M114 armored fighting vehicle – Photos & Video

Photo gallery of a M114, The M114 Command and Reconnaissance Carrier is a Vietnam War-era tracked armored fighting vehicle, used by the United States Army. It was manufactured by the Cadillac Division of General Motors in the early 1960s. The M114 was designed to be fast and stealthy. Like the larger M113, it was amphibious and could be deployed by parachute. However unlike the M113 which became one of the most successful armoured vehicles, it quickly proved unsuited to use in the Vietnam war, and was replaced in the reconnaissance role by the M551 Sheridan light tank. By 1973, it had been branded a failure and retired by the US Army, but some released as surplus continue to be used by police departments.

Source: M114 on Wikipedia

The M114 armored fighting vehicle was a command and reconnaissance carrier that served in the Vietnam War with the United States Army. It was produced by the Cadillac Division of General Motors in the early 1960s, and was intended to be a fast and stealthy vehicle that could scout ahead of the main force and report enemy positions and movements. The M114 was based on the M113 armored personnel carrier, but was smaller, lighter and lower in profile. It had a three-man crew and was armed with a .50-caliber machine gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun. The M114 was also amphibious and air-droppable, making it versatile for different terrains and missions.
However, the M114 soon proved to be unreliable, underpowered and vulnerable in combat. It had poor off-road performance, especially in the jungle environment of Vietnam, and was prone to mechanical breakdowns. It also lacked adequate protection for the crew, who were exposed to enemy fire and land mines. The M114 was unable to cross ditches or streams easily, and had difficulty swimming due to its low freeboard. The M114 was withdrawn from Vietnam by 1964, and replaced by the more capable M551 Sheridan light tank. The M114 was officially retired from the US Army in 1973, after being deemed a failure by General Creighton Abrams.