Difference between revisions of "M2"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m2_medium}}
 
{{Specs-Card|code=us_m2_medium}}
−
{{Notice|''This page is about the medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For other uses, see [[M2 (Disambiguation)]]''}}
+
{{About
 +
|about = medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
|usage = other uses
 +
|link = M2 (Family)
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
+
<!--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_M2Medium.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_M2Medium.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]].  
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]].  
  
 
The M2 medium tank, as the first medium tank of the American line-up, has some features that would become staple of the American ground forces that would be great to be familiarized with. The first of which is sloping front armour which, despite the base thickness of only 28.5 mm, gives the total frontal effective armour of 40 mm. The second is the handling and mobility, which are quite comparable to its successors with its weight distribution and speed. As such, driving experience with the M2 would greatly benefit in later games once past Rank I.
 
The M2 medium tank, as the first medium tank of the American line-up, has some features that would become staple of the American ground forces that would be great to be familiarized with. The first of which is sloping front armour which, despite the base thickness of only 28.5 mm, gives the total frontal effective armour of 40 mm. The second is the handling and mobility, which are quite comparable to its successors with its weight distribution and speed. As such, driving experience with the M2 would greatly benefit in later games once past Rank I.
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--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.''-->
+
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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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Hull || 28.5 mm (53°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 28.5 mm (17-48°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 28.5 mm (13-16°) ''Driver's port'' || 25.4 mm (16-36°) ''Front'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Everywhere else'' || 25.4 mm (1°) ''Hull top'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Top engine deck'' <br> 9.5 mm (12-52°) ''Bottom engine deck'' || 9.5 mm  
+
| Hull || 28.5 mm (53°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 28.5 mm (17-48°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 28.5 mm (13-16°) ''Driver's port'' || 25.4 mm (16-36°) ''Front'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Everywhere else'' || 25.4 mm (1°) ''Hull top'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Top engine deck'' <br> 9.5 mm (12-52°) ''Bottom engine deck'' || 9.5 mm  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Turret || 25.4 mm (10-14°) ''Turret front'' <br> 25.4 mm (9-54°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (20°) || 25.4 mm (19°) || 9.5 mm  
 
| Turret || 25.4 mm (10-14°) ''Turret front'' <br> 25.4 mm (9-54°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (20°) || 25.4 mm (19°) || 9.5 mm  
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=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
+
<!--Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.-->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
+
<!--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|M3 (37 mm)}}
 
{{main|M3 (37 mm)}}
  
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! colspan="6" | [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm M3]]
 
! colspan="6" | [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm M3]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
+
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
+
! colspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
+
! colspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! colspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="4" | 200 || -10°/+25° || ±180°
+
| colspan="3" | 200 || -10°/+25° || ±180° || N/A
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
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! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Arcade'' || 3.27 || 4.50 || 5.50 || 6.00 || 6.40
+
| ''Arcade'' || 5.24 || 7.25 || 8.80 || 9.73 || 10.35
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ''Realistic'' || 3.27 || 3.85 || 4.67 || 5.17 || 5.50
 
| ''Realistic'' || 3.27 || 3.85 || 4.67 || 5.17 || 5.50
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! 2000m
 
! 2000m
 
|-
 
|-
−
|M74 shot || AP || 66 || 65 || 55 || 46 || 38 || 31
+
| M74 shot || AP || 66 || 65 || 55 || 46 || 38 || 31
 +
|-
 +
| M51 shot || APCBC || 66 || 65 || 55 || 46 || 38 || 31  
 
|-
 
|-
−
|M51 shot || APC ||66 ||65 ||55||46||38||31
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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! 100%
 
! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
−
|M74 shot|| AP || 792 || 0.87 ||N/A||N/A||N/A|| -1°||47°||60°||65°
+
| M74 shot || AP || 792 || 0.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1°|| 47° || 60° || 65°  
 +
|-
 +
| M51 shot || APCBC || 792 || 0.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|-
−
|M51 shot|| APC || 792 || 0.87 ||N/A||N/A||N/A||+4°||48°||63°||71°
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| '''200''' || 101 ''(+99)'' || 1 ''(+199)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes  
+
|| '''200''' || 101 ''(+99)'' || 1 ''(+199)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
<!--''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|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | [[Browning (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
+
! colspan="14" | [[Browning (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
−
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
+
! colspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
+
! colspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
+
! colspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
|-
 
| colspan="4" | 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
 
| colspan="4" | 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
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|}
 
|}
  
−
== Usage in the 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 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).-->
 +
 
 
The M2 with its decent frontal armour, mobility, and firepower allows it to compete in Rank I. However, it is best to use the vehicle from a distance as it would increase the sloped armour effectiveness against enemy rounds, which would've lost most of its power due to the distance. While the 37 mm cannon can penetrate most tanks at the BR, the gun is on a slow traversing turret, requiring for careful alignment of the turret in the right direction. Flanking enemies would make this a problem so stay in an area that can narrow down enemy paths and stay alert.
 
The M2 with its decent frontal armour, mobility, and firepower allows it to compete in Rank I. However, it is best to use the vehicle from a distance as it would increase the sloped armour effectiveness against enemy rounds, which would've lost most of its power due to the distance. While the 37 mm cannon can penetrate most tanks at the BR, the gun is on a slow traversing turret, requiring for careful alignment of the turret in the right direction. Flanking enemies would make this a problem so stay in an area that can narrow down enemy paths and stay alert.
  
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=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
+
<!--Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".-->
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Reliable gun with good rate of fire.
+
* Reliable 37 mm gun with good penetration and rate of fire
−
* 37 mm rounds have good penetration.
+
* Has a higher than average crew count of 6 crew members
−
* 6 crew members give a more than average crew count.
+
* Has 7 machine guns modeled and functional, which can be effective against thin-skinned vehicles and aircraft
−
* Has 7 machine guns modeled and functional.
 
−
* Very effective against open top vehicles due to machine guns.
 
−
* Can be used as a form of SPAA due to the amount of machine gun coverage. Low flying aircraft can be damaged or shot down if enough shots hit.
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* Tank is cramped, a shot can take out many crew members at once.
+
* Cramped tank interior and large number of crew means a penetrating hit will more than likely get one
−
* Turret rotation is very slow.
+
* Turret rotation is very slow
−
* No ammunition with HE filler.
+
* No ammunition with HE filler
−
* Large and tall, making it an easy target.
+
* Large and tall, making it an easy target
−
* All the ammo are packed into neat little boxes in the bottom of hull, a shot at suspension area could set one off.
+
* All the ammo are packed into neat little boxes in the bottom of hull, a shot at suspension area could set one off
−
* 7 machine guns is of questionable value against all but the lightest armoured vehicles.
+
* 7 machine guns is of questionable value against all but the lightest armoured vehicles
−
* Very thin roof armour of 9.5 mm.
+
* Very thin roof armour of 9.5 mm
−
* Past the front, the overall tank surface is poorly sloped and angled.
+
* Past the front, the overall tank surface is poorly sloped and angled
−
* Tall center of gravity, resulting in very unstable turns at high speeds, and at risk of tipping.
+
* Tall center of gravity, resulting in very unstable turns at high speeds and at risk of tipping
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
+
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. 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===
 
The development of the [[M2A4|M2 light tank]] also started a development for a new medium tank. Rock Island Arsenal took up the project and developed a vehicle known as ''T5''. It was basically an upscaled M2 Light Tank, still using the vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS), and this modified vehicle was designated the '''M2 Medium Tank''' in June 1939. 18 units in, and the tank was upgraded with a redesigned turret and a more powerful engine, this variant was designated the '''M2A1''' Medium Tank.  
 
The development of the [[M2A4|M2 light tank]] also started a development for a new medium tank. Rock Island Arsenal took up the project and developed a vehicle known as ''T5''. It was basically an upscaled M2 Light Tank, still using the vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS), and this modified vehicle was designated the '''M2 Medium Tank''' in June 1939. 18 units in, and the tank was upgraded with a redesigned turret and a more powerful engine, this variant was designated the '''M2A1''' Medium Tank.  
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Despite its obsolete status by 1940 due to the Soviet [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]] tanks and the German [[Pz.III F|Panzer III]] tanks, it provided useful insight in the future of American medium tank designs. The M2 was one of the first American designs to incorporate sloping armour on the glacis effectively, and revealed to the American generals that an excessive amount of machine guns on tanks were useless in battle.
 
Despite its obsolete status by 1940 due to the Soviet [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]] tanks and the German [[Pz.III F|Panzer III]] tanks, it provided useful insight in the future of American medium tank designs. The M2 was one of the first American designs to incorporate sloping armour on the glacis effectively, and revealed to the American generals that an excessive amount of machine guns on tanks were useless in battle.
 +
 +
=== In-game description ===
 +
American builders moved away from combination wheel and track vehicles to develop a new tank they termed the T5. In an attempt to save time and money, while also standardizing construction, they pulled components and units from the prototype T2 light tank (the prototype for the mass-produced M1) in addition to its layout and some chassis elements. The Rock Island Arsenal headed up the design process for the T5, which began in 1936, though the first prototype was ready for trials at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in February 1938. The experience showed that the powertrain could not cope with combat weight exceeding 15 tons and that the tank's frontal bullet-proof armor needed an upgrade. A slanted armor plate soon appeared, protecting the crew from all bullet calibers and shells up to 37-40 mm at long distances.
 +
 +
Later the T5 Phase II modification and its alternative powertrain appeared, and in spring of 1939 the engine was replaced with the 350 hp radial Wright R973. Other upgrades included installing the frontal hull plates at a better angle and moving a pair of machine guns to the right-hand side. The new vehicle was termed the T5 Phase III.
 +
 +
The T5E1 prototype and its Guiberson diesel engine was modeled after the T5. It was later employed in trials for experimental equipment and twin-mounted 37 mm cannons.
 +
 +
The tank headed for full-scale production and was accepted by the American army under the designation M2. The first set of 15 units got under way in August 1939 at the Rock Island Arsenal, with 18 total units featuring that particular modification eventually built.
 +
 +
The tank's primary drawbacks were weak armor, a riveted construction, a high profile, narrow tracks, and an under-powered engine.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
<!--''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''-->
+
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
−
{{youtube|url = tL-4WSHTb30|BenningTV Tank Talk: M2-A1}}
+
{{Youtube-gallery|tL-4WSHTb30|BenningTV Tank Talk: M2-A1}}
  
−
== Read also ==
+
== See also ==
−
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
−
''ETC.''-->
 
−
[http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/676/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Steel Generals: M2 Medium Tank]<br>
 
−
[http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/707/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Developers about M2]
 
−
 
−
== Sources ==
 
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
  
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!--Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 +
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
* [http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/676/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Steel Generals: M2 Medium Tank]
 +
* [http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/707/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Developers about M2]
  
 
{{USA medium tanks}}
 
{{USA medium tanks}}

Revision as of 04:52, 22 May 2019

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
M2
us_m2_medium.png
M2
USA flag.png USA
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.3 1.3 1.3
Class:
Research:2 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:700 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the medium tank M2. For other uses, see M2 (Family).

Description

GarageImage M2.jpg


The Medium Tank M2 is a rank I American medium tank with a battle rating of 1.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals".

The M2 medium tank, as the first medium tank of the American line-up, has some features that would become staple of the American ground forces that would be great to be familiarized with. The first of which is sloping front armour which, despite the base thickness of only 28.5 mm, gives the total frontal effective armour of 40 mm. The second is the handling and mobility, which are quite comparable to its successors with its weight distribution and speed. As such, driving experience with the M2 would greatly benefit in later games once past Rank I.

The M2 Medium has the most machine guns on a tank in the game. There are nine visible machine guns, two on the turret, four in the hull sponsons, two fixed in the front hull, and the coaxial machine gun. The reason for the M2 Medium's many machine guns is due to the US Army's infantry inter-war belief in the machine gun being the main weapon to support an assault, with the 37 mm gun only meant to support the tank when facing other tanks. The priority in the machine gun can be seen with the metal flaps on the rear, which would show in-game in the armour viewer as 5 mm RHA plates. These plates were meant for the rear sponson gunners to shoot the machine gun rounds to "ricochet" the bullets downwards onto trenches as the M2 Medium crosses over them. While it isn't possible to do this in the game, it is a good indication on how important the machine guns were in the M2 Medium's design.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 28.5 mm (53°) Front glacis
28.5 mm (17-48°) Lower glacis
28.5 mm (13-16°) Driver's port 		25.4 mm (16-36°) Front
25.4 mm Everywhere else 		25.4 mm (1°) Hull top
25.4 mm Top engine deck
9.5 mm (12-52°) Bottom engine deck 		9.5 mm
Turret 25.4 mm (10-14°) Turret front
25.4 mm (9-54°) Gun mantlet 		25.4 mm (20°) 25.4 mm (19°) 9.5 mm

An anti-tank weapon greater than 37 mm can often find a way through the armor. One significant weak point on the frontal glacis would be the driver's hatch, as it is lightly sloped at about 15°. Not only that, but getting hit in this location would often lead to a knock-out of both the driver and commander in the center, which would incapacitate the M2's mobility and firepower.

Though the M2 Medium seem to be cramped for six crew members, they are actual quite spaced from each other so regular AP shots would have to precisely hit each mark in a line to knock them all out. However, if an adequate APHE round penetrates from the front or side, it could incapacitate the majority of the crew in one shot. A hit between the rear 2nd and 3rd bogie suspension at the hull sides as the ammunition is stored there and a shot in this region could either remove the majority of the ammunition or blow the tank up with a rack detonation.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
19.0 N/A 60 (AB)
54 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 542 668
Realistic/Simulator 310 350
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 28.53 35.16
Realistic/Simulator 16.32 18.42

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: M3 (37 mm)
37 mm M3
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
200 -10°/+25° ±180° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 5.24 7.25 8.80 9.73 10.35
Realistic 3.27 3.85 4.67 5.17 5.50
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
3.77 3.33 3.07 2.90
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
M74 shot AP 66 65 55 46 38 31
M51 shot APCBC 66 65 55 46 38 31
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
M74 shot AP 792 0.87 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
M51 shot APCBC 792 0.87 N/A N/A N/A +4° 48° 63° 71°
Ammo racks
Ammo rack of the M2.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
200 101 (+99) 1 (+199) Yes

Machine guns

Main article: Browning (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm M1919A4
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A
Hull mount (#1) Hull mount (#2)
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A 3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A
Sponson mount (Front left) Sponson mount (Front right)
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (250) 500 70°/+20° -4°/+30° 3,000 (250) 500 -20°/+70° -4°/+30°
Sponson mount (Rear left) Sponson mount (Rear right)
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
3,000 (250) 500 -10°/+70° -4°/+30° 3,000 (250) 500 -70°/+10° -4°/+30°

Usage in battles

The M2 with its decent frontal armour, mobility, and firepower allows it to compete in Rank I. However, it is best to use the vehicle from a distance as it would increase the sloped armour effectiveness against enemy rounds, which would've lost most of its power due to the distance. While the 37 mm cannon can penetrate most tanks at the BR, the gun is on a slow traversing turret, requiring for careful alignment of the turret in the right direction. Flanking enemies would make this a problem so stay in an area that can narrow down enemy paths and stay alert.

Past that, the M2 can prove forgiving with its aforementioned sloped armour and large crew size of six. Though a penetrating shell could knock out a good number of the crew in the cramped interiors, it will prove unlikely to knock out every single crew member in one shot. As such, even if shot on the side, it is possible to react against the flanking enemy if the driver or commander is still alive to align the gun onto the offending target.

In short, the M2 is a good jack-of-all-trades vehicle for the American tree line, a common trait as one moves on into the Rank II and Rank III vehicles.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Reliable 37 mm gun with good penetration and rate of fire
  • Has a higher than average crew count of 6 crew members
  • Has 7 machine guns modeled and functional, which can be effective against thin-skinned vehicles and aircraft

Cons:

  • Cramped tank interior and large number of crew means a penetrating hit will more than likely get one
  • Turret rotation is very slow
  • No ammunition with HE filler
  • Large and tall, making it an easy target
  • All the ammo are packed into neat little boxes in the bottom of hull, a shot at suspension area could set one off
  • 7 machine guns is of questionable value against all but the lightest armoured vehicles
  • Very thin roof armour of 9.5 mm
  • Past the front, the overall tank surface is poorly sloped and angled
  • Tall center of gravity, resulting in very unstable turns at high speeds and at risk of tipping

History

Development

The development of the M2 light tank also started a development for a new medium tank. Rock Island Arsenal took up the project and developed a vehicle known as T5. It was basically an upscaled M2 Light Tank, still using the vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS), and this modified vehicle was designated the M2 Medium Tank in June 1939. 18 units in, and the tank was upgraded with a redesigned turret and a more powerful engine, this variant was designated the M2A1 Medium Tank.

The M2 Medium Tank had a high profile, with a height of 9 ft. 3 in., and had lots of machine guns on it (nine machine guns!). On each corner of the hull had a mounted machine gun, each with a crew member to man it. In the front, the driver can fire two fixed machine guns facing forward on the glacis plate. Two machine guns could be mounted on the turret as anti-aircraft weapons. The turret mounted a 37 mm M3 gun with a coaxial machine gun. The tank had a crew of six, commander, driver, and the four machine gunners.

Production

1,000 of these tanks were ordered by the government in 1940 to be manufactured by Chrysler, but the German success in the Battle of France showed that the M2 Medium was becoming an obsolete design, so the order was changed to instead produce 1,000 M3 Lees before the M2 even started production. In this period, Rock Island Arsenal produced 94 M2A1 medium tank until August 1941. This brings the total produced tank to 112 M2 medium tanks, 18 M2s and 94 M2A1s. These M2 tanks were used for training at states for tank crew members.

Despite its obsolete status by 1940 due to the Soviet T-34 tanks and the German Panzer III tanks, it provided useful insight in the future of American medium tank designs. The M2 was one of the first American designs to incorporate sloping armour on the glacis effectively, and revealed to the American generals that an excessive amount of machine guns on tanks were useless in battle.

In-game description

American builders moved away from combination wheel and track vehicles to develop a new tank they termed the T5. In an attempt to save time and money, while also standardizing construction, they pulled components and units from the prototype T2 light tank (the prototype for the mass-produced M1) in addition to its layout and some chassis elements. The Rock Island Arsenal headed up the design process for the T5, which began in 1936, though the first prototype was ready for trials at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in February 1938. The experience showed that the powertrain could not cope with combat weight exceeding 15 tons and that the tank's frontal bullet-proof armor needed an upgrade. A slanted armor plate soon appeared, protecting the crew from all bullet calibers and shells up to 37-40 mm at long distances.

Later the T5 Phase II modification and its alternative powertrain appeared, and in spring of 1939 the engine was replaced with the 350 hp radial Wright R973. Other upgrades included installing the frontal hull plates at a better angle and moving a pair of machine guns to the right-hand side. The new vehicle was termed the T5 Phase III.

The T5E1 prototype and its Guiberson diesel engine was modeled after the T5. It was later employed in trials for experimental equipment and twin-mounted 37 mm cannons.

The tank headed for full-scale production and was accepted by the American army under the designation M2. The first set of 15 units got under way in August 1939 at the Rock Island Arsenal, with 18 total units featuring that particular modification eventually built.

The tank's primary drawbacks were weak armor, a riveted construction, a high profile, narrow tracks, and an under-powered engine.

Media

BenningTV Tank Talk: M2-A1

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


USA medium tanks
M2  M2
M3  M3 Lee · ▃Grant I
M4  M4 · Calliope · M4A1 · M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (105) · M4A3 (76) W · M4/T26
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26 T99 · M26E1
M46/47/48 Patton  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47 · M48A1 · T54E1 · T54E2
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A2 · M60A3 TTS · M728 CEV · 120S
MBT-70  MBT-70 · XM803
M1 Abrams  XM1 (Chrysler) · XM1 (GM)
  M1 Abrams · M1 KVT · IPM1
  M1A1 · M1A1 HC · M1A1 Click-Bait
  M1A2 Abrams · M1A2 SEP · M1A2 SEP V2
Other  T95E1
Australia  M1A1 AIM
Canada  M4A5
Israel  ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Merkava Mk.1 · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.3D
Turkey  M60 AMBT

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