M32A1E2 Scorpion Main Battle Tank

The M32A1E2 Scorpion, officially Heavy Tank, M32A1E2, 105mm was a heavy tank used by the Democratic Republic Army in the early years of the Cold War.

It was designed to replace the M26E4 Super Pershing in the Democratic Republic Army, however the Super Pershing and Scorpion ended up serving side by side.

 Likewise, this page will also probably be all over the board like the M4A3E10 Super Sherman page

Prototype Phase
D.R. Army Ordinance began the development of a heavy tank based on the M26 chassis, designated T32A1E2, the chassis had one extra road wheel and a larger engine bay for a V12 Diesel Engine. One of the major reasons for the development of the M32 Heavy Tank was Up-Armament to counter Eastern Bloc Tanks being developed.

The T119E2 Turret, a development of the T26 Turret was designed and lengthened to mount the Decatur Marine Works M5 105mm Maingun and store the 105mm Ammunition in a bustle with blow off panels.

Production
Production officially began in Spring of 1952 at Tracy Island Tank Arsenal. It was designated M32A1E2 Scorpion Heavy Tank by the D.R. Army, it was meant to replace the M26E4 Super Pershing, but this however did not happen as planned and the Scorpion saw service alongside the Super Pershing, early pilot vehicles looked similar to the Super Pershing albeit they were not uparmored (Not until the late 50's) and also had Ford GAF V8s. Early production vehicles then had larger engine bays for the Allison Military Engines V1710-E32 V12 Supercharged Diesel Engine producing 815 Horsepower.

First Combat
The M32 Heavy Tank got it's first taste of combat during the Jurchen war