Heavy Tank M6 (original) (raw)

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M6
M6A1
T1E1 (M6A2)

Heavy Tank M61-7,10-11

M6: General
Date of first acceptance December 1942 Total acceptances 8
Manufacturer Baldwin Locomotive Works Crew 6 men: Commander in turret left rearGunner in turret right frontLoader in turret right rearAmmunition passer in hullDriver in hull left frontAssistant driver in hull right front
M6: Dimensions
Combat weight ~126,500lbs~57,380kg Height over turret roof 118.0"299.7cm
Length without gun, with stowage boxes 297.0"754.4cm Gun overhang forward 35.0"88.9cm
Width over track armor 123.0"312.4cm Tread 93.9"239cm
Ground clearance 20.5"52.1cm Fire height ~97"~250cm
Turret ring diameter 69"175cm Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.1psi.922kg/cm²
M6: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
3" Gun M7 T49 in turret 75 rounds 360°(manual and electric) 18°/sec +30° to -10°(manual)
37mm Gun M6 Coaxial to 3" gun 202 rounds 360°(manual and electric) 18°/sec +30° to -10°(manual)
.30cal M1919A4 MG Flexible in turret AA mount 5,500 rounds 360°(manual) -- Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG T53 in bow None -- --
Two .50cal M2HB MGs T52 in hull front 6,900 rounds 30°(15° left and right;manual) +60° to -10° Manual
Aiming equipment
Periscope M8 or M8A1 with telescope M39 or M39A2; telescope M15 for gunner
Stabilizer
Elevation only
M6: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 3.25"8.26cm 30°
Lower front 4.0" to 2.75"10cm to 6.99cm 0° to 60°
Upper sides 1.75"4.45cm 20°
Lower sides, including track armor 2.75"6.99cm 0°
Rear 1.63"4.14cm 17°
Top 1.0"2.5cm 90°
Floor 1.0"2.5cm 90°
Turret
Cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Gun shield 4.0" equivalent10cm 0°
Front 3.25"8.26cm 7°
Sides 3.25"8.26cm 0°
Rear 3.25"8.26cm 0°
Top 1.0"2.5cm 90°
M6: Automotive
Engine Wright G-200 Model 781C9GC1; 9 cylinder, 4 cycle, radial, supercharged gasoline
Horsepower Net: 825@2,300rpmGross: 960@2,300rpm Torque Gross: 1,830 ft-lb@2,100rpm Fuel capacity 477gal1,810L
Transmission Timken mechanical with Twin Disc torque converter model 16001, with Hycon hydraulic control; 2 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Budd disc, mechanical and Hycon hydraulic control
M6: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Horizontal volute spring 4 bogies/track;2 dual wheels/bogie 4 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth rear drive Dual adjustable at front of track;dual auxiliary in front of front bogie None
M6: Track
T31
Outside guide (later center guide), double pin, rubber backed steel
Width 25.75"65.41cm Pitch 6"15cm Shoes/track 99 Ground contact length 187.9"477.3cm
M6: Performance
Max level road speed 22mph sustained35kph sustained Max trench 132"335cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 36"91cm
Min turning diameter 74'23m Max fording depth 48"120cm
Cruising range ~100mi, roads~160km, roads

Although standardized, the Armored Force considered the heavy tank M6 unsatisfactory due to its weight and design problems. The Army was unhappy with the awkward crew positions and the fact that the only way to cover the sides and rear of the vehicle with a machine gun involved the tank commander unbuttoning. The Armored Force recommended replacing the 37mm gun with a coaxial machine gun, but the Army lost interest in the tank before this could happen. In the end, the Armored Force Board concluded that the tank's size and weight needed better armament than the 3" gun M7; the fire control equipment was obsolete; the positioning of the controls and crew seats precluded manning the armament; insufficient ventilation was provided for the fighting compartment; the transmission would require a complete redesign to permit satisfactory shifting; and accessories needing frequent maintenance were inaccessible. None of the M6 series were to see action in World War II.

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Heavy Tank M6A11-7,9-11

M6A1: General
Date of first acceptance March 1943 Total acceptances 12
Manufacturer Baldwin Locomotive Works Crew 6 men: Commander in turret left rearGunner in turret right frontLoader in turret right rearAmmunition passer in hullDriver in hull left frontAssistant driver in hull right front
M6A1: Dimensions
Combat weight ~126,300lbs~57,290kg Height over turret roof 118.0"299.7cm
Length without gun, with stowage boxes 297.0"754.4cm Gun overhang forward 35.0"88.9cm
Width over track armor 123.0"312.4cm Tread 93.9"239cm
Ground clearance 20.5"52.1cm Fire height ~97"~250cm
Turret ring diameter 69"175cm Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.1psi.922kg/cm²
M6A1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
3" Gun M7 T49 in turret 75 rounds 360°(manual and electric) 18°/sec +30° to -10°(manual)
37mm Gun M6 Coaxial to 3" gun 202 rounds 360°(manual and electric) 18°/sec +30° to -10°(manual)
.30cal M1919A4 MG Flexible in turret AA mount 5,500 rounds 360°(manual) -- Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG T53 in bow None -- --
Two .50cal M2HB MGs T52 in hull front 6,900 rounds 30°(15° left and right;manual) +60° to -10° Manual
Aiming equipment
Periscope M8 or M8A1 with telescope M39 or M39A2; telescope M15 for gunner
Stabilizer
Elevation only
M6A1: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 3.25"8.26cm 30°
Lower front 4.0" to 2.75"10cm to 6.99cm 0° to 60°
Upper sides 1.75"4.45cm 10°
Lower sides, including track armor 2.75"6.99cm 0°
Rear 1.63"4.14cm 17°
Top 1.0"2.5cm 90°
Floor 1.0"2.5cm 90°
Turret
Cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Gun shield 4.0" equivalent10cm 0°
Front 3.25"8.26cm 7°
Sides 3.25"8.26cm 0°
Rear 3.25"8.26cm 0°
Top 1.0"2.5cm 90°
M6A1: Automotive
Engine Wright G-200 Model 781C9GC1; 9 cylinder, 4 cycle, radial, supercharged gasoline
Horsepower Net: 825@2,300rpmGross: 960@2,300rpm Torque Gross: 1,830 ft-lb@2,100rpm Fuel capacity 477gal1,810L
Transmission Timken mechanical with Twin Disc torque converter model 16001, with vacuum assist control; 2 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Budd disc, mechanical and vacuum assist control
M6A1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Horizontal volute spring 4 bogies/track;2 dual wheels/bogie 4 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth rear drive Dual adjustable at front of track;dual auxiliary in front of front bogie None
M6A1: Track
T31
Outside guide (later center guide), double pin, rubber backed steel
Width 25.75"65.41cm Pitch 6"15cm Shoes/track 99 Ground contact length 187.9"477.3cm
M6A1: Performance
Max level road speed 22mph sustained35kph sustained Max trench 132"335cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 36"91cm
Min turning diameter 74'23m Max fording depth 48"120cm
Cruising range ~100mi, roads~160km, roads

The M6A1 was identical to the M6 except for the M6A1's welded versus cast hull and the lack of Hycon assist in steering.

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Heavy Tank T1E12-8,10-11

T1E1: General
Date of first acceptance 1942 Total acceptances 20
Manufacturer Baldwin Locomotive Works Crew 6 men: Commander in turret left rearGunner in turret right frontLoader in turret right rearAmmunition passer in hullDriver in hull left frontAssistant driver in hull right front
T1E1: Dimensions
Combat weight 127,000lbs57,600kg Height over turret roof 118.0"299.7cm
Length without gun, with stowage boxes 297.0"754.4cm Gun overhang forward 35.0"88.9cm
Width over track armor 123.0"312.4cm Tread 93.9"239cm
Ground clearance 20.5"52.1cm Fire height ~97"~250cm
Turret ring diameter 69"175cm Ground pressure, zero penetration 13.1psi.922kg/cm²
T1E1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
3" Gun M7 T49 in turret 75 rounds 360°(manual and electric) 18°/sec +30° to -10°(manual)
37mm Gun M6 Coaxial to 3" gun 202 rounds 360°(manual and electric) 18°/sec +30° to -10°(manual)
.30cal M1919A4 MG Flexible in turret AA mount 5,500 rounds 360°(manual) -- Manual
.30cal M1919A4 MG T53 in bow None -- --
Two .50cal M2HB MGs T52 in hull front 6,900 rounds 30°(15° left and right;manual) +60° to -10° Manual
Aiming equipment
Periscope M8 or M8A1 with telescope M39 or M39A2; telescope M15 for gunner
Stabilizer
Elevation only
T1E1: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 3.25"8.26cm 30°
Lower front 4.0" to 2.75"10cm to 6.99cm 0° to 60°
Upper sides 1.75"4.45cm 20°
Lower sides, including track armor 2.75"6.99cm 0°
Rear 1.63"4.14cm 17°
Top 1.0"2.5cm 90°
Floor 1.0"2.5cm 90°
Turret
Cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Gun shield 4.0" equivalent10cm 0°
Front 3.25"8.26cm 7°
Sides 3.25"8.26cm 0°
Rear 3.25"8.26cm 0°
Top 1.0"2.5cm 90°
T1E1: Automotive
Engine Wright G-200 Model 781C9GC1; 9 cylinder, 4 cycle, radial, supercharged gasoline
Horsepower Net: 700@1,950rpmGross: 960@2,300rpm Torque Gross: 1,810 ft-lb@1,950rpm Fuel capacity 464gal1,760L
Transmission Electric drive
Steering Electric, steering levers
Brakes Electric
T1E1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Horizontal volute spring 4 bogies/track;2 dual wheels/bogie 4 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
14-tooth rear drive Dual adjustable at front of track;dual auxiliary in front of front bogie None
T1E1: Track
T31
Outside guide (later center guide), double pin, rubber backed steel
Width 25.75"65.41cm Pitch 6"15cm Shoes/track 99 Ground contact length 187.9"477.3cm
T1E1: Performance
Max level road speed 20mph sustained30kph sustained Max trench 132"335cm
Max grade 55% Max vertical obstacle 36"91cm
Min turning diameter Pivot Max fording depth 48"120cm
Cruising range ~100mi, roads~160km, roads

Although standardization was proposed for the T1E1 as the M6A2, this was never approved. This variant had a cast hull like the heavy tank M6, but was built with an electric transmission similar to that used in the medium tank T23.

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References

  1. TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1. Washington, DC: War Department, 5 February 1943.
  2. Hunnicutt, R.P. Firepower: A History of the American Heavy Tank. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1988.
  3. History of the Heavy Tank.
  4. TM 9-323 3-inch Gun M7 Mounted in Combat Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 6 September 1943.
  5. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
  6. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  7. Kirk, William. "Heavy Tanks." TANKS! 29 Dec 2000. 14 Jan 2001 http://members.nbci.com/\_XMCM/metalmonster/UnitedStates/​heavytanks/HeavyTanks.html. TANKS!
  8. Tank Data, vol. 1. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: US Army Ordnance School, Jul 1958.
  9. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, second edition 1944, volume I: Tank and Automotive. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Technical Division, 1 June 1945.
  10. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, second edition 1944, volume II. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Technical Division, 1944.
  11. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.

Last updated 8 Oct 2024.

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