- Yes
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T26E3 - Pershing on the Proving Grounds
Heavy Tank T26E3 at the NIBT proving grounds, summer of 1945.
Introduction
In April 1945, the Soviet Union received a Heavy Tank T26E3, later known as the M26 Pershing, from the United States for evaluation purposes. This tank, bearing the registration number 30119961, was transported aboard the SS August Belmont as part of convoy JW-66, which departed for Murmansk on April 16 and arrived on April 25 without incident.
In 1945, the Red Army’s Main Armour Directorate made a request for American military vehicles, with the M26 being prominently featured in significant numbers.
I’m going to try to go into as much detail as possible with this one as its less known about. If I forget to add something or make a mistake somewhere please correct me. Thank you.
History
The T26E3 Heavy Tank, bearing registration number 30119961, was sent to the USSR for evaluation. Although it was a production model, Soviet analysts classified it as an experimental vehicle. During their assessment, experts at the NIBT Polygon observed certain similarities between the T26E3 and the GMC T70, particularly in the design of key components. This was partially accurate, especially regarding the chassis, as the GMC T70 had served as a testing ground for the torsion bar suspension later utilized in various American tanks and self-propelled guns. However, the connection was less evident in the T26E3 compared to earlier models like the T20E3 and T23E3, which shared tracks, rollers, and drive wheels with the GMC T70. These similarities stemmed from all these vehicles being developed at Detroit’s Tank-Automotive Center.
The cargo manifest of the SS August Belmont, which included the new American tank along with other shipments.
The T26E3’s hull design drew mixed reactions from Soviet engineers. Despite being classified as a heavy tank, its 101.6 mm frontal armor was seen as inadequate for 1945 standards, especially compared to the increasing protection offered by contemporary Soviet medium tanks under evaluation. Positives included the use of large rolled and cast components, easily accessible engine hatches, and internal reinforcements that enhanced structural rigidity. However, drawbacks such as the exposed fan casing between driver hatches and the vulnerable final drive assemblies—prone to damage from mines or rough terrain—were notable criticisms. The gunner’s sights, optimized only for armor-piercing rounds, made it difficult to use high-explosive shells or fire the machine gun effectively, and the low optical magnification was another weak point. While the loader’s position was considered practical, floor-mounted shell stacks required extra effort, reducing the tank’s rate of fire.
Testing included a standard evaluation on rough forest roads, which affected the tank’s average speed, recorded at 18.9 km/h. This performance was considered respectable and would have improved on smoother terrain. For comparison, the IS-3 heavy tank achieved an average speed of 14.6 km/h under similar conditions, while the T-44 medium tank managed 17.5 km/h. The T26E3 outpaced the M4A4 medium tank and the German Pz.Kpfw. Panther, which reached 16.5 km/h and 15.8 km/h, respectively.
The T26E3’s torque converter was highlighted as a major advantage, providing excellent throttle response and enabling rapid acceleration, even on uneven forest roads. Its torsion bar suspension with telescopic shock absorbers offered a smooth ride, improving speed and comfort. The tank accelerated to 30 km/h on a country road in just 15 seconds, covering 68 meters in the process.
T26E3 during mobility trials.
However, the torque converter came at the cost of fuel efficiency. The T26E3 consumed 585 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers, significantly higher than the diesel-powered IS-3 and T-44, which used 373 and 378 liters, respectively. Even gasoline-powered tanks like the M4A4 and Pz.Kpfw. Panther were more fuel-efficient, consuming 503 and 595 liters, respectively. The high fuel consumption was attributed to the torque converter’s inefficiency and the engine’s operation at maximum power output.
The T26E3 performed well on inclines, handling slopes of 31–32 degrees as specified in its manual and even managing a 35-degree slope. It also successfully towed the IS-2 heavy tank, albeit with fuel consumption rising to 160 liters per hour during the operation. Reliability during testing was noted as a strong point.
A 31-degree descent was easily navigated.
Operating at an incline of 35 degrees.
In gunnery trials, accuracy when firing on the move ranged from 40–50% at 12–13 km/h to 10–20% at 24–26 km/h. The absence of a gyroscopic gun stabilizer, unlike the M4A2(76)W, negatively impacted firing performance. Armor penetration tests yielded mixed results. Using M77 and M82 armor-piercing rounds, the T26E3’s gun could penetrate 82 mm plates angled at 50 degrees from 1,300 meters, comparable to the German 88 mm KwK 36 gun but inferior to more powerful German and Soviet weapons.
The performance of the M82 shell was less remarkable
Impact marks on the Tiger’s armor from a distance of 1300 meters.
Ultimately, the T26E3’s designation as a heavy tank and its mixed performance led Soviet evaluators to conclude it failed to meet modern requirements. However, this verdict overlooked that the T26E3 was, in reality, a medium tank. Although initially criticized, the T26E3 proved effective during the final months of World War II. Its armor limitations observed during battle confirmed Soviet assessments.
Five years later, reclassified as the M26 Pershing medium tank, it saw action in Korea, where it outperformed T-34-85 tanks. Soviet testers, while critical of the T26E3, cannot be faulted for comparing it to heavy tanks like the IS-3, as that was its formal classification at the time. The T26E3 sent to the USSR did not survive; after testing, it was moved to Leningrad, where its trail ends.
Specification
General Information and Characteristics:
- Classification: Initially designated as a heavy tank (later regarded as a medium tank)
- Crew: 5
- Origin: United States
- Weight: Approximately 41.7 tons
- Dimensions:
- Length: 8.65 m (with gun forward)
- Width: 3.51 m
- Height: 2.78 m
Armor:
- Hull:
- Frontal Plate: 101.6 mm
- Side Plate: 76.2 mm
- Rear Plate: 50.8 mm
- Turret:
- Frontal Armor: 102 mm
- Side Armor: 76 mm
- Rear Armor: 51 mm
Armament:
- Main Gun: 90 mm M3 cannon
- Ammunition Types: M77 (AP) and M82 (AP with ballistic cap)
- Effective Penetration:
- M77: 82 mm of armor at 50° inclination at 1,300 m
- Rate of Fire: Approx. 6 rounds per minute
- Coaxial Machine Gun: M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun
- Bow Machine Gun: M1919A4 .30 caliber machine gun
- Ammunition Load:
- 70 rounds for the main gun
- 5,000 rounds for machine guns
Armor-piercing shells M77 (on the left) and M82 (on the right).
Mobility:
- Engine: Ford GAF V8 gasoline engine
- Power Output: 500 hp at 2,600 RPM
- Transmission: Torqmatic automatic transmission (3 forward, 1 reverse)
- Suspension: Torsion bar with telescopic shock absorbers
- Maximum Speed: 30 km/h (on-road)
- Average Speed (Tested): 18.9 km/h (off-road conditions)
- Fuel Consumption:
- 585 liters per 100 km
- Fuel Capacity: 634 liters
- Operational Range: Approx. 120 km on-road
Performance:
- Obstacle Handling:
- Climbable Slope: 35° maximum
- Fording Depth: 1.2 m
- Trench Crossing: 2.5 m
- Reliability: High during testing, with minimal breakdowns reported
- Towing Capability: Capable of towing an IS-2 heavy tank without issue
Fire Control & Optics:
- Sights:
- Limited to armor-piercing scale, no provision for HE fragmentation rounds
- Optical magnification considered low
- Stability: Hull demonstrated adequate firing stability
Here I will provide additional images from the Soviet testing with underneath context
The most significant issue was the damage sustained by the road wheel rims.
The American heavy tank easily climbs up a prolonged slope.
“Heavy Tank T26E3 at the NIBT proving grounds, summer of 1945.”
Sources
90 mm gun M1/M2/M3 - Wikipedia
M26 Pershing - Wikipedia
Tank Archives: Pershing: Heavy by Necessity
Spookstons - How Bad Was The M26 Pershing? (Sources in the description)
M26 Pershing by David Doyle
Red Army tests at Kubinka
Pershing - A History of the Medium Tank T20 Series by R.P. Hunnicutt
