US Tech Tree Changes And Improvements

Quote WoT is about Tanks not WW2 Era only. Finding a balance for tanks is a hard thing to accomplish. US Tank developement was messy and lacked many tanks required to counter balance many of the other nations tanks. The above changes I think will bring the tree better inline with balance and better represent US tanks. Also US tanks will need to push to 1950 area to remain competitive this is acceptable due to they were weak and behind in some designs until that time. This Tech Tree change has been massively discussed with numerous Tank buffs and two people I consider experts on Tanks in general along with tons of time spent on research. With the IS-7 Prototype in 1948 (designs starting in 1945) and T-54 Prototype in 1947. Many of the proposed US tanks were protoyped in the same time period. But they are of the same generations and can bring much needed help the the US tree and help to flesh it out more. The tree as it is, seems thin and the performance "tweaking" to bring inferior tanks up to par leads to shedding a bad light on the tanks themselves and the accuracy of the game which is important to try to retain as best we can. If photos are needed of the following tanks I can easily provide those for helps with Tank Rendering. I thank you for your time in reading all of this in advance and hope that this helps us breate a better game for the long game ahead. --MrVic


Quote Note #1: M4A3E8 Jumbo, Moved to Tier 5, This tank should be very slow off road, also side and rear armor is very thin, Combined with 75mm and 76mm armaments only it should fit well as a heavy at Tier 5. Easily flanked and damaged.
Note #2: M6A2E1 (M6, M6A2E1) Much like the KV-3 include the M6 with upgrades through the 90mm to the T-29, Also like the KV make the 105 T5E1 a side upgrade. With that upgrade greatly slow the tank and traverse, This will give you a tank capable of performin at the KV-3 level , and VK3601, The other option is add one of the improved versions of the 90mm guns available to make it more competitive. (Currently this is one of the most hated tanks in the game along with the T1 heavy which are virtually the same tank)
Note #3: T29 Heavy Leave as is. Maybe add the 90mm to the stock model and a improved 90mm (accuracy/aim boost) for the upgraded turret due to the large iconic range finders benefit. (Or a gun improvement to one of the 90mm prototypes)
Note #4: T34 105mm starting, upgrade to the 120mm currently available, Then final upgraded gun M58 120mm (same as the M103) Maintaining Tier 9 tanks getting the Tier 10 gun of the other nations. Also this is the same weapons used on the Britsh Centurion which was tentatively planned for the Britsh Tree.
Note #5: Replace the T30 with M103, M103 is armed and armored at a level equal to or below the Maus and the IS-7, Also it falls into the time period as it was in early design and protoypes way earlier then its main production period. Some back history on the M103 (Referred to as the T43 also) The M43 Project was a parallel project with the M41 project as they both shared components and engines at the beginning. M41 development started in 1947 under the designation T37, with work being done on the T43 also as they were based off the same parts in many areas. Also the first 2 prototypes of the T43 were produced in 1948. This was intended as a counter to the IS-III Russian tank and other heavies. Improvements were made throughout the early 1950's. Also the M103 was in production in 1950 with its roots as far back as 1946, When the War Department Equipment Board completed its report on the Material needs for the Army. For reference American Tank Development . This tank fits well as a Tier 10 and really is pivitol for US tank developement catching up. Also the T42 program (The M103) was in the works prior to the M46 being built, The M46 was merely a improvement to the Pershing improving the engine and transmission only. The M46 was just a stop gap as they finished the T42 program (The M103). For reference (T-54 1947 Prototyped) (IS7 Prototyped 1948) (M103 Prototyped 1948)
Note #6: Option: I think adding one of the many variations to the Pershing to the game. For a period of time due to battle field testing of the Medium tank M26 Pershing, Retro fitting of armor in the field and from the factory was done to the M26 to bring its armor more inline to face off against heavy German armor. Most of this was due to a Pershings encounter with a Tiger II in which the Pershings armor was defeated easily by the 88mm L70. Armored plates were manufactured and improvised in the field for Pershing tanks to better withstand the higher AP rounds of enemy tanks. Those coming from production had plates installed after production as a retro fit. Also this version of the Super Pershing was considered a heavy tank due to the armor and the low speeds it was capable of due to the increased weight. They Super Pershing also incorporated the Imrpoved 90mm and better qaulity ammo and finally the 105mm T5E1. A number of these pershings remained in service for many years as a heavy tank. While later improvements pushed the Pershing back towards being a Medium tank and shedding its armor plating and being redesignated as a Medium again. I figured adding this tank even with its extra armor plating is pivitol the US tank history as it shows the error in the earlier design. Also this tank would help fill out the US tree more and give a 2nd option as a Tier 8 or Tier 9. I think with its armor it probably would have to sit at Tier 9.
Note #7: Move the T20 to Tier 6, With its armor and slower acceleration it fits better at Tier 6. Also it can stay the same at this tier more then likely.
Note #8 Move the T23 to Tier 7, better speed and manuvering for this tier with its light armor. Also include one or more of the Protoyped 90mm (T22 90mm) ect. This will bring its firepower more in line for its tier. The current M3 90mm was based off the poor ammo qaulity that was quickly corrected so a improved version would bring it more in line with the 100mm and the 8.8cm at this tier.
Note #9 Move the M26 Pershing to Tier 8. The T-44 and Panther were considered the 3 big mediums in WW2 and all fighting for the title best Medium of the time. With its armor and speed (tho can slow the tank slightly) Along with the 105mm T5E1, makes this tanks armor speed and mobility on par with the other tanks. Some minor adjustments can be made to adjust it if needed. The 105mm is equivelent to the 88 L70 and the 122mm/100mm for the T-44.
Note #10 Add the M47/M48 (Prefer the M48 final) History the T42 program was started when the the M26 pershing failed to meet the requirements laid forth by the Ground Forces Equipment Review Board in 1945. Due to the break out of war the M46 was created (M26E2) with the improved engine ect. Due to continued conflict the M47 came into being as the T42 program (M103) was finalized. The M47 was the M46 (M26E2) with the T42 (M103) Turret. As the turret was complete and was in production. The M48 had built prototypes prior to the M47 coming into being. Mass production began on the M48 late 1951/ early 1952 (delayed due to outfitting of M47's as a stop gap. The M48 has the armor and armaments to be on par with the T-54 (1947 prototype) and Panther II .
Note #11 T28/T95 Moved/Stayed at tier 8. This tank was developed to break the sigfreid line and engage heavy german armor. Its primary role was to break fortifications and long range engagements of Heavy armor. The design slow and improvements were planned for the engine and overall speed. Changes in loader configurations were also planned tho never implemented. With the development of the heavy tank T29 being invisioned for bunker fortifaication busting and use vs heavy tanks. They were basically competitive projects. With the T29 project up gunning to better deal with armor to the 105mm and later the 155m due to needing a better weapon for use against fortifications and heavy tanks. The T28/T95 Project was scrapped due to the T30 (155mm gun equiped) They were in favor of turreted tank destroyers and the with the 155mm on the T30 it was seen as a "Motor gun carriage" The T28/T95 were then scrapped with plans to use the T30 as their heavy anti tank and anti fortification system. With the 155mm rate of fire and slow traverse due to the 155mm armament, it was deemed to large of weapon to be used as a main heavy tank.  Early in 1945, The office of Ordnance undertook design studies to modify the 120mm antiaircraft gun for tank use. On 17 May 1945, OCM 27662 recommended that two of the T30 pilot tanks be armed with the 120mm gun and redesignated as the heavy tank T34. This action was approved on 31 May. The final design was approved using the 120mm instead of the 155mm due to load times and being able to maintain more mobility and traverse speed. The 155mm was deemed to cumbersome for a front line heavy tank.
Note #12: Move the T30 to the Tier 9 postion for the tank destroyers. Due to making the T28/T95 obsolete (The T30 is the primary reason the T28/T95 were canceled along with its speed) and being passed over for the T34 120mm, the T30 would fill its role as a tank destroyer (or a Motor Gun Carriage). Traverse speed and overall speed would be lower normally in game for the T30, In game changes for this move 1) Lower traverse speed drasitaclly, its to fast now as it is historically with the 155mm gun mounted. 2) Lower overall hit points to bring it in line with a tier 9 Tank destroyer. 3) Armor should be fine as it thin and being reduced more so. Frontally it has less protection then the Ferdinand and Jagtiger (which makes up for the turret). Not to mention the T34 was accpected over the T30 as a superior design and having it below it in the tree seems wrong, Also with the US favoring Turreted tank designs it fits historically also. Not to mention solves the Current T28 Tier 8 and T95 Tier 9 (which are identical tanks)


Quote Heavy Tree
M6/M6A2E1 - Given its can upgrade to a turret to hold the 105mm T5E1. Keep in mind with the enlarged turret and weight of the 105mm gun, its performance would make a KV look like sports car.
M103- Prototypes 1948/1950 (Lots of versions and designs its a mess of a tank) With a good frontal armor, and a relative weak side/rear armor and 120mm main armament. The M103 might server better as a Tier 9 if alternate tier 10's are found . Front Hull Armor Effective 177mm to254mm, Side Hull Armor Effective 67mm to 51mm , Rear Hull Armor Effective 45mm to 50mm. Front Turret Armor Effective 250mm, Turret Side Armor Efffecitve 140mm to 145mm. Turret Rear Armor Effective 60mm
T57/T58 Very interesting designs. Both were based of the the T43 Chassis (M103 type) The main design changes were the useage of Oscilating turrets and fixed main armaments. Also they were to use the Auto loaders developed earlier in WW2. Primary armament of the T57 was the 120mm T179. The T58 was very simliar design apart from Autoloader changes to accomadate its main armament of the 155mm T180. Starting dates for both tanks are hard to nail down in offical records, Best records put them at 1950-1952 Tho I do have a good ending date. The Tanks turrets were scrapped and the Hulls sent to storage on January 17th 1957 (not much help but kinda funny) Armor values in the range of the M103 but with far superior armor slopes, and amazing firepower. Armor Profile I will calculate and add later.
M60- Mid 1950's time frame for its first designs. Mostly added just for fun. Since the M60 was so late and design and you start pushing into the world of very specialized ammo being developed and used, Its the begining of the MBT ERA for the US. Its performance with the ammo in consideration might perform on par with some of the exsisting Tier 10 tanks. This would have to be added with great care to balance. Still under assessment.
Medium Tree
M26 Pershing- Remains very much the same as it is now, Would probably reduce its top armament to the 105mm T5E2, This still would remain the basic Super Pershing.
T26E5 "Jumbo Pershing" Date Produced: 1945 Total Production as of 1947: 27  Armor: 3.5" to 11"  Maximum speed 22.3 MPH Weight: 51 Tons Frontal armor is 170mm to 275mm effective Side and rear armor remains virtually unchanged. The T26E5 was a for all intents a heavily up armored frontal armor. With the M46/M47 transmission and engine improvements being destined for the T26E5 its top speed could be boosted quite easily. Sadly the project was stopped prior to those changes being made. With a decent speed and frontal armor, It would serve rather well as a Tier 9 Medium for the US. Also with the US medium currently really fighting 1 tier above what they should be fighting at (Basically drop them all down 1 tier ) Also Another option would be to drop the T26E5 into the heavy tree, maintain it with its lower speed as it was base, and make a connection to the heavy tree with a sizeable exp cost increase.
M47/M48 Patton - Design work began in 1946 on the T42 program. This was to lead to the M48 Patton. In the mean time revisions to the M26 Pershing had seen an engine and transmission improvements becoming the M46. WIth the onset of the Korean War, the T42 project was not complete yet. But the T42 (M48) Turret design was completed and a number were built. The M46 Hull was combined with the T42 Turret creating the M47 in 1949. The need for a improved tank and thus the M47 was born. Could work as well as a Tier 9 Medium tho it still might be underarmored overall for the role. M48 might work better and still assesssing all the records on the M48, its a bit later build but would probably work well in the Tier 9 slot
Light Tree
M41 Walker Bulldog - Known as the Light tank project T37. First prototypes were built by 1949. weighing in at 24 short tons, and armed with the 76mm T95, (2 other later 76mm versions also employed) With a general armor profile of only 50mm protection it would be the supreme squishy light tank. But with its modest firepower and its focus on speed, it would be a good addition. Top speed 45mph or 72 kph. 
Tank Destroyer Tree
T30- Covered in the other tree revision, Moved to TD line as listed there. Would see a performance drop and probably a HP drop in the move.
T110 (TS-31) Non Turreted Tank destroyer based off the T43E1 hull and mounting a limited traverse gimble mounted 120mm main gun. While as far as I know it never made it to a full prototype the design and concept is pretty neat. Figured I would add for some more flavor and options. Chrysler Corporation was working on design for the orgnial TS-31 concecpt. As its designs were submitted and changed/improved, Chrysler continued evolving the design. As to what level of protoype it reached unknown. Added for options
H3 - While mainly being added to the above for the pure humor factor. The H3 was as design to utilize the 175mm T145 main gun. Also testing and design on the option of the 108 inch turret ring setup for a larger better slopped turret.
Beyond testing of the turret designs and the increased size along with a use for the 175mm T145 gun. From what I know this tank never really materialized and ended up more of a test for design features. But hey 175mm is just funny to think about Added for options probably a premium at best