M26 Pershing

The first T26 pilot, the T26E1, was simply a heavier and better armored version of the T25, both tanks being further developments of the T23 design. These tanks themselves came after the US entered the European Theater and encountered the German Tiger and Panther tanks, realizing that their previous philosophy on tanks (that they were meant to support infantry, not directly combat other tanks) was ineffective here. The T26 proved to be the more favorable option of the two models. The first pilot was delivered in May 1944 to Fort Knox, mounting a new 90 mm T7 gun. A muzzle break was added and the gun would later be standardized as the 90 mm M3. Later in June, all new models of the T26 series were to be designated as heavy tanks. It wouldn’t be until after the war when they would be re-designated as medium tanks.

Improvements to the T26E1 and lessons learned in its development would culminate into the T26E3, and this was made the standard T26 variant. In March 1945, this variant was standardized as the M26 Pershing. Over 2000 would be produced by the end of the year, but less than a third of that number would reach the European Theater before the war would end. Other M26 variants would include the M45 (T26E2), mounting the 105 mm howitzer that proved successful on the M4 Sherman. Another variant was the T26E4, mounting the powerful new 90 mm T15 gun. Ballistically, the 90 mm M3 was equivalent to the German 8,8 cm L/56. But the T15 was equivalent to the 8,8 cm L/71. The first version of this gun, the T15E1, used single-piece ammunition. All other T15s used two-piece ammunition and were designated T15E2.

Following the end of WWII and several trials, the M26 Pershing would finally receive an improved gun (the 90 mm Gun M3A1) and engine, initially known as the T40. This vehicle was then standardized as the M46 Patton.

The “T15E2M2” has been dropped because as far as I can tell, that gun never existed. I also gave the Pershing some more historical armaments. You’ll notice they’re all 90 mm guns; I’d expect this new Pershing to have a really painless stock grind, but there wouldn’t be much payoff between upgrading modules. In fact, that alone should hold true for several mid-tier US tanks. I’d also expect the characteristics of some of these guns to change. I tweaked the engines a bit to make them more historical too. All these changes come together to make the tank more suited for Tier VII.

At Tier VII, the Pershing is very happy. Compared to a tank like the Panther, the new Pershing should be better armored and carry a punchy gun, but be generally less maneuverable and slower all around (especially in regards to traverse and reload speed). It’s really a heavy tank in everything but name only.

Guns: 90 mm Gun T7; 90 mm Gun M3; 105 mm Howitzer M4; 90 mm Gun T15E2

Engines: Ford GAF (500 hp); Ford GAN (525 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T26E1 (102/76/76); T26E4 (127/76/76)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T26E3 (41.89); T26E4 (43.54)

Hull Armor (mm): 102/76/51

Top Speed: 40 km/h

Crew: 5 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander; Radio)

Parent: M4A3E2
Children: T26E5, M47 Patton
See Also: T23, T25, M26E1, M26E2, T26E4 SP, T26E4/T32

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Pershing, 2015