Odd-Balls and
Could-Have-Beens

Prototype Tank Development 1945-1946

by Moko Cwiklinski

The following are AFVs that were either produced in too few numbers that did not see service, or, prototypes that were not in production when the war ended.

Germany

Panther II new medium tank of the E series. Started in 1943 to produce tanks with standardized parts.

E-100 Designed and built by Henschel in manufacturer's competition to make E series heavy tank.

Maus Designed and built by Porsche in manufacturer's competition to make E series heavy tank.

VehicleYearSpeedArmorArmament
Panther II (VI)4655/3015/6 T:88L71, MG H:MG
E-100 (VI)4630/1531/7T:150/45, MG H:MG
Maus (VI)4624/1230/7T:150/45, MG H:MG

United Kingdom

Cruiser A-41 "Centurion" Original version of later centurions projected for use in late 1945-early 46.

Infantry Tank A-43 "Black Prince" To replace the Churchill, for service in late 1945-early 1946.

Assault Tank A-39 "Tortoise" Early British entry into the anti-Siegfried Line contest. The six pilot models were not completed until 1946-47, but could have arrived as planned in 1946.

VehicleYearSpeedArmorArmament
Cruiser A-41 (VI)4640/2019/6 T:17lb, MG H:MG
Infantry Tank A-43 (VI)4625/1519/10T:17lb, MG H:MG
Assault Tank A-39 (VI)4624/1228/9C:95L22, 2 MG

Editor's Note on A-41: Six Centurion I prototypes were delivered in May 1945 and rushed to the 22nd Armored Brigade for combat trials. However, the war ended before they saw action. Some models also mounted a 20mm Polsten cannon in the turret front. A-41A Centurion IIs with heavier turrets went into production after the war.

United States

T-5 Original version of what became the M4 series.

M2A1 Next unsuccessful step in the T5 series, soon replaced with M3.

T1E2 Heavy Tank In 1939, US Army's heavy tank with design problems that were never corrected. 40 vehicles produced (standardized as M6/M6A1/M6A2 series).

Assault Tank T-28 US entry into the anti-Siegfried Line contest. Two completed in Sept 1945 as the 105mm Gun Motor Carriage T95. Project ended Oct 1947.

Hevay Tank T-30 To counter german heavy tanks, but Army ground forces opposed its size and had no requirements. No production.

VehicleYearSpeedArmorArmament
T-5(IV)3840/203/2 T:37L53 MG H: 4 MG
M2A1 (V)4060/304/2T:37L53, MG H: 4 MG
T1E2 (VI)42/340/2010/4T:37L53, MG H: 3 MG
T-28 (VI)4616/835/5C:105L23, MG
T-30 (VI)4640/2012/6T:155L45, H: 2 MG

Editor's Note on T-5/M2A1 Series: the MGs were mounted at the corners of the hull and the rear two could use a set of "splash plates" attached to the rear of the tank. These were pieces of armour mounted at an angle with the idea that when one crossed a trench, one could fire atthe plates and the bullets would riccochet down into the trench.

Weapon Data

TypeROF2"5"10"15"20" 25"30"40"50"60"HE
150L4519:309:289:266:244:24 2:222:201:181:16-2"/6
155L4519:259:239:216:19419 2:172:151:121:11-2"/6


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