M26 HEAVY TANK (General Pershing)

M26 HEAVY TANK (General Pershing)
Image: M26 Heavy Tank (U.S. National Archive)
YearNovember 1944
Vehicle Type[@type]
Origin & Designer[@designer]
Numbers Produced3.071
Crew5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver & Assistant Driver)
Main Armament1 x 90mm L/53 M3 Gun
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-10° to +20°
Turret Traverse360° (Powered 24°/Sec)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun Sight[@gun_sight]
Secondary Armament1 x .50 cal M2HB Heavy Machine Gun (AA Mount).
1 x .30 cal M1919A4 Machine Guns (Coaxial).
1 x .30 cal M1919A4 Machine Gun (Bow)
Smoke Discharger[@smoke_discharger]
Ammunition Carried70 x 90mm & 5000 x .30 cal + 550 x .50 cal
Height2.77m
Width3.51m
Length6.32m
Combat Weight41.892 kg
Ground Clearance0.47m
Fording Depth1.22m
Trench Crossing2.44m
Obstacle Clearance1.17m
Climbing Ability31°
RadioSCR 508/528
ArmourUpper Hull Front: 102mm.
Lower Hull Front: 73mm.
Upper Hull Sides: 76mm.
Lower Hull Sides: 76mm.
Hull Rear: 51mm.
Hull Top: 25mm.
Hull Bottom: 22mm.
Gun Mantlet: 200mm.
Turret Front: 102mm.
Turret Sides: 76mm.
Turret Rear: 76mm.
Turret Top: 25mm.
EngineFord GAF (Petrol)
Transmission5 Forward & 1 Reverse
Maximum Road Range91 miles (148 km)
Maximum Cross Country Range[@maximum_cross_country_range]
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed25 mph (40 kph)
Maximum Cross Country Speed16 mph (26 kph)
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
VariantsM26A1:
Quantity: 1.200
Year: 1948
NotesThe Pershing came from a long line of experimental vehicles which resulted in the T26E3 being chosen. This combined thick armour with the excellent 90mm gun. The M26 was initially classed as a heavy tank although this designation was change in 1957. The M26 was blooded at the battle of Ramagen Bridge, only twenty M26s actually saw action in Europe out of a total of 200 and maybe a few were sent to Okinawa.