M8 Greyhound – WWII US Light Armored Car

About the M8 Greyhound – WWII US Light Armored Car:

 Armored cars first saw action in the Great War. Their use coincided with technological advancements in the automotive industry. However, these early cars proved problematic. They lacked off-road capabilities, reliable engines, transmissions, and often found themselves with flat tires. Fast forward to World War II and many of these early issues had been resolved, making it an impactful and important tool. Armored Cars also saw their role expanded; they fulfilled similar roles as calvary units from a bygone era. Their range and mobility infused infantry with greater capability. The added firepower also meant they weren’t sitting ducks on the battlefield. For the United States, the M8 Greyhound was one of its best.

Originally built for anti-tank duties, the M8 Greyhound was soon adapted to a reconnaissance and scout role. The armored car’s high speeds and quiet engine made it an excellent selection, albeit its off-road capabilities left a bit to be desired. The uniqueness of the Greyhound was its six-wheel drive design. This gave it excellent speed on roadways, but its suspension limited it across country. Part of that on-road performance can be derived from its Hercules JXD engine that pushed the M8 to speeds of 56 mph. Of course, an armored car can’t do much without firepower. The Greyhound was fitted with a centered turret containing a M6 37mm gun. While the 37mm gun was the primary American anti-tank in the early war period, it was quickly found to be obsolete against newer German tanks. However, the gun worked well against light-armored and support vehicles as well as infantry positions. Ancillary to the cannon is a Browning M1919 .30 caliber machine gun and a M2 .50 caliber machine gun. The Greyhound requires a crew of four to operate, including the commander, gunner, driver, and assistant driver. The M8 was used by several allied nations and in many theaters, including the Pacific, where it was able to perform anti-tank duties against the thinly armored Japanese tanks. Finally, the Greyhound was built by the Ford Motor Company and saw over 8,500 produced.