Difference between revisions of "M4A3 (76) W (Japan)"

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''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Roof)
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Roof)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
 +
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
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|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  
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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).''-->
 
<!--''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).''-->
 
Playing as the M4A3 can be tricky since it features armour that can't stop most calibers at its rank such as the German 8.8 cm or the Soviet 85 mm, including the fact that it isn't the fastest tank. The M4A3 plays more of a support role, use the powerful 76 mm to assist teammates during an advance or defense. The number one rule of this tank is to never fight alone with it, always be with a teammate and use cover when available since it will give the Sherman a great advantage.  
 
Playing as the M4A3 can be tricky since it features armour that can't stop most calibers at its rank such as the German 8.8 cm or the Soviet 85 mm, including the fact that it isn't the fastest tank. The M4A3 plays more of a support role, use the powerful 76 mm to assist teammates during an advance or defense. The number one rule of this tank is to never fight alone with it, always be with a teammate and use cover when available since it will give the Sherman a great advantage.  
−
 
+
===Modules===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!Tier
 +
! colspan="2" |Mobility
 +
!Protection
 +
! colspan="2" |Firepower
 +
|-
 +
|I
 +
|Tracks||
 +
|Parts
 +
|Horizontal Drive||
 +
|-
 +
|II
 +
|Suspension||Brake System
 +
|FPE
 +
|M79||Adjustment of Fire
 +
|-
 +
|III
 +
|Filters||
 +
|Crew Replenishment
 +
|M93||Elevation Mechanism
 +
|-
 +
|IV
 +
|Transmission||Engine
 +
|
 +
|Artillery Support||M88
 +
|-
 +
|}
 
=== 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:'''
 +
 
* American GF veterans would easily adapt to using this tank
 
* American GF veterans would easily adapt to using this tank
 +
* Single-plane gun stabilizer
 
* Decent 76 mm gun
 
* Decent 76 mm gun
 
* Very fast turret traverse
 
* Very fast turret traverse
 
* Quick reload for the 76mm Gun
 
* Quick reload for the 76mm Gun
−
* Access to APCR shells to help fight more heavily armoured tanks
+
* Wet ammo storage - Which reduces greatly ammo rack chances, is indicated by the "W" in its name, this also means tightly packed ammo only placed under the turret.
 +
* Top-mounted .50 cal useful against fighters and open topped/light vehicles.
 +
*Great cross terrain performances due to larger tracks, same as the [[M4A3 (105)]].
 +
*Access to APCR shells.
 +
*Access to Smoke shells.
 +
 
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
* Sherman armour starts to become deficient
+
 
 +
* All-around armour is very weak against most cannons.
 +
* 76 mm gun, while adequate when top rank, is lacking against opponents.
 
* Tall profile, makes it a bigger target
 
* Tall profile, makes it a bigger target
  
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== Read also ==
 
== Read 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.''
 
''ETC.''
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
 
''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.''
  
 
{{Japan medium tanks}}
 
{{Japan medium tanks}}

Revision as of 13:26, 17 April 2020

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
▅M4A3 (76) W
jp_m4a3e8_76w_sherman.png
▅M4A3 (76) W
Japan flag.png Japan
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.3 5.7 5.7
Class:
Research:46 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:155 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the Japanese medium tank M4A3 (76) W (Japan). For similar vehicles, see M4A3 (76) W and M4A3 (105).

Description

GarageImage M4A3 (76) W (Japan).jpg


The Medium Tank M4A3 (76) W HVSS Sherman (or just ▅M4A3 (76) W) is a Rank IV Japanese medium tank with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB) and 5.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai". This Japanese vehicle, following the M24 SDF in the tree line, is identical to the American M4A3 (76) W HVSS Sherman.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Roof)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 63.5 mm (47°) Front glacis
63.5-107.9 mm (13-77°) Transmission housing 		38.1 mm 38.1 mm (22°) Top
38.1 mm (13-44°) Bottom		 19.5 mm
Turret 63.5 mm (10-62°) Turret front
88.9 mm (1-74°) Gun mantlet 		63.5 mm (1-72°) 63.5 mm (0-80°) 25.4 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 63.5 mm (55-56°) 25.4 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 47 7 32.2 775 954 24.07 29.63
Realistic 43 6 442 500 13.73 15.53

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M1 (76 mm)
76 mm M1
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
71 -10°/+25° ±180° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 14.28 19.80 24.0 26.60 28.24
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.4 22.60 24.00
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
7.67 6.78 6.25 5.90
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
M62 Shell APCBC 127 125 116 106 97 89
M42A1 Shell HE 7 7 7 7 7 7
M79 Shot AP 155 154 131 107 88 72
M93 Shot APCR 221 215 203 181 154 124
Shell details
Ammunition 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%
M62 Shell 792 7.0 1.2 20 63.7 +4° 48° 63° 71°
M42A1 Shell 800 5.8 0.1 0.5 390 +0° 79° 80° 81°
M79 Shot 792 6.8 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
M93 Shot 1036 4.3 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
Smoke characteristic
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Screen radius
in m 		Screen time
in s 		Screen hold time
in s: 		Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
M88 274 3.4 13 5 20 50
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the M4A1 (76) W Sherman (Identical to M4A3 (76) W).
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
71 57 (+14) 43 (+28) 29 (+42) 15 (+56) 1 (+70) Yes

Machine guns

Main articles: Browning M2 (12.7 mm), Browning (7.62 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
600 (200) 577 -10°/+70° ±60°
7.62 mm M1919A4
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

Playing as the M4A3 can be tricky since it features armour that can't stop most calibers at its rank such as the German 8.8 cm or the Soviet 85 mm, including the fact that it isn't the fastest tank. The M4A3 plays more of a support role, use the powerful 76 mm to assist teammates during an advance or defense. The number one rule of this tank is to never fight alone with it, always be with a teammate and use cover when available since it will give the Sherman a great advantage.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive
II Suspension Brake System FPE M79 Adjustment of Fire
III Filters Crew Replenishment M93 Elevation Mechanism
IV Transmission Engine Artillery Support M88

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • American GF veterans would easily adapt to using this tank
  • Single-plane gun stabilizer
  • Decent 76 mm gun
  • Very fast turret traverse
  • Quick reload for the 76mm Gun
  • Wet ammo storage - Which reduces greatly ammo rack chances, is indicated by the "W" in its name, this also means tightly packed ammo only placed under the turret.
  • Top-mounted .50 cal useful against fighters and open topped/light vehicles.
  • Great cross terrain performances due to larger tracks, same as the M4A3 (105).
  • Access to APCR shells.
  • Access to Smoke shells.

Cons:

  • All-around armour is very weak against most cannons.
  • 76 mm gun, while adequate when top rank, is lacking against opponents.
  • Tall profile, makes it a bigger target

History

Development

The M4 Sherman has become a proven and well-respected tank design by 1944. It was highly reliable, adequately armoured, and could be produced in a very large number with a dedicated support arm to ensure that all of the ones in the field could be kept operational. It was also by 1944 that the Sherman's faults were becoming a more defining trait than its advantages, namely with the increased prevalence of German anti-tank weaponry and tanks, such as the Panther tank. The German anti-tank abilities, ranging from rocket launchers, anti-tank guns, mines, and tank guns, all became more capable of penetrating the frontal armour or disabling the Sherman. This resulted in an increased Allied tank attrition rate of nearly double during the Normandy Campaign than that of the Allies' previous campaigns. Criticisms were raised on the Sherman's inability to destroy the heavier tanks with its 75 mm gun, the tendency of catching fire easily when a penetrating round hits an ammo stowage bin scattered in the Sherman interior, and the lack of mobility on the muddy terrain due to the track design. The first and second criticism was addressed with the high-velocity 76 mm gun and a "wet stowage" ammo containers, but mobility became a big issue especially once the Allied front in France reached the Siegfried Line on the border of Germany, where the ground became very muddy in the fall season. An attempt to fix this was improvising "extensions" on the tracks, but these were difficult to add and there were never enough to go around. The problem had to be addressed in the manufacturing plant and Ordnance Department set to work finding a better solution to fix the track flotation for better mobility.

The result was to be the basis of the next generation of Sherman models. Under the E8 program, new suspension was trialed on the Sherman, one was the horizontal-volute suspension system (HVSS) taken from the T20 program. The trials showed that the new suspension gave the Sherman a ground pressure that is even less than the heavier Panther, and this model was approved for production in March 1944, beginning in August 1944. Despite the time of production, the distance of the Atlantic Ocean between the American factories and Europe cause the delivery time of the first batch of the new models to be three months, meaning they would not see service until December 1944 the soonest. Nevertheless, the new Sherman, dubbed the M4A3 (76) W HVSS Sherman on papers and shortened as the M4A3E8, was considered the best overall Sherman design with its new upgrades.

Design

Aside from the enlarged T23 turret, the Sherman interior layout was largely unchanged from the original design. The driver and bow gunner still sat in the front, the three-man turret crew in the center, and the engine compartment in the back. The exterior was changed with the new horizontal-volute suspension system (HVSS), which presented a different bogie system with larger road wheels that allow the usage of a wider track for better mobility cross-country. The new suspension system helped defeat the problems the Sherman's original tracks had with sinking in the mud from poor flotation and poor traction on slippery terrain. Another advantage the HVSS gave was the ability to change out individual road wheels on the bogie rather than replace the entire bogie, easing maintenance and repairs. The suspension was also reported to be a very smooth ride in comparison with the vertical-volute suspension system (VVSS), leading tankers to nickname the tank the "Easy Eight" from the tank's experimental designation M4A3E8, with the E8 corresponding to the usage of the HVSS.

The M4A3(76)W HVSS ran on a gasoline Ford GAA V8 engine, which was the standard engine used in all M4A3 Sherman variants. The tank construction was welded and had a frontal armour plate sloping at a 47 degree angle. The (76) in the name indicated that the tank was armed with the more powerful 76 mm gun as a counter to the heavier German armour. The "W" designation on the Sherman indicated that the vehicle had the "wet stowage" feature in response to complaints that the Sherman can easily catch fire due to exploding ammunition. The "wet stowage" encased the ammo containers in a liquid mixture that would douse the flames when penetrated or block flaming shrapnels due to penetrating shots from hitting the ammunition. The containers also placed all the ammunition in the bottom center of the tank, reducing the likeliness of it being hit by a shell as the penetrating shell must go through every armour and obstacle to hit the tank center. This feature was only present after February 1944 and severely decreased the rate of Sherman fires. The "HVSS" indicated the usage of the horizontal-volute suspension system on the tank. The M4A3E8 started production in August 1944 and its production life ended around the end of World War II, probably September 1945. M4A3(76)W HVSS production consisted of 4,542 tanks out of the total 49,234 Shermans produced in its production life.

Japanese Service

In July 1st, 1954, Japan set up its post-war military force, the Japan Self-Defense Forces with the purpose of defending Japan should it come under conflict in the ongoing Cold War between America and the Soviet Union. To jump start the remilitarization, America gave the newly formed JSDF 254 M4A3E8 Shermans.[1]

The Shermans remained in use in the JSDF until the new, domestic tank design Type 61 was made in large numbers during the 1960s.

Media

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

References

  1. ↑ Priory_of_Sion. "Sherman Use Around The World." The Sherman Tank Site. WordPress, 23 Nov. 2015. Web. 16 Dec. 2016. <http://www.theshermantank.com/tag/post-war/>.

Read also

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;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

ETC.

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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


Japan medium tanks
Type 97  Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai · Chi-Ha Kai TD · Chi-Ha Short Gun
Type 1  Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment) · Ho-I
Type 3  Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II
Type 4  Chi-To · Chi-To Late
Type 5  Chi-Ri II
Type 61 MBT  ST-A1* · ST-A2* · ST-A3* · Type 61
Type 74 MBT  ST-B2* · Type 74 (C) · Type 74 (E) · Type 74 (F) · Type 74 (G)
Type 90 MBT  Type 90 · Type 90 (B) · Type 90 (B) "Fuji"
Type 10 MBT  TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10
Other  Ka-Chi
USA  ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47
  *Prototype

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