I am attempting to find information on the use and maintenance of the M-29 Weasel by Combat Engineer Units. How did they performed, quirks,repair problems,funny stories, how small arms were stowed on them and if so were some armed with .30 or .50 cal brownings. if pictures are available would appreciate copies. I have only come across one Combat Engineer Batallion, the 136th, picture showing a M-29 weasel with radios.
Thanks
Gene Bono U.S.C.G.(Ret.)
mtnmartha@yahoo.com
I'll see what I have. Is this what the Brits called the "crocodile"??
I was just reading the other day about the British during the Spring 1945 offensive in Italy.
He said the "crocodiles" were armed with a flame thrower that could reach out to 120 meters. I know they had Weasels and thought this was the same vehicle.
Steve
The M-29 Weasel was a almost jeep like in its size and it was amphibious. The crocodile was a full fleged tank I think Cromwells and Matilda's were the most common types.
My Dad has a story about the weasel thing Please remind me to tell you about it later. Its pretty good.. Too tired at the moment but I will later
Oh. So that is a Weasel. I don't think I've ever seen one of those. The Allies had a low-profile amphibious vehicle that was similiar to a DUKW later in the war. It may be the "Crocodile" but I'm not sure. The Brits have a way of re-naming our equipment we gave them. I'll see if I can find a photo of one.
Try D-Day Tanks on the Google bar. Also the Imperial War Museum at Bovinton has them on their website.
Okay. I found it. THe vehicle I was thinking about was called the "Alligator" or the "water buffalo". Officially it was an LTV-4.
The AAVP7A1 is the newest Assualt Amphibian in a series that started with the Roebling ALLIGATOR. The Alligator was developed over a period of 7 years, starting in 1932. The first "Gators" were a disappointment, in that the water speed was only 7.5mph. The land speed was 25 mph. Through design changes, and by using larger engines, the water speed of the Alligator was increased to 8.6 mph by 1939. In 1940, Roebling built a new model which was designated the CROCODILE. The Crocodile had a land speed of 25 mph and a water speed of 9.4 mph. The LVT-1 was a direct copy of the Crocodile, except that it was fabricated from sheet steel instead of aluminum. The LVT-1 was in production from 1941 to 1943. Being heavier, the land speed of the LVT-1 was 18 mph and the water speed was 7 mph. A 6 cylinder, 146 hp Hercules engine was used for power. The LVT-1 was propelled by tow endless chains fitted with cleats, both in the water and on land. The first LVT-1 were used as logistic support vehicles only. They were not armored and carried no armament, however, this soon changed. At the Battle of Turawa, bolted on armor plate was used and the vehicles were equipped with one to four 30 cal. machine guns.
The second generation of LVT'S was the LVT-2. This vehicle was developed in 1941 and was in production from 1942 to 1945. The LVT-2 was the basic design for a series of vehicles used during WWII. This family of vehicles included the LVTA1, LVTA2, LVT4, LVTA4, and LVTA5.
These vehicles were powered with 7-cylinder radial aircraft engines built by Continental Motors. These engines developed 220hp, their service life was very short. Major overhaul was scheduled for 100 hours, however few ever lasted that long. The transmission was a 5 speed, manual shift SPICER that incorporated a manually operated steer differential. This transmission had been developed for the M-3 light tank. As a result, the transmission was too-narrow for the LVT. This problem was overcome by using four final drives. The internal finals were bolted to the transmission/differential gear case and supported by two mounting yokes. The external final drives were bolted to the hull and powered the drive sprockets. This generation of LVTs was used through the Okinawa campaign in 1945.
This site has 2 photos of Alligators in operation. Roll your mouse over the photo and it changes.
http://library.thinkquest.org/TQ0312174/gator.htm
Here is a link that has several photos of a restored Alligator with the weapons shown. Great detail.
http://www.detailpics.co.uk/
That is an Alligator.
Steve
Thanks every one. The weasel was made by Studebaker it came in two versions. The m29 which is 10" long and 5' wide it had seats for three in the back and one for the driver on the left side,it would float. The second one was the m29-c it was the same as the m29 but had float tanks attached to the front and back with two rudders and a capstan. I have found a picture of one combat engineer weasel on line its markings are- 1A 146E HQ27 - "Barge With A Charge" it is on www.military.com ,I believed they spelled it Wiesel. The main web page for weasels is www.m29cweasel.org .During the winter they were usually painted white with black spots and stripes. They had self sealing gas tanks and a built in self destruct box with a timer. If this jogs anyones' memory let me know.There are no known pictures of them being armed.
Gene U.S.C.G.(Ret)
