The M24 Chaffee light tank was designed to be a replacement for the M5 Light tank. It was named after Major General Adna Romanza Chaffee, Jr., who played an instrumental role in developing the United States’ armored force. The main armament on the M24 was a 2.95 inch (75mm) gun that was adapted from the …
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M22 Locust Light Tank
The M22 Locust light tank was designed in the United States by the American engineer Walter Christie. Although it was an American-made tank, the Locust was never used by American forces. It was shipped to Britain as part of the Lend-Lease program and used by the British during World War II. Armament on the Locust …
M36 Gun Motor Carriage
When it appeared in 1944, the M36 gun motor carriage had the most powerful gun in an action. The main gun on this tank destroyer was so heavy that a new, round turret had to be built to accommodate it. The 3.54 inch (90 millimeter) main gun was able to knock out Germany’s Tiger and …
M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer
The M18 Hellcat tank destroyer was fast and light. It could reach a speed of 55 miles per hour (89 kph) and weighed less than 18 tons. It moved well cross-country. The Hellcat was very active in Italy and Northwest Europe. It was extremely effective, and knocked out many enemy tanks. The M18 had the …
M10 Wolverine/Achilles Tank Destroyer
The M10 Wolverine tank destroyer was America’s first successful tank destroyer. It was called the Achilles by the British, who fitted it with a better main gun. Originally, the M10 used the chassis of the M3 General Lee/General Grant medium tank. A later model, the M10A1, used the chassis from the M4 Sherman medium tank. …
M26 Pershing Heavy Tank
In 1942, the US began developing a series of experimental tanks that were supposed to improve upon the M4 Sherman medium tank. These tanks were designated the T20 through the T26. The T26E3 was the prototype for the M26 Pershing heavy tank. Designed to be a match for Germany’s Tiger and Panther tanks, the M26 …
Germany – 2.7cm Kampfpistole
Developed from a flare pistol this German anti-tank weapon was used in WWII and intended to fire a small shaped warhead to defeat the armor on tanks. However the warheads were too small to be effective and the pistols were not accurate at any range. It may be said that this was one of the …
Germany – 7.92mm Panzerbuchse 38 Rifle
A rifle of complex design by Rheinmetall and used in WWII. The 0.312inch (7.92mm) round had a hardened steel core. A large cartridge enabled the rifle to impart a muzzle velocity of 3,740ft/s (1,140m/s) and armor penetration of 1.2inches (30mm) at 110yards (100m). The PzB38 was costly and prone to dirt damage in use. In …
Britain – 2 Pounder Anti-Tank Gun
Developed by the Ordnance dept and Vickers but manufactured by BSA for use in World War II. The 2 Pounder was a heavy gun and was emplaced, thus it could not be moved swiftly. It had a semi-automatic breech mechanism and telescopic sights. The gunner was provided with a seat and a full fixed shield …
Germany – Pak 35/36 Rheinmetall Anti-Tank Gun
Developed secretly by the Germans in the 1920s, despite being subject to constraints under the treaty of Versailles, the Pak-35/36 Rheinmetall anti-tank gun fired an armor piercing round of 1.457inches (37mm) caliber at a muzzle velocity of 2,500ft/s (762m/s). The round weighed 24oz (680g) and was capable of penetrating 2.2in (56mm) of armor at 220yards (200m). …
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Germany – Stahlwerke Becker 20mm automatic cannon
The Stahlwerke Becker 20mm automatic cannon was a very light anti-tank weapon that was fed from a magazine. A few of these were used in combat in early 1918. But, they were problematic in use under combat conditions at the front line, proving difficult to handle and aim. As an anti-tank gun they were used …
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M6 Heavy Tank
The M6 heavy tank was supposed to be a heavy version of the M3 and M4 medium tanks. It was the most powerful tank in the world when it was built. It weighed just under 45 tons and its armor was, at a maximum, 5.24 inches (133mm) thick. The M6 could move at a speed …