Difference between revisions of "Calliope"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m4_sherman_calliope}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=us_m4_sherman_calliope
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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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 should 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 a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 +
The '''Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope)''' was a special modification of the second variant of the early-generation [[M4 Sherman (Family)|Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family]]. The U.S. Ordnance Department initiated a series of projects experimenting with the attachment of rocket launchers to the [[M4|M4 Sherman]], in order to provide enhanced firepower to its infantry. Despite the fact that its 75 mm M3 tank gun was capable of firing very efficient ammunition, it was unable to handle massive waves of assaulting enemies. Furthermore, it was also insufficient against the Germans' heavily entrenched strongholds. Although not as precise as traditional artillery, rockets can cover a bigger area in less time with explosives and shrapnel, saturating a target in seconds. Rockets also have a negative psychological impact on enemies under rocket attack because of the howling sounds they make as they fly through the air. The most renowned of these tank-mounted rocket launchers was the Rocket Launcher T34, which was called "Calliope" after a type of steam organ due to the deafening roar that burst from the tubes when the rockets were fired, as well as the launcher's appearance
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]], the Calliope is a unique modified M4 Sherman capable of firing rockets (60 rockets in total) at adversaries as a secondary weapon. Originally designed for anti-infantry use, the 114 mm M8 rockets with high-explosive (HE) warhead rockets carry high explosive warheads that can effectively destroy light enemy vehicles and damage heavier armoured targets sufficiently to make the enemy's repair time extremely long and miserable. It is advised to use many rockets on enemies since a single rocket is frequently insufficient to damage them. Furthermore, the weapon, like any other ground vehicle firing unguided rockets, would emit an extremely loud but distinct firing signature, allowing opponents to identify the type of vehicle as well as its location on the map. The unique smoke trail left by fired rockets might potentially reveal the player's location. However, the M8 rockets' faster fire rate enables many volleys of rockets to be fired at a target in rapid succession. The resulting flash, fire, and smoke effects of continuous bombardment on a target can temporarily blind targets and can thus be employed as an emergency smoke cover. However, the rocket should not be used as a primary anti-tank weapon because it lacks the explosive strength and penetration to successfully destroy tanks. The Calliope's primary weapon is the 75 mm M3 tank cannon, which is more than capable of engaging most opponents in its ranks.
  
 
== 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?''
+
{{Specs-Tank-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 helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 50.8 mm (56°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50.8 mm (12-56°) ''Transmission area'' <br> 50.8 (13-20°) + 25.4 mm (35°) ''Protruding hatches'' || 38.1 mm <br> 38.1 + 25.4 mm ''Appliqué addition'' || 38.1 mm (0-10°) ''Top'' <br> 25.4 mm (33-64°) ''Bottom'' || 19.5 mm ''Sides'' <br> 12.7 mm ''Engine deck and center''
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 76.2-88.9 mm (4-67°) ''Turret front'' <br> 50.8 + 88.9 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 50.8 mm (0-68°) || 50.8 mm (2-66°) || 25.4 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 50.8 mm || 50.8 mm || 50.8 mm || 25.4 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 17 mm thick.
 +
* The front armour has two protruding areas for the driver and co-driver hatches. These are weak points, as they present a flat armour surface.
 +
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
  
 
=== 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.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-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.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''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 flexibility 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|M3 (75 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm M3]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 97 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24 km/h}} || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:M3 (75 mm)/Ammunition|M72 shot, M48 shell, M61 shot, M89}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_M4.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the M4 Sherman.]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
|-
 +
| '''97''' || 91&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 88&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 86&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 78&nbsp;''(+19)''
 +
|-
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! 6th<br>rack empty
 +
! 7th<br>rack empty
 +
! 8th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| 63&nbsp;''(+34)'' || 46&nbsp;''(+51)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+66)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+96)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
 +
 
 +
* To go into battle with the turret basket empty of ammo, pack 78&nbsp;''(+19)'' shells (racks 1 to 4 emptied).
 +
* To go into battle with the turret basket and the flanks empty of ammo, pack 31&nbsp;''(+66)'' shells (Racks 1 to 7 empty).
 +
* The 8th rack is large and located at a weak spot: the bottom section of the armour. In case of penetration, there is a high risk of ammo rack detonation. Make sure not to expose your flanks unnecessarily.
  
 
=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
−
''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.''
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<!-- ''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 about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
{{main|M8}}
 +
 
 +
Rocket launcher tubes can easily be detonated by high-explosives when they are loaded with rockets.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | 114 mm [[M8]] rocket
 +
|-
 +
! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| 60 || -10°/+25° || ±180° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:M8/Ammunition|M8}}
  
 
=== 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.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 +
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 3,000 (250) || 500 || 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
The Sherman Calliope, offers 114 M8 rockets which are mounted on top of the turret, these are stored in a rack which houses the rockets. The mount is also a separate ammo rack, if hit it can destroy the rockets and a repair will have to be performed. Machine gun fire can also destroy the rockets and large machine fire from large calibre machine guns, aircraft and autocannons or larger will destroy the rack and rockets.
 +
 
 +
With a large calibre HE round, a single hit to the rocket rack can knock out the entire tank. Since the round detonates all the rockets in the rack explode, causing an apocalyptic explosion which blows the turret off and knocks out the crew.
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
The rocket rack is not protected by any armour plates, it only has 5 mm structural steel. Since the rocket racks are installed above the turret, it allows you to fire over objects. However, the disadvantage is you can no longer hide behind rocks and objects for safety.
−
''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).''
+
Using the M8 rockets, the M8 rockets are not armour piercing they are high explosive meaning they will detonate when they hit something. The M8 rockets can be used to distract enemy tankers and cause lots of damage to their tanks. Another advantage of using the rockets, they fire rapidly and can knock out light tanks and lightly armoured fighting vehicles with ease.
 +
 
 +
The Sherman Calliope packs the 75 mm M3 cannon the cannon can make short work of enemy tanks. To best use this cannon, use the shot and AP rounds. It's best not to have any rockets in your rocket ammo rack, when you engage in short close range combat, due to the risk of a HE or an arty round penetrating and knocking out your tanks by destroying the rocket racks.
 +
 
 +
However, using the cannon and rockets together can be an exceptionally good combination – the quick reload time of the cannon and combined with the rockets makes for a very potent tank. To get the best out of this, use the terrain to your advantage. Use buildings and trees to hide behind, then pop out when the enemy drives by and shoot them fire the rockets to cause disorientation, they will produce a thick dark cloud preventing your target from locating you. Then fire the 75 mm M3 cannon into the enemy turret and knock it out.
  
 
=== 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".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Armament:
 +
** Quick-firing 75 mm gun with adequate shell options
 +
** Is now equipped with 60 rockets, a salvo can blind or even cripple, if not destroy other enemy tanks
 +
** Despite the rockets having very low penetration, the rack sits about a 1 meter above the already tall Sherman, allowing the calliope to hit the very weak top armour of its target at close range
 +
* Armour:
 +
** Reasonably good frontal protection, can work nicely when in down-tiers
 +
** Turret is quite strong
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Size:
 +
** The Sherman is already a pretty large vehicle, the addition of the rockets makes the Calliope stick out like a sore thumb.
 +
* Armament:
 +
** The 75 mm gun begins to lack the penetration to go up against tougher foes
 +
** Does not get access to the T45 APCR shot
 +
** Rockets are inaccurate past ~100 m
 +
** Rockets act as a massive (and unarmoured) ammunition rack
 +
** Rockets only have 29 mm of penetration
 +
** Loses access to the .50 cal M2 machine gun
 +
** The distinctive firing sound of the rockets can lure unwanted enemies
 +
** The rocket launcher is not linked to the main gun and will also aim at the target marker, meaning it will point downwards when you have returned to cover and the target marker is on the cover directly in front of you.
 +
* Armour:
 +
** Overall armour protection is no longer effective against tougher foes, especially against the German long 75 mm gun
 +
** The extra 25.4 mm side plating indicates the location of ammunition racks (can be resolved by taking less than 23 cannon rounds)
  
 
== 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.''
+
[[File:T-34-rocket-launcher-France.jpg|x250px|thumb|right|The T34 "Calliope" firing a salvo of 4.5 inch rockets.]]
 +
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
Midway into World War II in 1943, the Western Allies realized that unlike the Soviet Union, they did not have any form of a "multiple rocket launcher system" that the Soviets had with their ''Katyusha Launchers'' trucks. The idea of rocket launchers isn't new at this period, they present some advantage over the standard mortar or howitzer. The rocket launcher can launch massive amounts of high-explosive ammunition at a longer distance at a shorter time with a greater psychological impact than normal artillery, at the price of a longer reload time and less accuracy. The Soviets showed the best utilization of this weapon with their ''Katyushas'', having a whole bunch of them fire at a designated target, minimizing accuracy loss with a full area saturation of fire. The effectiveness of this system prompted the Allies to start producing some form of multiple rocket launcher system as well.
 +
 
 +
In 1943, the project began in the United States and the design was to use the current [[M4|M4 Sherman]] tanks in service to mount the rocket launchers to bring into combat. The design, developed by Victor Hawkins, had a rocket mount on the Sherman turret with sixty launch tubes, all made to fire the 4.5 in. M8 rockets. The project gave the experimental tank design the designation '''T34''', and the troops adopted the name '''"Calliope"''', which was the name of a steam organ and has a similar look.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
These rocket launcher tanks were sent to France in 1944, although many never saw combat for various reasons. During its development, three different variants were made. The original T34 had 60 tubes for the 4.5 in. rockets with 36 fixed tubes on top and 24 on the bottom able to be jettisoned (except on the [[M4A1|M4A1 Sherman]] variant). The second, T34E1, has the 24 jettisonable tubes replaced by 28 tubes, though the total tubes were still 60. The T34E2 had the rocket calibre increased from 4.5 in. to 7.2 in. with the same 60 tubes. This saw combat during the 1944-1945 time span.
 +
 
 +
However, the modifications of the Shermans seem unnecessary as the war progressed, new development had the rocket launcher system mated to trucks, armoured chassis, and jeeps so the tanks could be left alone to do its purpose. But when the Calliope saw service in the Pacific and Europe, its performance was moderately successful. The T34 was replaced by the T40 "Whiz Bang" Sherman, which was a Sherman with a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher system like the T34, but only saw combat in the last few months of the war and had the 7.2 in. rockets.
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
A jet-powered volley-fire system on the base of regular Sherman tank, it received the addition of a T34E1 launch system with a tubes for M8 missiles. The first versions had the body of a T34, which did not allow them to fire the tank cannon, so a modification of the T34E1 was created that was equipped with a special adapter that allowed the tank cannon to be fired on that body.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m4_sherman_calliope Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|RuBjkyZT6Yw|'''The Shooting Range #6''' - ''Challenge'' section at 05:58 discusses hunting aircraft with the Calliope.}}
  
−
== Read also ==
+
== See also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
+
 
 +
;[[M4 Sherman (Family)|Related development]]
 +
 
 +
* [[M4]]
 +
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
 
 +
* [[15 cm Pz.W.42]]
 +
* [[BM-13N]]
 +
* [[Cromwell V (RP-3)]]
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/775/|[Devblog] РCЗО T34 Sherman Calliope]]
 +
 
 +
{{USA medium tanks}}
 +
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 19:20, 27 June 2024

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
Calliope
us_m4_sherman_calliope.png
GarageImage Calliope.jpg
ArtImage Calliope.png
Calliope
USA flag.png USA
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.3 4.0 4.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:9 740 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope) was a special modification of the second variant of the early-generation Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family. The U.S. Ordnance Department initiated a series of projects experimenting with the attachment of rocket launchers to the M4 Sherman, in order to provide enhanced firepower to its infantry. Despite the fact that its 75 mm M3 tank gun was capable of firing very efficient ammunition, it was unable to handle massive waves of assaulting enemies. Furthermore, it was also insufficient against the Germans' heavily entrenched strongholds. Although not as precise as traditional artillery, rockets can cover a bigger area in less time with explosives and shrapnel, saturating a target in seconds. Rockets also have a negative psychological impact on enemies under rocket attack because of the howling sounds they make as they fly through the air. The most renowned of these tank-mounted rocket launchers was the Rocket Launcher T34, which was called "Calliope" after a type of steam organ due to the deafening roar that burst from the tubes when the rockets were fired, as well as the launcher's appearance

Introduced in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory", the Calliope is a unique modified M4 Sherman capable of firing rockets (60 rockets in total) at adversaries as a secondary weapon. Originally designed for anti-infantry use, the 114 mm M8 rockets with high-explosive (HE) warhead rockets carry high explosive warheads that can effectively destroy light enemy vehicles and damage heavier armoured targets sufficiently to make the enemy's repair time extremely long and miserable. It is advised to use many rockets on enemies since a single rocket is frequently insufficient to damage them. Furthermore, the weapon, like any other ground vehicle firing unguided rockets, would emit an extremely loud but distinct firing signature, allowing opponents to identify the type of vehicle as well as its location on the map. The unique smoke trail left by fired rockets might potentially reveal the player's location. However, the M8 rockets' faster fire rate enables many volleys of rockets to be fired at a target in rapid succession. The resulting flash, fire, and smoke effects of continuous bombardment on a target can temporarily blind targets and can thus be employed as an emergency smoke cover. However, the rocket should not be used as a primary anti-tank weapon because it lacks the explosive strength and penetration to successfully destroy tanks. The Calliope's primary weapon is the 75 mm M3 tank cannon, which is more than capable of engaging most opponents in its ranks.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull50 / 38 / 38
Turret76 / 50 / 50
Crew5 people
Visibility750 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 50.8 mm (56°) Front glacis
50.8 mm (12-56°) Transmission area
50.8 (13-20°) + 25.4 mm (35°) Protruding hatches 		38.1 mm
38.1 + 25.4 mm Appliqué addition 		38.1 mm (0-10°) Top
25.4 mm (33-64°) Bottom 		19.5 mm Sides
12.7 mm Engine deck and center
Turret 76.2-88.9 mm (4-67°) Turret front
50.8 + 88.9 mm Gun mantlet 		50.8 mm (0-68°) 50.8 mm (2-66°) 25.4 mm
Cupola 50.8 mm 50.8 mm 50.8 mm 25.4 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 17 mm thick.
  • The front armour has two protruding areas for the driver and co-driver hatches. These are weak points, as they present a flat armour surface.
  • Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB43 / 6 km/h
RB and SB39 / 6 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight30.6 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB24.9 hp/t
RB and SB13.1 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 43 6 30.6 620 763 20.26 24.93
Realistic 39 6 354 400 11.57 13.07

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 092 Sl icon.png
RB1 261 Sl icon.png
SB2 279 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts210 000 Sl icon.png
Aces550 Ge icon.png
Research Aces790 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 80 / 130 / 160 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 154 / 154 / 154 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_usa_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_us_M89_Smoke_ammo_pack

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm M3 cannon
Vertical stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition97 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 25°
Main article: M3 (75 mm)
75 mm M3 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 97 -10°/+25° ±180° Vertical 22.85 31.62 38.40 42.47 45.18 6.50 5.75 5.30 5.00
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.40 22.56 24.00

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
M72 shot AP 91 88 78 67 57 49
M48 shell HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
M61 shot APCBC 104 102 93 84 75 68
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M72 shot AP 619 6.3 - - - 47° 60° 65°
M48 shell HE 463 6.3 0.2 0.1 666 79° 80° 81°
M61 shot APCBC 618 6.79 1.2 14 63.7 48° 63° 71°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Screen radius
(m) 		Screen deploy
time (s) 		Screen hold
time (s) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
M89 259 3 9 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4 Sherman.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty
97 91 (+6) 88 (+9) 86 (+11) 78 (+19)
5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		8th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
63 (+34) 46 (+51) 31 (+66) 1 (+96) No

Notes:

  • To go into battle with the turret basket empty of ammo, pack 78 (+19) shells (racks 1 to 4 emptied).
  • To go into battle with the turret basket and the flanks empty of ammo, pack 31 (+66) shells (Racks 1 to 7 empty).
  • The 8th rack is large and located at a weak spot: the bottom section of the armour. In case of penetration, there is a high risk of ammo rack detonation. Make sure not to expose your flanks unnecessarily.

Additional armament

114 mm M8 rocket
Ammunition60 rounds
Vertical guidance-10° / 25°
Flight speed260 m/s
Range4 500 m
Main article: M8

Rocket launcher tubes can easily be detonated by high-explosives when they are loaded with rockets.

114 mm M8 rocket
Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer
60 -10°/+25° ±180° N/A

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
M8 Rocket 24 24 24 24 24 24
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%
M8 Rocket 260 17.28 0 0.1 1.95 79° 80° 81°

Machine guns

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The Sherman Calliope, offers 114 M8 rockets which are mounted on top of the turret, these are stored in a rack which houses the rockets. The mount is also a separate ammo rack, if hit it can destroy the rockets and a repair will have to be performed. Machine gun fire can also destroy the rockets and large machine fire from large calibre machine guns, aircraft and autocannons or larger will destroy the rack and rockets.

With a large calibre HE round, a single hit to the rocket rack can knock out the entire tank. Since the round detonates all the rockets in the rack explode, causing an apocalyptic explosion which blows the turret off and knocks out the crew.

The rocket rack is not protected by any armour plates, it only has 5 mm structural steel. Since the rocket racks are installed above the turret, it allows you to fire over objects. However, the disadvantage is you can no longer hide behind rocks and objects for safety. Using the M8 rockets, the M8 rockets are not armour piercing they are high explosive meaning they will detonate when they hit something. The M8 rockets can be used to distract enemy tankers and cause lots of damage to their tanks. Another advantage of using the rockets, they fire rapidly and can knock out light tanks and lightly armoured fighting vehicles with ease.

The Sherman Calliope packs the 75 mm M3 cannon the cannon can make short work of enemy tanks. To best use this cannon, use the shot and AP rounds. It's best not to have any rockets in your rocket ammo rack, when you engage in short close range combat, due to the risk of a HE or an arty round penetrating and knocking out your tanks by destroying the rocket racks.

However, using the cannon and rockets together can be an exceptionally good combination – the quick reload time of the cannon and combined with the rockets makes for a very potent tank. To get the best out of this, use the terrain to your advantage. Use buildings and trees to hide behind, then pop out when the enemy drives by and shoot them fire the rockets to cause disorientation, they will produce a thick dark cloud preventing your target from locating you. Then fire the 75 mm M3 cannon into the enemy turret and knock it out.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Armament:
    • Quick-firing 75 mm gun with adequate shell options
    • Is now equipped with 60 rockets, a salvo can blind or even cripple, if not destroy other enemy tanks
    • Despite the rockets having very low penetration, the rack sits about a 1 meter above the already tall Sherman, allowing the calliope to hit the very weak top armour of its target at close range
  • Armour:
    • Reasonably good frontal protection, can work nicely when in down-tiers
    • Turret is quite strong

Cons:

  • Size:
    • The Sherman is already a pretty large vehicle, the addition of the rockets makes the Calliope stick out like a sore thumb.
  • Armament:
    • The 75 mm gun begins to lack the penetration to go up against tougher foes
    • Does not get access to the T45 APCR shot
    • Rockets are inaccurate past ~100 m
    • Rockets act as a massive (and unarmoured) ammunition rack
    • Rockets only have 29 mm of penetration
    • Loses access to the .50 cal M2 machine gun
    • The distinctive firing sound of the rockets can lure unwanted enemies
    • The rocket launcher is not linked to the main gun and will also aim at the target marker, meaning it will point downwards when you have returned to cover and the target marker is on the cover directly in front of you.
  • Armour:
    • Overall armour protection is no longer effective against tougher foes, especially against the German long 75 mm gun
    • The extra 25.4 mm side plating indicates the location of ammunition racks (can be resolved by taking less than 23 cannon rounds)

History

The T34 "Calliope" firing a salvo of 4.5 inch rockets.

Development

Midway into World War II in 1943, the Western Allies realized that unlike the Soviet Union, they did not have any form of a "multiple rocket launcher system" that the Soviets had with their Katyusha Launchers trucks. The idea of rocket launchers isn't new at this period, they present some advantage over the standard mortar or howitzer. The rocket launcher can launch massive amounts of high-explosive ammunition at a longer distance at a shorter time with a greater psychological impact than normal artillery, at the price of a longer reload time and less accuracy. The Soviets showed the best utilization of this weapon with their Katyushas, having a whole bunch of them fire at a designated target, minimizing accuracy loss with a full area saturation of fire. The effectiveness of this system prompted the Allies to start producing some form of multiple rocket launcher system as well.

In 1943, the project began in the United States and the design was to use the current M4 Sherman tanks in service to mount the rocket launchers to bring into combat. The design, developed by Victor Hawkins, had a rocket mount on the Sherman turret with sixty launch tubes, all made to fire the 4.5 in. M8 rockets. The project gave the experimental tank design the designation T34, and the troops adopted the name "Calliope", which was the name of a steam organ and has a similar look.

Combat usage

These rocket launcher tanks were sent to France in 1944, although many never saw combat for various reasons. During its development, three different variants were made. The original T34 had 60 tubes for the 4.5 in. rockets with 36 fixed tubes on top and 24 on the bottom able to be jettisoned (except on the M4A1 Sherman variant). The second, T34E1, has the 24 jettisonable tubes replaced by 28 tubes, though the total tubes were still 60. The T34E2 had the rocket calibre increased from 4.5 in. to 7.2 in. with the same 60 tubes. This saw combat during the 1944-1945 time span.

However, the modifications of the Shermans seem unnecessary as the war progressed, new development had the rocket launcher system mated to trucks, armoured chassis, and jeeps so the tanks could be left alone to do its purpose. But when the Calliope saw service in the Pacific and Europe, its performance was moderately successful. The T34 was replaced by the T40 "Whiz Bang" Sherman, which was a Sherman with a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher system like the T34, but only saw combat in the last few months of the war and had the 7.2 in. rockets.


Archive of the in-game description

A jet-powered volley-fire system on the base of regular Sherman tank, it received the addition of a T34E1 launch system with a tubes for M8 missiles. The first versions had the body of a T34, which did not allow them to fire the tank cannon, so a modification of the T34E1 was created that was equipped with a special adapter that allowed the tank cannon to be fired on that body.


Media

Skins
Videos
The Shooting Range #6 - Challenge section at 05:58 discusses hunting aircraft with the Calliope.

See also

Related development
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


USA medium tanks
M2  M2
M3  M3 Lee · ▃Grant I
M4  M4 · Calliope · M4A1 · M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (105) · M4A3 (76) W · M4/T26
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26 T99 · M26E1
M46/47/48 Patton  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47 · M48A1 · T54E1 · T54E2
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A2 · M60A3 TTS · M728 CEV · 120S
MBT-70  MBT-70 · XM803
M1 Abrams  XM1 (Chrysler) · XM1 (GM)
  M1 Abrams · M1 KVT · IPM1
  M1A1 · M1A1 HC · M1A1 Click-Bait
  M1A2 Abrams · M1A2 SEP · M1A2 SEP V2
Other  T95E1
Australia  M1A1 AIM
Canada  M4A5
Israel  ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Merkava Mk.1 · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.3D
Turkey  M60 AMBT

USA premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  LVT(A)(4) · M2A4 (1st Arm.Div.) · M3A1 (USMC) · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) · M8 LAC · M8A1 GMC
  M18 "Black Cat" · Super Hellcat · T18E2 · M551(76) · T114 · M1128 Wolfpack
Medium tanks  ▃Grant I · M4A5 · Calliope · T20 · M26 T99 · M26E1 · M46 "Tiger" · T54E1 · T54E2 · ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · M728 CEV
  XM1 (GM) · XM1 (Chrysler) · M1 KVT · M1A1 Click-Bait
Heavy tanks  T14 · Cobra King · M6A2E1 · T29 · T30
Tank destroyers  T28 · T55E1

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