Difference between revisions of "T28"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_t28}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=us_t28
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
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<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} American tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. A premium version of the [[T95]], its difference is the removal of the outer tracks for train transport, but it can still fight at the expense of increased ground pressure. The T28 retains the same front armour and 105 mm T5 gun from the T95.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
  
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''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
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'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
*Cast homogeneous armour
 +
*Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 305 mm (0-31°) ''Front'' <br> 133.35 mm (58°) ''Lower Glacis'' || rowspan="2" | 63.5 mm (10-58°) ''Top'' <br> 50.8 mm ''Bottom'' || rowspan="2" | 50.8 mm (5-62°) || rowspan="2" | 38.1 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Superstructure || 292.1 + 305 mm (2-81°) ''Mantlet'' <br> 76.2 mm ''Cupolas'' <br> 76.2 mm ''track guard''
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | 76.2 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels and bogies are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
 +
 
 +
Don't try to engage the {{PAGENAME}} from the front as it is virtually impossible to penetrate it from the front. Try to knock out its tracks and flank it since its side and rear armour is next to nothing compared to its frontal armour. This tank is also extremely weak to aircraft due to weak armour on top, so another idea may scout out this tank in a light tank or TD, then an aircraft can destroy it from above.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=547|rbMinHp=322}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|T5E1 (105 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[T5E1 (105 mm)|105 mm T5E1]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 62 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+19° || rowspan="2" | -10°/+11° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 8.8 || 12.2 || 14.8 || 16.4 || 17.4 || rowspan="2" | 20.0 || rowspan="2" | 17.7 || rowspan="2" | 16.3 || rowspan="2" | 15.4
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:T5E1 (105 mm)/Ammunition|T32, T13, T29E3, T30E1}}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
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[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! Ammo<br>part
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''62''' || style="text-align:right" | ''Projectiles'' <br> ''Propellants'' || 51&nbsp;''(+11)''<br>41&nbsp;''(+21)'' || 33&nbsp;''(+29)''<br>35&nbsp;''(+27)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+45)''<br>23&nbsp;''(+39)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+61)''<br>1&nbsp;''(+61)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle || 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±140°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 +
When playing the Super Heavy T28, you will immediately notice the slow speed, as well as its odd-looking appearance. The front is very heavily armoured, with negligible armour around the sides, the rear and roof, which makes it an easy target for an artillery strike. There are two ways to play this tank: defensively or offensively, as each playstyle will have some positives and negatives.
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
When playing offensively, you need to use the terrain for cover and objects for additional protection. The T5E1 cannon is very accurate at long ranges. However, fighting in urban zones such as streets is not recommended unless you can be sure that there are no enemy units waiting to prey on your weak sides and rear armour in the adjacent streets. If they realise that you are a T28, they might try to de-track you. If you have a moderately trained crew, you will have no issues repairing the track in a short amount of time. To get the best out of this tank, you need to capitalise on the map and the thick front armour. Do not expose your rear or sides! Failing to do so will lead to an early end of your match. The most obvious weakness is that the T28 has no turret, meaning in Close Quarter Combat any mobile tank like the Panther might flank you. One way you could get around this is to have teammates stick with you, or for you to follow your teammates. However, the speed of this tank negates the benefits of having turreted allies with you.
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* One of the thickest frontal armour (305 mm cast)
 +
* Powerful main gun
 +
* Matchmaking ensures most enemies will be unable to penetrate the frontal armour
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* As the names imply: super heavy and slow
 +
* Can be easily destroyed if shot from the side
 +
* Can be de-tracked with ease, which will allow the enemy to flank and destroy you
 +
* Lower glacis is vulnerable to HE fire
 +
* Flat surface on top of the whole tank, vulnerable to enemies above you and artillery strikes.
 +
* Commander and Driver cupolas are only 76 mm thick - quite thin, and APHE penetrating them can cause crew casualties
 +
* Weaker side armour than the T95 in the tech tree - 50.8 mm vs. roughly 152.4 mm (101.6 mm outer plate covering the transport tracks + the inner 50.8 mm plate)
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
 
 +
===Development===
 +
Years before the invasion of Normandy, there were men among the Allied planners worrying about the heavily-defended fortification lines such as the Siegfried Line blocking the path from France to Germany. One of the proposed methods was to develop extremely heavily armoured vehicles capable of destroying any fortification it comes across and any resistance the German had. Britain and America both worked on this project in order to develop these super-heavy tanks.
 +
 
 +
The American solution was a vehicle that would be called the '''T28 Heavy Tank''' and work began on such vehicle in September 1943. The initial vehicle concept called for a casemate design with a [[T5E1 (105 mm)|105 mm T5 gun]], which was evaluated to be "extremely effective at reducing heavy fortifications". The only other armament on the vehicle would be a .50 cal machine gun for use by the commander. The armour on the design was 203 mm at first, but in January 1945 the head of Ordnance worried about the effect of German APCR ammunition, and so the already significant armour was upped to an astounding 305 mm thick frontal armour, at the increase of weight to 95 tons. The vehicle's electric drive was a carryover from the [[M6A1|M6]] and T23 tank, with the engine the same from the [[M26|M26 Pershing]] (which was the same as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3 Sherman]]). The heavyweight with the underpowered engine allowed the T28 to reach a whopping 8 miles per hour speed. To carry this design, the vehicle had four sets of tracks, two on each side, 328 mm wide each in order to lower ground pressure. For transport, the extra set of tracks on the sides can be removed to make the vehicle thinner (4.55 m to 3.15 m) for easier transport, but raising ground pressure (0.82 kg/cm<sup>2</sup> to 1.14 kg/cm<sup>2</sup>) and reducing armour since the detached track sets comes with 102 mm skirt armour.<ref name="EstesHeavyTanks">Estes Kenneth W. ''Super-heavy Tanks of World War II'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2014</ref>
 +
 
 +
The T28 heavy tank continued with the development and in March 1944, the U.S. Army gave it the name and also placed an order for five pilot models for testings. In March 1945, Ordnance then renamed the T28 into the [[T95|105 mm Gun Motor Carriage T95]] due to the lack of turret for a "tank" and any regular secondary armaments. Then, in June 1946, the vehicle was renamed again to the [[T28|Super Heavy Tank T28]] due to the United States construction of self-propelled guns being lightly armoured, in order to distinguish it as a radically different design than simply a "tank destroyer". Today, the T95 and T28 naming are both used to title this vehicle.<ref name="EstesHeavyTanks" />
 +
 
 +
===Procurement and deployment===
 +
The five pilot models requested by the U.S. Army had Ordnance look for a manufacturer to produce these vehicles. The war effort had made many prominent manufacturers busy with pre-existing orders. The Pacific Car and Foundry Company were then contracted to produce the design, with production starting in March 1945. The complete tank design was finished by August 1945, by this time the war had already ended in Europe three months prior. Efforts continued on the tank until the surrender of Japan in September, ending World War II. The post-war cutbacks led to the request for five tanks lowered to just two. The first T28 prototypes appeared in Aberdeen Proving Grounds on 21 December 1945, with the second arriving on 10 January 1946. These two prototype tanks went through evaluations at Aberdeen and Yuma Proving Grounds, mostly for engineering tests to check the durability of the components used. The second prototype model had an engine fire in Yuma and had to be scrapped. The T28 project finally ended on October 1947 when development for such heavy vehicles stopped. Records on the sole T28 prototype ended afterwards, many assumed the vehicle was destroyed or scrapped.<ref name="EstesHeavyTanks" />
 +
 
 +
In 1974, the sole remaining T28/T95 prototype was found in the fields behind Fort Belvoir, Virginia by a wanderer, rumoured to be a farmer out hunting or a lieutenant conducting inventory inspection. To this day, no one is certain how the T28 tank was left abandoned in the fields or what happened during the years in absence. It was moved to the Fort Knox, Kentucky to be displayed in the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor. Today, its resting place is in the National Armor and Cavalry Museum in Fort Benning, Georgia.<ref name="EstesHeavyTanks" />
 +
 
 +
===Legacy===
 +
In the end, the super heavy tanks designs made by the Americans ([[T28]]) and the British ([[Tortoise]]) only proved that such needs for tanks were unnecessary. The Siegfried Line and other such fortifications were taken out by use of the standard issued medium tanks such as the [[M4|M4 Shermans]], proving that affordable, mass-produced vehicles could dominate the modern battlefield. The super heavy tanks were also a strain on battle operations, as one of the most pressing questions during the development of the super-heavy tanks were on just how to get the tanks across the ocean to Europe and supply them with the fuel and ammo. The only positive note that these heavy tanks provided was that it showed the true extent of American and British industrial capabilities, being able to produce these massive monsters.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
The T28 super-heavy tank was built following the Artillery Department's initiative starting in September, 1943. The installation featured significant frontal armour and was equipped with a new 105 mm gun. However, the power train was borrowed from the M26 medium tank, which led to serious problems with the 60-ton SPG's manoeuvrability.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
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== Read also ==
+
;Skins
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_t28 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
* [[T95]] - Standard version with full tracks.
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/767/|[Devblog] T28 and T95]]
 +
* [[Wikipedia:T28_Super_Heavy_Tank|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> T28 Super Heavy Tank]]
 +
 
 +
=== References ===
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
{{USA tank destroyers}}
 +
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 16:42, 8 February 2023

T28
us_t28.png
GarageImage T28.jpg
T28
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.7 6.3 6.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:7 480 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The Super Heavy Tank T28 is a premium rank IV American tank destroyer with a battle rating of 6.7 (AB/SB) and 6.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory". A premium version of the T95, its difference is the removal of the outer tracks for train transport, but it can still fight at the expense of increased ground pressure. The T28 retains the same front armour and 105 mm T5 gun from the T95.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull305 / 50 / 50
Turret305 / 63 / 50
Crew4 people
Visibility110 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 305 mm (0-31°) Front
133.35 mm (58°) Lower Glacis 		63.5 mm (10-58°) Top
50.8 mm Bottom 		50.8 mm (5-62°) 38.1 mm
Superstructure 292.1 + 305 mm (2-81°) Mantlet
76.2 mm Cupolas
76.2 mm track guard
Cupola 76.2 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and bogies are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.

Don't try to engage the T28 from the front as it is virtually impossible to penetrate it from the front. Try to knock out its tracks and flank it since its side and rear armour is next to nothing compared to its frontal armour. This tank is also extremely weak to aircraft due to weak armour on top, so another idea may scout out this tank in a light tank or TD, then an aircraft can destroy it from above.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB14 / 5 km/h
RB and SB13 / 5 km/h
Number of gears3 forward
1 back
Weight59.4 t
Engine power
AB954 hp
RB and SB500 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB16.1 hp/t
RB and SB8.4 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 14 5 59.4 547 954 9.21 16.06
Realistic 13 5 322 500 5.42 8.42

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB2 794 Sl icon.png
RB3 069 Sl icon.png
SB4 234 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts340 000 Sl icon.png
Aces890 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 180 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 130 / 210 / 250 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 184 / 184 / 184 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_us_T13_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_us_T29E3_APCR_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism

Armaments

Main armament

105 mm T5E1 cannon
Ammunition62 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
20.0 → 15.4 s
Vertical guidance-5° / 19°
Horizontal guidance-10° / 11°
Main article: T5E1 (105 mm)
105 mm T5E1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 62 -5°/+19° -10°/+11° N/A 8.8 12.2 14.8 16.4 17.4 20.0 17.7 16.3 15.4
Realistic 5.9 7.0 8.5 9.4 10.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
T32 APCBC 256 253 238 221 205 190
T13 APCBC 253 250 236 219 204 190
T29E3 APCR 292 287 266 242 220 200
T30E1 HE 27 27 25 23 21 20
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
T32 APCBC 914 17.7 - - - 48° 63° 71°
T13 APCBC 899 18.59 1.2 19 177.38 48° 63° 71°
T29E3 APCR 1,128 11.2 - - - 66° 70° 72°
T30E1 HE 945 15.2 0.2 0.1 1,550 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T28
Full
ammo 		Ammo
part 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
62 Projectiles
Propellants 		51 (+11)
41 (+21) 		33 (+29)
35 (+27) 		17 (+45)
23 (+39) 		1 (+61)
1 (+61) 		No

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 70°
Horizontal guidance-140° / 140°
Main article: M2HB (12.7 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 1,000 (200) 577 -10°/+70° ±140°

Usage in battles

When playing the Super Heavy T28, you will immediately notice the slow speed, as well as its odd-looking appearance. The front is very heavily armoured, with negligible armour around the sides, the rear and roof, which makes it an easy target for an artillery strike. There are two ways to play this tank: defensively or offensively, as each playstyle will have some positives and negatives.

When playing offensively, you need to use the terrain for cover and objects for additional protection. The T5E1 cannon is very accurate at long ranges. However, fighting in urban zones such as streets is not recommended unless you can be sure that there are no enemy units waiting to prey on your weak sides and rear armour in the adjacent streets. If they realise that you are a T28, they might try to de-track you. If you have a moderately trained crew, you will have no issues repairing the track in a short amount of time. To get the best out of this tank, you need to capitalise on the map and the thick front armour. Do not expose your rear or sides! Failing to do so will lead to an early end of your match. The most obvious weakness is that the T28 has no turret, meaning in Close Quarter Combat any mobile tank like the Panther might flank you. One way you could get around this is to have teammates stick with you, or for you to follow your teammates. However, the speed of this tank negates the benefits of having turreted allies with you.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • One of the thickest frontal armour (305 mm cast)
  • Powerful main gun
  • Matchmaking ensures most enemies will be unable to penetrate the frontal armour

Cons:

  • As the names imply: super heavy and slow
  • Can be easily destroyed if shot from the side
  • Can be de-tracked with ease, which will allow the enemy to flank and destroy you
  • Lower glacis is vulnerable to HE fire
  • Flat surface on top of the whole tank, vulnerable to enemies above you and artillery strikes.
  • Commander and Driver cupolas are only 76 mm thick - quite thin, and APHE penetrating them can cause crew casualties
  • Weaker side armour than the T95 in the tech tree - 50.8 mm vs. roughly 152.4 mm (101.6 mm outer plate covering the transport tracks + the inner 50.8 mm plate)

History

Development

Years before the invasion of Normandy, there were men among the Allied planners worrying about the heavily-defended fortification lines such as the Siegfried Line blocking the path from France to Germany. One of the proposed methods was to develop extremely heavily armoured vehicles capable of destroying any fortification it comes across and any resistance the German had. Britain and America both worked on this project in order to develop these super-heavy tanks.

The American solution was a vehicle that would be called the T28 Heavy Tank and work began on such vehicle in September 1943. The initial vehicle concept called for a casemate design with a 105 mm T5 gun, which was evaluated to be "extremely effective at reducing heavy fortifications". The only other armament on the vehicle would be a .50 cal machine gun for use by the commander. The armour on the design was 203 mm at first, but in January 1945 the head of Ordnance worried about the effect of German APCR ammunition, and so the already significant armour was upped to an astounding 305 mm thick frontal armour, at the increase of weight to 95 tons. The vehicle's electric drive was a carryover from the M6 and T23 tank, with the engine the same from the M26 Pershing (which was the same as the M4A3 Sherman). The heavyweight with the underpowered engine allowed the T28 to reach a whopping 8 miles per hour speed. To carry this design, the vehicle had four sets of tracks, two on each side, 328 mm wide each in order to lower ground pressure. For transport, the extra set of tracks on the sides can be removed to make the vehicle thinner (4.55 m to 3.15 m) for easier transport, but raising ground pressure (0.82 kg/cm2 to 1.14 kg/cm2) and reducing armour since the detached track sets comes with 102 mm skirt armour.[1]

The T28 heavy tank continued with the development and in March 1944, the U.S. Army gave it the name and also placed an order for five pilot models for testings. In March 1945, Ordnance then renamed the T28 into the 105 mm Gun Motor Carriage T95 due to the lack of turret for a "tank" and any regular secondary armaments. Then, in June 1946, the vehicle was renamed again to the Super Heavy Tank T28 due to the United States construction of self-propelled guns being lightly armoured, in order to distinguish it as a radically different design than simply a "tank destroyer". Today, the T95 and T28 naming are both used to title this vehicle.[1]

Procurement and deployment

The five pilot models requested by the U.S. Army had Ordnance look for a manufacturer to produce these vehicles. The war effort had made many prominent manufacturers busy with pre-existing orders. The Pacific Car and Foundry Company were then contracted to produce the design, with production starting in March 1945. The complete tank design was finished by August 1945, by this time the war had already ended in Europe three months prior. Efforts continued on the tank until the surrender of Japan in September, ending World War II. The post-war cutbacks led to the request for five tanks lowered to just two. The first T28 prototypes appeared in Aberdeen Proving Grounds on 21 December 1945, with the second arriving on 10 January 1946. These two prototype tanks went through evaluations at Aberdeen and Yuma Proving Grounds, mostly for engineering tests to check the durability of the components used. The second prototype model had an engine fire in Yuma and had to be scrapped. The T28 project finally ended on October 1947 when development for such heavy vehicles stopped. Records on the sole T28 prototype ended afterwards, many assumed the vehicle was destroyed or scrapped.[1]

In 1974, the sole remaining T28/T95 prototype was found in the fields behind Fort Belvoir, Virginia by a wanderer, rumoured to be a farmer out hunting or a lieutenant conducting inventory inspection. To this day, no one is certain how the T28 tank was left abandoned in the fields or what happened during the years in absence. It was moved to the Fort Knox, Kentucky to be displayed in the Patton Museum of Cavalry and Armor. Today, its resting place is in the National Armor and Cavalry Museum in Fort Benning, Georgia.[1]

Legacy

In the end, the super heavy tanks designs made by the Americans (T28) and the British (Tortoise) only proved that such needs for tanks were unnecessary. The Siegfried Line and other such fortifications were taken out by use of the standard issued medium tanks such as the M4 Shermans, proving that affordable, mass-produced vehicles could dominate the modern battlefield. The super heavy tanks were also a strain on battle operations, as one of the most pressing questions during the development of the super-heavy tanks were on just how to get the tanks across the ocean to Europe and supply them with the fuel and ammo. The only positive note that these heavy tanks provided was that it showed the true extent of American and British industrial capabilities, being able to produce these massive monsters.


Archive of the in-game description

The T28 super-heavy tank was built following the Artillery Department's initiative starting in September, 1943. The installation featured significant frontal armour and was equipped with a new 105 mm gun. However, the power train was borrowed from the M26 medium tank, which led to serious problems with the 60-ton SPG's manoeuvrability.


Media

Skins

See also

  • T95 - Standard version with full tracks.

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Estes Kenneth W. Super-heavy Tanks of World War II Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2014


USA tank destroyers
M10  M10 GMC
M36  M36 GMC · M36B2
T95  T28 · T95
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ATGM  LOSAT · M901
Wheeled  M3 GMC · T55E1
Other  M8 HMC · M50 · M56
China  ▃LVT(A)(4) (ZIS-2)

USA premium ground vehicles
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  XM1 (GM) · XM1 (Chrysler) · M1 KVT · M1A1 Click-Bait
Heavy tanks  T14 · Cobra King · M6A2E1 · T29 · T30
Tank destroyers  T28 · T55E1

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