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M38 Wolfhound
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the M38 Wolfhound for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. This vehicle was a 6x6 armored car developed by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors in 1944 as a planned replacement for the M8 Greyhound. The M38 was a superior design, as it was lighter in weight, faster off-road, and equipped with fully independent suspension for excellent cross-country performance. However, the end of World War II resulted in the cancellation of its production.
History
The M8 Greyhound entered service around mid-1943 and served as the primary armored reconnaissance vehicle of the US Army during WWII. However, the Special Armored Vehicle Board found the M8’s truck-type suspension inadequate for off-road conditions. It recommended the development of a new light armored car of similar size and weight, but with a true independent suspension to improve mobility. This prompted two companies to submit their designs: Studebaker T27 (8x6) and Chevrolet T28 (6x6).
The T28 used six fully driven wheels with an independent coil spring suspension and hydraulic power steering on the front four wheels. It was powered by a Cadillac V8 engine producing 148 hp and featured a Hydramatic transmission.
The T28 had a crew of 4 and was armed with a 37 mm M6 gun in a modified M23 mount, paired with a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. A second 7.62 mm MG was mounted on a pedestal at the rear for anti-aircraft use. The turret was lightweight and open top.
A prototype was completed by October 1943 and tested at both General Motors Proving Grounds and Aberdeen Proving Ground. Tests by mid-1944 confirmed that the T28 outperformed both the M8 and its competitor, the T27, in off-road handling and speed. The T27 lacked effective power steering, making it difficult to maneuver at high speeds across terrain.
In December 1944, the T28 was officially standardized as the Light Armored Car M38, with several improvements: emergency driver override controls in the turret; upgraded rear AA machine gun to a 12.7 mm M2 Browning; and modified crew seating, probably for better comfort and protection. After these modifications were applied to the M38, it ended up lighter than the M8 Greyhound. The British took an interest in the vehicle and dubbed it “Wolfhound” in anticipation of future use.
Production was assigned to Ford, but only a few units were completed before the war ended in 1945. With the conflict over and changing military doctrines, the full-scale production of the M38 was canceled.
Testing continued into the postwar period, including an experiment in 1946 with a 75 mm gun turret from the M24 Chaffee, which proved feasible. Still, no further development was pursued, and the M38 became the last WWII-era US armored car design. The M8 and M20 continued in service as the only operational American armored cars in combat.
Specifications
M38 Wolfhound
General Characteristics
Crew: 4
Dimensions:
Length: 201.25 in (5.11 m)
Width: 96 in (2.44 m)
Height: 78 in (1.98 m)
Fire Height: 70 in (1.78 m)
Tread: 80 in (2.03 m)
Wheelbase:
Front to intermediate axle: 59 in (1.50 m)
Front to rear axle: 118 in (3.0 m)
Ground clearance: 14.5 in (36.8 cm)
Powertrain:
Engine: Cadillac Series 42 V8
Net Power: 110 hp @ 3,400 rpm
Gross Power: 148 hp @ 3,200 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed Hydramatic (1 reverse)
Weight:
Unstowed: 6.5 US tons (5.9 t)
Combat: 7.65 US tons (6.94 t)
Performance:
Power-to-Weight Ratio:
Net: 14.3 hp/US ton (15.8 hp/t)
Gross: 19.3 hp/US ton (21.3 hp/t)
Maximum speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
Armament & Armor
Main Armament
37 mm Gun M6 (Mount M23A2)
Ammo capacity: 93 rounds
Ammunition types:
M74B1 AP
M51B1 APCBC
M63 SAPHEI
Elevation: -10° to +20°
Rate of fire: 30 rpm
Sight: Telescope M70D
Secondary Armament:
12.7 mm M2HB HMG (flexible AA mount)
7.62 mm M1919A4 MG (coaxial)
Smoke Grenades:
Armor Protection:
Hull:
Front: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 22-45°
Sides: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 22°
Rear: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 36°
Top: 0.25 in (6.4 mm) @ 90°
Floor:
Front: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 90°
Rear: 0.125 in (3.2 mm) @ 90°
Turret:
Gun Shield: 1.0 inches (25.4 mm)
Front: 0.5 in (12.7 mm) @ 27°
Sides: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 27°
Rear: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 20°
Top: Open (no armor)
Related Suggestion
Please check out and support @CaID ’s suggestion for the M38 chassis fitted with an M24 turret mounting the 76 mm gun.
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caid’s suggestion #127
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I would like to suggest an interesting armored car for the mid-rank, the M38 wolfhound with an M24 turret
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If you like the M24 Chaffee, you will love this armored car. this is a super armored car from WW2
the M38 Wolfhound was a development of Chevrolet of 1944 and was intended to enter production in March 1945. the purpose of this armored car was to replace the M8 Greyhound. the M8 has been a well-used armored car for scout duty but had serial fla…
Sources
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
5 Likes
Thats some nothing armor.
I am still surprised the US has almost no armored cars in their tech tree.
2 Likes
Yeah, this is unacceptable, so I’ve got a few more pending suggestions on the way, and I’ll be making more for US armored cars. :)
Man, wish this had a 57mm.
At least the same company, Chevrolet, had designed and produced another (heavy) armored car T66 GMC (which I also suggested), incorporated a more functional open-top turret, with full 360-degree rotation, and armed with a 75mm gun.
Sure, a Chaffee turret was mounted on the M38 chassis, but it turned out to be nonfunctional. The turret was bolted down to keep it simple, but it prevented it from rotating. So, whether Gaijin wants to add it or not is entirely up to them.
As far as I could find, I have one source stating that one M38 and two or three T28s were produced.
