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| M26 Pershing | |
|---|---|
 An M26 Pershing tank at the Bovington Tank Museum | |
| Type | Heavy tank, then medium tank |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | late 1944–1951 (United States) |
| Used by | See Operators below |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Designer | United States |
| Designed | 1942–1944 |
| Manufacturer | |
| Developed into | Super Pershing |
| Unit cost | US$83,273 (1945), US$1,411,518.99 (2023 equivalent cost with inflation adjustment) |
| Produced | November 1944 – October 1945 |
| No. built | 2,202 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 92,355 lb (41.9 t) fighting weight |
| Length |
|
| Width | 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 1.5 in (2.781 m) |
| Crew | 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, co-driver) |
| Armor |
|
Main armament | 90 mm Gun M3 70 rounds |
Secondary armament |
|
| Engine | Ford GAF; 8-cylinder, gasoline 450–500 hp (340–370 kW) |
| Power/weight | 11.9 hp (8.9 kW)/tonne |
| Suspension | Torsion bar |
Operational range | 100 mi (160 km) |
| Maximum speed |
|
The M26 Pershing is a heavy tank, later designated as a medium tank,[nb 1] formerly used by the United States Army. It was used in the last months of World War II during the Invasion of Germany and extensively during the Korean War. The tank was named after General of the Armies John J. Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War I.
The M26 was intended as a replacement of the M4 Sherman,[2] but a prolonged development period meant that only a small number saw combat in Europe. Based on the criteria of firepower, mobility, and protection, US historian R. P. Hunnicutt ranked the Pershing behind the German Tiger II heavy tank, but ahead of the Tiger I heavy and Panther medium tanks.[3] It was withdrawn in 1951 in favor of its improved derivative, the M46 Patton, which had a more powerful and reliable engine and advanced suspension.[4] The lineage of the M26 continued with the M47 Patton, and was reflected in the new designs of the later M48 Patton and M60 tank.[citation needed]
- ^ Hunnicutt 1996, p. 238.
- ^ "Evening star 16 May 1945, page 4". Newspapers.com.
- ^ Hunnicutt 1996, p. 200.
- ^ Zaloga 2000, p. 36-42.
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