On the USA side, our WW II classification was mostly geared to the operational use of the tank. Light tanks, such as M-3, M-5 and M-24 were designed for speed and reconaissance. Mediums for infantry support and general direct combat. Heavy tanks were designed for use in heavy tank vs tank and fortifications. We only developed 3 heavies for issue; M-6 (T-1), M-26 Pershing and M-103, and only the Pershing and M-103 were ever issued and used. In 1948-49, the clasification was changed to reflect gun size. Light tank M-41 had the nomenclature of 76mm gun light tank M-41. Mediums carrying 90 to 105mm were medium gun tanks (and that's where the change came in for the Pershing from heavy to medium) and the heavy tank M-103 series was 120m gun Heavy Tank M-103.

There is always a debate on classification of the Panther as well as some Japanese tanks, as each country had it's own ideas based on weight. Most Japanese mediums are in the USA light catagory as far as weight as well as small caliber of the main gun. British have a totally different classification of Infantry and Cruiser, again based on operational use. There are exceptions in some tanks, given the weight etc, but most stayed within operational catalgories.

Tony, No Pershing was ever fitted with a gyro stabilzer and the Sherman's Gyro stabilizer was so erratic and ineffective, that from many reports, most crews never turned them on, plus they were only lateral and not for elevation of the gun. If the tank was rolling on a smooth surface and steady speed, it was usable. In the case of the Pershing-Panther at Cologne, the Pershing was on a city street rolling slow and short range, which made a hit on the move a good chance. The Pershing did stop for the next two rounds. The only tank we had in WW II with a decent stabilizer was the M-24 Chaffee. M-46 thru M-48 series had none, and the M-60A3 had the first really good system developed. The M-1 Abrams has the ultimate system.