VFM5

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Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
uk_vfm_5.png
GarageImage VFM5.jpg
ArtImage VFM5.png
VFM5
AB RB SB
9.3 9.3 9.3
Class:
Research:220 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:620 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Vickers/FMC VFM5 is a rank VI British light tank with a battle rating of 9.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "New Power".

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull38 / 44 / 25
Turret51 / 38 / 13
Crew4 people
Visibility81 %

The VFM5 has little to no armour protection from anything larger than 7.62 mm rounds, the M2 .50 cal being able to penetrate its sides. The most protected section of the tank is the front of the hull towards the more extreme angles around the driver's ports, which is up to 160 mm of effective thickness, however this is halved by APFSDS, not that it would matter either way. HEATFS is even more effective, the thickness against chemical rounds dropping to approximately 23 mm.

The tank can survive a shot, however shots to the turret have a higher chance, as long as the spalling created by the shell is blocked by the cannon breech. Shots to the left side of the turret (or the right side looking front-on) will likely detonate the ready-rack ammunition. Side shots can be survived as long as they are to the hull due to large amounts of empty space. To increase your chance of survival of side shots, a player should take no more than 30 rounds to ensure the room below the turret is ammunition-free. As one would expect from a tank of this type, taking shots should not be attempted under any circumstances.

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 38.1 mm (79°) Upper Glacis

38.1 mm (Various Angles) Driver's Hatch

38.1 mm +6.35 mm (Curved) Lower Glacis

25.4 mm + 6.35 Upper
44 mm Lower
25.4 mm 5 - 25.4 mm
Turret 50.8 mm (37-43°) Turret front
38.1 mm (37-43°) Gun mantlet

25.4 mm Gunner Optics

38.1 mm + 6.35 mm 12.7 mm +12.7 mm 25.4 mm
Cupola 25.4 mm 25.4 mm 25.4 mm 25.4 mm

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB78 / 17 km/h
RB and SB70 / 15 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
2 back
Weight19.8 t
Engine power
AB1 097 hp
RB and SB575 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB55.4 hp/t
RB and SB29.0 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 78 17 19.8 868 1,097 43.84 55.4
Realistic 70 15 495 575 25 29.04

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 323 → 5 562 Sl icon.png
RB3 252 → 5 443 Sl icon.png
SB4 165 → 6 972 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications187 200 Rp icon.png
303 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 700 Ge icon.png
Crew training175 000 Sl icon.png
Experts620 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 010 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 170 / 220 % Sl icon.png
226 / 226 / 226 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_usa_HESH_ammo_pack
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods scout streak.png
Scout UAV
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_usa_M735_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition41 rounds
First-order7 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.7 → 6.7 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: LRF (105 mm)
105 mm LRF Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 41 -10°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 38.1 52.7 64.0 70.8 75.3 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 23.8 28.0 34.0 37.6 40.0

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
M456A2 HEATFS 400 400 400 400 400 400
M393A2 HESH 127 127 127 127 127 127
C76A1 APFSDS 353 349 342 333 324 314
DM33 APFSDS 408 405 398 389 379 370
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M456A2 HEATFS 1,174 10.5 0.05 0.1 1.27 65° 72° 77°
M393A2 HESH 732 11.2 0.1 4 4.31 73° 77° 80°
C76A1 APFSDS 1,509 3.6 - - - 78° 80° 81°
DM33 APFSDS 1,455 3.79 - - - 78° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the VFM5
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
41 36 (+5) 30 (+11) 19 (+22) (+33) (+40) No

Machine guns

Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-5° / 25°
Horizontal guidance-120° / 100°
Ammunition4 600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate960 shots/min
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 600 (200) 576 -5°/+25° -120°/+100°
7.62 mm L8A2
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,600 (200) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Equips the renowned 105 mm L7 cannon
  • Good mobility
  • 10X gunner zoom is good for sniping

Cons:

  • Lightly armoured
  • Stock HEATFS, a bad thing considering enemies can be well-protected against chemical warheads
  • Non-sabot APHE rounds from most SPAA's will ricochet off the hull into the lower turret, damaging or knocking out the turret crew

History

The VFM 5, also known as Vickers Mk.5, was a light tank built by Vickers. It was based on the hull of the American Close Combat Vehicle Light (CCV-L), which was built by VFM, but with a new turret and main armament. It was primarily designed for export.

Development

The CCV-L was first revealed by FMC at AUSA in October 1985. Vickers Defense Systems and FMC formed a cooperative agreement later that year to design an export version of the tank. It had been designed as a cheaper version of the CCV-L, and it was designated as the VFM 5. After the prototype was completed in 1986, it was displayed at the British Army Equipment Exhibition of the same year. No production orders were received.

Design

The hull was nearly unmodified from the CCV-L, made of welded aluminum armour with applique steel armour available for the front and sides.

The layout of the VFM 5 was conventional. The driver was located in the front, the fighting compartment in the center, and the engine compartment at the rear.

The driver sat in the center of the front of the hull. His seat was adjustable, with a folding backrest to allow access to the fighting compartment. His hatch was opened by use of hinges on the rear, and it had five periscopes for viewing to the front and sides. When necessary, the center, forward facing periscope could be replaced with a passive periscope for night operations.

The turret is different from that of the CCV-L. The turret had a crew of three, and it was constructed in the same way as the hull, with welded aluminum armour and applique steel plates. The turret was mounted on a high-accuracy low-friction turret ring that is tilted down 3° at the front.

The main armament of the VMF 5 was a 105 mm Low Recoil Force gun, fitted with an integral muzzle break and a rigid thermal sleeve. 41 rounds of 105 mm ammunition were carried. 22 rounds were stored in the front of the hull, 11 on each side of the driver. 19 rounds were stored in the fighting compartment, located below the turret ring. Unlike the CCV-L, the VFM 5 features a loader, rather than an automatic loading system.

A Marconi fire-control system (FCS) is used, which includes computerized fire-control systems and a two-axis gun stabilizer. The turret traversed electronically 360°, while the gun elevated from -10° to +20°.

The secondary armament consisted of a coaxial 7.62 mm L8 machine gun. A total of 2,600 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition were carried in boxes of 200 rounds. Additionally, a 7.62 mm or 12.7 mm machine gun could be pintle-mounted at the leader's hatch. 500 rounds could be carried if the 12.7 mm machine gun was fitted.

A bank of six smoke grenade launchers was located on each side of the turret, for a total of twelve smoke or fragmentation grenades. They were fired electronically by the bank's commander from the interior.

The gunner's primary sight was a NANOQUEST telescopic sight with a zoom of x10. It incorporated a laser rangefinder and muzzle reference system. The gunner also had a NANOQUEST periscope for wide-angle observation. A thermal imaging system was available as an option.

The commander had a rear-opening, single piece hatch with fiver periscopes. He also had a Pilkington PE/Raven II day/night sight with magnification of x1 and x8, as well as image intensification for night operations.

The loader also had a single piece, rear-opening hatch with a single AFV No 3 Mk 1 periscope with 360° of rotation.

The suspension of the VFM 5 is a torsion bar type. There are six road wheels on each side of the chassis and a shock absorber at each road wheel. 38 cm double-pin tracks are used.

The engine is a General Motors (GM) Detroit Diesel Model 6V-92 TA 6-cylinder, producing 550 horsepower. A General Electric (GE) HMPT-500-3 transmission is used, with three forward gears and one reverse gear. The powerpack is cooled by a water radiator and oil cooler. Easy access to the engine is provided by a rear hull ramp, which the engine can be slid down for maintenance or replacement. Access covers are located on the engine compartment roof for easy maintenance as well.

The engine compartment is protected by an automatic fire-suppression system, and one can also be fitted for the crew compartment. Handheld extinguishers are also provided.

Devblog

In 1985, Vickers formed a consortium with the American FMC company in order to develop a modern, yet cost-effective light tank for the export market. To achieve this, development and production costs had to be kept as low as possible. As a result, the decision was made to combine the CCVL hull developed by FMC for the US Army's AGS project with a Vickers-built turret, housing a modified low-recoil version of the widely used L7 cannon.

The first prototype was built in 1986 and subsequently revealed to the public at the British Army Equipment Exhibition that year. However, despite its modern equipment, excellent mobility and low weight thanks to the wide use of aluminum alloys, the VFM 5 failed to attract any attention from potential international operators at first.

However, testing and further refinement of the vehicle's design continued into the late 1980's and early 1990's, just at that time negotiations were held with Malaysia to supply the tank to the national armed forces, but it ultimately never came to a production agreement. In the end, only a single prototype of the VFM 5 was ever constructed.

Media

Skins
Images
Videos

See also

Related development

External links


Vickers-Armstrongs Limited
Ships 
Tribal-class  HMS Eskimo · HMCS Haida
Invincible-class  HMS Invincible***
Kongō-class  IJN Kongo****
Tanks 
Light Tanks  VFM5**
Light Tank Mk VI  Light AA Mk I
Light Tank Mk VII  Tetrarch I
Light Tank Mk VIII  Alecto I
Tank, Infantry, Valentine  Valentine I · Valentine IX · Valentine XI · Archer
Vickers MBT  Vickers Mk.1 · Vickers Mk.3 · Vickers Mk.7**
Heavy Tanks  Independent*
Export  ▂МК-IX "Valentine" · Vickers Mk.E*
See also  Vickers-Armstrongs Aircraft Limited
  ***Previously Armstrong Whitworth
  *Previously Vickers Limited
  **Vickers Defence Systems
  ****Built for Japan

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