Difference between revisions of "M6 (75 mm)"
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(Complete addition overhaul adding Description, Usage, Available Ammunition, Comparison with Analogues and Pros and Cons. Minor edits to History, Media, and See Also.) (Tag: Visual edit) |
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | + | The M6 is an American 75mm tank cannon mainly used on the [[M24 (Family)|M24 Chaffee]]. It was developed from the aircraft-mounted 75mm [[T13E1 (75 mm)|T13E1]], which was itself a derivative of the [[M3 (75 mm)|M3]] 75mm tank gun. | |
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon === | === Vehicles equipped with this weapon === | ||
| Line 13: | Line 13: | ||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
| − | + | Mounted to all M24 Chaffee (and Chaffee turrets) in-game, the 75mm M6 is featured in five different tech trees (USA, Japan, Italy, China, and France). This gun will be familiar to tank commanders of many nations. The ammunition choices will also be familiar, as the M72 AP, M48 HE, and the venerable M61 APCBC shell are found in every nation's ground tech tree in-game aside from Sweden. American pilots may also recognize the M61 APCBC and M48 HE as the 'AP-T' and 'HE' shells used by the [[PBJ-1H]]. | |
=== Available ammunition === | === Available ammunition === | ||
| − | <!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' --> | + | <!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' -->'''M72 AP:''' The usual default AP shell in M6-armed vehicles. Decent penetration and post-penetration damage but lacks explosive filler. It is recommended to trade in for better shells once they are unlocked. |
| + | |||
| + | '''M48 HE:''' Useful for demolishing very lightly armored and open-topped targets such as SPAAs and SPGs. Not recommended for use against targets with little more than very thin armor, so 2-3 shells are usually taken if needed. This shell will blow an aircraft out of the sky if it connects. Due to the mass of the explosive, it will fly slower and have a higher firing arc than AP shells. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''M61 APCBC:''' The penultimate shell for use by the M6 cannon, it has good penetration and amazing post-penetration damage due to the high explosive mass. This shell has a reputation of destroying enemy vehicles in one shot on a decent hit. It is recommended to use this shell nearly exclusively when unlocked, for destroying enemy armored vehicles. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''T45 APCR:''' Useful for piercing armor that cannot be penetrated by any other armor-piercing shell. To achieve this, however, the shell trades off post-penetration damage which it limits its ability to destroy enemy vehicles quickly and effectively. Currently only available for the M6 cannon mounted on the [[M24 (TL)]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''M64 Smoke:''' This shell is used more defensively, fired toward enemy sniper positions to blind them or fired over or ahead of friendly forces to conceal movements. This shell is not recommended for offensive use unless in an emergency against an unarmored target. Due to the mass of the smoke, it will fly slower and have a higher firing arc than AP shells. | ||
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
| Line 75: | Line 83: | ||
=== Comparison with analogues === | === Comparison with analogues === | ||
| − | + | - [[M3 (75 mm)|75mm M3]]: The grandfather of the M6, both use the same ammunition with identical ballistic properties. The M6 has a shorter recoil length than the M3 due to its concentric recoil mechanism. The M3 is mainly mounted on the [[M4 Sherman (Family)|M4 Sherman]] family of medium tanks. The M6, mounted on the [[M24 (Family)|M24 Chaffee]], has a slightly longer reload due to the cramped turret. | |
| + | |||
| + | - [[T13E1 (75 mm)|T13E1]]: The derivative father of the M6 and derived from the M3 for use as an aircraft gun, it uses the same M61 APCBC and M48 HE shells with identical ballistic properties. This gun is mainly mounted on the B-25G, B-25H, and the [[PBJ-1H]]. Compared to the M6 mounted in the M24, the T13E1 mounted in the PBJ-1H is able to reload more than twice as fast. | ||
| + | |||
| + | - [[KwK40 (75 mm)|KwK40]]: The German 75mm KwK 40, L/43 and L/48, cannons are mainly mounted on the long-gun members of the [[Pz.IV (Family)|Pz.IV]] medium tank family. Both KwK 40 variants shoot the PzGr 39 shells at higher velocity than the the M6 does with its M61, so the KwK 40 will outshoot the M6 at range. Pz.IV mounted KwK40 guns will also be able to reload slightly faster than M24 mounted M6 guns. | ||
| + | |||
| + | -[[F-34 (76 mm)|F-34]]: The Soviet 76mm F-34 is the standard WWII tank gun of Soviet tanks, and is mounted mainly on the [[T-34 (Family)|T-34]] medium tank family. The F-34's BR-350A/B APHEBC and BR-350SP APBC shells have a slightly higher muzzle velocity than the M61 APCBC shell, but have inferior armor penetration. T-34 mounted F-34 guns have a longer reload than M24 mounted M6 guns due to the T-34s' turrets being even more cramped than the Chaffee's. | ||
| + | |||
| + | -[[OQF Mk.V (75 mm)|OQF Mk.V]]: The British 75mm OQF Mk.V is virtually identical to the 75mm M3 and the M6, being a re-bored [[6pdr OQF Mk.III (57 mm)|57mm OQF 6-pounder]], and uses the same ammunition as the American guns. The only difference is that the OQF Mk.V has a ''very'' ''slightly'' lower muzzle velocity when using the M61 shell. The OQF Mk.V is mainly mounted on the [[Cromwell V]] cruiser and [[Churchill VII]] heavy tanks. Cromwell Vs armed with the OQF Mk.V can reload faster than the M24s with the M6. | ||
| + | |||
| + | -[[Type 3 (75 mm)|Type 3]]: The Japanese 75mm Type 3 is the [[Chi-Nu]] and [[Ho-Ni III]]'s weapon of choice. It has very similar armor penetration to the M6 but keeps more power behind it at longer ranges. Type 1 APHE has a higher muzzle velocity than M61 APCBC and combined with the higher armor penetration at range means that the Type 3 will outperform the M6 at longer ranges. The Chi-Nu and Ho-Ni III are able to reload faster than the M24 Chaffee. | ||
| + | |||
| + | -[[Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)|Ansaldo 75 L/34]]: The Italian 75mm 75 L/34 is a tank gun mounted on the [[P40]], [[P40 "G.C. Leoncello"]], medium tanks and the [[75/34 M43]] tank destroyer. The Granata Preforante 75/32 APCBC shell is significantly inferior to the M61 and even the M71 shell in terms of armor penetration. The 75 L/34 is not as accurate as the M6, but is able to reload a lot faster than it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | -[[SA49 (75 mm)|SA49]]: The French 75mm SA49 is carried by the [[AMX-13 (FL11)]] light tank. The AMX-13 (FL11) also gets access to the M61 APCBC shot with identical properties. The French PCOT-51P APCBC shell has a higher muzzle velocity than the M61 shot but has no explosive filler. Accuracy of the SA49 is poor at longer ranges so the M6 has a slight advantage. The AMX-13 (FL11) is able to reload slightly faster than the M24 Chafee. | ||
| + | |||
| + | -[[Kan m/41 (75 mm)|Kan m/41]]: The Swedish 75mm Kan m/41 is mounted to the [[Ikv 72]] self-propelled gun and the [[Ikv 73]] and [[Strv m/42 EH]] medium tanks. The slpprj m/40B APBC shell is inferior compared to the M61 shot in terms of armor penetration and muzzle velocity. The M6 will be able to outperform the Kan m/41 at medium to long ranges. Vehicles armed with the Kan m/41 are able to reload faster than vehicles armed with the M6. | ||
== Usage in battles == | == Usage in battles == | ||
| − | ' | + | The 75mm M6 is an excellent anti-tank weapon at Rank II-III where it is usually utilized, and is able to still perform decently far above its tier. As with any gun, knowing your enemy's strongpoints and weakspots will allow you to use this gun effectively. Good muzzle velocity, armor penetration, and post-penetration damage with the M61 APCBC shell allows this gun to defeat many enemies in one shot, especially Axis medium and light tanks. Check ''Available Ammunition'' for recommendations on what shells to use with this gun and how. |
| + | |||
| + | '''M24 Chaffee:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | When mounted in an M24 Chaffee turret, the 75mm M6 has access to a vertical stabilizer. This means that the M24 is able to vertically stabilize the gun for accurate firing very quickly. Depending on the circumstances, a stabilized M6 cannon can outperform any other tank gun previously mentioned which does not have a stabilizer on the move. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It is very highly recommended to not turn off the vertical stabilizer when using this vehicle. | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
| − | '' | + | '''Pros:''' |
| + | |||
| + | * Compatible with an wide variety of shell options, including the excellent M61 APCBC shell | ||
| + | * Decent muzzle velocity | ||
| + | * Good accuracy | ||
| + | * Good penetration with AP shells | ||
| + | * Uses single-piece ammunition which simplifies and speeds up reloading | ||
| + | * Slightly smaller barrel and breech assembly: has a moderate to slightly low chance of taking damage if the carrier vehicle is hit | ||
| + | * Shorter recoiling system than the 75mm M3 | ||
| + | * Vertical stabilizer when mounted on the M24 Chaffee | ||
| + | * Commonly mounted on the M24 Chaffee, an excellent weapons platform | ||
| + | * Available in many tech trees (USA, Japan, Italy, China, France) | ||
| − | |||
* | * | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Slightly longer-than-average reload when mounted on the M24 Chaffee | ||
| + | * Lower accuracy and armor penetration at long ranges | ||
| + | * APCR is only available for the M24 (TL) | ||
| + | * Can struggle against vehicles with heavy or significantly angled armor | ||
| + | * Not compatible with ammunition such as HEAT, HESH, APDS, HEAT-FS or APFSDS to increase its longevity at higher BRs | ||
| + | * Not currently available in some tech trees (USSR, Britain, Germany, Sweden) | ||
| + | |||
* | * | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
<!--''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''--> | <!--''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''--> | ||
| − | Development of the | + | Development of a new light tank for the US Army began in 1943 with the focus of improving the light tanks' firepower from a 37mm to a 75 mm gun. The new light tank design, designated ''T24'' on 29 April 1943, required a lighter-weight and shorter-recoiling 75 mm gun than that seen on the [[M4|M4 Sherman]]'s [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm M3]].<ref name="ZalogaChaffeepg1">Zaloga 2003, p.6-8</ref> |
[[File:M24 Chaffee in Italy 1945.jpg|right|thumb|none|x250px|A M24 Chaffee and its 75 mm M6 gun.]] | [[File:M24 Chaffee in Italy 1945.jpg|right|thumb|none|x250px|A M24 Chaffee and its 75 mm M6 gun.]] | ||
| − | Rock Island Arsenal was tasked with the development of the new lightweight 75 mm gun.<ref name="ZalogaChaffeepg2">Zaloga 2003, p.8</ref> The basis of the new gun was the [[T13E1 (75 mm)|75 mm T13E1]], which | + | Rock Island Arsenal was tasked with the development of the new lightweight 75 mm gun.<ref name="ZalogaChaffeepg2">Zaloga 2003, p.8</ref> The basis of the new gun was the [[T13E1 (75 mm)|75 mm T13E1]], which had seen use as an aircraft mount as the 75mm M5 on the G and H variants of the [[B-25 (Family)|B-25 Mitchell]] and the [[PBJ-1H|PBJ-1H]].<ref name="ZalogaChaffeepg2" /><ref name="StuartHunnicuttpg1">Hunnicutt 1992, p.220-221</ref> The 75 mm M3 and T13E1 shared ballistic performances, but the T13E1 had thinner barrel walls which shortened barrel life and caused the gun to overheat more easily. The T13E1 utilized a T19 concentric recoil mechanism, which shortened the recoil length than the M3.<ref name="ZalogaChaffeepg2" /><ref name="StuartHunnicuttpg1" /> These design changes allowed the T13E1 to achieve a weight of just over 400 lb, compared to the 75 mm M3's 893 lb. weight.<ref name="StuartHunnicuttpg1" /> The design was worked on with a new T33 concentric recoil mechanism in a T90 combination gun mount to fit within a light tank turret.<ref name="ZalogaChaffeepg2" /><ref name="StuartHunnicuttpg1" /> This new gun configuration and mount was tested in Summer 1943, and proved that the gun can work inside a tank with a turret ring down to 60 inches in diameter. |
| − | When the T24 was accepted into service as the [[M24|M24 Chaffee]] on 22 June 1944, the modified 75 mm T13E1 was | + | When the T24 was accepted into service as the [[M24|M24 Chaffee]] on 22 June 1944, the modified 75 mm T13E1 was standardized as the '''75 mm gun M6''' in a M64 combination gun mount.<ref name="StuartHunnicuttpg2">Hunnicutt 1992, p.228-229</ref> |
| − | An attempt was made to improve the 75 mm M6 gun in early 1945 with the ''75 mm gun T21''. The new gun featured a stronger breech assembly, improved firing mechanism, a fixed breech operating handle, and a hand cocking lever for the gun that was accessible to every turret crew member. The gun also featured a T13 single-baffle muzzle brake. The gun was eventually accepted as the ''75 mm gun M17'', but the war had ended by that point and so | + | An attempt was made to improve the 75 mm M6 gun in early 1945 with the ''75 mm gun T21''. The new gun featured a stronger breech assembly, improved firing mechanism, a fixed breech operating handle, and a hand cocking lever for the gun that was accessible to every turret crew member. The gun also featured a T13 single-baffle muzzle brake. The gun was eventually accepted as the ''75 mm gun M17'', but the war had ended by that point and so did the M24 production lines.<ref name="StuartHunnicuttpg3">Hunnicutt 1992, p.230</ref> |
== Media == | == Media == | ||
| − | '' | + | https://youtu.be/MgClhco7Vk8 - Gameplay of the M6 in the M24 Chaffee, m''entions the gun at 4:10'' |
== See also == | == See also == | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | * | + | * [[T13E1 (75 mm)|T13E1]]- aircraft cannon the M6 was derived from |
| − | * | + | * [[M3 (75 mm)]] - tank cannon the T13E1 was derived from |
== External links == | == External links == | ||
| Line 112: | Line 160: | ||
* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;'' | * ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;'' | ||
| − | * ''other literature.''--> | + | * ''other literature.''-->http://www.theshermantank.com/wp-content/uploads/M3-gun-data-image.png |
| + | |||
| + | https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/TM/pdfs/TM9-1311.pdf | ||
===References=== | ===References=== | ||
| Line 118: | Line 168: | ||
===Bibliography=== | ===Bibliography=== | ||
| + | |||
* Hunnicutt, R.P. ''Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank.'' Presidio Press, 1992 | * Hunnicutt, R.P. ''Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank.'' Presidio Press, 1992 | ||
* Zaloga, Steven. ''M24 Chaffee Light Tank 1943-85.'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2003 | * Zaloga, Steven. ''M24 Chaffee Light Tank 1943-85.'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2003 | ||
Revision as of 04:31, 30 September 2021
Contents
Description
The M6 is an American 75mm tank cannon mainly used on the M24 Chaffee. It was developed from the aircraft-mounted 75mm T13E1, which was itself a derivative of the M3 75mm tank gun.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
Mounted to all M24 Chaffee (and Chaffee turrets) in-game, the 75mm M6 is featured in five different tech trees (USA, Japan, Italy, China, and France). This gun will be familiar to tank commanders of many nations. The ammunition choices will also be familiar, as the M72 AP, M48 HE, and the venerable M61 APCBC shell are found in every nation's ground tech tree in-game aside from Sweden. American pilots may also recognize the M61 APCBC and M48 HE as the 'AP-T' and 'HE' shells used by the PBJ-1H.
Available ammunition
M72 AP: The usual default AP shell in M6-armed vehicles. Decent penetration and post-penetration damage but lacks explosive filler. It is recommended to trade in for better shells once they are unlocked.
M48 HE: Useful for demolishing very lightly armored and open-topped targets such as SPAAs and SPGs. Not recommended for use against targets with little more than very thin armor, so 2-3 shells are usually taken if needed. This shell will blow an aircraft out of the sky if it connects. Due to the mass of the explosive, it will fly slower and have a higher firing arc than AP shells.
M61 APCBC: The penultimate shell for use by the M6 cannon, it has good penetration and amazing post-penetration damage due to the high explosive mass. This shell has a reputation of destroying enemy vehicles in one shot on a decent hit. It is recommended to use this shell nearly exclusively when unlocked, for destroying enemy armored vehicles.
T45 APCR: Useful for piercing armor that cannot be penetrated by any other armor-piercing shell. To achieve this, however, the shell trades off post-penetration damage which it limits its ability to destroy enemy vehicles quickly and effectively. Currently only available for the M6 cannon mounted on the M24 (TL).
M64 Smoke: This shell is used more defensively, fired toward enemy sniper positions to blind them or fired over or ahead of friendly forces to conceal movements. This shell is not recommended for offensive use unless in an emergency against an unarmored target. Due to the mass of the smoke, it will fly slower and have a higher firing arc than AP shells.
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| M72 shot | AP | 91 | 88 | 78 | 67 | 57 | 49 |
| M48 shell | HE | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| M61 shot | APCBC | 104 | 101 | 90 | 78 | 68 | 59 |
| T45 shot | APCR | 139 | 135 | 121 | 105 | 91 | 79 |
| Shell details | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile Mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | |||||||
| M72 shot | AP | 619 | 6.3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 47° | 60° | 65° |
| M48 shell | HE | 463 | 6.3 | 0 | 0.1 | 666 | 79° | 80° | 81° |
| M61 shot | APCBC | 618 | 6.79 | 1.2 | 14 | 63.7 | 48° | 63° | 71° |
| T45 shot | APCR | 868 | 3.81 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 66° | 70° | 72° |
| 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) |
| M64 | 381 | 6.9 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 50 |
Comparison with analogues
- 75mm M3: The grandfather of the M6, both use the same ammunition with identical ballistic properties. The M6 has a shorter recoil length than the M3 due to its concentric recoil mechanism. The M3 is mainly mounted on the M4 Sherman family of medium tanks. The M6, mounted on the M24 Chaffee, has a slightly longer reload due to the cramped turret.
- T13E1: The derivative father of the M6 and derived from the M3 for use as an aircraft gun, it uses the same M61 APCBC and M48 HE shells with identical ballistic properties. This gun is mainly mounted on the B-25G, B-25H, and the PBJ-1H. Compared to the M6 mounted in the M24, the T13E1 mounted in the PBJ-1H is able to reload more than twice as fast.
- KwK40: The German 75mm KwK 40, L/43 and L/48, cannons are mainly mounted on the long-gun members of the Pz.IV medium tank family. Both KwK 40 variants shoot the PzGr 39 shells at higher velocity than the the M6 does with its M61, so the KwK 40 will outshoot the M6 at range. Pz.IV mounted KwK40 guns will also be able to reload slightly faster than M24 mounted M6 guns.
-F-34: The Soviet 76mm F-34 is the standard WWII tank gun of Soviet tanks, and is mounted mainly on the T-34 medium tank family. The F-34's BR-350A/B APHEBC and BR-350SP APBC shells have a slightly higher muzzle velocity than the M61 APCBC shell, but have inferior armor penetration. T-34 mounted F-34 guns have a longer reload than M24 mounted M6 guns due to the T-34s' turrets being even more cramped than the Chaffee's.
-OQF Mk.V: The British 75mm OQF Mk.V is virtually identical to the 75mm M3 and the M6, being a re-bored 57mm OQF 6-pounder, and uses the same ammunition as the American guns. The only difference is that the OQF Mk.V has a very slightly lower muzzle velocity when using the M61 shell. The OQF Mk.V is mainly mounted on the Cromwell V cruiser and Churchill VII heavy tanks. Cromwell Vs armed with the OQF Mk.V can reload faster than the M24s with the M6.
-Type 3: The Japanese 75mm Type 3 is the Chi-Nu and Ho-Ni III's weapon of choice. It has very similar armor penetration to the M6 but keeps more power behind it at longer ranges. Type 1 APHE has a higher muzzle velocity than M61 APCBC and combined with the higher armor penetration at range means that the Type 3 will outperform the M6 at longer ranges. The Chi-Nu and Ho-Ni III are able to reload faster than the M24 Chaffee.
-Ansaldo 75 L/34: The Italian 75mm 75 L/34 is a tank gun mounted on the P40, P40 "G.C. Leoncello", medium tanks and the 75/34 M43 tank destroyer. The Granata Preforante 75/32 APCBC shell is significantly inferior to the M61 and even the M71 shell in terms of armor penetration. The 75 L/34 is not as accurate as the M6, but is able to reload a lot faster than it.
-SA49: The French 75mm SA49 is carried by the AMX-13 (FL11) light tank. The AMX-13 (FL11) also gets access to the M61 APCBC shot with identical properties. The French PCOT-51P APCBC shell has a higher muzzle velocity than the M61 shot but has no explosive filler. Accuracy of the SA49 is poor at longer ranges so the M6 has a slight advantage. The AMX-13 (FL11) is able to reload slightly faster than the M24 Chafee.
-Kan m/41: The Swedish 75mm Kan m/41 is mounted to the Ikv 72 self-propelled gun and the Ikv 73 and Strv m/42 EH medium tanks. The slpprj m/40B APBC shell is inferior compared to the M61 shot in terms of armor penetration and muzzle velocity. The M6 will be able to outperform the Kan m/41 at medium to long ranges. Vehicles armed with the Kan m/41 are able to reload faster than vehicles armed with the M6.
Usage in battles
The 75mm M6 is an excellent anti-tank weapon at Rank II-III where it is usually utilized, and is able to still perform decently far above its tier. As with any gun, knowing your enemy's strongpoints and weakspots will allow you to use this gun effectively. Good muzzle velocity, armor penetration, and post-penetration damage with the M61 APCBC shell allows this gun to defeat many enemies in one shot, especially Axis medium and light tanks. Check Available Ammunition for recommendations on what shells to use with this gun and how.
M24 Chaffee:
When mounted in an M24 Chaffee turret, the 75mm M6 has access to a vertical stabilizer. This means that the M24 is able to vertically stabilize the gun for accurate firing very quickly. Depending on the circumstances, a stabilized M6 cannon can outperform any other tank gun previously mentioned which does not have a stabilizer on the move.
It is very highly recommended to not turn off the vertical stabilizer when using this vehicle.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Compatible with an wide variety of shell options, including the excellent M61 APCBC shell
- Decent muzzle velocity
- Good accuracy
- Good penetration with AP shells
- Uses single-piece ammunition which simplifies and speeds up reloading
- Slightly smaller barrel and breech assembly: has a moderate to slightly low chance of taking damage if the carrier vehicle is hit
- Shorter recoiling system than the 75mm M3
- Vertical stabilizer when mounted on the M24 Chaffee
- Commonly mounted on the M24 Chaffee, an excellent weapons platform
- Available in many tech trees (USA, Japan, Italy, China, France)
Cons:
- Slightly longer-than-average reload when mounted on the M24 Chaffee
- Lower accuracy and armor penetration at long ranges
- APCR is only available for the M24 (TL)
- Can struggle against vehicles with heavy or significantly angled armor
- Not compatible with ammunition such as HEAT, HESH, APDS, HEAT-FS or APFSDS to increase its longevity at higher BRs
- Not currently available in some tech trees (USSR, Britain, Germany, Sweden)
History
Development of a new light tank for the US Army began in 1943 with the focus of improving the light tanks' firepower from a 37mm to a 75 mm gun. The new light tank design, designated T24 on 29 April 1943, required a lighter-weight and shorter-recoiling 75 mm gun than that seen on the M4 Sherman's 75 mm M3.[1]
Rock Island Arsenal was tasked with the development of the new lightweight 75 mm gun.[2] The basis of the new gun was the 75 mm T13E1, which had seen use as an aircraft mount as the 75mm M5 on the G and H variants of the B-25 Mitchell and the PBJ-1H.[2][3] The 75 mm M3 and T13E1 shared ballistic performances, but the T13E1 had thinner barrel walls which shortened barrel life and caused the gun to overheat more easily. The T13E1 utilized a T19 concentric recoil mechanism, which shortened the recoil length than the M3.[2][3] These design changes allowed the T13E1 to achieve a weight of just over 400 lb, compared to the 75 mm M3's 893 lb. weight.[3] The design was worked on with a new T33 concentric recoil mechanism in a T90 combination gun mount to fit within a light tank turret.[2][3] This new gun configuration and mount was tested in Summer 1943, and proved that the gun can work inside a tank with a turret ring down to 60 inches in diameter.
When the T24 was accepted into service as the M24 Chaffee on 22 June 1944, the modified 75 mm T13E1 was standardized as the 75 mm gun M6 in a M64 combination gun mount.[4]
An attempt was made to improve the 75 mm M6 gun in early 1945 with the 75 mm gun T21. The new gun featured a stronger breech assembly, improved firing mechanism, a fixed breech operating handle, and a hand cocking lever for the gun that was accessible to every turret crew member. The gun also featured a T13 single-baffle muzzle brake. The gun was eventually accepted as the 75 mm gun M17, but the war had ended by that point and so did the M24 production lines.[5]
Media
https://youtu.be/MgClhco7Vk8 - Gameplay of the M6 in the M24 Chaffee, mentions the gun at 4:10
See also
- T13E1- aircraft cannon the M6 was derived from
- M3 (75 mm) - tank cannon the T13E1 was derived from
External links
https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/TM/pdfs/TM9-1311.pdf
References
Bibliography
- Hunnicutt, R.P. Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank. Presidio Press, 1992
- Zaloga, Steven. M24 Chaffee Light Tank 1943-85. Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2003
| USA tank cannons | |
|---|---|
| 20 mm | M139 |
| 25 mm | LW25 · M242 |
| 37 mm | M3 · M5 · M6 |
| 57 mm | M1 |
| 75 mm | M2 · M2 Howitzer · M3 · M6 · M1897A4 · XM274 |
| 76 mm | M1 · M7 · M32 · T185E1 |
| 90 mm | M3 · M3A1 · M36 · M41 · M54 · T15E1 · T15E2 · T54 · T208E9 |
| 105 mm | M4 · M68 · M68A1 · M68A1E8 · T5E1 · T5E2 · T140E2 · T140E3 · XM35 |
| 106 mm | M40A1C |
| 120 mm | M58 · M256 · T53 |
| 152 mm | M81 · M162 · XM150E5 |
| 155 mm | M185 · T7 |
| 165 mm | M135 |
| Foreign: | |
| 20 mm | Rh202 (Germany) |
| 57 mm | 6pdr OQF Mk.III (Britain) · ZIS-2 (USSR) |
| 105 mm | Sharir (Israel) |
| 120 mm | IMI MG251 (Israel) |
| Japan tank cannons | |
|---|---|
| 37 mm | Type 94 · Type 100 · Type 1 |
| 47 mm | Type 1 |
| 57 mm | Type 90 · Type 97 |
| 70 mm | Type 94 |
| 75 mm | Type 90 · Type 99 · Type 3 · Type 5 (Type I Model II · Type II Model I · Type II Model II) |
| 90 mm | Type 61 |
| 105 mm | Type 5 (Experimental · Production) · JSW L/52 |
| 106 mm | Type 60 (B) |
| 120 mm | Taishō Type 10 · Navy short gun · Type 90 L/44 · Type 10 L/44 |
| 150 mm | Type 38 |
| 155 mm | NSJ L/30 · JSW L/52 |
| Foreign: | |
| 25 mm | Oerlikon KBA B02 (Switzerland) |
| 30 mm | Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 (USA) |
| 35 mm | Oerlikon KDE (Switzerland) |
| 75 mm | M6 (USA) |
| 76 mm | M1 (USA) · M32 (USA) |
| 88 mm | KwK36 (Germany) |
| 90 mm | M3A1 (USA) · M36 (USA) |
| 105 mm | L7A3 (Germany) |
| 120 mm | Schneider-Canet 1898 (France) |
| China tank cannons | |
|---|---|
| 30 mm | ZPL02 · ZPZ02 |
| 73 mm | Type 86 |
| 76 mm | M32K1 |
| 85 mm | Type 56 · Type 63 |
| 100 mm | PTP86 · Type 59 · Type 69 · Type 69-II · ZPL04 |
| 105 mm | 88B-105T · Type 83 · WMA301 · ZPL94 · ZPL98A |
| 120 mm | 122TM · PTZ89 |
| 125 mm | Type 88C · Type 99A · ZPT98 |
| 130 mm | PL59A Gai |
| 152 mm | PL66 Gai |
| Foreign: | |
| 20 mm | KwK30 (Germany) |
| 37 mm | M6 (USA) |
| 45 mm | 20-K (USSR) |
| 47 mm | Type 1 (Japan) |
| 57 mm | Type 97 (Japan) · ZIS-2 (USSR) |
| 75 mm | M2 Howitzer (USA) · M3 (USA) · M6 (USA) |
| 76 mm | D-56T (USSR) · F-34 (USSR) · M1 (USA) · M7 (USA) · ZIS-3 (USSR) |
| 85 mm | ZIS-S-53 (USSR) |
| 90 mm | M3 (USA) · M41 (USA) |
| 100 mm | D-10S (USSR) |
| 105 mm | M68 (USA) · M68A1 (USA) |
| 115 mm | U-5TS (USSR) |
| 122 mm | A-19 (USSR) · D-25T (USSR) |
| 152 mm | ML-20S (USSR) |
| France tank cannons | |
|---|---|
| 20 mm | 20F2 |
| 25 mm | SA35 L/72 |
| 37 mm | SA18 L/21 · SA38 L/33 |
| 47 mm | SA34 L/30 · SA35 L/32 · SA37 |
| 75 mm | APX · APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 · SA35 L/17 · SA44 · SA49 · SA50 L/57 |
| 90 mm | D.911 APX · CN90 F2 · CN90 F3 · CN90 F4 · D915 · DEFA F1 · SA45 · SA47 |
| 100 mm | SA47 L/58 |
| 105 mm | CN-105-F1 · Giat 105 G2 · Modele F2 · PzK M57 |
| 120 mm | GIAT CN120-25 G1 · GIAT CN120-26 F1 · SA46 |
| 142 mm | ACRA |
| 155 mm | GCT F1 · Schneider 155 C · L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950 |
| Foreign: | |
| 15 mm | MG 151 (Germany) |
| 20 mm | MG 151 (Germany) |
| 30 mm | Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 (USA) |
| 37 mm | M6 (USA) |
| 40 mm | Bofors L/60 · QF 2-pounder (Britain) |
| 75 mm | KwK42 (Germany) · M3 (USA) · M6 (USA) |
| 76 mm | M7 (USA) |
| 90 mm | M3 (USA) |
| 105 mm | M4 (USA) |
