M1917

GENERAL DATA
Other Designation(s)	Six-ton Tank M1917, Light Tank M1917
Type	Light Tank	Radio Equipment	-
Manufacturer(s)	Van Dorn Iron Works, Maxwell Motor Co., C.L. Best Co.
Crew	2	Commander-Gunner: Turret Driver: Hull - Front
Production Quantity	952	Production Period	From November 1918

 

DIMENSIONS
Combat weight	6580 kg	Ground pressure	0.49 kg/cm²
Length /hull	4.10 m / 5.00 m with tail	Length w/Gun	4.10 m / 5.00 m with tail
Barrel Overhang	0 m	Height	2.30 m
Width	1.80 m	Ground clearance	0.411 m
Turret Ring Diameter	0.91 m

 

ARMAMENT
Primary Armament	1 x 37 mm Gun M1916 (Gun Tank) (1)	Ammunition Carried	238 (FT-Gun)
	1 x .30cal (7.62 mm) M1919A4 MG (MG Tank) (1)		4200 (FT-MG)
Traverse	360° (manual)	Elevation	+56° (Gun Tank) / +38° (MG Tank)(manual)
Traverse speed (360°)	-	Sight	?
Secondary Armament	-	Ammunition Carried	-
Location	1: turret

 

ARMOR
Assembly	Bolting & Riveting
Armor Detail (from the horizontal)	Front	Side	Rear	Top/Bottom
Hull	15 mm / 60°	15 mm / 90°	15 mm / 90°	6 mm / 0°
Superstructure	7.9 mm / 20° (Driver's doors) 17 mm / 73° (Driver's cupola)	-	-	7.9 mm / 0° & 25°
Turret	15 mm / 78°	15 mm / 78°	15 mm / 78°	7.9 mm / 0° & 17°
Mantlet	15 mm / 90°	-	-	-

 

AUTOMOTIVE
Engine	Buda HU modified	Type & Displacement	4 cylinders, 4 cycles, L vertical
Horsepower (maximum)	42 hp at 1460 rpm	Power/Weight Ratio	6.38 / ton
Gearbox	Selective sliding gear: 4 forward, 1 reverse	Steering	Clutch-brake & Levers of Steering
Brakes	Mechanics, external contraction	Fuel Capacity	113 L Gasoline (Petrol)

 

SUSPENSION
Type	Coil and leaf spring	Road wheels	2 bogies, 5 Road-wheels/front bogie & 4 Road-wheels/rear bogie
Track return rollers	6	Sprocket-Wheels	Rear
Idler Sprockets	Front	Shock absorbers	-
Track Type	Simple pin, steel cast, integral grousers
Width	339.73 mm	Pitch	250 mm
Links(shoes)	32	Track ground contact	2 m

 

PERFORMANCES
Maximum Speed	8.9 km/h on road	Range	48 km (on road)
Mileage	? L/100 km (on road)	Maximum grade	27° (from horizontal)
Trench crossing	2.10 m (with tail)	Vertical obstacles	0.91 m
Maximum fording depth	0.61 m	Minimum turning diameter	6.1 m

 

Sources
AFV Database	Wikipédia	US Light Tanks	-

 

Drawings

M1917

 

File

M1917