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| Detroit Arsenal's original T110 (TS-31) design. |
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.
The original T110 (TS-31), as proposed by Detroit Arsernal, revealed the tank's dimensions wouldn't allow for it to be transported through the Berne International Tunnel, a frequently used tunnel in Switzerland. The wide cab and right-shifted commander's cupola also limited the field of fire for the cupola's machine gun and required additional weight to provide sufficient protection for the commander because of the vertical walls.
Detroit Arsenal would revise their concept and submitted a second drawing which moved the transmission to the from the front hull to the engine compartment. However, the large fuel tanks were now moved to the front hull and installed beside the driver. At this time, a conventional suspension was specified in lieu of the flat-track suspension previously specified. Also, the AV-1790 engine was replaced by a more efficient AOI-1490. The tank was also made considerably longer.
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| Detroit Arsenal's revision of their original T110 design. |
While we have two engine options, this tank is going to need some different gun choices. The T123E1, which would later go on to become the M58, can stay as the tank's top gun. We can also give it the T122, which was the developmental version of the T123E1. While two guns would suffice, I think we can get away with giving it the T140E3 as a stock option. This was the 105 mm gun in development at the time, and is essentially the non-autoloaded version of the one found on the T54E1 medium tank.
Like the TS-31, this tank can be thought of as a toned-down Tortoise. In order to work being a tier lower, this tank has worse armor, and more numerous and oversized weak spots. I would also consider dropping its DPM considerably compared to the Tortoise, and put it up to par with other tank destroyers of its tier. However, this tank is considerably more mobile. Not to mention, with its second hull option, it's more prone to frontal fires.
Guns: 105 mm Gun T140E3; 120 mm Gun T122; 120 mm Gun T123E1
Engines: Continental AOI-1490 (700 hp); Continental AV-1790-8 (825 hp)
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T110 (41.73); T110E1 Detroit Arsenal (??)
Hull Armor (mm): 127/??/??
Top Speed: ?? km/h
Crew: 5 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Loader; Commander/Radio)
Sources:
Hunnicutt, R. P. Firepower, 2017
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