M41 Walker Bulldog Light Tank

Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

This light tank with a stabilized 76mm automatic gun was designed to replace the M24 Chaffee after World War II. Improvements included cast and welded turret, new mantlet, redesigned ammunition stowage, new fire control system, stabilization system, and automatic lead computer.

The M41 Walker Bulldog was named for General W. W. Walker who was killed in Korea. Replaced by the M551 Sheridan in U.S. Army service.

The driver sits at the front, left side of the all-welded steel hull. Three periscopes are mounted in front of the driver, and another one to his left. Beneath the driver's seat is a hull escape hatch.

The commander and gunner sit on the right, and the loader on the left. A hatch cover opens forward of the commander's cupola, which has five vision blocks and a 360° traversable periscope. Another periscope that can be traversed 360° is provided for the gunner.

The gunner also has a telescopic sight for aiming the 76mm gun. The loader has a single periscope and a hatch cover that opens forward. A light sheet-metal stowage box is mounted on the turret rear. A dome-shaped ventilator is on the turret roof toward the rear. The driver operates the ventilator blower.

The M41 is divided into three compartments. The driver's compartment is at the front, the fighting compartment is in the center, and the engine compartment is at the rear.

Standard equipment on all M41s includes a heater, deep fording equipment, and electric bilge pumps. The M41 is not equipped with an NBC system.

Recognition features:

• Five evenly spaced road wheels.
• Three track return rollers.
• Drive sprocket in the rear and idler in the front.
• Turret sits well forward on the hull.
• Elongated bustle.

M41

1951. USA. Original production model.

M41A1, M41A2, M41A3

USA. The M41A2 is the same as the M41A1 except for a simplified turret and gun control system. This has manual and hydraulic power traverse for the gunner, dual power traverse by the commander, and manual mechanical elevation for the gunner. The more compact system allows 65 rounds instead of 57 rounds of 76mm ammunition to be carried. The M41A2 and M41A3 also have a fuel injected engine.

Cadillac Gage Turret Modernization system (TMS)

TMS for the M41 can be fitted by the user. Advantages are improved low-speed tracking and target acquisition, high precision gun positioning capability, improved first round hit capability, reduced system weight and volume, simplified system operation and maintenance, simplified overall logistical support, readily available spare parts, increased reliability, and high system growth potential. It also can be fully stabilized for firing on the move.

NIMDA Upgrade Package for M41

An Israeli company retrofits the M41 with an Israeli 60mm weapon system, advanced fire control systems and optics, improved protection, new engine, and suspension.

M41 with Cockerill LCTS 90 Turret

This two-man power-operated turret is designed for a Cockerill 90mm Mk 7 gun, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, optional 7.62mm anti-aircraft machine gun, and two banks of smoke dischargers.

M41 DK-1

Danish variant with diesel engine and LRF-based fire control. Other upgrades are side skirts, thermal sights, NBC protection, smoke grenade launchers and 7.62mm AA MG.

M41 German Tank Improvement (GTI)

This program replaces the original gasoline engine with a diesel. The new engine and increased fuel capacity increase the range from 161 km to 600 km on roads. Quick disconnect couplings allow the rapid removal of the complete powerpack. Other modifications include a new fire suppression system, suspension, tracks, skirts, an electric turret drive system, a laser rangefinder, smoke dischargers, NBC protection system, radios, and intercom. Six electrically-operated smoke dischargers are mounted on either side of the turret. These smoke dischargers can also fire fragmentation grenades.

Brazilian M41

In this version, the original 500 HP gasoline engine has been replaced by a diesel engine. To accommodate the engine, the rear hull has been enlarged and a new cooling system has been installed. The first 20 M41Bs retain the original 76mm M32 gun. The following 120 to 200 M41Bs were fitted with the M32 gun bored out to fire the same 90mm ammunition as the Cockerill 90mm, which is used on other Brazilian armored vehicles. Since 1984, all rebuilt M41s have been equipped with the 90mm gun. They also have a muzzle brake and bore evacuator. They can fire an APFSDS round. This tank also has a thermal sleeve for the 90mm gun, side skirts, and additional spaced armor for the forward part of the hull, glacis plate, and turret. Four smoke dischargers are mounted on each side of the turret. Night vision equipment and a laser rangefinder can also be installed. The upgraded engine and transmission provide a maximum road speed of 70 km/h.

Spanish M41

The Spanish Army has 127 M41 lights tanks in service and approximately 120 in reserve. Of these, 100 may be converted to anti-tank use. These will be equipped with either the Euromissile turret with four high subsonic optically tracked (HOT) anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) in the ready-to-launch position or the improved tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missile (TOW). The remainder will be upgraded with a new powerpack, which gives a maximum road speed of 72 km/h.

Uruguayan M41

M41A3 fitted with Cockerill Mk III gun.

YUNG HU

Taiwanese upgrade with diesel engine.

M42 Duster

USA. Air defense gun system with twin 40mm automatic cannons for use against low-flying aircraft.