G503 Halftrack Data DISCUSSION (serial numbers, etc.)

Tracked, Halftrack, etc... Military Vehicles, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base

Moderator: Kevin Lockwood

Post Reply
Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:10 pm

Added those two tracks. Thanks
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked


User avatar
1966_Chevelle
G-Sergeant
G-Sergeant
Posts: 33
Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2014 2:05 pm
Location: Clarksville, Tn

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 1966_Chevelle » Tue Aug 08, 2017 3:52 pm

i found a stamping on m15a1 front bumper. Reads "15 40149859". I suppose it is hood number stamped during rebuild?
Thank you for your help.
1941 M-2 ht ord #142
194* M-2
1942 T30 ht
194* M16
194* M15a1
41 M3A1 sc ord #1572
42 M3A1 sc ord #6156
4* M3A1 sc frame #260896
41 M3A1 sc frame #228347
42 GPW 82044
4* Bantam T3/42 Mb.T
M1 trailer
45 M29C

Always looking for m20/m8 armored car projects.
Looking for halftrack variant (m3/4) or any other unique type/project vehicle.

Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Wed Aug 09, 2017 5:09 am

That fits perfect with the key number for that PO group. I have added the info to the list. Thanks
Kevin Lockwood
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Thu Aug 10, 2017 7:59 pm

Hello Kevin,

A fascinating data base you guys have created here !!!

I will give you some interesting data information on my Halftracks .

1.) M-2 / M2A1 ? Halftrack with No Data Plate on Dash
Serial Number : 293194 on frame rail drivers side. (White Engine, Not running currently, Hopefully soon) (Just recovered this nice Track)
USA Number : U.S.A 4051203 S (Both Sides of Hood, white paint ) Drivers side small numbers, passenger's side bigger size,
painted over the smaller size. ( The U.S.A. is above the numbers )
With Roller, pedestal lights, uncut divider between front seats and rear area. Side and rear armor and center floor missing on bed, track well cover
armor plates there.
I have noticed other examples of these M2 Halftracks , with the higher ranging serial numbers, has appeared earlier in the database so
I hope this helps further develop some valuable information about that batch of M2 or M2A1 units. I think it is a 1943.

2.) M-16 A1 Carr, Motor Mult Gun (White Engine) ( Running very nice older restoration, no quad mount)
Rebuilt by B & M with Data Plate on dash
With Roller, pedestal lights, original tracks and armor for M16 A1 from B&M rebuild.
MFG Serial Number : 1904
Ordnance Number : 1904
Front Bumper Number Stampings :
Left top : 40150621
Center Top : 15 40150621
Is it an Autocar ??
It is titled as a White, likely based on engine being White.
Data plate doesn't list manufacturer.

Appears to have started out as an M-15 based on the excellent info shared on the data base here.
Location Fla.

Ray

Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:46 am

Ray,
Thanks for the info. I have added your numbers to the list. Several good folks have made this possible. It has done a lot to give a better understanding of the half-trac production.
M2 293194: If the bulkhead is symmetrical (uncut) than it was not ever converted to a M2A1. I entered your hood number with a ? as it is possible that the hood was from another track. The number seems to fit but without a ordnance number White manufactured tracks are tough to nail down a hood number. If you find what appears to be a ordnance number stamped anywhere that would be a great help. Not very likely though since yours does not seem to have went through a re-build or conversion.
Was M15A1 / M16A1 1904: Yes this would be an Autocar as they built all the M15 and M15A1s. Hood number stamped in bumper helps thanks.
Kevin
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Fri Aug 11, 2017 6:17 am

Hello Kevin,

Yes thanks to Everyone who contributes to the greater understanding of these vehicles !!
Thanks for updating the data base !
The M-2 293194 with the hood numbers had some od painted over them likely when track was sold as surplus.
It still has 2 Firestone "Combat" tires on it, with the bolted combat rims.
The hood does look like it has been on it forever, I would guess that the numbers are original, but anything is possible,
the very old patina is the same all over the track .
The bulk head is solid across the drivers area, with a jump seat in the middle,
behind the passenger seat area to the left it has small font stenciling that says " signal flags" written vertically .

The engine number is : 160 AX 40913

Best Regards,

Ray

Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Sat Aug 12, 2017 10:03 am

Ray,
Can you post a pic of the bulkhead. As far as I know the M2/M4 short chassis half-trac did not have a solid bulkhead with a center jump seat. The only possibility I can think of would perhaps be if it was converted to a M16B but that would be really rare. Odds are you have a M16 bulkhead one reason or another. Are the ammo lockers behind the cab seats still in place?
Kevin
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Sat Aug 12, 2017 8:23 pm

Hello Kevin,

The ammo lockers are gone, but one of the long angle irons on top of the wheel well, passenger side that remains,
has the 2 notches there for the hinges to the missing side ammo locker door.
The armor was unbolted off it by someone before I got it.
It has the armor plate above both wheel wells over the tracks, well the tracks are gone too.
The floor box is gone as well, but there are some angle irons that go from one side to the other side that I don't know
if they are original or later additions.
The passenger seat is also missing, but I don't see where it was attached to the diamond plate.
The front floors are all steel diamond plate.

It is nice that nothing was welded to the half-track, or cut off the half-track !

Another thing is that on the front of the top driver's side main windshield frame,
there is a 21 inch piece of metal that looks like the canvas attaches there?
It doesn't go all the way across like on my M16A1.

I will try to post pics, but have an issue with my I - phone and email software .
I can text pictures to you, if you PM me your number.
I think if you can take a look at the pictures, you would have better knowledge of what it may be.

Best Regards,

Ray

Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:45 am

I would be glad to look at photos. PM me if you cannot post here. You can email them to me. The short strip sounds to be a canvas tie down strip. It would not go all the way across on a half-trac with a pulpit mount. So this would indicate it was a M2A1 at one point.
Kevin
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:49 pm

Hello Kevin,
I got all the pic issues resolved !!!!! :D
Here are some pictures of my M-2 /M-2A1 that was found, bought, and rescued last week :D

White
Serial Number : 293194
USA Number : 4051203 S






photo(78).JPG
photo(78).JPG (181.17 KiB) Viewed 2320 times



photo(77).JPG
photo(77).JPG (140.32 KiB) Viewed 2320 times


photo(80).JPG
photo(80).JPG (138.93 KiB) Viewed 2320 times



photo(81).JPG
photo(81).JPG (150.86 KiB) Viewed 2320 times
photo(82).JPG
photo(82).JPG (133.97 KiB) Viewed 2320 times
photo(83).JPG
photo(83).JPG (138.38 KiB) Viewed 2320 times

photo(84).JPG
photo(84).JPG (166.79 KiB) Viewed 2320 times
photo(85).JPG
photo(85).JPG (185.05 KiB) Viewed 2320 times
photo(86).JPG
photo(86).JPG (94.99 KiB) Viewed 2320 times


Best Regards,

Raymond
Attachments
photo(75).JPG
photo(75).JPG (80.88 KiB) Viewed 2320 times

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 14, 2017 9:57 pm

Here are some pics of the windshield frame, possibly an M2A1 conversion ?
photo(87).JPG
photo(87).JPG (109.51 KiB) Viewed 2320 times

photo(88).JPG
photo(88).JPG (118.42 KiB) Viewed 2320 times

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:03 pm

Hello Kevin,

You can see the smaller USA numbers on driver's side, that match the ones on the passenger side.
The passenger side has a faint US ARMY with larger numbers over the original smaller ones.
You can see the small S on the passenger side as well, from the original set of painted over matching numbers.


Best Regards,

Ray

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:24 pm

Hello,

If anyone has an old M-2 rear floor assembly laying around that might be for sale ......
please let me know !!

I may like to try to make the side armor.
Cut to size 1/4 inch plate steel, with holes drilled and recessed with a portable drill press, that has an electro magnet base, that activates to attach to the plate before drilling with 2.000 lbs holding power. Spray lube on the hole when drilling.
Sounds pretty straight forward :D

Thanks,
Raymond

Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Tue Aug 15, 2017 6:20 am

Ray,
Thanks for the pics. The cab rear bulkhead is a M16 bulkhead. This now makes me fairly certain someone scavenged the hood and this bulkhead from a M16. Your rear bed remains show no indication that a quad base was installed so I doubt this was a M2 converted to M16B. The windshield frame shows a pulpit mount was fitted at some point and I believe only M2 was converted to M16B. I do not think they would have stripped a M2A1.
Really nice half-trac I look forward to seeing it restored.
If you need parts pm for my email.
Kevin
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

70th Division
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 5638
Joined: Thu Dec 03, 2009 5:29 pm
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by 70th Division » Tue Aug 15, 2017 6:56 am

Hello Kevin,

That is interesting indeed, I would imagine that the hood was swapped by the Army before it was sold off as surplus.
It has been on there for decades, and the hinges are rotted out in position.

What would the mounts look like if it was an M16B ?
I assume they were converted in the field in England ?

There is a big angle bracket welded to the rear axle assembly.
I will post a picture.


Thanks,

Ray


Post Reply

Return to “Tracked”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 57 guests