15 replies to this topic

[Neyo Wargear]

Greetings SSLFer's,
 
I think it is about time I start a new project and hopefully finish this one unlike the M50 Ontos TD and T1 Cunningham LT series.

Based on the title I will be creating the T29 Heavy Tank series and its derivatives, meaning the T30 and T34 Heavy Tanks. I plan on creating first the T29, then the T29E3, T30, T30E1, and T34. They all use the same chassis so it shouldn't be difficult to pump them out. As for the T29E3 and T30E1, they had slightly different turrets than the T29 and T30 respectively. The main difference between the T29, T30, and T34 is armament.

Again, 1/35th scale to match all my other models.
Actual to 1/35th scale:
Length, Gun Forward: 455.5in=13in=43 studs
Length, Without Gun: 299.6in=8.6in=28 studs
Width: 149.7in=4.3in=14 studs
Height: 126.9in=3.6in=12 studs

Reference Photo:


There is only one for the T29 HT, since almost all photos are of a T29E3 HT which will be made promptly after I finish the T29 HT.

Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 2 hours
Total work time: 2 hours




Not much for 2 hours of work since Studio 2.0 can be a bastard to work with and myself for making semi-working suspension.

Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 1 hour
Total work time: 3 hours



Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 1 hour
Total work time: 4 hours



Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 0.5 hours
Total work time: 4.5 hours



Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 0.75 hours
Total work time: 5.25 hours



Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 0.33 hours
Total work time: 5.58 hours



Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 1 hour
Total work time: 6.58 hours



Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

Work time: 1.583 hours
Total work time: 8.163 hours or 8 hours and 10 minutes.




Play features: All five hatches open and close, gun elevates and depresses, turret has 360 degree rotation, and semi-working suspension.

I will do a writeup after the renders finish.

Cheers.

[Neyo Wargear]

HISTORY:
Due to the emergence of the German Tiger I heavy tank, the US Army designed the M26 Pershing medium tank. It was redesignated as a heavy tank strictly for morale, but did not rectify the problem that worsened in 1944. Heavier and stronger German AFVs were appearing in 1944 and the M26 Pershing was not equipped to deal with these greater threats. In OCM 25117 on 14 September 1944 recommended for development and manufacture of four pilots for a new heavy tank. Two were designated as T29 heavy tank armed with a T5E1 105mm Gun while the other two were the T7 155mm Gun armed T30 heavy tank. OCM 26825 of 1 March 1945 suggested procuring 1,200 T29 heavy tanks. It would be powered by the new Ford GAC, V-12, liquid-cooled engine (770hp at 2800rpm) paired with the new General Motors CD-850-1 cross drive transmission (a single unit combining transmission, brakes, and steering gear). 

 

The hull-mounted MG was a M1919A4 .30in cal. The T5E1 105mm Gun had two coaxial M2 .50in cal HMGs in the gun mantlet with a pedestal mount on the turret roof for an additional M2 .50in HMG for anti-aircraft use. The T5E1 105mm Gun when firing the T32 AP achieved a muzzle velocity of 3000ft/s, the T29E3 HVAP a maximum of 3700ft/s, and the T30E1 HE only 2500ft/s. 

 

Procurement of the T29 heavy tank was approved 12 April 1945, but order reduced to 1152 units. In that same month four additional T29 pilots were approved, but one would be armed with the T53 120mm Gun and designated as the T34 heavy tank. Pressed Steel Car Company, Inc. managed to finish one T29 and partially finish another by the end of WW2. All material was transferred to the Detroit Arsenal with ten more pilots completed for post-war development programs that would provide invaluable information for the entirety of the Cold War. 

 

SPECIFICATIONS:

Length: 455.5in

Width: 149.7in

Height: 126.9in

Crew: 6 (Commander, Gunner, Loader x2, Driver, Co-Driver)

Weight: 141,500lb

Armor: 0.5in-7.0in

Primary Armament: T5E1 105mm Gun (63 rounds) ((6rpm))

Coaxial Armament: M2 0.50in HMG x2 (2420 rounds)

Bow Armament: M1919A4 0.3in MG (2500 rounds)\

Engine: Ford GAC, V-12, Liquid-cooled

Max Speed: 22mph

Range: 100 miles

[Neyo Wargear]

T29E3 Heavy Tank

REFERENCES:




FINISHED PRODUCT:




HISTORY:
Heavy Tank T29 Number 8 was given a T31E1 rangefinder and T93E2 telescope. With these changes it was redesignated as the T29E3 Heavy Tank. The T31E1 rangefinder is a steroscopic sight that helped the commander find the range of a target, freeing up the gunner to track the target. The rangefinder was connected to the gunner's sight via flexible shafting, but would constantly get twisted and backlashed. While the steroscopic sight failed in reliability, it showed the necessity of such a device. It improved spotting capability and range and for sensing bursts. The steroscopic sight also proved they were mandatory for hitting a target from over 1000 yards with the first round.

[Neyo Wargear]

T30 Heavy Tank

REFERENCES:





FINISHED PRODUCT:




CHANGES:
I discovered a cheaper and far better barrel design, the previous design used on both the T29 and T29E3 HTs cost $21 alone. Only a single coaxial M2 0.50in cal HMG, different muffler and exhaust system, and different engine deck, different rear hull details.

HISTORY:
The first T30 heavy tank arrived at Aberdeen (Maryland) Proving Ground in April 1948 and the second in July. They replaced the Ford GAC V-12 Water-cooled engine with a Continental AV-1790-3 which achieved 810hp at 2800rpm. The objective of the T30 HT test program was to evaluate the new engine paired with the CD-850 cross drive transmission. The T7 155mm Gun had a low muzzle velocity since it utilized chemical rounds such as HE and HEAT which don't depend on velocity for power. The T7 155mm Gun fired two piece ammunition, the HE shell weighs 95 pounds while the propellant charge weighed 40 pounds, total weight 135 pounds.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 429in
Width: 149.7in
Height: 126.9in
Crew: 6 (Commander, Gunner, Loader x2, Driver, Co-Driver)
Weight: 142,600lb
Armor: 0.5in-7.0in
Primary Armament: T7 155mm Gun (34 rounds) ((2rpm))
Coaxial Armament: M2 0.50in HMG x1 (2200 rounds)
Bow Armament: M1919A4 0.3in MG (2500 rounds)
Engine: Continental AV-1790-3, V-12, Air-cooled
Max Speed: 22mph
Range: 100 miles

Edited by Neyo Wargear, 19 October 2020 - 01:06 PM.

[Neyo Wargear]

T30E1 Heavy Tank

REFERENCES:






FINISHED PRODUCT:




HISTORY:
OCM 31668 on 24 July 1947 authorized the installation of an experimental cartridge case ejecting mechanism and a drive mechanism for indexing the mount for loading and returning the weapon to its previous location in a T30 Heavy Tank. These additions caused this T30 HT to be re-designated as the T30E1 Heavy Tank. The mechanisms installed took up space where the Tank Commander would normally sit and thus the cupola and his seat was raised above the loading tray which was in between in his legs. A hatch was installed in the turret rear for spent cartridge cases to be ejected.

[Neyo Wargear]

T34 Heavy Tank

REFERENCES:





FINISHED PRODUCT:




HISTORY:
Wanting greater firepower in American tanks, the Ordnance Department in early 1945 looked to converting a 120mm antiaircraft gun into an anti-armor capability. 120mm Gun T53 and had a muzzle velocity of 3150ft/s with a 50lb solid shot and 4100ft/s with HVAP (Hypervelocity Armor Piercing). 17 May 1945, OCM 27662 recommended that two of the T30 Heavy Tanks be armed with a 120mm gun and re-designated as Heavy Tank T34. This action was approved on 31 May [1945].

The T29, T30, and T34 heavy tanks were all going to be equipped with a Ford GAC engine, but after V-J Day the T30 HT was going to test the Continental AV-1790 engine. 7 November 1946, OCM 31202 recommended the T34 pilots should also use the Continental engine instead of a modified Allison V-1710 aircraft engine.

The T34 Heavy Tank's T53 120mm Gun required 4 inches of solid steel to be welded onto the rear of the turret as a counterweight. The T53 120mm Gun used two-piece ammunition and the total round weighed 100lb. Each piece weighed 50lb and required two loaders.

Testing of the T34 Heavy Tank occurred both at Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Knox that test firing caused dangerous amounts of smoke and carbon monoxide within the turret. Flarebacks also hospitalized at least two men at Fort Knox and several others lost their eyebrows and hair there and at Aberdeen. The flarebacks were caused by unburnt powder gases in the gun tube being sucked back into the turret due to the cartridge case being ejected from the cannon breech. The flash resulted from the hot gases mixing with the oxygen in the turret. To prevent flarebacks, a bore scavenging system was installed and this caused bore excavators to become standard on American tank guns.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Length: 463.5in
Width: 149.7in
Height: 126.9in
Crew: 6 (Commander, Gunner, Loader x2, Driver, Co-Driver)
Weight: 143,600lb
Armor: 0.5in-7.0in
Primary Armament: T53 120mm Gun (34 rounds) ((5rpm))
Coaxial Armament: M2 0.50in HMG x2 (2090 rounds)
Bow Armament: M1919A4 0.3in MG (2500 rounds)
Engine: Continental AV-1790-3, V-12, Air-cooled
Max Speed: 22mph
Range: 100 miles

[Neyo Wargear]

T29 HT V2


T29E3 HT V2


Changed the barrel to match the ones on the T30, T30E1, and T34 HTs. Should reduce the price of these two models by $21.

[Neyo Wargear]

Firepower of the American Colossi.

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Cheers.