Heavy Tank T29: Development of this vehicle started
in March 1944 in an attempt to produce a heavy tank with firepower and armour
protection superior to that of the T26E3 (M26). It was intended to fit the Cross-Drive
transmission and a Ford tank engine uprated to 750HP. Approval for building
pilot models was given in September 1944. Hull was similar to that of the T26E3
but lengthened to take a massive new cast turret to hold the 105mm T5 gun. The
General Staff authorised production of this type in February 1945 for use in
the war against Japan where heavy calibre weapons were considered necessary for
firing against bunkers and caves. Army Ground Forces, however, were opposed to
vehicles as large as this and stated that they had no requirement for them.
With the cessation of hostilities, production was limited to a batch of pilot
models only for testing and development. These were delivered in 1947. Details:
combat weight: 138,000lb; crew: 6; armament: 1 x 105mm gun T5; length: 25ft
(excluding gun); width: 12 ½ ft; height: 10ft 7in; top speed 18 ½ mph; ammunition
stowage: 63 rounds; engine: Ford 750HP.
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.
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 sheer 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
Heavy Tank T30: This was a parallel design to the T29
evolved and produced at the same time and within the same programme. Principal
difference was the installation of a Continental 810HP air-cooled engine in place
of the Ford unit, and the mounting of a 155mm gun T7 in place of the 105mm
weapon. This vehicle included a rammer in the turret for loading the gun which
fired separate ammunition. Both the T29 and T30 were classified “limited
procurement” types in April 1945. T30 details as for T29, except:
armament: 1 x 155mm gun T7; combat weight: 144,500Ib; ammunition stowage: 34
rounds; top speed: 16tmph; engine: Continental 810HP.
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.
Heavy Tank T34: This resulted from the adaptation of
the standard American 120mm AA gun to a form suitable for mounting in a tank.
The design of the T29/T30 series was modified to take the 120mm gun T53 by suitable
changes in the gun mount, but with no fundamental alterations to the basic
design. One T29 and one T30 pilot model were each fitted with the 120mm gun and
re-designated as Heavy Tank T34. Approval for this development was given in
April 1945, but the pilot model T34s were not delivered until 1947. No
production orders followed but the post-war M103 heavy tank design stemmed from
the T34. Details as for T29/T30 except for 120mm gun.
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 commander’s 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
Heavy Tank T32 and T32E1: This was an improved
version of the T26E3 (M26) designed to provide better armour protection without
impairing the performance or reliability of the M26. Hull was the same as that
of the M26, lengthened by one bogie wheel each side and with armour maximum
increased to 125mm at the front and 75mm at the sides. Turret had 200mm frontal
armour. Improved T15E1 90mm gun was fitted and a counterweight was added on the
turret rear. Engine was uprated to 750HP and cross-drive transmission replaced
the Torquematic transmission of the M26. Apart from increased length and
increased weight, other details were as for M26 series vehicles. A batch of
pilot models was ordered from Chrysler (Detroit Arsenal) in February 1945, but
were not completed until early 1946. No production order followed. The T32E1
was similar to the T32 except that it had a welded hull front instead of the
cast front, while the hull machine gun was eliminated.
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
