M39 general purpose armored vehicle Armored Utility Vehicle M39. The armored personnel carrier was created at the end of World War II on the basis of the M18 self-propelled gun. The layout of the base chassis remained unchanged: the power compartment is located at the rear, the control compartment with a power transmission and drive wheels is in the front, but instead of a fighting compartment with a turret, a spacious troop compartment is equipped with an open top, which can accommodate 10 soldiers with full weapons. The armament of the armored personnel carrier consisted of a 12,7-mm machine gun, which was installed in front of the landing squad. As a power plant on an armored personnel carrier, a radial 9-cylinder Continental engine was used. A hydromechanical power transmission and a torsion bar suspension with double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers were used. Due to the relatively low specific ground pressure (0,8 kg/cm2) M39 armored personnel carriers had almost the same maneuverability as tanks, and could provide motorized infantry with the ability to fight together with tanks on rough terrain. Armored personnel carriers were used in the battles of the final stage of the Second World War and were in service with the armies of the United States and some NATO member countries until the end of the fifties. Performance characteristics Combat weight 16 t Dimensions:   length 5400 mm width 2900 mm height 2000 mm Crew + crew 2 + 10 people weaponry 1 x 12,1-mm machine gun Ammunition 900 cartridges Booking:   forehead 25 mm brow tower 12,1mm engine's type carburetor "Continental", type R975-C4 Maximum power 400 HP full speed 72 km / h Power reserve 250 km