Normandy ‘44: T86

The T86 is an American amphibious vehicle, coming in as the main reward in the Normandy ‘44 event!

T86: A Premium Light Tank for the USA at Rank III

At a glance:

  • M18 Hellcat base
  • 76 mm gun with APCR, APCBC, AP shells
  • Vertical stabilizer
  • Large in size, making it vulnerable
  • Amphibious!

Vehicle History

In February 1944, the U.S. Ordnance Department initiated the development of an amphibious vehicle with a 76 mm gun based on the M18 Hellcat. The contract for the design was awarded to Sparkman & Stephens, and in September 1944, two prototypes were approved to be built — the T86 and T86E1. The main difference was the ability to drive on water. The T86 was driven on water by its tracks, whereas the T86E1 by two propellers. Both vehicles retained some elements of the M18, but received an enlarged displacement hull, folding rudders for maneuvering on water, special wave deflectors and additional periscopes for the crew.

The prototype was tested in late 1944. The T86 achieved a speed of 8.4 km/h on water, while the T86E1 achieved 10 km/h, which was lower than the expected 12 km/h. Despite attempts to further improve the T86E1 by installing a larger propeller, the prototype that moved on water with its tracks was considered more successful. Later on, a third prototype, the T87 was created with a shortened hull and a turret with the 105 mm T88 gun, but with the end of the war in 1945, all work on the program was stopped.

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Introducing the T86!

The Normandy ‘44 event honors one of the most decisive operations during the Second World War. D-Day happened on June 6th 1944 and for this momentous occasion we have an event that started today, featuring the T86 American experimental amphibious tank which is based on the popular M18 Hellcat, two D-Day related decals and a decoration. Let’s take a closer look at the T86!

Compared to the M18 Hellcat, the T86 has retained the transmission, core chassis and turret with the same gun, all while losing most of its armor. The obvious main difference is that it has been dressed up in a special amphibious pontoon, allowing it to drive while on water! There’s a total of five crew members, with three of them located in the lightly protected turret. The weapon is the same found on the M18 Hellcat, the 76 mm M1 gun with the ammunition for this gun being the same you’d expect to see on the M18 Hellcat — AP, HE, APCBC, APCR and a Smoke shell!

As obvious from how the T86 looks, the turret is placed on a very large hull, which allows the tank to float and drive on water as already mentioned. Since the hull is now larger in all directions, the overall mobility is now lower due to the weight of the pontoon and weaker engine.

While playing the T86, be sure to rely on its mobility which is still good and its very effective gun with a good reload speed and vertical stabilizer, which make this tank a handy contributor to the battle. There’s almost no hope though when you get hit by shells or even machine gun bullets, since the armor is thin and the crew is cramped quite tightly. Although sometimes the separation of the crew in the turret from the driver and radio operator in the hull can play into your hands, especially if you don’t fill the ammunition racks to the brim — but don’t count on it!

Like all vehicles with an open fighting compartment, the T86 is especially vulnerable to aircraft and SPAA looking to take a bite. On the flipside, a .50 cal is mounted on the turret, handy for fighting off low flying aircraft, so long as the crew member using it stays alive.

The T86 is a great little vehicle that could have stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day if it had been developed earlier. That’s it for this one, be sure to check out the event details below to learn how you can get yourself this vehicle!

Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.

8 Likes

The M18 if it lived in the big '25, take takeout has finally caught up with bro 💀

Jokes aside, I’m happy with the T86, something unique worth grinding

1 Like

I’m going to actually try to do the event TBH, but what’s the best way to earn mission score?

that M-18 most American thing ever
that m18 Eats’ a lot of burgers
image

3 Likes

Whatever lineup you do well in or whatever BR you have a full line-up around.

Personally for events like this i try to do WW2/Post WW2 line-ups as you have CAS that help a lot. You don’t really have to worry about Missile Spaa and also most have full line-ups around that BR so the games usually last longer.

As for the score, You can rush caps then spawn CAS. Or go into spots what overlook cap points. Each map is different and everyone plays differently so you will get mixed answers in regards to the score.

I was just meaning what things give the most mission score lol (thanks for the advice thought)

Still 6.0? I was hoping it would be lower, so it could be paired with T14

Oh, Well in terms of score multipliers Rank VII - VIII Gives the most at (1.2x) General score would be just to cap points & get kills i guess.

Sb also is (1.8x) Rb being (1.33x)

That’s gonna be useless on any of the game’s maps?

For this event, during the D-Day anniversary month, the Sherman DD would have been a more appropriate event vehicle, having seen action during the invasion of Normandy, unlike this prototype, in my humble opinion.

However, this is fine. I will definitely be getting this.

1 Like

110%. Missed opportunity to add a different Amphib. vehicle

5.3 in Arcade, disappointing, no BR advantage over M18.

Can we expect more specialized amphibious vehicles like the EFV, BMMP or the ZBD05? Those are interesting addition despite War Thunder not featuring proper maps to accommodate these vehicles to be useful.

Hello,

Totally agree.

Fun thing : I just tested the T86 and it seems to me that the rudder is inverted while in the water.
Turning right, the paddles should turn to left side, and same in reverse. Model seems incorrect.

no its correct same as boat steering, turn right to go right, left to go left

Hello,

I just made a screenshot, this is a turn to the right : (better than producing a confusing text)

Paddles should be in the other direction while in the water

EDIT : I created a bug report here :
https://community.gaijin.net/issues/p/warthunder/i/96h9sdHEPhcY

huh that is an issue but you stated it the other way around originally.

Could be my confusing description indeed!

Depends on where you look to the paddle, but it’s really clearer when you test it, or on my screeshot (my reference was the forward part of the paddle, which should go on the left when turning right).

Why is the SL modifier so bad that i could just play most of TT vehicles? 300% vs 345%…
meanwhile the Prem hellcat has 405% which is already superbad for a prem… T14 at 4.7 has already 405% and SuperHellcat 465%…T34-85E has 525% at 5.7…M64 at 5.3 405%…Pz4 at 3.7 has 420%…
Hell even the German Trio Pack has a higher modifier. The SMK for 1300 Gold will get you the same amount of SL at 3.7… even the 5.3 M41 light tank prem has more with 390% for just 3000 Gold.

345% is so insanely bad… u cant even call it a Premium at this point

not worth spending any time on this.

1 Like