T16E2 units

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Hello Didier,

I guess you are asking because of the T16E2's for sale in Argentina?

From my webpage http://www.mapleleafup.nl/t16carrier/history.html:

T16E2:
a Mark II version, the T16 E2, was authorized to replace the T16 in production in 1945. It was an elongated vehicle designed for improved stability and better bogie loading without major change in the spare parts required. The front bogie was moved back 6 inches, the rear bogie was moved back 9 inches and reversed, and the drive axle was moved back 8 inches. It also featured disc road wheels with synthetic rubber tyres. The only noted problems in Aberdeen Proving Ground tests related to tracks and bogie wheels (too much maintenance and wear) and the brake linings (sort life span). The T16E2, however, was cancelled before production began.

It wasn't till the T16E2's showed up in Argentina, that anyone realised that this type was actually produced - see quote above: available research sources stated it wasn't. My guess is the Argentinians got batches of vehicles of no use to anyone else, like the T16E2 and the FGT with the late style body. Both were very late if not post-war production, which did not see action during WW2.
But that is no reason not to go and get yourself a nice Carrier, though!

As for more information on the use of the T16, see my webpage and related threads here on MLU.

HTH,
Hanno