This past fall, history rolled back into the US Army Armor and Cavalry Collection—literally. After eight decades abroad, an American World War II tank has made its way home from Europe. This is no ordinary Sherman, but a rare M4A1(76)W, one of the first U.S. tanks to carry the longer and more powerful 76 mm M1 gun.
The Sherman’s Role in WWII
The M4A1(76)W represented a significant upgrade to the iconic Sherman line, offering increased firepower to meet the evolving challenges of armored warfare. These “up-gunned” Shermans first saw combat in Operation Cobra, the Allied breakout from Normandy in the summer of 1944.
In 1944 alone, the Pressed Steel Car Company produced 2,171 of these tanks, followed by 1,255 more in 1945 that featured the later horizontal volute suspension system. But of all those thousands, the one that just arrived in our care holds a unique distinction.
The Oldest Known Survivor
The newest arrival is only the fourth M4A1(76)W ever built—and the oldest surviving example known today. Constructed in January 1944, it was shipped to the United Kingdom in April 1944 and assigned to an American unit by July 1944, just in time for Operation Cobra.
After the war, it received upgrades and modifications before embarking on a new chapter in the early 1950s as part of the U.S. Mutual Defense Assistance Program, likely serving in the French military. Eventually, it was returned to the U.S. Army and placed as a monument at the American base in Baumholder, West Germany, where it stood sentinel for decades.
From Europe to the Collection
Now back on U.S. soil, the M4A1(76)W has taken up a temporary position in one of the restoration bays. The goal is to present it in the wartime paint scheme of “In the Mood.” While its journey home marks an important milestone, the mission is far from over—the goal is to restore it for near time display in 2025, honoring its combat service and historical significance.
Introduction In the leafy grounds of Wheaton, Illinois, where Cantigny Park unfolds as both sanctuary and memorial, stands a formidable relic—the M46 Patton tank. Nestled within the tank park of the First Division Museum, this Cold War-era war machine quietly tells a story of innovation, conflict, and remembrance.
A Brief History of the M46 Patton Emerging from the shadow of World War II, the M46 Patton was conceived as a superior successor to the M26 Pershing. Updated with a more powerful Continental AV‑1790 engine and a refined 90 mm gun, it offered superior speed, maneuverability, and firepower during the Korean War—proving its worth against rugged Soviet-made T‑34/85s and supporting combat operations long after hostilities had ceased.
A Feature in the Tank Park Today, the M46 Patton is a highlight of Cantigny’s immersive Tank Park—an open-air collection of military vehicles where, uniquely, visitors are encouraged to climb aboard and explore. It’s part of a dozen or more tanks displayed in the park, with each offering a tactile connection to First Division’s storied past.
Design and Specs Snapshot
Weight & Crew: Approximately 48.5 tons, operated by a five-person crew First Division Museum.
Performance: Powered by an 810‑hp air-cooled engine, it could reach speeds up to 30 mph with an operational range near 80 miles
Experiencing It Today Visitors to Cantigny don’t merely observe the M46—they experience it. The museum’s hands-on approach brings history to life, allowing one to literally climb into the past. The surrounding gardens, interactive exhibits, and reminders of the First Infantry Division’s service—from WWI to modern times—frame the M46 as both education and tribute First Division Museum+8We Are The Mighty+8artsdupage.org+8.
Why It Matters
A Technological Bridge: The M46 represents a pivotal shift between WWII and Cold War tank design, blending inherited strengths with enhanced mobility and firepower.
Legacy of the First Division: As the 1st Infantry Division (the “Big Red One”) fought in Korea and beyond, the M46 played a key role in reinforcing American armored doctrine and battlefield resilience.
From Combatant to Classroom: Now static, this once-mobile war machine educates visitors—transforming lessons of strategy, engineering, and sacrifice into something felt.
Conclusion At Cantigny Park, the M46 Patton stands not as a mute steel artifact, but as a vibrant educator. It embodies the dual heritage of military innovation and historical remembrance. Climb up, run your hands along its cold steel, sit in the driver’s seat—and for a moment, feel time reverse, and the tank return to its true purpose.
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
Feature
T88 105mm HMC
M18 Hellcat
Chassis Base
M18 Hellcat
M18 Hellcat
Main Armament
105 mm M4 howitzer (gyro-stabilized)
76 mm M1A1 gun
Crew Layout
Gunner on right; open turret
Gunner on left; open turret
Ammunition Storage
16 turret rounds + 24 hull (40 total)
Approximately 45 rounds of 76 mm
Armor Thickness
7–19 mm
7–19 mm
Top Speed
~80 km/h
~80 km/h
Intended Role
Mobile assault gun / fire support
Fast tank destroyer
Status
Prototype; project canceled at war’s end
2,500+ 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.
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
Feature
Specification
Weight
~50 tons
Armor
Up to 83 mm
Armament
76 mm + 37 mm guns, MGs
Crew
6–7 men
Engine Power
~825–960 hp
Top Speed
≈ 23–25 mph
Production Quantity
~40–45 units
Combat Use
None
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.
tankingacrossamerica.com 