X-Day: NEW US Vehicles, Weapons & Equipment

Suppose for whatever reason, atomic bombs do not fall on Japan, maybe the USS Indianapolis is torpedoed while carrying Little Boy's components, maybe Bockscar is shot down carrying Fatman on route to Nagasaki, whatever the case no atomic bombs come in August. Now, let's imagine that in wake of this failure, the US military pushes for an amphibious invasion of the Japanese home islands. Considering Typhoon Connie hits the 3rd Fleet in June 1945 and Typhoon Louise hits Okinawa in October 1945, the invasion is postponed from November 1945 to sometime in 1946. That being said, the build-up for men and materials is great, as *new* weapons, vehicles, and equipment are likely to be introduced and/or issued in greater number, given the continuation of the war, and its temporary ceasefire ala Phoney War style. Below is an almost complete list of what would have possibly seen action in 1946-194X following the commencement of Operation Olympic and its sister operations. (I would like to clarify that some of these may only see minimal use, never see mass production at all, or may be passed over in favor of other developments) If anyone would like to correct me on what I included, feel free to do so. If you would like to suggest anything I may have missed, again, feel free to do so. If anyone would like a photo of any of the following for reference, please feel free to ask. I simply want to share what I have found thus far.
icon_biggrin.gif



Aeronca GB-1 & GT-1
Aerosol Bomb
Allied Aviation XLRA
AN/APS-2
AN/APQ-7
AN/CPS-1
AN/CPS-6B
AN/MPN-1
ASM-N-2 Bat
Barge, Refrigerated, Large
Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly
Boeing XB-44
Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express
Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
Consolidated TBY-2 Sea Wolf
Consolidated XB-24N
Cornelius XFG-1
Curtiss SC-1 Seahawk
DAB-3
Dodge WC-64
Douglas BTD-1
Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster
E8R1 Flame Service
E18 Auxiliary Flame Hose
E19R25 Gas Mask
E21 Tanker Gas Mask
Extint Pod
Fairchild C-82 Packet
Grumman F7F Tigercat
Grumman XF8F Bearcat
Higgins Beachmaster and Mudhopper
Interstate BQ-5
KAN Little Joe
Laister-Kauffman XCG-10
Little David
LN-8 Vegetable Killer Acid
M2 Carbine
M6 High-Speed Tractor
M12 Vest & T65 Apron
M18 Super Hellcat
M20 recoilless rifle
M37 Priest
M38 Wolfhound
M39 Armored Personnel Carrier
M40 Gun Motor Carriage
M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage
M55 Quadmount
M1945 Pack
Petzelt Mortar
Piasecki HRP-1
Picker Field X-ray Unit (portable)
Republic XF-12 Rainbow
Ryan FR-1 Fireball
SHORAN
Sikorsky R-4. R-5 & R-6A1
Snooperscope & Goggles
SOFAR bomb Mk. 22
SS LORAN
T1 M1C Garand
T1 Stink
T6 Flotation Device
T8E1 Tank Transporter
T12 Cloudmaker
T12 Flotation Device
T16 Armored Personnel Carrier
T20 Shoulder Mortar
T20E2 Garand
T21E2 Aluminum Helmet
T25E3 .50 cal
T26 Tank Transporter
T28 Amazon, T28E1 Amazon II & T28E2 Samson
T28 Super Heavy Tank
T29 Super Heavy Tank
T33 Flame Tank
T34 Cargo Carrier
T39 Cargo Carrier
T42 Tractor
T43E1 Tractor
T44 Tractor
T65E1 SPAA
T66E2 Multiple Rocket Launcher
T76E1 Bulldozer
T84 Howitzer Motor Carriage
T86 Amphibious Hellcat
T87 Amphibious Hellcat (howitzer)
T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage
USS Midway class
VB-3 Razon & VB-6 Felix
Winchester Automatic Rifle
 
Last edited:
My eye was drawn to the T20 shoulder mortar...looking at it, wonder if the same utility couldn't have been achieved by RLLing some PIATs?
 
The super heavy tanks would probably have the development delayed since they would be a very limited use digging Japanese troops out of Mountain caves.
 
There were a few changes about to get in production for Shermans by the end of 1945. In particular a new smaller, more efficient transmission with lower temperature and high reverse speed thanks to an inverter (almost as fast as forward).

You would also see hull MGs linked with sights for greater accuracy. They were also working on a more compact concentric recoil mount which could have allowed a .50 cal coax to be added if needed.

And a lot more ;)
 
Top