Overview
Hello Again WarThunderers! Today’s suggestion is for the American T77 MGMC, specifically the E1 variant, a prototype SPAAG with a whopping 6 M2 Browning Machine Guns, plus a good ol’ .30 cal.
Basic Information
Designation: T77E1 (Military), T89E1 (Manufacturer)
Role: Self-Propelled Anti-Air Gun
Crew: 4
Manufacturer: Cadillac Motor Car Division (hull), United Shoe Machinery Company (turret)
Total built: 2
Time Built: 1943
Specifications
Specs - Dimensions
Length: 16 ft 6 in (5.03 m)
Width: 9 ft 10 in (3 m)
Specs - Driving Performance
Engine(s): Twin Cadillac Series 44T24
220 hp (160 kW) (164 kW) at 3,400 rpm (total)
Maximum Speed: 35 mph (56 km/h)
Max Range: 100 mi (160 km)
Total Weight: 40,500 lb (18,370 kg)
Specs - Armor
Hull:
- 0.40–1.50 in (10–38 mm)
Turret:
- 0.50 in (12.7 mm)
Specs - Armament
Specs - Armament - Primary Armament
- 6x .50 (12.7mm) M2HB Browning Machine Guns in hexagonal format in turret (6000 rounds)
Specs - Armament - Secondary Armament
- 1x .30 (7.62 mm) 1919A4 Browning Machine Guns (250 rounds)
Specs - Additional Information
Fuel Capacity: 110 US gal (420 L)
Usage in battles
The T77E1 would be a decent step up in armament with its two additional machine guns as well as it being based on the M24 Chaffee hull, it would have a better than average survivability to other SPAA’s we see in the game. It is important to consider however how the 2 gunner positions protrude from the turret hull noticably, making them easy targets if not careful.
Pros:
-
Good Manueverability
-
Decent Armament
Cons:
-
Exposed gunners
-
Poor Anti-Vehicle performance
History
During WW2, the U.S. military developed several anti-aircraft vehicle designs, most notably based on the M3 Half-track vehicle, such as the T54E1 and the mass-produced M16 MGMC. However after a few designs and production runs, development moved on to experimenting with the fully tracked M24 Chaffee chassis, resulting in production of the M19 GMC with its twin 40mm Bofors M1936 AA guns. Another design proposed, was the T77 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage. The project was initially designed for the M5 Stuart Light tank, but because the M24 design was already in the process of replacing it, they opted for the larger M24 chassis which offered greater opportunities.
In July 1943, the Committee of the U.S. military weapons technology recommended the development of a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, which is based on the M24 light tank, equipped with multiple heavy M2HB machine guns. The T77 was the product of their request, designed for six .50 M2HBs in the turret. In April 1944, two prototypes were presented and went into testing in October. The year after, it went to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for various tests. The T77 was a M24 chassis with a new turret design, it’s turret designed by United Shoe Machinery Company, the turret design, known as the T89, was very strange, one of its most conspicuous parts being the two seats covered with glass domes on the turret made for a better view of the battlefield, presumably offering some protection against shrapnel and debris as well. While the T77 had passed it’s proving tests, the T77 MGMC never went into production, as it was decided its armament was to weak and its design and strategy would not see success in the new era of jet aircraft.
Sources
Prototype - T77 Multiple Gun Carriage
T77 MGMC | Forgotten Hope Secret Weapon Wiki | Fandom
https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/us/m24_chaffee.php
US WW2 Tanks - Nevington War Museum
mmi.86.2013 by meta3106 - Issuu
The project of self-propelled anti-aircraft installation T77 (USA)
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