Variants
- M26 (T26E3). M3 gun with double-baffle muzzle brake. Main production model.
- M26A1. M3A1 gun with bore evacuator and single-baffle muzzle brake.
- T26E1-1 (T26E4-1 or M26A1E2). Version armed with a T15E1 large exterior stabilizer springs single piece ammo (used in combat).
- T26E4. Experimental version armed with a long T15E2 gun two-part ammunition, improved mounting removed the need for springs.
- M26E1. Longer gun, single-part ammunition T54 gun. (post war)
- M26E2. New engine and transmission and M3A1 gun. Ended up as the M46 Patton. (post war)
- T26E2, eventually standardized for use as the Heavy Tank M45 — a close support vehicle with a 105 mm howitzer (74 rounds).
- T26E5. Prototype with thicker armor — a maximum of 279 mm.
| Model | Gun | Glacis thickness (inches) | Suspension | Transmission | Engine | Tread width (inches) | Production Dates | Number Produced | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 | 76mm M1A1 | 3 | HVSS | Torqmatic Model 30-30B | GAN | 16-9/16 | May 1943 | 1 | First test of new hydraulic torque converter transmission, which proved leaky and prone to overheating |
| T20E3 | 76mm M1A1 | 3 | torsion bar | Torqmatic Model 30-30B | GAN | 18 | July 1943 | 1 | Effort to improve the ride and ground pressure |
| T22 | 76mm M1A1 | 3 | HVSS | modified M4A3 Sherman | GAN | 16-9/16 | June 1943 | 2 | Reversion to the known reliable transmission of the M4 |
| T22E1 | 75mm M3 autoloader | 3 | HVSS | modified M4A3 Sherman | GAN | 16-9/16 | Aug 1943 | 1 | Test of autoloader for 76mm gun, new smaller two-man turret with only a gunner and commander, converted from a T22 tank |
| T23 | 76mm M1A1 | 3 | VVSS | Electrical | GAN | 16-9/16 | Jan–Dec 1943 | 250+ |
Used same vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS) of the M4 Sherman. New cast turret mounting the 76mm gun (used for the 76mm M4) |
| T23E3 | 76mm M1A1 | 3 | torsion bar | Electrical | GAN | 19 | Aug. 1944 | 1 | Test of torsion bars, electrical transmission, and 19-in tracks together |
| T23E4 | 76mm M1A1 | 3 | HVSS | Electrical | GAN | 23 | late 1944 | 3 | HVSS, electrical transmission, and 23in tracks |
| T25 | 90mm T7 | 3 | HVSS | Electrical | GAN | 23 | Jan 1944 | 2 | Test of 90mm gun and electrical transmission on converted T23s. The 90mm T7 was later standardized as the 90mm M3 |
| T25E1 | 90mm M3 | 3 | HVSS | Torqmatic | GAF | 19 | Feb–May 1944 | 40 | Improved version of Model 30-30B Torqmatic transmission. The Ford GAF engine was a minor modification of the GAN engine. |
| T26 | 90mm M3 | 4 | torsion bar | Electrical | GAN | 24 | Oct 1944 | 1 | Weighed 95,100 lbs, with 90mm gun, 4" armor, electrical transmission |
| T26E1 | 90mm M3 | 4 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 24 | Feb–May 1944 | 10 | Prototype model selected for full production after testing |
| T26E2 | 105mm howitzer M4 | 4 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 24 | Jul 1945 | 185 | Standardized as M45 tank post-war |
| T26E3 / M26 | 90mm M3 | 4 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 24/23 | Nov. 1944 | 2000+ | Standardized as M26 tank in March 1945, later production had 23in tracks |
| T26E4 | 90mm T15E1, T15E2 | 4 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 24 | Nov. 1944 | 25 | "Super Pershing", the first pilot was a converted T26E1 and the only one to see combat. Its T15E1 gun used one-piece ammunition. All other T26E4s had the T15E2 with two-piece ammunition |
| T26E5 | 90mm M3 | 6 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 23 | June–July 1945 | 27 | Same idea as the M4A3E2 "Jumbo" assault tank. Uparmored T26E3, weighed 102,300 lbs. Tracks could take 5" "duckbill" extenders |
| M26E1 | 90mm T54 | 4 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 23 | after June 1945 | 2 | Improved version of "Super Pershing" high velocity 90mm gun and ammunition with short, fat propellant casing instead of very long casing. Converted from M26 tanks |
| M26E2 / M46 | 90mm M3A1 | 4 | torsion bar | Allison CD-850-1 cross-drive | Continental AV-1790-3 | 23 | 1948–1949 | 1 / 800 | Upgrade of existing M26. New compact transmission and engine with increased power to 810 hp (600 kW). Improved 90mm M3 gun, with bore evacuator and other modifications. Additional conversions beyond the prototype were redesignated as the T40, then were standardized as the M46 Patton. A total of 800 M26 tanks were converted to the M46. |
| M26A1 | 90mm M3A1 | 4 | torsion bar | Torqmatic | GAF | 23 | 1948 | 1200? | Lack of funds postwar prevented conversion of all of the M26 tanks to the M46. Most of the remaining M26s only received a gun upgrade with the M3A1 gun. |
Read more about this topic: M26 Pershing
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