The drivers' doors in the hull front plate are obvious in this 75mm HMC M8; the drivers had periscopes in the hull roof as well for driving while buttoned up. The 75mm howitzer was covered by a long flash deflector, and the muzzle of the howitzer barrel is hidden in the shadow of the flash hider. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
This later-production vehicle is equipped with sandshields and track grousers on the turret. The mount for the .50cal M2HB MG can be seen towards the rear of the open-topped turret, although the gun itself is absent. The muzzle of the howitzer can be glimpsed inside the flash hider. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
The howitzer tube can more easily be seen in this front view. (Picture from ORD 7, 8-9 SNL G-127 Organizational Spare Parts and Equipment, Higher Echelon Spare Parts, Service Parts Catalog for Carriage, Motor, 75mm Howitzer, M8.)
The length of the turret bustle can be seen in this side view. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M8.)
The attachments and access door of the sandshields are better viewed from the side. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
The rear of the vehicle is shown here. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M8.)
This top view shows the internal arrangements of the open-topped turret. A. Box, ammunition, assembly. B. Chain, assembly. C. Light, assembly. D. Pin, assembly. E. Cover. F. Pin; Pin, cotter. G. Screen, assembly. H. Roof, assembly. J. Hinge. K. Screw; Nut; Retainer. L. Light, assembly. M. Screw; Nut. N. Screw; Nut; Retainer. O. Cover. P. Hinge. R. Door, assembly. S. Roof, assembly. T. Floor, assembly. U. Gun, lubricating. V. Seat, driver's, assembly. W. Belt, safety. X. Box, assembly. Y. Guard, assembly. Z. Door, assembly. AA. Light, assembly. BB. Siren, assembly. CC. Plate, assembly. DD. Light, assembly. EE. Door, assembly. FF. Guard, assembly. GG. Seat, assembly. HH. Box, gear, assembly. JJ. Box, assembly. KK. Box, assembly. LL. Floor, sub, assembly. MM. Box. NN. Screen, assembly. OO. Roof, assembly. (Picture from ORD 7, 8-9 SNL G-127 Organizational Spare Parts and Equipment, Higher Echelon Spare Parts, Service Parts Catalog for Carriage, Motor, 75mm Howitzer, M8.)
The internal layout is diagrammed in this sketch. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
The engine compartment doors are open in this image, showing the twin engines hidden behind their fans. The tracks on this carriage are T36E6. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M8.)
The control handle for the driver's vision door is shown in the closed and opened positions. The left steering lever is in the background. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
The howitzer was similar to the pack howitzers M1 and M1A1, and was composed a tube that screwed into a breech ring, a breechblock, and an electrical and manual firing mechanism. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, M8.)
Details of the breech end of the howitzer and its mount are shown here. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
Besides the traversing lock that was actuated by turning a spring-loaded handle, the howitzer was also secured in elevation by means of a pin inserted into the traveling lock mounted on the breech. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
Further details of the firing controls are illustrated above. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
The elevation and traverse controls are highlighted here. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
Ammunition stowage is diagrammed in this image. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
An exploded view of the vehicle's trailing idler wheel is provided here. (Picture from TM 9-732B 75-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8.)
In this illustration of the action posts, the chief of section is manning the machine gun and monitoring the fall of the rounds. The gunner is just in front of the chief, and the loader is on the opposite side of the ordnance, leaving the driver as the only man in the hull. When mounted and not in action, the gunner would occupy the assistant driver's position, the loader would man the machine gun, and the chief would place himself on the turret's right side. (Picture from FM 17-69 Crew Drill, Service of the Piece, and Gunnery (75-mm Assault Howitzer on Motor Carriage M8).)
