Another role that the Half-track found itself particularly effective was as a prime mover for artillery pieces. Within this capacity, the M2 was modified to carry the ammunition, gun crew, and tow behind either the 57mm anti-tank gun or the 75mm gun. Another modification to This vehicle also could use a mounted 75mm cannon in the rear box with the barrel extending past the cab. This particular M2 on display is configured with the 81mm mortar mounted inside. This allowed for mechanized mobility of more indirect means of fire but was more mobile than a complete artillery piece.

The half-track itself is powered by a White Model 160 engine which developed 147 horsepower. Though designed in 1939 this would prove effective until the end of the Korean War. Another point of interest in several of these vehicles is the large steel cylinder mounted on the front. This was referred to as the unditching roller. When wedged into the ground the roller would lift the front wheels to the opposing bank rather than dig the bumper into the ground.

After war usage, many half-tracks found themselves filling the void that wartime production had placed on tractors and agricultural equipment generally speaking. With that said, this particular vehicle was used on a ranch in Nebraska before being graciously donated to the museum in memory of Aubrey Keller by his family.

The Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles