T14 Heavy Tank
Encyclopedia
The Assault Tank T14 was a joint project between the United States
and the United Kingdom
. The T14 tank was supposed to be a design that was to be shared by both countries to give an infantry tank
for British use.
The pilot model was not produced by 1944 by which time the British Churchill tank had been in service for two years and greatly improved over its initial model. The T14 project never came to fruition. US efforts working on a similarly well armoured tank but with a higher speed for use other than in infantry support led to the T20 tank
.
then under production.
The tank design would have a 6 pdr or a US 75 mm gun sharing many parts with the M4 Sherman
but with armour twice as thick as that of the M4 at 101 mm thick.
The British initially ordered 8,500 in 1942. Testing of the pilot model which was completed in 1944 showed the vehicle to be much too heavy for practical use. By this time, the British Army
was already using the Churchill and further production of the T14 was halted.
Only 2 were built; one tested in the US and the other sent to Britain. The example sent to Britain survives in the Bovington tank museum
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The T14 tank was supposed to be a design that was to be shared by both countries to give an infantry tank
Infantry tank
The infantry tank was a concept developed by the British and French in the years leading up to World War II. Infantry tanks were tanks designed to support the infantry in the attack. To achieve this they were generally heavily armoured compared to the cruiser tanks, to allow them to operate in...
for British use.
The pilot model was not produced by 1944 by which time the British Churchill tank had been in service for two years and greatly improved over its initial model. The T14 project never came to fruition. US efforts working on a similarly well armoured tank but with a higher speed for use other than in infantry support led to the T20 tank
T20 Medium Tank
The Medium Tank T20 was part of a series of medium tanks designed by the United States during the Second World War, to be the successor to the Medium Tank M4 "Sherman", and culminated in the M27.-Design and development:...
.
Design and development
In 1941, the head of the United States Ordnance Department traveled to Britain to discuss designing a well-armed and armoured combat vehicle, one that was stronger than the British Tank, Infantry, Mk IV (A22) "Churchill"Churchill tank
The Tank, Infantry, Mk IV was a heavy British infantry tank used in the Second World War, best known for its heavy armour, large longitudinal chassis with all-around tracks with multiple bogies, and its use as the basis of many specialist vehicles. It was one of the heaviest Allied tanks of the war...
then under production.
The tank design would have a 6 pdr or a US 75 mm gun sharing many parts with the M4 Sherman
M4 Sherman
The M4 Sherman, formally Medium Tank, M4, was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. Thousands were also distributed to the Allies, including the British Commonwealth and Soviet armies, via lend-lease...
but with armour twice as thick as that of the M4 at 101 mm thick.
The British initially ordered 8,500 in 1942. Testing of the pilot model which was completed in 1944 showed the vehicle to be much too heavy for practical use. By this time, the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
was already using the Churchill and further production of the T14 was halted.
Only 2 were built; one tested in the US and the other sent to Britain. The example sent to Britain survives in the Bovington tank museum
Bovington Tank Museum
The Tank Museum is a collection of armoured fighting vehicles in the United Kingdom that traces the history of the tank. With almost 300 vehicles on exhibition from 26 countries it is the second-largest collection of tanks and armoured fighting vehicles in the world.The Musée des Blindés in France...
.