T3 Medium Tank
Aberdeen Tank Museum
It was the first Christie tank with the new Christie suspension system.1 The Army offered to buy it from Christie, but he wasn't satisfied it was finished.1 Three were sent to the infantry and four to the calvary.3
The Christie suspension system was installed which had individually suspended bogie wheels on coil sprung bell cranks.1 It could be converted to wheel travel by removing the tracks in the field.1 No turret in the test vehicle.1
The wheels were mounted on coil springs which allowed for a vertical movement of 14".4 The tracks could be removed and carried on shelves along the side of the vehicle.4 When on wheels the drive went to the rear wheels through a chain drive.4
When the main gun was replaced with a .50 cal MG, it was called the T1 Combat Car.4
Used only for testing.
Two were sold to Russia.4
| T3 | T3E2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Crew | 32,4 | 42 |
| Physical Characteristics | ||
| Weight | 8,738 kg 1 8.6 tons1, 11 tons2, 11.1 tons4 |
11.5 tons2 |
| Length w/gun | 17'1, 18'2,4 5.18 m1 |
18' 9"2 |
| Length w/o gun | ||
| Height | 6'1, 7' 6"2,4 1.83 m1 |
7' 8"2 |
| Width | 7'1, 7.34, 7' 4"2 2.13 m1 |
8'2 |
| Width over tracks | ||
| Ground clearance | 13.5"4 | |
| Ground contact length | 128"4 | |
| Ground pressure | 8.6 psi4 | |
| Turret ring diameter | ||
| Armament | 37 mm1,2,4 | 37 mm2 |
| Main | ||
| Secondary | 7.62 mm MG1 MG2 .30 cal MG4 |
5: MG2 |
| MG | ||
| Side arms | ||
| Quantity | ||
| Main | 1264 | |
| Secondary | ||
| MG | 3,0004 | |
| Side arms | ||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 131 5/8" - 0.5"2 Front: 0.5"4 Side: 0.6"4 Turret: 0.6"4 |
3/8" - 0.5"2 |
| Hull Front, Upper | ||
| Hull Front, Lower | ||
| Hull Sides, Upper | ||
| Hull Sides, Lower | ||
| Hull Rear | ||
| Hull Top | ||
| Hull Bottom | ||
| Turret Front | ||
| Turret Sides | ||
| Turret Rear | ||
| Turret Top | ||
| Engine (Make / Model) | Liberty1,2,4 | Curtis2 |
| Bore / stroke | ||
| Cooling | Forced water4 | |
| Cylinders | V-124 | |
| Capacity | ||
| Net HP | 3384 | |
| Power to weight ratio | ||
| Compression ratio | ||
| Transmission (Type) | Sliding gear4 4 forward, 1 reverse4 |
|
| Steering | Clutch brake4 | |
| Steering ratio | ||
| Starter | ||
| Electrical system | ||
| Ignition | ||
| Fuel (Type) | ||
| Octane | ||
| Quantity | 89 gallons4 | |
| Road consumption | Tracks: 1.2 mpg4 Wheels: 2.8 mpg4 |
|
| Cross country consumption | ||
| Performance | ||
| Traverse | Hand4 | |
| Max speed | Wheels: 46 mph2, 47 mph4, 70 mph1, 113 kph1 Tracks: 27 mph2,4, 42.5 mph1, 68 kph1 |
Wheels: 15.26 mph2 Tracks: 25 mph2 |
| Cross country speed | ||
| Road radius | Wheels: 115 miles1, 250 miles4, 185 km1 Tracks: 75 miles1, 150 miles4, 120 km1 |
|
| Cross country radius | ||
| Turning radius | ||
| Elevation limits | ||
| Fording depth | 36"4 | |
| Trench crossing | 7'4 | |
| Vertical obstacle | ||
| Climbing ability | 35° (70%) slope4 | |
| Suspension (Type) | Christie | |
| Wheels each side | ||
| Return rollers each side | ||
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin4 | |
| Length | ||
| Width | 10.1"4 | |
| Diameter | ||
| Number of links | 464 | |
| Pitch | 10"4 | |
| Tire tread | Rubber4 | |
| Track centers/tread | 6.4'4 | |
| Production | US Wheel Track Layer Corp.4 74 |
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
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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