Halftracks transport just about everything on the sharp end of an armored division. For our purposes, the halftrack's main job is moving the armored infantry. The principal types are the M3 & M3A1. The M2 and M2A1, which had less passenger space were still in use but more often for support personnel and to carry machine gun and mortar teams which were smaller than the infantry squads. Fortunately for the collector re-enactor, large numbers of halftracks survive. Restored pieces can be bought for around $15,000 and an incomplete but running project vehicle can often be found for as little as $2,500. After WWII surplus halftracks were sold and used commercially which explains their relative abundance.

Commercial vehicles are usually missing their rear armor, decking, and many of the combat related parts. The restorer will have to find or make the missing parts (i.e. pulpits, machine gun rings, windshield armor, crew seats, rifle racks, etc.). Although a big project, making the rear crew compartment is not a particularly difficult fabrication job as most of the major parts are rectangles. Access to a sheet metal brake and shear would be very helpful. Mild steel, ¼" thick, can be substituted for armor plate; a far more economical alternative to hunting down expensive and hard to find original armor. All the reproduction rear armor can be purchased, cut and drilled by a local shop for as little as $1,200. The rear door locking hardware is the most challenging part of the restoration from a fabrication standpoint. Some new reproduction and replacement parts are available, (i.e. pulpits, windshield armor, wiring harnesses, etc.) so you need not make every hard to find item from scratch.

Parts availability is good with numerous specialized dealers. Finding usable rubber tracks was the greatest obstacle to any halftrack restoration up until the importation of 1980s production unissued surplus Israeli and French tracks for $4000.00 a set. Previously, good track went as high as $3000 a side! If you want a halftrack, buy track now while it is a available and cheap. It is unlikely that you will drive it enough in your lifetime to wear out a new set.

With the exception of its rear tracks, maintenance of the halftrack is like most 4 x 4 vehicles. Accessibility to the drive train is easy and the White engine, simple and rugged, was used commercially for years after the war. Many parts for it are still available though your local auto parts stores. Israeli vehicles are usually fitted with the even more common and easily maintained 6V53 or 653 Detroit diesel engines. Because of the size of the fasteners on the chassis you will find heavy duty, 1" drive, tools useful.

Halftracks are trucked to all but local events. This saves wear on the drive train and especially the rubber track; and gets you to the event a lot faster. Transport requires a trailer and truck capable of handling 18,000 pounds. A nine or ten ton tag-along trailer (twin axle with dual wheels or tri-axle with single wheels) and a truck with a 30,000 to 40,000 pound rated rear (GMC C-80, Ford F-80, F-350 - 650, International Loadstar or any military five ton truck like the M54, M51, M52, M813, etc.) to pull it. The military trucks can be found at bargain prices at DRMO sales but they are notoriously slow. On the upside they do have all wheel drive which can be useful if your track gets stuck somewhere and needs to be pulled out.

Construction companies generally have the necessary equipment to haul your halftrack and because they are local can often give you a good price. A commercial trucker will usually charge in the neighborhood of $2.25 a mile. The greater the distance the cheaper the rate. Truckers looking for a return load (back-hauls) offer the cheapest rates but their timing is unpredictable. 4^th Armored Reenactment Association has some connections in the trucking industry that can offer advantageous rates to unit members who are trying to get their vehicles to events.

Operation of halftracks at reenactments events requires only a driver. The drivers is responsible for getting his squad into and out of action, maintaining his vehicle in the field, and protecting it from the enemy. When the driver is transporting troops he is guided by the infantry squad leader riding in the passenger seat. After the infantry dismount for action the driver remains with his vehicle. He will have to conceal or camouflage it and prevent its capture or destruction at the hands of enemy troops. Usually, halftracks are somewhat safely removed from the action. They should try to dismount their troops in locations protected from enemy fire or observation, and that usually means several hundred yards behind the action. Getting too close to the fighting gives the enemy the opportunity to destroy the halftrack and all the troops in it at once, very efficient for the enemy but terribly wasteful for us.

On occasion, as when the armored column is bypassing opposition to reach a target behind enemy lines, infantry fight from their moving halftracks. The halftrack itself is equipped with an anti-aircraft machine gun on a ring or center pole mount which may be either a .50 or .30 caliber Browning (M2, M1919A4, or M1917). Vehicle mounted anti-aircraft guns can be propane powered or blank firing.

At 18,000 pounds the halftrack is a gas-hog and extra five gallon gas cans are a good idea (mileage will be in the low single digits per gallon). The amount of driving done at an event depends on the size of the site. We will not ask halftracks to come out if the site is not big enough to let them get at least 15 miles of good tactical driving in before the day is out. The physical demands placed on halftrack drivers are not nearly as rigorous as those required of infantry and tankers. At times, in a secured area, it can be pretty relaxed and comfortable for a driver who is waiting for his squad. You always have a place to sit and it is far easier to stay dry and warm. Halftrack driver is a great job if you can get it!