75mm GMC M8A1

Can Opener

Historical Overview:

Attempts by the US to create a 75mm armed light tank were not particularly successful, with the M7 being too heavy, and the T21 at risk of going down the same path, it was decided to create an expedient design on a preexisting, reliable, standardised chassis to keep weight down. For this, the M3 or M5 was selected.

To test if mounting the 75mm M3 onto an M3 or M5 chassis, the order was given in late 1942 to install it into the turret of the M8 HMC. Several modifications were made in order to accommodate the larger gun. Both the Armoured Force and Tank Destroyer boards evaluated the M8A1, finding numerous deficiencies, such as a two-man turret, mediocre accuracy, unsatisfactory ammunition stowage and poor ergonomics. Both branches declared it unfit for service, especially as it was inferior to both the M24 Chaffee and M18 Hellcat, both of which were well into their development cycles.

Source(s):
Tank Encyclopedia - 75mm Gun M3 on 75mm HMC M8