SARC MkVI (6pdr)

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This page is about the British light tank SARC MkVI (6pdr). For other versions, see Marmon-Herrington Armoured Car (Family).
SARC MkVI (6pdr)
uk_marmon_herrington_mk_6_6pdr.png
GarageImage SARC MkVI (6pdr).jpg
ArtImage SARC MkVI (6pdr).png
SARC MkVI (6pdr)
AB RB SB
3.0 3.3 3.3
Class:
Research:9 200 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:16 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
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Description

The SARC MkVI (6pdr) is a rank II British light tank with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB) and 3.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Ixwa Strike".

With an improvement in firepower and yet very fast, this latter SARC variant covers most of the cons of the earlier 2-pounder version, almost without new disadvantages; perfect for admirers of fast or scouting vehicles such as the Cromwell I and Crusader III.

While externally the SARC MkVI 6-pounder might not seem intimidating to some players, the potential of these light tanks should not be undervalued under any circumstances. The well-known 57 mm QF gun is capable of precisely and quickly dispatching even the heaviest of the tanks at the battle rating, such as the mighty KV-1 series.

The less advantageous aspect remains the sacrifices in the armour of the SARC chassis and the reduced crew inside the fighting compartment. This shortage of armour sends the tank straight to flanking and ambushing tactics, away from prolonged frontal engagements. It only takes a well-aimed shot to the turret to be back on the garage.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull20 / 8 / 10
Turret30 / 15 / 15
Crew3 people
Visibility88 %

While it can survive some MG fire from the front, HMGs will penetrate the sides even from a distance, quickly destroying the SARC. Autocannons are even more dangerous as they will shred through the armour regardless of the distance or angle. Armour-piercing shots fired by tanks will sometimes just pass through the vehicle's armour without detonating but knocking out a crew member or more. The SARC is not a vehicle that should be exposed to enemy fire while expecting it to resist or shrug it.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom
___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet
___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB72 / 21 km/h
RB and SB65 / 19 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight11.2 t
Engine power
AB363 hp
RB and SB190 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB32.4 hp/t
RB and SB17.0 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 72 21 11.2 294 363 26.25 32.41
Realistic 65 19 168 190 15 16.96

The SARC has a good power to weight ratio of 17 hp/ton, allowing it to reach a respectable top speed of over 60 km/h fairly quickly on roads. Off road performance, however, is lacking as the vehicle is wheeled, light and without a powerful engine. It will struggle progressing through mud, snow, sand or when going uphill. Furthermore, its light weight means the vehicle can be even stopped by minor obstacles (walls, trees, fences, etc.) that medium Tanks would just run through with next to no loss of speed. Thanks to its good acceleration, any lost speed can be regained fairly quickly. Wheels don't turn on the spot, so manoeuvring in confined spaces can be difficult and time consuming.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB449 → 651 Sl icon.png
RB506 → 734 Sl icon.png
SB622 → 903 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications8 470 Rp icon.png
9 540 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost640 Ge icon.png
Crew training4 500 Sl icon.png
Experts16 000 Sl icon.png
Aces160 Ge icon.png
Research Aces190 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
30 / 40 / 50 % Sl icon.png
118 / 118 / 118 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
550 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
550 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_AP_HV_ammo_pack
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
470 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APC_ammo_pack
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
360 Sl icon.png
70 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
530 Rp icon.png
Cost:
600 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
550 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
550 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
550 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Shoulder stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition60 rounds
First-order10 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

The SARC MkVI (6pdr) is equipped with the 6-pounder gun, a common feature of British tanks at this rank. The gun has a very fast reload (provided the 10-round ready rack is not depleted) and has relatively good penetration at this battle rating. However, as is typical with most British vehicles, it only fires solid shot ammunition with no explosive filler. Due to the relatively small calibre, the spalling of the solid shot upon penetration is not particularly extensive, and it will often require multiple penetrations at different parts of the target in order to guarantee the destruction of the enemy vehicle.

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 60 -10°/+20° ±180° Shoulder 34.3 47.4 57.6 63.7 67.8 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 21.4 25.2 30.6 33.8 36.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Shot Mk.5 AP 101 97 82 66 53 43
Shell Mk.10 HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
Shot Mk.5 HV AP 108 104 87 70 57 46
Shot Mk.8 APC 110 106 89 72 59 48
Shot Mk.9 APCBC 122 118 101 84 70 58
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Shot Mk.5 AP 815 2.8 - - - 47° 60° 65°
Shell Mk.10 HE 655 2.72 0 0.1 590 79° 80° 81°
Shot Mk.5 HV AP 853 2.8 - - - 47° 60° 65°
Shot Mk.8 APC 853 2.87 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.9 APCBC 801 3.23 - - - 48° 63° 71°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the SARC MkVI (6pdr)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
7th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
60 49 (+11) 38 (+22) 27 (+33) 15 (+45) 11 (+49) (+53) (+59) Yes

Notes:

  • The visual discrepancy concerns rack 4 that displays 1 shell in the rack even when empty.
  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Racks 6 and 7 are first stage ammo racks. They total 10 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
  • These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 7 - 1 - 2 - until 5.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 7 then 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
  • The SARC MkVI (6pdr) is the only vehicle below Rank IV to get a first order ammo rack. Once the rack is depleted, the reload is significantly slower.

Machine guns

Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-5° / 40°
Ammunition2 025 rounds
Belt capacity225 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min

The SARC MkVI (6pdr) is one of the few British ground vehicles (other than Lend-Lease vehicles such as the Sherman II) to be armed with a pintle-mounted .50 cal Browning heavy machine gun. This machine gun gives considerable added firepower to the SARC MkVI (6pdr). It provides some measure of defence against aircraft and is also effective against lightly armoured targets such as most contemporary SPAA, against which the poor HE round of the 6-pdr main gun might struggle or the solid shot will do little to no damage without hitting the ammunition.

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 600 (200) 577 -5°/+40° ±180°
7.92 mm BESA
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 2,025 (225) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

In battle, the SARC MkVI (6pdr) should be used similar to the Puma armoured cars, focus on using its speed for quick flanking attacks and scouting targets. Be wary on the terrain the SARC MkVI (6pdr) travels in as the vehicle is quite top heavy. In a scenario where you cannot flank, try to do quick strikes at the enemy. Avoid sniping and frontline combat as, like the Pumas, it has little armour and cannot take cannon fire.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Effective firepower with the 6-pdr gun and 12.7 mm heavy machine gun.
  • High speed on optimal hard terrain (roads, fields, and cities).
  • Frontal turret armour can withstand heavy machine gun fire at range.
  • Useful amount of smoke grenades (26).
  • Fast reload (when the ready rack is filled).

Cons:

  • Poor survivability (weak flank armour and open top, with only 3 crew members).
  • Unreliable, relatively small calibre solid shot ammunition.
  • Tall profile and pintle-mounted heavy machine gun can give away tank's location.
  • Limited off-road mobility on snow, mud, and sand.
  • Recoil of the 6-pdr can hinder target acquisition; more notable when firing from the sides.
  • Once the ready rack is emtpy, the reload slows down noticeably.

History

Development

The Marmon-Herrington Mk V (a.k.a. South African Reconnaissance Car/SARC Mk V) was an eight wheeled armored car prototype produced by the Marmon-Herrington Corporation for South Africa. It was much too heavy at 16 tonnes so a project for a lighter armored car was created, designated as the Mk VI. Questions were raised as to the armament of the vehicle so two prototypes were developed with different turrets mounting the 2pdr and 6pdr guns respectively.[1]

Design

The Mk VI featured a new 8x8 chassis with independent suspension and steering for the front and rear axles. The hull was taller than the Mk V but was much lighter at 11,185 kilograms - over five tonnes less than the Mk V. The rear engine compartment was fitted with two Ford V8 95 horsepower engines (190 horsepower total) and a four forward, one reverse gear transmission. This allowed the Mk VI to attain a speed of 65 kilometers per hour and a range of 400 kilometers on road. Though fitted with different turrets, both prototypes had a radio station in the turret bustle.

The second prototype mounted the 57 mm Ordnance QF 6-pounder gun in an open-topped turret. The 6-pounder turret was crewed by two men - gunner and commander/loader - which made a total of three crew members in the vehicle. Two machine guns were provided: a coaxial 7.92 mm Besa machine gun and a pintle-mounted 12.7 mm (.50 cal) M2 machine gun.[1][2]

Production and Service

Both prototypes were completed in 1943 and gained interest from the British Army. The first prototype (2-pounder) was sent to Britain and the second prototype (6-pounder) was retained in South Africa. 250 were ordered by the British Army but that order was cancelled when American armored cars like the M8 Greyhound became available. The second prototype can currently be found at the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg, South Africa.[1][2]

Devblog

In 1938, South African engineers began development of a domestic armoured car design. Following the outbreak of WWII, the development of the vehicle was accelerated and a design around a 3 ton Ford truck chassis was created. However, as the South African industry wasn't developed enough to manufacture all components domestically, many had to be imported from other countries, such as the US, Canada and the UK with final assembly then taking place locally.

The SARC entered service with South African forces in 1940 and gradually found its way into the ranks of many of the allied nations' units, especially those of the Commonwealth, over the next few years. The vehicle quickly gained a reputation among its crews for its simplicity and reliability, despite it being considered rather light and undergunned.

At the height of WWII, in 1942 - 1943, the engineers behind the SARC sought to improve the vehicle's capabilities in an effort to match the German Sd.Kfz. 234. To that extent, the engineers developed the heavier, 8-wheeled experimental Mark V variant, followed by the improved Mark VI prototypes.

Only two prototypes of the SARC Mk.VI were built, one being armed by a 2 pdr and the other with a 6 pdr gun. While the former was sent to the UK for testing, the latter remained in South Africa. Despite favorable test results, the increased availability of more suitable American armoured cars in the later stages of the war made the Mark VI somewhat redundant and further development was cancelled.

Media

Skins
Images

See also

Related development

External links

References


Marmon-Herrington
Vehicles for US Army 
Light tanks  M22 Locust
Vehicles for export 
Wheeled vehicles  SARC MkVI (2pdr)  · SARC MkVI (6pdr)
Notes:  M22 Locust was designed by America for the US Army and British Army

Britain light tanks
A13  A13 Mk I · A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II · A13 Mk II 1939
A15  Crusader II · Crusader "The Saint" · Crusader III
A17  Tetrarch I
IFV  Warrior
Wheeled  Daimler Mk II · AEC Mk II · Fox · Vickers Mk.11
Other  VFM5
South Africa 
SARC  SARC MkIVa · SARC MkVI (2pdr) · SARC MkVI (6pdr)
Ratel  Ratel 90 · Ratel 20
Rooikat  Rooikat Mk.1D · Rooikat 105 · Rooikat MTTD
Other  Concept 3 · Eland 90 Mk.7
USA  Stuart I · Stuart III