T29

T29

T29

USA

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
7.0	7.0	6.7

Class:

PREMIUM

Heavy tank

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The Heavy Tank T29 is a gift rank IV American heavy tank with a battle rating of 7.0 (AB/RB) and 6.7 (SB). The T29 was introduced in the Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows" as a gift vehicle and was available on the Gaijin store for pre-order before the update. The T29 is a formidable heavy tank that introduces the 105 mm T5 cannon in a rotating turret rather than in the fixed case-mate setting on the T95, with a tougher-than-average gun mantlet, and a sloped, but slightly thin hull.

The T29 is perhaps one of the most formidable heavy tanks at Rank IV, right up there with the IS-2 and Tiger IIs. With the 105 mm cannon, the T29 can engage most enemies it faces on the battlefield from the front, often destroying an enemy tank with a single shot with the extremely powerful T13 APCBC rounds, and with armour thick enough to block most incoming rounds. The T29 can act as the "damage sponge" of the team by directing most of the enemy fire towards it. It can also act as a sniping tank by setting it in the back or sides and fire at any unsuspecting enemy tank. A simple APCBC round can destroy even the strongest tank if it penetrates the side armour. Another useful advantage is that the tank is well rounded, but is directed to being a heavy tank in arcade battles, making it especially powerful. It has average mobility for the heavy tank class but has a lower top speed than it's main rivals, the IS-2 mod. 1944 and the Tiger IIs, better than only that the Caernarvon. However, it possesses above average acceleration, making it more suited for dense environments. It's gun also possesses a high muzzle velocity, making sniping a viable option.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Cast homogeneous armour
• Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull sides, Hull rear)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	102 mm (52-56°) Front Glacis 70.25 mm (26-59°) Bottom Glacis 102 mm (6-81°) Machine gun port	76.2 mm Front 51 mm Rear	51 mm (9°) Upper 19 mm (11-66°) Lower	38.1 mm
Turret	158.7 mm (18-31°) Turret front 203 mm (0-9°) Gun mantlet 305 mm (1-57°) Gun mantlet border	158.7 mm (3-42°)	102 mm (1-20°) Rear 50 mm (63-84°) Bottom of turret overhang	38.1 mm
Cupola	152.4 mm			38.1 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
• Front belly armour is 25.4 mm thick while the rear is 13 mm.

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	38	15	64.2	994	1,469	15.48	22.88
Realistic	36	14		681	770	10.61	11.99

Armaments

Main armament

105 mm T5E2					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	63	-10°/+15°	±180°	N/A	10.71	14.80	18.00	19.90	21.20	16.25	14.38	13.25	12.50
Realistic					10.71	12.60	15.30	16.90	18.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
T32	APCBC	256	253	238	221	205	190
T13	APCBC	253	250	236	219	204	190
T29E3	APCR	292	287	266	242	220	200
T30E1	HE	20	20	20	20	20	20

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
T32	APCBC	914	17.7	N/A	N/A	N/A	48°	63°	71°
T13	APCBC	899	18.59	1.2	19	177.38	48°	63°	71°
T29E3	APCR	1128	11.2	N/A	N/A	N/A	66°	70°	72°
T30E1	HE	945	15.2	0.1	0.5	1,550	79°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T29

Last updated: 1.101.0.75

Full ammo	Ammo type	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
63	Projectiles Propellants	58 (+5) 39 (+24)	50 (+13) 9 (+54)	42 (+21) 7 (+56)	9 (+54) 1 (+62)	1 (+62) N/A	No

Notes:

• The T29 uses two-piece ammunition, composed of projectiles (yellow) and propellant bags (orange). Both have separate racks.
• Projectiles and propellants are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• Racks 3*, 4* and 5* are first stage ammo racks. They total 8 projectiles and 8 propellant bags.
• These racks get filled first when loading up the tank and are also emptied early.
• The projectiles' depletion order at full capacity is: 5 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 4.
• The propellants' depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 4 - 1 - 2.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial mount #1	1,200 (200)	577	N/A	N/A
Coaxial mount #2	1,200 (200)	577	N/A	N/A
Pintle mount	1,000 (200)	577	-10°/+50°	±120°

These 3 heavy caliber machineguns can be extremely useful for gauging distance measurements (coaxial), engaging lightly armoured vehicles or shooting down enemy aircraft (pintle).

Usage in battles

• Offensive: When playing offensively with the T29, there are two ways to do it. The more common and safer strategy in an offensive role is for the T29 to team up with another tank, preferably a heavy or medium tank. Move up to the enemy while covering each other, leapfrog each time so one tank snipes an enemy while the other moves to a cover position with an advantageous firing position, then keep advancing at a safe pace. The other is to get right up in their face, only giving them shots at the T29's tough frontal armour. As aggressive this strategy is, it leaves the T29 open to attacks from the side and rear. This is a last-ditch strategy generally. In either offence strategy, the biggest risk is getting too far ahead from the rest of the friendly team, leaving the T29 vulnerable and without any supporting fire.

• Defensive: Hull down, the T29 truly shines. Frontally, its turret is tough and the cheeks are sloped enough to bounce most shots. The only real target available would be the small cupola on the turret roof and the turret ring if it is not covered. While the gun barrel is vulnerable to being broken, a moderate crew can repair it in seconds. Although the gun depression isn't as great as other American tanks, it still provides an advantage in hilly terrain. When in the right spot, the player can devastate the enemy team with almost no risk to themselves by exposing only the gun barrel and the top of the mantlet. Do note that there are certain spots and ports in the mantlet that can be penetrated even by a Wirbelwind using Pz GR 40. Players experienced with American heavies can find a good spot that will provide them with ample cover while they support the team. Wiggling the turret while reloading can make the enemy bounce, same tactics as seen with the IS-2. Be wary that some shots to the lower gun mantlet have the potential of bouncing the shot down into the thin hull roof.

Some specific enemies to worry about:

• Tiger II (P) and (H): These are going to be the most common and equal enemy in the T29. While most of the T29's front armour can take on the 88 mm APCBC round, APCR can penetrate the front mantlet of the turret. It can also aim for the lower glacis on the hull, which will knock-out the driver and can repeatedly do this until the entire crew gets knocked out. To fight the Tiger II's, aim at the "cheeks" of the turret with any ammo, preferably the right as that is where the gunner sits. Using the T32 APBC ammo, there is a chance that it can penetrate the Tiger II's front glacis at close range (less than 100 meters) and the lower glacis from even further, making the T32 round probably the most preferable round to use against the Tiger II's front. If the T29 can get the Tiger's side though, a simple T13 APCBC round can turn a Tiger II into a fiery ball of fire.
• Tiger II 10.5 cm: Though the same rule applies to the 88 mm Tiger II, take extreme caution as the 10.5 cm cannon can devastate the T29's interior if it penetrates, and it can from the front.
• Jagdpanther: Equipped with the same 88 as on the Tiger II, this TD can do some damage if it can get a good shot off the T29. However, the T29's 105 mm cannon can easily penetrate through its front glacis, just don't shoot too close to the gun or the gun mantlet may bounce it.
• Ferdinand: The greater armour on this tank destroyer makes it harder to fight in a long-range engagement. However, if the T29 can get closer, the flat armour space on the top superstructure and the hull front can prove more vulnerable. Of course, getting to the side of this tank destroyer is a guaranteed point if an APCBC round can be landed into it.
• SU/ISU-152: While easily destroyed by one shot of the 105 mm cannon, the 152 mm howitzer still can do unspeakable damage if it hits the T29's vulnerable turret and hull roof.

Modules

Tier	Mobility		Protection	Firepower
I	Tracks		Parts	Horizontal Drive	T13
II	Suspension	Brake System	FPE	Adjustment of Fire	T29E3
III	Filters		Crew Replenishment	Elevation Mechanism
IV	Transmission	Engine
This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Extremely good 105 mm gun, arguably the best gun at Rank 4.
• T13 round has both a high level of penetration and damage potential. Penetrating an enemy's crew compartment is almost always a kill.
• An Ace crew will reload in an impressive 12.5 seconds when there's at least 1 shell in the 8-round first stage ammo rack.
• Has a fantastic set of optics with magnification levels of 4.0x-8.0x. Great for both quick close range target acquisition and long range sniping.
• Decent APCR shells that can go through the Jagdtiger's superstructure.
• Great overall armour layout. The front and sides of both the hull and turret are very well armoured.
• 10 degrees of gun depression coupled with the really strong turret makes the T29 great at shooting over hills and hull down fighting.
• Armed with three .50 caliber machine guns, allowing the T29 to shred through lightly armoured vehicles, tracks, and gun barrels.
• Is superior to the T34 heavy tank in almost every respect other than penetration and rear turret armor.
• One of the best pound-for-pound tanks in the game.

Cons:

• Smart enemy's will highlight the T29 as a priority target, attracting a lot of enemy attention from both the ground and the sky.
• The lower glacis plate is both long and weakly armored against German 88’s and Soviet 100/122mm guns.
• While tough, the gun mantlet is not impenetrable. Guns like the Tiger II's 88mm can punch right through it at ranges exceeding 500 meters.
• Is much slower than the Tiger II, IS-2, IS-3, ect.
• Is comparable to the Tiger II in size, meaning that it is very hard to hide.
• The T29 has a ton of ammo in both the turret and bottom of the hull. APHE shells that penetrate either part of the tank will likely destroy the tank.
• Unlike most tanks at the BR, the sides of the engine compartment is much weaker than the sides of the hull.
• The weak engine compartment armor coupled with the placement of the turret means that the T29 is frankly not as good at side scraping as the Tiger II is.
• Only one of the .50 caliber machine guns can effectively engage aircraft flying higher than coaxial level.
• The default APCBC shell has no penetration or velocity advantage over the T13 APHE shell, meaning that there’s no point in ever using it.

History

Development

Projects for a dedicated heavy tank for the U.S. Armed Forces began in March 1944 as a response to the German heavy tanks that have been popping up in Europe. While the T26E3 tank, later known as the M26 Pershing was slated to be the next-generation American tank, it was still considered unsuitable against the even heavier Tiger II. A project to increase the armour and firepower commenced countering this problem, the project titled Heavy Tank T29. Using design elements from the T26E3 with thicker armour and lengthened hull, the T29 also was equipped with the 105 mm Gun T5, a gun in development alongside the heavy assault tank T95. Other features included a 770 hp Ford GAC engine, armour thickness up to 279 mm effective, and a coincidence range-finder. The heavy armour and armament made the tank weigh about 64 tons, making it a close match to the Tiger II.

Though the T29 was monstrous itself, side projects involving the T29 crafted the T30 Heavy Tank. Itself similar to the T29 in terms of armour, but featured a monstrous 155 mm Gun T7 with a more powerful engine and an extra crew member to facilitate loading the gun.

Effect in World War II

Throughout World War II, the T29 and the T30 stayed in development under the priority "limited procurement". Eventually, the war in Europe ended in May 1945, but the small ordered stayed in hope it may be useful in the Japan invasion in Operation Downfall. That hope was smashed as well when Japan surrendered in September 1945, ending World War II. Even if an operation commenced that used these vehicles, the Army Ground Forces objected to the use of such heavy equipment due to the lack of adequate transporters. Further production was cancelled in the post-war demilitarization.

Post World War Effect

The heavy tank concept didn't end with the war and a final attempt was made to remake the T29 into a more modern, lethal weapon system. This produced the T34 Heavy Tank, which mounted a 120 mm gun based on the M1 anti-aircraft gun. The calibre made an adequate balance of firepower and loading ease between the 105 mm and the 155 mm used in the T29 and T30. In fact, the two T34 pilot models made were a converted T29 and T30. However, the demilitarization took down the T34 program as well, but the experience in this project help engineers in the development of the M103 Heavy Tank.

Today, there are a few T29s still in display across the United States, most of them residing in storage at Fort Benning, Georgia where they will be used as a display in the future National Armor and Cavalry Museum.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the T29 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #36 - Pages of History section at 02:26 discusses the T29.

T29 - Tank Review - Too Awesome : Pay-to-win? - Napalmratte

The Shooting Range #23 - Metal Beasts section at 03:26 discusses the T29.

T29 Tank Review - NUSensei

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

[Devblog] T29: The Experimental Monster + video added

USA heavy tanks
M4 Jumbo	M4A3E2 · Cobra King · M4A3E2 (76) W
M6	M6A1 · T1E1 · T1E1 (90) · M6A2E1
T26	T26E1-1 · T26E5
T29/30/34	T29 · T30 · T34
T32	T32 · T32E1
M103	M103
Others	T14