T4 Elk

The T4 Elk was a Gyunghwan used during the Valeyan Wars. Designed to replace the T14 Antelope as the country's standard battle tank in 1938, the T4 Elk adopted improvements over its predecessors with better suspension, enhanced armor, and a stronger main gun with a 75 mm T1 gun. It was produced just in time for Gyunghwa's entrance to the Valeyan War and served all throughout the Valeyan War, used extensively by the United Republics military. It had built a strong reputation for itself as an effective, well rounded armored vehicle, although crew complaints about the tank were not uncommon. The T4 Elk remained in service until 1952 where it was replaced by the Anglian Centurion Tanks (licensed and produced in Gyunghwa as the T8 Lion).

Development
The T4 Medium Tank was developed by the United Republics Army Armor and Ordnance Department as a replacement for the existing T14 Antelope. The T14 itself was a replacement to the T10 and T7 cruiser tanks and all three tanks served in the United Republics Army during the Troubles of 1936 to 1938. The United Republics Department of Defenses wanted a medium tank that has adequate level of armor and speed, be able to take on tank destroyer roles, and to be relatively inexpensive to produce. The UR Army Armor and Ordnance Department submitted two designs to the Department of Defense. The first design was the ST-25, a tank with three turrets including 50 mm armor and a 40 mm main cannon. It was ultimately rejected by the Department of Defense and it never left the blueprint stage. The second design was the ST-10 which resembled a larger, upgraded version of the existing T10. The second design was accepted and prototype models were developed and underwent testing. Testing of the ST-10 Prototype completed in August 11th, 1940. It entered service in 1941 as the T4 Elk Medium Tank, continuing the tradition of naming armored vehicles after animals.

Service History


The T4 Elks first saw action with the Gyunghwan Expeditionary Force in 1942 where they served alongside the T14 Antelopes.