Did US Army use 20mm in WWII?

[ysi_maniac]

Does any of you if US Army, during WWII installed a 20mm gun in any vehicle?

[Logan Hartke]

I know there were 3 experimental vehicle types, but no service vehicles that I'm familiar with.



There was a T28 GMC anti-aircraft halftrack armed with the Elco B-6 turret.




Then there were the T10/T10E1 GMC anti-aircraft halftracks armed with twin 20mm in a Maxon turret.




Finally, there were the T85/T85E1 GMC anti-aircraft vehicles, armed with four 20mm cannons.




Probably the only 20mm armed US Army vehicles to see service were captured, such as this SdKfz 250/9.




While not US Army, a number of US vehicles did see combat with other nations armed with 20mm cannons.  A notable example of this were the LVT Buffaloes used by Britain in the Rhine river crossing.  It's possible that similar conversions of LVTs were undertaken using USN 20m Oerlikons in the Pacific, but I'm familiar with no such instances.

I hope that helps!

Cheers,

Logan

[ysi_maniac]

Just perfect answer!!

[Logan Hartke]

Happy I could help, ysi!

Cheers,

Logan

[father ennis]

I do believe that there was some sort of a combo unit anti-aircraft gun on a "Duce and a half"  with a 20mm and a Bofers gun.  20mms were used on PT boats,too.

[Logan Hartke]

By the end of the war, the US Navy was using 20mm Oerlikons on everything that floated in the Pacific.  Likewise, the US Army saw a LOT of combat with 20mm cannons.  It all happened to be in the form of the USAAF with P-38s, P-400s, P-61s, reverse Lend Lease Spitfires, and Beaufighters.

By the way, father ennis, I think you may be recalling the T28E1 CGMC armed with twin .50 cals and a 37mm cannon.



Cheers,

Logan

[father ennis]

Could be. If I wasn't so lazy,I would check my own reference material ... 

[Cliffy B]

Did the M2, M3, or M5 light tanks ever carry a 20mm?  World of Tanks has them carrying Hispano-Suiza models but we all know that game isn't always "accurate"   

[jcf]

Did the M2, M3, or M5 light tanks ever carry a 20mm?  World of Tanks has them carrying Hispano-Suiza models but we all know that game isn't always "accurate"   

Aside from Yugoslav converted M3A3 with Flakvierling, no.

Indeed, the Germans were the only ones to make wide use of the 20mm
as a main weapon in light vehicles.

[GTX_Admin]

Did the M2, M3, or M5 light tanks ever carry a 20mm?  World of Tanks has them carrying Hispano-Suiza models but we all know that game isn't always "accurate"   

Aside from Yugoslav converted M3A3 with Flakvierling, no.

Indeed, the Germans were the only ones to make wide use of the 20mm
as a main weapon in light vehicles.

Which of course therefore means the way is open for you to do some whiffs...

[Logan Hartke]

Indeed, the Germans were the only ones to make wide use of the 20mm
as a main weapon in light vehicles.

Off the top of my head, I can think of Italian and Soviet examples in the ground combat role, as well, to say nothing of the anti-aircraft vehicles of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.

Cheers,

Logan

[AGRA]

The British Army used 20mm in the ground to ground role on the Buffalo LVT. This was a particular requirement for gunfire to support river crossings. Lots of captured Italian 20mm Bredas were used by Commonwealth armies the ground to ground role on light armoured vehicles in the Western Desert Campaign.

[Logan Hartke]

I mentioned the Buffalo (with a picture, too) in the first reply.

Cheers,

Logan

[Gingie]

How about whiffing up a US Army Skink on a M4A3E8 or Pershing?

[AGRA]

How about whiffing up a US Army Skink on a M4A3E8 or Pershing?

Great idea. They would make a name for themselves in the positional warfare in Korea blasting Chicom human wave tactics. And then later on refitted to more modern tanks in Vietnam. The Israelis and Pakistanis should have a few just for the chance to shoot at some aircraft with them.