T6 Medium Tank.

From lessons learned during the fall of France in 1940 American military planners realized the urgent need to re-arm its military forces. With the realization of the panzer IV and its 75mm gun a sense of urgency overwhelmed the allies. Due to this realization the M2A1 was found to be outclassed and obsolete. This was the only medium tank in American Service at the time and was armed with only a 37mm cannon and a mass of machine guns. In august of 1940 the decision was made to design and produce a new allied medium tank with a 75mm gun. This brought into being a stop gap tank, the M3 Lee/Grant with a hull mounted 75mm main gun mounted in the right of the hull and a 37mm gun in a 360 degree traversable turret on top. This tank would give allied forces a tank with the firepower needed to combat the Axis forces until a new design was realized. This new design was ordered to be equipped with a 75mm main gun in a 360 degree traversable turret. Designing this new turret would be a major challenge. On 1 February 1940 a directive was received to begin design of the new tank. This new design was to use as many existing parts from the existing M3 Lee/Grant as possible. This would help expedite the transition of the assembly lines and reduce the need for development of many new parts. These existing M3 Lee parts would include the lower hull, engine, drive train, 75mm gun, and suspension along with others. On 18 April 1941 at a conference at Aberdeen proving grounds five different designs were thought out. With the reduction of the crew reducing the size of the fighting compartment an attempt at adding armor thickness was suggested. So the T6 and a whole new era in American tank design came about. In May of 1941 a wooden mock up and pilot model were ordered by the Ordnance Committee to be made at Aberdeen. In June the order was approved and the tank given the designation of medium tank T6. There were to be two different upper hull designs developed and built. One would be designed with a cast upper hull to be built at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. Around the same time an alternate welded upper hull would be developed and built at the Rock Island Arsenal. As there would only be the one cast turret design this would be done at Aberdeen only. This welded upper hull version found some manufacturing issues with the number of plates for the front plate and lengths of welds to be used. This delayed production of a welded upper hull until 1942 bringing about the M4. T6 would use the same radial engine, rolled homogenous riveted lower hull, power train, and vertical volute spring suspension of the M3. The lower hulls engine compartment was designed large enough to be able to accommodate larger engines as these became available. Both the M3 and T6 used a 9 cylinder 4 cycle R975 EC2 radial engine similar to ones used in aircraft at the time. Cooling of the engine was achieved through air circulation. The power train used had a synchromesh transmission with 5 speeds forward and 1 reverse with a controlled differential for steering. The fuel capacity would remain the same As the M3 at 175 gallons of 92 octane gasoline. This combination gave the T6 a possible speed of 21-24 miles per hour and a range of approximately 120 miles.

The T6 lower hulls interior layout differed greatly from the earlier M3. With the new layout of the hull the crew was reduced to five men; driver, assistant driver, gunner, loader, and tank commander. This would become standard with US tanks for many years to come. The driver position was moved to the left of the centrally located transmission unlike that of the M3 where it was located above and to the rear of the transmission. A height adjustable seat was added for the driver. With the driver moved to the left and the main gun moved into the turret the space to the right of the transmission was open and needed to be filled. This would become the assistant drivers position. A seat was added attached to a swing arm that was bolted to right wall of the lower hull. The Hycon booster style of steering mechanism was changed to the long lever style this added more room to the area by excluding the pump, sump tank, pressure reservoir, valves and hydraulic piping used for the Hycon style. There was a transmission oil cooler installed to help reduce the ambient temperature in this portion of the tank making it much more comfortable for the driver and assistant driver. Along with this the gears in the transmission oil cooler were made larger increasing the circulation of the oil through the cooler and four oil breathers added to prevent over heating of the oil. Three of these were located on the final drive cover with the third on the transmission itself. Behind the drivers position a box containing the batteries was located. To the rear of the batteries two fixed fire extinguishers were mounted to the left wall of the lower hull. There were handles for the fixed fire extinguishers located on the exterior of the upper hull behind the turret and ones on the interior turret roof just behind the driver. A firewall was added between the engine and fighting compartments with oil cooling radiators mounted to this and a drive train tunnel running centrally to the forward mounted transmission. To the right of the drive train tunnel was left open and would eventually contain more rounds of ammunition for the main gun.

. The upper hull would be a completely new cast design with a centrally located turret having a turret ring diameter of sixty-nine inches. It would still incorporate the two hull side escape hatches as the M3 these missing the pistol ports and vision devices. A third hatch was located above the drivers position this along with the height adjustable seat gave driver the ability to drive with his head out of the hatch. This giving him a much better field of vision while driving opened up. This hatch would open to the left of center with a fully traversable and flexible periscope mounted in the forward portion. Both driver and assistant driver were given direct vision slits with moveable armored covers to use while tank was buttoned up. These vision slits were four in number for both driver and assistant driver positions without any protective glass blocks on the inside. Below these were three 30 cal. machine guns. Two of these would be semi fixed above and slightly over to the right of the transmission. These could be locked into any poison from +8 to 6 in elevation and were to be aimed with the tank and fired by the driver. The third in a flexible mount linked to a special sight in a special mount in the roof above and fired by the assistant driver. With the addition of the drivers periscope and the assistant

drivers gun site the vision slits seem redundant as I see it. Both of these made the vision slits unusable while in use. As I see it these slits were left over ideas from pre war designs that the designers just would not give up. Eventually they would be covered with appliqu armor and even deleted proving this point. To the rear of the turret air intake was achieved through a rectangular cut out and doors were added for engine removal and maintenance. Sponsons in the new design were lengthened making it possible for the drivers instrument panel to be to the left instead of to his front. On the right making room for another radio that was mounted to the right of the assistant driver. The instrument panel retained the same instruments as the M3s with the magnetic starting switch; transmission oil temperature indicator and fuel gauge changed being the exception. There would be additional ammo stowage in both sponsons on either side of the turret with an auxiliary generator located on the left in front of the firewall. Both the three piece final drive cover and rear plate would have to be adjusted to fit the new upper hull design. In the rear the T6 would use similar pepper pot style exhaust and rear opening engine access doors as the M3 The all new turret design as mentioned being a major advancement in American tank technology. Putting a main gun of this caliber in a fully traversable turret had never been done before by American designers. Two pistol ports were added one on each side, these contained protectoscopes for the gunner and loader. The rear of the turret or bustle would house a radio and above this mounts were added for the tank commanders 45 cal. submachine gun and its ammo drums. A removable front plate was designed for the main gun that would allow for a variety of armament for this one turret design. There were five different weapons systems discussed that would fit into this design. These being a twin 37mm mount with co-axial 30 cal machine gun, a 105mm main gun with co-axial 30 cal machine gun, a six pounder high velocity gun with co-axial 30 cal machine gun, a triple 50 cal machine gun mount for an anti aircraft role and of course the 75mm with 30 cal co-axial machine gun. In the original design the auxiliary machine gun turret from the M3 Lee was added to the turret for the tank commander. This was placed on the wooden mock up only and in September 1941 was deleted from the design. On the actual pilot model a split hatch replaced the auxiliary turret and would go on to be used until the better all round vision cupolas in the final turret designs. This split hatch was fully traversable and gave better entrance and escape capabilities then the cramped auxiliary turret used on the M3. There were pads added around the race with two extended pads at the rear to aide in traverse. A turret basket hung below the turret with seats for the loader and tank commander on stanchions running from the race to the floor either side of the main gun. The gunner had an adjustable seat attached to the baskets floor in front of the tank commander and to the right of the main gun. He had the guns elevation and turret traverse equipment in front and to his right attached to the turrets race and baskets floor. Along the outer portion of the basket floor stowage racks for 12 ready rounds of 75mm ammunition were provided. Surrounding all a shield was added made of expanded metal screening to protect the

insides of the basket from coming in contact with objects in the lower hull and sponsons. This material being light would still provide ease of communication and visual aspects without adding to much additional weight to the tank. This would be replaced with a perforated material in later models The main gun chosen was the 75mm M3 gun. These being in short supply the M2 75mm gun was used in the first pilot model. A new gun mount was made designated the T48 this incorporated the 75mm main gun with a co-axial 30 cal machine gun and a gyrostabilizer unit. This being very similar to the stabilizer that was used for the M6 37mm gun in the M3. Elevation for the guns would be +25 to -12 degrees and was 360 degree traversable. This mount would later become the M34 gun mount used for the initial production runs of the early Sherman series. A telescopic sight was added to the right of the main gun and attached to a special mount set into the turrets roof. This sight was linked to the new main gun mount and would elevate with the gun giving the gunner a direct sight path. If this sight was damaged it could be easily replaced thanks to the design of this new mount. Using the M2 75mm in the pilot model caused balance problems in the T48 mount as it was designed for the 75mm M3 75mm gun. To compensate two counter weights were added to the end of the barrel. There are two positions for radios in the T6. One position in the right hull sponson for a SCR 506 radio, these in command tanks only. This is shown added in both of the interior pictures I have seen of the T6 as well as the antenna for it fitted to the hull on external pictures. As mentioned the second radio was mounted in the turret bustle. This could be either the SCR 508, 528, or 538. A No. 19 British radio set could also be used and installed in the bustle. Internal communications were through an interphone system set at each of the five crew stations. Ammunition storage was 75 rounds of 75mm ammunition for the main gun, 1,200 rounds of 45 caliber for crew weapons, 10,000 rounds of 30 cal ammunition for the hull/ turret machine guns, with twelve hand grenades. Ammunition to be stowed internally with 75mm ready rounds stored around the turret basket and others in the sponsons and under the turret basket. T6 would never reach production or receive an M designation. Throughout the trial period for the T6 improvements would be added and some things deleted. Improvements included foul weather or dust cover attachment points for the hull machine guns, the longer M3 75mm main gun, and auxiliary external fuel cell mounts. These fuel cell mounts were the same added to the M3 light tanks with the fuel cells able to be discarded in combat from inside the tank. In time the one piece transmission housing would be added. All of these improvements would go on to serve on the later Sherman tanks. Deleted items would include the side escape hatches and the front semi fixed machine guns. As far back as September 1941 it was found that the side doors weakened armor protection and took up valuable ammunition storage space so these were deleted and a floor escape hatch added. Both of the semi fixed 30 cal machine guns were found to be a nuisance and were deleted. The early design for the flexible mount 30 cal machine gun was changed to a ball mount that simplified construction.

T6 did go onto other things being used as a test platform for other improvements on later models. These would include an experimental armor piece to be added over the final drive differential housing. Design of the T6 would lead into the medium tanks M4 and M4A1 in late 1941. There were many changes and improvements added to these new tanks. Starting with the first M4A1 being produced at the Lima Locomotive works having the side doors welded shut. Following this the production models would have the side doors completely removed. At this time these models still retained the semi fixed machine guns in the hull front. The vision slits for driver and assistant driver were reduced to a single slit instead of the four in the T6. These would also have protectoscopes added for better protection and a different mechanism to open the armored slit covers. The lifting rings in the front were strengthened and the lights changed to a different design with added brush guards. These lights would stick with these models throughout the war. For the turret the only real obvious change was the removal of the pistol ports and protectoscopes from both sides of the turret. Having the one on the right replaced by a solid port used for disposal of spent shell casings. Moving to the rear of the tank the rear overhang of the upper hull had a smoother contoured shape. With these changes came a new engine deck that included new doors for engine maintenance and access ports to the rear sponsons. With these changes the tool arrangement would also change and the mounts for the external fuel cells left off. From the humble beginning of the T6 and into the M4 and M4A1 Shermans many more designs improvements and advancements would occur. A total of 49,234 Shermans were made by US manufacturers during the Second World War. There were other versions made by Canada called the Ram and Grizzly bringing the total up to 51,371. These would fight with allied forces all around the world throughout the war and beyond. References Sherman a history of the American medium tankR.P. Hunnicutt Armored Thunderbolt the Us Army Sherman in World War IISteven Zaloga British and American tanks of World War II..Peter Chamberlain &Chris Ellis R.P. Hunnicutt collection, Red Davis Library, Ft. Knox Kentucky US