T71 DA

In May 1952, Ordnance outlined the characteristics for a new light tank intended to replace the M41 Bulldog. Initial requirements specified a weight limit of 20 tons and a 90 mm gun. Detroit Arsenal presented a wooden model of a tank meeting these requirements in early 1953, designated as the T71. But Ordnance soon revised their requirements for an 18-ton vehicle with a 76 mm gun. DA would quickly revise their own proposal and have a new wooden model ready by July of that same year.

DA presented one of three competing designs. Their tank was fitted with an oscillating turret that could hold 60 rounds of 76 mm ammunition. The tank was fitted with an automatic loader and had a crew of three, and overall the tank had armor protection equivalent to the M41 Bulldog's. It was powered by the AOI-628 engine that could output 340 horsepower. However, DA's concept would be rejected in favor of the other two.

In World Of Tanks, the T71 DA is perhaps a little too powerful at Tier VII with its gun. I think we should be able to safely push it up a tier while making the top gun the stock option, and bringing over the 90 mm gun from the T69 for its top option. Equipped with the autoloader, the T71 DA should be just as dangerous at Tier VIII than at Tier VII. The module progression is kinda backwards, since we're going from a later design (stock) to an earlier one (elite). But it shouldn't be too much of an issue, I don't think.

Players who already own a T71 DA should just be given this new tank. It's still along the path to the T57 Heavy; they're just given a boost by having their Tier VII tank turned into a Tier VIII one.

Late-model variant of the T71 by Detroit Arsenal.

Guns: 76 mm Gun T185 (autoloader); 90 mm Gun T178 (autoloader)

Engines: Continental AOI-628 (340 hp); Continental AOI-628-2 (400 hp)

Turrets (Turret Armor (mm)): T71 DA 18-ton (25/22/22); T71 DA 20-ton (32/25/25)

Suspensions/Alternate Hulls, Total Weight (metric tons): T71 DA 18-ton (16.33); T71 DA 20-ton (18.14)

Hull Armor (mm): 25/22/19

Top Speed: 56 km/h

Crew: 3 (Driver; Gunner/Loader; Commander/Radio/Loader)



Parent: TLC
Children: T77
See Also: T71 CMCD, T92 Light

Sources:

Hunnicutt, R. P. Sheridan, 2015.