Why is Super Pershing so hard?
In recent years, military enthusiasts have become enthusiastic about the performance of tanks during World War II, especially the M26 "Super Pershing" tank developed by the United States. This tank is known for its excellent protection and firepower, and is known as one of the toughest tanks at the end of World War II. So, why is Super Pershing so hard? This article will analyze three aspects: armor design, firepower configuration and actual combat performance, and attach relevant data comparisons.
1. Armor design: a model of comprehensive protection
The Super Pershing's armor design is at the core of what makes it "hard". Compared with the early M4 Sherman tank, the Super Pershing's armor thickness and inclination angle have been significantly improved, especially the multi-layer composite armor design used for frontal protection. The following is a comparison of the armor data of Super Pershing and M4 Sherman:
| Tank model | Frontal armor thickness (mm) | Side armor thickness (mm) | Armor inclination angle (degrees) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M26 Super Pershing | 102-120 | 76-89 | 46-56 |
| M4 Sherman | 51-76 | 38-51 | 30-45 |
As can be seen from the table, the Super Pershing's frontal armor is almost twice as thick as the Sherman's and has a greater inclination, which makes the shells more likely to be deflected. In addition, Super Pershing also uses a welding process to further improve the integrity of the armor.
2. Firepower configuration: powerful anti-tank capabilities
The Super Pershing is equipped with a 90mm M3 tank gun, which has far more armor-piercing capabilities than the Sherman's 75mm or 76mm gun. The following is a comparison of the firepower data of the two tanks:
| Tank model | Main gun caliber (mm) | Armor-piercing projectile muzzle velocity (m/s) | 1000 meters penetration (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M26 Super Pershing | 90 | 853 | 132 |
| M4 Sherman (76mm) | 76 | 792 | 88 |
The Super Pershing's 90mm gun can penetrate 132mm of homogeneous armor at a distance of 1,000 meters, while the Sherman's 76mm gun can only penetrate 88mm. This firepower advantage made the Super Pershing more threatening when facing German Tiger or Panther tanks.
3. Actual performance: verification of hard-core protection
The Super Pershing performed well in actual combat at the end of World War II. According to records, in March 1945, a Super Pershing engaged in a firefight with a German Tiger tank near Cologne, Germany. Its frontal armor successfully withstood multiple direct hits from the Tiger's 88mm gun, while its own 90mm gun successfully destroyed the opponent. The following are some of Super Pershing’s achievements in actual combat:
| battle location | Opponent tanks | battle result |
|---|---|---|
| Cologne | tiger tank | Destroyed 1 vehicle, no damage to itself |
| Ruhr area | Panther tank | Destroyed 2 vehicles with minor damage |
These actual combat cases fully prove the dual advantages of Super Pershing in protection and firepower.
4. Summary: Why is Super Pershing so hard?
Taken together, Super Pershing’s “hardness” is mainly reflected in three aspects:
1.armor design: Thicker armor and larger inclination angle, combined with welding technology, significantly improve the protection capability.
2.Firepower configuration: The armor-piercing capability of the 90mm main gun far exceeds that of Allied tanks of the same period, making it capable of confronting German heavy tanks.
3.Actual verification: Successfully withstood and destroyed the German ace tank on the battlefield, proving the correctness of its design concept.
The emergence of the Super Pershing marked the shift from "quantity first" to "quality first" in American tank design, and also laid the foundation for the development of post-war tanks. Although its production is not large, it is still talked about by military enthusiasts today due to its excellent performance.
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