M6 Heavy Tank

United States' M6 Heavy Tank

USA's M6

USA's M6

USA's M6

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.

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.

Never saw service.1

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:

USA's M6A2 Heavy Tank
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Cast hull with electric transmission.1 Version with most produced.

The 3" gun could fire a 15 lb shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,600'/sec.4 The 37 mm could fire a 1.91 lb shell at 2,600'/sec.4

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.

  M6 M6A2
Crew Commander, driver, co-driver, gunner, loaders (2)2
51, 62,3
64
Physical Characteristics    
Weight 126,500 lb2,3
44.6 tons1
45,360 kg1
60 tons4
Length w/gun 24' 9"3, 27' 8"1,2
8.44 m1
23.75'4
Length w/o gun 24' 9"2  
Height 9' 10"3, 10' 7"1,2
3.23 m1
9.9'4
Width 10' 2"1, 10' 2.5"2,3
3.1 m1
10.25'4
Width over tracks    
Ground clearance 20.5" 20.5"4
Ground contact length 186" 188"4
Ground pressure 12.3 psi 12.4 psi4
Turret ring diameter 69"  
Armament (mm)    
Main 3"3
3" M72
76 mm1
3" T12, L/504
Secondary 37 mm M6, coaxial.2
37 mm1,3
37 mm M6, L/534
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
3: .50 cal M2 MG, bow (2), AA4
1: .30 cal M1919M4 MG, bow4
Side arms 2: .45 cal Submachine M3  
Quantity    
Main 752 754
Secondary 2022 3404
MG .30: 7,5002
.50: 5,7002
.30: 4,0004
.50: 8,0004
Side arms .45: 1,200  
Armor Thickness (mm) 252, 1002
1" - 3.25"3
(Actual thickness to horizontal)
Front: 5"4
Side: 2-2.5"4
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") 3.5"4
Turret Sides 3.25" (3.25") 3.5"4
Turret Rear 3.25" (3.25")  
Turret Top 1"  
Engine (Make / Model) Wright G-2001,2,3 Wright Whirlwind G2004
Bore / stroke    
Cooling   Air4
Cylinders   94
Capacity    
Net HP   750@2,150 rpm4
Power to weight ratio    
Compression ratio    
Transmission (Type) Torque converter, 2 forward, 1 reverse.
T1E1: Electrical.2
Electric4
2 forward, 1 reverse4
Steering   Controlled differential4
Steering ratio    
Starter   Electrical4
Electrical system   24-volt4
Ignition   Magneto4
Fuel (Type)   Gasoline4
Octane    
Quantity 464 gallons 350 gallons4
Road consumption   0.42 mpg4
Cross country consumptin    
Performance    
Traverse 360°2, electrical Power or manual4
Max speed 22 mph1,2,3
35 kph1
27 mph4
Cross country speed    
Road radius 100 miles1,2
161 km1
146 miles4
Cross country radius    
Turning radius 74'  
Elevation limits -10° to +30°2  
Fording depth 4'2 48"4
Trench crossing 11'2 11'4
Vertical obstacle 3'2 42"4
Climbing ability   31° (60%) slope4
Suspension (Type) HVSS with double bogies of 4 wheels each and 2 tracks each side.2 Horizontal volute springs4
4 two-wheeled bogies4
Wheels each side   4x24
Return rollers each side   34
Tracks (Type)   Double, rubber block, rubber bushed, double pin shoe4
Length    
Width 25.75"2 25.75"4
Diameter    
Number of links   1004
Pitch   6"4
Tire tread    
Track centers/tread 7' 9"2 7.8'4
Production 40 Baldwin Locomotive Co.4

Sources:

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  4. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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