About the M26 Pershing
Development of what would become the M26 Pershing began in 1942. It was
to be a replacement for the M4 Sherman, which was the standard U.S.
Army tank at the time, and features such as a lower profile hull and
cast turret were incorporated during the development process of the
various prototypes. This eventually culminated in the T26E1 prototype
armed with the 90mm M3 gun, and from that stemmed the production
version which was called the T26E3. The first T26E3s were sent to
Europe in January 1944, and as they were deployed to the battlefield,
they were re-designated M26. Although over 300 reached the theater
before the end of the war, only 20 actually saw combat. In these
limited actions, the M26s proved capable of defeating the German
Panther and Tiger tanks they were designed to counter.
About the
T26E4 "Super Pershing"
Although the standard M26 Pershing's 90mm M3 gun was powerful, it was
not on par with the German King Tiger heavy tank's gun. Thus the T15E1
90mm gun, which was larger in caliber and fired a one-piece shell at a
higher muzzle velocity, was developed. This gun was fitted onto a
modified T26E1 prototype, and featured cylindrical stabilizers mounted
on the turret to cope with the longer length of the gun barrel. This
was the first "Super Pershing" and it was sent to Europe as well, where
it was involved in just a handful of engagements against German tanks.
The second "Super Pershing" was created by modifying a T26E3. This was
designated T26E4 and was armed with a T15E2 90mm gun that fired a
two-piece ammunition and a redesigned gun mount to eliminate the need
for the stabilizers. This pre-production T26E4 "Super Pershing" was not
sent to Europe. The modifications that were tested on this
pre-production T26E4 were incorporated into the actual production-spec
T26E4s, of which 25 were built before production was canceled.
*For more detailed information regarding this tank, please refer to the
cover story which will be included with the model.
Specs and Features
1/35 scale plastic assembly kit of the test model T26E4 Pershing tanks.
Turret with the imposing long barrelled 90mm gun has been faithfully
reproduced in rich detail.
New features of the model include a counterweight placed at the rear of
the turret and an extended travel lock.
Crew hatches can be assembled in either open or closed positions.
Hull and turret feature a realistic cast iron texture.
The T26E4's suspension is realistically reproduced and is also movable.
Decals included.
