T95(155M2)

Artistic rendition of the T95 GMC mounting the 155 mm Gun "Long Tom" M2.

A little-known fact about the T95 GMC was that there was a proposal to arm it with the 155 mm Long Tom, as seen on the M40. The "Long Tom" name was given to the M1, M1A1, and M2 variants of the gun. The only noteworthy difference between these variants are improvements made to the breach ring. They were standardized in 1938, 1941, and 1945 respectively. Although they were often collectively referred to as the M1, or the M59 post-army reorganization after WWII.

The T95 isn't exactly a self-propelled gun, on account of its poor gun elevation angles (and that was just with the 105 mm, mind). So it can be inferred if equipped with this gun, the T95's direct-fire role would be unchanged. But what makes the M2 different than something like the 155 mm T7?

Well, the T7 was a tank-gun designed specifically for tank use, as with the T30 heavy tank. The T7 had a barrel length of L/40 whereas the M2 had a barrel length of L/45. And whereas the T7 received the experimental T35E1 HVAP (high-velocity armor piercing) shell, the M2 (M1 rather, but semantics) received the experimental T152E5 HEP (high-explosive plastic) shell. As we should know by now, HEP is functionally the same as HESH.

You see where I'm going with this?

Evidence for the T152E5 HEP shell being fired out of the M2 (M1) gun.

A Tiger II hull shot at with the T152E5 HEP shell. Needless to say, it's super effective.

I think if bumped up to Tier X and given this HEP shell as its premium option, in addition to the standard AP and HE, this tank would be extraordinarily frightening. While its HEP penetration won't be as high as on the British 183 mm HESH, nor would it deal as much damage on account of its smaller caliber size, the platform in which this gun is mounted is unique compared to the British FV215b 183 and FV4005 II. While those two tanks are rather fragile, the T95(155M2) isn't.

At Tier X, this tank is slow and cumbersome. But it carries with it a devastating shell and unlike its British contemporaries, it doesn't need to retreat to reload and instead can rely on its armor. Not to mention it would fire quicker due to its relatively smaller caliber size. It's basically a standard T95 GMC, but even scarier.



Guns: 155 mm Gun M2

Engines: Ford GAN (525 hp)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T95 GMC 4-Track (86.18)

Hull Armor (mm): 305/102/51

Top Speed: 20 km/h

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



See Also: T95 GMC

Sources:

 

http://forum.worldoftanks.com/index.php?/topic/533229-t28t95-historicity/