M36 tank destroyer

M36 tank destroyer
Country	USA
Role	Tank destroyer
Produced	1944-1945
Built	2,324

The M36 tank destroyer, formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36, was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman’s reliable chassis and drivetrain combined with sloped armor, and a new turret mounting the 90 mm gun M3. Conceived in 1943, the M36 first served in combat in Europe in October 1944, where it partially replaced the M10 tank destroyer. It also saw use in the Korean War, where it was able to defeat any of the Soviet tanks used in that conflict. Some were supplied to South Korea as part of the Military Assistance Program and served for years, as did re-engined examples found in Yugoslavia, which operated into the 1990s. Two remained in service with the Republic of China Army at least until 2001. The vehicle is also known under the unofficial nickname Jackson, but this designation appears to be a postwar appellation that was never used by the US Army.

Source: M36 tank destroyer on Wikipedia

M36 Jackson Walk Around
Photographer	Fabrizio Vaccari
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	64

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Tank Destroyer M36 Jackson Walk Around
Photographer	Unknow
Localisation	Unknow
Photos	14

General Characteristics and Role

The M36 Tank Destroyer, officially designated the 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36, and often nicknamed Jackson or Slugger, was a crucial American armored fighting vehicle used in the latter stages of World War II. It was developed specifically to counter the heavily armored German tanks, particularly the Tiger and Panther, which the standard M4 Sherman’s 75mm and 76mm guns struggled to defeat at long range. The M36 was essentially an M10 tank destroyer hull fitted with a new, larger turret mounting the powerful 90 mm M3 anti-tank gun. Like other U.S. tank destroyers, it featured an open-topped turret to maximize visibility and reduce weight, adhering to the US military doctrine of fast, lightly-armored tank destroyers that relied on speed and ambush tactics.

Property	Typical Value (M36)
Role	Tank Destroyer (Gun Motor Carriage)
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer	General Motors, Ford, Massey-Harris
Service Entry	September 1944
Crew	5 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Assistant Driver)
Chassis Base	M10 Gun Motor Carriage (M4 Sherman derivative)
Length	5.97 m (19 ft 7 in) (Hull)
Width	3.05 m (10 ft 0 in)
Height	2.72 m (8 ft 11 in)
Combat Weight	28.6 metric tons

Powerplant and Mobility

Engine: 1 x Ford GAA 8-cylinder gasoline engine (M36). Some later versions used a General Motors 6046 twin diesel engine (M36B1/M36B2).
Power Output: 450-500 hp (336-373 kW).
Maximum Speed (Road): 48 km/h (30 mph).
Range (Road): 240 km (150 mi).
Suspension: Vertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS), inherited from the M4 Sherman design.

Armament and Armor

Main Armament: 1 x 90 mm Gun M3 (L/53) anti-tank gun. This gun was capable of penetrating the frontal armor of most German tanks at tactical ranges.
Ammunition Capacity: 47 rounds (90 mm).
Secondary Armament: 1 x .50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning M2 heavy machine gun (pintle-mounted for anti-aircraft and close defense).
Armor (Max): 38 mm (1.5 in) on the upper hull front, 19 mm on the turret sides. The light armor was its main vulnerability, trading protection for speed and a larger gun.
Key Innovation: The M36 was the first American vehicle to field the 90 mm gun, giving Allied forces much-needed parity against heavily armored Axis opponents.