Difference between revisions of "AMX M4"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{specs|rank}} French medium tank {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. It uses the same 90 mm SA45 cannon as the [[ARL-44]] but has a 7 rounds auto-loader and a better armour pattern while being more mobile. It is clearly better than any rank III French tank, offering a new battle opportunities.
 +
 
 +
This is the sturdiest representative of French rank IV vehicles, from which he shares some common features: it has good mobility, an oscillating turret (fitted with an auto-loader), sloped armour in front and back, high hull, high gun placement, good gun depression, 4 crew member, a coaxial MAC 31 machine gun and large tracks. What distinguishes the AMX M4 is its [[Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. D|Panther]]-like hull, its efficient 90 mm SA45 gun inherited from the [[ARL-44]] and the thickest armour pattern of all French ground forces with 80 mm sloped at ~55° in the frontal area.
 +
 
 +
As said above, this tank's armour is very similar to that of the famous German tanks, it's hull even shares the same general patterns and dimensions, the distinctive features being...weak spots: an almost flat portion between UFP and LFP and two 60 mm "corners" above the tracks. As for the frontal turret part, it is sufficiently thick to endure many nasty hits, as long as you do not leave your foe enough time to aim: the turret ring area, while still being 80 mm thick, is flat. As for side armour, it is a good reason to keep away from front line duty: 35 mm flat armour does not protect from anything bigger than HMG fire. the hull's back is sloped, which may deviate some shots and prevent long-range "back flanking". The most exposed part of this tank is the turret's back, with only 20 mm of armour between the bulge and the turret ring.
 +
 
 +
In sum, engage frontally, avoid anything bigger than a slight angle as it may expose the 60 mm UFP "corners". Distance is a great tool to avoid your weak spots being easily targeted. This armour's role is quite fluctuent as it depends on if what it face can penetrate it or not. See [[AMX M4#Tactics|tactics]] for more details on the recommended usages.
 +
 
 +
Post-war French designs are all very good at moving around: they have good engines, wide tracks and can easily achieve ~40 km/h on most terrains. The AMX M4 may be the worst of them all, on par with the [[AMX-50|AMX-50-100]] as they share a ''very similar'' hull, they still have ''above average'' mobility, when compared to other medium tanks at the BR. This observation is imbued by the fact that this tank's reverse speed only reaches -5 km/h and it does not have the ability to do neutral steering, anything else is comparable to its contemporaries.
 +
 
 +
This feature may feel a little lackluster in terms of penetration: at the same BR, some tanks can consistently punch through more than 200 mm of armour while this tank's gun can't. This little defect is palliated by its auto-loader mechanism, providing up to 9 rounds a minute, a very good firing rate for the BR. All French medium rank IV tanks share this good reload rate, this is their prominent selling point.
 +
 
 +
The oscillating turret design also allows an high gun placement, this means you can fire over hills by exposing only the strong top portion of your tank, even more so with its good depression angles. When it comes to elevation, there is a problem: this tank can only lift its gun 15°, which make defending against planes impossible and uphill battle a bit challenging.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
 +
 
 +
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 80 mm (27-55°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 35 mm (61°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 60 mm (39°) ''Cheeks'' || 40 mm (24°) ''Top'' <br> 40 mm  || 40 mm (30°) <br> 30 mm (30°) ''Hatch'' || 20 mm <br> 8 mm ''Engine grille''
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 85 mm (0-79°) ''Turret front'' <br> 60 mm (29-86°)''Gun mantlet'' <br> 40 mm (0-17°) ''Turret base'' <br> 85-100 mm (18-79°) ''Barrel shroud'' || 60 mm (0-61°) ''Turret'' <br> 40 mm (0-27°) ''Turret base'' || 40 mm (0-60°) ''Turret bustle'' <br> 25 mm (16-25°) ''Pivot ball'' <br> 20 mm ''Turret underside'' || 20 mm
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 60 mm || 20 mm
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 +
* The turret and the base overlap in some areas, leading to cumulative armour.
 +
 
 +
In general, this tank is hard to kill from a distance, but if you can do it, then it's sniper battle time. If your guns does not provide enough power at distances, then, get personal: the closer you are, the better you can disable it, here is a few tips for these kind of scenarios:
 +
 
 +
'''Frontal assault:'''
 +
 
 +
Any French rank IV tank has a good gun capable of going through most armours at standard combat ranges (and above), they are even more frightful when knowing about their good reload rates (they all have autoloaders). With that in mind, engage them first so that they (maybe) will not have enough time to reload a second shell. Specifically to the AMX M4, this tank's armour is virtually as resistant as a Panther tank: if you can't go through a Panther, you neither cannot with this tank, unless you shoot its weak spots (see [[AMX M4#Vehicle characteristics|armour]]). Don't panic, thought, its side armour is only 35 mm, which makes it very vulnerable to flanking and "multi-target" engagements: it can't protect itself well from two tank if they are enough apart from each other.
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
'''Flanking:'''
 +
 
 +
As for flanking from a single foe, it must be dealt with quick: its fast turret turning speed allows it to react quite fast to either of its sides. Try to disable its ''large gun breech'' first so it won't be able to fire in a long time (this may also ammo-rack it if detonating a pre-loaded ammo), only then finish it off, if the first hit/series of hits (SPAAs) does not disable it from firing back, consider yourself dead.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 52.0 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 57 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|51 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|1,550
 +
|_,___
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|884
 +
|1,000
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|29.81
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|17.00
 +
|19.23
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
 +
{{main|SA45 (90 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[SA45 (90 mm)|90 mm SA45]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 49 || -8°/+15° || ±180° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 17.9 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 17.9 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 38.0 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| 90 mm Obus de rupture || APC || 193 || 191 || 180 || 168 || 156 || 145
 +
|-
 +
| 90 mm Obus explosif || HE || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13 || 13
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| 90 mm Obus de rupture || APC || 1000 || 11 || N/A || N/A || N/A || ° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| 90 mm Obus explosif || HE || 700 || 11 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 945 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
[[File:Ammoracks {{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the {{specs|pseudonym}}.]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |7th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |8th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |9th<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
|| '''49''' || 44&nbsp;''(X+5)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+7)'' || 35&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 28&nbsp;''(+21)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+28)'' || 14&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 10&nbsp;''(+39)'' || 7&nbsp;''(+42)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+48)'' || style="text-align:left" | no
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
 +
{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 5,000 (150) || 1,350 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the 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 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).''
+
<!--''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 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).''-->
 +
At its BR, 80 mm of sloped frontal armour is more than sufficient to endure close range fights (as long as it is facing the enemy with its frontal armour). But what this tank is really good at is, as any other French rank IV, ''sniping'': a very good gun, great depression and fire rate make it very deadly, even more so that it ''can'' take a few hits. The AMX M4 offers the best survivability of all French rank IV tanks since its BR is low and armour, thick. It is a true "medium tank" capable of all roles, given the good context.
 +
 
 +
This tank can be used in almost all roles on the battlefield, as long as context is on its side. Here is some roles this tank is the most efficient at:
 +
 
 +
'''Sniper:'''
 +
 
 +
This is clearly this tank's intended role: at all BR placements, it provides the best results from this tank. There is only a few things that can defeat such tactic: drastically better firepower and thick frontal armour faced towards it. This gun's performance is not the best at its rank, in that way, the AMX M4 may have to rely on surprise attacks to its foe's sides in order to disable them. Use this tank's great mobility to get into a good spot and reposition ''whenever it is needed'' do not allow approaching targets as they increase your chances to be dealt with. Don't bother falling back before it is needed: your reverse speed won't allow for hasty retreats.
 +
 
 +
'''Frontline fights:'''
 +
 
 +
When facing lower BR tanks, the AMX can easily be used in the same role as Panther tanks: breakthrough...but with reserve, your side armour won't allow even the slightest side shot. Use your good reload speed and turret rate to their best: fast reaction times and multi-target engagements are possible.
 +
 
 +
'''Flanker:'''
 +
 
 +
Got a light tank squad wanting to flank ? Go with them and provide extra firepower for these vulnerable scouted targets. All considerations from the "''sniper''" role can be taken into consideration when flanking, the only difference being a more consistent usage of this tank's mobility.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Good 90 mm gun inherited from [[ARL 44]] (easy learning curve)
−
 
+
* Front glacis is 80 mm and is heavily sloped for a high chance of ricochets, similar to [[Pz.Kpfw. V Ausf. D|Panther]]'s.
 +
* Very good reload rate between 7 shots due to auto-loader.
 +
* Good maneuverability.
 +
* Fast.
 +
* Decent reverse speed.
 +
* Good gun depression of -8°.
 +
* Good turret rotation.
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* Overall armour is quite thin as for 6.0 medium tank.
 +
* Long reload time after 7 shots due to auto-loader.
 +
* Only two ammo choice between APC and HE rounds.
 +
* Ammo always held in reload mechanism makes it easy ammo rack targets.
 +
* Thin side armour
 +
* 60 mm UFP "corners" makes angling ineffective.
 +
* Bad elevation angles
 +
* Vulnerable to planes (thin top armour)
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 42: Line 265:
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5265-vehicle-amx-m4-en [News<nowiki>]</nowiki> AMX M4]
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
−
''ETC.''
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 51: Line 271:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{French medium tanks}}

Revision as of 16:37, 15 December 2018

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
AMX M4
fr_amx_m4.png
AMX M4
France flag.png France
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.7 6.7 6.7
Class:
Research:71 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:210 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage AMX M4.jpg


The AMX M4 is a Rank IV French medium tank with a battle rating of 6.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance". It uses the same 90 mm SA45 cannon as the ARL-44 but has a 7 rounds auto-loader and a better armour pattern while being more mobile. It is clearly better than any rank III French tank, offering a new battle opportunities.

This is the sturdiest representative of French rank IV vehicles, from which he shares some common features: it has good mobility, an oscillating turret (fitted with an auto-loader), sloped armour in front and back, high hull, high gun placement, good gun depression, 4 crew member, a coaxial MAC 31 machine gun and large tracks. What distinguishes the AMX M4 is its Panther-like hull, its efficient 90 mm SA45 gun inherited from the ARL-44 and the thickest armour pattern of all French ground forces with 80 mm sloped at ~55° in the frontal area.

As said above, this tank's armour is very similar to that of the famous German tanks, it's hull even shares the same general patterns and dimensions, the distinctive features being...weak spots: an almost flat portion between UFP and LFP and two 60 mm "corners" above the tracks. As for the frontal turret part, it is sufficiently thick to endure many nasty hits, as long as you do not leave your foe enough time to aim: the turret ring area, while still being 80 mm thick, is flat. As for side armour, it is a good reason to keep away from front line duty: 35 mm flat armour does not protect from anything bigger than HMG fire. the hull's back is sloped, which may deviate some shots and prevent long-range "back flanking". The most exposed part of this tank is the turret's back, with only 20 mm of armour between the bulge and the turret ring.

In sum, engage frontally, avoid anything bigger than a slight angle as it may expose the 60 mm UFP "corners". Distance is a great tool to avoid your weak spots being easily targeted. This armour's role is quite fluctuent as it depends on if what it face can penetrate it or not. See tactics for more details on the recommended usages.

Post-war French designs are all very good at moving around: they have good engines, wide tracks and can easily achieve ~40 km/h on most terrains. The AMX M4 may be the worst of them all, on par with the AMX-50-100 as they share a very similar hull, they still have above average mobility, when compared to other medium tanks at the BR. This observation is imbued by the fact that this tank's reverse speed only reaches -5 km/h and it does not have the ability to do neutral steering, anything else is comparable to its contemporaries.

This feature may feel a little lackluster in terms of penetration: at the same BR, some tanks can consistently punch through more than 200 mm of armour while this tank's gun can't. This little defect is palliated by its auto-loader mechanism, providing up to 9 rounds a minute, a very good firing rate for the BR. All French medium rank IV tanks share this good reload rate, this is their prominent selling point.

The oscillating turret design also allows an high gun placement, this means you can fire over hills by exposing only the strong top portion of your tank, even more so with its good depression angles. When it comes to elevation, there is a problem: this tank can only lift its gun 15°, which make defending against planes impossible and uphill battle a bit challenging.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 80 mm (27-55°) Front glacis
35 mm (61°) Lower glacis
60 mm (39°) Cheeks 		40 mm (24°) Top
40 mm 		40 mm (30°)
30 mm (30°) Hatch 		20 mm
8 mm Engine grille
Turret 85 mm (0-79°) Turret front
60 mm (29-86°)Gun mantlet
40 mm (0-17°) Turret base
85-100 mm (18-79°) Barrel shroud 		60 mm (0-61°) Turret
40 mm (0-27°) Turret base 		40 mm (0-60°) Turret bustle
25 mm (16-25°) Pivot ball
20 mm Turret underside 		20 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 60 mm 20 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • The turret and the base overlap in some areas, leading to cumulative armour.

In general, this tank is hard to kill from a distance, but if you can do it, then it's sniper battle time. If your guns does not provide enough power at distances, then, get personal: the closer you are, the better you can disable it, here is a few tips for these kind of scenarios:

Frontal assault:

Any French rank IV tank has a good gun capable of going through most armours at standard combat ranges (and above), they are even more frightful when knowing about their good reload rates (they all have autoloaders). With that in mind, engage them first so that they (maybe) will not have enough time to reload a second shell. Specifically to the AMX M4, this tank's armour is virtually as resistant as a Panther tank: if you can't go through a Panther, you neither cannot with this tank, unless you shoot its weak spots (see armour). Don't panic, thought, its side armour is only 35 mm, which makes it very vulnerable to flanking and "multi-target" engagements: it can't protect itself well from two tank if they are enough apart from each other.

Flanking:

As for flanking from a single foe, it must be dealt with quick: its fast turret turning speed allows it to react quite fast to either of its sides. Try to disable its large gun breech first so it won't be able to fire in a long time (this may also ammo-rack it if detonating a pre-loaded ammo), only then finish it off, if the first hit/series of hits (SPAAs) does not disable it from firing back, consider yourself dead.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armour
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
52.0 N/A 57 (AB)
51 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 1,550 _,___
Realistic/Simulator 884 1,000
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 29.81 __.__
Realistic/Simulator 17.00 19.23

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: SA45 (90 mm)
90 mm SA45
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
49 -8°/+15° ±180° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 17.9 __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Realistic 17.9 __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
38.0 __.__ __.__ __.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
90 mm Obus de rupture APC 193 191 180 168 156 145
90 mm Obus explosif HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
90 mm Obus de rupture APC 1000 11 N/A N/A N/A ° 48° 63° 71°
90 mm Obus explosif HE 700 11 0.1 0.5 945 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the AMX M4.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		8th
rack empty 		9th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
49 44 (X+5) 42 (+7) 35 (+14) 28 (+21) 21 (+28) 14 (+35) 10 (+39) 7 (+42) 1 (+48) no

Machine guns

Main article: MAC 31 (7.5 mm)
7.5 mm MAC 31
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
5,000 (150) 1,350 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

At its BR, 80 mm of sloped frontal armour is more than sufficient to endure close range fights (as long as it is facing the enemy with its frontal armour). But what this tank is really good at is, as any other French rank IV, sniping: a very good gun, great depression and fire rate make it very deadly, even more so that it can take a few hits. The AMX M4 offers the best survivability of all French rank IV tanks since its BR is low and armour, thick. It is a true "medium tank" capable of all roles, given the good context.

This tank can be used in almost all roles on the battlefield, as long as context is on its side. Here is some roles this tank is the most efficient at:

Sniper:

This is clearly this tank's intended role: at all BR placements, it provides the best results from this tank. There is only a few things that can defeat such tactic: drastically better firepower and thick frontal armour faced towards it. This gun's performance is not the best at its rank, in that way, the AMX M4 may have to rely on surprise attacks to its foe's sides in order to disable them. Use this tank's great mobility to get into a good spot and reposition whenever it is needed do not allow approaching targets as they increase your chances to be dealt with. Don't bother falling back before it is needed: your reverse speed won't allow for hasty retreats.

Frontline fights:

When facing lower BR tanks, the AMX can easily be used in the same role as Panther tanks: breakthrough...but with reserve, your side armour won't allow even the slightest side shot. Use your good reload speed and turret rate to their best: fast reaction times and multi-target engagements are possible.

Flanker:

Got a light tank squad wanting to flank ? Go with them and provide extra firepower for these vulnerable scouted targets. All considerations from the "sniper" role can be taken into consideration when flanking, the only difference being a more consistent usage of this tank's mobility.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good 90 mm gun inherited from ARL 44 (easy learning curve)
  • Front glacis is 80 mm and is heavily sloped for a high chance of ricochets, similar to Panther's.
  • Very good reload rate between 7 shots due to auto-loader.
  • Good maneuverability.
  • Fast.
  • Decent reverse speed.
  • Good gun depression of -8°.
  • Good turret rotation.

Cons:

  • Overall armour is quite thin as for 6.0 medium tank.
  • Long reload time after 7 shots due to auto-loader.
  • Only two ammo choice between APC and HE rounds.
  • Ammo always held in reload mechanism makes it easy ammo rack targets.
  • Thin side armour
  • 60 mm UFP "corners" makes angling ineffective.
  • Bad elevation angles
  • Vulnerable to planes (thin top armour)

History

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.

Template:French medium tanks

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