R. P. Hunnicutt

Richard Pearce Hunnicutt (June 15th, 1926 – April 29th, 2011) was American historian, known for his research in armored fighting vehicles.

Hunnicutt was born in Asheville, N.C., to James Ballard Hunnicutt and Ida Belle Black. He altered his birth certificate to enlist in the U.S. Army in September 1943. He fought in Leyte and in April 1945 at Okinawa where he was promoted to sergeant and earned the Silver Star. After the war he was situated in Frankfurt, Germany.

He earned a master's degree in engineering in Stanford University and worked in General Motors. He met his future wife Susan Haight in Detroit. Later he worked as metallurgist, consultant and partner in an engineering firm, ANAMET Laboratories as expert in metal fatigue.

He was one of the founders of the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground and frequent contributor to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox.

Hunnicutt in mainly know for his research of the history and the development of American armored fighting vehicles. He authored many books on American military vehicles.

Steven Zaloga described the multi-volume study as "essential cornerstone for anyone interested in U.S. tank history".

Works

 * Hunnicutt, R.P. (1971). Pershing: A History of the Medium Tank T20 Series. Navato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 0-98219-070-0
 * Hunnicutt, R.P. (2001). Half-Track: A History of American Semi-Tracked Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-742-7
 * Hunnicutt, R.P. (2002). Armored Car: A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles. Navato, CA. Presidio Press. ISBN 0-89141-777-X
 * Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank -1971
 * Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank - volume 1 of history of light tanks
 * Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles -1999
 * Sheridan: A History of the American Light Tank -1995, volume 2 of history of light tanks
 * Patton: A History of the American Main Battle Tank
 * Abrams: A History of the American Main Battle Tank -1990
 * Firepower: A History of the American Heavy Tank -1988