T54 (American tank): Difference between revisions

T54
T54
	The T54E1 Tank with its 105mm gun in an oscillating turret in travel position, showing the open loader's hatch, September 1962.
Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Rheem Manufacturing Company, United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Detroit Arsenal
Designed	1951 to 1957
Manufacturer	Rheem Manufacturing Company, United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Detroit Arsenal
Variants	T54E1, T54E2
Specifications
Mass	Combat loaded: 110,000 lb (50 t); Unstowed: 103,000 lb (47 t)
Length	Gun forward with fenders:; 450.2 in (11.44 m)
Width	143 in (3.6 m)
Height	121.8 in (3.09 m)
Crew	4:(commander, gunner, driver, loader)
Armor	Upper glacis: 110 mm (4.3 in) at 60°; = 220 mm (8.7 in) LoS
Main; armament	T54: 105mm L/67.3 T140; T54E1: 105mm L/67.3 T140E2; T54E2: 105mm L/67.3 T140E3
Secondary; armament	Cupola mount: .50 cal (12.7 mm) HB M2 machine gun; Coaxial: .30 cal (7.62 mm) M1919A4E1 machine gun
Engine	AV-1790-5B; 810 hp (600 kW) gross; 704 hp (525 kW) net
Power/weight	T54: 13.6 gross hp/ton; T54E1 12.5 gross hp/ton; T54E2: 13.8 gross hp/ton
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational; range	70 mi (110 km)
Maximum speed	27 mph (43 km/h)

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 09:29, 3 January 2022

The T54 was a series of prototype American tanks of the 1950s with three different turrets, all armed with a 105 mm gun, mounted on the M48 Patton chassis. The T54 had a conventional turret with an autoloader with 3 shells, the T54E1 had an oscillating design with an autoloader, and the T54E2 had a conventional turret with a human loader.^[2]

The turret on the T54E1 was similar to that of the T69 in its oscillating design and in that it held a crew of three and a nine-round drum autoloader under the gun. The T54E1 was abandoned in 1956 and in 1957 the entire project was cancelled in favor of the T95 Medium Tank.^[2]

Development

In December 1950, the Army Equipment Development Guide recommended that a 105 mm tank gun be pursued. By 6 July 1951, OTCM (Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes) 33842 officially initiated the development project with two new vehicles designated: the 105 mm gun tank T54, and the 105 mm gun tank T54E1.^[3]

The T54's 105 mm T140 gun was a lighter version of the 105 mm T5E2, which was the armament of the T29 Heavy Tank. Designed for use with an autoloader, their breeches were inverted and fixed rounds were used. When modified for use with the T54E1 oscillating turret, the gun was designated as the 105 mm gun T140E2.^[3]

Variants

T54: armed with a 105 mm T140 in a conventional turret with an autoloader.^[3]
T54E1: armed with a 105 mm T140E2 in an oscillating turret with an autoloader.^[3]
T54E2: armed with a 105 mm T140E3 in a conventional turret with a human loader.^[4]

References

Citations

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m Hunnicutt, pages 430–432
^ ^a ^b Ogorkiewicz (1991), p. 48, p. 391
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Hunnicutt, page 126
^ Hunnicutt, page 134

Bibliography

Ogorkiewicz, Richard M (1991). Technology of Tanks. Jane's Information Group Limited. pp. 48, 391. ISBN 0-7106-0595-1.
Hunnicutt, R.P. (1984). Patton: A History of the American MBT. Presidio. ISBN 0891412301.

[HunnicuttSheets-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m Hunnicutt, pages 430–432

[Ogorkiewicz48-2] Ogorkiewicz (1991), p. 48, p. 391

[Hunnicutt126-3] Hunnicutt, page 126

[Hunnicutt134-4] Hunnicutt, page 134

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{about|the American tank|the Paralympic classification|T54 (classification)}}
-{{Distinguish2|[[T-54]], the Soviet main battle tank from the same era}}
+{{distinguish|text=[[T-54]], the Soviet main battle tank from the same era}}
-{{Infobox Weapon
+{{Infobox weapon
 |name=T54
-|image=
+|image=T54E1.jpg
+|caption=The T54E1 Tank with its 105mm gun in an oscillating turret in travel position, showing the open loader's hatch, September 1962.
-|caption=
 |origin=[[United States]]
-|type=[[Medium tank]]
+|type=[[Main battle tank]]
 |is_vehicle=yes
-|designer=[[Rheem|Rheem Manufacturing Company]], United Shoe Machinery Corporation, [[Detroit Arsenal (Warren, Michigan)|Detroit Arsenal]]
+|designer=[[Rheem Manufacturing Company]], [[United Shoe Machinery Corporation]], [[Detroit Arsenal (Warren, Michigan)|Detroit Arsenal]]
-|design_date=1952 to 1957
+|design_date=1951 to 1957
-|manufacturer=[[Rheem|Rheem Manufacturing Company]], United Shoe Machinery Corporation, [[Detroit Arsenal (Warren, Michigan)|Detroit Arsenal]]
+|manufacturer=Rheem Manufacturing Company, United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Detroit Arsenal
 |unit_cost=
 |production_date=
 |number=
 |variants=T54E1, T54E2
-|length=Gun forward with fenders:<br/> {{convert|450.2|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets>{{cite book|last1=Hunnicutt|first1=R.P.|title=Patton: A History of the American MBT|date=1984|publisher=Presidio|pages=430–432}}</ref>
+|length=Gun forward with fenders:<br/> {{convert|450.2|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets>Hunnicutt, pages 430–432</ref>
 |width= {{convert|143|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
 |height= {{convert|121.8|in|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
-|weight=Combat loaded: {{convert|110000|lb|t|abbr=on}}<br/>Unstowed: {{convert|103000|lb|t|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
+|weight=Combat loaded: {{convert|110,000|lb|t|abbr=on}}<br/>Unstowed: {{convert|103,000|lb|t|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
-|suspension= Torsion bars
+|suspension= Torsion bar
 |speed= {{convert|27|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
 |vehicle_range= {{convert|70|mi|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
 |primary_armament=T54: 105mm L/67.3 T140<br/>T54E1: 105mm L/67.3 T140E2<br/>T54E2: 105mm L/67.3 T140E3<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
-|secondary_armament=Cupola mount: .50 cal HB M2 on <br/>Coaxial: .30 cal M1919A4E1<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
+|secondary_armament=Cupola mount: .50 cal (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning|HB M2 machine gun]]<br/>Coaxial: .30 cal (7.62 mm) [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919A4E1 machine gun]]<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
 |armour=Upper glacis: {{convert|110|mm|in|abbr=on}} at 60°<br/>= {{convert|220|mm|in|abbr=on}} LoS<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
 |engine=[[Continental AV1790|AV-1790-5B]]<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
-|crew=4:<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/> <br/>Commander, Gunner<br/> Driver, Loader
+|crew=4:<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>(commander, gunner, driver, loader)
-|engine_power=810 gross hp<br/>704 net hp<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
+|engine_power={{convert|810|hp|abbr=on}} gross<br/>{{convert|704| hp|abbr=on}} net<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
-|pw_ratio=T54 13.6 gross hp/ton<br/>T54E1 12.5 gross hp/ton<br/>T54E2 13.8 gross hp/ton<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
+|pw_ratio=T54: 13.6 gross hp/ton<br/>T54E1 12.5 gross hp/ton<br/>T54E2: 13.8 gross hp/ton<ref name=HunnicuttSheets/>
 }}
-The '''T54''' was a series of prototype [[List of land vehicles of the U.S. Armed Forces#Main Battle Tanks|American tanks]] of the 1950s with three different turrets, all armed with a 105&nbsp;mm gun, mounted on the [[M48 Patton]] chassis. The original T54 had a conventional turret with an autoloader, while the turret on T54E1 was of an [[oscillating turret|oscillating design]] with an [[autoloader]] and the one on T54E2 was conventional with a human loader. The turret on T54E1 was similar to that of the [[T69 (tank)|T69]] in its oscillating design and in that it held a crew of three and a nine-round drum autoloader under the gun. The T54E1 was abandoned in 1956 and in 1957 the entire project was cancelled in favor of the [[T95]].<ref name=Ogorkiewicz48>Ogorkiewicz (1991), p. 48, p. 391</ref>
+The '''T54''' was a series of prototype [[List of land vehicles of the U.S. Armed Forces#Main Battle Tanks|American tanks]] of the 1950s with three different turrets, all armed with a 105&nbsp;mm gun, mounted on the [[M48 Patton]] chassis. The T54 had a conventional turret with an autoloader with 3 shells, the T54E1 had an [[oscillating turret|oscillating design]] with an [[autoloader]], and the T54E2 had a conventional turret with a human loader.<ref name=Ogorkiewicz48>Ogorkiewicz (1991), p. 48, p. 391</ref>
+The turret on the T54E1 was similar to that of the [[T69 (tank)|T69]] in its oscillating design and in that it held a crew of three and a nine-round drum autoloader under the gun. The T54E1 was abandoned in 1956 and in 1957 the entire project was cancelled in favor of the [[T95 Medium Tank]].<ref name=Ogorkiewicz48>Ogorkiewicz (1991), p. 48, p. 391</ref>
 ==Development==
-In December 1950, the Army Equipment Development Guide recommended that a 105mm tank gun be pursued. By the 6 of July 1951, OTCM (Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes) 33842 officially initiated the development project with two new vehicles designated: the 105mm gun tank T54, and the 105mm gun tank T54E1. The T54's 105mm T140 gun was a lighter version of the 105mm T5E2, which was the armament of the [[T29 Heavy Tank]]. Designed for use with an autoloader, their breeches were inverted and fixed rounds were used. When modified for use with the T54E1 oscillating turret, the gun was designated as the 105mm gun T140E2.<ref name=Hunnicutt126>{{cite book|last1=Hunnicutt|first1=R.P.|title=Patton: A History of the American MBT|date=1984|publisher=Presidio|page=126}}</ref>
+In December 1950, the Army Equipment Development Guide recommended that a 105&nbsp;mm tank gun be pursued. By 6 July 1951, OTCM (Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes) 33842 officially initiated the development project with two new vehicles designated: the 105&nbsp;mm gun tank T54, and the 105&nbsp;mm gun tank T54E1.<ref name=Hunnicutt126/>
+The T54's 105&nbsp;mm T140 gun was a lighter version of the 105&nbsp;mm T5E2, which was the armament of the [[T29 Heavy Tank]]. Designed for use with an autoloader, their breeches were inverted and fixed rounds were used. When modified for use with the T54E1 oscillating turret, the gun was designated as the 105&nbsp;mm gun T140E2.<ref name=Hunnicutt126>Hunnicutt, page 126</ref>
 ==Variants==
-*'''T54''': armed with a 105mm T140 in a conventional turret with an autoloader<ref name=Hunnicutt126/>
+*'''T54''': armed with a 105&nbsp;mm T140 in a conventional turret with an autoloader.<ref name=Hunnicutt126/>
-*'''T54E1''': armed with a 105mm T140E2 in a oscillating turret with an autoloader<ref name=Hunnicutt126/>
+*'''T54E1''': armed with a 105&nbsp;mm T140E2 in an oscillating turret with an autoloader.<ref name=Hunnicutt126/>
-*'''T54E2''': armed with a 105mm T140E3 in a conventional turret without an autoloader<ref name=Hunnicutt134>{{cite book|last1=Hunnicutt|first1=R.P.|title=Patton: A History of the American MBT|date=1984|publisher=Presidio|page=134}}</ref>
+*'''T54E2''': armed with a 105&nbsp;mm T140E3 in a conventional turret with a human loader.<ref name=Hunnicutt134>Hunnicutt, page 134</ref>
-|image = T54E2 side view.png
-== References ==
+==References==
 === Citations ===
 {{reflist}}
-=== Bibliography ===
+===Bibliography===
+{{Commons category|T54 medium tank (United states)}}
-*{{cite book|last=Ogorkiewicz|first=Richard M|title=Technology of Tanks|publisher=Jane's Information Group Limited|date=1991|pages=48, 391|isbn=0-7106-0595-1}}
+*{{cite book|last=Ogorkiewicz|first=Richard M|title=Technology of Tanks|url=https://archive.org/details/Janes_Technology_of_Tanks_01|publisher=Jane's Information Group Limited|date=1991|pages=[https://archive.org/details/Janes_Technology_of_Tanks_01/page/n55 48], 391|isbn=0-7106-0595-1}}
 *{{cite book|last1=Hunnicutt|first1=R.P.|title=Patton: A History of the American MBT|date=1984|publisher=Presidio|isbn=0891412301}}
 [[Category:Cold War tanks of the United States]]
 [[Category:Medium tanks of the Cold War]]
 [[Category:Medium tanks of the United States]]
+[[Category:Abandoned military projects of the United States]]
+[[Category:Trial and research tanks of the United States]]