In July 1941, the US Ordnance Department launched a call for tenders regarding a 6 wheel armored car, able to replace the antique M6 Farco. Three companies competed : Ford, Chrysler and Studebaker. In april 1942, Ford T22 prototype won the tender, with performances very close to those of its nearest competitor. The 37 mm gun of the T22 was too weak to confront enemy tanks. It was designated as \u201cM8 Light Armored Car\u201d and served in field missions and support for the infantry. Big quality problems delayed the production which eventually started in 1943, ending in june 1945 with a total of 8 634 units produced. It should be noted that the French Army used them until the end of Indochina and Algeria wars.<\/p> \n
More information on its restoration here.<\/p> \n \n
There were four crew members on board, the driver and the radio in the front and two gunners in the turret. This vehicle was considered as an excellent reconnaissance machine, very fast, low noise, agile, it was the spearhead with the light tanks of US and French reconnaissance units. \n \nWeight\t7.8 t (17,200 lb) \nLength\t16 ft 4.8 in (5.00 m) \nWidth\t8 ft 3.6 in (2.53 m) \nHeight\t7 ft 4.8 in (2.26 m) \nCrew\t4 \nMain \narmament\tOne 37 mm gun M6 \nSecondary \narmament\tOne .30 cal (7.62 mm) Browning M1919 machine gun \nOne .50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB machine gun \nEngine\tHercules JXD 6 cylinder gasoline side valve engine \n110 hp (82 kW) \nPower\/weight\t14.1 hp\/tonne \nSuspension\t6\u00d76 wheeled, leaf spring \nOperational \nrange\t200-400 miles on road \n150-200 miles off road \nSpeed\t55 mph (89 km\/h)<\/p> \n \n\n\t\t\t