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In 1943 plans were made to invade German-held Norway, and it was appreciated that some form of snowcrossing cargo carrier would be required. After a series of trials a tracked vehicle known as the T15 Weasel was selected for service and this was later developed into the T24, still named Weasel and developed for use not only over snow but over mud, rough terrain and swamps. In time the T24 was standardized as the M29 Cargo Carrier and from this evolved the M29C amphibious light cargo carrier. The name Weasel was once more carried over, even though the official name Ark was promulgated. The M29C was a simple conversion of the land-use M29. Changes were made to the flexible rubber tracks to enable them to provide propulsion in water, flotation chambers were provided at front and rear, and twin rudders were added for steering in water, The land M29 had already demonstrated its abilities to cross just about any type of terrain, including snow and rough stony ground, and the M29C retained all these qualities. In water it was somewhat slow and it could not operate in other than inland waterway conditions, so its use in surf or rough water was very limited. But when used correctly the M29C soon proved to be a valuable vehicle. Its uses were legion, especially during the many island- hopping campaigns in the Pacific theatre. Once ashore they were used to cross terrain that no other vehicle could attempt, and they carried men, supplies and even towed artillery using their rear-mounted towing pintle. Rice fields were no obstacle and the M29C was equally at home crossing sand dunes. The M29C and the land-based M29 Weasels were used as ambulances on many occasions. Another use was for crossing minefields as the Weasel's ground pressure was very low, often too low to set off anti-tank mines, A technique was even evolved whereby the Weasels could be controlled remotely using hand-operated cords, but this technique had its limitations. The Weasels were also very reliable: they rarely broke down and their track life was later found to be far in excess of anticipations. The M29C was also used by signal units, for its ability to cross water and land impassable to other vehicles made it a very valuable wirelaying vehicle. But it was as a supply or personnel carrier that it was most useful. Although unarmoured, M29Cs were often used to carry armed troops across water obstacles and land them in front of an enemy position, other M29Cs then following up with ammunition and supplies, By the time the war ended about 8,000 M29C Weasels had been produced, and orders for a further 10,000 were then cancelled. But the M29C concept had been well established by then and since 1945 many follow-on designs have been produced. M29Cs were used by several of the Allied armies. The British army made use of a number during 1944 and 1945 and for a few years after that. Some European armies used them for years after the war, and numbers can still be found in civilian hands, hard at work over swampy terrain. Specification M29C Crew: 1 + 3 Weights: unloaded 2195 kg (4,840 lb); loaded 2740 kg (6,040 lb); payload 390 kg (860 lb) Powerplant: one Studebaker Model 6- 170 petrol engine developing 55.9 kW (75 bhp) Dimensions: length overall 4.794 m (15 ft 8.75 in); length over hull 4.4 m (14 ft 5.5 in); width 1,7 m (5 ft 7 in); height 1.797 m (5 ft 10,75 in) Performance: maximum road speed 58.58 km/h (36.4 mph); maximum water speed about 6.4 km/h (4 mph) Armament: none
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