T33 Flame Tank

[MarkSheppard]

Most excellent.

In May 1945, the CWS began development on the "Flamethrower Tank, T33."

The M4A3E2, refitted with a new turret as well as HVSS, was selected for the conversion.

Twenty units were authorized for procurement. Left open was the possibility of further production, if necessary.

The T33 carried both an E20 Flame gun as a coaxial weapon in the turret and a E12R4 flame gun in the hull.

Ultimately, at the surrender of Japan, the program was cut to 3 pilot models.

The T33s weren't actually delivered until September 1947 (USA 3082940) and January 1948 (3083011,3083021).

In 1953, two of the T33s (3082940, 3083021) were converted to "Self Propelled Flamethrower, T68".

[MarkSheppard]

The gun used on the T33 (in the initial wartime order) was the 75mm M6 gun from the M24 chaffee. Weight-wise, this weighs 400~ lbs vs the 890~ lbs for the 75mm M3 gun on the "traditional" Sherman; meaning more room and stuff for other things in the turret.

By October 1945, when everything was turned over by Standard Oil to CWS for post-war development; the gun was now the 75mm M17; a slightly modified version of the 75mm M6, but with a muzzle brake.

And the actual # of vehicles being envisioned for the "Wartime" program was 600. But that ended when Japan surrendered.