T-29, 30, and 34

T-29E3 at Ft. Knox

T-30 at Aberdeen

T-34 at Ft. Knox

T-29, 30, and 34

    In March 1944, development began of the T-29 and T-30 in order to improve upon what became the M-26 Pershing.  The 62 ton T-29 mounted a 105mm gun while the 106 ton T-30 mounted a 155mm gun with a rammer to help the crew with the heavy ammunition.  The T-29 featured a stereoscopic rangefinder projecting from both sides of the turret.  Because the ammunition was heavy for both tanks, it was in two parts, and two loaders were needed.  On the T-29, armor ranged from 4 inches on the hull to 11 inches on the mantlet, and a V-12 powered the tank.  Vehicle speeds were 18 1/2 and 16 1/2 mph respectively.  Although pilot models were begun in September 1944, typically the US Army Ground Forces didn't see the need for such vehicles, and the vehicles were only completed in 1947.  Approved in April 1945, the similar T-34 models, from which the M-103 was eventually developed, mounted a 120mm gun.  Tank development did continue after the war, but despite the obvious benefits of armored warfare, the post-war army was reduced to a single armored division.

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