T40/M9 Tank Destroyer

The 3" Gun Motor Carriage T40, later given the production model number M9 was a US tank destroyer (a self-propelled gun designed for fighting tanks), of the early part of World War II. 
It used a 3-inch gun on an M3 hull. It would have had a crew of 5 and was propelled by a Wright R975 EC2 gasoline-fueled engine giving the vehicle a top speed of 25 miles-per-hour (40 kilometers-per-hour). The Gross weight of the vehicle was 33 Tons.

The M3 Hull served in many front line tanks as the Americans found it useful, this hull went on to be used up until 1942 in which the M4 was made and can be seen in all Sherman tanks. The M3 hull gave the T40 a lower profile in which was useful in battlefield situations. Three double-wheeled bogies were situated on either side of the hull.

History

The T40 was the T24 prototype rebuilt by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1941 on the existing  M3 Lee chassis. The growing tensions between the United States and the Empire of Japan made it clear that anti-armour machinery was needed. Shortly after Pearl Harbor the US Army had issued a 1,000 vehicle production license under the designation M9 in December, 1941. However, the project was terminated in August 1942. As well as doubts in the Ordnance Board about the design, the Tank Destroyer Board felt that the vehicle was too slow and there were only about 30 M1918 guns available to produce the vehicle. 

After the cancellation focus shifted into making the M10 "Wolverine" tank destroyer. The M10 went on to produce 6,700 tanks from 1942 - 1943.

See also
 M-numbers
Tanks in the United States

Notes and references

http://www.wwiivehicles.com/usa/tanks-medium/m3.asp
Steven J Zaloga M10 and M36 Tank Destroyers 1942-53 Osprey

External links

Category:World War II tank destroyers of the United States
Category:Self-propelled artillery of the United States