Half-track automobiles had been developed for the United States Army from the very early 30s when the US Ordnance Department learned the effective Citroen-Kegresse half-tracks from France. Different businesses in the USA developed half-track designs for the Ordnance Department, the Gunningham engine business creating the first, designated T1, in 1932. By 1940 development work led to the Half-track T14 in which the layout and look of subsequent W.W.II duration American half tracks ended up being finalised. Later on in 1940 aided by the war already gripping European countries, the usa commenced a big re-armament programme, plus in September 1940 the existing T14 was standardised and purchased into production once the Half-track M2. The half-track ended up being envisaged as an artillery prime mover, the M2 being equipped to tow the 105mm industry howitzer and carry its crew and ammunition. This was indeed the initial role associated with the French Citroen-Kegresse. The effective utilization of the Hanomag half-track in armoured infantry role by the Germans in 1940 demonstrated that such a car could be very helpful to the US Army, so that the current T14/M2 design ended up being adjusted as an infantry provider, with seats for infantry and stowage with regards to their hands and gear. In designation Half-track Personnel Carrier M3 this vehicle became known and much more popular compared to initial M2. While the M2 had interior ammo lockers, the M3 body ended up being 10 inches longer with a rear door. The subsequent model M3A1, had a 'pulpit' to simply take an AA device gun, while the M3 it self had a straightforward pedestal mount.
The US Forces made a research associated with German promotions in European countries in 1940 and appreciated that anti-aircraft defence of ground forces would be vital in almost any future operations where similar 'blitzkrieg' techniques involving close Luftwafte atmosphere support would oftimes be encountered once again. In order to produce anti-aircraft vehicles quickly it was realised that the existing half-track design was big and stable sufficient become adjusted, though as a permanent aim the Ordnance Department developed full-track AA cars including the M19. At the same time some half-track designes were quickly produced, the T1E1 with Bendix turret, T1E2 with Maxson turret, and T1E3 with Electro-dynamic turret. These were M2 automobiles with the turret put into a corner compartment. The turrets were of aircraft type, the T1E3 also keeping the perspex canopy. The effetiveness of this idea had been proved, the Maxson turret regarding the T1E2 being chosen. A production prototype, the T1E4, was built, aided by the Maxson turret on a M3 car. Standardised as Several Gun Engine Carriage M13, over 500 were built. A greater model, with four .50 cal device weapons had been manufactured in April 1942, the model being designated GMC T58. This is standardised as Gun Motor Carriage M16, and 724 were built by White Engine Co in 1942-3. A similar vehicle (but with flat area mudguards and rounded super-structure corners) was the M17 built by International Harvester Co regarding the comparable Half-track M5, over 1,000 of these were made.
