Produktbeschreibung
Car, Armoured, 6x6, M8 - Rugged six wheel armoured car, the M8 Greyhound is well suited to it's role as a scout while the 37mm gun gives it a respectable sting - Pack contains 1 Armoured Car and 1 Dismounted Crew figure.
M8 Light Armored Car (Greyhound)
In July 1941 the US started to develop a new fast tank destroyer to replace the M6 37mm GMC (which was just a light truck with a 37mm gun on the back). The Army requirement was for 6x4 wheeled vehicle armed with a 37mm gun and a coaxial machine gun mounted in a turret. Its front armour was to withstand .50cal machine-gun fire and side armour .30 cal machine-gun fire.
Prototypes were built by Ford, Studebaker and Chrysler and were all very similar. The Ford version (T22) was chosen in April 1942. It was quickly realised that tank development and warfare had passed the design by and it was redesignated as a armoured car, designated M8 Light Armored Car and named Greyhound by the British due to its high speed and thin armour. It proved more than capable in the reconnaissance role.
Due to contract issues and minor design improvements production was delayed until March 1943.
It retained it original design armaments, even though its role had changed dramatically, mounting a 37mm M6 gun and a coaxially mounted .30 Browning machine gun in its open-topped turret. Additionally it could also mount an M2 machine-gun on a ring or pintle mount for anti-aircraft use.
It was crewed by four men, commander and gunner/loader in the turret and the driver and radio operator in the hull. The gun and turret were rotated and elevated manually.
It was only lightly armoured and ranged from as little as 3mm under the hull, to 19mm on the front hull and turret. Because of its thin under-hull armour it was vulnerable to landmines.
The British crews sometimes placed sandbags on the floor inside to make up for the lack of armour underneath. Later production vehicles increased the floor armour and replaced the steel fuel tank with a rubber one.
The M8 was powered by an in-line 6-cylinder 320 cu.in. Gasoline engine giving it a top speed of 56mph on-road, 30mph off-road.
The vehicle was considered fast, however cavalry units criticized its off-road performance. In the mountainous terrain of Italy and in the deep mud and snow of North European winter the Greyhound was more or less restricted to roads, reducing its value as a reconnaissance vehicle. However the engine was mounted in the rear with fans blowing to the rear, so it was often able to sneak up on enemy.
The M8 first saw action in Italy in 1943 and was used by the US Army both in Europe and in the Far East. Over 1000 were supplied via lend-lease channels to Britain, France and Brazil. Production of the M8 ended in June 1945. 8,634 units had been built.
In Flames Of War -
The M8 can be brought in the US Cavalry Recon Troop in either the Company HQ or Cavalry Recon platoon. Cavalry Recon Platoons can also support US Tank Companies, Armored Rifle Companies, and Rifle Companies.
The M8 is Wheeled with Armour of Front 1, Side 0 and Top 0 and is armed with 37mm M6 gun, Co-ax MG and a .50 cal AA MG.
The 37mm M6 gun has Range 24"/60cm, ROF 2 Anti-tank 7 and Firepower 4+.
The British started using the M8 in Italy after August 1944. |
