USA's M6 Heavy (original) (raw)
Design/Production
Was intended to be the heavy counterpart to the M3 medium.1 It was supposed to have a 75 mm in the hull and 37 mm in the turret.1 In 1940 this was changed to have the main gun be a 76 mm and have the 37 mm coaxially mounted.1 Four prototypes were constructed in February 1941.1 These had different hull constructions and transmissions.1 They were designated the T1E1 - T1E4. The cast hulled version with a torque converter was choosen.1
Heavy tanks M6 and M6A1 were standardized in May 1942. The Ordnance Committee authorized Limited Procurement of Heavy Tank T1E1, which was sometimes known as M6A2. By December 1944 all the models were declared obsolete.
Description
The final drive was mounted behind the engine. The transmission was connected by a flexible coupling without the use of a propeller shaft. There was a pedal that occupied the position normally occupied by the clutch petal, and this served as a transmission brake pedal.
The 3" gun was mounted with the 37 mm gun. A gyrostabilizer was provided as well.
There were 4 bogie assemblies on each side. Each had 4 bogie wheels. Two riding on the outside half of the track and 2 on the inside. Two springs were mounted on each assembly. The driving sprocket was at the rear. There was a main idler in the front and there was a nonadjustable idler between the main idler and the front bogie assembly.
Six periscopes were provided. There were 4 escape doors.
M6: Had cast hull1 and turret. It had a torgue converter transmisison.1
M6A1: Had a cast turret and welded hull1. It had a torque converter transmission.1
M6A2: Cast hull with electric transmission.1 Version with most produced.
T1E1: Similar to the M6 but had an electric drive. It had a direct current generator that was mounted behind the engine. This generator converted the mechanical output into electrical power for 2 transaction motors, one for each track.
Usage
Never saw service.1
| Crew | Commander, driver, co-driver, gunner, loaders (2)2 51, 62,3 |
|---|---|
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 126,500 lb2,3 44.6 tons1 45,360 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 24' 9"3, 27' 8"1,2 8.44 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | 24' 9"2 |
| Height | 9' 10"3, 10' 7"1,2 3.23 m1 |
| Width | 10' 2"1, 10' 2.5"2,3 3.1 m1 |
| Ground clearance | 20.5" |
| Ground contact length | 186" |
| Ground pressure | 12.3 psi |
| Turret ring diameter | 69" |
| Armament (mm) | |
| Main | 3"3 3" M72 76 mm1 |
| Secondary | 37 mm M6, coaxial.2 37 mm1,3 |
| MG | 4: MG3 2: .30 cal bow, coaxial, AA 2: .50 cal bow 3: 12.7 mm (.50 cal)1 2: 7.62 mm (.30 cal) MG1 2: .50 cal Browning MG, bow.2 .50 cal Browning MG, AA.2 2: .30 cal Browning MG.2 |
| Side arms | 2: .45 cal Submachine M3 |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 752 |
| Secondary | 2022 |
| MG | .30: 7,5002 .50: 5,7002 |
| Side arms | .45: 1,200 |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 252, 1002 1" - 3.25"3 (Actual thickness to horizontal) |
| Hull Front, Upper | 3.25" (4") |
| Hull Front, Lower | 2.75-4" (4") |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 1.75" (1.75") |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | 1 5/8" (2") |
| Hull Top | 1" |
| Hull Bottom | 1" |
| Turret Front | 3.25" (3.25") |
| Turret Sides | 3.25" (3.25") |
| Turret Rear | 3.25" (3.25") |
| Turret Top | 1" |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Wright G-2001,2,3 |
| Transmission | Torque converter, 2 forward, 1 reverse. T1E1: Electrical.2 |
| Capacity | 464 gallons |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°2, electrical |
| Max Speed | 22 mph1,2,3 35 kph1 |
| Cross Country | |
| Road radius | 100 miles1,2 161 km1 |
| Turning Radius | 74' |
| Elevation Limits | -10° to +30°2 |
| Fording depth | 4'2 |
| Trench crossing | 11'2 |
| Vertical Obstacle | 3'2 |
| Suspension (Type) | HVSS with double bogies of 4 wheels each and 2 tracks each side.2 |
| Wheels each side | |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | 25.75"2 |
| Track centers/tread | 7' 9"2 |
| Production | 40 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972