H-1

Wooden model of the H-1.

Parallel with the development of the T43 heavy tank, other studies were being conducted to consider various improvements and possibly a successor. To review these new concepts, the Questionmark conferences were created to stimulate greater interaction between tank designers and tank users. The first of these conferences was held in March 1952.

Among the many items presented at the conference, three heavy tank concepts were proposed. The first was the H-1, which utilized a four-man crew and included the driver in the turret. The armor on the front vehicle was 5 inches thick and angled at 60 degrees from the vertical, doubling the effective thickness. The tank was estimated to weigh about 50 tons.

One interesting feature of this design was the reversed slope on the front hull. The tank completely lacked an upper glacis. The H-1 was also armed with the 120 mm Gun T123E1, which was also mounted on the T43 and eventually standardized as the M58. The H-1 used a 108-inch turret ring, which forced the turret design to be more sloped, and in turn offered better protection.

There was also the H-2 concept, which was identical to the H-1 but was armed with the 155 mm Gun T7.

Hunnicutt does not describe the engine used, though. However, I think it's safe to assume it would be the AX-1100. This engine was used in concepts from both the L- and M- series of proposals, so it wouldn't be too far off to assume it'd be used here too.

Guns: 120 mm Gun T123E1

Engines: GMC AX-1100 (717 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): H-1 (??/??/??)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): H-1 (45.36)

Hull Armor (mm): 127/??/??

Top Speed: ?? km/h

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




Parent: M-1/2
See Also: H-2

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Firepower, 2017.