M29 Weasel
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| M29 Weasel | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Tracked vehicle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3,800 lb (1,700 kg) dry |
| Length | 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) |
| Width | 5 ft (1.5 m) later 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Height | 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) to top of windscreen |
| Crew | 4 |
|
|
|
| Engine | Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion 6-cylinder 70 hp (52 kW) |
| Suspension | Tracked |
|
Operational
range |
165 mi (266 km) |
| 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]
Contents
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 2,103 vehicles had 15 in (380 mm) tracks, a later version had 20 in (510 mm) tracks. The M29 was amphibious, but with a very low freeboard; the M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version, with buoyancy cells in the bow and stern as well as twin rudders.
Evidence exists[2] for M29s being brought to the Meiringen railway station in November 1946, to support the U.S. Army's attempt to rescue the twelve individuals from the scene of the 1946 C-53 Skytrooper crash on the Gauli Glacier. The Weasels were planned to be used for a ground rescue, climbing up the Gauli Glacier. A pair of Swiss Flugwaffe-flown Fieseler Storch STOL aircraft were able to effect the rescue solely by air, before the Weasels were needed.
Gallery
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M-29 " Weasel" St Lo special.jpg
M29 Weasel with various slogans written on the front.
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M29 Weasel Arctic USArmyTransMuseum.jpg
M29C Weasel in Arctic finish in a display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum
Variants
- T-15 prototype
- M28 (G154)
- M29 (T24) without float tanks (G179)
- M29C with float tanks
- M29C Type A: with center-mounted 75 mm M20 recoilless rifle[3]
- M29C Type B: with (T106) rear-mounted 75 mm recoilless rifle
- M29C Type C: with center-mounted 37 mm Gun M3
Specification
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- General
- 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): 27.125 in (0.6890 m)
- Electrical system: (volts) 12
- Brakes: Mechanical – external contracting in differential
- Transmission: Speeds: 3
- Transfer case: Speeds: 2
The engine was a Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion, a 6 cylinder 169.6 cu in (2,779 cc) cubic inch 4-stroke engine running on 72 octane gasoline delivering 70 bhp at 3,600 rpm. Fuel capacity was 35 US gal (130 L). Under average conditions typically 5 miles per gallon it could range 165 mi (266 km).
- 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) |
| Maximum allowable speed: | 36 mph (58 km/h) |
| Maximum allowable towed load: | 3,800 lb (1,700 kg) |
See also
- G-numbers
- M-numbers
- Universal Carrier
- C2P tractor
- Raupenschlepper Ost
- Vostok traverse
- M7 Snow Tractor
Notes
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- TM 9-772 Technical Manual, Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
- TM 9-1772A Technical Manual for Engine, Engine Accessories, and Clutch for Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
- TM 9-1772B Technical Manual for Power Train, Suspension System, Hull, and Hull Electrical System for Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
- ORD 7-8-9 SNL-G154 AND SNL-179 (ORDNANCE SUPPLY CATALOG, STANDARD NOMENCLATURE LIST)
- TM 11-2733 Installation of Radio Equipment in Carrier, Cargo, Light, M29 and M29C (Amphibian)
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.. |
- Home of the M29C Water Weasel
- US patent 2420133, E. J. Hardig, "Track for track-laying vehicles"
