The M26 Pershing was the first truly heavy tank to see service in the American army. It was designed to be a replacement for the backbone of the US Armoured Divisions, the M4 Sherman – a good all-round medium tank that gave sterling service in all theatres of the war. However, a prolonged development phase meant only 200 M26 Pershings made it to the front lines, and only a small number of those saw action during World War II. The Pershing was named after John J. Pershing – a capable American general during World War I. Featuring thick, sloped, and rounded armour (up to 100mm on the glacis plate) and a powerful 90mm main gun, it had a crew of five and gave the American tankers the chance to take on the German Tigers and Panthers on even terms for the first time. Serving during the later stages of World War II, most famously with the 9th Armoured Division at the bridge across the Rhine at Remagen, the Pershing would play an important role in the Korean War of the early 1950s with United Nations forces. Box contains one resin and metal M26 Pershing heavy tank, order dice, waterslide decals and game accessories.
