Tank Destroyers of World War 2 used specific main guns capable of generating high Muzzle Velocity and used to make up the short fall in the anti-armour capability of tanks at that time. A higher M/V gives armour piercing rounds a greater “punch” when hitting and penetrating the enemy tank.

The first mass produced TD was the M10, built on a M4 Sherman chassis, with sloped armour and 76mm high velocity anti-tank gun, which entered service in 1942.

America started development of a more powerful TD in the same year. Retaining the M10 hull, it was married to a larger turret, which was required to operate the bigger 90mm M3 Anti-Tank main gun and store its larger ammunition.

The first prototype (called the T71) was completed in early 1943 was accepted in to service as the 90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36 in June 1944.

Arriving in the European Theatre in the later months of 1944 it proved an instant success thanks to the 90mm main gun being able to penetrate well armoured German tanks at range. The demand for new vehicles exceeded the available number of M10A1 for conversion, so in addition M4A3 tanks were converted to the M36B1 and older M10 to M36B2.

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Interesting Facts About The M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer

• It had the nickname of the “Jackson” in the US Army
• The turret had no roof, but an add on roof kit was developed in the Post War years
• Despite being built in the forties it saw combat as recent as the 1990’s during the Balkans War
• It has served with 14 different countries
• The large protruding v-shape bustle on the rear of the turret is a counter weight for the main gun
• The 90mm M3 Main Gun was originally the M1 anti-aircraft gun converted to the anti-tank role

M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer Specifications

Dimensions: Length 6.14m / Width 3.04m / Height 2.71m
Weight:28+ tonnes
Crew: 5
Armament: x1 90mm main gun x1 12.7mm MG
Engine: 500hp Ford GAA V8
Top Road Speed: 48 km/h
Operational Range: 240 km