I will make a suggestion here for the T7E2 for the American tech tree.
The T7E2 is the 3rd prototype proposed for the T7 project (and 2nd build). this project started in 1941 to create a light tank in all aspects better than the M2A4 or M3 light tank. the T7 and T7E1 were armed with the 37mm turn out to lack of firepower and a 3rd tank was proposed with a 57mm gun as the 75mm was considered as too much for a light tank. this was the T7E2 finished in May 1942. this tank was in all aspects much better than the American Light tank currently in service. the mobility was improved, the Firepower much better, and the armor close to those of the M4 medium tank. The tank also features some interesting parts such as the same engine as the M4A1 Sherman but with a torque converter. the main concern about this tank was the growing mass which crossed the mark of 20 tonnes. in its final form, the tank weighed 23.5 tonnes. the trial went well if it wasn’t for the torque converter which needed to be changed by another one. the tank was heavy and closer to the Medium tank weight than a light tank. it had the mobility of a light tank while having the protection of a medium tank. which puts this tank in a sweet spot between both categories. the US didn’t like the 57mm Caliber L/43 which didn’t have a significant advantage over the 75mm M3, the decision was made to mount the 75mm on a polished design of the T7 which was the T7E4. this tank was a bit heavier with 24.5 tonnes and serial improvement on the design and a new turret. the T7E4 was accepted for services as the M7 medium tank.
Firepower
the main armament the 57mm QF 6-Pounder, not to be mistaken with the 57mm M1 was accepted for services in 1943. the 6-pounder had a lower velocity of 853 m/sec which indicates it was surely based on the British QF 6-pounder Mk.III who had the same caliber and velocity. the gun had an elevation of +18° to -8° (assumly). Since the gyrostabilizer was one of the requirements of the T7, it is to assume the gun had a vertical stabilizer as well even if there is no direct mention it was installed. the turret rotation was powered, giving a rotation speed of around 24° to 30°/sec. it is unknown how many rounds this tank could carry for the 57mm, but as the M7 could carry 71 rounds for the 75mm, I would assume the T7E2 could carry about as much, which is more than enough for the game perspective. the tank is one of the rare US tank who do not feature a roof machine gun. it does feature a coaxial 7.62mm and a bow 7.62mm which was rather standard at this time.
Mobility
the T7E2 features the best mobility amounts of the T7 family. featuring a Continental R975 providing 400 hp at 2400 rpm and a Warner Gear torque converter, the tank could reach a high speed of 62.4 km/h whereas the other T7 could barely reach the speed of around 50 km/h. this is mainly due to the Torque converter which splits the gear into high and low values and improve greatly the top gear speed. the tank weighs 23.5 tonnes which is a bit heavy for a light tank and might make it fall into the medium tank weight. this tank is still having the engine of the M4A1 medium tank while weighing 7 tonnes less.
Protection
the armor of this tank is interesting. the front has been raised to 51mm of armor with a 68° slope making the protection close to the M4 medium tank. the side has been more lightly protected with 38mm as the original T7 light tank was supposed to be all over making it have the same thickness as the Sherman as well only the side is rounded which makes it harder to get a proper angle in most situation and reduce the area where the armor offers a flat angle. the tank is also smaller than the Sherman which makes it harder to spot. the turret has about the same level of protection with 51mm on the front and a 21° slope. the gunshield is a bit thicker at 63mm and rounded. the side and rear of the turret get to 38mm. the crew of 5 men makes it just as large as the Medium tanks. the tank was offering no smoke of any sort.
Given that this is the American 57mm, I’d assume it would use the US 57mm ammo, including M70 AP and M86 APCBC with 41.16 grams of TNT filler. These are used by the T18E2 Boarhound. +1 for some tech tree 57mm APHE.
it was not yet a medium tank, but right after the turret was rearmed with a 75mm, it was qualified as a medium tank and accepted to services as the M7 medium tank.
the M7 was slightly heavier too. but the reclassification was considered long before.
That’s why I said it was a Light->Medium. It’s a Light Tank but has qualities comparable to a Medium.
So it is in a sub-class of vehicles. Which are established as such. Gonna add some examples.
Light Tanks
Light-Medium Tanks
Light-Heavy Tanks
Medium-Light Tanks->Chi-He, Chi-Nu
Medium Tanks->Chi-To
Medium-Heavy’s->Chi-Ri I/II
Heavy-Light->a Heavy Tank but lighter on the armor profile. Or is it fast for a tank of its weight and class
Heavy-Mediums
Heavy Tanks.
for me, there is the weight classes. which is pretty much just for the logistics.
Light
Medium
heavy
then there is the role
Reconnaissance
high mobility
low firepower
low protection
small profile
Infantry fighting vehicles
good mobility
suppress fire
limited sustained AT capacity
line-tank
good survivability
decent firepower
limited mobility
cruiser
good mobility
good firepower
decent armour
brawler/assault tank
Excellent protection
decent firepower
low mobility
glass cannon
high firepower
long range
low survivability
tank hunter
good mobility
high anti-tank capacity
low survivability
assault gun
excellent armor
good firepower
slow reload
self-propelled gun
low survivability
high firepower
slow reload
light Anti-aircraft
fast rate of fire
low range
small damage
Medium Anti-aircraft
medium fire rate
medium range
medium damage
Dual-purpose land and air targets
Heavy anti-aircraft
slow fire rate
high range
high damage
more effective against land targets
of course, there can be variations in their feature but I used each vehicle according to a tactic based on his class and not his weight. like that you do not make the mistake of thinking because something is light it’s fast or because something is heavy it’s protected. sometimes those things are deceiving.
of course, some vehicles can be used in other roles but may not be as suited as the real vehicles adapted to the specific role.
That’s the standard, Sub-Classes are a tricky thing since they are technically homebrewed as a designation. But at the same time aren’t because of how tanks were developed and were often derived into a class such as TD’s(Tank Destroyers) or SHTs (Super Heavy Tanks).
yes but the Superheavy class aren’t always performing the say way.
the FCM 2C is a super heavy,
The Mauss is a super heavy
the T95 is a super heavy
yet they are not played the same.
the FCM 2C is a line-tank for me. his job is to hold the line and prevent the enemy from pushing while you can also led the assault. but not good without isolation.
The Mauss is a Brawler, it can fight isolated and take a beating against multiple enemies while taking them out one by one (as long there is no HEAT rounds)
the T95 is an assault gun. it can sit and fight in a single directly, and take out anything but it’s not made to fight in all directions or be flexible in the battle.
if you play those 3 based on their weight, you will feel like only the Mauss is good.
but if you play them according to their class, suddenly they all become decent
I would say the T7E2 is more of a cruiser than anything. it would be played like the Cromwell or the Panther in a fight. but can sometimes replace the line tanks like the sherman and the T-34 or reconnaissance like the M24 or AMX 13.
that makes it a rather flexible tank which would be easy to play.
they are classified by their role. not the performance.
the weight was mostly created from a logistic point of view for most countries. In the battlefield, carrying vehicles around, and having them capable of taking certain roads and bridges is a very important detail.
The vehicles were mostly classified for their roles regardless of their performance or weight. such as cruisers, breakthroughs, infantry tanks, reconnaissance vehicles, battle tanks, and such.
Japan classified their vehicles by weight. Not performance not by role.
The US classified their vehicles by role, but it still doesn’t change much.
Germany classified their vehicles by gun. Ex: Panther, which would have been classified Heavy tank by other countries and to an extent was.
