| M29 Weasel |
|
| Place of origin |
 United States |
| Specifications |
| Weight |
3,800 pounds dry |
| Length |
10 feet 6 inches |
| Width |
5 feet (later 5 feet 6 inches) |
| Height |
4 feet 3 inches (5 feet 11 inches to top of windscreen) |
| Crew |
4 |
|
| Armor |
none |
Primary
armament |
none as built |
| Engine |
Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion
70 hp (48 kW) |
| Suspension |
Tracked |
Operational
range |
265 |
| Speed |
36 MPH |
M29C Weasel in arctic finish, U.S. Army Transportation Museum display
The M29 Weasel was a World War II tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker, designed specifically 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-inch (380 mm) tracks, later version had 20-inch (510 mm). The M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version. This had 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[2]
- 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; 57.7 sq ft
- Ground clearance: 11 inches
- Ground pressure: 1.9 pounds per square inch (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 |
| Fording depth: |
Will Float (M29C) |
| Maximum width of ditch vehicle will cross: |
36 in |
| Maximum vertical obstacle vehicle will climb: |
24 in |
| Fuel consumption, average conditions: |
5 miles per gal |
| Cruising range, average conditions: |
165 miles |
| Maximum allowable speed: |
36 mph |
| Maximum allowable towed load: |
3,800 lb |
- 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
References
- 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
- 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" - magazine of the Studebaker Drivers Club.
- Bart Vanderveen (1989). Historic Military Vehicles Directory.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
