L-4

Drawing of the L-3 design. The L-4 was visually identical.

Although the M41 Bulldog entered production in 1951, it did not completely fulfill the requirements for a light tank as specified by the Army Field Forces. It was thus regarded as an interm vehicle, while the Army sought designs for a more lightweight tank, that was both inexpensive and had a longer cruising range. In an effort to meet these new requirements, numerous light tank concepts were proposed at the first of what would be many Questionmark Conferences, where tank designers and tank users could meet to determine the future of armored vehicle development.

Detroit Arsenal submitted six design proposals for a new light tank concept. The fourth of these designs was identical to the third concept, except the frontal armor was doubled. This increased the vehicle's weight to 25 tons.

The L-4 is simply a better armored L-3/5, but with the stock gun. Now with 50 mm of armor, its front plate can potentially bounce any gun that's 150 calibers or less, thanks to the overmatch rules. The extreme angle of the front plate would allow for this more often than its peers.

Guns: 90 mm Gun T139

Engines: GMC AX-660 (430 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): L-4 (50/25/25)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): L-4 (22.68)

Hull Armor (mm): 50/25/13

Top Speed: ?? km/h

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



See Also: L-3/5, L-7

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Sheridan, 2015.