- Yes
- No
caid’s suggestion #140
I would like to suggest a tank that would be quite interesting to play, the T88 HMC
The T88 HMC can be quickly described as a howitzer version of the M18 Hellcat. there is little difference between the tow vehicles. based on the M18 hellcat, saw the 76mm sight replaced by the 105mm T12 howitzer and new sight. all the rest of the tank was unchanged, save for the ammo rack of course. this tank was built in December 1944 and was purposed to offer high mobility fire support on the battlefield. the M18 chassis was chosen. the Hellcat has been of course a tank renowned for having exceptional mobility. the vehicle was aiming to replace the M7 Priest. while the fully rotative turret and higher mobility make it an obvious improvement, the test needed to prove the improvement worth the money. the only real thing the T88 could do over the M7 was the amphibious assault. the M18 can strap a floating kit in the front and back of the tank to make it amphibious. the T88 designed with this knowledge was fitted with a fire-control system and a stabilizer to allow it to fire while floating. the end of WW2 and the large number of M7 priest led to the cancellation of this tank because it was considered as unneeded expend. it remained the tank was a pretty good tank and the test was successful. two prototypes were built and one is preserved up to this day at Fort Lee Virginia. both T88 are different from each other. the T88E1 which is the second prototype has a slightly lighter 105mm T51 with a concentric recoil mechanism. the difference is mainly spot there which does not make it enough in my opinion to have both of them worth being added.
Firepower
the 105 mm T12 howitzer is a modified M4 howitzer adapted for less recoil (probably to be used on the aircraft) the gun fires all the standard 105mm from the M4 gun. there is no indication the gun has a faster reload or different velocity. outside the HE, HEAT, and Smoke rounds, the tank could also have access to experimental rounds tested in September and October 1944. notably an APHE and APDS-HE which would not be groundbreaking for the gun but just allow a more conventional usage at medium range. the APHE has a velocity of 588 m/sec which makes it just slower than the 75mm, carries 5 times more explosives, and has a penetration of around 80mm at combat distance. while the APDS have a velocity of 853 m/sec, carry half the explosive, and have a penetration around 110 mm at combat distance. those two rounds will give the tank a more conventional use. the only difference would be the reload will be relatively slow. 16 rounds are carried in the turret for the 105mm, and a total of 40 rounds are carried. the gun features a vertical stabilizer to allow it to fire on the move which would make it an extremely effective tank. a 12.7mm M2HB is placed on the roof at the front of the tank and can act as coaxial. the elevation offers -10° to +35° which is quite comfortable for most situations. it can also turn on 360° at a speed of 24°/sec.
Mobility
the tank mobility is going to be pretty exceptional. the tank is fairly light with about 17,2 tons (19 US tons). the engine is the supercharged R975-C4 who provide 400 hp at 2600 rpm. this is the same engine initially used on the M18 Hellcat but was later replaced by the R975-C1 engine for production. this gives the T88 a bit less power and mobility but it remains very fast. the top speed reaching 72 km/h will give this tank very nice mobility and allow it to just sneak and flank the enemy with ease. the transmission is the same as the M18 with 3 forward speeds and one reverse paired with a torque converter. this will give a smooth acceleration and high reverse speed as well. this is perfect to annoy the unaware enemy
Protection
the T88 has the same paper-thin protection as the M18. With about 12.7mm of armor all around, it will only protect against LMG fire. the turret is open top which makes it vulnerable to aircraft. the tank is an average size which gives it a chance to hide but it would not be so hard to see it. the crew of 5 men is placed a bit differently than the M18. naturally 2 men are in the hull. but the gunner and loader are inverted due to the fire-control system. The player who is used to aiming for the gunner will instantly get the Loader, commander, and ammo rack. which is probably worse… 18 rounds are placed on the left side of the turret which makes it easy to get the ammo to explode. the gunner is on the right side of the turret and pretty much alone there. outside the mobility, the tank does not have much to help it survive.
Sources
Tank data, Aberdeen proving ground series
- Off The Mark: US Revamp: T88 HMC
- https://dzen.ru/a/YdpxxmhlcS91kjfi
- Tank Archives: A Fast Howitzer on a Light Chassis
- M18 Hellcat 76 mm Gun Motor Carriage
- T88 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage - MMOWG.net
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II - Chris Bishop - Google Books
For the T28 APDS-HE experimental rounds
For the T24E1 APBC-HE experimental round
thanks to sirchby and @MiseryIndex556 to provide with reliable information about the additional round through their bug repport