World War 2 In Review

M2A3 Light Tank in Annual Army Day Parade, Washington, D.C., 6 April 1939. The increased spacing between the suspension bogies and the more rearward position of the idler are obvious when comparing the light tank M2A3 to its predecessors. The rear fenders were extended in turn, while the engine exhaust mufflers retained their original position near the superstructure. Library of Congress photo.

The M2 light tank, officially Light Tank, M2, was an American light tank of the interwar period which saw limited service during World War II. The most common model, the M2A4, was equipped with one 37 mm (1.5 in) M5 gun and five .30 cal M1919 Browning machine guns.

It was originally developed from the prototype T2 light tank built by the Rock Island Arsenal, which had a Vickers-type leaf spring suspension. The suspension was replaced by the superior vertical volute system in the T2E1 series of 1935. This was put into production with minor modifications as the M2A1 in 1936, with ten produced. The main pre-war version was the M2A2, with 239 produced, becoming the main tank of the United States Army during the interwar period. The Spanish Civil War showed that tanks armed only with machine guns were ineffective. This led to the M2A4 with a 37 mm gun as the main armament. A total of 375 were delivered, the last ten as late as April 1942.

The tank's only combat service was with the United States Marine Corps' 1st Tank Battalion in 1942 during the Pacific War. While some sources claim that the M2A4 saw action with British Army tank units in the Burma campaign against the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces, historian Mike Green states that the tanks were never issued to combat units. The M2A4 light tank led to the development of the M3 Stuart light tank and the M4 tractor artillery prime mover, the former of which saw widespread use throughout World War II.

General Information

Type: Light tank

Place of origin: United States

Designer: Rock Island Arsenal

Manufacturer: Rock Island Arsenal (M2-M2A3); American Car & Foundry Company (M2A4)

Unit cost: $25,000 (M2A4, 1939 estimate)

Produced: 1935–42

Number built: 698

Development History

US Army infantry tank design started with the light tank, T1 during the 1920s, which developed into a series of experimental designs which did not enter production. The T2 concept, starting five years later, incorporated several design lessons from the T1, but used a new suspension system copied from the British Vickers six-ton tank. The first prototype was delivered in 1933.

The Defense Act of 1920 had defined tanks to be used in support of the infantry. Through the 1920s a number of theorists outlined an independent role for the tank that required it to move at high speed into the rear areas, a modern version of the cavalry. The British referred to these designs as "cruiser tanks", but similar high-speed designs were developed under a variety of names. As the Defense Act limited tank development to the infantry, the United States Cavalry began tank development under the name "combat car". In keeping with the high-speed role, the new T5 combat car introduced the new vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS) system, which proved clearly superior to the Vickers leaf spring system.

This led to a second prototype of the T2, the T2E1, in April 1934, adopting the VVSS from the T5. The T2E1 was armed with one .30 cal (7.62 mm) and one .50 inch (12.7 mm) Browning machine gun mounted in a fixed turret; another .30 cal Browning was mounted on the hull front. The T2E1 was selected for production in 1935 as the M2, which mounted only the M2 Browning in a small one-man turret, and the .30 cal in the hull.

After only 10 units were delivered, the Infantry Branch decided to switch to a twin turret configuration in the M2E2, with a .30-caliber (7.62 mm) machine gun in a second turret. These early twin-turret tanks were given the nickname "Mae West" by the troops, after the popular busty movie star. The twin-turret layout was inefficient, but was a common feature of 1930s light tanks derived from the Vickers. Further refinements to the M2A2 produced the A3 model, which incorporated a modified suspension system that reduced the tank's ground pressure. The weight increased to 10 tons.

Following the Spanish Civil War, most armies, including the U.S. Army, realized that they needed tanks armed with cannon and not merely with machine guns. The Cavalry had already opted for a single, larger turret on its nearly identical M1 combat car. In December 1938, OCM No. 14844 directed that a single M2A3 be removed from the assembly line and modified with heavier armor and weapons, to meet the standards of the U.S. Infantry. This vehicle, after conversion, was re-designated as the M2A4. It was equipped with an M5 37 mm main gun, 1 inch (25 mm) thick armor, and a seven-cylinder gasoline engine. Other upgrades included improved suspension, improved transmission, and better engine cooling. Production of the M2A4 began in May 1940 at the American Car and Foundry Company, and continued through March 1941; an additional ten M2A4s were assembled in April 1942, for a total production run of 375 M2A4 light tanks.

Successor Vehicles

The M2 light tank led to the US M3-series and M5-series light tanks. The Ordnance Department viewed the M2A4 as a stopgap tank; work to improve it further began in June 1940. The first M3 Stuart tanks began to be produced in March 1941; the original riveted M3s closely resembled the M2A4, and the two types occasionally served in the same units; an easy recognition feature was the rear idler wheel. On the M2A4, the idler was raised; on the M3 it trailed on the ground, increasing the flotation of the heavier vehicle. The M3 retained the same Continental W-670 engine, but incorporated ½-inch thicker (1½ inch total thickness) armor; with weight increased to 14 tons. The tank initially kept the same 37 mm gun and the forward firing hull machine guns, but the turret incorporated improvements. Eventually over 4,500 examples of all variants were produced.

Operational Use

By December 1941, the M2A1, M2A2 and M2A3 were used for training only. The majority of M2A4s, which went to the US Army, were also used only for training between 1940 and 1942. The US Marine Corps ordered M3 Stuart tanks to outfit its armored units in 1940, but as the new tank was not yet in production, it received 36 M2A4s, after which point production of the M3 had come on line. Many of these tanks were deployed during the Battle of Guadalcanal while assigned to A Company, 1st Tank Battalion, where they and M3 Stuarts were typically spread out among infantry units. Their use was generally limited to providing mobile fire support to the Marines, either in disabling Japanese bunkers or using canister shot against Japanese attacks. In defensive engagements, the M2A4s and Stuarts would deploy in pairs, so they could cover each other with machine gun fire against Japanese soldiers armed with satchel charges.

Ultimately, the Marine Corps determined that the 37 mm guns of the M2s and M3s were not powerful enough to defeat Japanese bunkers, and so they would be replaced with tanks armed with 75 mm guns. Following the end of the Guadalcanal campaign, A Company returned to Australia, where the M2A4s were replaced with the new M4 Shermans in preparation for the Battle of Cape Gloucester in December 1943. They remained in service in some areas of the Pacific Theater until 1943. After they served in the Pacific, they were used for training.

Britain ordered 100 M2A4s in early 1941. After 36 of them were delivered, the order was canceled in favor of an improved M3 Stuart. The fate of these vehicles is unclear. There is evidence that indicates those 36 M2A4s were shipped off from North Africa as part of the British Army's 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, fighting in the India and Burma campaigns against the Japanese 14th Tank Regiment.

Design

Besides the machine gun mounted coaxially to the main gun, there were three .30 cal. machine guns in the hull. One was mounted in a ball mount in front of the bow gunner. The other two were mounted in fixed sponson mounts. These machine guns were fired by the driver; they were aimed by pointing the entire tank at the desired target. Another .30 cal machine gun was normally mounted on the top of the turret for anti-aircraft defense.

The 37 mm M5 gun had a manually operated breechblock. The tank commander doubled as loader, like many other tanks of the time. There was no turret basket in the M2A4 light tank; the commander stood on the right side, while the gunner stood on the left side. The commander turned the turret onto the general direction of target. The gunner would then bring the target into the M5 telescopic sight. The M20 combination mount had 20° of traverse; this could either be by a handwheel driving the rack and pinion traverse gear mechanism or pressure on the gunners shoulder rest overcoming the friction in the mechanism. Depression and elevation of the gun was either through a geared mechanism or, with the gears disengaged, free through movement of the gunner's shoulder rest.

Variants

M2A1 (1935): Initial production type with single fixed turret containing one .50 cal machine gun. Seventeen units were produced.

M2A2 (1935): Twin turrets with single M2 Browning .50 machine gun in its left turret, and an M1919A4 .30 machine gun in its right turret; the turrets partly obstructed each other limiting fields of fire. Dubbed "Mae West". 237 units produced from 1935 to 1937.

M2A3 (1938): Twin turrets with two machine guns, thicker armor at 22 mm, slightly lengthened hull, improved engine access, increased gear ratios, better engine cooling, improved suspension, and other minor detail changes. 73 units produced.

M2A4 (1939): Single turret with 37mm gun. Thicker armor. 375 units produced, of which 40 in 1941 and 10 in 1942. Orders went to the American Car & Foundry in October 1939 upon request by the Ordnance Department. Used in the early Pacific campaigns and training. Only service was in Guadalcanal. Used for training after December 1941.

M2 AT (1937): An M2 chassis with the turret removed and replaced with a 47mm automatic gun. The gun penetration was deemed poor and canceled in 1937.

Specifications (M2A4)

Mass: 11.6 t (26,000 lb)

Length: 14 ft 6 in (4.42 m)

Width: 8 ft 1 in (2.46 m)

Height: 8 ft 8 in (2.64 m)

Crew: 4 (Commander/loader, gunner, driver, co-driver)

Armor: 6–25 mm (0.24–0.98 in)

Main armament: 37 mm gun M3, 103 rounds

Secondary armament: 5x .30-06 (7.62 mm) Browning M1919A4 machine guns, 8,470 rounds

Engine: Continental R-670-9A, 7-cylinder, radial gasoline, 250 hp (190 kW)

Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension

Operational range: 200 mi (320 km)

Maximum speed: 36 mph (58 km/h)

Sources

Berndt, Thomas (1994). American Tanks of World War II. Minnesota, MN: MBI Publishing Company.

Chamberlain, Peter; Ellis, Chris (1969). British and American Tanks of World War II. New York: Arco Publishing.

Foss, Christopher F. (1981). An Illustrated Guide to World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles. New York: Arco Publishing.

Green, Mike (2014). American Tanks & AFVs of World War II. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.

Hunnicutt, R. P. (1992). Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank. Navato, California: Presidio Press.

Jackson, Robert (2010). 101 Great Tanks. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group.

United States War Department Staff (1941). FM 23-80 37-mm Gun Tank M5 (PDF). Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.

Zaloga, Steven (1999). M3 & M5 Stuart Light Tank 1940–45. New Vanguard 33. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.

Zaloga, Steven (2008). Armored Thunderbolt: The US Army Sherman in World War II. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books.

Zaloga, Steven (2012). US Marine Corps Tanks of World War II. Oxford: Osprey Publishing.

M2A4 light tank crossing bridge over Wateree River in South Carolina in 1941.

M2 light tank traveling down a road; a second M2 light tank is parked next to the road with two soldiers standing in front of the tank. First Army Maneuvers, October-November 1941.

Three soldiers lowering an engine into a M2 light tank with a boom arm attached to a military flatbed truck. Tools are on the ground next to the truck and tank. First Army Maneuvers, October-November 1941.

1st Army Maneuvers in the Carolinas. M2 light tanks of the 1st Armored Division, en route from Fort Knox, Kentucky, to Rock Hill, South Carolina, 31 October 1941.

M2A4 light tank in British service, 11 March 1942. Imperial War Museum photo H 17816.

Fitters assembling an M2A4 light tank at a British ordnance depot, circa 1941. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NAID) 196324.

A U.S. Marine Corps M2A4 Stuart light tank is hoisted from the U.S. Navy cargo ship USS Alchiba (AK-23) into a LCM(2) landing craft, off the Guadalcanal invasion beaches on the first day of landings there, 7 August 1942. The other landing craft visible were from USS Alhena (AK-26). U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command photo 80-G-10973.

An M2A4 Light Tank on Guadalcanal.

An M2A4 on Guadalcanal, followed by an M3 Stuart and another M2A4. U.S. DOD photo.

M2A3 light tank at the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection at Fort Benning, Georgia, 2023. Schierbecker photo.

The Light Tank, M2A1, a U.S. Army light tank introduced in 1935. The turret is armed with one .machine gun (a .50 caliber) and has a round cupola on top. Circa 1935. From Army Ground Forces, Board No. 2 (1 September 1947). Development of Armored Vehicles, Volume I: Tanks, p. 70.

The Light Tank, M2A2, a U.S. Army light tank introduced in 1935. Unlike the M2A1, the M2A2 had separate turrets for its .50 caliber and .30 caliber machine guns. The .50 caliber turret is on the tank's left, above the driver, who can be seen peering through the open hatches. This vehicle, serial number 11, was the first M2A2 light tank to be manufactured. The striking twin turret layout provided the ability to engage threats from multiple directions. The commander's cupola is visible on the larger left turret. The drivers' doors are open on this vehicle as well, and it is apparent that the driver would have an easier time egressing under duress than the assistant driver, since the bow machine gun mount precluded adding a door in the hull front plate for him. An axe is stowed on the tank's right side, and a shovel would normally be stowed below it, however the strap for the shovel blade appears damaged on this tank. From Army Ground Forces, Board No. 2 (1 September 1947). Development of Armored Vehicles, Volume I: Tanks, p. 72.

An M2A2 on display at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. This is one of three known left. It was actually found on a old range, and was being used for troops to target. Luckily it's been restored. Joe Wentzel photo.

An M2A2 on display at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Joe Wentzel photo.

The Light Tank, M2A3, a U.S. Army light tank introduced in 1938. This was a modification of the twin-turreted M2A2 with a longer wheelbase and more widely spaced bogies to improve the ride. From Army Ground Forces, Board No. 2 (1 September 1947). Development of Armored Vehicles, Volume I: Tanks, p. 82.

M2A2 Light Tank on display at the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor in Fort Knox, KY. The picture was taken on May 6, 2007.

Rear view of M2A2 Light Tank on display at the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor in Fort Knox, KY. The picture was taken on May 6, 2007.

The Light Tank, M2A4, a U.S. Army light tank introduced in 1940. This final version of the Light Tank, M2 series returned to a single turret, but the turret now carried a 37 mm gun instead of only machine guns. Further details of the suspension and sponson machine gun can be seen here. The antiaircraft machine gun is mounted behind the commander's cupola. Note the antenna mount behind the engine's air cleaner. The long piping from the air cleaners indicates that this is one of the relatively few diesel-fueled M2A4s. This tank was the direct ancestor of the later M3 and M5 light tanks. From Army Ground Forces, Board No. 2 (1 September 1947). Development of Armored Vehicles, Volume I: Tanks, p. 96.

Maintenance of mechanized equipment at Fort Knox. Soldiers in training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, clean the guns of their M2A4 light tanks. The Army is very particular about its weapons and other equipment, and one of the first lessons the recruits learned is to give them the attention they require. June 1942. Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection photo LC-USE6-D-007941.

M2A1 Light Tank. The glossy, reflective paint on this machine is notable. The assistant driver's door and the driver's upper door are both open. The driver had another door in the hull upper front plate, but the bow machine gun precluded such a concession for the assistant driver. Vision slits are apparent in the commander's cupola and the turret side. The spatial relationship of the turret machine guns can also be gleaned from this angle. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A1 Light Tank. The commander's cupola door was hinged to the rear, and the shape of the turret's forward projection with the armament mount can be seen from above. The coaxially-mounted machine guns were provided with an armored shield. The air cleaners at the hull's rear corner are square in cross-section. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A1 Light Tank. The combination machine gun mount M7 is sketched from above. A telescopic sight M1918A2 was mounted to the left of the .50cal machine gun. The front of the gun cradle was attached by trunnions to a pintle yoke that allowed elevation. To traverse the guns in the mount, the yoke was rotated in a pintle socket attached to the turret wall. The equilibrator spring is visible between the telescope and the .50cal. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A1 Light Tank. The assistant driver's machine gun was housed in the 6.5" (16.5cm) ball mount M8. No aiming device was provided; correction was achieved by using tracers or impacts. A 35° cone of fire was possible. The later ball mount M10 was similar except that a .30cal M1919A4 machine gun was used. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A1 Light Tank. A cross-section of the bow machine gun ball mount M8 is sketched here. The .30cal M2HB was attached to the cradle by its front mounting holes, and no counterbalance weight or equilibrator spring was fitted. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A2 Light Tank. The driver's doors are closed, revealing the peepholes used for protected vision. The shovel is present under the axe. From FM 30-40 Military Intelligence Identification of United States Armored Vehicles.

M2A2 Light Tank. The caliber .50 turret mount M9 can be seen here with the machine gun and M1919A2 telescope mounted. The front of the gun cradle was secured in a pintle yoke by trunnions that provided elevation for the gun, while traverse was accomplished by moving the yoke in a pintle socket bolted to the turret front. The shoulder rest used to assist aiming is obvious at the rear. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A2 Light Tank. The M9 mount cradle is shown without the machine gun or telescope. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A2 Light Tank. The 3.5" (8.9cm) ball mount T2 from the right turret is shown fitted with its .30cal M2HB machine gun, sighting telescope, and armor shield. In this mount, the split spherical housing was made up of a flange on each side of the structure to which it was bolted, and the joint between the flanges can be seen. The mounting bracket for the telescope attached to the gun cradle at the front and the gun body at the rear. The mount allowed a cone of fire of ~34°. The later ball mount M14 was essentially similar, and the ball mount M12 allowed the use of a full-width telescope headrest and the .30cal machine gun M1919A4 instead of the .30cal M2HB. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A2 Light Tank. A late 3.5" (8.9cm) ball mount M13 is shown in an exploded view on the left and assembled on the right. An ammunition tray was below the gun, and two rods extended to the rear for hanging a bag to catch expended cases. On earlier M13s, the ball C64522 was used, which lacked supports for the ammunition tray and expended casing bag rods. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A2 Light Tank. Cross-sections of the assistant driver's ball mount M13 are drawn here. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A2 Light Tank. All four members of the crew can be seen in this tank taking part in the Army Day parade. The hatch door for the right turret rested on the rear portion of the roof, but the commander's cupola hatch was hinged so that it rested against the turret rear. This vehicle has the earlier rounded turrets and still no guard over the tool stowage on the sponsons. April 6, 1938. Library of Congress photo.

M2A2 Light Tank. The cramped confines of the light tank are illustrated from this angle, as the right turret gunner's waist can be seen just beyond the driver's head. President Franklin D. Roosevelt is in the reviewing stand; to his left are Brigadier General Albert Cox and Assistant Secretary of War Louis Johnson. April 6, 1938. Library of Congress photo.

M2A2 Light Tank. The tank is seen here being refueled; as was standard practice, the sergeant is standing by with a fire extinguisher. The right-side cylindrical engine exhaust is mounted to the rear of the fender, and just behind this is one of the engine's rectangular air cleaners. The turrets and engine covers are the later angular designs. Note that a guard has been welded to the sponson over the tool stowage. October 16, 1941. U.S. National Archives photo.

M2A2 Light Tank. The panels covering the engine have been removed on this tank in order to effect some type of repair. October 16, 1941. U.S. National Archives photo.

M2A4 Light Tank. The driver's doors are closed on this tank, and details of the armor around the 37mm gun's recoil mechanism can be gleaned. This vehicle is the first M2A4 produced, and the armor for the recoil mechanism was later modified slightly, as in the tanks above. The bullet splash deflectors on the front hull that made their debut on this type of M2 can clearly be seen. From Tank Data, vol. 2.

M2A4 Light Tank at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Here, Constantine P. Lihas demonstrates the dexterity needed to enter and exit the driver's position. December 1942. Library of Congress photo.

M2A4 Light Tank. The right and left sides of the 37mm gun M5 are illustrated here. The gun's total weight was ~700lb (~310kg), with the barrel assembly weighing ~185lb (83.9kg). From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

Here the gun is mounted in the combination mount M20 found in the M2A4. The gun mount could be disconnected from its elevation gears, and the gunner could then use the shoulder rest for free control. 1. Elevating handwheel. 2. 37-mm trigger actuator plunger. 3. Rear sight bracket (Wildrick sight adjusting bracket). 4. Front sight bracket. 5. Shoulder guard. 6. Shoulder rest. 7. Recoil guard. 8. Hand bracket (left). 9. Headrest (forward). 10. Headrest (right side). 11. 37-mm actuating cable. From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

M2A4 Light Tank. The opposite side of the combination gun mount M20 is shown here. The traversing handwheel was for the gun mount's 10° of traverse in each direction independent of the turret; the turret traverse was controlled by another handwheel on the commander/loader's side of the turret. When the traversing knob lock was loosened, the gunner could also use the shoulder rest to traverse the gun in the mount. 12. Operating handle. 13. Breech ring. 14. Cocking lever. 15. Traveling lock hook. 16. Barrel. 17. Cradle. 18. Recoil cylinder. 19. Traversing handwheel. 20. Caliber .30 machine gun trigger actuator plunger. 21. Hand bracket (right). 22. 37-mm trigger bar actuator. 23. Caliber .30 machine gun trigger actuator. 24. Trunnion. 25. Yoke. From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

The telescope sight M5A1 is mounted in this image. From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

M2A4 Light Tank. The telescope sight M5A1 is mounted in this image. From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

M2A4 Light Tank. The hydrospring recoil cylinder is diagrammed at the top of this sketch. The sleigh at the bottom of the drawing was of built-up steel construction and mounted the gun in its yokes. The length of recoil was 8" (20cm), and there were 5 pints (2.4L) of oil in the cradle. From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

M2A4 Light Tank. The telescope M5A1 had a magnification of 1-1.12 diameters and a field of 31°. The reticle was a simple crosshair etched into the sight. From FM 23-80 37-mm Gun, Tank, M5 (Mounted in Tanks).

M2A4 Light Tank. The 3.5" (8.9cm) fixed sponson ball machine gun mounts are seen removed from the tank. The left-hand mount is above, and the right-hand mount is at the bottom of the picture. The split spherical housing was bolted to the front of the sponson, and the rear of the cradle was bolted to the sponson interior. Once boresighted, the guns were fired via remote control, but traverse and elevation required manually adjusting the mounts. From Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament.

M2A1 Light Tank.

M2A1 Light Tank. The main armament of this tank is a 12.7mm M2HB. This heavy machine gun was designed as standard anti-tank armament in the US during the 30s. naturally, this was a choice that was quickly obsolete as the armor of the tanks quickly became thicker during the 30s which made the heavy machine gun become inadequate.

M2-AT, 1937, an auto-loaded (5-round clip, 47mm cannon) tank destroyer. Prototyped off the M2A1’s chassis. Velocity was too low (around 400-500m/s) for the cannon, so it was dropped.

The T2 Light Tank pilot model employed semi-elliptical leaf spring bogies, which were found to be inferior to the VVSS system.

T2 Light Tank which became the M2A2 Light Tank.

T2E1 Light Tank demonstrates its new flexible VVSS suspension.

The T2E2’s split turret design featured multiple vision slits placed throughout the two non-identical turrets. Note the raised cupola on the left turret (seen here on the right of the image).

The driveshaft (note section 8) of the M2 Light Tank series was mounted rather high as a result of the tall height of the radial engine.

M2 Light Tank. The tangible drawbacks of a high driveshaft are pictured here.

From this angle, the viewer could not be targeted by the .50 caliber main gun of the M2A2 Light Tank unless the entire hull was traversed. The .30 caliber turret would still well be within range, though.

The early turret variants and engine cover can be seen on this M2A2 Light Tank.

M2A2 Light Tanks carrying the later turret variants, circa 1938. Notice the sharp, angular appearance of the turrets and the commander’s cupola.

Frontal view of an M2A2 Light Tank. Note the protruding bow gun.

Rear view of an M2A2 Light Tank at speed. Note the slotted engine shroud, with intakes and exhausts on either side. Also of note are the brackets for tool mounting on the sides of the tank.

The M2A2 Light Tank could reach a high top speed and was quite maneuverable. 1st Tank Company, Miller Field, New York, March 21, 1938.

M2A2 and M2A3 Light Tanks in a column during the Louisiana Maneuvers, 1940.

M2A2 and M2A3 Light Tanks of the 66th Infantry during maneuvers in Manassas, Virginia. Note that all hatches are fully open, including the side plates.

This M2A2 Light Tank was photographed in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, circa 1930s.

The 11th Tank Regiment and their M2A2 Light Tanks.

The Antarctic M2A2 Light Tank still sits near the US base to this day. The exposed radial engine can clearly be seen. In the background sits a T3E4 tractor.