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joshshapiro — M24 MacArthur

Published: 2011-08-28 20:23:53 +0000 UTC; Views: 13323; Favourites: 257; Downloads: 0
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Description Based off my winning submission for an American tank design contest. This is a fictional tank created by me drawing inspiration from other US tanks of the era.


History:
In mid 1943, General Motors Corp received a contract to produce a modern and more versatile light tank to be used in conjunction with highly-mobile gun carriages and the heavier T20 prototypes (and later M26 Pershings) as a cross-country light/medium tank. With extensive knowledge on light tank design with the Stuart, it became the platform by which the M24 was built upon. After several prototypes, the modifications to the Stuart design were so extensive, it was decided it would be renamed to prevent confusion with Stuart versioning and so adopted the internal name "Jimmy". It was not until after General Douglas MacArthur was killed in action during the liberation of the Philippines in 1944 that it was officially given its manufacturing name of M24 MacArthur. Although fielded in few numbers before the war's end, the MacArthur proved to have superior combat effectiveness compared with the Sherman due to its high speed, smaller profile and 76mm M1A1 gun. It would later prove its worth in the Korean War, where it would traverse snow and mud filled roads that troubled heavier tanks and successfully engage PRC tanks and armored vehicles. While outmatched in direct combat against Russian-supplied enemy T-34-85s due to its light armor, its high-velocity gun, high maneuverability, and light weight made it an effective rough terrain pack fighter, especially when grouped with M18 and M20 bazooka equipped platoons.

Specifications:
Primary Gun: 76mm M1A2
Secondary weapons: 2x Browning .30-06 cal. One mounted on top of turret and a second in the ball turret.
Ammunition:
-76mm, 45 rounds
-.30-06, 5250 rounds
Engine and chassis: Modified Stuart VI chassis with 370hp Continental R-975-C4 9-cyl radial engine on a torsion bar suspension.
Hull shape: Elongated rhombus design allows for larger fuel and ammunition storage at the cost of a higher profile.
Armor: 42mm/20mm/10mm hull, 50mm/30mm/15mm turret, relying on its sloped armor and spall liner for crew protection. Lacking heavy armor, its speed, small size and punch gun were its greatest assets.
Top Speed: 74 km/h (46 mph, maximum road)
Dimensions:
-Length: 17' 2.4" (5.24 m)
-Width: 8' 6" (2.59 m)
-Height: 8' 9" (2.67 m)
-Weight: 44,500 lbs (20,185 Kg)
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Comments: 15

1898Krag [2019-09-28 19:09:22 +0000 UTC]

Great! No doubt would have been popular in Asia. The preferred tank of the Japanese Army.

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TaeyunJung [2019-05-24 04:36:37 +0000 UTC]

From it's look, name, and armaments, to so on, Your tank is a deadly weapon.  

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paladin49 In reply to TaeyunJung [2019-08-15 01:18:05 +0000 UTC]

everything but the name is great.MacArthur was a dumbass.

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MilitaryLover [2016-12-23 19:36:35 +0000 UTC]

Pretty solid design, and actually looks like something the US Military in the 40's would have produced

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pattontank12 [2016-12-09 00:56:28 +0000 UTC]

Looks like a pretty solid design IMO

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Rob-Cavanna [2015-05-21 14:16:10 +0000 UTC]

"The Mack" sounds very cool. Well done! 

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joshshapiro In reply to Rob-Cavanna [2015-05-21 19:34:58 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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MercenaryGraphics [2015-02-17 18:39:27 +0000 UTC]

Love the tank!
Not crazy about the name.

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joshshapiro In reply to MercenaryGraphics [2015-02-18 02:28:05 +0000 UTC]

Like all military equipment, it'd undoubtedly be shortened into some nickname.  I'm thinkin' "Mack".  "Take those Macks and push down the crossing, beyond that tree line.  I need them to scout over that ridge."

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MercenaryGraphics In reply to joshshapiro [2015-02-18 03:59:43 +0000 UTC]

Fair enough.
I just finished reading an account of the Korean War and have a newly reinforced dislike of General Doug.

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XVeris [2013-04-02 02:24:52 +0000 UTC]

Aren't these also called M24 Chaffees?

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joshshapiro In reply to XVeris [2013-04-03 03:31:13 +0000 UTC]

The M24 MacArthur is a design for a fictional universe in which the Chaffee never existed. They have similar features, but are different tanks.

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EmperorMyric [2011-12-07 12:54:48 +0000 UTC]

looks awesome man!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

joshshapiro In reply to EmperorMyric [2011-12-07 14:41:46 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

EmperorMyric In reply to joshshapiro [2011-12-07 16:03:30 +0000 UTC]

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