1943 Halftrack M5 ‘Carmen’ – lot 0104

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Halftrack M5 Personnel Carrier M5-1563-ORD-12318 ‘Carmen’

Very early model; built by International Harvester Company (IHC). The Superb Halftrack in WW-II!

This M5-1563-ORD-12318 was built by International Harvester Corporation early 1943 and rolled off the production line as a M5 halftrack with Tulsa winch unit at the front on March 19th 1943. It was definitely in service for the Allied troops liberating Europe!
From the Ordnance Department (ORD) it received US ID; USA 4030296-S however it saw never active service in the US Army because it was supplied to allied to be active on the Western Front.

It’s wartime history remains unknown, most likely it served in the British or Canadian Army in the liberation of Europe. If the halftrack could speak its stories will be overwhelming as it has been in service in as well the UK, France, most probably Belgium and The Netherlands and of course Germany.

After the war most military armored equipment were collected in dump yards in Belgium from where they were destined to be destroyed.
Large batches of armored vehicles escaped destruction because they could be sold or donated to countries to build/support their military strength.

In 1946 a large quantity of halftracks (over 500) was shipped to Argentina to support the Peron regime, among which the subject vehicle.
Approx. 450 units were actually deployed in the Argentinian army and remained in service until 2006.

M-5-1563-ORD-12318 served under number EA 07712, most likely as a mortar carrier: The support for the mortar is still mounted in the vehicle.
In the 1980’s these halftracks were upgraded with a Fiat CP3 Diesel engine bolted to the original drive train with air assisted brake-booster to replace the original Hydovac booster. The compressor for the brake air is directly connected to the Fiat engine and an air tank mounted under the passenger seat.

After being retired in 2006 from the Argentinian Army the vehicle was sold to a collector in the UK, as part of a batch of two, and remained in storage in the UK in unrestored condition for a period.
The vehicle was largely complete with original accessories and with original untouched armor!!!
Due to good maintenance and preservation the vehicle suffered very little corrosion damage over time: Most original manufacturing markings re-appeared after removal of the old paint.

In March 2017 the vehicle was exported from the UK to The Netherlands by BAIV and sold to the current owner, who restored the vehicle to its current state.

The Fiat engine remained in the vehicle as it was still in good running condition. The over-pressure brake booster system was removed and replaced by the original Hydovac system with completely new brake tubing and overhauled brake cylinders.
Vacuum is taken from the inlet of the brake compressor mounted to the Fiat engine.

The tracks were in bad condition and were removed at the start of the restauration to give better access for the restauration activities.
The current owner spent some two years for the restauration with the aim to get it ready for participation in the 75-year D-Day Commemoration in Normandy, June 2019.
During the restauration new-old-stock (NOS) running gear and new tracks were installed under the vehicle. Both petrol-tanks showed pinholes after grid-blasting. One new HDPE tank was installed while the other was placed back as a dummy.

The current markings on the vehicle are from the Canadian army, as a tribute to the Canadian liberation efforts in The Netherlands.

Further the vehicle was named “Carmen” linking back to the Argentinian period, which has a nice background story.
During the disassembly of the petrol tanks for the restauration a document was found behind one of the tanks together with a one-peso coin from 1959!

The document in Spanish was in very bad state and only partly readable. From what could be read it proved to be a formal document for some kind of transfer of ownership, it remained unreadable what was subject to this transfer. The selling party’s name could be partly identified as a lady with first name Carmen, which triggered the current owner to give this name to the vehicle.

The vehicle was largely complete with original accessories and with original untouched armor!!!
Due to good maintenance and preservation the vehicle suffered very little corrosion damage over time: Most original manufacturing markings re-appeared after removal of the old paint.

The Fiat engine remained in the vehicle as it was still in good running condition. The over-pressure brake booster system was removed and replaced by the original Hydovac system with completely new brake tubing and overhauled brake cylinders.
Vacuum is taken from the inlet of the brake compressor mounted to the Fiat engine.

The tracks were in bad condition and were removed at the start of the restauration to give better access for the restauration activities.
The current owner spent some two years for the restauration with the aim to get it ready for participation in the 75-year D-Day Commemoration in Normandy, June 2019.
During the restauration new-old-stock (NOS) running gear and new tracks were installed under the vehicle. Both petrol-tanks showed pinholes after grid-blasting. One new HDPE tank was installed while the other was placed back as a dummy.

The current markings on the vehicle are from the Canadian army, as a tribute to the Canadian liberation efforts in The Netherlands. Further the vehicle was named “Carmen” linking back to the Argentinian period, which has a nice background story.

The vehicle comes complete with accessories, such as canvas top, seating cushions, browning .50 mount, jerrycans and pioneer tools al as indicated on the pictures. Note: No radio, intercom, tools, weapons, mines, hand granites etc. are included. Same for all kind of personal gear and kitting.

The half-track M5/M5A1 and M9A1 was created out of a need to produce more (M3) half-tracks. Unlike tanks, which required complex transmissions and brakes for steering, the half-track needed only conventional automotive steering. This kind of vehicles were therefore very popular during the start of the WW-II. Basically, designed and developed in France in the period between WW-I and II the design was as well adopted by the Germans as the US forces. They were easy to drive, operate and less training was required on half-tracks than for operators (drivers) of fully tracked vehicles.

White, Autocar, and Diamond T could not keep pace with the demand for half-track personnel carriers and other models.
Therefore mid 1941 International Harvester Company (IHC) from Chicago, Illinois was requested to also produce half-tracks.

IHC was formed in 1902 by the merger of the Mc Cormick Company of Chicago, the Deering Harvester Company, and several other smaller firms.
It gradually expanded to eventually build farm implements, tractors, stationary engines, trucks, construction equipment and household appliances. Along with other manufacturers it branched out into military production after the attack on the US fleet in Pearl Harbor.

The engineers of IHC did an extensive study to improve the design in combination with the large-scale manufacturing equipment they have and made many changes to the design. These vehicles became the M5 and M5A1 and M9A1 half-tracks. Next to this the M14 and later also the M17 was produced with in the rear a Maxon turret.
However, the essential features of the vehicles remained the same the IHC models differed in many respects from the M3.

The armor was manufactured from 5/16-inch homogenous armored plate which could be bent rather than the ¼ inch face-hardened steel of the M3. This made the M5/M5A1 heavier than the M3. To avoid performance loss the IHC models were fitted with heavier so called ´banjo´ model axles, strengthened chassis and hull and the introduction of the suburb International Harvester RED-450-B engine with overhead valves. A very modern and state of the art engine in these days! The International Halftrack, standardized in June 1942, is without any doubt the best US half-track vehicle ever built. Technical superior to White, Autocar, and the Diamond T models, very well designed, and loved by its crew even it had a limited capacity for stowage.

Comfort, speed, and performance makes the vehicle a great pleasure to drive. Disadvantages were that the armor plate only stop small arms fire and shell and mortar splinters. It couldn’t withstand direct artillery and anti-tank fire.
Moreover, that it was easy to drive doesn’t mean that drivers did not have to take care! As a result of that the First Canadian Army in Britain introduced a 30-mph road speed limit for half-tracks to reduce several accidents.

Physically the M5 and M9 versions had a couple of notable differences. So were the IHC half-track’s fenders flat in cross-section (rather than round), and it was never fitted with the large fender-mounted headlights. The use of rolled homogeneous steel armor by IHC on their vehicles allowed plates to be welded together, giving the M5 much smoother appearance than the bolted M3 half-tracks. This also improved the ballistic protection.
For this purpose, also bullet catchers are designed and introduced by IHC compared to simple flat strips on the other half-track models.
Moreover, the IHC half-tracks featured rounded rear corners, which contrast to the right-angled corners on the M2 and M3. IHC halftracks always had a very good reputation!

Due to the Lend-Lease program the Halftracks, as being produced by International Harvester, where classified as “limited standard” by the US authorities. This resulting in that over half of M5 (4.625) and M5A1 production (2.959) and later also the M9A1 (3.433) were send to Britain where they were used by the Armoured Divisions of Britain, Canada, and many other allied nations under Lend-Lease such as the Polish, Dutch , Australian, New Zealand and French forces for Motor Infantry transport, engineer vehicles, command vehicles and anti-tank gun tows.

In total 420 by International Harvester produced Halftracks went to the Soviet Union. The remainder were used for training purposes in the United States.

Model:

Halftrack (half-track) M5 Personnel Carrier with winch

Manufacturer:

IHC (International Harvester Company) Chicago, Illinois USA

Combat weight:

20,500 lbs. (9.300 kg)

Gross weight:

19,675 lbs. (8.925 kg)

Crew:

13

Engine:

International Harvester RED-450-B; 6 cylinders in line gasoline

– 143 hp. at 2700 rpm

– 348 ft-lb at 800 rpm

Note: Original engine was replaced during its service in Argentina by a Fiat/Iveco 6-cylinder diesel

Transmission:

Spicer 3641 constant mesh, 4 forward, 1 reverse, front wheel drive & high / low gear

Suspension:

Front:     Semi-elliptic longitudinal leaf spring,

              Combat tires 9.00 x 20 12 Ply

Rear:      1 bogie/track, 4 dual/bogie,

              Tracks: center guide band type

Max. speed:

42 mph. – 68 km/hr.

Dimensions

Length:    20.18 ft.        (6,15 m)
Width:        7.29 ft.      (2,22 m) with mine racks
Height:       7.58 ft.       (2,31 m) overall

Wheelbase:

11.92 ft. (3,44 m.)

Electrical installation:

12 Volt

Armament:

Gun, machine, cal. .30, M1919A4 (flexible)
Gun, machine, cal. .50, HB, M2 (flexible)
Gun, submachine, cal. .45, M1928A1
Twelve Rifles, cal. .30, M1, M1903, or M1903A1
Note: Armament not included

Permit(s):

Because this vehicle will be delivered without armament no specific permits are required

Documentation:

Technical Manuals: TM 9-707, TM 9-1707A
Parts List: SNL G-147

Date of Delivery:

March 19th 1943

Serial and ORD Nr.:

M5-1563-ORD 12318 / (On licence: M5-928-ORD 11683)

Post War Argentinian Army Registration:

EA 07712

Canadian registration:

CZ 4312318

Dutch Road registration

5-GV-342

Location: & Collection

Current location of this object is Heythuysen, The Netherlands.
Local collection is available for this lot. Depending on the destination the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.

No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

 

Margin / VAT

This object is offered by Tracks & Trade pursuant to consignment sale on behalf of a private individual. Therefore, the margin scheme will be applicable, so no sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be applicable. For more info see General Conditions of Sale Article 9. 

Inspection(s)

Inspections are open on Friday June 17th and June 24th 2022 but are conducted (if applicable) in Covid -19 safe conditions:

  • Inspections will be strictly maximum 1 hour long escorted inspections,
  • Maximum of 3 customers per escorted tour,
  • Customers must book in prior to inspection,
  • Inspection times are 9am 10am 11am 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm,
  • Please note that these inspections might be performed at several locations,
  • Inspections for a longer period or outside these hours can be organized for a refundable fee. (Refundable off purchase price of Auction lot).

 

To make a booking please reply to [email protected] at least 48 hours before the inspection with the following details:

Full Name(s) and contact details and phone number of the people that are coming to inspect. The LOT number(s) and Auction Name that you wish to inspect (items are stored on several locations, and we will need to retrieve them prior to your arrival).

 

Parts, accessories, and militaria

The batches of spare parts and various accessories are sold as is, stored in the best conditions and without any guarantee of functioning.

 

Vehicles

Cars and motorcycles, trucks, cannons, and armored vehicles are sold in as is condition , with or without registration.

 

Collection

Parts, accessories, and militaria

The collection of the lots, subject to payment, starting Monday July 11th 2022 by appointment only.

 

Vehicles

Vehicles can be picked up, subject to payment, starting Monday July 11th 2022 by appointment only.
Handling costs for the removal of the vehicles will, when applicable, be applied at cost.

 

Arms & weapons

The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – have supplied in full.

If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only!

 

Delivery and Storage

Removal of lots must be completed by Saturday August 6th 2022 after full payment and 100% coverage of all legal requirements.
No storage fees will be applicable until that date.

Lots not picked up by Buyers before Saturday August 6th 2022 will be returned to secure storage at Buyer’s expense. In this case storage fees will be applied as follows :

  • Parts & accessories: € 25,- / lot / week
  • Cars and motorcycles: € 50,- / lot / week
  • Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons etc. € 75,- / lot / week

Storage fees are excluding VAT.

 

General Conditions of Sale

General Conditions of Sale Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022 are applicable 

 

Bids on internet

The live auction will be broadcast on: www.aution.tracksandtrade.com 

  1. Register for the auction (log in or create an account)
  2. Bid live.

Please use a computer to follow the live auction!

 

Others

If any item listed causes offence, or is not correctly or incompletely described, please advise us immediately and we will address your concerns.

Please note this auction date may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

 Ian Galliers

UK Collector and Restoration Specialist.

The International Halftrack is the best Halftrack as produced by the US industry in WW-II! The International is much rarer than the models which have been produced by White, Autocar and Diamond-T.

This unique vehicle is, except the engine, original and in a general good condition. Tracks are new, brakes are working and it’s a god runner. Therefore, it is, next to enjoying it, a solid investment for a serious collector.

Remarks:

  • Restoration level Class B.
  • Engine is replaced by a post-war FIAT Fiat/Iveco 6-cylinder diesel
  • Instruments and wiring are not original
  • Very rare original mine- and rear luggage racks (with IHC stamps)
  • Need some work and investment to complete the current restoration to a Class-A level

 

Experts estimated value:             between Euro 55.000 and 65.000,- (May 2022)