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The half-track is without a doubt an International Harvester built M5. It doesn't appear to have a ring mount for the .50 cal. This would rule out it being an M5A1 or M9A1 (no M9's were built). It does have a winch. So it becomes one of 2,431 vehicles built to that specification, between 9/11/42 and 13/8/43, 57% of the total production of 4,265.
The M3 series and M5/M9 are no where near as similar as most of the references (and Owen) would suggest. Apart from the engine and armour differences, the M5's were of welded construction so appear much smoother in appearance. They also have rounded rear corners to the fighting compartment and very distinctive flat section front mudguards, as opposed to the larger rounded, 1930's style, front mudguards of the M3. The M3 also has a triangular fillet at the trailing edge of the front mudguard. This is absent on the M5.
PS: The truck in the background is an US M54/55 5-tonner. Built in the late 1950's
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My mother told me, I never should, play with the gypsies in the wood.
Last edited by Bodston; 15-08-2007 at 10:12 AM.
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