigned to the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion, and remained in service in some areas of the 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
|