(Redirected from
T-28 (tank))
- This article is about the experimental U.S. tank. For the Soviet multi-turreted medium tank, see T-28.
The T-28, later re-designated as the T-95 Gun Motor Carriage or the T-28 Super Heavy Tank, is the largest tank ever designed for the US Military during World War Two. It was originally designed to be used to break through German defenses at the Siegfried Line, and was later considered as a possible participant in an invasion of the Japanese mainland.
The hull was 11.10 meters long, 4.39 meters wide, and 2.84 meters high. It had no turret, giving it a comparatively low profile. Its total weight when fully equipped would have reached 95 tons. The armor was very thick compared compared to American tanks of the time, in some places 12 inches thick. This was considered heavy enough to provide protection from the 88 mm gun used by German heavy tanks. The engine was a relatively underpowered gasoline Ford GAF V-8, delivering 410 hp, which gave it a top speed of about 8 mph (13 km/h). To carry the great weight, it used four tracks instead of two. The outer tracks could be detached for easier transport. After removal they could be fixed together to make a unit that could be towed behind the tank.
It's main armament was a 105 mm T5E1 gun set into a ball shaped mantle set in the front of the tank between the tracks. It also had a .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun above the commander's hatch.
This vehicle was essentially a self-propelled gun rather than a tank, and was re-designated as the T-95 Gun Motor Carriage in 1945. In 1946 it was renamed again, to T-28 Super Heavy Tank.
The original plan was for five prototype vehicles with a production total of 25. However only two were ordered and none saw combat.
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