T58 Heavy

Although the development of a 120 mm gun "or one of greater effectiveness" was called for in December 1950, the specific requirement for a 155 mm gun tank was still recommended later in October 1951.

The specifications were for a tank mounting a 155 mm gun capable of firing HEAT and HEP ammunition. It was originally proposed to mount the 155 mm Gun T80 used in the T97 Gun Motor Carriage on the basis of a T43 chassis. However, Ordnance decided that the WWII-era 155 mm Gun T7 (used on the T30) could be modified and mounted instead. This modified gun was designated as the T180. This was a low-velocity cannon which fired two-piece ammunition, with an automatic loading mechanism that held six rounds. It had an elevation range of -8 to +15 degrees.

The project for the T58 heavy tank opened in July 1952. The T58, like the T57, was to use an oscillating turret on the T43E1 chassis. The T180 gun was much shorter than the T57's 120 mm Gun T179, and therefore weighed less despite the larger caliber size. Even so, the T58 was estimated to weigh 66 tons compared to the 59 tons of the T57. Two pilot models were in the process of being built, one for engineering tests and the other for service tests. The former was to be completed in December 1954.

As on the T57, the T58's turret was supported by a cast armor yoke. The side armor was drastically reduced compared to the T57's turret. At maximum elevation, the turret caused interference between its bustle and the mufflers for the main engine. To correct this problem, the mufflers were repositioned and a new gun travel lock was installed. The work on the two pilots continued into 1956, but as with the T57, interest shifted away from a tank with the requirements of the T58. Both projects were cancelled in January 1957.

In-game, I would like the T58 Heavy to play like the French Foch 155, but with a turret. This includes giving it similar gun characteristics: a 3-shell autoloader, lengthy full magazine and inter-shell reloads, and poor gun handling and dispersion. The turret is also significantly weaker than the T57's, having worse curves to offer less trollish bounces.

The ammunition loadout for this tank's gun should be HEP/HEAT/HE. HEP functions in-game identically to HESH, so autoloading 155 mm cannon with HEP standard could be fairly broken. The best way to balance this would be to give the standard HEP shells less damage than the standard HE. For example, the 155 mm Gun T180's penetration and damage figures may be similar to the following:

• HEP (pen/dmg)    |  180/850 

• HEAT (pen/dmg)  |  340/750 

• HE (pen/dmg)      |  80/1100

For the above, I used the Type 5 Heavy and E-100 to get my figures. Another option would be to give the gun a standard AP/HEAT/HE loadout. It's not historical, but it could be done for the game's balance.

It's also worth noting that the T58 Heavy tank has been molded for the game several years ago. But its introduction to the game had been stopped because Wargaming deemed it to be too over powered. However, the same was said of the WZ-111 5A, Sheridan, and Obj. 430U before, but the current game meta has evolved far enough to allow these tanks to be introduced. So why not the T58 Heavy?

Guns: 155 mm Gun T180 (autoloader)

Engines: Continental AV-1790-5C (810 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T58 (127/83/51)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): Modified T43E1 TBS for T58 (59.87)

Hull Armor (mm): 127/51/38

Top Speed: 35 km/h

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

See Also: T57 Heavy

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Firepower, 2017 

Technical Information Report 3-1-3P1, Development of 155-MM Gun Tank, T58