Produced by the White Motor Company from 1942–1944, the M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage “Half-Track” (so called due to its usage of both wheels and tank treads) appeared around the world on a variety of fronts in World War II and later saw action in the Korean War. Its primary use was as an anti-aircraft weapon by both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, and it quickly proved to be highly effective against both aircraft and infantry. After the war was won in May 1945, many were left behind in Germany and France, such as the example presented here.

Acquired by the consignor in the UK in 2003, the Half-Track had been sitting in a barn for many years. As per the previous owner, it had been brought over to the UK from France prior to being restored and had been shown on several occasions as well as being featured in various books and magazines. The current owner then sent it to Peter Skelton in Kent, who spared no expense in returning it to running condition, sourcing new tracks and tyres, fitting a new clutch, and servicing the engine. In terms of armament, it boasts the very rare M45 Maxson Quadmount turret, equipped with four .50-caliber M2 Browning machine guns. Produced in mid-1943, it bears the markings of the 467th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, which landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day.

Impressively, the Half-Track is presently road-registered in the UK and can be driven on the road as a historic vehicle. According to the consignor, it starts on the button and is ready to be enjoyed at a moment’s notice. Well regarded by servicemen during the war, and despite its overall effectiveness in battle, aviation and aircraft technology improved rapidly in the following years, and the M16 MGMC was left behind by the U.S. Army in 1958. Nevertheless, it has endured as an icon of the European conflict for decades. A staple of any military vehicle collection, there are lots of opportunities for enjoyment with this Half-Track for its new owner.