{"product_id":"half-track-a-history-of-american-semi-tracked-vehicles-hardcover","title":"Half-Track: A History of American Semi-Tracked Vehicles - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eR. P. Hunnicutt\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeaturing over a thousand photos from the National Archives, diagrams, and detailed specifications, Hunnicutt's \u003ci\u003eHalf-Track\u003c\/i\u003e remains the definitive development history of half-track vehicles for the military historian, professional soldier, and tank restorer.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this ambitious work, Hunnicutt details the developmental history of half-tracks, examining its modifications and effectiveness. Products of a pre-war development program, half-track vehicles served in all theaters of operation from the first to the final days of WWII, and many models remained active long after the Korean War. The armored half-track was one of few vehicles available to equip the new divisions being formed just prior to WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart I traces the early development beginning with the slow half-track of WWI to the faster vehicles developed after the evaluation of the French Citroen-Kegresse P17 in 1931. These vehicles were unarmored half-track cars and trucks intended for use as prime movers and reconnaissance vehicles.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn 1938, the half-track suspension was installed on the M2A1 scout car, and the converted vehicle became the half-track personnel carrier T7. This was the first armored half-track, but tests showed that it was underpowered. Based upon the experience with the T7, a new vehicle was designed in 1939 and designated as the half-track scout car T14. Using the half-track suspension from the T7 and a more powerful engine, it became the prototype for all of the half-tracks produced during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn Part II, the development and production of half-tracks during WWII is described showing the many roles for which it was adapted. In addition to the original armored scout car, the basic chassis was adapted as a personnel carrier, mortar carrier, tank destroyer, self-propelled artillery, and other specialized applications. Some of these vehicles were temporary expedients, but others were so successful that they remained in use until long after WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePart III briefly describes some half-track operations during WWII and Korea. However, it is not intended to be an operational history, but to illustrate the effectiveness of the half-track in active service. The characteristics of the various half-track vehicles and the weapons with which some of them were armed are tabulated in the data sheets in Part IV.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Pearce Hunnicutt\u003c\/b\u003e (1926-2011) enlisted in the 7th Infantry Division in 1944 and in 1945 was promoted to sergeant and awarded the Silver Star for his heroic actions. After WWII, Hunnicutt earned a Masters in engineering from Stanford University under the GI Bill. In addition to being one of the most respected metallurgists in California, Hunnicutt wrote the definitive 10-volume history of the development and employment of American armored vehicles. As a tank historian and leading expert in the field, Hunnicutt was one of the founders of the US Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD and was a close friend and frequent contributor to the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, KY.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReaders interested in related titles from R. P. Hunnicutt will also want to see: Abrams (ISBN: 1626542554), Armored Car (ISBN: 1626541558), Bradley (ISBN: 162654252X), Patton (ISBN: 162654879X), Pershing (ISBN: 1626541671), Sheridan (ISBN: 162654154X), Sherman (ISBN: 1626548617), Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1) (ISBN: 1626548625), Firepower (ISBN: 1635615038).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 244\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.81 x 11 x 8.5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e April 20, 2015\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42111071223943,"sku":"9781626541320","price":71.93,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0601\/2623\/2711\/files\/34a4ecd706bdc64e25e5b65844ec37fb.webp?v=1732481010","url":"https:\/\/booksby.splitshops.com\/products\/half-track-a-history-of-american-semi-tracked-vehicles-hardcover","provider":"Books by splitShops","version":"1.0","type":"link"}