In late July 1943, a secret memo was released by Ordnance to select generals detailing the need for a new experimental assault tank, one which could "not be penetrated by any guns which the enemy can bring to bear upon it." This tank was required to have 10 inches and 8 inches of armor on the front and sides respectively, along with the new high-velocity 105 mm T4 antiaircraft gun. This gun could fire an APC projectile that would penetrate 7 inches of armor at 500 yards.
The purpose of this new vehicle was to attack concrete pill boxes and other fortifications that could not otherwise be easily countered. The tank would safely approach the fortification with its heavy armor and destroy it with its gun. Sufficient track was placed in order to give the vehicle mobility equivalent to the M4 Sherman.
This vehicle, the AT Project as I'm presenting it, is this very first draft of what would evolve into the T28/T95. The armor for this tank would be incredible, easily making it the most armored tank at Tier VII, and with even better armor than most tanks higher tiered than it. In order to compensate for this, it should be given relatively poor mobility (not surprising) and some poor gun characteristics.
It should be based on the cover image, which appears to be a combination of the T28 HTC and the T28 HD model. I've included the two designs those tanks are based on below.
Using the cover image as a basis, the AT Project appears to be a one-track design with mini-turrets like the first image, with perhaps a single cupola on the roof, and a hull-mounted weapon like what's found with the second image. I would like to isolate the tank's strong armor to some "strong points" rather than weak spots, such as the mini-turrets and the gun mantlet. The rest of the armor should still be strong, but not to the point of being overpowered.
As for the guns, the T4 would make for a decent stock option. The T5 would have improved handling but similar performance. And in comparison to the T5, the T5E1 would have improved performance but similar handling. We can also give the thing some poor engine choices.
Guns: 105 mm Gun T4; 105 mm Gun T5; 105 mm Gun T5E1
Engines: Ford GAF (500 hp); Ford GAN (525 hp)
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): A.T. Project 1943 (68.03); A.T. Project 1943 Improved (68.03)
Hull Armor (mm): 254/203/102
Top Speed: 25 km/h
Crew: 4 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander/Radio)
Sources:
https://imgur.com/a/u3R7U
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