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The M6 heavy tank was nothing if not imposing, as this view illustrates. The smooth lines of the cast hull are apparent here. Hidden behind the 3" gun is the coaxial 37mm gun, which was the main armament of the M2 medium tank produced three years previously. A .50cal machine gun is partially hidden by the open turret hatch (Armored Force policy vacillated between using a .50cal and .30cal AAMG), and two more .50cal MGs were mounted in the right bow. Just behind the pistol port for the assistant driver is an antenna mount. (Picture from Development of Armored Vehicles, volume 1: Tanks.)
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The position of the tank's weapons are illustrated in this picture. No coaxial machine gun was mounted, meaning that the TC had to expose himself to provide machine gun fire to the vehicle's sides or rear. (Picture from TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1.)
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The driver's controls are shown here. The driver was provided with an elevation lever for the bow-mounted .30cal machine gun, and could fire the weapon from his position. The Hycon system provided hydraulic assistance to the driver to help steer the tank. The short Hycon control levers on top of the Hycon control box were normally used; the longer manual steering levers could be used when the Hycon system was inoperative. The M6 was driven without a clutch, but the transmission brake pedal needed to be depressed when changing gears to slow the converter turbine and transmission gears. (Picture from TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1.)
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The .30cal bow machine gun was situated in front of the assistant driver. The bow MG could be fired by the assistant driver in emergencies. (Picture from TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1.)
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A suspension bogie is the subject of this picture. The tracks on the M6 originally used outside guides, but thanks to the nature of the dual wheels, center guides were able to be installed during testing. (Picture from TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1.)
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The accessory side of the Wright G-200 is shown here. The engine displaced 1823in³ (29,870cm³) with a bore of 6.125" (15.56cm) and a stroke of 6.875" (17.46cm). Compression ratio was 4.92:1, it weighed 1350lb (612kg), and was 51.93" (131.9cm) long by 55.07" (139.9cm) in diameter. (Picture from TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1.)
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The dismounted torque converter, transmission, and final drive assembly is visible here. The recommended fluid for the torque converter was No. 1 grade diesel fuel. (Picture from TM 9-721 Heavy Tanks M6 and M6A1.)
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© Copyright 2002-06 Chris Conners
