US Heavy Tanks Icon set 1.0

[DRG]

Yes and according to that thread only the T28 was completed before the end of the period covered by SPWW2. I am NOT adding them to the MBT OOB's so as far viable prototypes for spww2 then the T28 seems to be it

[MarkSheppard]

To put some of the delay imposed by going from a wartime to peacetime schedule into context, the development of the US Navy 3"/50 Mk 27/33/34 mount was slowed significantly.

While the first prototype was rushed into firing ranges by 1 SEP 1945, it took until 1948 for it to end up at sea in quantity.

I have a document somewhere in my huge National Archives trawls saying that they imposed an arbitrary 24 to 36 month delay in the development program around September 1945 to "take the time" to develop a debugged product ready for fleet use.

[oragus]

Just a thought.

Depending on the "what if" scenario: If the "what if" is the war did not end in 1945 or Patton got his wish, the US attacked the Soviets to push them out of Europe, these heavies would have gone production as soon as possible.

[oragus]

Well, should I make a T28 also?

[MarkSheppard]

Yes, please!

Zinryus did an icon of it long ago, I hacked together a winter and desert version of his icon (see attached), but it would be super nice to see your rendition.

[MarkSheppard]

Originally Posted by oragus

Just a thought.

Depending on the "what if" scenario: If the "what if" is the war did not end in 1945 or Patton got his wish, the US attacked the Soviets to push them out of Europe, these heavies would have gone production as soon as possible.

Okay. Let's put our thinking caps on.

per Hunnicutt:

14 SEP 1944: OCM 25117 recommends development of a new heavy tank series (T29) with four pilots.

The reason that the T29 series "frankensteined" into so many variants is because AGF saw a chance to test all sorts of new technologies, such as fire control, transmissions and new engines to succeed the wartime Ford GAA/GAN/GAC.

In a wartime situation, all of the T29+ onwards tanks would have the same engine situation, a Ford GAC V12; and the only difference between all of them would be the main gun (105mm Hi Velocity, 120mm Hi Velocity, or 155mm Moderate Velocity) and ammunition stowage plus modifications to the gun sighting system (different reticles for different ammunition ballistics).

I once did a study of equipment lead times at my website: LINK

Basic lead times for US tanks from rough start of design to production models rolling off the lines is:

M3 Medium: 397 days
M4 (75mm) Medium: 441 days
T14 Assault: 472 days
M3 Stuart Light: 285 days
M5 Stuart Light: 313 days
M24 Chaffee Light: 397 days
M6 Heavy: 939 days
T23 Medium: 579 days
T26 Pershing: 550 days

Giving an average of 486~ days or a median of 441 days. Putting those together and averaging them gives us 463~ days.

Given a 14 SEP 1944 "Go" order for the T29 series, you'd see the first production quality T29s rolling off the production lines around 21 December 1945.

Time to combat was roughly the following in the US Army:

M24 Chaffee: First Production April 1944, issued in France in November 1944: 214~ days.

M26 (T26E3) Pershing: First Production November 1944, issued to ETO in January 1945: 61~ days.

For an average/median time to combat of 137~ days.

A "rush job" deployment as with the Pershing means they arrive in the ETO around 20 February 1946; while a more leisurely Chafee style deployment means ETO arrival 23 July 1946.

[oragus]

Alright, I opened this can of worms I will put the lid on it by creating a T28. The M103 is on my list also. That would complete the US heavies.

Yep, much sooner and ready for action!

[oragus]

Here is my version of the T28 Super Heavy Tank. I only did it in green to start. If you want me to be complete the set after your review let me know. Then I will add it to the US Heavy Icon set. Don't want to step on any toes of the makers of the other version of the T28.

[RecruitMonty]

A "rush job" deployment as with the Pershing means they arrive in the ETO around 20 February 1946; while a more leisurely Chafee style deployment means ETO arrival 23 July 1946.

Are we talking about the T29 or the T29E3?

Anyone know when the E3 variant was developed exactly?

[DRG]

This whole thread is getting confused and now I am dealing with various "what-if" interpretations and I already have more than enough game work scheduled to keep Andy and I busy without this.

I said according to the original thread that only the T28 was completed before the end of the period covered by SPWW2........and it seems in typical US "M1" fashion there **may** ( but I have been unable to confirm....) be TWO T28's........this latest Icon and This...

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which appears to only exist in WOT.....but IDK all I do know is I seem to be spending a lot of time chasing information on ghosts. The info I have found so far indicates that the T28 Heavy was completed in December 1945 which means if it had shipped right away might have been rolling down a road in Europe in maybe April 1946....assuming it didn't have to cross a bridge in which case it better have snorkel gear or it didn't fall off it's transporter



There are very good reasons why Eisenhower rejected the damn things.