Difference between revisions of "GAZ-AAA (4M)"

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{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=ussr_gaz_4m
 
|code=ussr_gaz_4m
−
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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 '''{{Specs|name}}''' (4M gun mount on a GAZ-AAA truck), or the '''4M GAZ-AAA''', is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]].
+
The '''GAZ-AAA (4M)''' is the first variant of the GAZ-AAA-based self-propelled anti-aircraft gun family. It is a Soviet anti-aircraft truck developed in 1938, based on the GAZ-AAA truck platform and armed with a quad 7.62 mm Maxim light machine gun. The 7.62 mm Maxim light machine guns originate from a World War I Russian Imperial stockpile, of which thousands were available after the war ended. With the unexpected German invasion of the Soviet Union, the Soviets lacked dedicated anti-aircraft guns. As a result, during the early stages of World War II, many improvised and makeshift anti-aircraft guns are designed. Given its high fire rate, the quad 7.62 mm Maxim light machine gun was extremely effective against low-flying targets. Unfortunately, due to a lack of historical articles and resources, little is known about this improvised anti-aircraft gun. The GAZ-AAA (4M) was delivered in the late summer and winter of 1941, before being replaced by a more powerful variant, the GAZ-AAA (DShK). A total of 37,373 units were produced.
  
−
The first of the Soviet SPAAs, it presented a crude set-up of bolting a 4M quadruple Maxim MG mount to a 6x4 GAZ-AAA truck chassis. This Soviet improvisation would lead to the Soviet SPAA trend of attaching anti-aircraft weaponry to trucks, [[ZiS-43|half-tracks]], and [[BTR-152A|cars]].
+
Introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]], the GAZ-AAA (4M) is a very light vehicle that provides adequate deterrence against early aircraft like biplanes. It is not recommended to charge into the battle and engage any enemy vehicles since the weaponry does not have the penetration to damage anything. With a large ammunition pool available, players can fire confidently without fear of running out of bullets.
−
 
 
−
Better suited for hauling potatoes on the Russian steppes than rolling into the battlefield, the GAZ chassis of this vehicle has non-existent armour and is armed with surplus WWI-era machine guns. Besides not being suited for the rigours of ground combat (due to lack of armour), it cannot penetrate even the lightest of armour, so charging into battle is very unadvised (unless the aim is for attracting attention). Its quad 7.62 Maxim machine guns are well suited for the vehicle's job as mobile AA, most aircraft at its rank is easily swatted out of the sky by its high fire-rate and the massive amount of rounds it puts out, even without any particularly skilful aiming. The 4000 rounds of rifle calibre rounds mean there is little haste in aiming, so be quite generous in dishing out those rounds.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 49: Line 47:
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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=81|rbMinHp=50}}
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=71|rbMinHp=44}}
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
Line 90: Line 88:
 
* '''APIT:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
 
* '''APIT:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:Maxim's (7.62 mm)/Ammunition|AP-I, T, AI, API-T}}
−
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Belt
 
−
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
−
|-
 
−
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
−
|-
 
−
| Default || 10 || 9 || 7 || 4 || 3 || 3
 
−
|-
 
−
| Universal || 10 || 9 || 7 || 4 || 0 || 0
 
−
|-
 
−
| API || 10 || 9 || 7 || 4 || 0 || 0
 
−
|-
 
−
| APIT || 9 || 8 || 6 || 3 || 0 || 0
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
Line 127: Line 109:
 
The 4M GAZ-AAA is highly vulnerable to any vehicle, from tanks to planes. An encounter will most likely end with the GAZ-AAA destroyed. Prioritize enemy aircraft, as you are significantly vulnerable to strafing and bombing due to the lack of armour.
 
The 4M GAZ-AAA is highly vulnerable to any vehicle, from tanks to planes. An encounter will most likely end with the GAZ-AAA destroyed. Prioritize enemy aircraft, as you are significantly vulnerable to strafing and bombing due to the lack of armour.
  
−
Stay back from the front lines yet don't be too far away from it, because most planes might go strafing the cap points, and if you are far away the low kinetic energy of your bullets will result in even weaker damage. So stay between a cap point and a friendly spawn point. You can find a hard cover and position yourself sideways, with the driver's cabin behind cover and the gunner exposed. This way the two crews at the front can be effectively protected.
+
Stay back from the front lines yet don't be too far away from it, because most planes might go strafing the capture points, and if you are far away the low kinetic energy of your bullets will result in even weaker damage. So stay between a capture point and a friendly spawn point. You can find a hard cover and position yourself sideways, with the driver's cabin behind cover and the gunner exposed. This way the two crews at the front can be effectively protected.
  
 
When enemy planes spawn, shoot short bursts into their general direction to get their attention. Most planes will go head on with an SPAA, knowing that early SPAAs all have weak firepower and protection. If a plane dives on you, fire off a burst (remember to aim higher, as the bullet drop at head-on distance is more than you think) towards the plane and before it returns fire, quickly withdraw back to cover, as you cannot sustain much damage. As the plane flies by and climbs for another run, start firing long bursts at it. The 4 x 7.62 mm MGs have plenty of ammo per magazine and they do not overheat, so prolonged bursts will be your main method of damaging planes. Generally, shoot when they fly right past you, and avoid head-ons, as your firepower is not potent enough to destroy a plane in a second.
 
When enemy planes spawn, shoot short bursts into their general direction to get their attention. Most planes will go head on with an SPAA, knowing that early SPAAs all have weak firepower and protection. If a plane dives on you, fire off a burst (remember to aim higher, as the bullet drop at head-on distance is more than you think) towards the plane and before it returns fire, quickly withdraw back to cover, as you cannot sustain much damage. As the plane flies by and climbs for another run, start firing long bursts at it. The 4 x 7.62 mm MGs have plenty of ammo per magazine and they do not overheat, so prolonged bursts will be your main method of damaging planes. Generally, shoot when they fly right past you, and avoid head-ons, as your firepower is not potent enough to destroy a plane in a second.
Line 135: Line 117:
 
'''Enemies worth noting:'''
 
'''Enemies worth noting:'''
  
−
* [[Ju 87 (Family)|Ju 87]]: the Stuka has a durable airframe against the 4x 7.62 mm MGs, so you need to put enough bullets into it to effectively damage it. The main threat comes from its bombs, an early Stuka can carry either 4x 50 kg + 1x 250 kg, or a huge 500 kg bomb, both of which are more than enough to destroy the GAZ-AAA with shrapnel. If you see a Stuka diving at you, move sideways to avoid the bombs.
+
* [[Ju 87 (Family)|Ju 87]]: the Stuka has a durable airframe against the 4 x 7.62 mm MGs, so you need to put enough bullets into it to effectively damage it. The main threat comes from its bombs, an early Stuka can carry either 4 x 50 kg + 1 x 250 kg, or a huge 500 kg bomb, both of which are more than enough to destroy the GAZ-AAA with shrapnel. If you see a Stuka diving at you, move sideways to avoid the bombs.
  
 
* [[Pz.II]], [[M3 Stuart (Family)|M3 Stuart]], etc: these tanks, although designated as "light" tanks, are literally heavy tanks for the GAZ-AAA's weak guns, therefore impossible to get destroyed. They also have superior mobility and firepower, so if you see them it is best to leave them to your teammates. If it is safe enough you can shoot a few shots at their tracks, barrel, etc to show them on the minimap.
 
* [[Pz.II]], [[M3 Stuart (Family)|M3 Stuart]], etc: these tanks, although designated as "light" tanks, are literally heavy tanks for the GAZ-AAA's weak guns, therefore impossible to get destroyed. They also have superior mobility and firepower, so if you see them it is best to leave them to your teammates. If it is safe enough you can shoot a few shots at their tracks, barrel, etc to show them on the minimap.
  
−
* [[M13 MGMC]]: this is a commonly seen SPAA with armour enough to resist rifle-calibre bullets and firepower enough to vaporise poorly protected crews. Target its quad .50 cal mount to disable its gunner first, then you can just shoot at the gun mount as its elevation drive, guns, ammo, etc are all exposed. The armoured cabin can only be penetrated if you two are face to face, a distance of more than 200 m will render your bullets useless.
+
* [[M13 MGMC]]: this is a commonly seen SPAA with armour enough to resist rifle-calibre bullets and firepower enough to vaporise poorly protected crews. Target its dual .50 cal mount to disable its gunner first, then you can just shoot at the gun mount as its elevation drive, guns, ammo, etc are all exposed. The armoured cabin can only be penetrated if you two are face to face, a distance of more than 200 m will render your bullets useless.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 155: Line 137:
 
* Aircraft at early ranks are very common, meaning there will be plenty of aircraft for to be picked off
 
* Aircraft at early ranks are very common, meaning there will be plenty of aircraft for to be picked off
 
* Good at setting aircraft on fire
 
* Good at setting aircraft on fire
−
* Unique ability to fire tracer-less rounds. This allows you to pick off enemy planes without them even realizing that they are being shot at
 
 
* The fact that you cannot kill tanks will mean that you focus on enemy aircraft rather than stray and hunt tanks
 
* The fact that you cannot kill tanks will mean that you focus on enemy aircraft rather than stray and hunt tanks
  
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The 4M GAZ-AAA was a crude weapon. It was simply a truck with a gun mount on the back that connected to four 7.62 mm machine guns. These machine guns could all be simultaneously fired by one operator. The operator had no protection whatsoever as he had to stand in order to fire the gun, there were also no gun shields to protect him from any incoming fire. Despite that, it served as a part of the Soviet defence against the German invasion in 1941, where it was also used in an infantry-support role by laying down a large volume of fire onto the enemy. Many were seen destroyed in German newsreels, covering the roads as German troops advanced deeper into the Soviet Union.
 
The 4M GAZ-AAA was a crude weapon. It was simply a truck with a gun mount on the back that connected to four 7.62 mm machine guns. These machine guns could all be simultaneously fired by one operator. The operator had no protection whatsoever as he had to stand in order to fire the gun, there were also no gun shields to protect him from any incoming fire. Despite that, it served as a part of the Soviet defence against the German invasion in 1941, where it was also used in an infantry-support role by laying down a large volume of fire onto the enemy. Many were seen destroyed in German newsreels, covering the roads as German troops advanced deeper into the Soviet Union.
  
−
The vehicle was unsatisfactory for the battlefield, and even ineffective against planes due to its low calibre. A new anti-aircraft system had to be devised for the role of mobile anti-aircraft system. This led to the development of the [[GAZ-MM (72-K)|GAZ-MM (72-K)]], which while still truck-mounted weaponry, had a noticeable increase in firepower with a 25 mm auto-cannon.
+
The vehicle was unsatisfactory for the battlefield, and even ineffective against planes due to its low calibre. A new anti-aircraft system had to be devised for the role of mobile anti-aircraft system. This led to the development of the [[GAZ-MM (72-K)|GAZ-MM (72-K)]], which while still truck-mounted weaponry, had a noticeable increase in firepower with a 25 mm autocannon.
  
−
=== In-game description ===
+
{{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}}
 
This self-propelled anti-air mount based on the GAZ-AAA truck with four Maxim machine guns installed on its body was added to the arsenal in the mid-1930s and was the heaviest Soviet mount of the pre-war period. However, by the time WWII began it was no longer effective against airplanes.
 
This self-propelled anti-air mount based on the GAZ-AAA truck with four Maxim machine guns installed on its body was added to the arsenal in the mid-1930s and was the heaviest Soviet mount of the pre-war period. However, by the time WWII began it was no longer effective against airplanes.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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;Skins
 
;Skins
 +
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_gaz_4m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_gaz_4m Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See 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.''
Line 206: Line 192:
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 +
{{TankManufacturer GAZ}}
 
{{USSR anti-aircraft vehicles}}
 
{{USSR anti-aircraft vehicles}}
 
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]
 
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 07:53, 2 November 2024

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
This page is about the Soviet SPAA GAZ-AAA (4M). For the version equipped with a 12.7 mm DShK, see GAZ-AAA (DShK).
GAZ-AAA (4M)
ussr_gaz_4m.png
GarageImage GAZ-AAA (4M).jpg
ArtImage GAZ-AAA (4M).png
GAZ-AAA (4M)
USSR flag.png USSR
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.0 1.0 1.0
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The GAZ-AAA (4M) is the first variant of the GAZ-AAA-based self-propelled anti-aircraft gun family. It is a Soviet anti-aircraft truck developed in 1938, based on the GAZ-AAA truck platform and armed with a quad 7.62 mm Maxim light machine gun. The 7.62 mm Maxim light machine guns originate from a World War I Russian Imperial stockpile, of which thousands were available after the war ended. With the unexpected German invasion of the Soviet Union, the Soviets lacked dedicated anti-aircraft guns. As a result, during the early stages of World War II, many improvised and makeshift anti-aircraft guns are designed. Given its high fire rate, the quad 7.62 mm Maxim light machine gun was extremely effective against low-flying targets. Unfortunately, due to a lack of historical articles and resources, little is known about this improvised anti-aircraft gun. The GAZ-AAA (4M) was delivered in the late summer and winter of 1941, before being replaced by a more powerful variant, the GAZ-AAA (DShK). A total of 37,373 units were produced.

Introduced in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory", the GAZ-AAA (4M) is a very light vehicle that provides adequate deterrence against early aircraft like biplanes. It is not recommended to charge into the battle and engage any enemy vehicles since the weaponry does not have the penetration to damage anything. With a large ammunition pool available, players can fire confidently without fear of running out of bullets.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull0 / 0 / 0
Turret0 / 0 / 0
Crew3 people
Visibility75 %

This vehicle has extremely poor survivability. The gunner is completely exposed, and the rest of the 3-man crew is protected only by 1 mm of steel. Any machine gun can destroy the vehicle with ease, as can nearby artillery, rocket, or bomb strikes.

However, the vehicle's extremely thin armour does mean that it is possible for APHE rounds to overpenetrate, and pass through the vehicle without detonating and causing catastrophic damage.

Armour type:

  • Structural steel
  • Wood (Truck bed)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Driver's cabin 1 mm (1°) 1 mm (1-2°) 1 mm 1 mm
Cargo bed 15 mm (1°) 15 mm (1°) 15 mm 15 mm

Notes:

  • Road wheels are 2 mm thick while the chassis was 5 mm thick.
  • The truck bed is 15 mm of wood, which will probably not offer as much protection as the truck cab
  • The radiator housing is unarmoured.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB71 / 10 km/h
RB and SB65 / 9 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
1 back
Weight3.0 t
Engine power
AB95 hp
RB and SB50 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB31.7 hp/t
RB and SB16.7 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 71 10 3 71 95 23.67 31.67
Realistic 65 9 44 50 14.67 16.67

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB100 → 129 Sl icon.png
RB86 → 111 Sl icon.png
SB139 → 180 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications2 975 Rp icon.png
885 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew training200 Sl icon.png
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces20 Ge icon.png
Research Aces96 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 20 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
7_62mm_DT_universal_ammo_pack
Research:
150 Rp icon.png
Cost:
45 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods aa cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
7_62mm_DT_API_ammo_pack
Research:
135 Rp icon.png
Cost:
40 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
7_62mm_DT_APIT_ammo_pack
Research:
185 Rp icon.png
Cost:
55 Sl icon.png
55 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
320 Rp icon.png
Cost:
95 Sl icon.png
100 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

4 x 7.62 mm Maxim`s machine gun
Ammunition8 000 rounds
Belt capacity500 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
78.0 → 60.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: Maxim's (7.62 mm)

The main armament of the GAZ-AAA (4M) is 4 x 7.62 mm machine guns. For anti-air duty, these little guns do the job pretty well against biplanes and early monoplanes. The fire density given by the quad 7.62 mm MGs is good enough to damage a plane's critical components such as engine, cooling system, and fuel tank. They also have a huge amount of ammunition each gun, so one does not have to worry about constant reloads. Lastly, the guns have a depression of -10 degrees, something pretty rare for Soviet vehicles. The low projectile mass, however, will result in it not being able to hurt planes at a distance, and any armour plates inside the plane is likely to stop the bullet.

However, the biggest drawback of the armaments is the poor penetration of 10 mm at most, meaning that the GAZ-AAA (4M) simply cannot engage tanks when needed. It can only damage lightly armoured vehicles such as Flakpanzer I, AS 42, and P.7.T AA. The disadvantaged anti-tank capacity therefore greatly reduces this SPAA's effectiveness at anti tank missions, making itself very vulnerable when being hunted by tanks.

The recommended belts are APIT or API. APIT is great for new players to learn the trajectory of a weapon as this belt composes entirely of tracer bullets. Familiarising with the trajectory is crucial especially for the GAZ-AAA (4M) since it needs lots of bullets to down an aircraft, so tracers will help one to get used to the lead. When one is used to the trajectory, API might be a good choice as it has a bit less tracer, which helps to conceal the SPAA's position a bit. It also has an extra 1 mm of penetration which might become handy against certain vehicles like M13 MGMC, whose armour is right around 10 mm.

7.62 mm Maxim's (x4) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 8,000 (500) 600 -10°/+50° ±180° N/A 52.8 73.1 88.8 98.2 104.5 7.80 6.90 6.36 6.00
Realistic 35.7 42.0 51.0 56.4 60.0

Ammunition

  • Default: AI · AP-I · AP-I · AP-I · T
  • Universal: AP-I · AP-I · T
  • API: AP-I · API-T · API-T
  • APIT: API-T

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
AP-I 13 12 7 3 2 0
T 5 4 2 1 0 0
AI 3 3 3 3 3 3
API-T 9 8 6 3 0 0
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
AP-I 818 0.01 - - - 47° 56° 65°
T 815 0.01 - - - 47° 56° 65°
AI 815 0.01 0 3 0 47° 56° 65°
API-T 865 0.01 - - - 47° 56° 65°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the GAZ-AAA (4M)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
16 8 (+8) 4 (+12) 0 (+16) No

Usage in battles

The 4M GAZ-AAA is highly vulnerable to any vehicle, from tanks to planes. An encounter will most likely end with the GAZ-AAA destroyed. Prioritize enemy aircraft, as you are significantly vulnerable to strafing and bombing due to the lack of armour.

Stay back from the front lines yet don't be too far away from it, because most planes might go strafing the capture points, and if you are far away the low kinetic energy of your bullets will result in even weaker damage. So stay between a capture point and a friendly spawn point. You can find a hard cover and position yourself sideways, with the driver's cabin behind cover and the gunner exposed. This way the two crews at the front can be effectively protected.

When enemy planes spawn, shoot short bursts into their general direction to get their attention. Most planes will go head on with an SPAA, knowing that early SPAAs all have weak firepower and protection. If a plane dives on you, fire off a burst (remember to aim higher, as the bullet drop at head-on distance is more than you think) towards the plane and before it returns fire, quickly withdraw back to cover, as you cannot sustain much damage. As the plane flies by and climbs for another run, start firing long bursts at it. The 4 x 7.62 mm MGs have plenty of ammo per magazine and they do not overheat, so prolonged bursts will be your main method of damaging planes. Generally, shoot when they fly right past you, and avoid head-ons, as your firepower is not potent enough to destroy a plane in a second.

If a tank comes up to you, don't try to fight it as the tanks are built to be resistant to the rifle calibre rounds the Maxim fires. Withdraw to safety if encountering any thing more than a lightly armoured ground vehicle.

Enemies worth noting:

  • Ju 87: the Stuka has a durable airframe against the 4 x 7.62 mm MGs, so you need to put enough bullets into it to effectively damage it. The main threat comes from its bombs, an early Stuka can carry either 4 x 50 kg + 1 x 250 kg, or a huge 500 kg bomb, both of which are more than enough to destroy the GAZ-AAA with shrapnel. If you see a Stuka diving at you, move sideways to avoid the bombs.
  • Pz.II, M3 Stuart, etc: these tanks, although designated as "light" tanks, are literally heavy tanks for the GAZ-AAA's weak guns, therefore impossible to get destroyed. They also have superior mobility and firepower, so if you see them it is best to leave them to your teammates. If it is safe enough you can shoot a few shots at their tracks, barrel, etc to show them on the minimap.
  • M13 MGMC: this is a commonly seen SPAA with armour enough to resist rifle-calibre bullets and firepower enough to vaporise poorly protected crews. Target its dual .50 cal mount to disable its gunner first, then you can just shoot at the gun mount as its elevation drive, guns, ammo, etc are all exposed. The armoured cabin can only be penetrated if you two are face to face, a distance of more than 200 m will render your bullets useless.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decent anti-aircraft capabilities afforded by the armament, can do satisfactory damage to aircraft of its rank
  • Turns in a tight radius like a conventional truck
  • Large amount of ammunition
  • Able to reasonably damage lightly armoured vehicles of its kind such as M13 MGMC or M3 GMC
  • More of a threat to small, nimble aircraft than the M13 or T17E2
  • 6x4 truck design is sturdier and heavier than the 4 x 2 design of the GAZ-MM (72-K)
  • Has a great rate of fire thanks to the four fast firing maxim guns
  • Aircraft at early ranks are very common, meaning there will be plenty of aircraft for to be picked off
  • Good at setting aircraft on fire
  • The fact that you cannot kill tanks will mean that you focus on enemy aircraft rather than stray and hunt tanks

Cons:

  • Non-existent armour/protection, anything will penetrate and damage the vehicle
  • Very lightweight, prone to being destroyed by ramming or being overturned by other vehicles
  • Crew is not afforded much protection, owing to the improvised design
  • Low speed of 43 km/h (27 mph), even slower cross-country
  • Gunner is exposed and can easily be knocked out from a stray bullet
  • Cannot be used effectively against anything other than trucks or aircraft due to its machine gun armament
  • Outclassed by other AA vehicles in the same rank
  • Vulnerable to strafing by enemy aircraft, especially to kamikaze attacks
  • Can easily be tipped over in tight turns
  • Machine guns are useless against armoured targets except for other GAZ trucks

History

GAZ-AAA (4M)[1]

Around the late 1920s, the Soviet Union was undergoing a mechanization revolution and realized that no purpose-built motor vehicles were available for them to help move cargo and materiel back and forth from point one to point two. The result was the GAZ-AAA truck, which was a truck based on the Ford Model AAA 6 x 4 truck. These trucks entered production in 1932 and were used in multiple roles in the civilian world and in the military.

In the military, the GAZ trucks were used as tractors for gun systems, fuel tankers, radio system, and even armoured cars. By 1931, an anti-aircraft version was created as well, in order to give the Soviet Union a mobile anti-aircraft system to work with. The design had four Maxim Model 1910/30 machine guns installed on a mount on the truck. This configuration was called the 4M GAZ-AAA and served as a low-altitude air defence system after being adopted in 1931.

The 4M GAZ-AAA was a crude weapon. It was simply a truck with a gun mount on the back that connected to four 7.62 mm machine guns. These machine guns could all be simultaneously fired by one operator. The operator had no protection whatsoever as he had to stand in order to fire the gun, there were also no gun shields to protect him from any incoming fire. Despite that, it served as a part of the Soviet defence against the German invasion in 1941, where it was also used in an infantry-support role by laying down a large volume of fire onto the enemy. Many were seen destroyed in German newsreels, covering the roads as German troops advanced deeper into the Soviet Union.

The vehicle was unsatisfactory for the battlefield, and even ineffective against planes due to its low calibre. A new anti-aircraft system had to be devised for the role of mobile anti-aircraft system. This led to the development of the GAZ-MM (72-K), which while still truck-mounted weaponry, had a noticeable increase in firepower with a 25 mm autocannon.


Archive of the in-game description

This self-propelled anti-air mount based on the GAZ-AAA truck with four Maxim machine guns installed on its body was added to the arsenal in the mid-1930s and was the heaviest Soviet mount of the pre-war period. However, by the time WWII began it was no longer effective against airplanes.


Media

Skins

See 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.

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.wio.ru/galgrnd/flak/spflak.htm


Gorky Automobile Plant (Го́рьковский автомоби́льный заво́д)
SPAA  GAZ-AAA (4M) · GAZ-AAA (DShK) · GAZ-MM (72-K)
  ZUT-37 · ZSU-37
Light Tank  T-60 · T-70 · T-80
Tank Destoyer  SU-76M · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A
  ZiS-30
Rocket  BM-8-24

USSR anti-aircraft vehicles
GAZ-AAA  GAZ-AAA (4M) · GAZ-AAA (DShK)
BTR-152  BTR-152A · BTR-152D
Wheeled/Half-tracked  GAZ-MM (72-K) · ZiS-12 (94-KM) · ZiS-43
Radar SPAAG  ZSU-23-4 · ZSU-37-2
SAM  ZSU-23-4M4 · Strela-10M2 · 2S6 · Pantsir-S1
Other  ZSU-23-4M2 · ZUT-37 · ZSU-37 · BTR-ZD · ZSU-57-2
Czechoslovakia  M53/59
North Vietnam  ▂Phòng không T-34

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