INTER-WAR YEARS GALLERY

A new exhibit has been created in the Inter-War Years Gallery. One part of the exhibit is this recreation of a maintenance shed from the 1930's where work is being done on an M1917 and an M2A2 tank with engines and parts sitting on the work benches. The new Inter-War Years exhibit was designed and built by the exhibit curator, Henry Penn, with the help of staff and volunteers.


The six-ton M1917 was the American version of the French FT-17. The measurements for the tank were switched from metric to English for the American conversion. This version also had all-steel idler wheels, an American engine, a bulkhead between the engine and crew compartment and extra vision slots for the driver. It had a two man crew and was equipped with either a M1916 37mm gun or Browning .30 caliber machine gun. Its maximum speed was 6 mph.

A mechanic works on the M1917. Its engine has been removed and sits on a nearby work bench.
Another mechanic works on the M2A2's Continental W670-7 seven-cylinder radial engine.

The M2A2 had twin turrets, one mounting a .30 caliber machine gun and the other a .50 caliber machine gun with another .30 caliber in the bow.There were 239 of this type built and it was only used in training. It was dubbed the "Mae West."
Harley-Davidson WLA military motorcycle. Over 120,000 were produced for the Allies during World War II. The US Army used these motorcycles for police, escort work, courier duties, and some recon duties.

The M3A1 Scout Car was developed in 1938 by the White Motor Company. The M3A1 could carry up to seven infantry and provide fire support with three machine guns, one .50 caliber and two .30 caliber mounted on a skate rail around the hull. It was powered by a Hercules JXD 6-cyl gasoline, but because of its poor cross-country performance, it was replaced with the M8 or M20 armored car. Many were sent to France, UK and Russia via Lend Lease.
The U.S. M2A1 medium tank was developed in 1939. Its main armament was an M6 37mm gun, but it was also equipped with four .30 caliber machine guns in four sponsons and two fixed in the front hull. It was powered by a Wright R975EC2 radial engine which gave it a top speed of 26 mph. It formed the basis for the M3 and M4 series of medium tanks used in World War II. This particular vehicle is missing the 37mm in the turret.

The M3 Stuart light tank was an improvement over its predecessor, the M2A4. The M3 had thicker armor in the front and nose and a large idler in the rear to increase ground contact. This particular vehicle has the later-introduced combination welded and cast turret. The Stuart was powered by a Continental W-670 radial engine giving it a maximum speed of 36 mph. It mounted a 37mm gun in the turret and three .30 cal. machine guns. Earlier models also carried two more .30 cal. machine guns in the side sponsons.
Horses still played a role in the cavalry units in the 1930's but units began transitioning to a mechanized force immediately preceeding World War II. The last horse-mounted cavalry charge by a cavalry unit took place on the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. The 26th Cavalry Regiment of the Philippine Scouts executed the charge against Japanese forces near the village of Morong on January 16, 1942.

The 37mm Gun M3, seen here in a camouflaged position, was the first dedicated anti-tank gun fielded by United States. Introduced in 1940, it became the standard anti-tank gun of the U.S. infantry. The continuing improvement of German tanks quickly rendered the 37mm ineffective and by 1943 it was being gradually replaced in the European and Mediterranean theaters by the M1 57mm anti-tank gun. In the Pacific Theater, where the Japanese tank threat was less significant, the M3 remained in service until the end of the war.