Tracks and Suspension
The M19 sat on either the T72 or T85E1 series track with a width of 16- or 14-inches respectively. Suspension was of the torsion bar variety making use of five individually sprung road wheels to a track side. There was a drive sprocket fitted to the front with the idler at the rear. Four track return rollers were used. Shock absorbers were located along the first two and last two wheels on each respective track side.
Powerplant and Performance
Power was derived from a pair of Cadillac Series 44T4 16-cylinder, 4-cycle, 90-degree Vee gasoline engine delivering 110 horsepower at 3,400rpm. The powerplant was tied to a Twin Hydraulic transmission system featuring eight forward speeds and four reverse speeds. This provided for a road speed of 35 miles per hour with a road range of approximately 100 miles off of the internal 110-gallon fuel tank. Maximum grade traversing was rated at 60% while trenches up to 108-inches could be conquered. Maximum vertical obstacle height was 40-inches while fording depth was limited to 42-inches.
The Improved M19A1
The M19 was revised with the addition of a 200-amp auxiliary engine-driven generator (situated on the right fender) to become the M19A1. Additionally, some of the communications equipment was moved to blister positions along the turret. A visually differentiating feature between the M19 and M19A1 became her different exhaust pipes. The M19 featured these as two units running around each side of the front of the turret while the M19A1 sported both of these pipes along the left side of the vehicle. In all, however, the M19A1 differed only slightly in overall design when compared to her predecessor.
Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors Corporation headed up all production of the M19 series for the US Army.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.