Lot 0326: 76MM Gun Tank M41 ‘Walker Bulldog’ (USA)

Introduced as ‘Little Bulldog’ but subsequently, Walker Bulldog after the late General Walton Walker!
The M-41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank (official name: M-41 Combat, Full Tracked: 76MM Gun Walker Bulldog Light Tank) was developed to be a fast and agile light tank for close infantry support and cavalry reconnaissance, yet heavily enough armed to defend itself against medium tanks.
Its predecessor was the M-22, which was intended as an air-transportable tank to support airborne troops. Unfortunately, the M-22 was too large for the transport aircraft available during World War II. Similarly, the M-41 ultimately grew so large and heavy that it could not be transported by air in the postwar period.
As a consequence, the M-41 found suitable deployment in a limited and counterinsurgency warfare role against lightly armed regular and guerrilla troops. Altogether, 1,082 M-41s were built by the Cadillac Division of General Motors at the Cleveland, Ohio, Tank Plant.
The M-41 was named the Walker Bulldog in 1951 to honor General W.W. Walker, who was killed in a jeep accident in Korea that year. It incorporated most of the lessons learned in World War II.
It was designed around its engine, a Continental or Lycoming six-cylinder, 500-horsepower aircraft engine. The M-41 suspension system used torsion bars and hydraulic shock absorbers. The drive sprocket was at the rear and the idler at the front; there were three return rollers.
The Walker Bulldog carried a 75mm M32 main gun, and one each .30 caliber and .50 caliber Browning machine guns. Its main gun had an automatic loader; the first to ever be used in an American tank.
The automatic loader was capable of selecting, lifting, indexing, and ramming, as well as catching and eliminating the empty casings. The main gun also had a bore evacuator to eliminate fumes and an integral fire control system.
The engine and transmission compartment were separated from the rest of the tank by a fireproof bulkhead. A fire extinguisher system was mounted in the engine compartment. The M-41 was not equipped with a nuclear-biological-chemical protection system, but infrared driving and searchlights gave it a night driving and lighting capability.
It had a crew of four: commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The loader could override the automatic system at any time. The driver sat in the left front of the hull. The other three crew members were in the cast-and-welded turret; gunner on the right, loader on the left, and commander behind. The commander and loader each had hatch covers that opened to the rear. The .50 caliber Browning machine gun was mounted near the commander's hatch and used for antiaircraft fire.
See for more info: M41 Walker Bulldog in combat – Mike's Research (mikesresearch.com)

SPECIFICATION
Model: M-41 Combat, Full Tracked: 76MM Gun Walker Bulldog Light Tank
Manufacturer: Cadillac Division of General Motors at the Cleveland, Ohio, Tank Plant
Combat Weight: 23,495 kg (25.9 tons)
Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Engine: Continental AOS-895-3; 6-cylinder air-cooled supercharged 500-horsepower gasoline
Transmission: Cross-drive CD-500-3; 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse with automatic lock-up in high,
Single state hydraulic torque converter
Suspension: Independent torsion bars
Speed: 44.5 mph (72 km/h)
Range 99 mi (160 km)
Dimensions: Length: 19 ft (5.82 m)
Width: 10.4 ft (3.17 m)
Height: 8.9 ft (2.72 m)
Armament: Main: 76mm M32 main gun
Secondary: No secondary armament included
Serial No.: 00554
Year: 1954

REMARKS
Location: Wichita Kansas USA.
Condition: Nice restoration and running vehicle.
Permits: In case of export out of the USA an export permit will be required.

ESTIMATE VALUE
Between € 280.000 and € 350.000