Six-Wheeled Light Armored Reconnaissance Utility Car
United States | 1943
"The M20 Armored Utility Car saw production reach 3,791 units from July 1943 to June 1945."
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the M20 (G-176) Six-Wheeled Light Armored Reconnaissance Utility Car.
1 x Hercules JXD gasoline engine developing 86 horsepower at 2,800rpm. Installed Power
56 mph 90 kph Road Speed
249 miles 400 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the M20 (G-176) Six-Wheeled Light Armored Reconnaissance Utility Car.
6 (MANNED) Crew
16.4 ft 5 meters O/A Length
8.2 ft 2.5 meters O/A Width
7.5 ft 2.3 meters O/A Height
12,249 lb 5,556 kg | 6.1 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the M20 (G-176) Six-Wheeled Light Armored Reconnaissance Utility Car.
1 x 0.50 M2 Browning heavy machine gun OR 1 x 0.30 caliber M1919 Browning machine gun in upper gun ring.
AMMUNITION: 1,050 x 0.50 caliber ammunition OR 2,000 x 0.30 caliber ammunition
Variants Notable series variants as part of the M20 (G-176) family line.
The M20 (U.S. Army identifier of G-176) was a reconnaissance/general purpose utility car adopted by the United States Army during World War 2 (1939-1945). Development produced a vehicle with a 6x6 wheel arrangement capable of cross-country travel through use of large road wheels, a capable powerpack and running gear, and suitable suspension system. Similar in form to the famous M8 "Greyhound" line of 6x6 armored cars also used by the Army, the M20 differed in its indirect combat role - usually outfitted with just a single machine gun for self-defense, personal defense weapons carried by the crew, and communications equipment including support for several radio sets. Manufacture was handled by Ford Motor Company from its St. Paul, Minnesota plant where 3,791 vehicles were eventually produced- this from July of 1943 to June of 1945.
The M20 was primarily to serve as a commander's vehicle for in-the-field work and lacked the cannon-armed turret of its M8 sister. Instead, an open-topped hull was used to provide unfettered access for the commander and crew to the goings on outside of the vehicle - whether observing maneuvers or artillery fire or other battlefield-related work. The M20 was simply armed through a single 0.50 M2 Browning heavy machine gun for defense against low-flying aircraft, light-armored vehicles, or infantry. This could be replaced with a single 0.30 caliber Browning M1919 machine gun which fired the smaller cartridge and therefore was allowed more ammunition boxes. The gun was fitted to trolley-and-cradle arrangement to make it trainable and this setup sat within a M49 series ring mount. Beginning in August of 1944, the mount was upgraded to the M66 standard.
A typical operating crew number six personnel. In addition to the provided main armament, it was strongly recommended that the crew personally arm themselves on any journey as insurance should they come under fire from the enemy or be separated from the main fighting force. As such, operators stocked their vehicles with manner of small arms including carbines, service rifles, submachine guns, pistols, hand grenades, and anti-tank mines.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the M20 (G-176). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 3,791 Units Contractor(s): Ford Motor Company St. Paul - USA
[ United States ]
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Image from the United States Army image archives.
Going Further... The M20 (G-176) Six-Wheeled Light Armored Reconnaissance Utility Car appears in the following collections:
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