M4A5

This page is about the American medium tank M4A5. For other uses of the designation, see M4 (Disambiguation).

M4A5

M4A5

USA

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	3.7	3.7

Class:

PREMIUM

Medium tank

Purchase:1 150

Show in game

Description

The Ram II* Tank was a Canadian cruiser tank developed during the Second World War. It was based on the chassis of the American M3 Medium tank, but with a new turret that could mount the British 6-pounder gun. The Ram II was designed to replace the Valentine infantry tank, which was considered inadequate for Canadian needs. The first prototype was completed in November 1941, and serial production began shortly after. However, the Ram II was never used in combat as a gun tank, because it was inferior to the American M4 Sherman in terms of armament and protection. The Ram II was only used for training purposes in Britain until mid-1944, and some of its chassis were converted into other roles, such as flamethrower tanks, observation posts and armoured personnel carriers.

It was introduced in Update 1.61 "Road to Glory". The M4A5 is quite a hybrid of traits from the British and American ground forces trees. The Ram is made up of the transmission, suspension, and engine from the American M3 Lee, the turret platform of an M4 Sherman, and the British 6-pounder gun. Thus, in its place in Rank 2, the play style is akin to the M3 Lee's mobility with the power of a turreted tank. It should then be played like any standard American medium tank, with extra caution on the weak points presented on the front armour right next to the front machine gun turret.

US Designation*

The Ram II was a Canadian tank that was based on the American M3 Medium Tank chassis. The US Army identified it as the M4A5, but it was not a M4 Sherman variant. They used a system to name tanks by engine and hull. The Ram II had the same engine (A1/A4) and cast hull (A1), so it got the next available M4 number: M4A5. However, this designation was not widely used and the tank was usually referred to as the Ram II or simply the Ram.

General info

Survivability and armour

ESS

Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull88 / 63 / 38

Turret76 / 63 / 63

Crew5 people

Visibility139 %

Armour type:

• Cast homogeneous armour
• Rolled homogeneous armour (Machine gun turret, Transmission, Lower side hull, Rear engine, Roof)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear (Slope angle)	Roof
Hull	88.9 mm (26-66°) Front glacis 50.8 mm (0-58°) Lower glacis 50.8 mm (12-87°) Driver's port	63.5 mm (0-67°) Upper 38.1 mm Lower	38.1 mm (0-64°) Top <br. 38.1 mm (0-52°)	38.1 mm 25.4 mm Engine deck
Turret	60.325 mm (22-26°) Turret front 69.85 (0-71°) + 38.1 mm Gun shield 44.45 + 63.5 mmGun mantlet	69.85 - 76.2 mm (0-70°)	69.85 mm (0-58°)	38.1 mm
Machine gun turret	63.5 + 50.8 mm	63.5 mm	63.5 mm	50.8 mm
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	22.2 + 50.8 mm	25.4 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 17 mm thick.
• 8 mm RHA plate separating the engine and crew compartment.
• Only the upper hull sides are 63.5 mm thick, the lower part is still only 38.1 mm
• Armour protecting the transmission is only 50.8 mm thick
• Most ammo racks are located below the turret and underneath the upper hull where it's only protected by 38.1 mm unangled armour

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB45 / 6 km/h

RB and SB40 / 6 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

1 back

Weight29.5 t

Engine power

AB763 hp

RB and SB400 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB25.9 hp/t

RB and SB13.6 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	45	6	29.5	620	763	21.02	25.86
Realistic	40	6		354	400	12	13.56

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB607

RB676

SB1 397

Crew training6 900

Experts46 000

Aces270

Research Aces500 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 50 / 80 / 110 %

2 × 130 / 130 / 130 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Suspension Brake System Filters Transmission Engine	Improved Parts Improved FPE Crew Replenishment ESS	Horizontal Drive 57mm_britain_6pdr_AP_HV_ammo_pack 57mm_britain_6pdr_APC_ammo_pack Adjustment of Fire 57mm_britain_6pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack Elevation Mechanism Artillery Support

Armaments

Main armament

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III cannon

Vertical stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving

Ammunition92 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

5.2 → 4.0 s

Vertical guidance-7° / 20°

57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	92	-7°/+20°	±180°	Vertical	19.04	26.35	32.00	35.39	37.65	5.20	4.60	4.24	4.00
Realistic					11.90	14.00	17.00	18.80	20.00

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
Shot Mk.5	AP	101	97	82	66	53	43
Shot Mk.5 HV	AP	108	104	87	70	57	46
Shot Mk.8	APC	110	106	89	72	59	48
Shot Mk.9	APCBC	122	118	101	84	70	58
Shell Mk.10	HE	9	9	9	9	9	9

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%
Shot Mk.5	AP	815	2.8	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°
Shot Mk.5 HV	AP	853	2.8	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°
Shot Mk.8	APC	853	2.87	-	-	-	48°	63°	71°
Shot Mk.9	APCBC	801	3.23	-	-	-	48°	63°	71°
Shell Mk.10	HE	655	2.72	0	0.1	590	79°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A5

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
92	83 (+9)	74 (+18)	62 (+30)	46 (+46)	33 (+59)	1 (+91)	No

Turret clear: 74 (+18)

Machine guns

2 x 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun

Ammunition3 000 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition1 500 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate500 shots/min

7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	1,500 (250)	500	N/A	N/A
Pintle	1,500 (250)	500	-10°/+70°	±60°
Hull	1,500 (250)	500	-8°/+60°	-120°/+50°

Usage in battles

The M4A5 Ram II is a tank that can hold its own. It is a highly mobile tank that can conquer the toughest of terrain, with a top speed of up to 40 km/h in Realistic battles and up to 44 km/h in Arcade battles. It also has great frontal and turret armour, when angled it can bounce rounds.

However, the one weakness is the side armour past the turret ring and towards the engine, which is only 50 mm thick. Behind this armour, the crew, engine and access to the ammo racks are located. A single hit with an APCBC or High Explosive round will blow the poor tank up like a firework. To get the best from this, charge into battle and find cover when the enemy starts to flank you. Stay behind cover, only exposing the sides of the tank when your teammates are with you and can handle any flanking tanks which may try to flank and knock you out. The Ram II can deter enemy planes, its Browning 7.62 mm machine gun with its high firing arcs can shoot down planes that try to dive bomb you in battle.

The Shot Mk. 9 is the round that should be used as main ammunition, it provides good penetration, allowing for the toughest and scariest tanks on the battlefield to be knocked out with well-placed shots to their weak spots.

The M4A5 Ram II has two main playstyles:

• Offensive - Head towards the cap zone as fast possible, fire around every four seconds this is able to scare the enemy tankers away. However, if you encounter a heavy tank such as KV-1 – stop, aim for the lower turret, cannon and turret ring and knock that tank out before you proceed or detrack it and shoot its cannon, disabling its firing capability allowing your team mates behind you to finish it off.

Then once in the point and it has been capped, head out and flank the rear of the enemy team. The M4A5's Shot Mk.9 can handle any threats which can be encountered. However, do not let the enemy tankers flank you and shoot you in your rear or side, this will knock you out.

• Defensive - The M4A5 Ram II provides great frontal protection, keep the front angled and pointed towards the enemy with the rear and sides protected by rocks, remains of tanks, and objects. Or use the tow hook and tow some knocked out tanks to provide your sides and rear with extra protection. Then once the enemy tanks have been knocked out move out and stay with your team mates or bunker down at a strategic point and set an ambush up.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great balance of armour, speed and firepower: relatively easy to play
• Extremely good at taking hits with 5 crew members, similar playstyle to M4A3E2 Jumbo
• Fast firing, punchy 57 mm main gun that can handle most foe it encounters (4 second reload when aced)
• Main gun is semi-stabilized
• Small profile for a medium tank
• Access to engine-generated smoke

Cons:

• While the sloped frontal armour is adequate, there are several weak spots on the hull and the turret
• 57 mm gun lacks explosive filler and might require follow-up shots
• Slow reverse speed and acceleration
• Very cramped turret, a single shot will likely disable all 3 crew members
• No standard .50 calibre machine gun, only rifle calibre MGs are available

History

Development

The aftermath of the Battle of France left the British military decimated as most of their equipment had to be left behind in their withdrawal at Dunkirk. Desperate for military equipment, particularly tanks, they requested from the U.S. to help produce the necessary vehicles to supplement the armoured forces. Canada further assisted the British with armoured vehicle production. The Canadian Pacific Railway's Angus Shops were contracted to build 300 Valentine tanks for the British, and later Canada themselves ordered 488 Valentines to build up their own tank forces. The Canadians realized that, in addition to the Valentines, they needed a cruiser tank to attack and exploit breakthroughs. Complications between adapting British designs to North American standards and the difference in material quality caused the Canadians to seek an American-derived cruiser tank rather than a British design.

The current standard U.S. tank at the time was the interim design M3 Lee. With the 75 mm gun on a sponson rather than its own turret, the M3 Medium tank currently wasn't a suitable candidate as the standard cruiser tank. In 1941, the Canadian Interdepartmental Tank Committee decided to use the M3 chassis as a foundation for a new and better, locally-produced design. The British took interest on this redesigning of the M3 Medium tank and sent a tank expert, L.E.Carr, to assist in the designing of the hull and turret. The hull itself was to be cast and the turret was designed around the expectations to mount the 6-pounder or the 75 mm gun. The name for the design was the Ram, while the US would designate the Canadian models as the M4A5.

Throughout the Ram's designing and testing, the Canadians ran into problems due to their inexperience in tank design as well as lacking the production lines suitable for the production of tank parts. Since the tank was derived from the M3, the production line required parts such as the transmission and engine that were being built in the USA, but which were required for US tank production, resulting in little surplus for Canadian use. The United States assisted in the production of the Ram by producing the pilot models and the Canadian Tank Arsenal was to be built by Montreal Locomotive Works, themselves a subsidiary of the American Locomotive Company who had experience building M3 tanks for the Americans.

The first prototype was produced in June 1941 and featured a full 360 degree traversable turret with a cast steel body, featuring the same powertrain and engine as the M3 it was derived from. The Ram was also adapted for British specifications with adaption to a right-hand drive and weaponry. Overall the Ram was also shorter than the M3. It also featured side doors and a machine gun turret on the front, but these were removed in later versions. Production for the Ram started in November. Though intended to be fitted with the 6-pounder, the first 50 Rams produced used a 2-pounder due to lack of guns or mounts available for the Canadians. These were labelled Ram Mk.I. By February 1942, the Ram design switched back to the 6-pounder, which was designated the Ram Mk.II, production of which continued until July 1943. During that time span, about 2,032 Rams and its variants were produced.

Combat history

Unfortunately, by the time the Ram became battle-worthy for the front-lines, the Americans had started their mass-production of the M4 Shermans. The M4 Sherman was by all means similar in automotive performance, but benefited by the mass-production of the American automotive industry. The Ram was designed primarily to give the M3 Medium a turret, and the arrival of the M4 made the design redundant, and obsolete. In March 1942, the Canadian government made the decision to switch all production lines to produce the M4A1, with the Ram production only continuing until the proper machinery was ready. The Ram never saw combat usage and was only used as a training vehicle in Britain until mid-1944.

The Ram never saw combat as a tank, but variants of it did. Many Ram tanks were converted into armoured personnel carriers known as the Kangaroo, flamethrower vehicles known as the Badger, artillery observation vehicles, ammunition carriers, armoured recovery vehicles, and anti-tank gun tractor. Its most combat-oriented variant was the Sexton self-propelled gun with the 25-pounder howitzer developed to support the infantry, though the Sexton was also produced by the chassis from the Grizzly design.

After World War II, the Netherlands were free to take possession of any Ram tanks in army dumps on their territory. The Dutch used these tanks to equip their first tank units, the 1st and 2nd Tank Battalions. The Rams were in a poor state from low maintenance and disuse so they received additional Rams from Britain in slightly better conditions in 1947. By 1950, most of the Rams were broken down and only 50 were available for use between the two battalions. They were all replaced, along with Shermans in their inventory, by the Centurion tank in 1952. The Ram's only usage past that was as static pillboxes on the IJssel line facing the Soviets in the Cold War.

Legacy

The Ram, unfortunately, went down in history as one of Canada's war design failures, with the M4 Sherman being produced in parallel by the U.S. overtaking it. It is also a testament to the disparity in the industrial base between the two countries. The Ram could still be attributed to kick-starting Canadian production lines to be able to produce the M4A1 Sherman, which were designated the Grizzly.

About 6 Ram tanks still survive today, with only 3 being the original tank design.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M4A5 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #256 - Pages of History section at 04:34 discusses the M4A5.

The Shooting Range #22 - Metal Beasts section at 00:42 discusses the M4A5.

See also

Other Canadian ground vehicles present in the game

• QF 3.7 Ram
• Stuart VI (5th CAD) (USA)
• C2A1
• ADATS (M113)
• Skink

External links

• [Devblog] M4A5: Canadian Cadet