M29 Weasel

M
Type	Tracked vehicle
Place of origin	United States
Specifications
Mass	3,800 lb (1,700 kg) dry
Length	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m)
Width	5 ft (1.5 m) later 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Height	4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) to top of windscreen
Crew	4
Engine	Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion 6-cylinder 70 hp (52 kW)
Suspension	Tracked
Operational range	165 mi (266 km)
Maximum speed	36 mph (58 km/h)

The M29 Weasel was a World War II tracked vehicle, built by Studebaker, designed for operation in snow.

Design and development

M29C Weasel in Arctic finish in a display at the U.S. Army Transportation Museum

The idea for the Weasel came from the work of British inventor Geoffrey Pyke in support of his proposals to attack Axis forces and industrial installations in Norway. Pyke's plan to hamper the German atomic weapons development became Project Plough for which he proposed a fast light mechanised device that would transport small groups of commando troops of the 1st Special Service Force across snow. In active service in Europe, Weasels were used to supply frontline troops over difficult ground when wheeled vehicles were immobilised.

The first 2,103 vehicles had 15 in (380 mm) tracks, a later version had 20 in (510 mm) tracks. The M29 was amphibious, but with a very low freeboard; the M29C Water Weasel was the amphibious version, with buoyancy cells in the bow and stern as well as twin rudders.

Variants

• T-15 prototype
• M28 (G154)
• M29 (T24) without float tanks (G179)
• M29C with float tanks
• M29C Type A: with center-mounted 75 mm M20 recoilless rifle
• M29C Type B: with (T106) rear-mounted 75 mm recoilless rifle
• M29C Type C: with center-mounted 37 mm Gun M3

Specification

M29 Weasel in parking lot of Holiday Inn in Omaha M29 Weasel M29C Weasel SCR-508 Radio mounted in weasel

General

• Weight (fighting): 4,451 lb (2,019 kg)
• Shipping dimensions:
  • Uncrated; 340 cu ft (9.6 m³); 57.7 sq ft (5.36 m²)
• Ground clearance: 11 in (280 mm)
• Ground pressure: 1.9 psi (13 kPa)
• Pintle height (loaded): 27.125 in (0.6890 m)
• Electrical system: (volts) 12
• Brakes: Mechanical – external contracting in differential
• Transmission: Speeds: 3
• Transfer case: Speeds: 2

The engine was a Studebaker Model 6-170 Champion, a 6 cylinder 169.6 cubic inch 4-stroke engine running on 72 octane gasoline delivering 70 bhp at 3,600 rpm. Fuel capactity was 35 US gal (130 L). Under average conditions typically 5 miles per gallon it could range 165 mi (266 km).

Performance

Maximum gradability:	100 %
Turning radius:	12 ft (3.7 m)
Fording depth:	Will Float (M29C)
Maximum width of ditch vehicle will cross:	36 in (91 cm)
Maximum vertical obstacle vehicle will climb:	24 in (61 cm)
Maximum allowable speed:	36 mph (58 km/h)
Maximum allowable towed load:	3,800 lb (1,700 kg)

See also

• G-numbers
• M-numbers
• Vostok traverse
• M7 Snow Tractor

References

• TM 9-1772A – Technical Manual for Engine, Engine Accessories, and Clutch for Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
• TM 9-1772B – Technical Manual for Power Train, Suspension System, Hull, and Hull Electrical System for Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
• TM 9-772 Technical Manual, Light Cargo Carrier T24/M29
• TM 11-2733 Installation of Radio Equipment in Carrier, Cargo, Light, M29 and M29C (Amphibian)
• Philip R. Kern. "The Studebaker M29 Weasel". 
• "Studebaker M29 Weasel". 1985. 
• Richard Quinn. "Studebaker Goes To War". 
• Bart Vanderveen (1989). Historic Military Vehicles Directory. 
• U.S. Army Transportation Museum. "M-29 weasel". http://www.transchool.eustis.army.mil/museum/weasel.htm. Retrieved 2007-12-29. 
• "Oldtimer gallery. Trucks. Studebaker M29 (UST24) 'Weasel'". Autogallery.org.ru. http://www.autogallery.org.ru/m/studm29.htm. Retrieved 2010-06-29. 
• "M-28 / M-29 Weasel Amphibious Vehicle". Olive-drab.com. http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m29.php3. Retrieved 2010-06-29. 

External links

• US patent 2420133, E. J. Hardig, "Track for track-laying vehicles"