To others, it was simply known as the "Slugger". Like other armored American vehicles lacking any sort of imaginative name, the British stepped in to nickname the M36 the "Jackson" after famed American Civil War General "Stonewall Jackson" (consistent with the M5 General Stuart, M3 General Lee/Grant and M4 General Sherman). The similar "M36B2" provided the 90mm gun turret atop the M4A2 chassis and M10 hull with power from a diesel engine. Another variant based on the Sherman M4A3 hull and mounting the 90mm gun were converted for the tank destroyer role to become 187 examples of the "M36B1". In June of 1944, the T71 was officially designated as the "M36 GMC" which began deliveries to the European battlefronts by the end of the year. It its modified form, the vehicle came under the prototype designation of "T71 GMC" (GMC = "Gun Motor Carriage"). However, the M10 turret, as it stood, was not intended for such a gun so a new turret design was initiated. The days of the M10, it seemed, were numbered for its base main gun system was proving ever-more inadequate against the new generation of enemy tanks.Īs soon as the M10 entered serial production, the US Ordnance Department began looking into up-gunning the M10 series and trialled a 90mm M3 high-velocity anti-tank gun mounting with the M10A1 design (made from the Sherman M4A2 hull). While capable of tackling the medium-class German tanks of the war, the situation changed with the arrival of the Panther and Tiger I series of heavy tanks - both featuring much improved frontal armor protection and heavy caliber main guns. Primary armament was an adequate 76.2mm main gun. It was developed upon the chassis of the M4A3 Sherman medium tank series which made them large, heavy targets but logistically-friendly. It was produced from 1942 into 1943 to the tune of some 6,700 examples and also saw use with Allied nations. The United States Army was fielding the capable M10 series as its standard tank destroyer of World War 2.
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