M29 Weasel | |
---|---|
Place of origin | United States |
Specifications | |
Weight | 3,800 lb (1,700 kg) (dry) |
Length | 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m) |
Width | 5 ft (1.5 m) (later 5 ft 6 in (1.7 m)) |
Height | 4 ft 3 in (1.3 m) (5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) to top of windscreen) |
Crew | 4 |
Armor | None |
Primary armament |
None as built |
Engine | Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion 70 hp (52 kW) |
Suspension | Tracked |
Operational range |
265 |
Speed | 36 mph (58 km/h) |
The M29 Weasel was a World War II tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker, designed for operation in snow.[1]
Design and development[]
The idea for the Weasel came from the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway. Pyke's plan to hamper the German atomic weapons development became Project Plough for which he proposed a fast light mechanised device that would transport small groups of commando troops of the 1st Special Service Force across snow. In active service in Europe, Weasels were used to supply frontline troops over difficult ground when wheeled vehicles were immobilised.
The first 2103 had 15 in (380 mm) tracks, later version had 20 in (510 mm). The M29 was amphibious, but with a very low freeboard[2]; the M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version, with buoyancy cells in the bow and stern as well as twin rudders.
Variants[]
- T-15 prototype
- M28 (G154)
- M29 (T24) without float tanks (G179)
- M29C with float tanks.
- M29C Type A: center mounted M20 recoilless rifle 75 mm on Weasel[3]
- M29C Type B: (T106) rear-mounted 75 mm recoilless rifle on Weasel
- M29C Type C: center-mounted 37 mm Gun M3 on Weasel
Specification[]
General[]
- Crew: 4
- Weight (fighting): 4,451 lb (2,019 kg)
- Shipping dimensions:
- Uncrated; 340 cu ft (9.6 m³); 57.7 sq ft (5.36 m²)
- Ground clearance: 11 in (280 mm)
- Ground pressure: 1.9 psi (13 kPa)
- Pintle height (loaded): 27 1/8 inches
- Electrical system: (volts) 12
- Capacities:
- Fuel: 72, octane gasoline
- Fuel capacity: 35 gallons
- Cooling system: 12 3/4 quarts
- Crankcase (refill): 5 quarts
- Brakes: Mechanical - external contracting in differential
- Transmission: Speeds: 3
- Transfer case: Speeds: 2
- Communication: radio
Performance[]
Maximum gradability: | 100 % |
Turning radius: | 12 ft (3.7 m) |
Fording depth: | Will Float (M29C) |
Maximum width of ditch vehicle will cross: | 36 in (91 cm) |
Maximum vertical obstacle vehicle will climb: | 24 in (61 cm) |
Fuel consumption, average conditions: | 5 miles per gal |
Cruising range, average conditions: | 165 mi (266 km) |
Maximum allowable speed: | 36 mph (58 km/h) |
Maximum allowable towed load: | 3,800 lb (1,700 kg) |
Engine[]
Manufacturer: | Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion |
Type: | L-head, 4 cycle Number of cylinders: 6 |
Displacement: | (cu in.) 169.6 |
Brake horsepower: | at (rpm) 3600 70 |
Ignition type: | Distributor |
See also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ "OSS Briefing Film - The Weasel". Real Military Flix. Retrieved on 2009-01-28.
- ↑ World War 2 Talk - Transport
- ↑ "United States' M Number Designations - World War II Vehicles - World War II Vehicles, Tanks, and Airplanes". Wwiivehicles.com. Retrieved on 2010-06-29.
References[]
- TM 9-1772A - Technical Manual for Engine, Engine Accessories, and Clutch for Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29 (see: www.scribd.com/doc/217384910/Tm-1772a-Weasel)
- TM 9-1772B - Technical Manual for Power Train, Suspension System, Hull, and Hull Electrical System for Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
- TM 9-772 Technical Manual, Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
- TM 11-2733 Installation of Radio Equipment in Carrier, Cargo, Light, M29 and M29C (Amphibian)
- Philip R. Kern, "The Studebaker M29 Weasel", Military Vehicles Magazine 1, 2 & 3.
- "Studebaker M29 Weasel", ISO Military Vehicle Series. 1985.
- Richard Quinn, "Studebaker Goes To War", Turning Wheels.
- Bart Vanderveen (1989). Historic Military Vehicles Directory.
- U.S. Army Transportation Museum. "M-29 weasel". Retrieved on 2007-12-29.
- "Oldtimer gallery. Trucks. Studebaker M29 (UST24) "Weasel"". Autogallery.org.ru. Retrieved on 2010-06-29.
- "M-28 / M-29 WEASEL AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE". Olive-drab.com. Retrieved on 2010-06-29.
- US patent 2420133, E. J. Hardig, "Track for track-laying vehicles"
External links[]
This page uses some content from Wikipedia. The original article was at M29 Weasel. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki, the text of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons by Attribution License and/or GNU Free Documentation License. Please check page history for when the original article was copied to Wikia |
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