M2A1 Halftrack restoration-- dialup beware

[Gil Boyd]

The Mortar derivative which is quite tight for space M21 Upgrade for the M4A1 mortar carrier

[Peter Laidler]

I can only imagine the blast felt by the driver when the 3"? mortar was fired. It was bad enough when you were in the fire-pit just looking on, at the target area through binos.

I'm also suprised that the suspension of the halftrack could take the absoloute pounding of a 3" mortar. They tried such a beast firing through the cupola hatch of the 432 (the UK M-113) and that was dreadful on the ears of the crew. It also shook the suspension of the 432 to bits in short order originally. Then a special bag called a 'Ratschen' bag was developed - a sort of jumbo jiffy bag - that took the recoil of the base plate. The problem was that the mortar base plate never really bedded in like it would on terra firma.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Yep, it's surprising how much recoil those big muzzle-loaders generate!

[Peter Laidler]

I seem to recall being told that the problem with the recoil taken on the chassis of the 432's was that while the recoil force was dampedby the suspension, it all eventually went to ground through the tracks and would partially shear the track-link pins. Then a quick move away and.........

[alpaca andy]

Thats an m3 in your pic. All m2 and M2A1s did not have the door, but the M9 which was the M2 version made by IHC did come with the door but they were not USA used, all made for allies and have many differences from the white motors halftrack. The M4 and M4A1 is a derivative of the M2 halftracks, and did have the door. Mine was an M4A1 out of the factory, but all was missing and M2A1 was the logical build

Andy,
It does look like it came with a door at the back like most were manufactured to that standard or is it the slight and light of the camera angle?
Image attached shows rear door, but there were those that had fixed tail gates when A/A guns or Mortars were fitted inside the compartment or indeed heavier guns

---------- Post added at 10:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 PM ----------

The M21 was based on the M3 chassis, the M4s were on the M2 chassis. Also, apart from some small add ons to the updated A1s, they added a steel structure under the mortar pad and had provisions to fire forward and rearward. The m4 and M21 original production didn't have the floor brace and the floors were buckling. Also they were not designed to fire forward, but troops did anyway

The Mortar derivative which is quite tight for space M21 Upgrade for the M4A1 mortar carrier

[alpaca andy]

Since today was the 70th anniversary of D-day, the last few days I was getting her ready for her first drive today. Sooooooo here it is, the first drive under her own power.

[WarPig1976]

Your poor neighbor Andy!!... You just made his John Deere lawn tractor look like a matchbox toy...You win!!...

[Gil Boyd]

Andy,
Great achievement and now priceless

[AZPhil]

Fantastic job bringing life back into that old war horse!!!!!

Semper Fi
Phil

[Brit plumber]

I have to admit I'm not impressed with this thread. I'm now finding my self wondering how much my Royal Enfields are worth and perusing sites such as HALFTRACKS.COM: Gary's Halftrack Parts, milweb and youtube looking for half tracks. Looks like I need a M16 with the Quad Mount!