T29 Super Heavy Tank

Development of the T29 heavy tank began in March 1944 as a response to the appearance of the German Tiger II. Manufactured by the Pressed Steel Car Company and Detroit Arsenal, the vehicle was based on a lengthened T26E3 chassis. Although the United States Army initially proposed the procurement of over 1,100 units in early 1945, the order was canceled in August 1945 following the end of World War II. Production was restricted to a small number of units intended for postwar engineering trials and testing.

The T29 is a heavy tank operated by a crew of six, including a driver, assistant driver, commander, gunner, and two loaders. The chassis utilizes a torsion-bar suspension with eight double road wheels and seven return rollers per side. Armor protection includes sloped frontal hull plating and turret armor reaching a maximum thickness of 305 mm on the gun mantlet. The primary armament consists of a 105 mm T5-series high-velocity gun. Secondary armament includes two coaxial .50 caliber M2HB machine guns, a bow-mounted .30 caliber M1919A4 machine gun, and a pintle-mounted .50 caliber anti-aircraft gun. The standard powerplant is a Ford GAC V12 gasoline engine, though the T29E1 variant utilized an Allison V1710 V12. The transmission is a General Motors CD-850-1 crossdrive system that allows the vehicle to pivot on the spot. Specialized variants include the T29E2, which featured a computing sight and combination aim controls, and the T29E3, which was equipped with panoramic telescopes and a coincidence rangefinder mounted on the turret sides.

The United States Army was the sole operator of the T29 between 1944 and 1950. The vehicle did not see combat, as it was not ready for deployment during the war in Europe. Postwar use was limited to testing engineering concepts for artillery and automotive components. Two surviving examples are preserved in the U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection.