M422 Mighty Mite
4x4 utility truck / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The AMC M422 'Mighty Mite', or G-843 by its supply catalogue designation ,[1] is an extra lightweight ¼-ton 4x4 tactical truck, designed for the United States Marine Corps, to be suitable for helicopter airlift and manhandling.[2] It is noted for its exceptionally short length, and resulting very tight turning circle,[3] while still highway approved for a top speed of 55 mph (89 km/h) (U.S. military), and capable of 65 mph (105 km/h) according to its manufacturer, American Motors Corporation (AMC).
M422 Mighty Mite | |
---|---|
Type | 1⁄4 ton (227kg) 4x4 utility truck |
Place of origin | United States |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | American Motors Corporation |
Produced | 1959–1962 |
No. built | 1,250 (+ 2,672 M422A1) |
Variants | M422A1 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 1,700 lb (770 kg) empty |
Length | 107 in (2.72 m) |
Width | 61 in (1.55 m) |
Height | 59 in (1.50 m) |
Engine | 107.8 cu in (1.8 L) 55 hp (41 kW) |
Suspension | independent with leaf springs |
Operational range | 225 mi (362.1 km) |
Maximum speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
During World War Two, many prototypes were already developed for a 1⁄4‑ton jeep, that was still significantly lighter and more compact than the U.S. Army's lightest, all-terrain, all-purpose vehicle at the time, the Willys 1⁄4‑ton jeep. They were intended for transport in small (glider) aircraft and such, but none went into full production. However, after the war, a self-taught engineer, pilot, and auto racer, Ben F. Gregory conceived a mini-jeep design and built a successful prototype, later named the 'MM-100'.[4]
During the 1950s, it was further developed by the Mid-America Research Corporation (MARCO), including four of the former American Bantam engineers who designed and built the 1⁄4‑ton jeep's first prototypes; together with AMC. It was intended to be liftable, underslung the strongest helicopters of the era, the Sikorski H-19 being the benchmark,[4] but development and certification of the M422 took through 1959, and when the M422 debuted, it coincided with the adoption of helicopters like the Bell UH-1 “Huey” with much more carrying capacity, and except for parachute airdrops, the vehicle quickly became obsolete.[4] From 1959 to 1962, just under 4,000 of the M422 Mighty Mites were built by American Motors for the U.S. Marines.