Tanks/Vehicles T29 Heavy Tank

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

T29, E3 variant, recognized by the ears of the turret, filled with rangefinding equipment, that could hopefully have a gameplay impact someday in the game.

 

As the Second World War progressed on all fronts, Allied Command began planning for the next major offensive into Germany and onto Berlin. Germany was defended by division of tanks, well-armored and well-armed, including the Tiger, the Panther and the monstrous Tiger Ausf. B, the King Tiger. None of the Allied tanks were capable of withstanding, or destroying a King Tiger in a one-on-one confrontation. Even the M26, was deemed too light and too weak. As the saying goes, to defeat the monster, you must become one yourself.

The T28, Patton Museum.

 

Thus work began on a series of super-heavy tanks, beasts of monstrous proportions to combat the equally monstrous Tiger II and the heavy fortifications expected to defend German-occupied Europe . This super-heavy tank series developed into the T28, T29 and T30 tanks. While the T28 was more reminiscent of a common tank destroyer, weighing at a massive 86 metric tons, a maximum armor thickness of 300mm and a large, high-velocity 105mm gun mounted on a fixed mount (instead of a turret), it was designed as a breakthrough gun, to absorb punishment while penetrating and destroying heavy defenses like the Siegfried Line opening it up for infantry and lighter vehicles (basically all other vehicles in the US arsenal) to exploit the holes in the defenses opened by this veritable titan.

It's engine's power was an anemic 500HP, giving it a pitiful top speed of 13km/h; it had no need in mobility.

 

 

The T30, was lighter, than the T28, weighing in at 75 tons, mounting a colossal 155mm L/40 high-velocity cannon on a traversing turret, one of the largest guns ever mounted on an American tank. It had armor of up to 280mms in places, notably the turret front and mantlet, the most heavily armored section of the T-28/29/30 series. It was primarily designed with High-Explosive shells, but an incredibly unreliable HVAP round was developed for it, said round often exploded in the barrel or in the breech. A single one worked and it had immense penetrative power.

 

 

During experimentation, one T29 and one T30 were modified to carry a modified AT version of the 120mm AA cannon. The heavy gun required an additional armor plate in the back of the turret to counterbalance it. The 120mm had the best penetrative power, dwarfing the 105 T5 and 155 L/40. The AP shell exceeded 200mm of penetration, while the HVAP round was capable of penetrating 381mm@30° from 1km away. No doubt it would have been capable of penetrating even a Maus through the front.

 

 

 

 

Designed in conjuction with the T30, was the little brother of the bunch, the T29, weighing 'only' 70 tons and equipped with a high-velocity 105mm T5 cannon. The T29 and T30 were both built over the M26's chassis. The engineers lengthened the hull, added additional road wheels and replaced the engine with a Ford GAC 4-cycle 60-degree V12 gasoline (or an Allison engine, depending on the variant) engine developing 770 horsepower at 2800rpm, providing approximately a ratio of 10 to 1 horsepower per ton and a top speed of 32km/h on paved roads. The engine was coupled to a General Motors CD-850-2 (or 850-1 depending on the variant) series transmission with two forward gears and one reverse gear.

 

The armor ranged from 70mm on the lower glacis, to an overwhelming 279mm on the gun mantlet and a healthy 102mm in the front hull (the hull was based on the Pershing after all), making it immune to any tank gun of the era, even the Jagdtiger's 12.8cm was incapable of penetrating the turret front without loading APCR.

 

Overall, the tank was crewed by 6 men in total, a driver, a radio operator, a gunner, a commander and two loaders to load the massive shells. Defense against infantry was handled by a 7.62mm on the bow, mounted on a ball-mount, two .50cals on either side of the gun, and one .50cal on the turret roof to protect it from aircraft. The two .50cals could also be used to engage light vehicles, or to rangefind for the 105mm. 63 shells could be stored in the tank, APBC, APCR, HE and various experimental ammunitions were used and tested on the T5E2.

 

After successful trials, the OCM recommended an order of 1200 units in April 1945, the order was authorized but reduced to 1152 units in March 1945. 8 models were built before the order was canceled outright with the end of the war. In the end, the T29 and its siblings the T30 and T34, while never used in combat, were still invaluable in testing the technologies and ideas to be later used on the M103 Heavy Tank.

 

Today, only 2 models of this giant survived the "weapon purge" after the end of the Second World War. Both can be seen at Fort Knot, Kentucky, USA.

 

Tank data:

Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: State Factories - USA
First built: 1944
Units produced: 6
Crew: 6

Dimensions:

Overall Length: 37.96 ft (11.57 m)
Width: 12.47 ft (3.80 m)
Height: 10.50 ft (3.20 m)
Weight: 78.0 US Short Tons (70,750 kg; 155,977 lb)

Mobility stats:

Powerplant: (T29E3) 1 x Ford GAC 4-cycle 60-degree V12 gasoline engine delivering 770 gross horsepower at 2800RPM. Net HP is 650 however.

(Only T29E1) 1 x Allison V-1710-E32 aircraft engine developing 870 gross HP at 2800RPM. Net HP is only 770 however.

 

Maximum Speed: 20 mph (32 km/h)

Armament:
1 x 105mm T5E2 main gun
1 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2HB heavy machine gun in coaxial mounting.
1 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2HB heavy machine gun in coaxial mounting.
1 x 0.50 caliber Browning M2HB anti-aircraft heavy machine gun at flexible mounting on turret roof.
1 x 0.30 caliber Browning M1919A4 general purpose machine gun in bow mount position.

Ammunition:
63 x 105mm projectiles
2,420 x 12.7mm ammunition
2,500 x 7.62mm ammunition

Hull Armor thickness:

Upper Front: 174mm effective
Lower Front: 132mm effective
Front Sides: 76mm effective
Rear Sides: 51mm effective
Upper Rear: 52mm effective
Lower Rear: 40mm effective
Top: 38mm effective
Front Floor: 25mm effective
Rear Floor: 13mm effective

Turret Armor thickness:

Gun Shield: 203-279mm effective
Front: 206mm effective
Sides: 127mm effective
Rear: 102mm effective
Top: 38mm effective

Special properties:

Pivot: Yes

Armament Data Sheet:

105mm T5E2 (Modified E1 with different mount and more recoil cylinders, so same gun basically):

Traverse: Electric-Hydraulic and Manual = 360°

Traverse Rate: 20seconds/360° or 18° per second

Firing Rate: 6 rounds per minute or reload rate of 10 seconds

Loading System: Manual

Stablizer: No

Shell Data Sheet:

AP-T T32 (APBC-T) 914m/s

HVAP-T T29E3 (APCR-T) 1128m/s

HVAP-T, T29E4 (APCR-T) 1103m/s

AP, T182, 1066m/s

HE T30E1 945m/s

HE T30E1 red. vel 762m/s

HEP/HESH, T81E28, 1900fps or 579m/s.

Penetration (Estimated)

AP-T T32 penetrates 135mm @ 30° (155Vertical) from 914m away and 119mm @30° (137mmVert) from 1829m away.

AP-T T32 penetrates 84mm @ 60° (168mmVert) from 914m away and 69mm @60° (138Vert) from 1829m away

Penetration (Tested)

AP, T182 completely penetrates 127mm@55° (221mmVert) from 914m away.

HVAP-T, T29E3 partially penetrates 127mm@55° (221mmVert) from 914m away

HVAP-T, T29E4 completely penetrates 127mm@55° (221mmVert) from 914m away.

Experimental HEP/HESH shell, T81E28, spalls armor of 5 inches (127mm) at all ranges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In-game. It would be a perfect USA Heavy Tank, sitting at 6.7 BR and Tier IV, countering the King Tiger. It combines a powerful cannon with excellent protection and decent mobility, making it an equal match for the King himself. Its properties also make it a decent match towards the USSR equivalent, the IS-3. Its reputation as an excellent tank from WoT will attract many players (including myself), assuring a healthy supply of heavy tanks to form up Tier IV USA Tank teams, providing plenty of support for the M26's already in-game.

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: Hunnicutt, Firepower: A history of the American Heavy Tank

Aberdeen Testing Grounds, declassified test documents.

AD311630L, declassified test document.

(Special thanks to Whelmy for his help providing infos and documents!)

 

 

 

 

 

Author's notes: While the T29 is indeed a prototype (though technically a limited production vehicle). It was built (at least 8 pilot models were made), has reliable and detailed test data available, and was on the verge of seeing service (1152 units were scheduled to be built in 1945), making it no different a much better case than the Maus that so many people fervently want in the game.

 

 

In the T29's favor, BVV_d has confirmed these American proto heavy tanks are possible.

 

 

3. It should expect to see in the future, such as tanks M6A2E1, T26E3, T26E4, T29, T34, hybrid Sherman turret M26 (Omero dreams)?

 

3. It is possible.

 

Edited January 11, 2015 by SuperTechmarine

[Smin1080p_WT 60,444]

Open for discussion  :salute:​ 

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

Thank you.

[darklegacy245 525]

I really like the T29, T30, and T34, but I would prefer to T34 seeing that the AP round for its 120mm gun had the best penetration out of all three guns with 198mm of penetration at 1000 yards. +1

[Spitfire_ 7,306]

Give T30 as last tank destroyer and a T29 after the T-32:P

[jamofox 257]

these guns are way too powerfull for this game. T54 and IS4 needs to be buffed once again.

[Galen503 547]

It would appear that at the moment the USA line lacks a sub 7.0 T4 heavy tank. The T32 being at 7.0 takes some of the fun away from the American line as if you run it you are almost assured T5 battles. I don't know that this tank would fill that role or end up being placed in T5 between the T32 and M103 due to a 105mm cannon. Either way it is a reasonable candidate and it could certainly have a role in game. 

 

 

these guns are way too powerfull for this game. T54 and IS4 needs to be buffed once again.

The game is about recreating tanks not buffing tanks to be balanced against other tanks. The tanks in this game should at least attempt to be faithful recreations of what existed. Furthermore the 122 would be more than capable of penetrating the T29 through the lower hull and would almost certainly achieve a one shot kill, the same could be said of the 100mm of the T54. The IS4m has finally found a decent adversary in American tanks which it has not had thus far. This doesn't require changing the IS4m to make it all powerful yet again, it requires IS4m drivers to adapt to needing to actually play the tank intelligently. 

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

these guns are way too powerfull for this game. T54 and IS4 needs to be buffed once again.

 

Why? The T29 shouldn't face them, it should face its natural rival, the King Tiger and IS-3, at 6.7. If it doesn't end up a premium (which I doubt).

Edited December 28, 2014 by SuperTechmarine

[Galen503 547]

Why? The T29 shouldn't face them, it should face its natural rival, the King Tiger and IS-3, at 6.7. If it doesn't end up a premium (which I doubt).

This is why I agree with this suggestion. The American heavy line does not have a true T4 tank. The T32 gets tiered up to T5 battles much the same as the King Tiger used to and the Sherman Jumbo shots spitballs compared to all other T4 heavy tanks. This is a suggestion for a tank where there is an actual in game need versus the desire of an individual just because they think a tank looks cool. I hope we see it at some point. 

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

This is why I agree with this suggestion. The American heavy line does not have a true T4 tank. The T32 gets tiered up to T5 battles much the same as the King Tiger used to and the Sherman Jumbo shots spitballs compared to all other T4 heavy tanks. This is a suggestion for a tank where there is an actual in game need versus the desire of an individual just because they think a tank looks cool. I hope we see it at some point. 

 

Thank you for your support.

 

Got a hold of Firepower, corrected some figures in the Stat block. Namely the engine and variant data stuff.

Edited December 28, 2014 by SuperTechmarine

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

Updated - Poll added, penetration, muzzle velocity and a shitload of gun data added, all the juicy details.

 

So far no opposition to the suggestion.

 

 

If you would like the E1 and E3 to be in the game, how would they be arranged? Folder? Or E1/E3 first and the other in front?

Edited December 28, 2014 by SuperTechmarine

[JacobIsHusky 334]

160-170mm of penetration at ~1000 meters is weaker than what I believed it would be for the T29's 105.  However it did have HVAP which I assume would be used to combat the Tiger II, not the APBC round.  I would like to see the T29 in-game, and I figured it would have been the primary choice for a T4 heavy tank and not the T32.

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

160-170mm of penetration at ~1000 meters is weaker than what I believed it would be for the T29's 105.  However it did have HVAP which I assume would be used to combat the Tiger II, not the APBC round.  I would like to see the T29 in-game, and I figured it would have been the primary choice for a T4 heavy tank and not the T32.

 

The 105 and 90mm are very similar in penetration power. I have no doubt that the 105's HVAP could penetrate a King Tiger through the front of the hull from 500m away like a hot knife through butter if you don't die from the 88 first.

[SteelWings55 752]

As of the T29 ( and T32 / T30 / T34 :P ) i support them all . while the gun might not be so good with pen at range / dmg , it will be a very nice T IV start heavy tank , just before the T32 ( or in the future T34 / T30 ) .

 

It will serve as a very nice training tank for the later heavies since its probably going to play out just like T32 / M103 , except u cant be really aggresive with the thing because while the hull armor is decent enough , it wont stand up to what is fired at it ..

 

FYI : the 155mm T7 L/40 isnt by any standard a high-velocity gun ;) It only fired HE shells ( could fire AP but i guess it never got tested ? ) , which had a muzzle velocity of around 710 m/s to 770M/s , dont remember the exact value , but enough for the gun to equal out the Pak 44 at 12.8 MJ of kinetic energy , and this is with HE shells ;)

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

As of the T29 ( and T32 / T30 / T34 :P ) i support them all . while the gun might not be so good with pen at range / dmg , it will be a very nice T IV start heavy tank , just before the T32 ( or in the future T34 / T30 ) .

 

It will serve as a very nice training tank for the later heavies since its probably going to play out just like T32 / M103 , except u cant be really aggresive with the thing because while the hull armor is decent enough , it wont stand up to what is fired at it ..

 

FYI : the 155mm T7 L/40 isnt by any standard a high-velocity gun ;) It only fired HE shells ( could fire AP but i guess it never got tested ? ) , which had a muzzle velocity of around 710 m/s to 770M/s , dont remember the exact value , but enough for the gun to equal out the Pak 44 at 12.8 MJ of kinetic energy , and this is with HE shells ;)

 

Checked mah book. The T7 only has HE listed, and the muzzle velocity is 717m/s. That's still quite high compared to the lower end of big-caliber guns. *cough* StuG III *cough*. I don't think it's going to have much of a point in the game, since only HE was listed and there aren't bunkers (yet, hopefully) to bust. If bunkers were introduced, I'd want a T30 in the game ASAP.

[Major_Shaker 2,633]

Why? The T29 shouldn't face them, it should face its natural rival, the King Tiger and IS-3, at 6.7. If it doesn't end up a premium (which I doubt).

 

whoaw whoaw whoaw let hold it right there.

 

I came to this game to play with existing tanks and to matches where rare tanks are considered premium. I have never accepted nothing in German lines in era V except Jagdtiger. It is Gaijin's problem that they don't want to extend the cut off to 1963 and by this I want Gaijin to figure it out. Enough with prototypes. If Americans were able to deal with German tanks then you should too. If you miss these Txx tanks there is a game where you can play them. It is like saying Germans lack plane to match Spitfire. No they don't. You just need to know your plane enough to know how to fly it. Same goes with tanks. You just need to know its strength weaknesses and your opponent's and use that fighting style of your tank to be better.

[SuperTechmarine 1,575]

whoaw whoaw whoaw let hold it right there.

 

I came to this game to play with existing tanks and to matches where rare tanks are considered premium.

The T29 existed. And why you play the game is of no consequence. I'm sorry but it's true.

I have never accepted nothing in German lines in era V except Jagdtiger. It is Gaijin's problem that they don't want to extend the cut off to 1963 and by this I want Gaijin to figure it out.

How is this relevant to the T29?

Enough with prototypes.

Why? What's your reasoning for this apart from emotion?

If Americans were able to deal with German tanks then you should too.

Numerical superiority and Tank Destroyers that aren't in the game. Plus bazookas, sticky grenades etc. None of which are in the game.

If you miss these Txx tanks there is a game where you can play them.

This is incredibly irrelevant and uncalled for besides.

It is like saying Germans lack plane to match Spitfire.

No, it's really not. The King Tiger is a heavy tank, where is its equivalent? Oh, wait. There is none. Except for the T29. Saying the Sherman or the Pershing are somehow equal pound-for-pound to the King Tiger or the IS-3 is radically mistaken. Also, air combat and land combat are radically different from one another.

No they don't. You just need to know your plane enough to know how to fly it. Same goes with tanks. You just need to know its strength weaknesses and your opponent's and use that fighting style of your tank to be better.

Good luck.

[AWACS_Ghost_Eye 457]

I support this. I'd like to see both, foldered together like the SU-85 and -85M for example.

[The_Riddick 1,039]

Given that AP and other high velocity rounds in game atm under perform, I don't think this tank would be much of a issue. Check out the T32s AP ammo, takes up to 10 shots sometimes to take a tank down with the rare occurrence of a 1 shot ammo rack kill.

[AtomicKaiser 4,905]

Yeah, apart from my personal interest in seeing this tank added. It would be a nice addition and balance'r to the understocked U.S. heavy line.

[Galen503 547]

whoaw whoaw whoaw let hold it right there.

 

I came to this game to play with existing tanks and to matches where rare tanks are considered premium. I have never accepted nothing in German lines in era V except Jagdtiger. It is Gaijin's problem that they don't want to extend the cut off to 1963 and by this I want Gaijin to figure it out. Enough with prototypes. If Americans were able to deal with German tanks then you should too. If you miss these Txx tanks there is a game where you can play them. It is like saying Germans lack plane to match Spitfire. No they don't. You just need to know your plane enough to know how to fly it. Same goes with tanks. You just need to know its strength weaknesses and your opponent's and use that fighting style of your tank to be better.

I have to agree with most of what you say. I hate tanks that did not see service and I want to play a battle that may have happened. I commend you in that your a good player and you understand how tanks preform in game. All too many times suggestions for tanks come from people that have no idea as to why there is an unbalance they just want some stupid tank they played in WoT (this isn't the case here). I also agree that one of the best aspects of this game is most any tank can be used effectively if given the chance. Changing vehicles to "balance" the game is stupid, tanks should be made as accurate representations of what they were, at least as much so as possible. This is my opinion not the in game reality of Warthunder (I need not this pointed out to me by other posters but waste your time if you must). 

 

What you are missing, at least for me, is that there is no comparable tank in the American line. I play my tanks just fine and I am not capable of besting a even moderately proficient King tiger or IS2 (Both 6.7 BR) driver in the Sherman Jumbo (5.7 BR). Sure it could be done but not consistently. The T32 (7.0 BR) would easily defeat them but your just as likely to fight IS4ms and T54s as you are IS2s and KTs.  

 

What your suggestion needs to be isn't that you can't play your tank so learn how (there is no tank at this battle rating). It should be just play your Pershing because it will own all of the heavies anyhow. So either we accept that the American Heavy line is irrelevant in late WWII battles or we push for the addition of a new tank. I can live with NO more prototypes but saying a player can over come at 6.7 by becoming more skillful just isn't true when there is no 6.7 tank that exists for the American line. Its not fair to excuse this suggestion as just another WoT quisling post. 

 

While I typically NO anything that didn't see service and don't completely love the T29, there were prototypes, there is more than enough real data, there is a need and, to my knowledge, no other option exists. The only other real option for American Tankers is there being no option for american heavies at all at this battle rating. The Pershing, however, is more than capable of dealing with the King Tiger and IS2 so there could be an argument against the T29 there. I suppose it comes down to either find an American Heavy, which the T29 might be the best choice, or just play your pershing which is more than enough competitive and take your chances on getting thrown into T5 battles with your T32. 

Edited December 29, 2014 by galen503

[SlayerJesse 490]

YES GAIJIN PLS GIB. I NEEDS MY KAWAII USAGI-CHAN!

 

Lol, but seriously E3 with rangefinder. Not only is it adorable, but if rangefinders ever become working it'l make it much easier to hit things.

[Major_Shaker 2,633]

 

whoaw whoaw whoaw let hold it right there.

 

I came to this game to play with existing tanks and to matches where rare tanks are considered premium.

The T29 existed. And why you play the game is of no consequence. I'm sorry but it's true.

I have never accepted nothing in German lines in era V except Jagdtiger. It is Gaijin's problem that they don't want to extend the cut off to 1963 and by this I want Gaijin to figure it out.

How is this relevant to the T29?

Enough with prototypes.

Why? What's your reasoning for this apart from emotion?

If Americans were able to deal with German tanks then you should too.

Numerical superiority and Tank Destroyers that aren't in the game. Plus bazookas, sticky grenades etc. None of which are in the game.

If you miss these Txx tanks there is a game where you can play them.

This is incredibly irrelevant and uncalled for besides.

It is like saying Germans lack plane to match Spitfire.

No, it's really not. The King Tiger is a heavy tank, where is its equivalent? Oh, wait. There is none. Except for the T29. Saying the Sherman or the Pershing are somehow equal pound-for-pound to the King Tiger or the IS-3 is radically mistaken. Also, air combat and land combat are radically different from one another.

No they don't. You just need to know your plane enough to know how to fly it. Same goes with tanks. You just need to know its strength weaknesses and your opponent's and use that fighting style of your tank to be better.

Good luck.

 

 

Let me ask you first thing first. Why do you thing T29 should be in the game? I was expecting somebody to suggest to add Super Pershing which was fully capable to take out King Tiger. Instead of suggesting T-29 that went only into trails and never saw action and was built in few numbers I would rather see you suggesting Super Pershing T26E variants that even encountered Tiger II.

 

There you have counterpart to King Tiger P/H and IS-3. This is the tank worth the same BR and Historical match. In other words T26E4 >>> T28; T29; T34 and any other variant.

 

http://www.3ad.com/history/news/super.pershing.1.htm

 

Edited December 29, 2014 by Major_Shaker

[Devil_85 3,010]

Let me ask you first thing first. Why do you thing T29 should be in the game? I was expecting somebody to suggest to add Super Pershing which was fully capable to take out King Tiger. Instead of suggesting T-29 that went only into trails and never saw action and was built in few numbers I would rather see you suggesting Super Pershing T26E variants that even encountered Tiger II.

 

There you have counterpart to King Tiger P/H and IS-3. This is the tank worth the same BR and Historical match. In other words T26E4 >>> T28; T29; T34 and any other variant.

 

http://www.3ad.com/history/news/super.pershing.1.htm

 

 

 

 

[Intense_Diarrhea 10]

T26E4's gun is basically the same as that of the T32's but I will still love to see a T29 in-game.Why? It's a very rare tank only 2 managed to weather the storm to survive. It will be nice to have the T29 as a novelty tank together with its brothers. I ask you why do you hate these tanks so much bro?