M6A1/2 Jackson: A LEGO® creation by Evan Melick : MOCpages.com

M6A1/2 Jackson

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Seventy-six tons of armored happiness. Or sadness, depending.

About this creation

Please visit the Flickr Set!

For most of the period before the Sitrian War, the main doctrine of the US Military was to upgrade the beloved M1 Abrams MBT to the limit of its capabilities. With the Sitrian T-220 Rhino tank becoming more widely exported by the late 2010’s, the Department of Defense finally, albeit reluctantly, authorized the design and construction of a new main battle tank to serve the US Military. The design ended up dragging together the best qualities of both the M1A3 Abrams, and the Leopard II, and in early February of 2020, the first prototype rolled out of the General Dynamics plant. The original XM6 tank was rushed through the design phase to catch up to the other “superpowers” in advanced tank design, which showed in the early production models. The tank was christened M6 ‘Jackson’, after General Stonewall Jackson, even though he was a Confederate general, the name was chosen to show American resolve if threatened.

The M6A1 upgraded version features a totally reconfigured chassis, and an entirely new turret design from the older few-produced M6 models, a totally new communications system, and an improved armament, adding a 5.56mm machine gun for the gunner, along with replacing the 140mm smooth bore main cannon with the M976 125mm rifled gun.

The A2 upgrade consists of minor upgrades to the side-skirts, a newer pair of ATGM launchers, and the addition of an Active Protection System, improving crew survivability.

Specifications for the M6A1/2:
Crew: driver, commander, gunner
Country of Origin: United States of America
Top speed: 52mph (83.7kph)
Engine: 1630hp diesel/electric
Armament: 125mm rifled cannon, 7.62mm coaxial MG, 5.56mm mounted MG (gunner), .50 cal wire-controlled MG (commander), 4x BGM-71J TOW missiles
Weight: 76 tons
Produced by: General Dynamics Land Systems
Operators: United States (Army, Marine Corps, National Guard)

Overview of the A1 model.

Overview of the upgraded A2 model.

The turret, reworked since the original M6 model.

Inside the turret. Older pic, more has been added since then.

The M6A1 features fully operational suspension.

The frontal armor was one of the major designs from the Leopard II that was used in the construction of the Jackson.

The Jackson was designed with a diesel/electric hybrid engine, and not a derivative of a jet engine, like the Abrams was. This allows for a much more economical use of fuel, and for much easier logistical operations. The M6A1 version also includes a substantially upgraded communications package.

The engine removed, and a view of the back of the tank.

The Jackson (A2 model shown) is operated by a crew of three, the fourth crewman in the M1, the loader, has been replaced with an auto-loader. Crew survival was an up most priority in the design of the M6, and the .50 caliber machine gun is remotely operated by wire, allowing for limited "air time", unless absolutely necessary. The Jackson does feature a traditionally operated M269 5.56mm machine gun for the gunner though.

Action Shots from BrickFair 2011:

The M6A1's sophisticated sensors allow it to network with almost any other allied vehicle, such as Matt's ADATS.

A Jackson supporting an infantry advance against Aleks and Corvin's troops.

A Jackson engaging Corvin's Leopard 2. Image courtesy of Aleksander Stein.

Action Shots from BrickFair 2012:

The M6A2 working with Matt's M7 tank to fend off Aleks' and Corvin's assaulting Europeans.

The M6A2 engaging Aleks' Leopard 2A7.

The M6A2 providing fire support for an advancing fireteam of US Marines. Image courtesy of Corvin Stichert.

Comments

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I made it

Evan Melick

June 27, 2012

Quoting Justin L. Awesome tank! The scene from BrickFair is also really cool. Just for clarification...is BrickFair the convention in Seattle?

Thanks! Nope, it's in Chantilly, VA.

I like it

Justin L.

June 27, 2012

Awesome tank! The scene from BrickFair is also really cool. Just for clarification...is BrickFair the convention in Seattle?

I like it

Llew x

May 30, 2012

All cool!

I like it

Tommy Mizzone

April 23, 2012

Great job!

I like it

Josh Guilbert

June 18, 2011

Evan would you please check out some of my stuff? please thanks.

I made it

Evan Melick

June 18, 2011

Quoting Josh Gulbert 5.56mm MG??? it should be a .50cal MG and a 7.62mm Mg

The Jackson features all three, plus he 125mm main gun.

Scott Hoffrén

December 31, 2010

I read from flickr that you had some problems with adding crew inside that tank. http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/244816#reviews Check that, its not perfect, maby not even new way but still. Inform if its good, i havent tested it on real lego tanks, just LDD.

I like it

Josh Gulbert

December 9, 2010

5.56mm MG??? it should be a .50cal MG and a 7.62mm Mg

I like it

Ultramarine .

October 7, 2010

I didn't notice before, but your American flag insignia is backwards. When facing us, the star field should be to our left. Just FYI.

I like it

Red Stripe Productions

September 8, 2010

Amazing. Two years of work really paid off.

I like it

Raze Master

July 18, 2010

Doesn't look like it took two years. More like two days.

I like it

Rick S.

July 10, 2010

excellent tank! i love the suspension. but how did you make that wheel so close to the other? and please look at this: http://www.mocpages.com/moc.php/212273

I like it

Mr. Inkognito

February 24, 2010

The tank looks really good with nice details. But you have a scale problem when using minifigs. You tank seems to have a 1:25 scale (roughly) but minifig scale is around 1:48. Anyway: great design!

I made it

Evan Melick

November 29, 2009

Quoting Jack Ford Beautiful! (OK, maybe more "Beastly"...) =P I'm halfway through building a tank, and they're a lot tougher than they look!

Yeah they can be rather buggin at times. This took just over two years to complete, and it's still not done!