Difference between revisions of "Grant I"

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{{About
 +
| about = gift British medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
|other
 +
|usage-1 = other versions
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|link-1 = M3 Medium (Family)
 +
|usage-2 = other uses
 +
|link-2 = M3 (Disambiguation)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=uk_mk1_grant
 
|code=uk_mk1_grant
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 
|market=Cruiser Tank Grant I
 
|market=Cruiser Tank Grant I
}}
 
{{About
 
| about = gift British medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| usage = other uses
 
| link = M3 (Disambiguation)
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== 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.'' -->
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.61 "Road to Glory"]] as an [[wt:en/news/4151-special-operation-s-u-m-m-e-r-updated-03-08-2016-en|reward vehicle]] for the 2016 [[Operation S.U.M.M.E.R.]] event. It is identical to the [[Grant I (USA)]], which itself is nearly identical to the [[M3 Lee]] with the difference being in the turret design.
{{Break}}
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.61 "Road to Glory"]] in the [[Operation_S.U.M.M.E.R.|Operation S.U.M.M.E.R.]] event of 2016. The Grant Mk I has only been available in [https://warthunder.com/en/news/4151-special-operation-s-u-m-m-e-r-updated-03-08-2016-en/ Operation S.U.M.M.E.R. of 2016] that lasted from 22 July to 22 August. It was unlocked after obtaining 18 tanker Marks of Distinction. It is identical to the American [[Grant I|Grant I]], which itself is nearly identical to the [[M3 Lee|M3 Lee]] with the difference being in the different turret design.
 
  
The Grant is most well recognized for its tall profile and two cannons. The suspension resembles that of the [[M4|M4 Sherman]], the only notable difference being the return rollers' positions. The hull front is also stepped into two plates, where the upper is closer to vertical. The large sponson on the right side (if you are inside it) carriers the main 75mm gun; note that with 2 crew, it is the operational gun. The 37mm gun is in a turret, mounted with a leftward offset. Its main notable difference from the M3 Lee is a redesigned turret.
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The Grant is most well recognized for its tall profile and two cannons. The suspension resembles that of the [[M4]] Sherman, the only notable difference being the return rollers' positions. The hull front is also stepped into two plates, where the upper is closer to vertical. The large sponson on the right side (if you are inside it) carriers the main 75 mm gun; note that with 2 crew members, it is the operational gun. The 37 mm gun is in a turret, mounted with a leftward offset. Its main notable difference from the M3 Lee is a redesigned turret.
  
Due to the presence of two cannons, this tank is an excellent multi-role vehicle. You can play it as a brawler combining the agile 37mm gun with the high damage of the 75mm gun, but don't get too close, in fact, the turreted gun has a bad depression and, combined with the high profile, tends to make close tanks difficult to hit. You can also play it as a tank destroyer using it from the second line. Note that you can assign a key to use only one of the two guns, with this method you can select as a primary weapon the 75mm gun, allowing you to aim directly from it (and not from the point of view of the 37mm gun) and use the bullet drop indicator in [[:Category:Game_modes|arcade battles]].
+
Due to the presence of two cannons, this tank is an excellent multi-role vehicle. You can play it as a brawler combining the agile 37 mm gun with the high damage of the 75 mm gun, but don't get too close, in fact, the turreted gun has a bad depression and, combined with the high profile, tends to make close tanks difficult to hit. You can also play it as a tank destroyer using it from the second line. Note that you can assign a key to use only one of the two guns, with this method you can select as a primary weapon the 75 mm gun, allowing you to aim directly from it (and not from the point of view of the 37 mm gun) and use the bullet drop indicator in [[:Category:Game_modes|arcade battles]].
  
The multiple cannons allow for different combinations of attack. The 75mm gun possesses armour penetration on about the level of the 37mm gun; however, the damage upon penetration is extremely high provided that you use the M61 APCBC shell with HE filler. On the other hand, the 37mm gun allows for close quarters and longer-range fighting, where its high-velocity and effective shell make for good long range targeting while it is also the only cannon on the Grant that has a full 360-degree traverse.
+
The multiple cannons allow for different combinations of attack. The 75 mm gun possesses armour penetration on about the level of the 37 mm gun; however, the damage upon penetration is extremely high provided that you use the M61 APCBC shell with HE filler. On the other hand, the 37 mm gun allows for close quarters and longer-range fighting, where its high-velocity and effective shell make for good long range targeting while it is also the only cannon on the Grant that has a full 360-degree traverse.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
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| Turret || 76.2 mm (1-57°) ''Turret front'' <br> 38.1 mm (1-69°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 50.8 mm (7-45°) || 50.8 mm (1-35°) || 38.1 mm
 
| Turret || 76.2 mm (1-57°) ''Turret front'' <br> 38.1 mm (1-69°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 50.8 mm (7-45°) || 50.8 mm (1-35°) || 38.1 mm
 
|-
 
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
+
| Cupola || 50.8 mm || 50.8 mm || 50.8 mm || 38.1 mm
|-
 
| Cupola || 50.8 mm || 38.1 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
  
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
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 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|M5 (37 mm)}}
 
{{main|M5 (37 mm)}}
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 128 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+60° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 17.1 || 23.7 || 28.8 || 31.8 || 33.9 || rowspan="2" | 3.77 || rowspan="2" | 3.33 || rowspan="2" | 3.07 || rowspan="2" | 2.90
+
| rowspan="2" | 128 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+60° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 16 km/h}} || 17.1 || 23.7 || 28.8 || 31.8 || 33.9 || rowspan="2" | 3.77 || rowspan="2" | 3.33 || rowspan="2" | 3.07 || rowspan="2" | 2.90
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
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==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:M5 (37 mm)/Ammunition|M74B1, M51B1_Lee}}
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 
|-
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
| M74B1 || AP || 79 || 76 || 65 || 54 || 45 || 37
 
|-
 
| M51B1/B2 || APCBC || 87 || 84 || 73 || 60 || 50 || 41
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| M74B1 || AP || 883 || 0.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
| M51B1/B2 || APCBC || 883 || 0.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_Grant_I.png|right|thumb|x200px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|400px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
 
===== Optics =====
 
  
 +
==== Optics ====
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} [[Optics]]
 
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} [[Optics]]
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=== Additional armament ===
 
=== Additional armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 
<!-- ''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 
{{main|M2 (75 mm)}}
 
{{main|M2 (75 mm)}}
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±15° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 11 || 16 || 19 || 21 || 23 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
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| rowspan="2" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±15° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 16 km/h}} || 11 || 16 || 19 || 21 || 23 || rowspan="2" | 6.2 || rowspan="2" | 5.5 || rowspan="2" | 5.0 || rowspan="2" | 4.8
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
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==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:M2 (75 mm)/Ammunition|M48 shell, M72 shot, M61 shot, M89}}
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 
|-
 
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
| M48 shell || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
 
|-
 
| M72 shot || AP || 84 || 82 || 73 || 62 || 53 || 46
 
|-
 
| M61 shot || APCBC || 97 || 94 || 84 || 73 || 63 || 55
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
| M48 shell || HE || 448 || 6.3 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 666 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
| M72 shot || AP || 588 || 6.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
| M61 shot || APCBC || 588 || 6.79 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
 
|-
 
! Ammunition
 
! Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
! Screen radius<br>(m)
 
! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
 
! Screen hold time<br>(s)
 
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
|-
 
| M89 || 259 || 3 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_Grant_I.png|right|thumb|x200px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|450px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.16''' -->
 
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.16''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
{{main|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
Grant I has a similar playstyle to the [[M3 Lee]] and is a multi-turret tank, with a 75 mm gun with a limited field of view placed on the right side hull, and a 37 mm on a fully-traversable turret that can be used separately from the main gun. Compared to the other medium tanks that are equipped with a rotating turret, the Grant I just like [[M3 Lee]] has limited gun coverage making the use of 75 mm feel like one is playing a turretless tank destroyer like the [[StuG III A]]. But compared to the StuG, Grant I also has a 37 mm rapid firing [[M5 (37 mm)|M5]] cannon that can protect the Grant I from side and rear attacks to buy time for the Grant to turn around to use its deadlier 75 mm M2. It's a medium tank that can be used as both a medium tank and tank destroyer. When fielding the Grant I, one has to be somewhat careful when playing, listen to the surroundings and trying to point the front of the hull so the 75 mm cannon can shoot at the targets that will appear. Getting the transmission or the engine of the Grant I disabled will render it useless to bring its full firepower on the target if it can't turn the hull around to aim its 75 mm on targets. It might have a 37 mm with all around coverage, but the 37 mm will not be 100% efficient against most targets between 2.7-3.7 but it's more useful against lower BR targets where it can penetrate most light targets with certainty.
+
Grant I has a similar playstyle to the [[M3 Lee]] and is a multi-turret tank, with a 75 mm gun with a limited field of view placed on the right side hull, and a 37 mm on a fully-traversable turret that can be used separately from the main gun. Compared to the other medium tanks that are equipped with a rotating turret, the Grant I just like [[M3 Lee]] has limited gun coverage making the use of 75 mm feel like one is playing a turretless tank destroyer like the [[StuG III A]]. But compared to the StuG, Grant I also has a rapid-firing [[M5 (37 mm)|37 mm M5]] cannon that can protect the Grant I from side and rear attacks to buy time for the Grant to turn around to use its deadlier 75 mm M2. It's a medium tank that can be used as both a medium tank and tank destroyer. When fielding the Grant I, one has to be somewhat careful when playing, listen to the surroundings and trying to point the front of the hull so the 75 mm cannon can shoot at the targets that will appear. Getting the transmission or the engine of the Grant I disabled will render it useless to bring its full firepower on the target if it can't turn the hull around to aim its 75 mm on targets. It might have a 37 mm with all around coverage, but the 37 mm will not be 100% efficient against most targets in its BR bracket but it's more useful against lower BR targets where it can penetrate most light targets with certainty.
  
The main gun of the Grant I is mostly efficient at short to medium range, making it vulnerable to tanks with long 75 mm like [[Pz.IV F2]] and long 50 mm like the [[Pz.III L]] that have the accuracy and penetration capability from long distance. Grant I excels mostly in medium to short range where enemy tanks can be reliably penetrated with both the 75 mm and 37 mm. Medium tanks like [[T-34 (Family)|T-34]] can easily shrug off shells from the Grant's 75 mm with its sloped armour, which makes tanks like T-34 to require some more delicate aiming when facing one, aiming for the weakspots on turret cheeks or with luck being able to find one with the side armour exposed. If the Grant is not facing threats from the higher battle ratings, the Grant can dominate the field with its two guns, making it a lethal machine at that battle if properly used.
+
The main gun of the Grant I is mostly efficient at short to medium range, making it vulnerable to tanks with long 75 mm like [[Pz.IV F2]] and long 50 mm like the [[Pz.III L]] that have the accuracy and penetration capability from long distance. Grant I excels mostly in medium to short range where enemy tanks can be reliably penetrated with both the 75 mm and 37 mm. Medium tanks like [[T-34 (Family)|T-34]] can easily shrug off shells from the Grant's 75 mm with its sloped armour, which makes tanks like T-34 to require some more delicate aiming when facing one, aiming for the weak spots on turret cheeks or with luck being able to find one with the side armour exposed. If the Grant is not facing threats from the higher battle ratings, the Grant can dominate the field with its two guns, making it a lethal machine at that battle if properly used.
  
 
Different guns mean different styles of play. One can choose to also play it as a tank destroyer, using its sponson gun to take shots at medium range and its 37 mm to cover its flanks and make longer range snipe shots. One can also use it as an assault tank, quickly advancing on points while switching between the powerful 75 mm gun and the faster-firing 37 mm. In all game modes, it would be good to assign the three gun profiles to different keys, this will allow the Grant I to aim using the sights of the three guns separately, allowing it to better performance to the accuracy to hit enemy targets at range with the 75 mm cannon.
 
Different guns mean different styles of play. One can choose to also play it as a tank destroyer, using its sponson gun to take shots at medium range and its 37 mm to cover its flanks and make longer range snipe shots. One can also use it as an assault tank, quickly advancing on points while switching between the powerful 75 mm gun and the faster-firing 37 mm. In all game modes, it would be good to assign the three gun profiles to different keys, this will allow the Grant I to aim using the sights of the three guns separately, allowing it to better performance to the accuracy to hit enemy targets at range with the 75 mm cannon.
  
The Grant I has the possibility to be facing long-barrelled [[Pz.III J1|Pz.Kpfw. III]], and [[Pz.IV F2|Pz.Kpfw. IV]], [[M4A4 (France)|M4A4]], as well as [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]]s. The [[ZiS-30]] and [[Na-To]] are also very deadly to the Grant I, as well as the threat of heavy tanks like [[KV-1 (Family)|KV-1]].
+
The Grant I has the possibility to be facing long-barrelled [[Pz.III J1]], and [[Pz.IV F2]], [[M4A4 (France)|M4A4]], as well as [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]]s. The [[ZiS-30]] and [[Na-To]] are also very deadly to the Grant I, as well as the threat of heavy tanks like [[KV-1 (Family)|KV-1]].
 
 
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
! Protection
 
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 
|-
 
| I
 
| Tracks
 
|
 
| Parts
 
| Horizontal Drive
 
| M51B1/B2
 
|-
 
| II
 
| Suspension
 
| Brake System
 
| FPE
 
| Adjustment of Fire
 
| M61 shot
 
|-
 
| III
 
| Filters
 
|
 
| Crew Replenishment
 
| Elevation Mechanism
 
|
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| Transmission
 
| Engine
 
| Smoke grenade
 
| Artillery Support
 
| M89
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* Ability to use two guns: a 37mm and a 75mm - which is very powerful at this rank.
+
* Ability to use two guns: a 37 mm and a 75 mm, which is very powerful at this rank.
 
* Fine frontal armour.
 
* Fine frontal armour.
* Side mounted 75mm gives the ability for some unique tactics.
+
* Side mounted 75 mm gives the ability for some unique tactics.
 
* Despite the tall profile, the "wedding cake" design of the turret has thick sloped armour, providing extra protection to make up for it's height.
 
* Despite the tall profile, the "wedding cake" design of the turret has thick sloped armour, providing extra protection to make up for it's height.
  
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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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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===
 
===Development===
After the development of the [[M2|M2 medium tank]], the Battle of France showed that such a tank was not going to be capable to go up against the German [[Pz.III F|Panzer IIIs]] and [[Pz.IV F1|Panzer IVs]]. With the Western Allies now embroiled in the North African campaign against the Germans and Italians, the Allies needed a good tank capable of going against the Panzer tanks, and they needed it quickly.
+
After the development of the [[M2|M2 medium tank]], the Battle of France showed that such a tank was not going to be capable to go up against the German [[Panzer III]] and [[Panzer IV]]. With the Western Allies now embroiled in the North African campaign against the Germans and Italians, the Allies needed a good tank capable of going against the Panzer tanks, and they needed it quickly.
  
The [[M3 Lee|'''M3 Lee''']] tank started from the basis of the M2 Medium Tank, using the chassis and the VVSS suspension system. It was to mount the 75 mm cannon, however it was discovered that the United States does not have a turret design that could mount the 75 mm gun. So as development on the turret proceeded, the 75 mm on the M3 would be sponson-mounted. This design was tested on the M2 medium tank as the ''T5E2'', which was approved for the M3 design. The M3 featured a medium tank with two guns, the 75 mm on the hull sponson mount, and a 37 mm with a coaxial machine gun on a turret. The turret cupola also had its own machine gun and there were also two fixed bow machine guns. The use of two gun mounts on a tank was similar to the German [[Nb.Fz.|Neubaufahrzeug]] and Soviet [[T-35]] tanks. The M3's 75 mm gun however presented a huge advantage over contemporary tank armaments, as the 75 mm could fire high-explosive rounds for against infantry and anti-tank guns, yet could also fire a shell with a high enough velocity for anti-tank purposes.
+
The [[M3 Lee]] tank started from the basis of the M2 Medium Tank, using the chassis and the VVSS suspension system. It was to mount the 75 mm cannon, however it was discovered that the United States does not have a turret design that could mount the 75 mm gun. So as development on the turret proceeded, the 75 mm on the M3 would be sponson-mounted. This design was tested on the M2 medium tank as the T5E2, which was approved for the M3 design. The M3 featured a medium tank with two guns, the 75 mm on the hull sponson mount, and a 37 mm with a coaxial machine gun on a turret. The turret cupola also had its own machine gun and there were also two fixed bow machine guns. The use of two gun mounts on a tank was similar to the German [[Nb.Fz.|Neubaufahrzeug]] and Soviet [[T-35]] tanks. The M3's 75 mm gun however presented a huge advantage over contemporary tank armaments, as the 75 mm could fire high-explosive rounds for against infantry and anti-tank guns, yet could also fire a shell with a high enough velocity for anti-tank purposes.
  
 
The M3's faults were the high profile and the sponson mount for its main armament. The M3 was 10 ft. 3 in. tall, a feet taller than the M2 medium tank. The 75 mm on a sponson mount meant that the main armament of the tank had a limited traverse compared to a rotatable turret and forced the tank to reveal much of its body in order to aim the gun at the enemy. The M3 was also constructed out of rivets (which increased spalling) and had a smooth track design which reduced ground traction. Despite these disadvantages, the British happily accepted them as they were critically low on tanks. German Colonel Hans von Luck said he even considered them superior to the [[Pz.IV E|Panzer IV]]s.
 
The M3's faults were the high profile and the sponson mount for its main armament. The M3 was 10 ft. 3 in. tall, a feet taller than the M2 medium tank. The 75 mm on a sponson mount meant that the main armament of the tank had a limited traverse compared to a rotatable turret and forced the tank to reveal much of its body in order to aim the gun at the enemy. The M3 was also constructed out of rivets (which increased spalling) and had a smooth track design which reduced ground traction. Despite these disadvantages, the British happily accepted them as they were critically low on tanks. German Colonel Hans von Luck said he even considered them superior to the [[Pz.IV E|Panzer IV]]s.
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The M3 first saw service with the British in the campaign for North Africa beginning in May, 1942. Those that had been made with a British-designed turret were identified as "Grant", whereas an additional quantity that were Lend-Leased to the British later on with the standard U.S turret were named "Lee." The British cast turret on the Grant was considered superior in terms of frontal protection and replaced the American smoke dischargers with a British smoke mortar, but did not have the cupola or cupola MG of the Lee. The Grant also moved the radio into the turret, removing the need for a separate radio operator position in the hull (the Americans would later do this with their M3s as well). Their baptism of fire was the Gazala battles, where 167 Grants were present with 1st and 7th Armoured Divisions. Regiments with Grants were initially organized on a 2:1 Grants-to-Stuarts, or a 2:1 Crusaders-to-Grants basis, but by 2nd Alamein in October, 1942, Shermans had also been added into that mix. Still, over 170 Grants or Lees were in the line for that battle. There were 3 tanks in a Grant/Lee troop. By May, 1943, all British Grants and Lees were replaced with newer tanks, mostly the Sherman.
 
The M3 first saw service with the British in the campaign for North Africa beginning in May, 1942. Those that had been made with a British-designed turret were identified as "Grant", whereas an additional quantity that were Lend-Leased to the British later on with the standard U.S turret were named "Lee." The British cast turret on the Grant was considered superior in terms of frontal protection and replaced the American smoke dischargers with a British smoke mortar, but did not have the cupola or cupola MG of the Lee. The Grant also moved the radio into the turret, removing the need for a separate radio operator position in the hull (the Americans would later do this with their M3s as well). Their baptism of fire was the Gazala battles, where 167 Grants were present with 1st and 7th Armoured Divisions. Regiments with Grants were initially organized on a 2:1 Grants-to-Stuarts, or a 2:1 Crusaders-to-Grants basis, but by 2nd Alamein in October, 1942, Shermans had also been added into that mix. Still, over 170 Grants or Lees were in the line for that battle. There were 3 tanks in a Grant/Lee troop. By May, 1943, all British Grants and Lees were replaced with newer tanks, mostly the Sherman.
  
Production on the Lee had begun in August 1941. A majority of these were completed at Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The British would receive more than their original order of 1,250 tanks. Of the total 6,258 M3s built by the US between start up to the end of production in December 1942, 2,855 units (over 1,600 Grants, and over 1,200 Lees) went to the British and 1,386 Lees went to the Soviet Union, were they served until 1943 before being replaced. A mix of Grants ahd Lees were also used by the Australians and Indians in the India-Burma theater, beginning in December, 1943, serving there until the end of the war with Japan. The M3 risked causing confusion in British service as the same "M3" designation was given to the [[M3 Stuart|M3 Light Tank]]. This set off their tradition of naming American-made tanks after generals, where the M3 medium tank earned the name [[M3 Lee|''Lee'']] for the American-turret variant ('''Grant''' for the British variant) and the M3 light tank was called the ''Stuart''. Americans did not use these names themselves, only starting to name their tanks after the war.
+
Production on the Lee had begun in August 1941. A majority of these were completed at Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The British would receive more than their original order of 1,250 tanks. Of the total 6,258 M3s built by the US between start up to the end of production in December 1942, 2,855 units (over 1,600 Grants, and over 1,200 Lees) went to the British and 1,386 Lees went to the Soviet Union, were they served until 1943 before being replaced. A mix of Grants and Lees were also used by the Australians and Indians in the India-Burma theatre, beginning in December, 1943, serving there until the end of the war with Japan. The M3 risked causing confusion in British service as the same "M3" designation was given to the [[M3 Stuart|M3 Light Tank]]. This set off their tradition of naming American-made tanks after generals, where the M3 medium tank earned the name Lee for the American-turret variant (Grant for the British variant) and the M3 light tank was called the Stuart. Americans did not use these names themselves, only starting to name their tanks after the war.
  
 
===Combat usage===
 
===Combat usage===
 
Combat experience with the M3 Lee was complicated, but favorable. In Africa, the Lees and Grants in British and American service surprised the German forces when they could withstand the 50 mm KwK 38 L/42 gun and 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 howitzer armament on the Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs. The M3 Lee proved reliable and adequate in armour protection. The Soviet's experience with the M3 Lee was less favorable, as their [[T-34 (1941)|T-34 tanks]] were much better in combat performance. The Soviets euphemistically called it a "grave for six men" and the Lee tanks were relegated to the secondary fronts or repurposed as armoured personnel carriers. In the Pacific, the M3 Lees were lent to the Australians and Indians, which proved vastly superior to the Japanese tanks in service. The only American use of the M3 Lee at the Pacific Theater was during the Battle of Makin Island.
 
Combat experience with the M3 Lee was complicated, but favorable. In Africa, the Lees and Grants in British and American service surprised the German forces when they could withstand the 50 mm KwK 38 L/42 gun and 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 howitzer armament on the Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs. The M3 Lee proved reliable and adequate in armour protection. The Soviet's experience with the M3 Lee was less favorable, as their [[T-34 (1941)|T-34 tanks]] were much better in combat performance. The Soviets euphemistically called it a "grave for six men" and the Lee tanks were relegated to the secondary fronts or repurposed as armoured personnel carriers. In the Pacific, the M3 Lees were lent to the Australians and Indians, which proved vastly superior to the Japanese tanks in service. The only American use of the M3 Lee at the Pacific Theater was during the Battle of Makin Island.
  
The M3 Lee served fine as a stop gap solution for the American tank development. They performed very well on the combat field and proved very reliable. However, once a 75 mm turret was finally designed, the M3 Lee was redesigned to use it, and the resulting tank was the [[M4|M4 Sherman]], which will go on to replace the M3 tanks in the Allies as they are withdrawn from service. Even if it wasn't, the M3 was becoming obsolete due to newer German tanks being deployed, such as the [[Panther D|Panther]], [[Tiger_H1|Tiger I]], or improvement of of old chassis like [[Pz.IV G|Panzer IV Ausf. G]] and [[StuG III F|StuG III Ausf. F]]. Its obsolescence was a consequence of its own rather unique development and anachronistic design, limiting this medium tank's service life to a mere two years in Allied hands. However it lived on until the end of WW2 in the Far East, where it remained superior to Japanese tanks <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Lee# Burma Grants in Burma theater]</ref> and was ideal as infantry support, for which it had been designed.  Approximately 1700 were transferred as soon as they were replaced in North Africa<ref>[https://fhsw.fandom.com/wiki/M3_Grant Transfers to Indian and Australian armies]</ref>.  It also continued in use after modifications such as tractor and recovery vehicles. The chassis and running gear were adapted by the Canadians to develop their [[M4A5|''Ram'' medium tank]].
+
The M3 Lee served fine as a stop gap solution for the American tank development. They performed very well on the combat field and proved very reliable. However, once a 75 mm turret was finally designed, the M3 Lee was redesigned to use it, and the resulting tank was the [[M4|M4 Sherman]], which will go on to replace the M3 tanks in the Allies as they are withdrawn from service. Even if it wasn't, the M3 was becoming obsolete due to newer German tanks being deployed, such as the [[Panther D|Panther]], [[Tiger_H1|Tiger I]], or improvement of of old chassis like [[Pz.IV G|Panzer IV Ausf. G]] and [[StuG III F|StuG III Ausf. F]]. Its obsolescence was a consequence of its own rather unique development and anachronistic design, limiting this medium tank's service life to a mere two years in Allied hands. However it lived on until the end of WW2 in the Far East, where it remained superior to Japanese tanks <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M3_Lee# Burma Grants in Burma theater]</ref> and was ideal as infantry support, for which it had been designed.  Approximately 1700 were transferred as soon as they were replaced in North Africa<ref>[https://fhsw.fandom.com/wiki/M3_Grant Transfers to Indian and Australian armies]</ref>.  It also continued in use after modifications such as tractor and recovery vehicles. The chassis and running gear were adapted by the Canadians to develop their [[M4A5|Ram]] medium tank.
  
 
===An anecdote===
 
===An anecdote===
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;Skins
 
;Skins
 
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_mk1_grant Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=britain&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=uk_mk1_grant Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
  
 
;Images
 
;Images
 
+
<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="200">
[[File:M3Lee + Grant.jpg|thumb|none|300px|The [[M3 Lee]] (right) and M3 Grant in the North Africa Theater.]]
+
File:M3Lee + Grant.jpg|<small>The [[M3 Lee]] (right) and the Grant in the North Africa Theater.</small>
 +
</gallery>
  
 
;Videos
 
;Videos
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
* [[M3 Lee]] - Standard American variant with the smaller turret.
+
;Related development
* [[Grant I]] - The Grant I in the American tech tree.
+
* [[M3 Medium (Family)]]
* [[M3 Medium (USSR)]] - The M3 Lee in the USSR tech tree.
 
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on tank;''
 
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
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<references />
 
<references />
  
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{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Department}}
 
{{Britain medium tanks}}
 
{{Britain medium tanks}}
 
{{Britain premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{Britain premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 21:03, 1 April 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the gift British medium tank Grant I. For other versions, see M3 Medium (Family). For other uses, see M3 (Disambiguation).
Grant I
uk_mk1_grant.png
GarageImage Grant I.jpg
Grant I
AB RB SB
2.3 2.7 2.7
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The Grant I is a premium gift rank II British medium tank with a battle rating of 2.3 (AB) and 2.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.61 "Road to Glory" as an reward vehicle for the 2016 Operation S.U.M.M.E.R. event. It is identical to the Grant I (USA), which itself is nearly identical to the M3 Lee with the difference being in the turret design.

The Grant is most well recognized for its tall profile and two cannons. The suspension resembles that of the M4 Sherman, the only notable difference being the return rollers' positions. The hull front is also stepped into two plates, where the upper is closer to vertical. The large sponson on the right side (if you are inside it) carriers the main 75 mm gun; note that with 2 crew members, it is the operational gun. The 37 mm gun is in a turret, mounted with a leftward offset. Its main notable difference from the M3 Lee is a redesigned turret.

Due to the presence of two cannons, this tank is an excellent multi-role vehicle. You can play it as a brawler combining the agile 37 mm gun with the high damage of the 75 mm gun, but don't get too close, in fact, the turreted gun has a bad depression and, combined with the high profile, tends to make close tanks difficult to hit. You can also play it as a tank destroyer using it from the second line. Note that you can assign a key to use only one of the two guns, with this method you can select as a primary weapon the 75 mm gun, allowing you to aim directly from it (and not from the point of view of the 37 mm gun) and use the bullet drop indicator in arcade battles.

The multiple cannons allow for different combinations of attack. The 75 mm gun possesses armour penetration on about the level of the 37 mm gun; however, the damage upon penetration is extremely high provided that you use the M61 APCBC shell with HE filler. On the other hand, the 37 mm gun allows for close quarters and longer-range fighting, where its high-velocity and effective shell make for good long range targeting while it is also the only cannon on the Grant that has a full 360-degree traverse.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull51 / 38 / 38
Turret76 / 51 / 51
Crew6 people
Visibility139 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 38.1 mm (54°) Front Glacis
50.8 mm (15-55°) Transmission area
50.8 mm (30°) Driver port
38.1 mm (0-57°) Hull gun mount
38.1 mm (0-22°) Top
38.1 mm Bottom
38.1 mm (1-14°) Top
38.1 mm (15-53°) Bottom
12.7 mm
Turret 76.2 mm (1-57°) Turret front
38.1 mm (1-69°) Gun mantlet
50.8 mm (7-45°) 50.8 mm (1-35°) 38.1 mm
Cupola 50.8 mm 50.8 mm 50.8 mm 38.1 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Hull doors and vision ports are 38.1 mm thick.
  • Turret ring is 50.8 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB43 / 6 km/h
RB and SB39 / 6 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight27.9 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB27.3 hp/t
RB and SB14.3 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 43 6 27.9 620 763 22.22 27.35
Realistic 39 6 354 400 12.69 14.34

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB848 Sl icon.png
RB404 Sl icon.png
SB505 Sl icon.png
Crew training3 400 Sl icon.png
Experts23 000 Sl icon.png
Aces160 Ge icon.png
Research Aces380 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 40 / 50 / 60 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 118 / 118 / 118 % 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 smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
37mm_usa_m3_APC_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_usa_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_us_M89_Smoke_ammo_pack

Armaments

Main armament

Vertical stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition128 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
3.7 → 2.9 s
Vertical guidance-7° / 60°
Main article: M5 (37 mm)
37 mm M5 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 128 -7°/+60° ±180° Vertical 17.1 23.7 28.8 31.8 33.9 3.77 3.33 3.07 2.90
Realistic 10.7 12.6 15.3 16.9 18.0

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
M74B1 AP 79 76 65 54 45 37
M51B1 APCBC 87 84 73 60 50 41
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%
M74B1 AP 883 0.87 - - - 47° 60° 65°
M51B1 APCBC 883 0.87 - - - 48° 63° 71°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
7th
rack empty
8th
rack empty
9th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
128 125 (+3) 121 (+7) 117 (+11) 97 (+31) 74 (+54) 70 (+58) 57 (+71) 27 (+101) (+127) Yes
Ammo racks of the Grant I

Optics

Grant I Optics
Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.85 x3.5
Comparable optics M3 Lee

Additional armament

Vertical stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition65 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.2 → 4.8 s
Vertical guidance-9° / 20°
Horizontal guidance-15° / 15°
Main article: M2 (75 mm)
75 mm M2 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 65 -9°/+20° ±15° Vertical 11 16 19 21 23 6.2 5.5 5.0 4.8
Realistic 7.1 8.4 10 11 12

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
M48 shell HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
M72 shot AP 84 82 73 62 53 46
M61 shot APCBC 97 95 87 78 70 63
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M48 shell HE 448 6.3 0.2 0.1 666 79° 80° 81°
M72 shot AP 588 6.3 - - - 47° 60° 65°
M61 shot APCBC 588 6.79 1.2 14 63.7 48° 63° 71°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy
time (s)
Screen hold
time (s)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
M89 259 3 9 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Grant I
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
65 36 (+29) (+64) Yes

Machine guns

Ammunition4 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
Main article: M1919A4 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Grant I has a similar playstyle to the M3 Lee and is a multi-turret tank, with a 75 mm gun with a limited field of view placed on the right side hull, and a 37 mm on a fully-traversable turret that can be used separately from the main gun. Compared to the other medium tanks that are equipped with a rotating turret, the Grant I just like M3 Lee has limited gun coverage making the use of 75 mm feel like one is playing a turretless tank destroyer like the StuG III A. But compared to the StuG, Grant I also has a rapid-firing 37 mm M5 cannon that can protect the Grant I from side and rear attacks to buy time for the Grant to turn around to use its deadlier 75 mm M2. It's a medium tank that can be used as both a medium tank and tank destroyer. When fielding the Grant I, one has to be somewhat careful when playing, listen to the surroundings and trying to point the front of the hull so the 75 mm cannon can shoot at the targets that will appear. Getting the transmission or the engine of the Grant I disabled will render it useless to bring its full firepower on the target if it can't turn the hull around to aim its 75 mm on targets. It might have a 37 mm with all around coverage, but the 37 mm will not be 100% efficient against most targets in its BR bracket but it's more useful against lower BR targets where it can penetrate most light targets with certainty.

The main gun of the Grant I is mostly efficient at short to medium range, making it vulnerable to tanks with long 75 mm like Pz.IV F2 and long 50 mm like the Pz.III L that have the accuracy and penetration capability from long distance. Grant I excels mostly in medium to short range where enemy tanks can be reliably penetrated with both the 75 mm and 37 mm. Medium tanks like T-34 can easily shrug off shells from the Grant's 75 mm with its sloped armour, which makes tanks like T-34 to require some more delicate aiming when facing one, aiming for the weak spots on turret cheeks or with luck being able to find one with the side armour exposed. If the Grant is not facing threats from the higher battle ratings, the Grant can dominate the field with its two guns, making it a lethal machine at that battle if properly used.

Different guns mean different styles of play. One can choose to also play it as a tank destroyer, using its sponson gun to take shots at medium range and its 37 mm to cover its flanks and make longer range snipe shots. One can also use it as an assault tank, quickly advancing on points while switching between the powerful 75 mm gun and the faster-firing 37 mm. In all game modes, it would be good to assign the three gun profiles to different keys, this will allow the Grant I to aim using the sights of the three guns separately, allowing it to better performance to the accuracy to hit enemy targets at range with the 75 mm cannon.

The Grant I has the possibility to be facing long-barrelled Pz.III J1, and Pz.IV F2, M4A4, as well as T-34s. The ZiS-30 and Na-To are also very deadly to the Grant I, as well as the threat of heavy tanks like KV-1.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Ability to use two guns: a 37 mm and a 75 mm, which is very powerful at this rank.
  • Fine frontal armour.
  • Side mounted 75 mm gives the ability for some unique tactics.
  • Despite the tall profile, the "wedding cake" design of the turret has thick sloped armour, providing extra protection to make up for it's height.

Cons:

  • Tall profile, big target.
  • Side mounted gun - as much it is advantage, it is disadvantage too.
  • Slow traverse speeds make it easy for a light or a particularly speedy medium tank to sneak around the sides.

History

Development

After the development of the M2 medium tank, the Battle of France showed that such a tank was not going to be capable to go up against the German Panzer III and Panzer IV. With the Western Allies now embroiled in the North African campaign against the Germans and Italians, the Allies needed a good tank capable of going against the Panzer tanks, and they needed it quickly.

The M3 Lee tank started from the basis of the M2 Medium Tank, using the chassis and the VVSS suspension system. It was to mount the 75 mm cannon, however it was discovered that the United States does not have a turret design that could mount the 75 mm gun. So as development on the turret proceeded, the 75 mm on the M3 would be sponson-mounted. This design was tested on the M2 medium tank as the T5E2, which was approved for the M3 design. The M3 featured a medium tank with two guns, the 75 mm on the hull sponson mount, and a 37 mm with a coaxial machine gun on a turret. The turret cupola also had its own machine gun and there were also two fixed bow machine guns. The use of two gun mounts on a tank was similar to the German Neubaufahrzeug and Soviet T-35 tanks. The M3's 75 mm gun however presented a huge advantage over contemporary tank armaments, as the 75 mm could fire high-explosive rounds for against infantry and anti-tank guns, yet could also fire a shell with a high enough velocity for anti-tank purposes.

The M3's faults were the high profile and the sponson mount for its main armament. The M3 was 10 ft. 3 in. tall, a feet taller than the M2 medium tank. The 75 mm on a sponson mount meant that the main armament of the tank had a limited traverse compared to a rotatable turret and forced the tank to reveal much of its body in order to aim the gun at the enemy. The M3 was also constructed out of rivets (which increased spalling) and had a smooth track design which reduced ground traction. Despite these disadvantages, the British happily accepted them as they were critically low on tanks. German Colonel Hans von Luck said he even considered them superior to the Panzer IVs.

The M3 first saw service with the British in the campaign for North Africa beginning in May, 1942. Those that had been made with a British-designed turret were identified as "Grant", whereas an additional quantity that were Lend-Leased to the British later on with the standard U.S turret were named "Lee." The British cast turret on the Grant was considered superior in terms of frontal protection and replaced the American smoke dischargers with a British smoke mortar, but did not have the cupola or cupola MG of the Lee. The Grant also moved the radio into the turret, removing the need for a separate radio operator position in the hull (the Americans would later do this with their M3s as well). Their baptism of fire was the Gazala battles, where 167 Grants were present with 1st and 7th Armoured Divisions. Regiments with Grants were initially organized on a 2:1 Grants-to-Stuarts, or a 2:1 Crusaders-to-Grants basis, but by 2nd Alamein in October, 1942, Shermans had also been added into that mix. Still, over 170 Grants or Lees were in the line for that battle. There were 3 tanks in a Grant/Lee troop. By May, 1943, all British Grants and Lees were replaced with newer tanks, mostly the Sherman.

Production on the Lee had begun in August 1941. A majority of these were completed at Baldwin Locomotive Works in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The British would receive more than their original order of 1,250 tanks. Of the total 6,258 M3s built by the US between start up to the end of production in December 1942, 2,855 units (over 1,600 Grants, and over 1,200 Lees) went to the British and 1,386 Lees went to the Soviet Union, were they served until 1943 before being replaced. A mix of Grants and Lees were also used by the Australians and Indians in the India-Burma theatre, beginning in December, 1943, serving there until the end of the war with Japan. The M3 risked causing confusion in British service as the same "M3" designation was given to the M3 Light Tank. This set off their tradition of naming American-made tanks after generals, where the M3 medium tank earned the name Lee for the American-turret variant (Grant for the British variant) and the M3 light tank was called the Stuart. Americans did not use these names themselves, only starting to name their tanks after the war.

Combat usage

Combat experience with the M3 Lee was complicated, but favorable. In Africa, the Lees and Grants in British and American service surprised the German forces when they could withstand the 50 mm KwK 38 L/42 gun and 75 mm KwK 37 L/24 howitzer armament on the Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs. The M3 Lee proved reliable and adequate in armour protection. The Soviet's experience with the M3 Lee was less favorable, as their T-34 tanks were much better in combat performance. The Soviets euphemistically called it a "grave for six men" and the Lee tanks were relegated to the secondary fronts or repurposed as armoured personnel carriers. In the Pacific, the M3 Lees were lent to the Australians and Indians, which proved vastly superior to the Japanese tanks in service. The only American use of the M3 Lee at the Pacific Theater was during the Battle of Makin Island.

The M3 Lee served fine as a stop gap solution for the American tank development. They performed very well on the combat field and proved very reliable. However, once a 75 mm turret was finally designed, the M3 Lee was redesigned to use it, and the resulting tank was the M4 Sherman, which will go on to replace the M3 tanks in the Allies as they are withdrawn from service. Even if it wasn't, the M3 was becoming obsolete due to newer German tanks being deployed, such as the Panther, Tiger I, or improvement of of old chassis like Panzer IV Ausf. G and StuG III Ausf. F. Its obsolescence was a consequence of its own rather unique development and anachronistic design, limiting this medium tank's service life to a mere two years in Allied hands. However it lived on until the end of WW2 in the Far East, where it remained superior to Japanese tanks [1] and was ideal as infantry support, for which it had been designed. Approximately 1700 were transferred as soon as they were replaced in North Africa[2]. It also continued in use after modifications such as tractor and recovery vehicles. The chassis and running gear were adapted by the Canadians to develop their Ram medium tank.

An anecdote

"The 75 (mm gun) is firing. The 37 (mm gun) is firing, but it is traversed round the wrong way. The Browning (machine gun) is jammed. I am saying 'Driver advance' on the A set and the driver, who can't hear me, is reversing. And as I look over the top of the turret and see twelve enemy tanks fifty yards away, someone hands me a cheese sandwich." —British Lieutenant Ken Giles, tank commander of a M3 Grant[3]

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External links

References

  1. Burma Grants in Burma theater
  2. Transfers to Indian and Australian armies
  3. Bell, Chris. "Fury: All You Need to Know about Life in a Tank." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 24 Oct. 2014. Web. 12 Jan. 2017. Website


U.S. Army Ordnance Department/Corps*
Light tanks  T18E2 · M24 (Designed in collaboration with Cadillac)
M3 Stuart  M3 · M3A1 Stuart · M3A1 (USMC)
M5 Stuart  M5A1
Medium tanks  M3 Lee
M4 Sherman  M4 · M4A1 · M4A2 · M4A3 (105) · Calliope
  M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (76) W
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26E1 · M26 T99
Patton Series  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47
Prototypes  T54E1 · T95E1
Heavy tanks  M103
M4 Jumbo  M4A3E2 · Cobra King · M4A3E2 (76) W
M6 Heavy  M6A1 · M6A2E1 · T1E1
M26 Pershing  T26E1-1 · T26E5
Prototypes  T14
T29  T29 · T30 · T34
T-32  T32 · T32E1
Tank destroyers  M3 GMC · M10 GMC · M56
M8 GMC  M8 HMC · M8A1 GMC
M36 GMC  M36 GMC · M36B2
Prototypes  T28 · T95
SPAAGs 
Production  M19 MGMC · M42
Export/Captured  ␗M8 HMC · SU-57
Stuart  Stuart I · Stuart III · ␗M3A3 Stuart · ␗M3A3 (1st PTG) · ▄M3A3 · ▄M3A3 Stuart · ▃Stuart VI (5th CAD) · ␗M5A1
Lee/Grant  ▂M3 Medium · ▃Grant I · Grant I
M4 Sherman  Sherman II · ▄M4A1 · ␗M4A1 (75) W · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▂M4A2 · ▄M4A3 (105) · ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▄M4A3E2
  ␗M4A4 · ␗M4A4 (1st PTG) · ▄Sherman V · ▄M4A4 · ▄Sherman I Composito
M26 Pershing  M26 "D.C.Ariete" · M26A1
M47 Patton  mKPz M47 G · ▅M47
M10 GMC  ␗M10 GMC · ▄M10 GMC
M36 GMC  ␗M36 GMC · M36B1 · ▅M36 · ▄M36B2
M19 MGMC  ▅M19A1
M42 MGMC  ▅M42 · ␗M42
  *The Ordnance Department was renamed to the Ordnance Corps after the Army Reorganization Act of 1950.

Britain medium tanks
Valentine  Valentine I · Valentine IX · Valentine XI
Cromwell  Cromwell I · Cromwell V · Cromwell V (RP-3)
Cromwell derivatives  Challenger · Avenger · Comet I · Comet I "Iron Duke IV" · Charioteer Mk VII
Centurion  Centurion Mk 1 · Centurion Mk.2 · Centurion Mk 3 · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk 10 · Centurion Action X · FV4202
Vickers MBT  Vickers Mk.1 · Vickers Mk.3 · Vickers Mk.7
Chieftain  Chieftain Mk 3 · Chieftain Mk 5 · Chieftain Mk 10
Challenger 1  Challenger Mk.2 · Challenger Mk.3 · Challenger DS
Challenger 2  Challenger 2 · Challenger 2 (2F) · Challenger 2 TES · Challenger 2 OES · Challenger 2E · Challenger 2 Black Night
Challenger 3  Challenger 3 TD
Australia  A.C.I · A.C.IV · Centurion Mk.5/1
South Africa  Olifant Mk.1A · Olifant Mk.2 · TTD
India  Vijayanta · Bhishma TWMP
Israel  ▄Sho't Kal Dalet
Jordan  Khalid
Sweden  ▄Strv 81 (RB 52)
USA  Grant I · Sherman II · Sherman Firefly · Sherman IC "Trzyniec"

Britain premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105
Medium tanks  A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
  Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X
  Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES
Heavy tanks  Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince
Tank destroyers  Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram