T28 Heavy Tank Destroyer

The T28 super-heavy tank was developed by Pacific Car and Foundry for the United States Army during World War II. Designed as an assault gun to breach the German Siegfried Line, the vehicle was also considered for use during the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland. The project originated from a 1943 requirement for an assault tank, with production authorized in 1944. Because the design utilized a fixed casemate instead of a revolving turret, the Ordnance Department re-designated the vehicle as the 105 mm Gun Motor Carriage T95 in March 1945. It was renamed the Super Heavy Tank T28 in June 1946.

The vehicle features a casemate-style hull with a low profile. Primary armament consists of a 105 mm T5E1 gun mounted in a ball-shaped mantlet set into the hull front. This gun is manually loaded and has a limited traverse of 10° right and 11° left, with elevation ranging from 19.5° to -5°. Secondary armament is a .50 caliber M2 Browning heavy machine gun on a ring mount for anti-aircraft use. The frontal armor was designed to provide protection against the German 88 mm gun. Steel skirts protect the suspension system and lower hull.

To manage ground pressure, the vehicle utilizes four tracks with a horizontal volute spring suspension system. The outer track assemblies are detachable for rail transport and can be fixed together to be towed behind the tank. Power is supplied by a Ford GAF V-8 gasoline engine. Although an electric transmission was initially planned, the vehicle was completed with the mechanical transmission from the Medium Tank T26. The crew consists of four members: a driver, gunner, loader, and commander. Vision is provided by M6 and M10E3 periscopes and an M8A1 telescope.

The T28 did not see combat, as Allied forces overwhelmed the Siegfried Line before the vehicle completed trials. Only two prototypes were built. These units were used for engineering studies and component durability testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Knox, and Yuma Proving Ground. The program was terminated in October 1947 due to high maintenance costs, the emergence of turreted heavy tank designs, and the difficulty of transporting such vehicles overseas. One prototype was destroyed by an engine fire during trials and scrapped. The remaining vehicle was rediscovered in 1974 and is currently held by the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection.