M88 Tank Recovery Vehicle

Weights:

Armament:

     Hull

40 tons

     Tank Commander

.50 cal M2 HB machine gun  3000 rds

     Blasde

2  tons

 

 

     Engine/Transmission

7 tons

 

 

     Boom/winch

3 ton

 

 

     Track

2 tons each

 

 

     Equipment load

2 tons

 

 

     Total

56 tons

 

 

Performance:

 

 

     Range

258 miles / 463 km

Armor:

Homogeneous cast steel

     Top speed

40 mph / 48 km/h

     Hull Front

51 mm

     Fuel consumption:

1 g/mi road, 2 g/mi offroad

     Hull Side, front

44 mm

     Fording:

1.2 m

     Hull Side, rear

40 mm

     Main Winch:

50 ton

     Hull rear

35 mm

     Boom Capacity

25 tons

     Hull floor

25. mm

Powerplant:

 

 

     Engine

Continential AVSI 1790cu in
gasoline 12 cyl supercharged 980 horsepower

 

 

 

 

 

     Transmission

Alison XT-1400-2

Crew:

4 (driver, mechanic, rigger, TC)

The M88 was the primary recovery vehicle in the troop.  It had a front spade used primarily to stabilize the vehicle during lifting and recovery operations.  The main winch could be used to drag a disabled tank or one stuck in mud back to an area where it could be towed or driven away.  The boom could be used to lift tank engine-transmission units from tanks for repair.  The towing pintle and tow bar could drag a disabled tank to a secure area for repair.   The M88 was also used at the transport vehicle for the mechanics.  It carried welding equipment, tools and spare parts. Although using gasoline rather than diesel, M88’s were seldom lost to fire.