user1000 Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) how far would an actual live us half-track go with both of it's front tires out of commission? Is the back track capable of tracking it along well as long as the front still turn? Edited January 15, 2016 by user1000 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Backer Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Steering would be a problem... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Half-Track Goner Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) Always wondered about the OP's first question. Having no prior insight or knowledge on the matter, here's what I found online regarding US pneumatic tires in WWII:Combat construction was adopted as standard in October 1941 (OCM 17285). They were developed as "run-flat" tires that would allow continued operation for 75 miles (eventually reduced to 40 miles) even after being punctured by bullets or shell fire (OCM 19747). These tires used significantly more rubber (50-60%) in their sidewalls to maintain rigidity, along with beadlocks, a metal band that went inside the tire and pressed the beads outward against the rim, which added to sidewall rigidity. (The beadlocks also prevented slipping on the rim.) Because of the rigid construction and beadlocks normal one-piece wheels where the tire was stretched over and between the flanges could not be used. A two-piece divided rim was concurrently developed that effectively split the wheel in two (much like most model kit wheels) and was assembled from either side of the tire. While it was possible to change a tire without removing the wheel from the vehicle using a divided rim this practice was apparently little used. Divided rims could also be used with standard tires.The article goes on to note acute rubber shortages in 1944 made use of Combat tires difficult:Notes on UsageGiven its druthers, the Army would have used Combat tires exclusively on all tactical vehicles and equipment; in fact this was specified in 1941 (OCM 17285). However, the increased cost, greater rubber usage, and reduction in production capacity of Combat tires prevented their uniform employment. Reductions in the application of Combat tires were authorized as the rubber supply situation became acute in the late 1944:In June 1943, AA gun carriages were changed to standard construction highway tread tires but retained their divided rims (OCM 20890).OCM 25163 from September 1944 authorized the substitution of standard construction tires on the M10 ammunition trailer.A number of changes to equipment tire requirements were made in the fall of 1944 by OCM 25531, in the interest of conserving rubber and reducing the types of tires in service. Primarily, it changed the tread type from HW to MS while maintaining the existing construction on the following:M4A1 37mm gun carriageM3A2 105mm and M3A3 75mm howitzer carriages3 and 3-½ ton cargo and M51 machine gun trailersM10 ammunition trailer, M6 3-inch gun, and M2A2 105mm howitzer carriagesM1A1 90mm AA mountM23 ammunition trailer, M1 8-inch howitzer and M1 155mm gun carriagesM2, M3, and M5 limbersM21 ammunition trailer, M1A1 4.5-inch gun and M1A1 155mm howitzer carriagesM2 90mm AA gun mount, M2 and M3 155mm gun carriagesAdditionally, the M1 120mm AA gun mount went from 13.00-24 HW to 14.00-24 MS.It's a modeling web site, so take it w/ a grain or two, but the article US Army Models notes its sources. Edited January 15, 2016 by Half-Track Goner specificity 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
user1000 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) Steering would be a problem...no it wouldn't dude, 75 miles after puncture would make sense because of the back track power. Didn't know they were pretty much rubber filled. the damn truck at the loss of the front tires would as the energizer commercials say going and going and going. Unless a single shot to the engine area of course. Still they were purple heart boxes. Just think if they fixed JUST ONE PROBLEM and increased armor to 15mm how good the US 1/2 track would have been. Or just pile crap around it like this http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Rations/Halftrackfull.jpg Edited January 15, 2016 by user1000 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bud Backer Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 no it wouldn't dude, 75 miles after puncture would make sense because of the back track power. Didn't know they were pretty much rubber filled. the damn truck at the loss of the front tires would as the energizer commercials say going and going and going. Unless a single shot to the engine area of course. Still they were purple heart boxes. Just think if they fixed JUST ONE PROBLEM and increased armor to 15mm how good the US 1/2 track would have been. Or just pile crap around it like this http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Rations/Halftrackfull.jpgYou said "out of commission" - which I distinguished to mean something more considerable than being shot but otherwise intact. The info on the design of the wheels was fascinating, I also had no idea the tires were much more than heavier rubber, but clearly they are. Interesting picture, I like it, thanks for sharing. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.