United States' M29 Studebaker Weasel cargo carrier
Photos
Design
A plan was devised in 1943 to invade Norway and a cargo carrier that could travel over snow would be needed.1
There was a towing pindle that could be used to tow artillery.1
The M29 had a very low ground pressure and was sometimes used to cross fields with anti-tank mines as it wouldn't set them off.1
Amphibious
At the front and rear were flotation chambers.1
There were two rudders for steering in water.1
The M29C could perform well in smooth water.1
Tracks
The tracks were flexible to allow for propulsion through water.1
Prototype
Production
- M29C Weasel: ~8,0001
At the end of the war order for a further 10,000 were cancelled.1
Variants
- T19 Weasel: Tracked cargo carrier.1
- T24 Weasel: Could travel over snow and through mud.1
- M29 Cargo Carrier: Standardized T24.1 Could only travel on land.1
- M29C Weasel: Amphibious cargo carrier based on the M29.1 Also named Ark.1
- M29C Type A: Center mounted 75 mm recoilless rifle on Weasel.3
- M29C Type B: Rear mounted 75 mm recoilless rifle on Weasel.3
- M29C Type C: Center mounted 37 mm gun on Weasel.3
Usage
The M29s and M29Cs were occasionally used as ambulances.1
Weasels were found to be very mechanically reliable and the tracks last much longer than anticipated.1
Signal units used the M29Cs as very affective wire layers as it could go most places other vehicles couldn't.1
Specifications
| M29 Weasel | M29C Weasel | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 + 31 | |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight - Loaded | 2.4 tons2 | 6,040 lb1 2,740 kg1 |
| Weight - Unloaded | 1.8 tons2 | 4,840 lb1 2,195 kg1 |
| Cargo | 0.5 tons2 | 860 lb1 390 kg1 |
| Length | 11' 1"2 | 15' 8.75"1 4.794 m1 |
| Length over hull | 14' 5.5"1 4.4 m1 |
|
| Height | 5' 11"2 | 5' 10.75"1 1.797 m1 |
| Width | 5' 7"2 | 5' 7"1 1.7 m1 |
| Width over tracks | ||
| Ground clearance | 11"2 | |
| Ground contact length | ||
| Ground pressure | ||
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | ||
| Hull Front, Upper | ||
| Hull Front, Lower | ||
| Hull Sides, Upper | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | ||
| Hull Rear | ||
| Hull Top | ||
| Hull Bottom | ||
| Turret Front | ||
| Turret Sides | ||
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | Studebaker G1702 | Studebaker Model 6-1701 |
| Bore / stroke | 3" / 4"2 | |
| Cooling | ||
| Cylinders | 62 | |
| Capacity | ||
| Net HP | 75 @ 3,600 rpm2 | 751 |
| Power to weight ratio | ||
| Compression ratio | ||
| Transmission (Type) | ||
| Steering | ||
| Steering ratio | ||
| Starter | ||
| Electrical system | 12 volt2 | |
| Ignition | Battery2 | |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline2 | Gasoline1 |
| Octane | ||
| Quantity | 29 gallons2 | |
| Road consumption | 7 mpg2 | |
| Cross country consumption | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | ||
| Speed - Road | 28 mph2 | 25 mph2, 36.4 mph1 58.58 kph1 |
| Speed - Water | 4 mph1,2 6.4 kph1 |
|
| Range - Road | 199 miles2 | |
| Range - Water | ||
| Turning radius | 12'2 | |
| Elevation limits | ||
| Fording depth | ||
| Trench crossing | ||
| Vertical obstacle | ||
| Climbing ability | ||
| Suspension (Type) | ||
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Tracks (Type) | Rubber1 | |
| Length | ||
| Width | ||
| Diameter | ||
| Number of links | ||
| Pitch | ||
| Tire tread | ||
| Track centers/tread | 6' 6"2 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Allied Liberation Vehicles, François Bertin, 2007
- Profile: AFV Weapons 26: Hellcat, Long Tom and Priest and Complete Check List of all U.S. World War II Self-Propelled Weapons, Colonel Robert J. Icks, 1971
