M-22 LOCUST

In February 1941, the development of a light tank that supported the Airborne forces began. In fact, the project was requested by the British War Office to replace another airborne tank already in service, the Tetrarch A17. Marmon Herrington was responsible for the new tank, designed as “T9 Light Tank” and at the end of 1941 the first prototype was delivered. At the same time, the selection of an aircraft capable of transporting it was begun, with the C-54 Skymaster being the chosen one. In January 1942 two more T9E1 modified prototypes were ordered and delivered in November 1942, although surprisingly in April 1942 the Ordnance Department had already requested 500 units of the T9 light tank, before testing ended. Finally, the T9E1 was chosen and production began in April 1943, finished the same in February 1944 after having built 830 vehicles. The designation M-22 Locust was applied since September 1944, and although the American combat units did not use it, the British received 260 Locust tanks, some of which entered into action in the last period of the WWII.

M-22 LOCUST tank gallery and more info