"Not a Tank, Sorry: The Forgotten 'Tankette' of World War II" Topic

"American armor is perhaps best known for the M1 Abrams, one of the biggest, heaviest main battle tanks in existence. The iconic M4 Sherman of World War II renown also enjoys a great deal of attention. Perhaps less well-known however is the Marmon-Herrington CTLS.

The CTLS was originally designed for service with the United States Marine Corps in the late 1930s, right before the outbreak of World War II. The USMC wanted to field a lightly armored amphibious tank that could take part in landing operations and be used to augment landing party's firepower once on the beach…"
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Armand

Amazing to read that this thing did actually see some action. I am sure the crew were happy that "what it lacked in protection it made up in firepower. An M8 A/C sounds a better bet frankly, as it also had speed and reasonable cross country ability.

It gets a few paragraphs in the Amphibious Operations series (Phib-18) "Employment of Tanks" from 1948.

"With its choice of tanks limited, at that time, to those which could be easily transported ashore, the Marine Corps adopted in 1937 the CTL-3 tank, developed by the Marmon-Harrington Motor Company. Carrying a crew of two, it weighed only 5-tons and mounted one .50-caliber and two .30caliber machine guns. It embodied the principal features of a large tank in a vehicle which could be readily handled in amphibious operations, employing the light landing equipment of that day".

It was tested with a 50-foot motor launch equipped with an 'A-frame ramp'. The March 1941 Marine Tank Bn organisation included a single Coy with 12 'tanks, combat (6-9 ton)', in two Pls of five each and two more at Coy HQ, these presumably being the CTL-3. They were replaced by M3A1 scout cars in the January 1942 T/Os.

Gary

Thanks!.

Armand

The Chieftain did a very informative review of the Ordnance reports on these tanks (tankettes) recently: YouTube link

He introduces that video with this statement:

You will recall that I declared the Marmon-Herrington MTLS-1G14 to be the worst tank ever, in this video. youtu.be/faaea_1jWaE​ . Therefore, logic dictates that the CTL-3, sold to the US Marine Corps, cannot be as bad as the MTLS.

Of course… everything is relative.

But … but … he doesn't like the MTLS-1G14?!?

In fact in his prior video he labels that Marmon-Herrington gem: The Worst Tank You Never Heard Of.

According to the Chieftain (at about 6:50 in the vid):

There are at least 3 currently in the US, generally in pretty miserable condition, so in theory I can film one but I doubt it will be a very thorough overview…

Well, I'm not in very good condition either. So I guess I should not be as discriminating …

-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)

Does anybody make the CTL-3 in 15mm?

That is one ugly Tank, Mk 1 ! But I do like it !!!

I have read about the CTLS before somewhere. They did better with their "Monkey-Harry" Armored Car. The UK used in NA …

Here is more about Marmon-Herrington Tanks and Armoured Cars with Marmon-Herrington All-Wheel Drive Conversion Kits

Druzhina
Illustrations of Costume & Soldiers

One of the complaints about the combat car was ground pressure. The solution was to put the return bogie on the ground, if you look at the M3 Stuarts you'll see the big rear bogie lined up touching the ground with the other road wheels. I always thought that was pretty smart.

Thanks!.

Armand