"m3 halftrack command conversion radio layout??" Topic

hi guys
looking at converting a 1/72 m3 halftrack into command version ,google couple images online with different layouts
one had radios up the middle of troop compartment other one had radios up left side of troop compartment
so question is
was layout up to commander or did it depend on type of radios used ,if second option is correct any info on which radios with which layout would be welcome

Can you narrow it down to a unit type? I might be able to find something on the types of radio fitted if it's in an Armored Div.

Gary

I read something on this years ago and cannot remember where. The gist of the article was that the US started the war using AM radios. They found them to be unreliable, especially on the move and in combat. They began converting them to FM and then started installing purpose built FM sets.

However, the infantry platoons were still using AM hand sets. Therefore the commanders in halftracks needed both AM & FM capability. (I don't recall any mention of 8-track, cassette or CD players. Ha-Ha)

Edit:
On a whim and making a lucky guess, I looked at my Osprey collection. The Battle Orders Series: US Armored Divisions book has the info I recalled above. The infantry were using the SCR-536 (AM set) "handie-talkie" and everyone from Platoon Leader on up used the SCR-300 "walkie-talkie" (FM set). Also, artillery used yet another set (SCR-600). So pics you saw may show a vehicle with a conglomeration of radios to be able to talk to everyone they needed to.

Attached is a TO&E of the Armored Infantry Battalion (1943).
Page 2 shows the command halftracks and radios.
From militaryresearch.org
PDF link

Just a note: they have tons of downloads of TO&E listings on their "Freebies" page.

OK, now I'm beginning to feel like a stalker…

Reading the Osprey and Military Research info got me to thinking. I am no expert on WWII radios and am probably just talking out of the seat of my pants but I did have two ideas;

#1 – In your original post you said you saw pics of halftracks with radios in different locations. Although large by today's standards, these sets were made to be portable. I don't know how "permanently" they were affixed to the halftrack. Maybe strapped or bolted but still removable and thereby ending up in different places at different times.

#2 – The mixture of AM and FM sets may have been by design. There would be an awful lot of smaller units with AM sets. This might be so that one unit's weak signal was not apt to step on another unit's weak signal. Just a guess, no hard data to back that up.

Take a look at this link

link

A lot of text to start but some interesting photos towards the end.

And then there's this

link

Supposedly a SCR-299 radio installation in 1944.

@wardog: "one had radios up the middle of troop compartment other one had radios up left side of troop compartment"

@deephorse: your two posts and links.

I believe wardog's descriptions and deephorse's posts are for "Signals Company" vehicles as opposed to "Armored Rifle Co." (combat) vehicles. I made the assumption he was asking for the latter. (And you know what they say happens when you "assume".)

I have no idea what role his command halftrack will play. I'm just putting some information up that he can use or discard as he sees fit. No doubt someone that knows a lot more about the subject than me (which isn't much in the case of the US Army) can set us all straight.

@deephorse: your posted links more closely resemble the description in the OP. I believe you are correct and I am wrong. (Never repeat that to anybody, I'll deny having said it!)