American super heavy tank T28 - self-propelled gun T95
Termination of work on tanks M6A2E1 was primarily associated not with the distrust of the US military in heavy tanks, but with an insufficient number of vehicles suitable for alteration. Work on the new heavy breakthrough tank has been going on since September 43rd year.
The US military, preparing to open a second front in Europe, agreed that in order to break through long-term defensive positions like the German "Western Shaft" a heavy tank is needed which has the best possible booking and a powerful gun to destroy long-term concrete defensive structures. After lengthy agreements between the weapons department and the military in March 45, it was decided to order under the designation T28 five tanks weighing up to 95 tons. With 305-mm frontal armor and T5X1 gun of 105 millimeters.
Considering the considerable thickness of the armor, they decided to make the tank reckless with mounting the 105-millimeter cannon in the frontal part of the hull. At the same time, the auxiliary armament was to be installed from only one anti-aircraft machine gun of the 12,7 caliber of millimeters on the commander’s turret. As planned to use the engine "Ford-GAF" power 500 hp from the M26 Pershing tank, there were problems with ensuring good mobility of the machine with such a large weight. It was decided to install on each side two pairs of tracks. At the same time, the external tracks could be dismantled and towed by the crew while driving along the highway behind the tank. Given this layout, it was decided to rename the car in the self-propelled gun T95.
Due to the heavy load of industry military orders for a long time for the manufacture of data self-propelled guns could not find a contractor. In the end, the agreement was granted by Pacific Car & Foundary Company, which began work on May 45. By August, assembled the first body of self-propelled guns. But with the end of hostilities in the Quiet USA limited to the release of two cars. The first of them was sent to the Aberdeen testing ground in December of the 45 year, the second - in January of the 46 year.
Tests have shown that the T95 has a small speed that does not exceed 12 kilometers per hour. Despite this, during the tests, the self-propelled guns could “wind onto the caterpillar” about 865 kilometers, including 660 kilometers on virgin soil, which, taking into account the low speed of the car, took a lot of time. The heavily armored, self-propelled T95 self-propelled gun did not fit into the concept of armored weapons of the US Army. So according to this concept, the tanks had to be equipped with a turret, and self-propelled guns were easy to book for maximum mobility. T95 did not fit into one of the groups. As a result, in June 46 of the year the name was changed again - the car again became a heavy tank Т28. Despite this, the work on the T28 was stopped - the 100-ton weight for the tank was considered excessive.
One super heavy tank T28 stored in Fort Knox in the museum's collection.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the American super heavy tank T28:
Length - 11,12 m;
Width - 4,54 m;
Height - 2,86 m;
Weight - 86,3 t;
Engine - GAF;
Engine power - HP 500 .;
Speed - 12,8 km / h;
Power reserve - 160 km;
Overcoming ditch - 2,9 m;
The thickness of the frontal armor (angle) - 305 (0) mm;
Side armor thickness - 152 mm;
Roof thickness - 38 mm;
Bottom thickness - mm 25;
Armament:
The instrument - Т5Е1;
Caliber - 105 mm;
Machine guns - NV М2;
Caliber - 12,7 mm;
Crew - 4 person.
The US military, preparing to open a second front in Europe, agreed that in order to break through long-term defensive positions like the German "Western Shaft" a heavy tank is needed which has the best possible booking and a powerful gun to destroy long-term concrete defensive structures. After lengthy agreements between the weapons department and the military in March 45, it was decided to order under the designation T28 five tanks weighing up to 95 tons. With 305-mm frontal armor and T5X1 gun of 105 millimeters.
Considering the considerable thickness of the armor, they decided to make the tank reckless with mounting the 105-millimeter cannon in the frontal part of the hull. At the same time, the auxiliary armament was to be installed from only one anti-aircraft machine gun of the 12,7 caliber of millimeters on the commander’s turret. As planned to use the engine "Ford-GAF" power 500 hp from the M26 Pershing tank, there were problems with ensuring good mobility of the machine with such a large weight. It was decided to install on each side two pairs of tracks. At the same time, the external tracks could be dismantled and towed by the crew while driving along the highway behind the tank. Given this layout, it was decided to rename the car in the self-propelled gun T95.
Due to the heavy load of industry military orders for a long time for the manufacture of data self-propelled guns could not find a contractor. In the end, the agreement was granted by Pacific Car & Foundary Company, which began work on May 45. By August, assembled the first body of self-propelled guns. But with the end of hostilities in the Quiet USA limited to the release of two cars. The first of them was sent to the Aberdeen testing ground in December of the 45 year, the second - in January of the 46 year.
Tests have shown that the T95 has a small speed that does not exceed 12 kilometers per hour. Despite this, during the tests, the self-propelled guns could “wind onto the caterpillar” about 865 kilometers, including 660 kilometers on virgin soil, which, taking into account the low speed of the car, took a lot of time. The heavily armored, self-propelled T95 self-propelled gun did not fit into the concept of armored weapons of the US Army. So according to this concept, the tanks had to be equipped with a turret, and self-propelled guns were easy to book for maximum mobility. T95 did not fit into one of the groups. As a result, in June 46 of the year the name was changed again - the car again became a heavy tank Т28. Despite this, the work on the T28 was stopped - the 100-ton weight for the tank was considered excessive.
One super heavy tank T28 stored in Fort Knox in the museum's collection.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the American super heavy tank T28:
Length - 11,12 m;
Width - 4,54 m;
Height - 2,86 m;
Weight - 86,3 t;
Engine - GAF;
Engine power - HP 500 .;
Speed - 12,8 km / h;
Power reserve - 160 km;
Overcoming ditch - 2,9 m;
The thickness of the frontal armor (angle) - 305 (0) mm;
Side armor thickness - 152 mm;
Roof thickness - 38 mm;
Bottom thickness - mm 25;
Armament:
The instrument - Т5Е1;
Caliber - 105 mm;
Machine guns - NV М2;
Caliber - 12,7 mm;
Crew - 4 person.
Information