US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

Our first heavy tank was the M6 series; which was developed in accordance with a requirement from the US Army's Chief of Infantry in 1940 that a 50 or 80 ton heavy tank be built, in light of the German success in France.

Funding was allocated for 1,000~ of them, but by 1942, the Army no longer wanted it, with the Commanding General of the Armored Force saying:

"Due to its tremendous weight and limited tactical use, there is no requirement in the Armored Force for the heavy tank. The increase in the power of the armament of the heavy tank does not compensate for the heavier armor".

And so the program was terminated after 40 units had been produced.

Drawing of the M6 Heavy Tank

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/349...ductionyd0.jpg
Top Down View of the M6.

Statistics for the M6:

6 Man Crew
322" Long with Gun Forward
123" Wide over Track armor
118" High to turret roof
63 tons combat weight
22 MPH Top Speed
3 inch M7 L53 Main Gun (75 rounds)
37mm M6 Coaxial (202 Rounds)
2 x .50 MGs in a mount in hull front (6900 rounds)
1 x .30 BMG (5500 rounds of .30 cal total)
1 x .30 cal AAMG
Stablizer: Elevation Only

HULL
Upper Front: 96mm effective
Lower Front: 102 to 70mm @ 0 to 60 degrees
Upper Sides: 47mm effective
Lower Sides: 70mm effective
Rear: 43mm effective
Top: 25mm effective
Floor: 25mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 102mm effective
Front: 84mm effective
Sides: 83mm effective
Rear: 83mm effective
Top: 25mm effective

-------------------------

Later the Army replaced the 3" gun on a M6 pilot with the 90mm gun later used on the Pershing, due to a feeling that the 3" gun was soon to be inadequate in the anti-tank role. Tests showed it to be a stable platform, but by the time the reports on the tests had been written, the M6 program had been cancelled.

-------------

After D-Day, a need was felt for a limited number of tanks with thick armor to act as breakthrough units. They proposed taking existing T1E1s left over from the M6 program and modifying them, installing additional frontal armor and installing a new turret carrying a high velocity 105mm gun, and designating the modified tanks as M6A2E1s.

It was expected to have the first one delivered by 15 November 1944; but in August of 1944, Eisenhower stated that he didn't want them. Which was probably good, because when tests were carried out on a T1E1 loaded to the expected 77 ton weight, the tank could not climb a 40% slope, effectively limiting it to operating on extremely favorable terrain.

Drawing of M6A2E1

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/4...a2e1altbi7.jpg
Top View of M6A2E1

Statistics for the M6A2E1:

5 Man Crew
440" Long with Gun Forward
123" Wide over Track armor
137" High to turret roof
77 tons combat weight
18 MPH Top Speed
105mm T5E1 Gun (60 rounds)
.30 Caliber Coaxial (4000 rounds)
1 x .50 cal AAMG (600 rounds)

HULL
Front: 191mm effective
Upper Sides: 47mm effective
Lower Sides: 70mm effective
Rear: 44mm effective
Top: 25mm effective
Floor: 25mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 191mm effective
Front: 191mm effective
Sides: 89mm effective
Rear: 208mm effective
Top: 25mm effective

-----------------------

Statistics of 105mm T5E1 Gun:
65 calibers
6 rounds/minute with two loaders

T32 APBC-T Shot:
135mm @ 30 degrees @ 914m
119mm @ 30 degrees @ 1829m

-------------------

On 14 September 1944, OCM 25117 recommended the development and manufacture of four pilots for a new heavy tank. Two of these were designated as the heavy tank T29 and were to be armed with the 105mm gun T5E1.

The remaining two were designated as the heavy tank T30 and were to be armed with the 155mm gun T7.

Procurement of 1200 T29 tanks was recommended by OCM 26825 on 1 March 1945.

Drawing of T29 Heavy Tank

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/9954/t29el6.jpg

T29 Specs:

6 man crew
Combat Weight: 70.75 tons

HULL
Upper Front: 174mm effective
Lower Front: 132mm effective
Front Sides: 76mm effective
Rear Sides: 51mm effective
Upper Rear: 52mm effective
Lower Rear: 40mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Front Floor: 25mm effective
Rear Floor: 13mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 203-279mm effective
Front: 206mm effective
Sides: 127mm effective
Rear: 102mm effective
Top: 38mm effective

105mm Gun T5E2
Loading: Manual (6 rds/min with 2 loaders)
Stablizer: None

Vision:
T143E1 Telescope
M10E5 Periscope

1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Flexible AA on commanders hatch
2 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Coaxial
1 x .30 Caliber M1919A4 Bow Mount

Ammo Load:
63 Rounds 105mm
2420 rounds .50 Caliber
2500 rounds .30 caliber

-----------------

The 8th T29 built was modified to provide for the installation of the range finder T31E1, and became the T29E3.

Drawing of T29E3 Heavy Tank

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5156/t29e3topzt8.jpg
Top of T29E3 Heavy Tank

This tank probably has a significantly better rangefinder rating than anything except probably laser rangefinder equipped tanks in game terms, because of the shear size of the rangefinder; the wider the base of the rangefinder, the better and more accurate it is; the T29E3 had a 274.32 cm rangefinder ; while the Panther F had a 132 cm rangefinder, and the Tiger II a 160 cm one.

T29E3 Specs:

6 man crew
Combat Weight: 72 tons
Speed: 22 MPH

HULL
Upper Front: 174mm effective
Lower Front: 132mm effective
Front Sides: 76mm effective
Rear Sides: 51mm effective
Upper Rear: 52mm effective
Lower Rear: 40mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Front Floor: 25mm effective
Rear Floor: 13mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 203-279mm effective
Front: 206mm effective
Sides: 127mm effective
Rear: 102mm effective
Top: 38mm effective

105mm Gun T5E1
Loading: Manual (6 rds/min with 2 loaders)
Stablizer: None

Vision:
T31E1 Range Finder
T93E2 Telescope
M10E5 Periscope

1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Flexible AA on commanders hatch
2 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Coaxial
1 x .30 Caliber M1919A4 Bow Mount

Ammo Load:
63 Rounds 105mm
2420 rounds .50 Caliber
2500 rounds .30 caliber

------------------------------------------------------------

The T30 hull was essentially the same as that of the T29 except for the changes to the engine compartment necessary to accommodate a different engine. The turret also was similar to that on the T29.

Drawing of T30 Heavy Tank

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3595/t30topuv1.jpg
Top of T30 Tank

T30 Specs
6 man crew
Combat Weight: 71.3 tons
Speed: 22 MPH

HULL
Upper Front: 174mm effective
Lower Front: 132mm effective
Front Sides: 76mm effective
Rear Sides: 51mm effective
Upper Rear: 52mm effective
Lower Rear: 40mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Front Floor: 25mm effective
Rear Floor: 13mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 203-279mm effective
Front: 206mm effective
Sides: 127mm effective
Rear: 102mm effective
Top: 38mm effective

155mm Gun T7
Loading: Manual with hoist and spring rammer (2 rds/min with 2 loaders)
Stablizer: None

Vision:
T143E1 Telescope
M10E9 Periscope

1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Flexible AA on commanders hatch
1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Coaxial
1 x .30 Caliber M1919A4 Bow Mount

Ammo Load:
34 Rounds 155mm
2200 rounds .50 Caliber
2500 rounds .30 caliber

---------------

Statistics of 155mm T7 Gun:
40 calibers
2 rounds/minute with two loaders

It was never provided with an AP shot as far as I can tell; but I would imagine a 95 pound HE shell would mess up any tank's day; and given the calibre of the gun, a HEAT round from it would be truly terrifying.

-----------------------

Early in 1945, Ordnance undertook design studies to modify the 120mm antiaircraft gun for tank use.

On 17 May 1945, OCM 27662 recommended that two of the T30 pilot tanks be armed with the 120mm gun and redesignated as the heavy tank T34. This action was approved on 31 May.

The T34 pilots were similar in appearance to the T29 and T30 tanks except for the longer barrel of the 120mm gun.

Drawing of T34 Heavy Tank

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/5593/t34bw7.jpg
Frontal view of T34

T34 Specs
6 man crew
Combat Weight: 71.8 tons
Speed: 22 MPH

HULL
Upper Front: 174mm effective
Lower Front: 132mm effective
Front Sides: 76mm effective
Rear Sides: 51mm effective
Upper Rear: 52mm effective
Lower Rear: 40mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Front Floor: 25mm effective
Rear Floor: 13mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 203 to 279mm effective
Front: 184mm effective
Sides: 127mm effective
Rear: 203mm effective
Top: 38mm effective

120mm Gun T53
Loading: Manual (5 RPM with 2 loaders)
Stablizer: None

1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Flexible AA on commanders hatch
1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Coaxial
1 x .30 Caliber M1919A4 Bow Mount

Vision:
T143E2 Telescope
M10E10 Periscope

Ammo Load:
34 Rounds 120mm
2090 rounds .50 Caliber
2500 rounds .30 caliber

----------------------

120mm Gun T53 Specs:
60 Calibers
5 RPM, two loaders

AP Shot:
198mm @ 30 degrees @ 914m
173mm @ 30 deg @ 1829m

HVAP Shot:
381mm @ 30 deg @ 914m
318mm @ 30 deg @ 1829 m

------------------------------

The successful employment of the heavily armored assault tank M4A3E2 in Europe during the Fall of 1944 emphasized the need for greater armor protection. On 7 December 1944, the Army Ground Forces recommended that the Ordnance Department develop a modification of the new Pershing tank with heavier armor and the Army Services Forces directed that immediate action be taken to comply with this request. Two approaches were followed to solve the problem. The first produced essentially a standard Pershing with thicker armor and a lower final drive gear ratio to maintain a reasonable level of mobility.

This vehicle was designated as the heavy (later medium) tank T26E5. A longer range solution was to develop a new tank utilizing as many Pershing components as possible.

OCM 26606, dated 8 February 1945, recommended the construction of four pilots of such a vehicle and designated it as the heavy tank T32. Formal approval of this project was recorded in March.

The design of the new tank proceeded on a high priority basis and by 10 April 1945, a mock-up was almost complete and approximately 80 per cent of the drawings for the first two pilots had been released.

Drawing of T32 Heavy Tank

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5311/t32toprk4.jpg
Top of T32.

T32 Specs
5 man crew
Combat Weight: 60 tons
Speed: 22 MPH

HULL
Upper Front: 216mm effective
Lower Front: 184mm effective
Sides: 76mm effective
Rear: 52mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Front Floor: 25mm effective
Rear Floor: 13mm effective

TURRET
Gun Shield: 298mm effective
Front: 309mm effective
Sides: 199 to 154mm effective
Rear: 152mm effective
Top: 25mm effective

90mm Gun T15E2
Loading: Manual (4 RPM)
Stablizer: None

1 x .50 Caliber M2 HB Flexible AA on commanders hatch
1 x .30 Caliber M1919A4 Coaxial
1 x .30 Caliber M1919A4 Bow Mount

Ammo Load:
54 Rounds 90mm
550 rounds .50 Caliber
4000 rounds .30 caliber

Vision:
M77E1 or M71E4 Telescope
M10E4 Periscope

--------------------------

90mm T15E1/2 Gun Data:
70 Calibers

Penetration:

T43 AP Shot (APBC-T; 3,200 ft/sec)
132mm @ 30 degree angle @ 500 yds
127mm @ 30 degree angle @ 1000 yds
124mm @ 30 degree angle @ 1500 yds
122mm @ 30 degree angle @ 2000 yds

T44 HVAP Shot (APCR-T; 3,750 ft/sec)
244mm @ 30 degree angle @ 500 yds
221mm @ 30 degree angle @ 1000 yds
196mm @ 30 degree angle @ 1500 yds
173mm @ 30 degree angle @ 2000 yds

------------------

Drawing of T28 Assault Gun

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/1338/t95om4.jpg
T28/T95 Assault Gun Top View

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/9051/t952gx9.jpg
T28/T95 Assault Gun Top View

Superheavy Tank T28 (105mm GMC T95)
4 man crew
Speed: 4
Combat Weight: 95 tons

HULL
Gun Shield: 292mm effective
Upper Front: 305mm effective
Lower Front: 266mm effective
Upper Sides: 118mm effective
Lower Sides: 152mm effective
Rear: 52mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Floor: 25mm effective

105mm Gun T5E1
1 x .50 Caliber in AA Mount

Loading: Manual (4 RPM)
Stablizer: None

Ammo Load:
62 Rounds 105mm
660 rounds .50 Caliber

------------------------------------

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7...erpershao2.jpg

T26E4 "Super" Pershing
90mm T15E2 (54 rounds)
48 tons combat weight
20 MPH Top Speed

140mm Effective Hull Front
80mm Effective Hull Sides
50mm Effective Hull Rear

120mm Effective Turret Front
80mm Effective Turret Sides
80mm Effective Turret Rear
20mm Top Armor

--------------

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2...ershingwa5.jpg

T26E5 "Jumbo" Pershing
90mm M3 L52 (70 rounds)
51.15 tons combat weight
20 MPH Top Speed

210mm Effective Hull Front
80mm Effective Hull Sides
50mm Effective Hull Rear

280mm Effective Turret Front
90mm Effective Turret Sides
130mm Effective Turret Rear
30mm Top Armor

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

Here are my incomplete renditions; the pictures are all to SPCAMO scale so all you need to do is copy and paste them out onto a 89x89 sized bitmap.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/2...vyiconsdi8.gif

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8...reticonya7.gif

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

Mark,

Some interesting stuff, I didn't know the US had experimented with the German type assult gun concept.

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

Nice pics. Very interesting.

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

From what I understand the T95 was build to counter Japanese bunkers in the event of the invasion of Japan. The first two pilot models were completed in September 1945. After cessation of testing in 1947, work shifted to the T29. Info from Chamberlain's British and American Tanks of World War Two.

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

Can anyone create icons for the M6 and the M6A2E1?

It would be interesting to use the M6 in the game since 40 were built and they were intended to be shipped to Europe.

Cheers, Taskforce

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

I have added both the M6 and T28 in past versions of my custom SPWW2 OOB mods and will again for v5 which is currently in production. I have been advocating for both the M6 and T28 to join the regular lineup since both vehicles were built and delivered during the SPWW2 period and both Germany and the UK already have their prototype Super Heavies (Tortoise and Maus) included.

On the other hand the T29 and T30 were ultimately delivered in 1947 so those should be included in SP:MBT. Neither was a "one off" vehicle and both saw very small production runs for testing which puts them in the same company as several other vehicles already included in the official game releases.

Re the T30 I have a US Army weapons picture book given to me from my father and dating from the early 1950's and inside it has a page for the T30 making it out to be the next big (:p
) thing in US Tank design. All the infobox fields were listed as "secret" except the 155mm gun.

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

Enjoy them in your OOB because they will never be added to the WW2 OOB because of the year they were finally available and they will not be added to the US MBT OOB because it's nearly full and I'm not wasting a spot on trivial experimental armour.

Any yes, there are other vehicles in other OOB's that are in the same category and are in the OOB's. If it wasn't the US OOB and it wasn't already full MAYBE it might have been added by now but it's not ....and that's just the way it goes sometimes.

End of story

Don

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

What about the M6, that was available in 1942? Anyway I would like to think that the experimental heavies are a bit more interesting another cookie cutter infantry squad variant. If you were to put a price on adding them what would it be?

Re: US Heavy Tanks of WWII - Kitty Killers
 

If this were a democracy, I'd definitely vote for replacing a couple of US infantry squads for a couple of US heavy tanks to balance out the Maus and Tortoise. Equally valid and equally interesting.