This turret was cast-and-welded and also had rounded surfaces to decrease the chance of penetration. Tests showed that rivets tended to pop when the turret was hit by gunfire.Įarly in 1941 a third turret design was introduced into production. A new, lighter cast-and-welded turret replaced the riveted turret. Tests were successful, and the new M-3 tank was put into production in March 1941.Īlmost immediately, changes were introduced. The M-3 carried a crew of four - commander, gunner, driver, and co-driver - inside a cramped hull and turret. The M-2's Continental W-670, 250-horsepower gasoline engine was used in the M-3. ('T' designations indicate experimental and developmental designs only.) Maximum armor protection was increased to nearly 1.5 inches track-ground contact was increased by pivoting the rear trailing wheel on an arm, or idler more armor was added to the engine compartment to protect against aircraft attack and a single-welded turret was installed. To increase armored protection, a new suspension system and a more powerful engine were required.Ī new design was begun - the Light Tank T-3. Increased armor protection was the main demand. Suggestions for improving the M-2 poured into Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, where all tank development was concentrated at that time. The events of 1939-1940 were studied carefully by American army commanders, especially those in mechanized and armored units.

Military tank engine