Would you like to see this in-game?
T72 GMC
Hello everybody. I’d like to suggest the T72 GMC for the US ground forces tech tree in War Thunder. The T72 was a prototype tank destroyer developed as an improved derivative of the M10 Wolverine. It was built on the M10A1 chassis and armed with the 76 mm Gun M1, and it featured a new lightweight turret with powered traverse, reduced overall weight, and slightly better mobility thanks to its Ford GAA engine. One of its standout features was the bustle-mounted ammunition rack, which provided 27 ready rounds for rapid use in combat. In-game, the T72 would serve as an excellent “missing link” between the M10 GMC and the M36 GMC to fill a gap in the US tank destroyer line.
History
Since its combat debut on March 23, 1943, in Tunisia, the M10 Wolverine, armed with the 3-inch Gun M7, proved effective against most German armor then in service. However, even before its first action, the Ordnance Committee was already considering the improvements for the M10 chassis. On March 18, 1943, they recommended installing the new 76 mm Gun M1 in a redesigned turret on the M10A1 chassis. This modification promised to reduce overall weight by about three tons compared to the standard M10. The proposal was approved and given the designation 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage T72.
The turret for the T72 was a lightweight derivative of the T23 medium tank’s turret. It used a modified version of the T80 gun mount, lacking the coaxial .30 cal machine gun and fitted with a thinner 1.5-inch gun shield. Armor protection was deliberately reduced: 1.125 inches on the turret sides and rear, while the top remained open like the M10 and M36. The mount, designated the 76 mm Gun Mount T2, had powered traverse but no stabilizer, and the direct sight telescope was repositioned to address complaints raised on earlier M10s.
To counterbalance the lightweight turret, a bustle was added at the rear, which also carried 27 ready rounds. Combined with improved sponson racks for 72 more, the T72 carried a total of 99 rounds, 45 more than the M10.
Two pilot turrets were ordered for installation on M10A1 hulls. The first T72 arrived at Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 1943, followed by the second in April. Testing confirmed a weight savings of 4,350 lbs compared to the M10. The new turret provided more internal space for the crew, though at the cost of thinner frontal armor protection.
Meanwhile, development of the T70 GMC (later standardized as the M18 Hellcat) was progressing in parallel. The T70’s superior torsion-bar suspension and excellent mobility quickly overshadowed the T72’s performance. By February 1944, Aberdeen recommended halting work on the T72 and suggested that, if necessary, the T70’s turret could be adapted to the M10 chassis. With increasingly heavy German armor appearing on the battlefield, the 76 mm gun was also seen as insufficient. This led to a shift toward the 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage T71, which was standardized as the M36 Jackson, rendering the T72 redundant.
The T72 project was cancelled on 17 February 1944. Neither pilot was ever sent to the Tank Destroyer Board for evaluation, though at least one remained at Aberdeen for experimental work with rigid gun mounts.
Specifications
T72 GMC
General Characteristics
Crew: 5
Dimensions:
Length (hull only): 235.1 in (597 cm)
Width: 120 in (305 cm)
Height: 114 in (290 cm)
Powertrain:
Engine: Ford GAA
Net: 450 hp (456 PS) @ 2,600 rpm
Gross: 500 hp (507 PS) @ 2,600 rpm
Transmission: Synchromesh
1st Gear: 7.56:1
2nd Gear: 3.11: 1
3rd Gear: 1.78:1
4th Gear: 1.11:1
5th Gear: 0.73:1
Reverse: 5.65:1
Combat Weight: 30.425 US tons (27.60 metric tons)
Performance:
Power-to-Weight Ratio:
Net: 14.8 hp/US ton (16.3 hp/metric ton)
Gross: 16.4 hp/US ton (18.1 hp/metric ton)
Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h)
Armament & Armor
Main Armament:
76 mm M1 Gun in lightweight Mount T2
Ammo:
Ready rounds: 27
Stowed: 72
Total: 99 rounds
Secondary Armament:
1 x .50 caliber MG HB M2
Pintle mount for anti-aircraft use
Ammo: 1,000 rounds
Armor Protection:
Hull: identical to M10/M10A1 Wolverine
Turret:
Gun Shield: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Sides: 1.125 in (29 mm)
Rear: 1.125 in (29 mm)
Roof: open-top
Sources
Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestion! 😃
13 Likes
+1 never realised the USA had this many prototypes
1 Like
Jarms
November 1, 2025, 6:03am
3
Might be a great opportunity for the US to actually get a 76mm around 4.3 or 4.7 again. Excellent mid-point between the M10 and M18.
7 Likes
yeah and usa have most prorotypes in game…
What do you think it’ll end up being, then?
I definitely don’t think it should sit at a higher BR like 5.3 alongside the M36. It has roughly the same mobility, but the turret will be a major weak spot.
1 Like
4.3, 4.0 for pure optimism
3 Likes
+1 for 4.3BR. Looks fun to play and the US needs a new 76mm
2 Likes
Jarms
November 2, 2025, 7:30am
9
Depends if it has HVAP or not. If Gaijin give it HVAP then they’d probably put it at 4.7, no HVAP it’d be lower.
平賀_譲
January 9, 2026, 8:39pm
11
I hope it can be 4.7,anyway a single T14 is not enough comparing with CCCP 4.7.
should be 4.0 cause the M10 has trolly armor at times
Is it stabilized?
Noooo, i thought it was going to be a M10 with a roof, i thought the turret would be fully enclosed and planes wouldn’t be abble to pulverize the turret crew, but it’s not :'(
+1 anyways, it’s a cool vehicle
You do know out of all the nations Russia had the most prototypes in their tree right?
1 Like
Not that it matters. But that’s not even close to true.
There are 10 prototypes in the soviet tree, and there are 20 in the US tree.
Why make such blatantly wrong statements that can be easily checked?
1 Like
What prototypes do both have out of curiosity?
Soviet:
Though I’m uncertain if T-26-4 entered limited production or was still considered prototype.
US:
I only got 20 this time so I must’ve double counted one before. Still, not even close.
2 Likes
I remember hearing at some point, the reason America made so many prototypes during WW2 was because shipping tanks across the atlantic was a large commitment (atleast more so than driving a tank straight from the factory to the battlefield). For that reason, they tried to perfect designs as much as possible before shipping them off.
