M2A1 Half Track Walkabout - 1941 White - Bertha #halftrack #militaryvehicles #military

the "clicker" was originally a toy called a "cricket"and was adopted for use by the airborne forces to help identify each other at night and in thick vegetation

About the interchangeable headlights; the hooded ones were for blackout driving and the full clear lens was for driving in non combat areas, usually rear holding areas or supply bases. As many have noted the clicker was a signaling device for the airborne units, and sometimes the infantry units on night patrols, it sounded like a cricket at a distance to fool the enemy. The barrel magazine you spoke about are also called a 'drum' magazine. There were some of them used in the war, but generally they used a clip that was easy to switch out, hence the ammo bag for numerous spare clips. The Thompson could be fired in burst of three or four rounds, the timing for these was usually measured by pulling the trigger and holding long enough to say 'son of a bitch'. Bursts helped keep the barrel from over heating. Most of my basic training NCO's were WWII or Korean War vets and yes 'they were tough as nails and run us recruits into the ground every chance they got!!

Sir, that is one of the most beautiful half tracks I have ever seen. Congratulations on an excellent job restoring that vehicle to the point that it looks better than new. Enjoy!

The clicker was used by the paratroopers of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions who jumped into Normandy on the night before D-Day to signal each other and identify friendly troops so they didn't shoot at each other. 1 click to challenge, 2 clicks to reply. Great video and great job restoring the half track. My father was a corporal during W.W. II and was the vehicle commander in an M-16 variant anti-aircraft half track with the quad .50 caliber machine guns in the back. He missed the D-Day landing but saw action with Patton's Third Army.

Thankyou so very much for sharing with us the fascinating history of the half-track

Clicker was to determine friendly or enemy…one click answered with two clicks meant friendly

Wow what a restoration success

Beautiful job on the Restoration. One of My Uncles was a aerial gunnery instructor during WW2 . He was a many bases but said when He was in Arizona He and some other guys used a halftrack to go Deer Hunting.

Seeing your cartridge case reminds me of when I picked one up walking up the path from Omaha beach to the Cemetery on 50th anniversary.

Incredible work, thank you for the walkthrough. Always been a fan of the halftrack.

The clickers where for the paratroopers to regroup after jumps they where originally toys for kids. History Channel WW2 is a great series to watch. Love it wonderful reiteration, can you drive it on the road?

Great job restoring your love of machines. Thanks for sharing.

The best review and guided tour I have ever seen - Thank you for taking the time to post.

Beautiful.

GREAT video. Very well done. Restoration, too.👍 I noticed the many unpainted nuts, bolts, and screws. Were they unpainted from the factory or did you choose not to paint them? Either way, neat and clean, well done restoration.👍👍👏👏

Great video Keith!! Very interesting and wow, what a great job you did restoring that machine.

Absolutely awesome restoration. Thank you for the video. Very motivating, as Im restoring M2A1. Great job Keith 👍👍👍

Awesome rig. We have a 1951 GMC 6x6 2 1/2 ton truck which has been turned into a skipjack logging rig. It has a GMC 302 cid. 6 cylinder with a multifuel Holley carb. with almost the same trans setup your halftrack has tho its an automatic with high/low range that has reverse in each. wench is now on the back to lift logs so they can be dragged outa the woods. You have done an amazing job on this Half track.Thanks for sharing.

Great vid, Keith, thank you.

Well done, many thanks for that brilliant insight to the half track