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T19E1 Armored Car
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the T19E1 Armored Car for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. With a power plant similar to that of the M5 light tank, the T19E1 was envisioned as a medium armored car developed as an alternative to the T17E1 Staghound. Although the chassis design showed promise and proved superior to the T17E1, it was never adopted by either the British or US Army, as the end of the North African campaign rendered vehicles of such size and weight unnecessary.
History
As the T17 armored car program was laid out in early 1942, eventually resulting in the successful lend-lease T17E1 Staghound designed by Chevrolet, the Ordnance Committee authorized Chevrolet on January 29, 1942, to produce two pilot vehicles as alternatives to the T17/T17E1. Designated as the medium armored car T19, this six-wheeled vehicle was to be equipped with independently sprung wheels, unlike the conventional truck-type suspension found on the T17 and T17E1.
The first T19 pilot was completed by Chevrolet and delivered to the General Motors Proving Ground in July 1942. It was later fitted with a T17 turret and shipped to Aberdeen Proving Ground in October 1942 for further testing.
Testing revealed that the T19 was too heavy for reconnaissance duties. As a result, the Development Branch of the Tank Automotive Center recommended that a second T17 pilot be modified according to new specifications, leading to the T19E1 design. The GMC truck engines were replaced with two Cadillac engines, each paired with a Hydramatic transmission, similar to the powertrain of the M5 light tank. The T19E1 could also operate on one engine if necessary. Its hull and turret, still armed with a 37mm gun, were redesigned for weight reduction. However, it lacked a turret basket and gyro-stabilizer, with the turret traversed manually. The 12x20 tires from the T19 were replaced with larger 14x20 ones.
The T19E1 was developed with the intent of being lighter and more suitable for reconnaissance. However, evaluation at Aberdeen Proving Ground from January 31 to February 5, 1943, showed it was still too heavy for that role.
Despite this, the vehicle’s independent suspension was seen as a valuable feature, recommended for future armored car designs. At the request of the Tank Destroyer Command, the same T19E1 chassis was fitted with a new open turret housing an M3 75mm gun. This configuration was designated the T66 75mm Gun Motor Carriage and proposed as a tank destroyer.
Both the T19E1 and T66 GMC were subsequently tested by the British Desert Warfare Board and were found superior to the T17E1 Staghound. However, no production orders were placed for either. Additionally, with the conclusion of the North African campaign, large and heavy armored cars were no longer deemed necessary, leading to the termination of the T19E1/T66 project in March 1943.
Specifications
T19E1 Armored Car
General Characteristics
Crew: 5
Dimensions:
Length: 220 in (5.59 m)
Width: 120 in (3.05 m)
Height: 89.2 in (2.27 m)
Fire Height: 79 in (2.01 m)
Tread: 102 in (2.59 m)
Wheelbase:
Front to intermediate axle: 63 in (1.60 m)
Front to rear axle: 126 in (3.20 m)
Ground clearance: 16 in (40.6 cm)
Powertrain:
Engines: 2 x Cadillac Series 42 V8
Net Power: 220 hp @ 3,400 rpm
Gross Power: 296 hp @ 3,200 rpm
Transmission: Dual Hydramatic (4+4 forward, 1 reverse)
Weight:
Unstowed Weight: 13.5 US tons (12.25 t)
Combat Weight: 14.25 US tons (12.93 t)
Performance:
Power-to-Weight Ratio:
Net: 15.5 hp/US ton (17.1 hp/t)
Gross: 21 hp/US ton (23.2 hp/t)
Maximum speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)
Armament & Armor
Main Armament:
37mm Gun M6 (Mount M23A1)
Ammo capacity: 200 rounds
Ammunition types:
M74B1 AP
M51B1 APCBC
M63 SAPHEI
Elevation: -10° to +45°
Rate of fire: 30 rpm
Vision equipment:
Periscope M4 with Telescope M40
Telescope M54
Secondary Armament:
7.62mm M1919A4 MG (coaxial)
7.62mm M1919A4 MG (bow mount)
M1A1 Anti-tank Mines
Smoke Grenades
Armor Protection:
Hull:
Front: 0.50 in (12.7 mm) @ 45-75°
Sides: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 15°
Rear: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 0-60°
Top: 0.25 in (6.4 mm) @ 83-90°
Floor: 0.25 in (6.4 mm)
Turret:
Front: 0.50 in (12.7 mm) @ 22°
Sides: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 22°
Rear: 0.375 in (9.5 mm) @ 22°
Top: 0.25 in (6.4 mm) @ 90°
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T66 GMC
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the T66 GMC for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. The T66 GMC was a product of Chevrolet’s T19E1, modified to accommodate a 75mm gun in an open-topped turret. It was developed for use in the tank destroyer role. The vehicle was tested for both the British and US Armies, demonstrating superior performance compared to the Chevrolet-designed T17E1 Staghound. However, it was never adopted by either nation, as the end of th…
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Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
6 Likes
Your Suggestions are always awesome & true beauties !!!
3 Likes
Jarms
October 2, 2025, 8:40am
3
Sad that this hasn’t had more traction.
1 Like
Agreed 100%. This deserves more attention!
