The T7 Combat Car was an American prototype light tank developed in the Interwar Period.
History[]
Development[]
In 1936, the cavalry branch of the U.S. Army needed an armored vehicle, with the intention of modernizing the fleet. The National Defense Act of 1920 defined "tanks" as the responsibility of infantry, so the definition "tank" was used for cavalry. After several designs, such as the T5, T2, T4, and T6, in November 1936 the Chief of Cavalry ordered work to continue on the design of a convertible tank. Designed and built at the Rock Island Arsenal between 1937 and 1938, the T7 combat car was based on the M1 Combat Car, but with an enlarged chassis and convertible suspension. The cannons were two machine guns, which, as was the case with the M2A2, would be useless in combat against tanks.
Tests were carried out in 1938, but even though the tank proved to have good speed and performance, representatives of the cavalry branch were not completely satisfied. Tests were carried out until 1939, and were reasonably successful. The T7 also participated in the First Army maneuvers at Plattsburgh, New York in 1939, which the cavalry branch enjoyed.
However, in October 1939, the cavalry branch created new requirements for its combat vehicles, and the reason for this decision was that rails were already available in average quantity and quality, and therefore there was no need to pay more for convertible vehicles. Furthermore, heavy machine guns were not enough, as the European theater in World War II proved that, for a vehicle to be successful, a suitable cannon was needed rather than just machine guns, with the 7TPdw being proof of this. Despite its potential, in 1939, the Mechanized Cavalry Board ordered the cancellation of tests of the T7 Combat Car and similar vehicles.
In Girls und Panzer[]
Ribbon Warrior[]
Alisa's Flying Tankers Volunteer Group fielded two T7 Combat Cars (one as a flag tank, and the other being a Yojimbo tank commanded by Naomi), in the first round of the Cauldron Tournament against the Centipede Team, who in turn also operated a T7 as tank Yojimbo, commanded by Kay. The T7 and Te-Ke pointed at each other, while the Yojimbo tanks did the same to each other, but Kay's T7 pointed at Te-Ke, as the Yojimbos were not obliged to follow the selector's commands. However, it was enough time for the Te-Ke to fire on the T7 used as a flag tank.
Trivia[]
- The T7 Combat Car was the last wheel-tracked combat vehicle development for the U.S. Army.
- Tankathlon rules only allow tanks under 10 tonnes, however the T7 Combat Car weighs 11 tonnes. Maybe something was removed from the tank to fit the rules.
