New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

M161A "Half Track"

United States

— 1944-1959 —

M161A "Half Track" Marker image. Click for full size.

By Cajun Scrambler, September 11, 2020

1. M161A "Half Track" Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Type: Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
Manufacturer: White Motor Company
Weight: 20,000 lbs (10 ton)
Armament: Four M3 Browning .50 caliber Machine Guns
Rate of Fire: 500 Rounds per minute per Gun
Engine: White 160AX, 6 Cylinder 147hp, Liquid Cooled
Max Speed: 45 mph, Operational Range: 175 miles
Crew: 3
Number Built: 2,877

The M16A1 was a standard M3A1 Half-track chassis converted to a Multiple Gun Motor Carriage by removing rear seats and installing a Maxson M45F mount which featured folding "bat wing” gun shields on both sides of the mount over the machine guns.

The Louisiana National Guard 105th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion used this weapon to destroy 127 enemy aircraft during World War II operations in North Africa, Sicily and Italy.
Object ID# 2011.015.002

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 29° 57.565′ N, 90° 0.364′ W. Marker is in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Orleans Parish. Marker can be reached from

By Cajun Scrambler, September 11, 2020

2. M161A "Half Track" Marker

Chenault Boulevard 0.2 miles west of North Claiborne Avenue (State Highway 39), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4209 Chenault Boulevard, New Orleans LA 70117, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. M20 Scout Car "Greyhound" (a few steps from this marker); M4A3 "Sherman Tank" (a few steps from this marker); Douglas A-26B Invader "Solid" Nose (a few steps from this marker); M19A1 "Duster" (within shouting distance of this marker); M75 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); M42A1 "Duster" (within shouting distance of this marker); M59 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); M47 "Patton" Tank (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.

More about this marker. Located on the grounds of the Louisiana National Guard, Jackson Barracks base. The Ansel M. Stroud Jr. Military History & Weapons Museum is located on site. Museum is opened M-Sat 10-4. Highly recommend checking before a visit to make sure base/museum is opened and accessible to civilians, as it is an active military base.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 4 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.