h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I noticed just recently a discussion regarding a vehicle called a Weasel. Many suggestions were put forward, but in the back of my mind I had ahazy recollection of a vehicle called a weasel from my days in Austria 1946,I have discovered the definitive answer in a book I have titled "Military Transport of WW2, and lo and behold we have a description of a vehicle called a Weasel thus:
M29 Cargo Carrier Weasel
1942-45 USA/UK. and M29C Cargo Carrier,Amphibious, Weasel 1943-45
USA/UK.
The Weasel was a light tracked vehicle originally designed with winter warfare and transportation in mind. It had wide rubber tracks and was lightly constructed, weighing only 2 tons. It was designed and built by the Studebaker Corp, and had a Studebaker six cylinder engine, It proved a most excellent design and saw wide post war service, particularly with the Canadian and Norwegian armies who operated extensively under winter conditions. Some were in service until 1970. The article goes on to describe the M29C which was amphibious and propelled in the water by its tracks, this was supplied to the British Army and was engaged in several amphibious operations, including the Walcheren landings.
So, there you have it, my memory is not so bad after all this time is it.
Troopergeoff.
PS. I hope all those who were engaged in the Weasel discussion are able to read this.

Thanks for that information. I didn't know that there was a discussion about this. Was I involved?

The M29 is well known, it was originally designed to move in snow in Alaska and for this it was fitted with 18inch tracks for good floatation over soft snow. My information is that both the M28 and the improved M29 'Weasel' were introduced in 1943, not 1942.

Click here http://tanxheaven.com/ljs/m29weaselljs/m29weaselljs.htm for some excellent photos

Regards,

Peter