Medium Tank M7

The Medium Tank M7 was originally conceived as an up-gunned replacement for the Light Tank M3/M5. The project was supposed to mount the same 75mm armament as the M4 Sherman while retaining the light weight and maneuverability of the M3 Stuart; however, during development the weight of the prototype surpassed the US Army's standard for light tanks and crossed into the medium category and was renamed.[1] The M7 had significantly less armor than the M4 Sherman, boasted no greater firepower, and held only a slight advantage in top speed. For these reasons, and because the M4 was already battle-tested and in full production, the M7 was put aside shortly after completing trials.

Medium Tank M7
Third production M7 medium tank at the General Motors Proving Ground.
TypeMedium tank
Place of originUnited States
Production history
ManufacturerInternational Harvester Corp.
Produced1942
No. built13
Specifications
Mass53,950 lb (24,470 kg)
Length17 ft 2 in (5.23 m)
Width9 ft 4 in (2.84 m)
Height7 ft 9 in (2.36 m)
Crew5 (Commander, loader, gunner, driver, co-driver)
Armor13–64 mm (0.51–2.52 in)
Main
armament
75 mm M3 in M47 mount
71 rounds
Secondary
armament
3 × .30-06 M1919A4 Browning machine gun
4,500 rounds
EngineContinental R975-C1; 9-cylinder radial gasoline
350 hp (260 kW)
SuspensionVertical volute spring
Maximum speed 30 mph (48 km/h) on road

Development

On January 1941, the Armored force prepared a list of characteristics for a new light tank. It was assigned the designation T7. During the development program, its weight increased from 14 to almost 27 tons. A more apt classification was thus given by OCM 18522, dated 6 August 1942, which standardized the T7E5 as the M7 medium.[2]

Classifications
  • T7 - Welded hull, five speed Hydramatic transmission, volute spring suspension
  • T7E1 - Riveted hull, formed homogenous plate turret, torque converter[3]
  • T7E2 - Cast upper hull, Wright R-975 Engine, Warner Gear torque converter, armed with Ordnance QF 6-pounder Mark III
  • T7E3 - Welded hull and turret, twin Hercules DRXBS diesel engines, Detroit Gear automatic transmission
  • T7E4 - Welded hull and turret, twin Cadillac engines, two Hydramatic transmissions
  • T7E5 - T7E2 rearmed with 75 mm M3 standardized as M7 medium[3][4]

Testing

Test revealed that the produced vehicles were heavier than anticipated at 28 to 29 tons fully stowed. This reduced performance and production was halted until it could be rectified. Analysis of the problem indicated that it was caused by castings being thicker than specified. Six of the production tanks were then modified to use the lightest castings possible and their power trains were revised to improve performance. The modified vehicles were referred to as M7E2s in some documents. Testing of the modified vehicles revealed improved performance but only at lower speeds and that the performance was considered inferior to the M4A3 medium tank. The six modified vehicles and the remaining seven were accepted as M7 mediums bringing the total run to 13 tanks. Thus production acceptance records show only a total of 7 tanks.[2]

At least one M7 Medium Tank survives to this day. It is kept at the U.S. Army Center for Military History Storage Facility in Anniston, Alabama. It was formerly part of the collection at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Museum. It is listed in the collection as "Tank, Light, Experimental, US Army, Steel, Olive Drab, M7, 75mm, US".

References
  1. Conners, Chris. "Medium Tank M7". The AFV Database. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  2. Hunnicutt, Richard P. (1992). Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank. Presidio Press. pp. 199–212. ISBN 0891414622.
  3. U.S. Army (1997), pp. 29-30
  4. Zaloga (2003), p. 5. M24 Chaffee Light Tank 1943-1985 (New Vanguard). Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1-84176-540-6
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