1943 White M16 Halftrack
Multiple Gun Motor Carriage

The Half Track was developed from the concept of the scout car as a troop carrier and recon vehicle. Many more uses became apparent by mounting a 37 mm cannon with two .50 caliber machine guns, 75 mm and 105 mm cannons. Also built was an M16 multiple machine gun mount called a "Quad 50". The M16 mounted a M45 Maxson .50cal MG "quad" arrangement. The machine guns were made by Browning. This arrangement achieved real success against aircraft during WW2 (used against "soft" ground targets too). The side armor folded down for ease of turning the guns on their mount. The Brownings could fire 4-500 rounds each per minute at a target with a maximum range of 7200 yards. The muzzle velocity was 2935fps. A crew of 4 was used to operate the vehicle and weapon. The M16 was basically an M3 personnel carrier. Some WWII veterans claim fantastic performance. There were many models, with variations in armament, but the most of the common half tracks of today are generally broken down into two categories:

Short Frame: M2/M4 Series
Long Frame: M3/M3A1, M16/M16A1 Series

There were four manufacturers: International Harvester, White, Diamond T, and Autocar. There are minor differences between the manufacturers, such as the style of the self-locking nut that was used throughout the vehicle. The Collings Foundation example is a White-manufactured example that was used in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) before being transferred to the Israeli Army after the war. After it's official use in combat, the M16 was displayed at various museums before being transferred to the care of the Collings Foundation. The M16 was involved in an extensive restoration in 2004 by American Aero Services of New Smyrna Beach, FL where it was brought into fully operational condition and had a fully operational M45 Maxson Quad .50 cal turret installed. Though all firing operation was disabled on the .50 cal machine guns, a propane fired "movie cannon" system was installed to accurately simulate the massive firepower of the turret.

The M16 is on display at the Collings Foundation headquarters in Stow, MA and can be viewed at special events and tour group programs arranged in advance. The Collings Foundation headquarters in Stow, MA is not open to the public except for the annual Fathers Day Open House over Fathers Day Weekend.

IMAGES (Click on images for enlargements)
WWII Use

Outside Shots - CF M16

Detail Shots