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M36
M36B1
M36B2

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M361-8,12-13

M36: General
Date of first acceptance April 1944 Total acceptances 1,413
Manufacturers
  • Fisher Tank Arsenal
  • Massey Harris Co.
  • American Locomotive Co.
  • Montreal Locomotive Works
Crew
5 men:
  • Commander in turret right rear
  • Gunner in turret right front
  • Loader in turret left
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant driver in hull right front
M36: Dimensions
Combat weight 63,000lbs
29,000kg		 Height over AAMG 129"
328cm
Length without gun 235.1"
597.2cm		 Gun overhang forward without muzzle brake 58.8"
149cm
Width 120"
305cm		 Tread 83"
211cm
Ground clearance 17"
43cm		 Fire height 85"
220cm
Turret ring diameter 69"
175cm		 Ground pressure, zero penetration 12.9psi
.906kg/cm²
M36: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
90mm Gun M3 M4 in turret 47 rounds
(11 ready)		 360°
(manual and hydraulic)		 24°/sec +20° to -10°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Concentric ring mount D94428 on turret 1,000 rounds 360°
(manual)		 -- +85° to -13°
(manual)
Aiming equipment
Telescope M71C, M76D, M76F, M76P, or M83C; panoramic telescope M12 for gunner
M36: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 1.5"
3.8cm		 55°
Lower front 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 56°
Upper sides .75"
1.9cm		 38°
Lower sides 1.0"
2.5cm		 0°
Upper rear .75"
1.9cm		 38°
Lower rear 1.0"
2.5cm		 0°
Front top .75"
1.9cm		 90°
Rear top .375"
.953cm		 90°
Floor .50"
1.3cm		 90°
Turret
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Front (gun shield) 3.0"
7.6cm		 0°
Sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 5°
Rear 1.75" to 5.0"
4.45cm to 13cm		 0°
Top .375" to 1.0"
.953cm to 2.5cm		 90°
M36: Automotive
Engine Ford GAA; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, 60° vee gasoline
Horsepower Net: 450@2,600rpm
Gross: 500@2,600rpm		 Torque Net: 950 ft-lb@2,200rpm
Gross: 1,040 ft-lb@2,200rpm		 Fuel capacity 192gal
727L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M36: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M36: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M36: Performance
Max level road speed 26mph
42kph		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 36"
91cm
Cruising range ~150mi, roads
~240km, roads

The 90mm GMC M36 was completed by installing a new turret on the hull of the 3" GMC M10A1; both new production hulls and M10A1s returning from the field were converted. Muzzle brakes were able to be fitted to all M36s except the first 600, since these early vehicles lacked the new equilibrator, stronger elevation mechanism, and stronger gun travel lock that were prerequisites for muzzle brake installation. Like other US tank destroyers, the M36 was open-topped, but a folding armored roof kit was developed to protect the crew from artillery airbursts. The kit still allowed 360° visibility, however, since it was elevated a short distance from the top of the turret.

The M36 had a large bustle on the turret rear that acted both as a counterweight to the 90mm gun as well as holding eleven 90mm ready rounds. The gun shield on the M36 was rounded, compared to the more pointed appearance of the M10's gun shield. Due to the high ground pressure, later M36s were fitted with the spaced-out suspension that was tested in the -E9 series of M4 Sherman which allowed extended end connectors to be attached to both the inside and outside of each track.

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90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B11-5,10,12,14

M36B1: General
Date of first acceptance October 1944 Total acceptances 187
Manufacturer Fisher Tank Arsenal Crew
5 men:
  • Commander in turret right rear
  • Gunner in turret right front
  • Loader in turret left
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant driver in hull right front
M36B1: Dimensions*
Loaded weight ~68,000lbs
~31,000kg		 Height over-all 104.625"
265.746cm
Length over-all with gun in firing position 294.5"
748.0cm		 Length over-all with gun in traveling position 286"
726cm
Width with sandshields 104.5"
265.4cm		 Tread 83"
211cm
Ground clearance 17.125"
43.498cm		 Turret ring diameter 69"
175cm
M36B1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
90mm Gun M3 M4 in turret 47 rounds
(11 ready)		 360°
(manual and hydraulic)		 24°/sec +30° to -10°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Concentric ring mount D94428 on turret 1,000 rounds 360°
(manual)		 -- +85° to -13°
(manual)
.30cal M1919A4 MG Ball mount D51070 in right bow 2,000 rounds 20° left, 25° right
(manual)		 -- +20° to -10°
(manual)
Aiming equipment
Telescope M71C, M76D, M76F, M76P, or M83C; panoramic telescope M12 for gunner
M36B1: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 2.5"
6.4cm		 47°
Lower front 4.25" to 2.0"
10.8cm to 5.1cm		 0° to 56°
Sides 1.5"
3.8cm		 0°
Rear 1.5"
3.8cm		 10° to 22°
Top .75"
1.9cm		 83° to 90°
Front floor 1.0"
2.5cm		 90°
Rear floor .50"
1.3cm		 90°
Turret
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Front (gun shield) 3.0"
7.6cm		 0°
Sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 5°
Rear 1.75" to 5.0"
4.45cm to 13cm		 0°
Top .375" to 1.0"
.953cm to 2.5cm		 90°
M36B1: Automotive
Engine Ford GAA; 8 cylinder, 4 cycle, 60° vee gasoline
Horsepower Net: 450@2,600rpm
Gross: 500@2,600rpm		 Torque Net: 950 ft-lb@2,200rpm
Gross: 1,040 ft-lb@2,200rpm		 Fuel capacity 168gal
636L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M36B1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M36B1: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M36B1: Performance
Max level road speed 26mph sustained
42kph sustained		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 60% Max vertical obstacle 24"
61cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 36"
91cm
Cruising range ~100mi, roads
~160km, roads

The M36B1 was constructed by mating the 90mm M36 gun turret with the hull of the late-production M4A3 Sherman. Internal stowage was rearranged to accommodate the larger 90mm rounds, and contrary to other tank destroyers the bow machine gun was retained.

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90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B21-5,11-12

M36B2: General
Date of first acceptance May 1945 Total acceptances 724
Manufacturer
  • American Locomotive Co.
  • Montreal Locomotive Works
Crew
5 men:
  • Commander in turret right rear
  • Gunner in turret right front
  • Loader in turret left
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant driver in hull right front
M36B2: Dimensions*
Fighting weight 66,000lbs
30,000kg		 Height over-all 123.6875"
314.1663cm
Length over-all 293.875"
746.443cm		 Width with sandshields 120"
305cm
Tread 91"
230cm		 Ground clearance 18.375"
46.673cm
Turret ring diameter 69"
175cm		 Ground pressure, zero penetration 15psi
1.1kg/cm²
M36B2: Armament
Type Mount Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
90mm Gun M3 M4 in turret 360°
(manual and hydraulic)		 24°/sec +20° to -10°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Concentric ring mount D94428 on turret 360°
(manual)		 -- +85° to -13°
(manual)
Aiming equipment
Telescope M71C, M76D, M76F, M76P, or M83C; panoramic telescope M12 for gunner
M36B2: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front 1.5"
3.8cm		 55°
Lower front 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 56°
Upper sides .75"
1.9cm		 38°
Lower sides 1.0"
2.5cm		 0°
Upper rear .75"
1.9cm		 38°
Lower rear 1.0"
2.5cm		 0°
Front top .75"
1.9cm		 90°
Rear top .375"
.953cm		 90°
Floor .50"
1.3cm		 90°
Turret
Rolled and cast homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Front (gun shield) 3.0"
7.6cm		 0°
Sides 1.25"
3.18cm		 5°
Rear 1.75" to 5.0"
4.45cm to 13cm		 0°
Top .375" to 1.0"
.953cm to 2.5cm		 90°
M36B2: Automotive
Engine General Motors 6046; 12 cylinder (6/engine), 2 cycle, twin in-line diesel
Horsepower Net: 375@2,100 crankshaft rpm
(188/engine)
Gross: 410@2,900 propeller shaft rpm
(205/engine)		 Torque Net: 1,000 ft-lb@1,400 crankshaft rpm
(500/engine)
Gross: 885 ft-lb@1,900 propeller shaft rpm
(443/engine)		 Fuel capacity 165gal
625L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
M36B2: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Vertical volute spring 3 bogies/track;
2 wheels/bogie		 1 at rear of each bogie
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
13-tooth front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
M36B2: Track
T48
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T49
Outside guide, double pin, parallel bar, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T51
Outside guide, double pin, smooth, rubber
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
T54E1
Outside guide, double pin, chevron, steel
Width 16.56"
42.06cm		 Pitch 6"
15cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 147"
373cm
M36B2: Performance
Max level road speed 25mph sustained
40kph sustained		 Max trench 90"
230cm
Max grade 50% Max vertical obstacle 19"
48cm
Min turning diameter 62'
19m		 Max fording depth 42"
110cm

Eventually supplies of M10A1 hulls were used up, so diesel-powered M10 hulls were converted to the 90mm turret, yielding M36B2.

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References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1994. Reprinted with permission from Sherman, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1994, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. TM 9-374 90-mm Gun M3 Mounted in Combat Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Department, 11 September 1944.
  3. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
  4. Siemers, Cary. "USA's M36, M36B1, M36B2 Tank Destroyers." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 26 Jan 2001. 7 Feb 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/M36TD.htm>.
  5. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, second edition 1944, volume II. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Ordnance, Technical Division, 1944.
  6. Zuljan, Ralph. "M36 Tank Destroyer." Second World War Armor. 16 Mar 2000. 7 Feb 2001 <http://www.onwar.com/tanks/usa/fm36.htm>. Second World War Armor
  7. TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71. Washington, DC: War Department, 15 April 1944.
  8. TM 9-374 C1 90-mm Guns M3 and M3A1 for Combat Vehicles. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 2 August 1950.
  9. Teo, Terence. "M36 Jackson page." E-mail to the author. 23 Nov 2010.
  10. TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. Washington, DC: War Department, 20 January 1945.
  11. TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. Washington, DC: War Department, 28 July 1945.
  12. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
  13. ORD 8-9 SNL G-210 Field and Base Maintenance Spare Parts and Equipment and List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm Gun, M36. Washington, DC: Department of the Army, 21 February 1949.
  14. ORD 9 SNL G-233 List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm. Gun, M36B1. Washington, DC: Headquarters, Army Service Forces, 15 July 1945.

*Dimensional and performance information for the M36 was reprinted with permission from Hunnicutt's Sherman, while that for the M36B1 and M36B2 came from their respective technical manuals. Any inconsistencies should presumably simply be chalked up to differences in source data and not to actual differences in production.

Last updated 22 Jun 2024.
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© Copyright 2001-24 Chris Conners