 |
| T25 Pilot 1 |
At the time production of the T23 medium tank was authorized, it was requested to see if a 90 mm gun could be mounted inside them. Fifty vehicles were converted, ten of which would be equipped with heavier armor and be designated as the T26. The remaining forty used the same armor basis of the T23 and were designated as the T25 medium tank.
The original design estimates for the T25 was at 72,000 pounds, but continued development would push the vehicle to about 81,000 pounds. These modified designs would be designated T25E1. However, it was still requested that two T23s be converted to the original T25 design standard. The first pilot weighed around 82,000 pounds while the second weighed a little more than 84,000.
The T25 featured a horizontal volute spring suspension, whereas the T25E1 used a torision bar style suspension. The T25 pilots would serve as testing platforms for the 90 mm Gun T7, which would go on to become standardized as the M3. However, interest soon moved on the heavier T25E1, which would serve as a test bed for numerous experiments.
 |
| T25E1 Pilot 1 |
What we have here is a step up from the T23 along the "Pershing" family of vehicles. This tank is a bit slower and less maneuverable and it has slightly worse gun handling (dispersion, reload, etc.), but it carries more powerful guns and has better gun characteristics (accuracy, aim time, etc.). Conversely, this tank (and the T23) is more maneuverable and has better gun handling than the M26 Pershing, yet has worse armor and less powerful gun options.
While the 76 mm Gun M1A2 was never mounted on a T25, I think it would serve for a decent stock option.
While the 76 mm Gun M1A2 was never mounted on a T25, I think it would serve for a decent stock option.
Guns: 76 mm Gun M1A2; 90 mm Gun T7; 90 mm Gun M3; 90 mm Gun T14
Engines: Ford GAF (500 hp); Ford GAN (525 hp)
Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T25 Pilot 1 (89/64/64);
Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T25 Pilot 1 (37.33); T25E1 (36.87)
Hull Armor (mm): 76/51/38
Top Speed: 48 km/h
Crew: 5 (Driver; Gunner; Loader; Commander; Radio)
Sources:
Hunnicutt, R. P. Pershing, 2015
No comments:
Post a Comment