T110E5

Chrysler's fifth redesign proposal of the T110.

The third Questionmark conference was held at Detroit in June 1954 and several new concepts for improved heavy gun tanks were presented. Six of these were proposed as potential replacements for the T43E1 (M103). Four of the concepts were considered to be fairly short-term proposals requiring about two years of development time. Two of these were armed with the 120 mm Gun T123E1. One of these proposals, the TS-31, utilized a gimbal-type mount for the cannon with a limited traverse. It was the most favored of these proposals and selected for further development, becoming designated as the T110.

Further studies by Chrysler indicated the T110 could be designed with a fully rotating turret and within the 50 ton weight limit set by the cab-type vehicle. The more conventional design would also make use of preexisting components, thus shortening development time and cost. This would be Chrysler's fifth proposed redesign of the T110.

The 120 mm gun was rigidly mounted in a turret with a standard 85 inch diameter ring from the M103 series. The crew was reduced to four from the other T110 versions, eliminating one of the loaders. Compared to the T110E4, this vehicle was expected to have better fire control and could place its gun on target in a shorter amount of time. A full sized mockup of the tank would be built, but by this time, the T43E2 project had been successful so there was no further need for a T110 tank at all. The entire program was soon terminated.

The old T110E5 we have (Tier X) is simply too overbuffed to fit at Tier X, specifically in regards to its armor. By dropping its armor to more historical values, the tank becomes better suited for Tier IX and can be more akin to its brother, the M103. The old T110E5 also incorrectly uses what is essentially the M103's hull, and this would need fixing too. See below:

The T110E5 has a comparatively smaller turret than the M103, and would have comparable mobility. Unlike the M103's hull with its elliptical nose, The T110E5's becomes a more smooth and flat surface like that found on the M60, resulting in an overall weaker front plate. The turret's thickness, while reduced from how it used to be, is still very strong because of its pointed shape and steep angles. 

But where this tank absolutely excels is with its gun handling. I think it should have some of the best-in-class gun handling of any heavy tank at its tier. Reload speed is debatable, but I'd like to keep it around the Tier IX average. However, in giving this tank a more authentic-looking hull, it has to contend with this massive engine compartment over the rear. So while its gun depression over the front and side of the hull may be amazing, over the rear the tank's gun depression would be reduced to 0, if not become positive.

Cross-sectional drawing of the T110E5. Notice the protruding engine compartment.

Now at Tier IX, the T110E5 becomes a sort of crossover between its US counterparts. It has a hull closer in line to a T34 and a turret that closer resembles the M103. The T110E5 makes up for the "worst of both worlds" by having some of if not the best gun handling for a Tier IX heavy tank. Its Achilles' Heel is that it can't depress its gun over the rear.

Guns: 120 mm Gun T123E1

Engines: Continental AOI-1490 (700 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T110E5 (??/??/??)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T110E5 Chrysler (??)

Hull Armor (mm): 127/76/??

Top Speed: 35 km/h

Crew: 4 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander/Radio)

See Also: T110E4, M103A2

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Firepower, 2017