M6 and M6a1 Heavy Tanks Technical Manual

M6 and M6a1 Heavy Tanks Technical Manual PDF

Author: War Department

Publisher:

Published: 2011-08-01

Total Pages: 178

ISBN-13: 9781935700838

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The M6 was an outgrowth of a 1940 U.S. Army Ordnance Corps program to develop a 50-ton heavy tank. After the initial, multi-turreted design proved too excessive, a single three-man turret bearing 76.2mm and 37mm guns was adopted. The tank also carried four Browning machineguns, three fixed and one flexible. In addition to the commander, gunner and loader in the turret, the tank had a driver, assistant driver, and an ammunition passer. The tank was equipped with a Wright radial gasoline engine and a torque converter or electric transmission and designated M6 (cast hull) and M6A1 (welded hull). While it might have fared well in combat, the heavy tank's exorbitant cost, high silhouette, reliability problems and difficulty in transport made it vulnerable to enemies in the Army staff. In the end, only forty M6 type tanks were produced, and the design was declared obsolete by late 1944. Created during the testing phase of the M6, this TM 9-721 technical manual reveals a great deal about the weapon's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation and maintenance, this manual shows the basics of how to drive the tank and take care of its engine, cooling, power train and other systems. Originally printed in 1943 and labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

PDF

Author:

Publisher: Delene Kvasnicka

Published:

Total Pages: 169

ISBN-13:

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TM 9-735 Pershing Heavy Tank T26e3 Technical Manual

TM 9-735 Pershing Heavy Tank T26e3 Technical Manual PDF

Author: War Department

Publisher: Periscope Film LLC

Published: 2013-05-01

Total Pages: 500

ISBN-13: 9781937684433

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The Pershing was the first operational heavy tank of the US Army; originally the T26, the tank was eventually redesignated the M26 Pershing medium tank. Named after General John J. Pershing who led the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War I, it was briefly used both in World War II and in the Korean War. Intended as an improvement of the M4 Sherman, the prolonged time of development meant only a small number saw combat in the European theater, most notably the 9th Armored Division's dramatic dash to take the Bridge at Remagen. On December 22nd, 1944, while the battle still raged, the brand new T26E3 tanks were ordered to be deployed to Europe. Twenty were sent in the first shipment, arriving at the port of Antwerp in January of 1945. They were given to the 1st Army, split between the 3rd and 9th Armored Divisions. A total of 310 T26E3 tanks would be sent to Europe before VE Day, but only the first twenty would see any combat action. Created in 1945, this technical manual reveals a great deal about the T26E3's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation and maintenance, it details many aspects of its engine, cooling, power and other systems. Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

United States Tanks and Tank Destroyers of the Second World War

United States Tanks and Tank Destroyers of the Second World War PDF

Author: Michael Green

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2021-12-30

Total Pages: 395

ISBN-13: 1526787482

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This comprehensive and superbly illustrated book describes in authoritative detail the characteristics and contribution to victory of these formidable American fighting vehicles. Only after the Nazis invaded Poland and France did the United States Government authorize mass production of tanks. By the end of the War American industry had built nearly 90,000 tanks, more than Germany and Great Britain combined. The first big order in May 1940 was for 365 M2A4 light tanks, the initial iteration of the Stuart series, with almost 24,000 constructed. The Stuart series was supplemented by almost 5,000 units of the M24 Chaffee light tank. There was also the failed M22 Locust light tank intended for airborne operations. The M4 series of medium tanks, best known as the Sherman, were the most numerous with some 50,000 in service with not only the American military but British and other Allied armies. It was not until later in the war that the M26 Pershing heavy tank was built. Initially the US Army doctrine saw tanks as primarily for the exploitation role. Later the concept of tank destroyers evolved to counter large scale German armored offensives. These defensive AFVs included the half-track-based 75mm Gun Motor Carriage M3 and the full-tracked M10, M18, and M36. This comprehensive and superbly illustrated book describes in authoritative detail the characteristics and contribution to victory of these formidable fighting vehicles.

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