Wednesday, December 07, 2016

Reasons they used the Cadillac engines in tanks and landing craft, and how that relates to Pearl Harbor Day


the 346 cu in Cad was quiet, dependable, and proven, idled easily and started without problems.
Using the car engine in pairs for the M5 Stuart and M 26 Pershing, and the Chaffee, tanks freed up airplane engines for more airplanes to get made
Using car engines meant that most mechanics would already be familiar with them, and not have to learn some new design
Most of all, Cadillac had plenty of spare parts, and were already making these engines, and developing a new engine would take months that the military didn't have when Pearl Harbor was attacked

http://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/General%20Motors/cadillac.htm

11 comments:

  1. Which landing craft used Cadillac engines?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. the answer is only a google away... LVT 3 Bushmaster. Seriously, you just got demoted from Super Bob to Merely Great Bob

      Delete
    2. http://www.amphibiousvehicle.net/amphi/L/lvt3special/lvt3.html

      Delete
  2. There's a difference between "Landing Craft" (that's a boat) and "Landing Vehicle, Tracked", (that's an LVT). Full disclosure: I have a radial engine from an LVT as yard art. Status reinstated....still Super Bob. Also, your page is looking good thanks for the frequent updates.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. a "boat" in the military is a submarine, how would I know that? I crewed on two boats. (So, no, and landing craft isn't a boat, it's a ship) As for landing craft, I call them "skimmer puke targets" like I see them... with reticles across the damn thing from looking through my favorite type 2 periscope or Type 18 periscope with 70mm film camera and CCTV so the rest of the crew can watch while we jam a torpedo up it's guts.

      Delete
  3. Thanks...My best friend.."Cadillac Carl" drove his 1927 Caddie from Seattle to Las Vegas last year...He made it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just followed your link to GM..Paine Field in Everett Wa has an excellent museum..Sort of hidden away but many of their displays are restored to work...Planes and tanks etc...Well worth a visit and a discount to us older folks and veterans...Every Memorial Day they put many of them in action...Just in case someone wasn't aware of the swell place..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. this one? https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2015/06/paul-allens-personal-airplane.html ?

      Delete
  5. I tried to cut and paste your answer..Being inept with computers..somewhat..
    I checked out the net and the Museum is called the Flying Heritage Collection..I believe he also has lotsa neat stuff up by Bellingham Wa..They fly more than a couple of times a year up there.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well SOG..I was just able to get your link to work..It was my fault I'm sure, and yes that is the place I was talking about..
    I went to visit my sister in Seattle and we wanted to do a day trip..The 1st choice was the Air & Space at Boeing field..I called and they were closed and wanted a bunch of $$$$.
    We ended up in Everett. It was not very crowded and one of the volunteers asked if we had any questions..He then offered to follow us around and we got a personal tour...Can't beat that!!!

    ReplyDelete