A guy in the UK, email me with a request for a M24A1 Gun Mount blueprints or information on how to make one for his Dodge WC51 and also needs any details of the Gun Mounting pin required for the fixing of a BAR (M1918A2) to a pintle mount.
If you have anything that can help, let me know and I'll send you his email address. TIA, Wayne
I only have partial M24A3 blueprints and installation manual. The M24 A2 and A3 versions were nearly identical. I never saw anything for the M24A1. Sorry.
There is a guy in E-pay selling them located in Europe. Search for M31 data plates - his text references he makes the M24 series data plates also. $24.95. I have no experience or connection to him.
seems a misunderstanding on these mounts. the m24 mount is for 1/2 wc. the m24a1 was designed for the 3/4ton wc's, the m24a2 was an upgrade at midwar for 3/4 ton wc's which added bracing to the ends and gussets along the tube. the a1 and a2 were strictly for 3/4 ton wc's. the m24a3 mount was a totally different breed built only for the m37 the height and width was different. i obtaind this info in the 2nd edition book of military vehicles by doyle dam good book.
"the m24a3 mount was a totally different breed built only for the m37 the height and width was different."
This contradicts my M24A3 tech manual, the Military Vehicles Mag article on the Dodge MG mounts, and my observations looking at the mounts. Most M24A3 mounts, which were intended for the M37, are converted M24A2 WC mounts as a cost saving measure stressed by the Army. The conversion involved moving the gun cradle transom/travel arm (pipe with forks on ends to hold the 30/50 cradle level so the 50 cal would not dip and hit the driver as it is nose heavy) and mount tab 180 degrees and replacing the data plate. That was it.
The M24A3 height different is b/c it uses a 6" high "L" bracket versus the WC's 2" high angle iron to mount it to the bed floor. Also, the M37's wider bed required extension brackets off the ends of the mount to attach it to the bed sides.
Nice shots of the data plate - thanks. If you're using a 6" L mount bracket -what WWII Dodge truck do you have? Anything is posible, but thiis is news to me as the 6" L bracket was only used on post WWII M37s as far as I know. Maybe someone swapped a M24A3 onto your WWII Dodge and put a M24A2 data plate on it? - a photo of the trailing arm braket mount location would clear it up in a second to show it is either a original M24A2 or A3 or a conversion of either (see below).
BTW: Many of the M24A3 mounts used on the M37s were M24A2 mounts off WWII Dodge 51/52/62/63 with the trail arm brackets moved to the backside to face the tailgate . The conversion can be undone just as easily (20 minutes or so) to make an A3 into a M24A2.
Dodge WC51 M24A1 Gun Mount
