M29 Weasel
Encyclopedia
The M29 Weasel was a World War II
tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker
, designed for operation in snow.
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 in (381 mm) tracks, later version had 20 in (508 mm). The M29 was amphibious, but with a very low freeboard; the M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version, with buoyancy cells in the bow and stern as well as twin rudders.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker
Studebaker
Studebaker Corporation was a United States wagon and automobile manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. Founded in 1852 and incorporated in 1868 under the name of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company, the company was originally a producer of wagons for farmers, miners, and the...
, designed for operation in snow.
Design and development
Geoffrey Pyke
Geoffrey Nathaniel Joseph Pyke was an English journalist, educationalist, and later an inventor whose clever, but unorthodox, ideas could be difficult to implement...
in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. 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
Commando
In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
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 in (381 mm) tracks, later version had 20 in (508 mm). The M29 was amphibious, but with a very low freeboard; the M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version, with 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 rifleM20 recoilless rifleThe M20 recoilless rifle was a U.S. 75 mm caliber recoilless rifle used during the last months of the Second World War and extensively during the Korean War. It could be fired from an M1917A1 .30 caliber machine gun tripod, or from a vehicle mount, typically a Jeep. Its shaped charge warhead,...
75 mm on Weasel - 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): 4451 lb (2,018.9 kg)
- Shipping dimensions:
- Uncrated; 340 cu ft (9.6 m³); 57.7 sq ft (5.4 m²)
- Ground clearance: 11 in (279.4 mm)
- Ground pressureGround pressureGround pressure is the pressure exerted on the ground by the tires or tracks of a motorized vehicle, and is one measure of its potential mobility, especially over soft ground. Ground pressure is measured in pascals which corresponds to the EES unit of pounds per square inch...
: 1.9 psi (13.1 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 (3.7 m) |
| Fording depth: | Will Float (M29C) |
| Maximum width of ditch vehicle will cross: | 36 in (91.4 cm) |
| Maximum vertical obstacle vehicle will climb: | 24 in (61 cm) |
| Fuel consumption, average conditions: | 5 miles per gal |
| Cruising range, average conditions: | 165 mi (265.5 km) |
| Maximum allowable speed: | 36 mph (57.9 km/h) |
| Maximum allowable towed load: | 3800 lb (1,723.7 kg) |
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 |