M38 Wolfhound
Encyclopedia
The M38 Wolfhound was a 6x6 US armored car produced in 1944 by the Chevrolet
division of the General Motors. It was designed as a replacement for the M8 Greyhound
series, but the end of the war in 1945 led to the cancellation of the project after the completion of a handful of prototype vehicles.
The Wolfhound had a crew of 4 and was armed with a 37 mm gun in a rotating open-topped turret, with ammunition load of 93 rounds. Secondary armament consisted of two machine guns; one mounted co-axially with the main weapon, the other on an AA pintle mounting. It was powered by a Cadillac, 8-cylinder, water-cooled engine. The vehicle displayed a low profile and graceful lines. Each side featured three large tires on symmetrically placed axles, with distinctive curved mudguards. The frontal glacis plate was sharply sloped to improve protection. A radio antenna was mounted on the front right of the glacis. One M38 was modified to take the turret of an M24 Chaffee
tank and went through a series of tests to check a possibility of upgunning the vehicle.
The layout of the M38 was to influence later vehicles such as the Alvis Saladin
, a post war British armored car.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
division of the General Motors. It was designed as a replacement for the M8 Greyhound
M8 Greyhound
The M8 Light Armored Car was a 6x6 armored car produced by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. It was used by the U.S. and British troops in Europe and the Far East until the end of the war. The vehicle was widely exported and as of 2006 still remains in service with some third world...
series, but the end of the war in 1945 led to the cancellation of the project after the completion of a handful of prototype vehicles.
The Wolfhound had a crew of 4 and was armed with a 37 mm gun in a rotating open-topped turret, with ammunition load of 93 rounds. Secondary armament consisted of two machine guns; one mounted co-axially with the main weapon, the other on an AA pintle mounting. It was powered by a Cadillac, 8-cylinder, water-cooled engine. The vehicle displayed a low profile and graceful lines. Each side featured three large tires on symmetrically placed axles, with distinctive curved mudguards. The frontal glacis plate was sharply sloped to improve protection. A radio antenna was mounted on the front right of the glacis. One M38 was modified to take the turret of an M24 Chaffee
M24 Chaffee
The Light Tank M24 was an American light tank used during World War II and in postwar conflicts including the Korean War and with the French in the War in Algeria and First Indochina War. In British service it was given the service name Chaffee, after the United States Army General Adna R...
tank and went through a series of tests to check a possibility of upgunning the vehicle.
The layout of the M38 was to influence later vehicles such as the Alvis Saladin
Alvis Saladin
The Saladin is a six-wheeled armoured car built by Alvis, and fitted with a 76mm gun.Used extensively by the British Army, it replaced the AEC Armoured Car that had been in service since World War II.-History:...
, a post war British armored car.