A Review of American Half-track Armored Fighting Vehicles in WWII and Korea

National Museum of Military Vehicles
National Museum of Military Vehicles
29,501
6
Published 2024-08-09
The U.S. used its half-track Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV) platform as a prime mover, for troop transport, and for anti-aircraft, anti-tank, and ground support weapon systems. The strategy of using a common platform for all these applications simplified and expedited manufacturing, spare parts supply, maintenance training, and the overall supply chain. American half-tracks were another example of the ingenuity that helped the Allies win WWII with what President Roosevelt called “a crushing superiority of equipment in every theater of war.

00:00 Introduction: The Half Track
00:50 M3 standard configuration
05:38 M2 standard configuration
09:52 M4 Mortar Carrier
12:20 M5 International Harvester
17:57 M2 mystery half track
30:30 M2A1
22:38 M19 Howitzer
24:18 M15 Special
26:49 M15A1
27:58 M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
29:36 M3 75mm Tank Destroyer
30:25 M3 Command
31:40 M16A1 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
All Comments (21)
  • @brendondickerson9563
    Been to this museum twice now. My dad came and said it was the most impressive museum he's ever been too in his 65 years of life. Definitely worth the trip!
  • @guylelanglois6642
    Enjoyed our visit to your collection immensely. Thanks again for letting my grandson explore the easy 8 Sherman. I can't wait to bring my other grandkids. Thanks again, Mr Stark. Give Jack a pat on the head from us.
  • @garycb8592
    My friend and neighbor served in the 50th Armored Infantry, 6th Armored Division in WW2. Drove around in a half track as a mortarman. RIP Jim.
  • @davidk7324
    Wonderfully engaging and informative. Thank you Dan. Liked the cameo by the pup.
  • @reswhiz
    I recently had the pleasure of visiting your Facility. Having a life long interest in WWII history and equipment, I was thunderstruck by the size and scope of your collection. I Thoroughly enjoy your videos, and am Anxiously awaiting the next installment.
  • @asdf9890
    Wow, very interesting and cool video! I work in Tulsa, OK and seeing one of the Tulsa Winch products on there got me excited. I work at a 100 year old manufacturing company, and have seen a few Tulsa Winch devices in the shop that look about the same age as these. Very cool!
  • @GAMINGisAWES0ME
    Honestly I would love a review of all 27 half tracks just for the fun of it! Subscribed
  • @TheNinjaGumball
    It's a shame half-tracks went out of style; taking a reliable truck and slapping a set of tracks on the back is such a wonderfully simple (both from the overall concept but also on the pointy end of things), reliable, and elegant solution to off road capability. The US WW2 half tracks in particular have such a rugged yet stylish look with the long and boxy hull that is sorely missed these days EDIT: 16:38 Hello puppy!
  • @bobrivett7645
    You guys have a pretty awsome collection at your museum. Thanks for American halfback video.
  • @natejones902
    Nothing says you love your daughters like having a convoy of wwii trucks stop by the house in the morning, including a haltrack and taking them to school in one of the trucks and showing the whole school the wwìi vehicles, little kids love halftracks. One of those moments I wish I could share pictures here.
  • @andrewhoffman8427
    Outstanding information and pacing in this presentation. Thanks for making my Friday night!
  • @genek8630
    I really enjoyed this video. The attitude of the presenter was straightforward and courteous.
  • @markstone5597
    Very interesting...and accurate, well done, most excellent! Super Job-outstanding Meseum! Unbelievable work!
  • @robert-trading-as-Bob69
    We don't have access to WWII American vehicle museums here in South Africa, so this video was extremely enlightening and informative. Thank you. Being a short bugger, I struggled to mount and dismount from our Buffel series of APCs during my military service, and wondered why modern technology seemed to ignore effective easy deployment. A later version of the mine resistant Buffel came out with a roof and rear doors for ease of access, thereby simplifying deployment. Of course when I did my final 'Camp' or deployment, we were led past hundreds of the later covered Buffel variants to the crappy open topped original series which effectively turned me into a mountain climber for embarkation, and a paratrooper upon dismounting.
  • @ianmaw66
    What a fascinating video, thank you so much.
  • @matthewrussell9417
    Loved this video! Ate up every word and image. Totally expert! You guys rock.