US Tech Tree Changes And Improvements

MrVic: So due to the US building literally tons of TD's in their development I figured we would break it down one by one to get a better picture.
Below is a list of Tank destroyers, starting with those listed in the current tree and working into ones not listed as options to fit in.
T18
Built prior to 1941, Last remaining one was on display at APG until 1947 before it was destroyed Maxium Armament 75mm

T82
Hard to find information on. Tho the T82 designation was used on a similar 75mm SPG. The Render for the T82 in game appears to be T3 75mm motor carriage.

T24
Built in 1941, based off the Grant chassis, Mounts a 3" gun, sadly due to height was re-evaluated.

M8A1
M3 75mm gun, top speed 58 kph, M5 Stuart chassis, Found to be unacceptably unstable when firing.

T40
Rebuilt design from the T24, created the T40. The T40 mounted the M1918 75mm, was found acceptable, but due to a massive shortage of the weapon (12-30 available) it was not pushed to main production.

T49
57mm Version was completed in 1942, Planned speed was 55 mph, due to early transmission issues it was kept at a safer speed of 38 mph. The T49 saw an additional addition of up gunning to 75mm gun then a turret redesign and mounting the 76mm gun. The later edition was renamed the T67. Second picture is the redesigned turret and the upgraded gun.


M10
Completed in 1942, Went through numerous revisions, mostly in the counterweight changes. Primary armament 3" gun. Started as the T35 (based on the M4A3 chassis with an early low profile turret design with a 3" gun) Also mounted the 76mm, 105mm howitzer, and the britsh 17pdr and the 90mm. The 90mm amazingly weighted near the same as the 3" gun and was easily mounted, the early existing issues with the turret counter weight were the only problems and the later versions corrected the weight problem for all the weapons used on the M10, Also refer to M18 for more ammo break downs. Third picture is the M10C with the 17pdr



M18
Following the T67 the tank was found to be a bit slow and further improvements lead to the T70, Armed with a 76mm gun and improved engines and transmission. The M18 packed a 76mm, 17pdr (Canadian, South Africa, New Zeland, Britsh used), 90mm (using the m36 turret) 90mm T30E16 HVAP round was available in good supply, in Jan 1945 the round was considered standard and in mass supply in all 90mm guns. Armor pen at 30 degree armor at 500 yards 221mm at 100 yards 199mm. (90mm Ammunition was in great supply and what we normally see as "specialized ammo" in WoT is the standard shell for 90mm US tanks due to production and supply. The 17pdr Sabot was used in late 1943 and improved before mass production due to accuracy issues in the first version. 1944-1945 Sabot round accuracy was corrected. 30 degree armor at 500 yards 208mm at 1000yards 192mm.
First picture T70, second one of the many M18.


M36
The M36 was basically a progression from the M10 to a 90mm gun carriage being the M36, the M36 used some of the ideas in the M18 and the M10 and focused on mounting the 90mm gun. Main armaments M1A3, Multiple 90mm Variations. Also refer the the M18 for some of the ammo break downs.

T95
Frontal armor 300m side rear rather slow. Completed in 1945, later revisions were to improve its transmission and speed, also talks of increasing its armament size were in the works. Standard prototypes were equipped with the 105mm. Main purpose was to be used against fortifications and heavy tanks. Project was canceled due to the work on the T34, T30 turreted tanks.

T88
105mm mounted on the M5A1 chassis (T67, M18 base)

Tanks not direct shows on list or possible additions following
T35/T35E1
T35 and T35E1 were pre-designs to the M10 tank destroyer. This 3" self propelled gun was based on the Sherman M4A2 hull. Using the M7 3" gun, it had a full 360 degree turning radius. The T35 was rejected by the Tank Destroyer Board because it was felt that more side armor, at a better degree of angle was needed. The T35E1 was developed at the same time as the T35 and is shown to the right above and shows all the improvements that the board requested. Picture of the T35E1

M5 3" gun carriage
1941, the M5 was developed based on the current fighting going on. The tank was rushed into design. 2 versions were developed one mounting the M6 37mm and the M3 75mm, 3" gun. This was considered a "clap-trap" design and a short term solution. the M5 had notorious engine issues and was canceled just before production due to this.

T56
Prototype in 1942, mounting a 3" gun. Similar to other designs

T4 105mm GMC
Proposal for a new M4A1 light universal chassis, mounting the new high velocity 105mm gun. Tank was designed and favored by some Generals. The T4 was canceled just prior to pilot tanks being built by the Tank Destroyer Command. Best picture I have for it.

Mark X M1922E 4.7"
The purest version of the Tank destroyer I have ever seen lol. Maybe a premium? lol its just fun to look at This is the Christie 4.7" SPGs seen at APG in 1921. Only one was built.

T53 and T53E1
This vehicle was an attempt to place the powerful American 90mm anti-aircraft gun on a self propelled chassis for use as a tank killer. Shown above are the T53 and to the right, the modified T53E1. 500 vehicles were to have been produced, but the order was cancelled. Questions arrose about poor mobility, instability, engine cooling, crew protection, excessive height and too little weight to handle the recoil of the gun. The entire project was terminated in the Spring of 1944.
Picture of T53 first Second T53E1


M36B1
A shortage of M1OA1 chassis led the army to complete the production contract with M4A3 tank hulls since these were automotively identical to the
M10A1. This version was designated the M36B1 and only 187 were converted from October to December 1944. The "x" shaped device over the turret
is designed to support a canvas weather cover and was normally stowed on the forward turret roof. (US Army)

Have more to dig up But for now this should provide some fun into and options