Difference between revisions of "T26E1-1"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Undo revision 81460 by U45496102 (talk))
(Ammunition: Updated)
(3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Specs-Card|code=us_t26e4_superpershing}}
+
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=us_t26e4_superpershing
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{Break}}
 
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]]. The tank takes the basis of a normal [[M26|M26 Pershing]], then increases its armour with welded-on metal slabs and up-guns it with a [[T15E1 (90 mm)|T15E1 cannon]], which is nearly identical to the one in the [[T32]]. This gives the tank a much appreciated armour protection and firepower for the battle rating and is comparable with the premium [[M26E1]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]]. The tank takes the basis of a normal [[M26|M26 Pershing]], then increases its armour with welded-on metal slabs and up-guns it with a [[T15E1 (90 mm)|T15E1 cannon]], which is nearly identical to the one in the [[T32]]. This gives the tank a much appreciated armour protection and firepower for the battle rating and is comparable with the premium [[M26E1]].
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
Line 37: Line 39:
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
  
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=646|rbMinHp=442}}
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=646|rbMinHp=442}}
 +
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
 +
 +
As with every ground vehicle, Parts and FPE are an absolute top-priority. Following that both types of shells should be researched. Either Adjustment of Fire or Suspension should be researched as the second module in tier II, depending on play-style. If undecided - choose Adjustment of Fire. Mandatory modifications in tier III are T44 shot and Crew Replenishment. After that: Filters -> Engine -> Transmission for improved mobility, in that particular order due to the efficiency in {{rp}}RP/hp increase. Further modifications at will. Generally least important module are Tracks, though again - it might depend on a personal preferences.
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|T15E1 (90 mm)}}
 
{{main|T15E1 (90 mm)}}
Line 67: Line 77:
 
For less mobile tank destroyers usually a mix shells is recommended, with Super Pershing being no different. For Arcade Battles, 15 shells is typically sufficient, with majority being APCBC with roughly 3-5 APCR shells dedicated to the enemies with a better armour. APCBC shell is a good default for a majority of targets, it typically should be loaded when venturing towards unknown.
 
For less mobile tank destroyers usually a mix shells is recommended, with Super Pershing being no different. For Arcade Battles, 15 shells is typically sufficient, with majority being APCBC with roughly 3-5 APCR shells dedicated to the enemies with a better armour. APCBC shell is a good default for a majority of targets, it typically should be loaded when venturing towards unknown.
  
* T43 shot - {{Annotation|AP|Armour-Piercing}} - Acceptable performance against majority of targets
+
* T43 shot - {{Annotation|APBC|Armour-Piercing Ballistic Capped}} - Acceptable performance against majority of targets
 
* T42 shell - {{Annotation|HE|High-Explosive fragmentation shell}} - Usable nearly exclusively against soft targets. Due to long reload time it's typically safer to use other shells than committing to the HE
 
* T42 shell - {{Annotation|HE|High-Explosive fragmentation shell}} - Usable nearly exclusively against soft targets. Due to long reload time it's typically safer to use other shells than committing to the HE
 
* T41 - {{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped}} - Deadliest round, very wide post-penetration effect.
 
* T41 - {{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped}} - Deadliest round, very wide post-penetration effect.
Line 77: Line 87:
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
+
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
|-
| T43 shot || AP || 211 || 208 || 193 || 177 || 162 || 148
+
| T43 shot || APBC || 211 || 208 || 193 || 177 || 162 || 148
 
|-
 
|-
 
| T42 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 
| T42 shell || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
Line 104: Line 114:
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
| T43 shot || AP || 975 || 10.90 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
+
| T43 shot || APBC || 975 || 10.9 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|-
| T42 shell || HE || 975 || 10.60 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 925 || 79° || 80° || 81°
+
| T42 shell || HE || 975 || 10.6 || 0 || 0.1 || 925 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
| T41 || APCBC || 975 || 10.94 || 1.2 || 14.0 || 137.2 || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| T41 || APCBC || 975 || 10.94 || 1.2 || 14 || 137.2 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|-
| T44 shot || APCR || 1,143 || 7.60 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
+
| T44 shot || APCR || 1,143 || 7.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 143: Line 153:
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}
Line 170: Line 182:
  
 
It's also one of the weakest tanks when played solo, owning it to low mobility, very weak side armour and a very long reload time. With 76 mm it can be penetrated by every tank it encounters and a number of anti-aircraft guns. Therefore an additional situational awareness is required to always have allies in proximity, in fact: if need be, tactical retreats might be worth a risk, as if left alone a single hit without mobility kill on a hostile unit can mean a near-certain death.
 
It's also one of the weakest tanks when played solo, owning it to low mobility, very weak side armour and a very long reload time. With 76 mm it can be penetrated by every tank it encounters and a number of anti-aircraft guns. Therefore an additional situational awareness is required to always have allies in proximity, in fact: if need be, tactical retreats might be worth a risk, as if left alone a single hit without mobility kill on a hostile unit can mean a near-certain death.
 
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
! Protection
 
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 
|-
 
| I
 
| Tracks
 
|
 
| Parts
 
| Horizontal Drive
 
| T41
 
|-
 
| II
 
| Suspension
 
| Brake System
 
| FPE
 
| Adjustment of Fire
 
|
 
|-
 
| III
 
| Filters
 
|
 
| Crew Replenishment
 
| Elevation Mechanism
 
| T44 shot
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| Transmission
 
| Engine
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|}
 
 
As with every ground vehicle, Parts and FPE are an absolute top-priority. Following that both types of shells should be researched. Either Adjustment of Fire or Suspension should be researched as the second module in tier II, depending on play-style. If undecided - choose Adjustment of Fire. Mandatory modifications in tier III are T44 shot and Crew Replenishment. After that: Filters -> Engine -> Transmission for improved mobility, in that particular order due to the efficiency in {{rp}}RP/hp increase. Further modifications at will. Generally least important module are Tracks, though again - it might depend on a personal preferences.
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 216: Line 189:
  
 
* The {{PAGENAME}}, or Super Pershing, is an up-gunned M26 Pershing with a lot of spaced armour added to the front of the tank.  
 
* The {{PAGENAME}}, or Super Pershing, is an up-gunned M26 Pershing with a lot of spaced armour added to the front of the tank.  
* The added spaced armuor makes this tank very resilient to common guns like the Tiger II's 88 mm and even large caliber HE shells.
+
* The added spaced armour makes this tank very resilient to common guns like the Tiger II's 88 mm and even large caliber HE shells.
 
* Is armed with the same powerful 90 mm gun that is found on both T32 and M26E1 tanks.  
 
* Is armed with the same powerful 90 mm gun that is found on both T32 and M26E1 tanks.  
 
* The T41 APCBC shell is comparable to the Tiger II's default APCBC shell. It has high accuracy, velocity, penetration, and damage potential.  
 
* The T41 APCBC shell is comparable to the Tiger II's default APCBC shell. It has high accuracy, velocity, penetration, and damage potential.  

Revision as of 19:48, 15 March 2021

RANK 6 BRITAIN
Rooikat 105 PACK
T26E1-1
us_t26e4_superpershing.png
GarageImage T26E1-1.jpg
T26E1-1
AB RB SB
6.7 6.7 6.7
Class:
Research:31 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:200 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Heavy Tank T26E1-1 "Super Pershing" is a rank IV American heavy tank with a battle rating of 6.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.57 "Battle March". The tank takes the basis of a normal M26 Pershing, then increases its armour with welded-on metal slabs and up-guns it with a T15E1 cannon, which is nearly identical to the one in the T32. This gives the tank a much appreciated armour protection and firepower for the battle rating and is comparable with the premium M26E1.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull101 / 76 / 51
Turret101 / 76 / 76
Crew5 people
Visibility105 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (Front, Turret)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Side, Rear, Roof, Turret appliqué armour)
  • Structural steel (Hull appliqué armour, Rear turret counterweight)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 101.6 (42-46°) + 38.1 (47°) + 38.1 mm (57°) Front glacis
162.5 (25-60°) + 38.1 (47°) + 38.1 mm (57°) Upper front glacis
76.2 mm (53°) + 38.1 (41°) + 38.1 mm (48°) Lower glacis
76.2 mm Front
50.8 mm (0-2°) Rear
50.8 mm (4°) Top
22.2 mm (68°) Lower
22.2 mm
Turret 101.6 mm (1-55°) Turret front
114.3 (1-84°) + 80 mm (3°) Gun mantlet
76.2 mm (2-54°) 76.2 (0-79°) + 100 mm (3°) 25.4 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 76.2 mm 25.4 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • The left turret side has a few tracks welded on, providing an additional 30 mm of armour where they are.
  • The "ear flaps" on the turret provide 38.1 mm of armour. The steel on the gun mantlet gives an additional 80 mm of armour.
  • Front glacis have sheets of 38.1 mm armour added on, sloped at varying angles.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB43 / 14 km/h
RB and SB41 / 13 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight49.9 t
Engine power
AB954 hp
RB and SB500 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB19.1 hp/t
RB and SB10.0 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 43 14 49.9 646 954 12.95 19.12
Realistic 41 13 442 500 8.86 10.02

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 402 → 5 445 Sl icon.png
RB4 697 → 5 810 Sl icon.png
SB6 407 → 7 925 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications52 800 Rp icon.png
91 600 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 700 Ge icon.png
Crew training57 000 Sl icon.png
Experts200 000 Sl icon.png
Aces800 Ge icon.png
Research Aces520 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 180 / 210 % Sl icon.png
172 / 172 / 172 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
8 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
420 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_M82_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 500 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 200 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
90mm_us_T44_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
3 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 700 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png

As with every ground vehicle, Parts and FPE are an absolute top-priority. Following that both types of shells should be researched. Either Adjustment of Fire or Suspension should be researched as the second module in tier II, depending on play-style. If undecided - choose Adjustment of Fire. Mandatory modifications in tier III are T44 shot and Crew Replenishment. After that: Filters -> Engine -> Transmission for improved mobility, in that particular order due to the efficiency in Rp icon.pngRP/hp increase. Further modifications at will. Generally least important module are Tracks, though again - it might depend on a personal preferences.

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition42 rounds
First-order10 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
16.2 → 12.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: T15E1 (90 mm)

The T26E1-1 utilizes a very powerful 90 mm T15E1 cannon, nearly identical to the gun on the T32. The gun's greatest weakness is its reload time, allowing more than sufficient time for the enemy to move out of their cover, aim, and take a shot. Therefore, staying in cover between shots and near friendlies might be preferable. A mix of T41 APCBC and T44 APCR shells is recommended as a typical load-out.

90 mm T15E1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 42 -10°/+20° ±180° N/A 22.85 31.63 38.41 42.48 45.19 16.25 14.38 13.25 12.50
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.40 22.56 24.00

Ammunition

For less mobile tank destroyers usually a mix shells is recommended, with Super Pershing being no different. For Arcade Battles, 15 shells is typically sufficient, with majority being APCBC with roughly 3-5 APCR shells dedicated to the enemies with a better armour. APCBC shell is a good default for a majority of targets, it typically should be loaded when venturing towards unknown.

  • T43 shot - APBC - Acceptable performance against majority of targets
  • T42 shell - HE - Usable nearly exclusively against soft targets. Due to long reload time it's typically safer to use other shells than committing to the HE
  • T41 - APCBC - Deadliest round, very wide post-penetration effect.
  • T44 shot - APCR - Penetration increased by 1/3, suitable against more armoured targets, however it has the narrowest cone of post-penetration shrapnel.
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
T43 shot APBC 211 208 193 177 162 148
T42 shell HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
T41 APCBC 224 221 206 188 172 157
T44 shot APCR 336 330 304 274 248 223
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%
T43 shot APBC 975 10.9 N/A N/A N/A 47° 60° 65°
T42 shell HE 975 10.6 0 0.1 925 79° 80° 81°
T41 APCBC 975 10.94 1.2 14 137.2 48° 63° 71°
T44 shot APCR 1,143 7.6 N/A N/A N/A 66° 70° 72°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T26E1-1
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
7th
rack empty
8th
rack empty
9th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
42 32 (+8) 28 (+14) 24 (+18) 20 (+22) 16 (+26) 12 (+30) (+34) (+38) (+42) No

Notes:

  • Recommended ammo load is 15 to remove most ammo from the hull floor, leaving rack 9 intact.
  • Ammo rack 1 is a ready rack, and takes priority in being filled at the beginning of the battle, then fills racks 9 through 2.
  • Full reload speed will be realized as long as ammo exists in the ready rack. If the ready racks is empty, a penalty to reload speed will occur.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will load ammo from racks 2-9 into rack 1, as long as there is ammo in racks 2-9. Firing will interrupt the loading of the ready racks.

Machine guns

Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 70°
Horizontal guidance-60° / 60°
Ammunition5 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 1,000 (200) 577 -10°/+70° ±60°
7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,500 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The T26E1-1 is a slow, pretty well-armoured Tank Destroyer, and should be played as such, keeping enemies in front, while friends on flanks. Its frontal protection is not that reliable, especially against long 88's, at the same time its very unconventional, giving a large number of smaller weak spots. Therefore, it's recommended to stay on the move, or even rotating turret left and right to increase chances of deflecting the shot. Unlike with T34 simply staying hull-down is not viable due to weak spots at top of the turret and bottom turret cheeks - it's best to hide an entire body between shots, letting allies lure the attention of the enemy team.

It's also one of the weakest tanks when played solo, owning it to low mobility, very weak side armour and a very long reload time. With 76 mm it can be penetrated by every tank it encounters and a number of anti-aircraft guns. Therefore an additional situational awareness is required to always have allies in proximity, in fact: if need be, tactical retreats might be worth a risk, as if left alone a single hit without mobility kill on a hostile unit can mean a near-certain death.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • The T26E1-1, or Super Pershing, is an up-gunned M26 Pershing with a lot of spaced armour added to the front of the tank.
  • The added spaced armour makes this tank very resilient to common guns like the Tiger II's 88 mm and even large caliber HE shells.
  • Is armed with the same powerful 90 mm gun that is found on both T32 and M26E1 tanks.
  • The T41 APCBC shell is comparable to the Tiger II's default APCBC shell. It has high accuracy, velocity, penetration, and damage potential.
  • The T44 APCR shell can penetrate up to 336 mm, rivalling or even beating some rank VI APFSDS ammunition.
  • Despite all the added armour and new 90 mm gun, the tank still gets an impressive 10 degrees of gun depression.
  • The turret armour coupled with the gun depression give this tank great potential when it comes to shooting over hills and prolonged hull down fighting.
  • Has a roof mounted .50 cal machine gun.

Cons:

  • Despite all the add-on armour, the lower plate is still susceptible to being penetrated by contemporary guns.
  • The hull machine gun port is small, but still a weak spot that is easily penetrated.
  • The spaced armour doesn't really help against HEAT, APDS, or Russian 122 mm shells.
  • All the added armour coupled with the weak engine give this tank terrible acceleration and hill climbing capabilities.
  • The vertical aiming drive can be damaged by simply shooting the two springs on the turret roof with mere machine guns.
  • The turret spaced armour doesn’t cover the weakly armoured corners of the lower turret. Can be easily penetrated by contemporary guns.
  • The 90 mm shells are massive and take up a huge amount of the crew compartment. Any shell that penetrates the hull or left side of the turret housing the 10-rounds first stage ammo rack will likely destroy the vehicle.
  • Even with an ace crew, the gun will take 12.5 seconds to reload. Trading shots with a Tiger II is not a good idea.
  • While the 90 mm is a good gun, it's frankly inferior to the Tiger II's 88 mm in virtually ever metric other than explosive filler mass.

History

Development

The M26 Pershing helped the American armoured forces by bringing in the heavy 90 mm Gun M3 into service on a tank mount. The gun was similar in performance to the German's Tiger I's 8.8 cm KwK 36 cannon, but Army Ordnance wanted something to match the more powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 cannon on the Tiger II. The development to match this cannon made the T15 90 mm gun; the gun was 73 calibers long, compared to the 90 mm Gun M3's 53 calibers length. The first produced guns were called the T15E1 and had large, fixed ammunition. To test the gun's viability in the tank, the gun was mounted onto the very first production T26, T26E1 tank serial #1, registration #0103292, with the conversions being done by the Wellman Engineering Company. This upgraded tank was titled the T26E1-1 by means of a painted-on designation on the turret's left side to distinguish the design, although this title was not official, and few if any sources refer to it as such. The extreme length of the T15E1 gun barrel caused the manufacturers to add a very prominent counter balance on the mantlet, which could be seen on the left side of the turret when facing it. The T26E1-1 tank was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds on 12 January 1945 for testing purposes.[1]

In March 1945, following the Aberdeen tests, the T26 tanks mounting the T15 gun was officially classified as the T26E4. As such, the mentioned T26E1-1 would be classified as the first of the T26E4 models, with an initial procurement plan for 1,000 more units. The first T26E4 (henceforth referred to as T26E1-1) would be the only M26 model with the T15 gun to see service in Europe. Among the troops, the T26E1-1 in Europe would be known by its eponymous name "Super Pershing" when compared alongside to the normal M26 Pershing.[1]

Combat usage

The T26E1-1 "Super Pershing" was sent to Europe and arrived in 15 March 1945 and assigned to the 3rd Armored Division. In its introduction, the "Super Pershing" was given additional armour by the maintenance crew in hopes to keep it up to date against the heavier German tanks. The front hull had two large pieces of metal welded onto it, each 38 mm in thickness, with a space in between the metal pieces. These metal pieces were sloped more than the hull armour it was over. An additional armour piece was welded on the turret mantlet, the metal was taken from a Panther turret and was about 80 mm thick when welded onto the turret.[1] The T15E1 gun has much promise to the crew when using the tank as the gun could reliably penetrate the frontal hull of a Panther tank, a feat not many other American tank gun could claim at the time.

The T26E1-1's performance in battle is largely written in the accounts of John P. Irwin, who was the tank gunner of the only active "Super Pershing" in the war. He mentions of three prominent combat actions with the T26E1-1, each one destroying the enemy with little difficulty. Records show that the T26E1-1 destroyed a total of three tanks and captured one after an extended firefight that left the opposing tank out of ammunition. Though it was hoped to have the T26E1-1 fight a Tiger II for a rather explosive comparison, the T26E1-1 never saw a Tiger II during its tour in Europe. After the war, the T26E1-1 was most likely scrapped in the post-war demobilization as the final image of the tank was it lying in a vehicle dump in Kassel, Germany.

Legacy and similar vehicles

The T26E1-1 continued as an idea long after the war was over, with the next development arming the long 90 mm cannon in the T26E3 tank models, but the cannons used the new two-piece ammunition gun T15E2 rather than the one-piece one in the T15E1 when it was found that the long 50 inch rounds made loading prohibitive in the M26 turret. 25 of these tanks were built and were designated the T26E4. Another development was to convert normal M26 Pershings to mounting the T54 cannon, another development of the T15E1 which featured shorter ammunition. These tanks were redesignated the M26E1, but work was halted due to issues with the guns and a cut in project funds.[1]

Media

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

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hunnicutt, R.P. Pershing: A History of the Medium Tank T20 Series U.S.A.: Feist Publications, 1971


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