Inside The Chieftain's Hatch: M8 Armored Car 

My father served in Europe in WWII in one of these, replacing a radioman who was killed. They started out with Morse code, but that was too slow, so they upgraded to voice radios before they got to Germany. He was in a reconnaissance battalion that had M8s, half-tracks, and jeeps. Some of the battalion records are on the Internet with a few photographs. He is still with us, 98 years old.

"No track tensioning, which fills me with sadness."

"Just drive along till they start shooting at you." Patton explaining the art of reconnaissance. This is just the vehicle they were looking for.

When you a little infantry man with just a riffle, all Germen tanks coming down the road looked like a tiger.

First point... There's a good article on the M8 vs mystery tank on the tanks encyclopedia. One of the Tiger IIs lost the day this is supposed to have happened is listed as mechanical damage in german records. If you're a crew in a Tank, with a V12 engine behind you growling away, would you even necessarily notice you'd been hit in the rear hull if the weapon doing it was firing a projectile that weighed less than 1 pound ? The Chieftain mentioned in one of his Q&A videos (the question regarded rear view cameras) that in Iraq he heard a "bang" of an explosion behind his tank that his crew didn't notice, stuck his head out the hatch to look back and saw that the infantry were all shooting at something and one of the humvees was on fire and thus it warranted further investigation. I think his orders went "driver halt, gunner traverse right 90". Second point... There's many articles and videos explaining that in post war testing of late war production Panthers by the USA & Britain and 1944 testing by the Soviets of captured Tiger IIs ( in comparison to captured Tiger Is and early production Panthers) that both showed the quality of steel used in the armor plates was rather poor (due to lack of critical elements used in the steel alloy composition not being available in 1944/45) and non-penetrating hits often resulted in bad spalling and cracking of the plates. A scab of tank armor blowing into a V12 engine could likely mechanical kill a tiger II without necessarily sounding like it was a shell impact. Not to mention the plates themselves weren't all uniformly 80mm thick (the +/- tolerance allowed by the german defence ministry was such that plates could be up to 5 mm out of spec in either direction so 75 to 85mm). Also remember those penetration charts everyone loves to point at used a standard of testing where 50% of the shots would penetrate X amount of armor... but they don't account for the lucky shots that over-penetrate the 50% values nor do they account for the fact that depending on WHEN the test was done, the quality of target plate material might have varied a lot. Third point... There IS a Tiger II tank on display (Tiger 213) outside a museum in La Gleize, Ardennes, Belgium only a hundred yards or so away from where it was captured after being knocked out in the war. While its been cosmetically restored and the engine and transmission are still inside its said that most of the torsion bars are broken in the suspension, and the interior is described as 'rough'. When it was captured the treads were a wreck and the gun tube had been sheared off. I'll provide links to a video of the Tiger II and the article on the different versions of M8 vs Tiger story and the one of Tiger II which also shows a B&W photo of 213 when it was captured. tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-greyhound-vs-tiger-st-vith/

"Reality has a way of not caring what the paper specifications say." Amen, amen, and amen.

I had use access to one of these through an employer during the early 1980s...it had a big block V8 Chevy engine. The biggest problem we had was even with a giant radiator, a reverse draw flex fan and a couple of electric fans the vehicle over heated regularly as there was not much air flow. I regularly drove this thing on the Nimitz Free through Oakland, CA...had some fun with the Highway Patrol regularly...they also went through brakes fast as it weight about 9 tons and did not stop easy...great memories and fun

I drove a M8 for a few years here in the UK and found it a lovely thing to drive . Road work was fun and even overtook a convoy of Saxon,s on Salisbury plain once ( they looked a bit shocked as we flew by ) Cross country was as good as could be expected and we made it around Bovington cross country course easy.. Reference to the front prop shaft question. We used to take the front prop shaft off to save a bit on fuel and road noise so I’m guessing the owner might have done something similar. Only major problem was the time the brake system failed and I ended up driving from Poole to Torbay in the pissing rain at night on engine braking and hand brake .. not fun ☹️

A better way to operate the mg is to have someone else get out while you stay nice a safe in your armoured car.

I'm confused about how to tension these tracks. This doesn't make any sense to me. But in all seriousness, I'm glad to see some more armoured car love. German Rads next maybe

My father used one of these in WW2, he was part of a reconnaissance troop for the 8th armored division, during the Ardennes offensive.

I remember when those side skirts over the wheels were an "optional" armor upgrade for the M8 Greyhound in Company of Heroes. As if they made a significant difference.

A little disappointed that there was no "Oh Bollocks the tanks on fire" would have been fun to see how long it took you to get out. Just kidding, another great video

Oh bugger, the track tension is on fire. Another great vid and I look forward to more.

Assistant driver doesn't have much to do? Hey look at that .50 cal missing an exposed gunner!

My Dad trained on the M8 in the Mojave Desert in 1943. Later he was a motorcycle messenger in the 629th a tank Destroyer Battalion.

The story of the Virgin Tiger II and the Chad M8 Greyhound.

Great video! W.r.t. 8:30, you want to use rainwater as it generally has lower amount of calcium in it than tap water therefore you dont get too much calcification going on in your radiator (which would be bad). In addition to be cleaner than water from springs (which could contain calcium and other stuff you dont want in your radiator). That`s also the main reason why you want to use rainwater for cleaning your car instead of tap water to prevent white stripes on your car

I miss his "Oh bugger the tank is on fire." test

My Dad was a radio operator in an M8. 9th Armored Division, 89th Recon. that went a cross the Remagen Bridge. Like the men from that era he didn't talk about his war time life. He did come home with a 9mm Luger with holster and extra magazine and large swastika banner.

My grandpa was a crew member on the M-8 towards the end of the war. Thanks for this video!!

What I believe about the Tiger vs Greyhound story is that the tank was a regular Tiger I that was moving to catch up with its unit (which had moved through the area a day or so before) after whatever cause for the Tiger's pause (I think the tank crew had been waiting for a replacement part for the tiger's engine). Greyhound is sitting in a bushy area, spots the lone tiger. Waits for tiger to pass, then starts its engine and rolls up on the tiger's rear. Pops a 37mm cap in the tiger's back, tiger is like "wtf was that?", greyhound keeps smacking 37s into the rear armor until it gets a lucky shot in, and the tiger is disabled. La-dee-da, legendary story.

I freaking love the M8... it's such a sleek looking armored car.

The only Chieftain vid i'd click on faster is for the T95/T28

Please pass on our thanks to Rock Island Auctions for giving you access to some of the interesting stuff that passes through (noises off & all...). You definitely need to get together with Ian McCollum some time.

With a 2 stroke diesel, there’s no vacuum available for the hydrovac, so in order to work properly, there would need to be a belt driven vacuum pump somewhere on the conversion motor. Only a gas powered motor can create enough vacuum for a fluid brake system.

I just put together a Tamiya-brand 1/72 model kit of one of these babies... I just knew you would have a video covering it, and here it is! Thanks for the info - I love your channel!

Oh, I wish I could afford an.M8. Thank you for the look around the machine.

My father crewed an M8 in France and Germany. He was in Troop A, reconnaissance platoon, 107th Cavalry. While he talked a bit about the M8, he never ever called it a “Greyhound”. I ever learned that name until much later, reading about them. I first read the story about the M8/Tiger kill 20yrs ago, but the story I read differed...in the story I read, a Tiger 1 was traveling on a sunken road, when an M8 on the berm above the Tiger shot down at the engine deck. My Dad had never heard the story until I told him. I can believe it...guys like my Dad were prewar Horse cavalrymen. They really carried the traditional cav esprit de Corp. Dad fought in the battle of Falaise Gap, in the hedgerow country. He had good things to say about the 37mm canister round for taking out German positions hidden in the hedgerows. Chieftain, I think he would disagree with your statement that the M8 “isn’t a combat vehicle...”

I've always liked the M8/M20 Grayhounds, they look like someone would have fun "6" wheeling out in the back 9 mudding, and if anyone gave you some attitude you could literally blow them away! Cant wait for your next tour!

A Detroit? I bet that thing sounds terrific going down the road at full clip! Although, everyone within a 5 mile radius will know you're coming...perhaps not the best for a recon vehicle.

FROM My patient from the VA in 1983 stated the M8 came up point blank (3 -8 feet) to the rear and Pounded round after round in succession at one of the Tail pipes where it came out of the rear Plate.the ground was Muddy and the King Tiger was made even slower and could not turn fast at all.It The M8 so close it was under the Limit of the King TIGER gun Depression, barrel was hitting the M8 turret.

As much as I love tanks, I have come to love armored cars and fighting vehicles even more. This is one of my favorites as is the Ferret Fighting Vehicle.

*saw RIA* "Where's Ian!!!"

0:56 *Locust vid flashbacks*

I love it, no music. I can now hear you speak wit 100% clarity. I truly enjoy learning about obscure armored vehicles. Thank you

6:42 You could probably tension the fan belt if you really need to....

I really like this new format of "inside the hatch". Great video with a lot of interesting info and historical notes!

No annoying music in the background... amazing

Thanks for sharing. I have known about the greyhound for quite a while. rarely is it seen in any documentary footage. Glad to see someone do a video on it. Again thanks.

Thanks for the great video on this useful Recon M8 (and utility M20) vehicle. Your egress from the driver compartment reminded me of the old days and the CFV turrets. Kinda like on-post housing where they calculated the bare minimum, then gave you 80% of that.

Best blooper reel yet. Loved hearing about this piece of history. Also TOG II* still needs a video.

27’ turning circle, that’s pretty impressive for a 6 wheeler!

Having first gear back right makes a lot of sense. My dad has a dumper with the same gear layout. They took a regular 4 speed and mounted it the wrong way around because the vehicle is rear engined

"Speed of lay is dependent on stamina and technique." It sure is. Heh Heh Heh...it suuuuure is.

My dad used to be in these in the Philippines and in Japan during the occupation.

Watched 10 episodes of "The Tick" Season 2. enjoyed it. Laughed harder at "no track tension, which fills me with sadness" well delivered.

The M8 Greyhound looks impressive and a lot of people liked it. It really wasn't meant to be an armored fighting vehicle after all was said and done. Its best use came as an armed reconnaissance vehicle. It wasn't even suitable for screening duty, as the M3 and M5 light tanks had been relegated. The all-around armor was thin, suitable enough against .30 caliber rifle and machine gun rounds and shrapnel. But the lack of a turret armored roof was a significant liability as it was for the American tank destroyers. Overhead shrapnel bursts could be quite deadly. At least there was a foul-weather overhead canvas tarp for the turret which must have been frequently applied in the rainy and snowy weather of Western Europe. The best advantage would be the sense of safety buttoned-up in the M8 when crossing into enemy territory with the possibility of ambushes and sniper fire. You would not have this sense of safety in a scout jeep or truck. Still the M8 would be vulnerable to every other kind of weapon above .30 caliber, especially from close-range Panzerschreck bazookas and Panzerfaust bomb dispensers. Probably the safest thing to do would be to keep on the move, making it harder to target the M8. So far there appears to be no biographical or autobiographical account of G.I.s who manned the M8 during WW2, which is a shame because WW2 veterans are becoming scarcer by the day. Most of the M8 crewmen from WW2 have taken their war experiences with them to the grave and we shall never know. If there are any remaining, living M8 crewmen, their stories need to be recorded now or be lost forever.

I don't believe this video could have been filmed recently... I'm 99.9999% sure The_Chieftain is still stuck in the M22...

I have the same M-8.I bought it from Ray Bentley In 1990.Ex Guatemalan army!

There was a WW II Vet in my dads church that was in a recon unit in the European theater. He said he hated the M8, they got stuck when off the hardball a lot. RIP Redd.

I think the outtakes are my favourite part of these videos, we need more.

In alternate universe... "And this right here is the M8's track tensioning system"

"Oh my god the tank is on fire" The driver accepts his fate.

Your dismay over the lack of a track tensioning system gave me a hearty chortle.

Glad to see this video. For some reason I've always liked the Greyhound.

"What does the co-driver do?" "I bring snacks"

I love the delivery of that line about the track tension.

Loved these ever since I built the old Monogram kit as a kid.

Very interesting. I really enjoy these vids, and the other commentators regarding various military vehicles. Thanks!

I would *love* to see you do a video on the V100 Commando - a favorite of the US Army MPs, and revived in the ASV.

2 stroke diesel engine. Neat. MiG-21 in the background, too.

6:45 poor chieftain, no track tension today boys, the track tensioning lesson is the best part of the video :(

I've waited for this for so goddamn long.

Really interesting. I always wince when seeing how thin the armour is. The BT-7 left the same 'chill up and down the spine' feeling. No real protection, and hard to get out. Brr!

Oh my God, the M8 is on fire...

Thank you for this video and the insight concerning this vehicle.

Concerning the story about the greyhound vs tiger. Even if it was a stug or pz4 it is still badass. Thank you for your channel, I appreciate it.

YEEES! The SWAT armored car from Die Ha-*KABOOM*

26:40" you know I had to do it to 'em" AGAIN

Love the out takes, great!!

The brother of my Grandfather (driver/crewman, leclerc 2nd armored division) told us a small story of a going back to and outpost because they were lost and he raced a 6 wheeled American "tank" and he was in a French 10 wheeled truck Both took different paths and he won, maybe because his path was short or because the Americans didn't want to scratch the paint of his "tank" and they went slow. I like to think he raced a Greyhound.

Pulling the front driveshaft would also make it easier to steer around tight corners.

In lieu of a track tension system...maybe adjust the tire pressure?

Can't get enough of these

You bring happiness with how you talk

Hard to believe this vehicle can kill KingTiger

I thought you would have told the story of the M8 against the Tiger. “ The only excitement there had been when an M8 armoured car from Troop B destroyed a Tiger tank.” (I think this must be one of the great understatements of the battle) “The armour car had been in a concealed position near the boundary of Troop B 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and Company A, 38th Armoured Infantry Battalion, when the Tiger approached the lines at right angles to move along a trail in front of the main line of resistance. As the tank passed the armoured car, the later slipped out of position and started up the trail behind the Tiger, accelerating in an attempt to close. At the same moment the German tank commander saw the M8,and stated traversing his gun to beat on it. It was a race between the American’s, who were attempting to close so that their 37-mm gun would be effective on the Tiger's thin rear armour , and the Germans, who were desperately striving to bring their 88 to bear. Rapidly the M8 closed to 25 yards, and quickly pumped in t h e e rounds; the lumbering Tiger stopped and shuddered; there was a muffled explosion, followed by flames which billowed out of the turret and engine ports, after which the armoured car returned to its position.” Taken from THE BATTLE AT ST. VITH, BELGIUM 17-23 December 1944, 12 July 1948. cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/utils/getdownloaditem/collection/p4013coll8/id/362/filename/351.pdf/mapsto/pdf

Watching you drive off at the end is most satisfying.

I had a G.I. Joe version of this thing as a kid and it was dope as hell.

It noteworthy to me that this vehicle, planned as a tank destroyer, has a coaxial 30 caliber, but the later M10, M18 and M36 didn't, which was one of the design choices that really annoyed me on those vehicles.

"Johnson, I need you to get out and expose yourself."

I need a full video series of the Chieftain trying to start talking and being very patient as someone with air tools in the background prevents him from doing so.

Nice touch putting a light under the front fender!

It could have done with a hull MG, I think the Staghound had a hull MG. More armoured cars please.

The M8 Greyhound, my favorite off-road recreational vehicle ever. No tracks to tension don't be sad, one can always amuse ones self by checking the lug-nuts and tire pressure. ^_^ Seeing your antics at attempting to get out probably made you thankful not having to demonstraight the, Oh bugger the armored-car is on fire! moments. Too bad these were never up gunned to a 57mm/6 pounder during WWII. It would have made it a proper mobile anti-tank gun/scout car. It wouldn't have been that hard to put a modified turret on the standard M8 race-ring. The Detroit diesel sounds very healthy, nice upgrade. *(edit)* corrected grammatical errors. What can I say I make boo boo's faster than I can fix'em.

I've always liked the look of armored cars and scout cars like the French Panhard, German 232 and American Greyhound

You're videos are great. Thanks alot!

“Although there is not track tentioning system... which fills me with sadness.” - Chieftain 2019 xD I’m dying!

Oh my god, the Greyhound is on fi- Yeah no.

really enjoy these quick looks at so interesting old vehicles and the fact that there's no track tensioning needed doesn't bother me at all.

My favorite WW2 vehicle....thank you!!!!!

I remember playing on/in one of these at the 3rd ACR museum on Ft. Bliss when I was a kid. I wonder how these were used operationally given their configuration. Did the TC sit down in the "co-driver's" seat to use the radio? Or was it used by a dismount scout? Any books or accounts with details on how the recon troops used these?

Thank you for dropping the infuriating music!

"rate of lay is dependent on stamina and technique" And level of panic, don't forget that one

You could tell right at the start of the video, looking at the (raised) engine deck this example has the 4-53N conversion.

Was there any specific reason the 37mm was kept for the armoured car role? You'd think that something like an integrated .50 cal or 20mm would have yielded far more utility.

Was that Forgotten Weapons putting you off in the background?

Love that engine's roar when he drives it.

Love this channel!