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 listing 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.