Difference between revisions of "M4A5"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m4a5_ram_2}}
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{{About
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| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = other uses of the designation
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| link = M4 (Disambiguation)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=us_m4a5_ram_2
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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''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.''
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<!-- ''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 '''Ram II*''' Tank was a Canadian cruiser tank developed during the Second World War. It was based on the chassis of the American M3 Medium tank, but with a new turret that could mount the British 6-pounder gun. The Ram II was designed to replace the Valentine infantry tank, which was considered inadequate for Canadian needs. The first prototype was completed in November 1941, and serial production began shortly after. However, the Ram II was never used in combat as a gun tank, because it was inferior to the American M4 Sherman in terms of armament and protection. The Ram II was only used for training purposes in Britain until mid-1944, and some of its chassis were converted into other roles, such as flamethrower tanks, observation posts and armoured personnel carriers.
 +
 
 +
It was introduced in [[Update 1.61 "Road to Glory"]]. The M4A5 is quite a hybrid of traits from the British and American ground forces trees. The Ram is made up of the transmission, suspension, and engine from the American M3 Lee, the turret platform of an M4 Sherman, and the British [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder Mk.III (57 mm)|6-pounder]] gun. Thus, in its place in Rank 2, the play style is akin to the M3 Lee's mobility with the power of a turreted tank. It should then be played like any standard American medium tank, with extra caution on the weak points presented on the front armour right next to the front machine gun turret.
 +
 
 +
;US Designation*
 +
 
 +
The '''Ram II''' was a Canadian tank that was based on the American M3 Medium Tank chassis. The US Army identified it as the '''M4A5''', but it was not a M4 Sherman variant. They used a system to name tanks by engine and hull. The '''Ram II''' had the same engine (A1/A4) and cast hull (A1), so it got the next available M4 number: '''M4A5'''. However, this designation was not widely used and the tank was usually referred to as the '''Ram II''' or simply the '''Ram'''.
  
 
== 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?''
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
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<!-- ''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:'''
  
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''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
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* Cast homogeneous armour
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Machine gun turret, Transmission, Lower side hull, Rear engine, Roof)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear (Slope angle) !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 88.9 mm (26-66°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50.8 mm (0-58°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 50.8 mm (12-87°) ''Driver's port'' || 63.5 mm (0-67°) ''Upper'' <br> 38.1 mm ''Lower'' || 38.1 mm (0-64°) ''Top'' <br. 38.1 mm (0-52°) || 38.1 mm <br> 25.4 mm ''Engine deck''
 +
|-
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| Turret || 60.325 mm (22-26°) ''Turret front'' <br> 69.85 (0-71°) + 38.1 mm ''Gun shield'' <br> 44.45 + 63.5 mm''Gun mantlet'' || 69.85 - 76.2 mm (0-70°) || 69.85 mm (0-58°) || 38.1 mm
 +
|-
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| Machine gun turret || 63.5 + 50.8 mm || 63.5 mm || 63.5 mm || 50.8 mm
 +
|-
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! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 +
|-
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| Cupola || 22.2 + 50.8 mm || 25.4 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
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'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 17 mm thick.
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* 8 mm RHA plate separating the engine and crew compartment.
 +
* Only the upper hull sides are 63.5 mm thick, the lower part is still only 38.1 mm
 +
* Armour protecting the transmission is only 50.8 mm thick
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* Most ammo racks are located below the turret and underneath the upper hull where it's only protected by 38.1 mm unangled armour
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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''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}}
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<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
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=== Modifications and economy ===
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{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
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''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|1}}
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
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{{main|6pdr OQF Mk.III (57 mm)}}
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 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[6pdr OQF Mk.III (57 mm)|57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
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|-
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! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
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! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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|-
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! ''Arcade''
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| rowspan="2" | 92 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 16 km/h}} || 19.04 || 26.35 || 32.00 || 35.39 || 37.65 || rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" | 4.60 || rowspan="2" | 4.24 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
 +
|-
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! ''Realistic''
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| 11.90 || 14.00 || 17.00 || 18.80 || 20.00
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|-
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|}
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 +
==== Ammunition ====
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{{:6pdr OQF Mk.III (57 mm)/Ammunition|Shot Mk.5, Shot Mk.5 HV, Shot Mk.8, Shot Mk.9, Shell Mk.10}}
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 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.14''' -->
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|-
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! Full<br>ammo
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! 1st<br>rack empty
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! 2nd<br>rack empty
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! 3rd<br>rack empty
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! 4th<br>rack empty
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! 5th<br>rack empty
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! 6th<br>rack empty
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! Visual<br>discrepancy
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|-
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| '''92''' || 83&nbsp;''(+9)''|| 74&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 62&nbsp;''(+30)'' || 46&nbsp;''(+46)'' || 33&nbsp;''(+59)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+91)''|| No
 +
|-
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|}
  
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=== Additional armament ===
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Turret clear: 74&nbsp;''(+18)''
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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 how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
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''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.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|4}}
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
  
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== Usage in the battles ==
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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''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).''
+
|-
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! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
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|-
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
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|-
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| Coaxial || 1,500 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
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|-
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| Pintle || 1,500 (250) || 500 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
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|-
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| Hull || 1,500 (250) || 500 || -8°/+60° || -120°/+50°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
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 +
The M4A5 Ram II is a tank that can hold its own. It is a highly mobile tank that can conquer the toughest of terrain, with a top speed of up to 40 km/h in Realistic battles and up to 44 km/h in Arcade battles. It also has great frontal and turret armour, when angled it can bounce rounds.
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 +
However, the one weakness is the side armour past the turret ring and towards the engine, which is only 50 mm thick. Behind this armour, the crew, engine and access to the ammo racks are located. A single hit with an APCBC or High Explosive round will blow the poor tank up like a firework. To get the best from this, charge into battle and find cover when the enemy starts to flank you. Stay behind cover, only exposing the sides of the tank when your teammates are with you and can handle any flanking tanks which may try to flank and knock you out. The Ram II can deter enemy planes, its Browning 7.62 mm machine gun with its high firing arcs can shoot down planes that try to dive bomb you in battle.
 +
 
 +
The Shot Mk. 9 is the round that should be used as main ammunition, it provides good penetration, allowing for the toughest and scariest tanks on the battlefield to be knocked out with well-placed shots to their weak spots.
 +
 
 +
The M4A5 Ram II has two main playstyles:
 +
 
 +
* Offensive - Head towards the cap zone as fast possible, fire around every four seconds this is able to scare the enemy tankers away. However, if you encounter a heavy tank such as KV-1 – stop, aim for the lower turret, cannon and turret ring and knock that tank out before you proceed or detrack it and shoot its cannon, disabling its firing capability allowing your team mates behind you to finish it off.
 +
 
 +
Then once in the point and it has been capped, head out and flank the rear of the enemy team. The M4A5's Shot Mk.9 can handle any threats which can be encountered. However, do not let the enemy tankers flank you and shoot you in your rear or side, this will knock you out.
 +
 
 +
* Defensive - The M4A5 Ram II provides great frontal protection, keep the front angled and pointed towards the enemy with the rear and sides protected by rocks, remains of tanks, and objects. Or use the tow hook and tow some knocked out tanks to provide your sides and rear with extra protection. Then once the enemy tanks have been knocked out move out and stay with your team mates or bunker down at a strategic point and set an ambush up.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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''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".''
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<!-- ''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:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Great balance of armour, speed and firepower: relatively easy to play
 +
* Extremely good at taking hits with 5 crew members, similar playstyle to M4A3E2 Jumbo
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* Fast firing, punchy 57 mm main gun that can handle most foe it encounters (4 second reload when aced)
 +
* Main gun is semi-stabilized
 +
* Small profile for a medium tank
 +
* Access to engine-generated smoke
 +
* highly mobile
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* While the sloped frontal armour is adequate, there are several weak spots on the hull and the turret
 +
* 57 mm gun lacks explosive filler and might require follow-up shots
 +
* Slow reverse speed and acceleration
 +
* Very cramped turret, a single shot will likely disable all 3 crew members
 +
* No standard .50 calibre machine gun, only rifle calibre MGs are available
  
 
== 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.''
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<!-- ''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===
 +
The aftermath of the Battle of France left the British military decimated as most of their equipment had to be left behind in their withdrawal at Dunkirk. Desperate for military equipment, particularly tanks, they requested from the U.S. to help produce the necessary vehicles to supplement the armoured forces. Canada further assisted the British with armoured vehicle production. The Canadian Pacific Railway's Angus Shops were contracted to build 300 [[Valentine Mk I|Valentine tanks]] for the British, and later Canada themselves ordered 488 Valentines to build up their own tank forces. The Canadians realized that, in addition to the Valentines, they needed a cruiser tank to attack and exploit breakthroughs. Complications between adapting British designs to North American standards and the difference in material quality caused the Canadians to seek an American-derived cruiser tank rather than a British design.
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 +
The current standard U.S. tank at the time was the interim design [[M3 Lee|M3 Lee]]. With the 75 mm gun on a sponson rather than its own turret, the M3 Medium tank currently wasn't a suitable candidate as the standard cruiser tank. In 1941, the Canadian Interdepartmental Tank Committee decided to use the M3 chassis as a foundation for a new and better, locally-produced design. The British took interest on this redesigning of the M3 Medium tank and sent a tank expert, L.E.Carr, to assist in the designing of the hull and turret. The hull itself was to be cast and the turret was designed around the expectations to mount the [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder Mk.V (57 mm)|6-pounder]] or the 75 mm gun. The name for the design was the Ram, while the US would designate the Canadian models as the M4A5.
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 +
Throughout the Ram's designing and testing, the Canadians ran into problems due to their inexperience in tank design as well as lacking the production lines suitable for the production of tank parts. Since the tank was derived from the M3, the production line required parts such as the transmission and engine that were being built in the USA, but which were required for US tank production, resulting in little surplus for Canadian use. The United States assisted in the production of the Ram by producing the pilot models and the Canadian Tank Arsenal was to be built by Montreal Locomotive Works, themselves a subsidiary of the American Locomotive Company who had experience building M3 tanks for the Americans.
 +
 
 +
The first prototype was produced in June 1941 and featured a full 360 degree traversable turret with a cast steel body, featuring the same powertrain and engine as the M3 it was derived from. The Ram was also adapted for British specifications with adaption to a right-hand drive and weaponry. Overall the Ram was also shorter than the M3. It also featured side doors and a machine gun turret on the front, but these were removed in later versions. Production for the Ram started in November. Though intended to be fitted with the 6-pounder, the first 50 Rams produced used a 2-pounder due to lack of guns or mounts available for the Canadians. These were labelled Ram Mk.I. By February 1942, the Ram design switched back to the 6-pounder, which was designated the Ram Mk.II, production of which continued until July 1943. During that time span, about 2,032 Rams and its variants were produced.
 +
 
 +
===Combat history===
 +
Unfortunately, by the time the Ram became battle-worthy for the front-lines, the Americans had started their mass-production of the [[M4|M4 Shermans]]. The M4 Sherman was by all means similar in automotive performance, but benefited by the mass-production of the American automotive industry. The Ram was designed primarily to give the M3 Medium a turret, and the arrival of the M4 made the design redundant, and obsolete. In March 1942, the Canadian government made the decision to switch all production lines to produce the [[M4A1|M4A1]], with the Ram production only continuing until the proper machinery was ready. The Ram never saw combat usage and was only used as a training vehicle in Britain until mid-1944.
 +
 
 +
The Ram never saw combat as a tank, but variants of it did. Many Ram tanks were converted into armoured personnel carriers known as the Kangaroo, flamethrower vehicles known as the Badger, artillery observation vehicles, ammunition carriers, armoured recovery vehicles, and anti-tank gun tractor. Its most combat-oriented variant was the Sexton self-propelled gun with the 25-pounder howitzer developed to support the infantry, though the Sexton was also produced by the chassis from the Grizzly design.
 +
 
 +
After World War II, the Netherlands were free to take possession of any Ram tanks in army dumps on their territory. The Dutch used these tanks to equip their first tank units, the 1st and 2nd Tank Battalions. The Rams were in a poor state from low maintenance and disuse so they received additional Rams from Britain in slightly better conditions in 1947. By 1950, most of the Rams were broken down and only 50 were available for use between the two battalions. They were all replaced, along with Shermans in their inventory, by the [[Centurion Mk 3|Centurion]] tank in 1952. The Ram's only usage past that was as static pillboxes on the IJssel line facing the Soviets in the Cold War.
 +
 
 +
===Legacy===
 +
The Ram, unfortunately, went down in history as one of Canada's war design failures, with the M4 Sherman being produced in parallel by the U.S. overtaking it. It is also a testament to the disparity in the industrial base between the two countries. The Ram could still be attributed to kick-starting Canadian production lines to be able to produce the M4A1 Sherman, which were designated the Grizzly.
 +
 
 +
About 6 Ram tanks still survive today, with only 3 being the original tank design.
  
 
== 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.'' -->
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 +
;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m4a5_ram_2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|4NPt7dr-fKo|'''The Shooting Range #256''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:34 discusses the M4A5.|l8NJyFROYqY|'''The Shooting Range #22''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:42 discusses the M4A5.}}
  
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== Read also ==
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== See also ==
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
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<!-- ''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.''
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
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''ETC.''
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 +
;Other Canadian ground vehicles present in the game
 +
 
 +
* [[QF 3.7 Ram]]
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* [[Stuart VI (5th CAD) (USA)]]
 +
* [[C2A1]]
 +
* [[ADATS (M113)]]
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* [[Skink]]
 +
* [[Leopard 2A4M|Leopard 2A4M CAN]]
  
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== Sources ==
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== External links ==
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
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 +
* [[wt:en/news/4164-development-m4a5-canadian-cadet-en|[Devblog] M4A5: Canadian Cadet]]
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 +
{{USA medium tanks}}
 +
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 13:50, 23 August 2024

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
This page is about the American medium tank M4A5. For other uses of the designation, see M4 (Disambiguation).
M4A5
us_m4a5_ram_2.png
GarageImage M4A5.jpg
ArtImage M4A5.png
M4A5
USA flag.png USA
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.7 3.7 3.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:1 150 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The Ram II* Tank was a Canadian cruiser tank developed during the Second World War. It was based on the chassis of the American M3 Medium tank, but with a new turret that could mount the British 6-pounder gun. The Ram II was designed to replace the Valentine infantry tank, which was considered inadequate for Canadian needs. The first prototype was completed in November 1941, and serial production began shortly after. However, the Ram II was never used in combat as a gun tank, because it was inferior to the American M4 Sherman in terms of armament and protection. The Ram II was only used for training purposes in Britain until mid-1944, and some of its chassis were converted into other roles, such as flamethrower tanks, observation posts and armoured personnel carriers.

It was introduced in Update 1.61 "Road to Glory". The M4A5 is quite a hybrid of traits from the British and American ground forces trees. The Ram is made up of the transmission, suspension, and engine from the American M3 Lee, the turret platform of an M4 Sherman, and the British 6-pounder gun. Thus, in its place in Rank 2, the play style is akin to the M3 Lee's mobility with the power of a turreted tank. It should then be played like any standard American medium tank, with extra caution on the weak points presented on the front armour right next to the front machine gun turret.

US Designation*

The Ram II was a Canadian tank that was based on the American M3 Medium Tank chassis. The US Army identified it as the M4A5, but it was not a M4 Sherman variant. They used a system to name tanks by engine and hull. The Ram II had the same engine (A1/A4) and cast hull (A1), so it got the next available M4 number: M4A5. However, this designation was not widely used and the tank was usually referred to as the Ram II or simply the Ram.

General info

Survivability and armour

ESS
Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull88 / 63 / 38
Turret76 / 63 / 63
Crew5 people
Visibility139 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Machine gun turret, Transmission, Lower side hull, Rear engine, Roof)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear (Slope angle) Roof
Hull 88.9 mm (26-66°) Front glacis
50.8 mm (0-58°) Lower glacis
50.8 mm (12-87°) Driver's port 		63.5 mm (0-67°) Upper
38.1 mm Lower 		38.1 mm (0-64°) Top <br. 38.1 mm (0-52°) 38.1 mm
25.4 mm Engine deck
Turret 60.325 mm (22-26°) Turret front
69.85 (0-71°) + 38.1 mm Gun shield
44.45 + 63.5 mmGun mantlet 		69.85 - 76.2 mm (0-70°) 69.85 mm (0-58°) 38.1 mm
Machine gun turret 63.5 + 50.8 mm 63.5 mm 63.5 mm 50.8 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 22.2 + 50.8 mm 25.4 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 17 mm thick.
  • 8 mm RHA plate separating the engine and crew compartment.
  • Only the upper hull sides are 63.5 mm thick, the lower part is still only 38.1 mm
  • Armour protecting the transmission is only 50.8 mm thick
  • Most ammo racks are located below the turret and underneath the upper hull where it's only protected by 38.1 mm unangled armour

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB45 / 6 km/h
RB and SB40 / 6 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight29.5 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB25.9 hp/t
RB and SB13.6 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 45 6 29.5 620 763 21.02 25.86
Realistic 40 6 354 400 12 13.56

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB607 Sl icon.png
RB676 Sl icon.png
SB1 397 Sl icon.png
Crew training6 900 Sl icon.png
Experts46 000 Sl icon.png
Aces270 Ge icon.png
Research Aces500 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 50 / 80 / 110 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 130 / 130 / 130 % 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 engine smoke screen system.png
ESS
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_AP_HV_ammo_pack
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APC_ammo_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support

Armaments

Main armament

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III cannon
Vertical stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition92 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-7° / 20°
Main article: 6pdr OQF Mk.III (57 mm)
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 92 -7°/+20° ±180° Vertical 19.04 26.35 32.00 35.39 37.65 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 11.90 14.00 17.00 18.80 20.00

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
Shot Mk.5 AP 101 97 82 66 53 43
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 Mk.10 HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
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°
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°
Shell Mk.10 HE 655 2.72 0 0.1 590 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A5
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
92 83 (+9) 74 (+18) 62 (+30) 46 (+46) 33 (+59) 1 (+91) No

Turret clear: 74 (+18)

Machine guns

2 x 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun
Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition1 500 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 1,500 (250) 500 N/A N/A
Pintle 1,500 (250) 500 -10°/+70° ±60°
Hull 1,500 (250) 500 -8°/+60° -120°/+50°

Usage in battles

The M4A5 Ram II is a tank that can hold its own. It is a highly mobile tank that can conquer the toughest of terrain, with a top speed of up to 40 km/h in Realistic battles and up to 44 km/h in Arcade battles. It also has great frontal and turret armour, when angled it can bounce rounds.

However, the one weakness is the side armour past the turret ring and towards the engine, which is only 50 mm thick. Behind this armour, the crew, engine and access to the ammo racks are located. A single hit with an APCBC or High Explosive round will blow the poor tank up like a firework. To get the best from this, charge into battle and find cover when the enemy starts to flank you. Stay behind cover, only exposing the sides of the tank when your teammates are with you and can handle any flanking tanks which may try to flank and knock you out. The Ram II can deter enemy planes, its Browning 7.62 mm machine gun with its high firing arcs can shoot down planes that try to dive bomb you in battle.

The Shot Mk. 9 is the round that should be used as main ammunition, it provides good penetration, allowing for the toughest and scariest tanks on the battlefield to be knocked out with well-placed shots to their weak spots.

The M4A5 Ram II has two main playstyles:

  • Offensive - Head towards the cap zone as fast possible, fire around every four seconds this is able to scare the enemy tankers away. However, if you encounter a heavy tank such as KV-1 – stop, aim for the lower turret, cannon and turret ring and knock that tank out before you proceed or detrack it and shoot its cannon, disabling its firing capability allowing your team mates behind you to finish it off.

Then once in the point and it has been capped, head out and flank the rear of the enemy team. The M4A5's Shot Mk.9 can handle any threats which can be encountered. However, do not let the enemy tankers flank you and shoot you in your rear or side, this will knock you out.

  • Defensive - The M4A5 Ram II provides great frontal protection, keep the front angled and pointed towards the enemy with the rear and sides protected by rocks, remains of tanks, and objects. Or use the tow hook and tow some knocked out tanks to provide your sides and rear with extra protection. Then once the enemy tanks have been knocked out move out and stay with your team mates or bunker down at a strategic point and set an ambush up.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great balance of armour, speed and firepower: relatively easy to play
  • Extremely good at taking hits with 5 crew members, similar playstyle to M4A3E2 Jumbo
  • Fast firing, punchy 57 mm main gun that can handle most foe it encounters (4 second reload when aced)
  • Main gun is semi-stabilized
  • Small profile for a medium tank
  • Access to engine-generated smoke
  • highly mobile

Cons:

  • While the sloped frontal armour is adequate, there are several weak spots on the hull and the turret
  • 57 mm gun lacks explosive filler and might require follow-up shots
  • Slow reverse speed and acceleration
  • Very cramped turret, a single shot will likely disable all 3 crew members
  • No standard .50 calibre machine gun, only rifle calibre MGs are available

History

Development

The aftermath of the Battle of France left the British military decimated as most of their equipment had to be left behind in their withdrawal at Dunkirk. Desperate for military equipment, particularly tanks, they requested from the U.S. to help produce the necessary vehicles to supplement the armoured forces. Canada further assisted the British with armoured vehicle production. The Canadian Pacific Railway's Angus Shops were contracted to build 300 Valentine tanks for the British, and later Canada themselves ordered 488 Valentines to build up their own tank forces. The Canadians realized that, in addition to the Valentines, they needed a cruiser tank to attack and exploit breakthroughs. Complications between adapting British designs to North American standards and the difference in material quality caused the Canadians to seek an American-derived cruiser tank rather than a British design.

The current standard U.S. tank at the time was the interim design M3 Lee. With the 75 mm gun on a sponson rather than its own turret, the M3 Medium tank currently wasn't a suitable candidate as the standard cruiser tank. In 1941, the Canadian Interdepartmental Tank Committee decided to use the M3 chassis as a foundation for a new and better, locally-produced design. The British took interest on this redesigning of the M3 Medium tank and sent a tank expert, L.E.Carr, to assist in the designing of the hull and turret. The hull itself was to be cast and the turret was designed around the expectations to mount the 6-pounder or the 75 mm gun. The name for the design was the Ram, while the US would designate the Canadian models as the M4A5.

Throughout the Ram's designing and testing, the Canadians ran into problems due to their inexperience in tank design as well as lacking the production lines suitable for the production of tank parts. Since the tank was derived from the M3, the production line required parts such as the transmission and engine that were being built in the USA, but which were required for US tank production, resulting in little surplus for Canadian use. The United States assisted in the production of the Ram by producing the pilot models and the Canadian Tank Arsenal was to be built by Montreal Locomotive Works, themselves a subsidiary of the American Locomotive Company who had experience building M3 tanks for the Americans.

The first prototype was produced in June 1941 and featured a full 360 degree traversable turret with a cast steel body, featuring the same powertrain and engine as the M3 it was derived from. The Ram was also adapted for British specifications with adaption to a right-hand drive and weaponry. Overall the Ram was also shorter than the M3. It also featured side doors and a machine gun turret on the front, but these were removed in later versions. Production for the Ram started in November. Though intended to be fitted with the 6-pounder, the first 50 Rams produced used a 2-pounder due to lack of guns or mounts available for the Canadians. These were labelled Ram Mk.I. By February 1942, the Ram design switched back to the 6-pounder, which was designated the Ram Mk.II, production of which continued until July 1943. During that time span, about 2,032 Rams and its variants were produced.

Combat history

Unfortunately, by the time the Ram became battle-worthy for the front-lines, the Americans had started their mass-production of the M4 Shermans. The M4 Sherman was by all means similar in automotive performance, but benefited by the mass-production of the American automotive industry. The Ram was designed primarily to give the M3 Medium a turret, and the arrival of the M4 made the design redundant, and obsolete. In March 1942, the Canadian government made the decision to switch all production lines to produce the M4A1, with the Ram production only continuing until the proper machinery was ready. The Ram never saw combat usage and was only used as a training vehicle in Britain until mid-1944.

The Ram never saw combat as a tank, but variants of it did. Many Ram tanks were converted into armoured personnel carriers known as the Kangaroo, flamethrower vehicles known as the Badger, artillery observation vehicles, ammunition carriers, armoured recovery vehicles, and anti-tank gun tractor. Its most combat-oriented variant was the Sexton self-propelled gun with the 25-pounder howitzer developed to support the infantry, though the Sexton was also produced by the chassis from the Grizzly design.

After World War II, the Netherlands were free to take possession of any Ram tanks in army dumps on their territory. The Dutch used these tanks to equip their first tank units, the 1st and 2nd Tank Battalions. The Rams were in a poor state from low maintenance and disuse so they received additional Rams from Britain in slightly better conditions in 1947. By 1950, most of the Rams were broken down and only 50 were available for use between the two battalions. They were all replaced, along with Shermans in their inventory, by the Centurion tank in 1952. The Ram's only usage past that was as static pillboxes on the IJssel line facing the Soviets in the Cold War.

Legacy

The Ram, unfortunately, went down in history as one of Canada's war design failures, with the M4 Sherman being produced in parallel by the U.S. overtaking it. It is also a testament to the disparity in the industrial base between the two countries. The Ram could still be attributed to kick-starting Canadian production lines to be able to produce the M4A1 Sherman, which were designated the Grizzly.

About 6 Ram tanks still survive today, with only 3 being the original tank design.

Media

Skins
Videos
The Shooting Range #256 - Pages of History section at 04:34 discusses the M4A5.
The Shooting Range #22 - Metal Beasts section at 00:42 discusses the M4A5.

See also

Other Canadian ground vehicles present in the game

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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