War Tank America (Steam Tank)

History

The U.S. military industry peaked in 1917 when the U.S. entered World War I (1914-1918). Various local projects are underway to provide fighters with viable war-winning vehicles, but few make the headlines.

At the same time, the US Army was satisfied with what was available, and these became mainly tanks of British and French origin.

One of the projects of American ingenuity during this period was "War Tank America" ??- the largest armored fighting vehicle project undertaken by the United States throughout the war. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) contributed to its design. The final product turned into a massive vehicle that would be equipped with a new flame-projection weapon (developed by the Corps of Engineers).

The purpose was to get American war tank crews under the cover of armored vehicles to German defensive positions and fry them with combustible fuel - a terrible physical (and psychological) weapon, to be sure.

The tank was also known as the "Steam Tank" due to the proposed steam-based propulsion scheme. Even the U.S. Army couldn't fund the American War Tank project, so the vehicle was largely supported by donations from Boston's financial institutions.

Externally, the 45-ton vehicle was undoubtedly influenced by the American presence on large British tanks (originally called "land ships" because they were essentially warships that fought on land). As a result, the boat has a diamond shape and keeps its tracks up and down along the outboard portion of the hull length. These sections have added broadsides to accommodate limited transverse machine gun weapons (0.30 cal Brownings). Although the real enemies of a war tank are field guns and mines, the combatant is located within the central structure of the tank and protected by most small arms fire and artillery jets. The front of the track has distinct "spikes" that may be used to clear obstacles or help keep the track clear of oncoming battlefield debris.

Officially dubbed the "Flame Projector, Tractor Model, Mark I," the fuel gun reportedly has a range of up to 90 yards and is intended to be installed at the very front of the fuel tank.

Power came from a pair of 500-horsepower Doble steam engines, but like other tanks of war, this arrangement was never entirely reliable or adequate.

Nonetheless, at least one vehicle was built and fully drivable, and was even displayed in various parades in support of the American war cause. It was completed in early 1918 and eventually shipped to Europe (France) for inspection - eventually presented to American General John J. Pershing himself.

However, the war ended in November 1918 with the surrender of Germany before tanks were finally discussed. With the war over, War Tank America's hopes were dashed, as this complex, untested product was no longer needed.

Postwar demand for American tanks was met by a surplus of foreign types, while local designs slowly took shape in the 1920s and 1930s.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Not available.

Changes