M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle
| M32 Recovery Vehicle | |
|---|---|
 A M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle on display at Fort Knox, Kentucky | |
| Type | Armoured Recovery Vehicle |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | July 1943 to May 1945 |
| Used by | United States |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Ordnance Department |
| Designed | June 1943 |
| Manufacturer | Lima Locomotive, Baldwin Locomotive, Pressed Steel Car, and International Harvester |
| Produced | July 1943 to May 1945 |
| No. built | 1,582 |
| Variants | M32B1, M32B2, M32B3, M32A1B1, M32A1B2, M32A1B3, M34 Prime Mover. |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 64,300 lb (4,590 st) (M32, M32B1, and M32B3), 67,600 lb (4,830 st) (M32B2). |
| Length | 19.3 ft (5.9 m)(length of hull), 18 ft (5.5 m) (length of A-frame boom) |
| Width | 8.9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Height | 9.66 ft (2.94 m) |
| Crew | 4 |
| Armor | 0.5–2 in (13–51 mm) |
Main armament | 1 × 81 mm mortar |
Secondary armament | 1 × 0.5 in machine gun (300 rounds), 1 × 0.3 in machine gun (9,000 rounds), 20 hand grenades (Fragmentation, Mk. II), 6 smoke grenades. |
| Engine |
|
| Payload capacity | 10 short tons (9.1 t)[1] |
| Transmission | Spicer manual synchromesh transmission, five forward and one reverse gears |
| Suspension | Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS), M32A1 variants with Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS) |
| Fuel capacity | 148–175 US gal (560–660 L) |
Operational range | 120–150 mi (190–240 km) |
| Maximum speed | 24 mph (39 km/h) |
The M32 Armoured Recovery Vehicle was an Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman. The first four prototypes were produced in January 1943, labeled T5, T5E1, T5E2, T5E3, and T5E4. After a series of tests at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, the prototypes were approved as M32, M32E1, M32E2, M32E3, and M32E4. However, the M32E4 never entered production. There were also variants that had HVSS suspension, which were demarcated by an A1 after the model.
Lima Locomotives started production in June 1943, with five M32B2s and 46 M32B3s. Pressed Steel Car produced 163 M32s and 475 M32B1s in 1944. They also produced 298 M32B3s. Baldwin Locomotive produced 195 M32B1s, while 398 M32B1s were produced by Federal Machine before the end of the year. Many M32s were converted into M34 Prime Movers, used to pull heavy artillery. The M32s were used after 1944, such as during the D-Day and the European Theater. It was phased out after the introduction of the M74 Tank Recovery Vehicle when heavier tanks were produced, such as the M46 Patton. The M32 had a 30-ton winch, 18 ft boom, and an A-model jib. It was armed with two machine guns and a mortar mainly to provide cover for an emergency retreat.
Specifications
The M32 Tank Recovery Vehicle was 19.3 ft (5.9 m), adding 18 ft (5.5 m) when the boom was fully extended. The width was 8.9 ft (2.7 m) and the height was 9.66 ft (2.94 m). It weighed either 64,300 lb (4,590 st) (M32, M32B1, and M32B3), or 67,600 lb (4,830 st) (M32B2) depending on the model. The engine varied between which variant of the M4 Sherman it was based upon, so the M32 and M32B1 model had a Continental R975-C1 or -C4 9 cylinder radial gasoline engine, running at 2,400 rpm, the M32B2 model had a General Motors 6046 twin Diesel engine; running at 2,100 rpm, and the M32B3 model had a Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine running at 2,600 rpm. The range and fuel capacity varied between 120–150 mi (190–240 km) and 148–175 US gal (560–660 L) respectively depending on the engine. However, top speed remained constant at 24 mph (39 km/h).[2][3]
It had a Spicer manual synchromesh transmission, with five forward and one reverse gears. It had was equipped with an A-frame jib, a 18 ft (5.5 m) boom, and a 30 short tons (27 t) winch.[1] The suspension was VVSS for earlier variants, and HVSS for variants demarcated with an A1. It had between 0.5–2 in (13–51 mm) depending where the location of the armour is. It had an armament that consisted of an 81 mm mortar and a 0.5 in M2 Browning machine gun combined with a 0.3 in M1919 machine gun. There were 20 hand grenades (Fragmentation Mk.II), and six smoke grenades in the crew compartment. [3]
Development history
The Ordnance Department needed armored recovery vehicles for the D-day Invasion. However, they did not desire to use the British armored recovery vehicles, because they didn't prefer with the modifications the British made with M4 Sherman tanks.[4]
The basic prototypes of the M32 was created by Lima Locomotive on January 11, 1943. The prototypes were labeled T5, T5E1, T5E2, T5E3, and T5E4. These designs competed against the T2 and T7 designs at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The T5 was declared superior to the T2 and T7 designs after several weeks of testing. The four pilots were sent to Aberdeen (T5 and T5E1), Camp Hood (T5E2), and Camp Seely (T5E4). However, during the testing the T5E3's engine was damaged, so it could not go through further testing. OCM 21553 standardized the designs of the T5, T5E1, T5E2, T5E3, and the T5E4 as the M32, M32E1, M32E2, M32E3, and the M32E4 in June 1943. This protocol also terminated the T7 project. However, the M32E4 did not enter production.[1] Many M32s were converted into M34 Prime Movers, which were used to carry heavy artillery. The M34s were unarmed, and had special equipment to pull heavy artillery.[5]
Production history
The production of the M32 was started by Lima Locomotive, which converted five M32B2s in June 1943. They also intermittently produced 26 M32B3s in May 1944, and also produced 20 more vehicles in the summer of 1944. Pressed Steel Car produced 163 M32s and 475 M32B1s from December 1943 to December 1944.[1] Pressed Steel Car also produced 298 M32B3s.[2] They also converted 298 M32B3s from May to December 1944. Baldwin Locomotive Works and Federal Machine got licensed to produce M32 variants in November 1944. Baldwin Locomotive Works produced 195 M32B1s before June 1945 and the latter produced 385 M32B1s before May of that year.[1]
Service history
The M32 entered service in 1944. They served in Operation Overlord and many other battles during the European Theater.[4] The A1 variants, which were converted by Baldwin Locomotive in 1945, also served long into the postwar period.[6] The M74 Tank Recovery Vehicle replaced the M32B1A1s during the Korean War after the production of heavier tanks such as the M46 Patton. However, some remained in service during the Korean War after the type was officially replaced by the M74.[7]
Variants
- M32 – The original version, based on the M4 Sherman. 163 were produced by Pressed Steel Car in 1944.[8]
- M32B1 – A M32 based on the M4A1. 1,085 were produced by Federal Machine, Baldwin Locomotive, and Pressed Steel Car.[8]
- M32B2 – A M32 based on the M4A2. 26 were produced by Lima Locomotive.[8]
- M32B3 – A M32 based on the M4A3. 344 were produced by Lima Locomotive and Pressed Steel Car.[8]
- M32B4 – A M32 based on the M4A4. Never entered production.[8] Had a Chrysler Multibank engine.[3]
- M32A1 – A M32 with HVSS suspension.[8]
- M32A1B1 – A M32B1 with HVSS suspension. 175 were converted by Baldwin Locomotive.[8]
- M32A1B2 – A M32B2 with HVSS suspension.[8]
- M32A1B3 – A M32B3 with HVSS suspension.[8]
- M34 Prime Mover – M34 Prime Movers were simply M32B1 Recovery Vehicles without the towing cable and were just used for pulling towed artillery into place.[9] It was typically reserved for pulling heavy artillery, such as the 240 mm howitzer.[10] It lacked any armament and had four seats for crew. The vehicle also had tail lights, electric outlets for towed load stop, and multiple stowage ports.[5]
See also
- M74 Armored Recovery Vehicle – Another armoured recovery vehicle based on the M4A3 Sherman.
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d e Hunnicutt (1971), pp. 474–476.
- ^ a b Doyle (2011), p. 413.
- ^ a b c Hoggs (2014), p. 40.
- ^ a b Ware (2014), pp. 109–110.
- ^ a b Hoggs (2014), p. 81.
- ^ Hunnicutt (1971), p. 477.
- ^ Hunnicutt (1971), p. 478.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Green (2014), pp. 102–103.
- ^ Zaloga (2011), p. 40.
- ^ Bishop (2002), p. 60.
Bibliography
- Bishop, Chris (2002). The Encyclopedia of Weapons. New York City, New York: Sterling Publishing Company. ISBN 1-58663-762-2.
- Doyle, David (2011). Standard Catalog of U.S. Military Vehicles (Second ed.). Iola, WI: Krause Publications. ISBN 1-4402-2572-9.
- Green, Michael (2014). American Tanks & AFVs of World War II. Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-78200-931-0.
- Hoggs, Ian V. (2014). The American Arsenal: The World War II Official Standard Ordnance Catalogue. Frontline Books. ISBN 978-1-4738-9703-8.
- Hunnicutt, R.P. (1971). Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-742-7.
- Ware, Pat (2014). M4 Sherman: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives Plus Specially Commissioned Colour Illustrations. Pen&Sword. ISBN 978-1-4738-3620-4.
- Zaloga, Steven J. (2011). US Field Artillery of World War II. London, UK: Bloombury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-819-0.