Author: floridawarbirds

Introducing the T88 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage

At the United States Army’s Ordnance Training Support Facility, located at Fort Lee, you can find the last remaining T88, 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage, in existence. This track is based upon the M18 Hellcat. The US Army has recently allowed for Open House events to be held the Ordnance Training Support Facility and I was able to attend the first of these.

Enjoy these photos and history. There are additional Open House days in the future so keep an eye on the Fort Lee Facebook page for details. Also, look for additional posts on the vehicles and items at the Ordnance Training Support Facility. It is quite an amazing place.

In late 1944, the U.S. Ordnance Department initiated a project to adapt the high-speed M18 Hellcat tank destroyer chassis into a mobile artillery platform. The goal: mount a 105 mm M4 howitzer to deliver direct fire support with Hellcat‑like agility. The result was the T88 HMC—an open-topped prototype that married firepower to mobility. Work began on 31 August 1944, and two pilot vehicles were completed and tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground before the project was ultimately canceled at war’s end.

Design & Features

  • Main Armament: The standard 76 mm gun was replaced with the 105 mm M4 howitzer, a weapon originally developed for Sherman tanks. An elevation gyro-stabilizer was added for improved firing stability on the move.
  • Turret Modifications: The crew layout changed—gunner moved to the right of the gun. A new pedestal mount replaced the M18’s ring mount for the coaxial .50‑cal machine gun. An emergency peephole sight and a panoramic telescope shooter’s sight were installed.
  • Ammunition Capacity: Stored 16 rounds ready in the turret and another 24 rounds in sponsons—total 40 rounds of 105 mm ammunition.
  • Chassis & Mobility: Retained the lightweight, fast M18 Hellcat running gear. Armor remained minimal (7–19 mm), trading protection for speed. Top speeds were in the 80 km/h range.

A variant, the T88E1, tested the lighter 105 mm T51 howitzer and concentric recoil system, reducing turret weight and internal clutter.

Comparison Table: T88 vs. M18 Hellcat

FeatureT88 105 mm HMCM18 Hellcat
Chassis BaseM18 HellcatM18 Hellcat
Main Armament105 mm M4 howitzer (gyro-stabilized)76 mm M1A1 gun
Crew LayoutGunner on right; open turretGunner on left; open turret
Ammunition Storage16 turret rounds + 24 hull (40 total)Approximately 45 rounds of 76 mm
Armor Thickness7–19 mm7–19 mm
Top Speed~80 km/h~80 km/h
Intended RoleMobile assault gun / fire supportFast tank destroyer
StatusPrototype; project canceled at war’s end2,500+ built; saw combat in Europe

Role & Intended Use

Unlike traditional tank destroyers like the M10 or M18—which focused on anti-armor gunnery—the T88 was conceived as a fast-moving assault howitzer, providing direct fire support for infantry and armor in fast-paced operations. Its stabilized 105 mm gun would have been effective against bunkers, trenches, and clustered enemy formations.

Why It Didn’t Move Beyond Prototype

Development of the T88 wrapped up just as WWII was coming to a close. With the shift in U.S. armored doctrine towards multi-role tanks (such as the M26 Pershing) and the success of conventional self-propelled artillery, the T88 was no longer a priority. Only two prototypes were built—no mass production ever took place.

Legacy and Influence

While the T88 never saw combat, its concept—a high-speed chassis armed with a large-caliber gun—anticipated postwar designs like the M56 Scorpion and later Cold War SPGs. It also influenced amphibious experiments such as the T87, which used the T88 turret on a floating M18 chassis for waterborne operations.

Final Thoughts

The T88 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage stands as an intriguing “what-if” in U.S. armored development—a hybrid of firepower and mobility built on one of the fastest chassis of WWII. Though it never entered service, the T88’s ambition and design innovations make it a fascinating footnote in the history of armored warfare.

Thumbnails of the Gallery of the M88.

The T1 Heavy Tank: America’s Early Heavy Armor Experiment

The United States Army’s Ordnance Training Support Facility, located at Fort Lee, you can find the last remaining T1 (T1E1/M6) in existence. The US Army has recently allowed for Open House events to be held the Ordnance Training Support Facility and I was able to attend the first of these.

Enjoy these photos and history. There are additional Open House days in the future so keep an eye on the Fort Lee Facebook page for details. Also, look for additional posts on the vehicles and items at the Ordnance Training Support Facility. It is quite an amazing place.

When World War II erupted in Europe, the U.S. Army recognized its existing tanks wouldn’t withstand modern battlefield threats. In response, Project T1 began in spring 1940—to produce a 50-ton “land battleship” with potent firepower and heavier armor.

Prototypes & Evolution

Several T1 variants were produced during development:

Full production plans aimed for about 5,000 units, but only around 40–45 tanks were ever built.

T1E1: Featuring an electric-drive system and later known unofficially as M6A2; approximately 2–3 units built.

T1E2 & T1E3: Hybrid models using mechanical transmissions; standardized by mid‑1942 as M6 and M6A1 respectively .

Performance & Issues

  • Engine: Powered by a Wright G‑200 radial engine producing around 825–960 hp, paired with early hydromechanical transmissions, the tank struggled to reliably move its bulk.
  • Mobility: Speeds topped out around 23–25 mph on-road. However, drivetrain reliability remained a persistent issue.
  • Crew: Between 6 and 7 men were needed to manage its heavy weapons and systems efficiently.

Legacy & Historical Importance

Though never deployed in battle, the T1 program provided invaluable lessons—and set the stage for improved heavy‑tank designs like the M26 Pershing, which finally saw service in WWII’s final months.

Summary Table

FeatureSpecification
Weight~50 tons
ArmorUp to 83 mm
Armament76 mm + 37 mm guns, MGs
Crew6–7 men
Engine Power~825–960 hp
Top Speed≈ 23–25 mph
Production Quantity~40–45 units
Combat UseNone

Final Thoughts

The T1 Heavy Tank exemplifies a bold chapter in U.S. armored vehicle development—a bridging design between grandiose interwar ideals and pragmatic wartime production realities. Though overshadowed by more famous armored vehicles, it deserves recognition for pushing tank engineering forward. For enthusiasts and historians alike, the T1/M6 remains a testament to ambition, design evolution, and the lessons hard‑learned on the path to modern mobile warfare.

Welcome to the Canadian Tank Museum: Oshawa’s Living Armour Legacy

Nestled at 1000 Stevenson Road North, on the South Field of Oshawa Executive Airport, the Canadian Tank Museum has evolved into Canada’s largest collection of operational historical military vehicles, surpassing 120 in number—and counting—spanning from the First World War up to Afghanistan.

What began in 1980 as the Ontario Regiment “Ferret Club”—built around a handful of Ferret scout cars—has grown into a national institution. In 2024, a $30 million expansion and rebranding formally transformed the museum into the Canadian Tank Museum, reflecting its place on the national stage.

The museum houses more than 120 operational vehicles—jeeps, carriers, armoured cars, personnel carriers, self‑propelled guns, and tanks from diverse eras and nations including Canadian‑built machines like the Oshawa‑made Fox and CMP vehicles.

  • Static galleries: Explore the Ontario Regiment’s regimental artifacts dating back to the 1850s—uniforms, medals, diaries, photographs, and regimental memorabilia.
  • Vehicle Bay & Conservation Centre: Peek behind the scenes at restoration work and view over 80 vehicles in various stages—from tanks under restoration to ones ready to roll.

Almost every vehicle here is operational, restored, and driven by volunteers—often veterans or military enthusiasts. They fuel, maintain, and even display these machines in parades and exhibitions across Canada.

The images found in the article were taken during two separate visits.

US Army Museum, M4A3 Jumbo “Cobra King”

At the US Army Museum at Fort Belvoir, is a M4A3 Jumbo named “Cobra King”. The history of this tank is that it was the first armored vehicle to reach encircled force as part of the Battle of the Bulge.

After the war, this tank served as a gate guard in Europe, McKee Barracks in Crailsheim, Germany (1957-1967); at Ferris Barracks in Erlangen, Germany 1967-1993; and, later, Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany (1993-2008). In 2008, this vehicle was identified by Army historians after an Army chaplain began to do some research.

The vehicle was shipped to the United States where the Patton Museum did exterior restoration work along with sources era correct parts. Work was also done at Fort Benning before being sent to The US Army Museum for display.

Trip Report, Fort Benning, The U.S. Army Armor and Cavalry Collection Open House, April 2023

In late April 2023, the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection held an Open House to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the collection. Not only was the main building available but bays housing a World War II German JagdPanther and JagdTiger tank destroyer were opened for display.

Additionally, a M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tank and M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle from the U.S. Army Armor School ‘s 316th Cavalry Brigade were brought to the collection building for display. There was also a open invite to travel over to the Red Cloud range to watch a live fire demonstration to include an Abrams, Bradley and Stryker.

It was an amazing day at the collection.