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T22 Medium Tank
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the T22 medium tank to expand the inclusion of the T20 series of medium tanks for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. The T22 was essentially a T20 that reverted to the M4A3’s conventional transmission instead of the experimental Torqmatic transmission.
History
Development of a replacement for the Medium Tank M4 began in the spring of 1942, almost immediately after the Sherman was standardized. This program, initiated as the M4X project, led to the Medium Tank T20. However, testing of the T20 pilots revealed significant issues with the Torqmatic transmission, prompting a decision to return to the proven M4-type transmission for the next experimental design.
This led to the development of the T22 in late 1942. Between September and October, Chrysler was contracted to build two pilot tanks that were nearly identical to the T20, including use of the Ford GAN V8 engine, but fitted with the M4A3 Sherman’s synchromesh transmission. Unlike the Sherman, the transmission was fitted behind the engine in the hull and ran through the rear wheel drive.
Two pilot vehicles were completed in June 1943, carrying registration numbers 30104304 (pilot No. 1) and 30104305 (pilot No. 2). Both used the early horizontal volute spring suspension (HVSS) with direct-action shock absorbers on the front and rear bogies, also used on the T20. This provided a slight improvement in ride quality over the Sherman’s vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS), but since the T22 still used the narrow 16 9/16-inch tracks, the improvement was not considered sufficient to justify halting Sherman production for a redesign.
Testing revealed persistent problems. At the Tank Arsenal Proving Ground, the first T22 suffered an engine failure after 900 miles when a connecting rod broke and punched through the crankcase wall. The second pilot, tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground, ran into additional engine and transmission difficulties. Both tanks required major powertrain replacements, and by February 1944, the Ordnance Department cancelled further development of the T22 in order to redirect resources toward higher-priority projects.
Specifications
T22 Medium Tank
General Characteristics
Crew: 5
Dimensions:
Length: 293 in (744 cm)
Width: 127 in (323 cm)
Height: 96 in (244 cm)
Fire Height: 77 in (196 cm)
Tread: 102 in (259 cm)
Gun Overhang: 53 in (135 cm)
Ground clearance: 19 in (48 cm)
Ground pressure: 14.2 psi (98 kPa)
Powertrain:
Engine: Ford GAN
Net: 450 hp (456 ps) @ 2,600 rpm
Gross: 500 hp (507 ps) @ 2,600 rpm
Transmission: Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Gear Ratios:
1st: 7.554:1
2nd: 3.105:1
3rd: 1.768:1
4th: 1.108:1
5th: 0.733:1
Reverse: 5.646:1
Weight:
Unstowed Weight: 32.12 US tons (29.1 metric tons)
Combat Weight: 34.65 US tons (31.4 metric tons)
Performance:
Power-to-Weight Ratio:
Net: 13.0 hp/US ton (14.3 hp/ metric ton)
Gross: 14.4 hp/US ton (15.9 hp/metric ton)
Maximum speed:
Sustained, level road: 25 mph (40 km/h)Armament & Armor
Main Armament:
76mm Gun M1A1 in Mount T79 in turret
Traverse: 360° (hydraulic & manual)
Traverse Rate: 24°/second
Elevation: -10° to +25° (manual)
Firing Rate: 20 rpm
Stabilizer: Gyrostabilizer (elevation only)
Ammo: 68 rounds
Secondary Armament:
1 x .50 cal M2 HB: Anti-aircraft pintle mount (300 rounds)
1 x .30 cal M1919A4: Coaxial mount (2,500 rounds)
1 x .30 cal M1919A4: Bow mount (2,500 rounds)
Armor Protection:
Hull:
Front Upper: 2.5 in (64 mm) @ 47°
Front Lower: 2.5 in (64 mm) @ 53°
Sides: 2.0 in (51 mm) @ 0°
Rear: 1.5 in (38 mm) @ 10°
Top: 0.75 in (19 mm) @ 90°
Floor Front: 1.0 in (25 mm) @ 90°
Floor Rear: 0.5 in (13 mm) @ 90°
Turret:
Front: 3.5 in (89 mm) @ 0°
Sides: 2.5 in (64 mm) @ 0-13°
Rear: 2.5 in (64 mm) @ 0°
Top: 0.75 in (19 mm) @ 90°
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Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the T20E3 medium tank to expand the inclusion of the T20 series of medium tanks for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. The T20E3 was essentially the T20 fitted with a torsion bar suspension system.
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Sources
Pershing: A History of the Medium Tank T20 Series - R. P. Hunnicutt (2015)
Tank Archives: American Electro-tank
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T23E3 Medium Tank
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T23 (HVSS) Medium Tank
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3 Likes
To add to that…
Yes yes yes yes yes yes!
This or any of the t20 through the t25 variants need to be added and hopefully in the tech tree!
2 Likes
