G503 Halftrack Data DISCUSSION (serial numbers, etc.)

Tracked, Halftrack, etc... Military Vehicles, Wanted, For Sale (NO AUCTION or EBAY), and Knowledge Base

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Kevin Lockwood
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Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Fri Mar 06, 2020 5:56 am

Thanks for the info WP1.
I added your track to the list as well as generating the hood number 4012626.
I own 4012884 here in Kansas.
Thanks
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked


WP1
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Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by WP1 » Fri Mar 06, 2020 2:06 pm

awesome Kevin, thank you !

Kevin Lockwood
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Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Sat Mar 21, 2020 11:36 am

Added White M16 Ser#294625 with Hood #4061587 Stamped into bumper. Note that 16 is stamped just above the "15" in the hood number.
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

Kevin Lockwood
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Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Mon Mar 23, 2020 8:24 am

Added IHC Ser #M5-2372 Ord #13127. Thanks to the Sandstone Heritage Trust South Africa.
Mathematically the hood number should be 4031115.
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

Kevin Lockwood
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Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Tue Mar 24, 2020 6:01 am

Added:
Autocar M2 Ser# M2-7246 Ord# M2-7246 has a data plate. Roller model.
Hood number 4020177 was found on the hood.
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

Kevin Lockwood
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Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Wed Mar 25, 2020 5:55 am

Added
IHC Ser# M5-1594 Ord# 12349 Hood number can be projected to be 4030337
Thanks Randy in Canada
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

TBowman
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Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by TBowman » Fri Mar 27, 2020 8:44 am

My new addition

Diamond T M3A1

Data plate on dash:
MF's SER # M3A11128
ORD SER # 25958

Stamped Frame:
M3A11128

Engine
WHITE 160 AX #5225(?)
rebuilt 1-27-61

Think that puts it at a 1942 production(?)
Hood number range 4062092-4065201(?)

Tim
1942 Diamond T M3A1
1944 Ford GPW-194387 DOD 4-19
1943 Willys MB-T
1942 Chevrolet G7117
1944 John Wood M3A4, S/N 26841
MVCC Member

Kevin Lockwood
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Posts: 1695
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Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Fri Mar 27, 2020 2:55 pm

Added
White M2 Ser #272597
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

Kevin Lockwood
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Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:00 pm

TBowman,
Thanks for the add.
I would GUESS your hood number to be 4064219. Does it have a roller?
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

TBowman
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Posts: 112
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Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by TBowman » Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:28 pm

Kevin Lockwood wrote:
Fri Mar 27, 2020 3:00 pm
TBowman,
Thanks for the add.
I would GUESS your hood number to be 4064219. Does it have a roller?

Hi Kevin

Has a winch. Not 100% certain it was originally a winch though.
1942 Diamond T M3A1
1944 Ford GPW-194387 DOD 4-19
1943 Willys MB-T
1942 Chevrolet G7117
1944 John Wood M3A4, S/N 26841
MVCC Member

Kevin Lockwood
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Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Tue Mar 31, 2020 6:26 am

TBowman:
In an earlier post you indicate that the frame is stamped "M3A11128" So this tells us that Diamond T built this as a roller model. Unless you may have missed a "W" in line behind the "8" Winch Half-Tracs serial number would end in W. i.e. M3A11128W.
Kevin.
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

TBowman
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G-Master Sergeant
Posts: 112
Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:14 am
Location:

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by TBowman » Fri Apr 24, 2020 9:22 am

Kevin Lockwood wrote:
Tue Mar 31, 2020 6:26 am
TBowman:
In an earlier post you indicate that the frame is stamped "M3A11128" So this tells us that Diamond T built this as a roller model. Unless you may have missed a "W" in line behind the "8" Winch Half-Tracs serial number would end in W. i.e. M3A11128W.
Kevin.

Thanks Kevin

When I was uncovering the frame stamp, I only did go as far as the last 8 because thats what was on data plate. looking at the photo I took of the frame, it does look like there is something after the 8...so will clean up that area when i'm there tomorrow to see if there is a W.

Thanks again
1942 Diamond T M3A1
1944 Ford GPW-194387 DOD 4-19
1943 Willys MB-T
1942 Chevrolet G7117
1944 John Wood M3A4, S/N 26841
MVCC Member

Kevin Lockwood
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1695
Joined: Wed Mar 16, 2005 4:13 am
Location: Kansas

Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Kevin Lockwood » Fri May 01, 2020 6:49 am

Added a few tracks:
Ser and Ord #M15-662 Autocar M15
Ser #277103 Ord #18017 White M2
Ser and Ord #M3-75-1642 Autocar M3-75 was on list as data plate only seen on ebay for sale. The vehicle still exists. I will be happy to help return the plate to the vehicle owner. If you know where the plate may be post here.
Ser and Ord # M2-360 Autocar M2
Ser #232731 White M2 Nickname "Hog Iron"
42 Ford GPW
42 Oshkosh AAF Snowblower
41 White M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M2A1 was M2 halftrack
42 Autocar M3-75 halftrack
42 White M4A1 was M4 halftrack
43 Diamond T M3A1 halftrack
43 White M16 was M13 halftrack
44 LVT-3 Landing Vehicle Tracked

Rakkasan187
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Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Rakkasan187 » Sat Jun 13, 2020 10:49 am

Good day everyone,

I was just granted access to the forum and I am reaching out to those who may be able to assist myself and our staff.

My name is Leigh Smith Jr, I am a retired infantry Master Sergeant with 22 years of service. After retiring I worked at the US Army Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss Texas and while there I was hired as the history specialist for the US Army Museum of the Noncommissioned Officer. In 2019 I was hired to be the curator at the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Museum.

I am in need of assistance in properly identifying some of the vehicles we have on exhibit at the 1AD museum. The 1st Armored Division moved from Germany to Texas several years ago and the Air Defense Artillery School which was originally at Fort Bliss has since moved to Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Many of the vehicles that came from Germany that were part of 1AD have limited or no history associated with them and we are trying to obtain some historical provenance. Most of the data plates have been removed and these are most likely "examples of" vehicles of what the division used.

Some of the HPJs (Historical Property Jackets) have very limited to no information and in reading some of the descriptions that were done many years ago, we have discovered inaccuracies in the nomenclature identifications which has led me to further research our vehicles for proper ID. The 1AD did not bring all vehicles back from Germany, there were just too many of them and the vehicles were dispersed over the entire country of Germany. The vehicles that were in the best condition since almost all of them sat outside in the elements for years were selected for transport. The others were gathered and placed in large holding areas pending future disposition.

Unfortunately due to lack of knowledge on part of some of the staff, vehicle identification was simply 'Here's a tank, put this one on the ship, here's a half tack, put this one on the ship.. without knowing there were many different variations. The lack of data plates also hindered the identification process. There were countless halftracks of all variations but due to modifications over the years and removal of certain components and cannibalizing from one to better fit another track in better condition, the true identities of many of the vehicles were lost. (We have one half track identified as an M16 version but there are no quad 50's or drop down armor plates) and other anomalies.. (But I will discuss those in future posts)...

Currently the 1AD and Ft Bliss museum is in the process of a complete redesign and restructure of the museum. We are completing the storyline and exhibit plans for submission to the architects and planners and while this is occurring we are in the process of selecting the proper vehicles and equipment to display. Sadly we can't display everything we want as the redesign of the museum will also include the Fort Bliss Story as well as the Museum of the NCO. We will have 3 museums under one roof and as many of you are aware vehicles tend to take up a lot of space.

We have already written out some of the vehicles and we are in the process of finding them new homes within the installation as well as other Army Museums.

I have started research on one of 3 half tracks that we have. 2 are on exhibit and one is in storage and is going to be removed from our records. The half track that I am currently researching was made by the White Motor Company. I believe I have found the serial number stamped into the frame on the driver's side behind the left front wheel. The number is 250319. Our records indicate that this was an M2 but there were some modifications done to it so it looks like an M2A1. We believe that a veterans group may have refurbished this vehicle some time ago and they did not have proper references or data to rebuild this half track. It has a roller on the front and it still retains the skate rail around the inside of the troop carrier compartment as well as the M49 ring mount. I read that about 5,000 M2s were modified with these changes and redesignated M2A1s. I keep pouring over the reference books and when it seems like I have made some progress in identifying the right model there are some things on the Half track that just don't make sense and I am back to square 1.

I told the director that I thought we may have adopted a "franken track" a few parts of this one and a few parts of that one brought together to look like something... Not sure. That is why I am reaching out to everyone here for your assistance.

I do apologize for such a lengthy first post but I figured it best to fully explain the situation and paint a clear picture for everyone.

We want to be as historically accurate with all data that we present and place on information panels for reading, so any information about the when this M2 may have been manufactured, if the information about 5000 of the M2s being retrofitted with the M49 ring mount and redesignated M2A1s is accurate and any other pertinent information would be most helpful. Some random information also in the file was the mention of the track being named "Cara Lee" .. but there is no other information or that name being anywhere on the half-track itself...

On another note, at one time some or most of these vehicles did operate but now they have all been rendered inoperable and in many cases a lot of the interior parts have been removed (seats, MG pintles, crew seats, ammo storage boxes, gauges, etc... (I am not sure if we will be attempting to fully restore these or not).. (More to follow on that as I get more information).

I only have a few photos right now, but when I return to work I will be able to take more photos if there are specifics that need to be better seen for proper identification...

Thank you everyone for taking some time to read this and examine the pictures.

I look forward to any feedback.

Thank you everyone, Stay safe and healthy..

Best regards and Blessings

Leigh E. Smith Jr
Curator
1st Armored Division and Ft Bliss Museum
Ft Bliss, Texas


M2.jpg
M2a.jpg
M2 serial #.jpg

Rakkasan187
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Re: G503 Halftrack Database

Post by Rakkasan187 » Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:07 pm

I haven't had the opportunity to continue research on this vehicle as other priorities have come up,, but it looks as if the upgrades to this half track may have intended it to be a Mortar Carrier.. The rear door is present for troop access BUT the skate rail for the .50 is still around the entire track which would make it very awkward for troops to enter/exit the troop compartment with this large section of steel in the way..

I see no other reason that the skate rail would have remained in place in the area that would have accommodated troops, unless again it was going to be turned into a Mortar Carrier?/

What are everyone's thoughts..

Thanks

Leigh


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