Tank, Heavy, M6A2

Type: Heavy Tank
Origin: United States
Armament: 76 mm Gun M7 or 3-inch Gun M7, with coaxial and hull machine guns
Crew: 6
Year: 1942–1944
Produced: about 20

The Tank, Heavy, M6A2 was the most advanced version of the U.S. Army’s first standardized heavy tank design. Derived from the M6 and M6A1, it introduced a cast hull and revised mechanical layout. At over 57 tons, it carried either a 76 mm or 3-inch gun supported by multiple machine guns. Power came from a Wright G-200 radial engine with electric transmission, but the combination proved heavy and troublesome.

By 1943 the U.S. Army favored the Medium Tank M26 Pershing, which promised similar firepower with better mobility. Only about 20 M6A2s were built, all used in testing and training roles. A proposal to deploy 15 modified M6A2E1 vehicles with 105 mm guns to Europe in 1944 was rejected. As a result, the M6A2 never saw combat and marked the end of the American heavy tank line until the Pershing entered service.