View source for M3 scout car

{{Short description|Type of armored car}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = M3A1 scout car
| image              = File:The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H17571.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| alt                =
| caption            = M3A1 scout car in British Army service, 1942
| type               = [[Armored car (military)|Armored car]]
| origin             = United States
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = 
| is_bladed          = 
| is_explosive       = 
| is_artillery       = 
| is_vehicle         = Yes
| is_missile         = 
| is_UK              = 
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = 
| used_by            = See ''[[#Operators|Operators]]''
| wars               = [[World War II]]<br>[[Second Sino-Japanese War]]<br>[[Chinese Civil War]]<br>[[Hukbalahap Rebellion]]<br>[[Indonesian National Revolution]]<br>[[Greek Civil War]]<br>[[1948 Arab–Israeli War]]<br>[[Costa Rican Civil War]]<br>[[1958 Lebanon crisis]]<br>[[First Indochina War]]<br>[[Algerian War]]<br>[[Laotian Civil War]]<br>[[Cambodian Civil War]]<br>[[Congo Crisis]]<br>[[Dominican Civil War]]<br>[[Portuguese Colonial War]]<br>[[Salvadoran Civil War]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = [[White Motor Company]]
| design_date        = 1939
| manufacturer       = White Motor Company
| unit_cost          = 
| production_date    = 1939–1944
| number             = 21,054 (M1: 76 + M2: 20 + M2A1/M3: 64 + M3A1: 20,918)
| variants           =
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| mass               = {{cvt|6.25|ST|t}}
| length             = {{cvt|18|ft|5|in|m}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = {{cvt|6|ft|8|in|m}}
| height             = {{cvt|6|ft|5|in|m}}
| diameter           = 
| crew               = 2
| passengers         = 6
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             = Maximum {{cvt|.5|in|mm}}
| primary_armament   = [[M2 Browning|.50 cal M2 Browning]]
| secondary_armament = 1–2 x .30 cal [[M1917 Browning machine gun|M1917 Browning]] or [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919 Browning]] machine guns
| engine             = [[Hercules Engine Company|Hercules]] JXD 6-cylinder in-line petrol
| engine_power       = {{cvt|110|hp|kW}}
| pw_ratio           = 
| drive              = Wheeled [[4x4]]
| payload_capacity   = 
| transmission       = 
| suspension         = [[Leaf spring]]s
| clearance          = 
| fuel_capacity      = {{cvt|30|gal|L}}
| vehicle_range      = {{cvt|250|mi|km}}
| speed              = {{cvt|50|mph|km/h}}
| guidance           = 
| steering           = 
<!-- For all -->
| ref                = <small>Bishop{{sfn|Bishop|2006|p=106}} & Foss{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}</small>
}}

The '''M3 scout car''' (known as the '''White scout car''' in [[British Commonwealth]] service) was an American [[Armored car (military)|armored car]] produced in the [[World War II]] era, from 1939 to 1944. The original M3 scout car was produced in limited numbers, while the improved '''M3A1 scout car''' saw wide service during World War II and after.

==Design==
The main production variant, the M3A1 scout car,<ref>{{cite web|url= https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.a0011525615&seq=26 |title= M3A1 scout car |date=1943-01-01|publisher= 	Washington, D.C. : War Department |access-date=2025-05-03}}</ref> was a lightly armored, open topped, [[machine gun]] armed, [[four wheel drive]] vehicle designed to be used in the [[reconnaissance]] role. The M3A1 scout car was crewed by a driver and commander, while there was seating for six additional occupants in the rear.{{sfn|Bishop|2006|p=106}}{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}

Powered by a [[Hercules Engine Company|Hercules]] JXD 6-cylinder in-line petrol engine delivering {{cvt|110|hp|kW}}, the M3A1 Scout Car had a maximum road speed of {{cvt|50|mph|km/h}} and the {{cvt|30|gal|L}} fuel tank gave a maximum range of {{cvt|250|mi|km}}. The vehicle’s four wheel drive and bumper mounted [[unditching roller]] enabled it to cross a {{cvt|1.5|ft|m}} wide trench and climb a {{cvt|1|ft|m}} high step, maximum fording depth was {{cvt|28|in|m}}.{{sfn|Bishop|2006|p=106}}{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}{{sfn|US War Department|1942|p=6}}{{sfn|Green|2016|p=31}}

The armored body of the M3A1 Scout Car was produced by the [[Diebold Inc.|Diebold Lock and Safe Company]]. It had a maximum armor thickness of {{cvt|0.5|in|mm}} and was open topped, providing good fields of view but no overhead protection for the occupants, a canvas cover was provided for protection from the elements. The underside protection was also limited, giving little protection from the effects of [[land mine]]s for the vehicle’s occupants.{{sfn|Bishop|2006|p=106}}{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}{{sfn|Green|2016|p=13}}

The M3A1 Scout Car was typically armed with a .50 cal [[M2 Browning|M2 Browning heavy machine gun]] and one or two .30 cal [[M1919 Browning machine gun]]s, all mounted on a skate rail upon which the [[Weapon mount#Pintle|pintle mounts]] could be moved about. Due to its open top, the occupants were also able to employ their personal weapons.{{sfn|Bishop|2006|p=106}}{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}{{sfn|Green|2016|p=29}}

==History==
===Development===
{{multiple image
 | align = left
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 180
 | header = 
 | image1 = M1 Scout Car.jpg
 | alt1 = M1 Scout Car
 | caption1 = M1 Scout Car
 | image2 = M2 Scout Car.jpg
 | alt2 = M2 Scout Car
 | caption2 = M2 Scout Car
 | image3 = M3 Scout Car.jpg
 | alt3 = M2A1 / M3 Scout Car
 | caption3 = M2A1 / M3 Scout Car
}}

;M1 Scout Car
The '''M1 Scout Car''' was the first of a new series of armored cars developed by the [[White Motor Company]] for the US Army. Tested in 1934, the M1 Scout Car was an improvised, open topped [[four-wheel drive]] vehicle based on a commercial White ½-ton truck design. It weighed {{cvt|3.85|ST|t}}, was powered by a {{cvt|75|hp|kW}} engine, and had a top speed of {{cvt|50|mph|km/h}}. The M1 Scout Car had a crew of four, a maximum armor thickness of {{cvt|0.5|in|mm}} and was armed with [[machine guns]] mounted on static mounts inside the vehicle. Seventy-six M1 Scout Cars were delivered to the US Army.{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|Green|2017|p=17}}{{sfn|Green|2016|pp=12 & 25}}

;M2 Scout Car
The '''M2 Scout Car''' was a development of the M1, tested in 1935. The almost identical-looking M2 was larger and more powerful, and designed with as many commercial components as possible to keep costs down. It could accommodate a crew of seven. The M2 Scout Car weighed {{cvt|3.95|ST|t}}, was powered by a {{cvt|94|hp|kW}} engine and retained the top speed of {{cvt|50|mph|km/h}}. Twenty M2 Scout Cars were delivered to the US Army.{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|Green|2017|pp=17 & 47}}{{sfn|Green|2016|pp=13 & 25}}

;M2A1 / M3 Scout Car
The '''M2A1 Scout Car''', later redesignated the '''M3 Scout Car''', was a further development of the M1 and M2 Scout Cars. The M2A1 / M3 Scout Car retained the {{cvt|94|hp|kW}} engine and had a top speed of {{cvt|60|mph|km/h}}. Sixty-four M2A1 / M3 Scout Cars were produced, all being assigned to the [[1st Armored Division (United States)|7th Cavalry Brigade]].{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|Green|2017|p=17}}{{sfn|Green|2016|pp=13 & 27}}{{sfn|Berndt|1993|p=162}}

{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 180
 | header = 
 | image1 = HD.30.095 (10480750995).jpg
 | alt1 = M3A1 Scout Car
 | caption1 = M3A1 Scout Car
 | image2 = M3A1 Scout Car interior.jpg
 | alt2 = M3A1 Scout Car
 | caption2 = Interior of an M3A1

}}


;M3A1 Scout Car
The '''M3A1 Scout Car''' was the final development of the series. Primary external differences from the M3 were a widening of the body over the fenders, the removal of the rear door of the M3 and the addition of the front roller. Internally, the M3A1 had an improved engine and was fitted with the machine gun skate rail. A total of 20,918 were produced between 1939–1944. It was the only version to see service outside of the United States, with the exception of Philippine Scouts in the 26th Cavalry Regiment (PS) who were issued the M2 variant before 1937.{{sfn|Bishop|2006|p=106}}{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|Green|2016|p=29}}{{sfn|Green|2017|p=48}}

==Variants==
[[file:M3A1E3 Scout Car.jpg|thumb|180px|M3A1E3 with [[37 mm Gun M3]] ]]
The '''M3A1E1 Scout Car''' was developed to increase the range and fuel economy of the vehicle, it was powered by an {{cvt|81|hp|kW}} [[Buda Engine Co.|Buda-Lanova]] 6DT-317 six-cylinder diesel engine. 3,340 were produced, all were sent to the Soviet Union.{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|US War Department|1942|p=267}}

The '''M3A1E2 Scout Car''' was a version with an armored roof.{{fact|date=October 2024}}

The '''M3A1E3 Scout Car''' was an experimental version fitted with a pedestal mounted [[37 mm Gun M3]].{{fact|date=October 2024}}

The '''M3A1 Command Car''' was a command version, fitted with an armored screen and additional side armor.{{sfn|The Desert Rats Association}}

The [[M2 Half Track Car|M2 Half Track]] was developed from the M3A1 Scout Car by adding half-tracks to the rear of the vehicle. The post-War [[BTR-40]] was a Soviet development of the M3A1 Scout Car concept.{{sfn|Chant|2004|p=135}}

== Service ==
{{multiple image
 | align = left
 | direction = vertical
 | width =180
 | header = 
 | image1 = Scout-car-british.jpg
 | alt1 = Scout-car-british
 | caption1 = British White Scout Car being used as an ambulance
 | image2 = US Army M3A1 Scout Car.jpg
 | alt2 = US Army M3A1 Scout Car
 | caption2 = US Army M3A1 Scout Car
}}

=== United States ===

The M3A1 was used by cavalry units of the [[US Army]] in its intended cavalry role during the [[North African campaign]] and the [[Allied invasion of Sicily|invasion of Sicily]], being employed for reconnaissance, screening and as an armored command vehicle. The M3A1 was fast and reliable, making it popular with its crews. However, it was a major disappointment in its intended role, because of its poor off-road performance and its lack of overhead protection. Cavalry units were forced to supplement it with the [[M2 half-track car|M2 Half-Track Car]] and the larger [[M3 Half-track]]s.{{sfn|Green|2016|p=13}}{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|Green|2017|pp=17–18}}

Throughout 1943, most US Army units replaced the M3A1 with the [[M8 Greyhound]] armored car and the similar [[M8 Greyhound#Variants|M20 Utility Car]], although the M3A1 was retained for rear area security and convoy escort duties. A small number of M3A1s were employed in the [[Operation Overlord|Normandy campaign]]. A few M3A1s were used by the [[US Marine Corps]] in the [[Pacific War|Pacific theater]], but none saw combat.{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}{{sfn|Green|2016|p=18}}

[[file:Pattons-M3A1-scout-car-1.jpg|thumb|180px|General [[George Patton]]'s modified M3A1 Scout Car]]
General [[George Patton]] used an M3A1 as a command vehicle, modified with additional armor and a raised fighting compartment.{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}

A total of 11,401 M3A1 Scout Cars were allocated for supply to US allies under the [[Lend-Lease]] policy; 6,987 were supplied to the [[British Commonwealth]], 3,310 to the [[Soviet Union]] and 104 to the [[Chinese Nationalist Army]]. Some were also supplied to [[Free Belgian forces|Free Belgian]], [[Free French Forces|Free French]], [[Czechoslovak government-in-exile|Czechoslovak]] and [[Polish Armed Forces in the West|Polish]] forces.{{sfn|Green|2016|p=14}}{{sfn|Imperial War Museum}}<ref name="France"/>

{{multiple image
 | align = right
 | direction = vertical
 | width = 180
 | header = 
 | image3 = The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H36733.jpg
 | alt3 = M3A1 Scout Car
 | caption3 = [[King George VI]] reviewing troops from a White Scout Car
}}

=== Britain ===

In British Commonwealth service, the White Scout Car was regarded more as an armored truck, reflected in the designation "Truck, 15cwt, 4x4, Armoured Personnel", and was used in a variety of secondary roles, being issued to engineer, artillery (as an observation vehicle for field artillery observers) medical (as a protected ambulance) and signals units; within the [[Royal Armoured Corps]]’ Tank and [[Armoured Car Regiment]]s it usually served in Squadron or Regimental headquarters. It was used by British Commonwealth forces in every theatre they fought in except Burma.{{sfn|Foss|2007|p=55}}{{sfn|Forty|Livesey|2006|p=340}}{{sfn|Green|2017|p=17}}{{sfn|The Desert Rats Association}}{{sfn|Imperial War Museum}}

=== Soviet Union ===

In Soviet [[Red Army]] service, the M3A1 was used as an [[armored personnel carrier]] by brigade and corps [[reconnaissance]] units and motorcycle battalions and regiments, operating alongside the [[BA-64]] armored car. The M3A1 was also used as an armored command vehicle and a [[gun tractor]] for the [[ZIS-3]] 76-mm field gun, although the [[towing hitch]] proved to be unreliable, the M3A1 remained in widespread service throughout the war.{{sfn|Green|2017|p=17}}{{sfn|PLAM.RU}}

=== China ===

The [[Chinese Nationalist Army]] received M3A1 Scout Cars from 1942 and used them throughout the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] and the [[Chinese Civil War]].{{fact|date=October 2024}}

=== Postwar service ===

After the war, many vehicles were sold, mostly to [[Asia]]n and [[Latin American]] countries while they remained in Soviet service until 1947. A few vehicles were used by [[Israel]] in the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]]. At least one Israeli M3A1 was modified with top armor and a revolving turret. [[France]] employed its M3A1s in the [[First Indochina War]]<ref>{{cite book|title=French Armour in Vietnam 1945–54|series=New Vanguard 267|first=Simon |last=Dunstan|date= 21 February 2019|isbn=9781472831828|publisher=Osprey Publishing|pages=8–9}}</ref>  and the [[Algerian War]].<ref name="France"/> The [[Madagascar Armed Forces]] still had M3s in service {{as of|2024|lc=yes}}.<ref name="IISS2024">{{cite book |last1=International Institute for Strategic Studies |author1-link=International Institute for Strategic Studies |title=The Military Balance 2024 |date=February 13, 2024 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1032780047 |edition=1st |pages=244}}</ref>

==Operators==
[[file:М3А1 Скаут.jpg|thumb|alt=M3A1 Scout Car|Soviet M3A1 of the [[1st Guards Mechanized Corps (Soviet Union)|1st Guards Mechanized Corps]], Vienna]]
;Second World War
* {{flag|Australia}}
* {{flag|Belgium}}
* {{flag|Canada}}
* {{flagicon|Czechoslovakia}} [[Czechoslovak government-in-exile|Free Czechoslovakia]]
* {{flag|Free France}}
* {{flagicon|Netherlands}} [[Dutch East Indies]] – 40 vehicles, out of an order of 400, were delivered before the colony was overrun by Japan.
* {{flagcountry|Republic of China (1912–1949)}}
* {{flag|Nazi Germany}} – captured vehicles.
* {{flag|New Zealand}} – M3A1s used by [[2nd New Zealand Division|2nd NZ Division]] engineering units.{{sfn|Green|2017|p=48}}
* {{flagicon|Poland}} [[Polish Armed Forces in the West]]
* {{flag|USSR}}
* {{flag|United Kingdom}}
* {{flag|United States}}

;Post-War
* {{flag|Brazil}} – 100 M3A1
* {{flag|Cambodia}} – 15 M3A1s used by the [[Khmer National Army|Cambodian Army]] in 1954–1975.
* {{flagcountry|Republic of China (1912–1949)}}
* {{PRC}} – captured from the Chinese Nationalist Army during the Chinese Civil War.
* {{flag|Chile}}
* {{flag|Colombia}}
* {{flag|Costa Rica}}
* {{flag|Czechoslovakia}}
* {{flag|Dominican Republic}}<ref name=trade/>
* {{flag|Dutch East Indies}}
* {{flag|El Salvador}}
* {{flag|France}}<ref name="France">{{cite web|title=1939 M3 A1 SCOUT CAR|url=https://www.chars-francais.net/2015/index.php/liste-chronologique/de-1940-a-1945?task=view&id=101|website=chars-francais.net}}</ref>
* {{flag|Greece}}
* {{flag|Israel}}
* {{flag|Katanga}}
* {{flagicon|Laos|1952}} [[Kingdom of Laos]] – 19 M3A1s used by the [[Royal Lao Army]] during the Laotian Civil War (1954–1975).
* {{flag|Lebanon}} – M3A1s used by the Regional Gendarmerie and the [[Lebanese Air Force]] in 1949–1959.
* {{flag|Liberia}}<ref name=trade>{{cite web|url=http://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php |title=Trade Registers |publisher=Stockholm International Peace Research Institute |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>
* {{flag|Madagascar}}<ref name="IISS2024"/>
* {{flag|Mexico}}
* {{flag|Norway}}
* {{flag|Philippines|1936}}
* {{flag|Poland}}
* {{flag|Portugal}} – M3A1s used by the [[Portuguese Army]] in Africa during the [[Portuguese Colonial War]] (1961–1974).
* {{flag|South Vietnam}}
* {{flag|USSR}}
* {{flag|United Nations}} – captured Katangese vehicles used by ONUC forces.
* {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fav-club.com/legendarios/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418010359/http://www.fav-club.com/legendarios/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 April 2014|title=Legendarios|access-date=2017-02-24|publisher=FAV-Club}}</ref>
* {{flag|Yugoslavia}} – 300 received during the [[Informbiro period]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first1=Iztok |last1=Kočevar|title=Micmac à tire-larigot chez Tito: L'arme blindée yougoslave durant la Guerre froide|trans-title=The Yugoslav armored arm during the Cold War|magazine=Batailles et Blindés|language=fr|date=August 2014|publisher=Caraktère|issn=1765-0828|issue=62|pages=66–79}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of "G" series military vehicles]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|30em}}
* {{cite book|first=Thomas |last=Berndt|title=Standard catalog of U.S. military vehicles, 1940–1965|location= Iola, Kansas|publisher=Krause Publications|year= 1993|isbn=978-0-87341-223-0}}
* {{cite book|first=Chris |last=Bishop|title=The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles|location= Hoo, nr Rochester, Kent|publisher=Grange Books|year= 2006|isbn=978-1-84013-907-5}}
* {{cite book|first=Chris |last=Chant|title=Tanks: Over 250 of the World's Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles|location= Wigston, Leicester|publisher=Summertime Publishing Ltd|year= 2004|isbn=1-85605-871-9}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.desertrats.org.uk/equiparmourarmouredcars.htm |title=Equipment Used By the Armoured Car Regiments |author=The Desert Rats Association |website=The Desert Rats Association |access-date=25 April 2019 }}
* {{cite book|first=Christopher |last=Foss|title=The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles|location= London|publisher=Amber Books Ltd|year= 2007|isbn=978-1905704-44-6}}
* David François, ''El Salvador – Volume 1: Crisis, Coup and Uprising 1970-1983'', Latin America@War Volume 32, Helion & Company Limited, Warwick UK 2023. {{ISBN|978-1-804514-02-3}}
* David François, ''El Salvador – Volume 2: Conflagration 1984–1992'', Latin America@War Volume 34, Helion & Company Limited, Warwick UK 2023. {{ISBN|978-1-804512-18-0}}
* {{cite book|first=Michael |last=Green|title=Allied Armoured Fighting Vehicles of the Second World War|location= Barnsley, South Yorkshire|publisher=Pen & Sword Books|year= 2017|isbn=978-1-47387-237-0}}
* {{cite book|first=Michael |last=Green|title=American Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles|location= Barnsley, South Yorkshire|publisher=Pen & Sword Books|year= 2016|isbn=978-1-47385-436-9}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/70000422 |title=White Scout Car M3A1 |author=Imperial War Museum |author-link=Imperial War Museum |website=Imperial War Museums |access-date=23 April 2019 }}
* {{cite book |first1=George |last1=Forty |first2=Jack |last2=Livesey |title=The World Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armoured Fighting Vehicles|location=London |publisher=Anness Publishing Ltd |year=2006 |isbn=978-0754833512}}
* {{cite web |url=http://www.plam.ru/transportavi/tanki_lend_liza_v_krasnoi_armii_chast_2/p8.php |title=Бронетранспортёр МЗА1 "Скаут кар" (Armored personnel carrier M3A1 "Scout car")|author=PLAM.RU |website=Онлайн библиотека (Online library) PLAM.RU |access-date=26 April 2019 }}
* {{cite book|first=Jeffery |last=Plowman|title=Armor Camouflage & Markings of the 2nd New Zealand Division, Part 2: Italy|location=Havertown, Pennsylvania |publisher=Model Centrum Progres |year=2007 |isbn=9788360672020}}
* {{cite book|author=US War Department |title=Technical Manual TM 9-705 Scout Car M3A1|url=https://archive.org/details/TechnicalManualTm9-7051942ScoutCarM3a1 |location= Washington |publisher=War Department|year= 1942}}
* {{cite book|title=Early US Armor: Armored Cars 1915–40|series=New Vanguard 254|first=Steven J.|last= Zaloga |date=25 Jan 2018|isbn=9781472825148|publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]]}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons|M3 Scout Car}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101222185929/http://www.wwiivehicles.com/usa/armored-cars/m3-a1.asp WWII vehicles]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051119223548/http://www.oldcmp.net/whitesc.html Photo gallery at OldCMP]
* [http://www.primeportal.net/trucks/m3a1_wsc.htm M3A1 Scout Car Photos at Prime Portal]

{{WWIIAmericanAFVs}}
{{WWIIBritishAFVs}}

[[Category:Armored cars of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II armored fighting vehicles of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II scout cars]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Canada]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1930s]]