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{{AFC submission||ns=118|u=Kvng|ts=20201015035624}} <!-- Do not remove this line! -->

{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
| name=Christie M1931 / T1 Combat Car / T3 Medium Tank
| name = Christie M1931 <br /> T1 Combat Car <br /> T3 Medium Tank
| image=File:Christie M.1931 Rahway.jpg
| image = File:Christie M.1931 Rahway.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_size = 300
| caption=Christie M.1931 during a demonstration
| caption = Christie M.1931 during a demonstration, with Christie himself standing in the turret
| origin=United States
| origin = United States
| type=[[Cruiser tank|Cruiser Tank]] <br /> [[Medium tank|Medium Tank]]
| type = [[Medium tank]]
| is_vehicle=yes
| is_vehicle = yes


<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->| service = 1932–1936
⚫
| used_by = United States
| service= 1932-1936
⚫
| used_by=United States


<!-- Production history -->
<!-- Production history -->| designer = J. Walter Christie (US Wheel Track Layer Corporation)
⚫
| design_date = 1930
| designer=US Wheel Track Layer Corporation
| manufacturer = US Wheel Track Layer Corporation
⚫
| design_date=1930
⚫
| unit_cost = $34,500 (without armament, turret, engine, muffler or radio)
| manufacturer=US Wheel Track Layer Corporation
⚫
| production_date = 1930–1931
⚫
| unit_cost=$34,500 (without the armament, turret, engine, muffler, or radio)
⚫
| number = 9
⚫
| production_date=1930-1931
⚫
| number=9


<!-- General specifications -->
<!-- General specifications -->| length = {{convert|5.55|m|ftin|abbr= on}}
| length={{convert|5.55|m|ftin|abbr= on}}
| width = {{convert|2.23|m|ftin|abbr= on}}
| width={{convert|2.23|m|ftin|abbr= on}}
| height = {{convert|2.28|m|ftin|abbr= on}}
⚫
| weight = 22,220 lb (10 tonnes) {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}} combat weight
| height={{convert|2.28|m|ftin|abbr= on}}
| weight=22,220 lb (10 tonnes) {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}} (Combat weight)
| crew = 2 (Gunner, driver) {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}}
⚫
| crew=2 (Gunner, driver) {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}}


<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->| armour = {{convert|5/8| in|mm|abbr=on}} maximum{{efn|on hull front}} {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}}
⚫
| primary_armament = [[Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP|37mm M1916]] (T3 Medium) <br /> [[.50 BMG|0.50 in (12.7 mm)]] [[M2 Browning machine gun]] (T1 Combat Car)
| armour={{convert|5/8| in|mm|abbr=on}} maximum{{efn|on hull front}} {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}}
| secondary_armament = [[.30-06 Springfield|.30 in (7.62 mm)]] [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919A4 Browning machine gun]]
⚫
| primary_armament=37mm M1916 (T3 Medium) <br /> [[M2 Browning|12.7mm M2]] (T1 Combat Car)
| engine = [[Liberty L-12]] 12-cylinder gasoline engine
| secondary_armament=[[M1919 Browning machine gun|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
| engine=[[Liberty L-12]] 12-cylinder gasoline engine; 449 hp (334.8 kW) at 2,000 rpm
|engine_power=449 hp (335 kW) at 2,000 rpm
| pw_ratio=
| pw_ratio =
| transmission=
| transmission =
| suspension=[[Christie suspension]]
| suspension = [[Christie suspension]]
| fuel_capacity=
| fuel_capacity =
| vehicle_range=
| vehicle_range =
| speed={{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} Governed, on wheels <br /> {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} Governed, on tracks {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}}
| speed = {{convert|40|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on wheels <br /> {{convert|25|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} on tracks {{sfn|Hunnicutt|1978|p=24}}
}}
}}


The '''Christie M1931''', known as the '''Combat Car, T1''' in US Cavalry use and '''Medium Tank, Convertible, T3''' in Infantry branch, was a wheel-cum-track tank designed by [[J. Walter Christie]] for the [[United States Army]] using Christie's own ideas of an [[aero-engine]] and [[Christie suspension|his novel suspension]] to give high mobility.
The '''Christie M1931''', known as the '''Combat Car, T1''' in US Cavalry use and '''Medium Tank, Convertible, T3''' in Infantry branch, was a wheel-to-track tank designed by [[J. Walter Christie]] for the [[United States Army]] using Christie's ideas of an [[aero-engine]] and the novel [[Christie suspension]] to give high mobility.


The M1931 was Christie's first tank to be accepted for production by the US Army, and was used briefly by the US Cavalry and US Infantry, as part of the [[1st Mechanized Cavalry Corps]] and the [[2nd Tank Regiment]]. Christie's design had more influence in Europe with USSR and UK developing Christie's ideas in the form of [[BT-tank|''Bystrokhodny'' ("fast") tanks]] and [[cruiser tank]]s respectively.
The M1931 was Christie's first tank to be accepted for production by the US Army and was used briefly by experimental tank units. Christie's design had more influence in Europe, with the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] and the [[United Kingdom|UK]] developing Christie's ideas in the form of [[BT tank|''Bystrokhodny'' (fast) tanks]] and [[cruiser tank]]s respectively.


==Development==
==Developmental History==
The Christie M1931 originated as the [[Christie M1928|M1928]], which used Christie's suspension, and had the ability to run on its tracks or the wheels. The M1928 was demonstrated unofficially to the US Army by traversing a route at an average speed of {{convert|45| kph|abbr=on}}; by contrast the US Army's [[T1 Light Tank|T1E1 tanks]] – expected to replace their WWI-era [[M1917 light tank]]s – averaged {{convert|16| kph|abbr=on}} over the same route. This prompted sufficient interest to properly consider Christie's ideas.
The Christie M.1931 originated as the M.1928,


In 1930, after protracted negotiations, a contract was signed with Christie's US Wheel Track Layer Corporation to build an improved version of the M1928 at a cost of $55,000.
The first M1931 was delivered in March 1931. An order for seven more was placed in June; these were delivered by 1932. Initially officially designated as "Convertible Medium Tank T3", four were passed to the cavalry. With the gun replaced by a [[heavy machine gun]] they were renamed "Combat Car T1". <ref>Hunnicutt p23-24</ref>


The prototype M1931, without armament, was delivered in March 1931. An order for seven more was placed in June; these were delivered by 1932. Officially called the "Convertible Medium Tank T3", three went to Company F, [[67th Infantry Regiment (Medium Tanks)|67th Infantry (Medium Tanks)]] at [[Fort Benning]]. The remaining four were passed to the [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)|1st Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized)]] at [[Fort Knox]]. With the gun replaced by a [[heavy machine gun]], they were renamed "Combat Car T1".{{sfn|Hofmann|2006|pp=174–175}}<ref>Hunnicutt pp. 23–24</ref>{{efn|The Cavalry were not allowed - by the [[National Defense Act of 1920]] - to possess "tanks" which were defined as limited to the Infantry, so the renaming was a way to circumvent the prohibition}} The prototype was returned to Christie.
<!-- from suspension article "The crew of two and relatively light armour was insufficient for the infantry support function the tank was expected to have. The Army drew up a specification for an improved T3 but following disputes with Christie the order - for 5 of the "Convertible Medium Tank T3E2" was given to the American-La France company.<ref>Hunnicutt p23-24</ref>" -->
<!-- from suspension article "The crew of two and relatively light armour was insufficient for the infantry support function the tank was expected to have. The Army drew up a specification for an improved T3 but following disputes with Christie the order - for 5 of the "Convertible Medium Tank T3E2" was given to the American-La France company.<ref>Hunnicutt pp. 23–24</ref>" -->

==See also==
* [[Tanks of the interwar period]]
* [[Tanks of the United States]]


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
{{Notelist}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

== References ==
== References ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book | first = Richard Pearce | last = Hunnicutt | title=Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank | year = 1978 | publisher=Presidio Press | isbn=978-1-62654-862-6 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Hofmann |first=George F. |title=Through Mobility We Conquer: The Mechanization of U.S. Cavalry |publisher=University Press of Kentucky |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-8131-2403-2}}
* {{cite book | first = R.P. | last = Hunnicutt |authorlink=R. P. Hunnicutt | title=Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank | year = 1978 | publisher=Presidio Press | isbn=978-1-62654-862-6 }}
*Neal, R. J. (2009). ''A Technical & Operational History of the Liberty Engine: Tanks, Ships and Aircraft 1917-1960''. United States: Specialty Press.
* {{cite book |last=Neal |first=R. J. |year=2009 |title=A Technical & Operational History of the Liberty Engine: Tanks, Ships and Aircraft 1917–1960 |location=United States |publisher=Specialty Press |isbn=978-1-58007-149-9}}
*Ellis, C., Chamberlain, P. (1972). ''Pictorial History of Tanks of the World, 1915-45''. United States: Stackpole Books.
* {{cite book| last1=Ellis |first1=C. |last2=Chamberlain |first2=P. |year=1972 |title=Pictorial History of Tanks of the World, 1915–45 |location=United States |publisher=Stackpole Books |isbn=978-0-8117-1261-3}}
*Steven Zaloga, 2015 ''Armored Champion: The Top Tanks of World War II''
* {{cite book |authorlink=Steven Zaloga |first=Steven |last=Zaloga |year=2015 |title=Armored Champion: The Top Tanks of World War II |publisher=Stackpole Books |location=Mechanicsburg, PA |isbn=978-0-8117-1437-2}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_christie_M1931_medium_tank_T3.html "Christie M1931/ Medium Tank T3/ Combat Car T1"] at History of War
* [http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/weapons_christie_M1931_medium_tank_T3.html "Christie M1931/ Medium Tank T3/ Combat Car T1"] at History of War
*[http://www.tankarchives.ca/2016/11/christie-m1931.html "Christie M1931"] at Tank Archives
* [http://www.tankarchives.ca/2016/11/christie-m1931.html "Christie M1931"] at Tank Archives

[[Category:Interwar tanks of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 04:26, 12 May 2023

Christie M1931
T1 Combat Car
T3 Medium Tank
Christie M.1931 during a demonstration, with Christie himself standing in the turret
TypeMedium tank
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1932–1936
Used byUnited States
Production history
DesignerJ. Walter Christie (US Wheel Track Layer Corporation)
Designed1930
ManufacturerUS Wheel Track Layer Corporation
Unit cost$34,500 (without armament, turret, engine, muffler or radio)
Produced1930–1931
No. built9
Specifications
Mass22,220 lb (10 tonnes) [1] combat weight
Length5.55 m (18 ft 3 in)
Width2.23 m (7 ft 4 in)
Height2.28 m (7 ft 6 in)
Crew2 (Gunner, driver) [1]
Armor5⁄8 in (16 mm) maximum[a] [1]
Main
armament
37mm M1916 (T3 Medium)
0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun (T1 Combat Car)
Secondary
armament
.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919A4 Browning machine gun
EngineLiberty L-12 12-cylinder gasoline engine
449 hp (335 kW) at 2,000 rpm
SuspensionChristie suspension
Maximum speed 40 mph (64 km/h) on wheels
25 mph (40 km/h) on tracks [1]

The Christie M1931, known as the Combat Car, T1 in US Cavalry use and Medium Tank, Convertible, T3 in Infantry branch, was a wheel-to-track tank designed by J. Walter Christie for the United States Army using Christie's ideas of an aero-engine and the novel Christie suspension to give high mobility.

The M1931 was Christie's first tank to be accepted for production by the US Army and was used briefly by experimental tank units. Christie's design had more influence in Europe, with the USSR and the UK developing Christie's ideas in the form of Bystrokhodny (fast) tanks and cruiser tanks respectively.

Development

[edit]

The Christie M1931 originated as the M1928, which used Christie's suspension, and had the ability to run on its tracks or the wheels. The M1928 was demonstrated unofficially to the US Army by traversing a route at an average speed of 45 km/h (28 mph); by contrast the US Army's T1E1 tanks – expected to replace their WWI-era M1917 light tanks – averaged 16 km/h (9.9 mph) over the same route. This prompted sufficient interest to properly consider Christie's ideas.

In 1930, after protracted negotiations, a contract was signed with Christie's US Wheel Track Layer Corporation to build an improved version of the M1928 at a cost of $55,000.

The prototype M1931, without armament, was delivered in March 1931. An order for seven more was placed in June; these were delivered by 1932. Officially called the "Convertible Medium Tank T3", three went to Company F, 67th Infantry (Medium Tanks) at Fort Benning. The remaining four were passed to the 1st Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized) at Fort Knox. With the gun replaced by a heavy machine gun, they were renamed "Combat Car T1".[2][3][b] The prototype was returned to Christie.

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ on hull front
  2. ^ The Cavalry were not allowed - by the National Defense Act of 1920 - to possess "tanks" which were defined as limited to the Infantry, so the renaming was a way to circumvent the prohibition
  1. ^ a b c d Hunnicutt 1978, p. 24.
  2. ^ Hofmann 2006, pp. 174–175.
  3. ^ Hunnicutt pp. 23–24

References

[edit]
  • Hofmann, George F. (2006). Through Mobility We Conquer: The Mechanization of U.S. Cavalry. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-2403-2.
  • Hunnicutt, R.P. (1978). Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank. Presidio Press. ISBN 978-1-62654-862-6.
  • Neal, R. J. (2009). A Technical & Operational History of the Liberty Engine: Tanks, Ships and Aircraft 1917–1960. United States: Specialty Press. ISBN 978-1-58007-149-9.
  • Ellis, C.; Chamberlain, P. (1972). Pictorial History of Tanks of the World, 1915–45. United States: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-1261-3.
  • Zaloga, Steven (2015). Armored Champion: The Top Tanks of World War II. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-1437-2.
[edit]
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