History Lesson Light Tanks

The light tank concept actually dates back to the First World War.

It was developed after several shortcomings were identified with the M3 Stuart light tank, notably its 37mm cannon.

Ease of maintenance was considered another notable attribute.

m41 tank in combat in south vietnam

American-provided South Vietnamese M41 Walker Bulldog tanks during a training operation. Image: U.S. Army

Thus was borne the T37 program.

It was authorized for production in 1949.

He received two Distinguished Service Crosses for extraordinary heroism in World War II and the Korean War.

m3 stuart light tank

Above is an M3 Stuart light tank manned by trainees at the Replenishment and Training Command center near Naples, Italy. Image: Menikheim/NARA

Torsion bar suspension was subsequently selected, with five medium-sized road wheels per side with three track return rollers.

The hull of the M41 was manufactured of all-welded steel, while the turret featured welded and cast construction.

The command and gunner were positioned on the right, while the loader was on the left.

m24 chaffee tank

M24 Chaffee light tanks of the Huzaren van Boreel (Royal Netherlands Army) on parade in March 1951. Image: Netherlands National Archive

In addition to the main gun, the Bulldog was equipped with a coaxial M1919A4 .30-cal.

machine gun along with a heavierM2 .50 caliber machine gun on an anti-aircraft mountat the turret hatch.

Around 5,500 were manufactured by the end of 1954 when production ceased.

general walton h walker on normandy beach

Maj. Gen. Walton H. Walker greets Gen. Phillip Le Clerc, commander of the French 2nd Armored Division, on the beach of Normandy, where the French unit has just landed in August 1944. Image: NARA

All three certainly resembled siblings though the Bulldog was clearly the runt of the litter.

It was also a light tank in theory only.

The Army went back to the drawing board again, and that led to the development of theM551 Sheridan.

assembly line of m41 tanks

M41 Walker Bulldog tanks on the assembly line at the Cleveland Tank Plant. This was the Cadillac factory where the tanks were manufactured from 1951 to 1954. Image: Robert Cameron/U.S. Army

Interestingly its baptism of fire was actually on the beaches of Cuba during the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion.

The Walker Bulldog also found service in about two dozen nations around the world.

The Bulldog was also well-suited to rugged jungle terrain.

m-41 walker bulldog tank

An M41 Walker Bulldog outside the 4th Infantry Division Museum in Colorado Springs. Image: Author

That included the replacement of the 76mm gun with a 90mm, or in some cases a 105mm gun.

In addition, some foreign operators replaced the original six-cylinder gasoline engine with a more fuel-efficient diesel powerplant.

The Walker Bulldog was most recently used in combat in the 2006 Thai coup detat.

m41 muzzle brake

A M41 muzzle brake from the 76mm main gun — part of the author’s collection. Image: Author

A number have been preserved in noteworthy international museums.

Interestingly, an M41 Walker Bulldog is even in the Kubinka Tank Museum outside of Moscow.

The Bulldog certainly got around, even if the U.S. Army never used it in combat operations.

m41 tank at fort jackson

The M41A1 Walker Bulldog light tank outside the Basic Combat Training Museum on Fort Jackson. Image: Robert Timmons/U.S. Army

m41 bulldog at fort meade

A U.S. M41 Bulldog tank at Fort George G. Meade Museum in Maryland.Image: Wilson44691/CC0 1.0

restored m41 tank

A fully restored M41 Walker Bulldog light tank in a private collection. Image: John Adams-Graf

arvn m41 bulldog in vietnam

Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) M41 tank brings up the rear of theAustralian forces convoyleaving Baria, Vung Tau. Image: AWM

taiwan m-41 tank

A Taiwanese M41 Walker Bulldog that has been heavily upgraded by the Republic of China Army. It has been fitted with a new main gun and diesel engine.Image: 玄史生/CC BY-SA 3.0

Facebook Share

Twitter Share

Pinterest Share

Article image

Article image