Difference between revisions of "Achilles"

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[[File:GarageImage_Achilles.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_Achilles.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
The '''{{specs|name}}''' (nickname '''{{specs|pseudonym}}''') is a Rank {{specs|rank}} British tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]] along with the rest of the British Ground Forces Tree.  
+
The '''{{specs|name}}''' (nickname '''{{specs|pseudonym}}''') is a rank {{specs|rank}} British tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. This tank destroyer was introduced in [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]] along with the rest of the British Ground Forces Tree.  
  
The Achilles is based on the American [[M10 GMC|M10]], but carries [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|17-pounder]] as the main armament, making it an effective tank destroyer. Thanks to a well assigned BR, the Achilles won't feel in the wrong game even when facing higher rank tanks. For a Battle Rating 4.0, the Achilles plenty of firepower, especially once the Mk.8 APCBC shot modules is unlocked, which is more effective against the [[T-34 (1942)|T-34]] sloped armour. The 17-pdr cuts through enemy [[Pz.III M|Panzer III]] and [[Pz.IV H|IV]] (the shots enter the front and exit from the rear) so try to aim vital points to cause the maximum damage (first shot to the turret to disable enemy firepower). The T-34 is a bigger problem due to its sloped armour. When facing Russians, the first shot should always be to the gunner. The Mk.8 APCBC is quite able to penetrate the T-34 glacis even from a distance but keep in mind that the damage the 17-pdr will cause is unreliable (sometimes 2 or more shots are required to destroy a T-34, sometimes one shot is enough). The M10 mobility is not outstanding, but the Achilles is pretty capable of carrying the player, gun, and event team where it needs to go.  
+
The Achilles is based on the American [[M10 GMC|M10]], but carries [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|17-pounder]] as the main armament, making it an effective tank destroyer. Thanks to a well assigned BR, the Achilles won't feel in the wrong game even when facing higher rank tanks. For a Battle Rating 4.0, the Achilles plenty of firepower, especially once the Mk.8 APCBC shot modules is unlocked, which is more effective against the [[T-34 (1942)|T-34]] sloped armour. The 17-pdr cuts through the enemy [[Pz.III M|Panzer III]] and [[Pz.IV H|IV]] (the shots enter the front and exit from the rear) so try to aim vital points to cause the maximum damage (first shot to the turret to disable enemy firepower). The T-34 is a bigger problem due to its sloped armour. When facing Russians, the first shot should always be to the gunner. The Mk.8 APCBC is quite able to penetrate the T-34 glacis even from a distance but keep in mind that the damage the 17-pdr will cause is unreliable (sometimes 2 or more shots are required to destroy a T-34, sometimes one shot is enough). The M10 mobility is not outstanding, but the Achilles is pretty capable of carrying the player, gun, and event team where it needs to go.  
  
 
Protection is not good. The sloped armour and the track links added to the front will protect the Achilles from some low calibre shots, but the vast majority of enemies will be able to destroy the Achilles quickly. Side armour is paper thin. The high profile and the very slow turret traverse (man-powered) are not suitable for close range combat so avoid deep flanking tactics.  
 
Protection is not good. The sloped armour and the track links added to the front will protect the Achilles from some low calibre shots, but the vast majority of enemies will be able to destroy the Achilles quickly. Side armour is paper thin. The high profile and the very slow turret traverse (man-powered) are not suitable for close range combat so avoid deep flanking tactics.  
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''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:'''
 +
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
 
* Structural steel (Counterweight)
 
* Structural steel (Counterweight)
 +
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || 38.1 mm (55°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50.8 mm (7-55°) ''Transmission area'' || 19.05 mm (38°) ''Top hull'' <br/> 25.4 mm ''Bottom hull''|| 19.05 (28-33°) ''Top Hull'' <br/> 25.4 mm (7-52°) ''Bottom hull'' || 19.05 mm ''Front'' <br> 9.5 mm ''Rear''
+
| Hull || 38.1 mm (55°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50.8 mm (7-55°) ''Transmission area'' || 19.05 mm (38°) ''Top hull'' <br /> 25.4 mm ''Bottom hull''|| 19.05 (28-33°) ''Top Hull'' <br /> 25.4 mm (7-52°) ''Bottom hull'' || 19.05 mm ''Front'' <br> 9.5 mm ''Rear''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Turret || 25.4 mm (66-88°) ''Turret front'' <br> 57.15 mm (0-47°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (22-46°) || 25.4 mm (0-29°) ''Turret rear'' <br> 50 mm (0-50°) ''Counterweight'' || N/A
 
| Turret || 25.4 mm (66-88°) ''Turret front'' <br> 57.15 mm (0-47°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (22-46°) || 25.4 mm (0-29°) ''Turret rear'' <br> 50 mm (0-50°) ''Counterweight'' || N/A
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|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick while the bogies are 10 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick while the bogies are 10 mm thick.
 
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
 
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
* Hull rear sides are protected by attached grousers that gives 20 mm of extra armour.
+
* Hull rear sides are protected by attached grousers that give 20 mm of extra armour.
 
* Tracks placed on the front transmission area provide 30 mm extra armour.
 
* Tracks placed on the front transmission area provide 30 mm extra armour.
  
 
=== 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"
+
 
|-
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 582|rbMinHp= 363|AoAweight= 0.32}}
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 
|-
 
! Weight (tons)
 
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
 
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 
|-
 
|rowspan="2" | 29.6 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 45 (AB)
 
|-
 
|41 (RB/SB)
 
|-
 
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 
|-
 
!colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
|-
 
|''Arcade''
 
|582
 
|717
 
|-
 
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
|363
 
|410
 
|-
 
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 
|-
 
!colspan="1" | Mode
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
|-
 
|''Arcade''
 
|19.66
 
|24.22
 
|-
 
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
|12.26
 
|13.85
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
== 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 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|Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76 mm)}}
+
{{main|QF 17-pounder (76 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
 
! colspan="6" | [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|76 mm OQF 17-pounder]]
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
|-
 
| colspan="3" | 50 || -10°/+30° || ±180° || N/A
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
|-
 
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
| ''Arcade'' || 3.96 || 5.48 || __.__ || __.__ || 7.84
 
 
|-
 
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 2.68 || 3.15 || __.__ || __.__ || 4.50
+
! colspan="5" | [[QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|76 mm QF 17-pounder]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
+
! ''Arcade''
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
+
| rowspan="2" | 50 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+30° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 3.96 || 5.48 || 6.66 || 7.37 || 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
 
|-
 
|-
| 8.71 || __.__ || __.__ || 6.7
+
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 2.68 || 3.15 || 3.83 || 4.23 || 4.50
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Ammunition ====
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
+
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 
|-
 
|-
! 10m
+
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
! 100m
 
! 500m
 
! 1000m
 
! 1500m
 
! 2000m
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.6 || AP || 170 || 168 || 154 || 139 || 125 || 113  
+
| Shot Mk.6 || AP || 171 || 168 || 155 || 139 || 126 || 113
 
|-
 
|-
| Shell Mk.1 || HE || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9  
+
| Shell Mk.1 || HE || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.4 || APC || 170 || 168 || 154 || 139 || 125 || 113  
+
| Shot Mk.4 || APC || 171 || 168 || 155 || 139 || 126 || 113
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.8 || APCBC || 189 || 186 || 174 || 154 || 139 || 126  
+
| Shot Mk.8 || APCBC || 190 || 187 || 172 || 155 || 140 || 126
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
''in m:''
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
+
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
''in mm:''
+
! rowspan="2" | Normalization at 30°<br>from horizontal
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 
 
|-
 
|-
! 0%
+
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
! 50%
 
! 100%
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Shot Mk.6 || AP || 883 || 7.71 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
| Shot Mk.6 || AP || 883 || 7.71 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
+
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Ammunition
 
! Ammunition
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! Velocity<br>(m/s)
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
+
! Screen radius<br>(m)
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
+
! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
+
! Screen hold time<br>(s)
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
|-
 
|-
| 17pdr Shell SS Mk.1 || 754 || 8.44 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50  
+
| 17pdr Shell SS Mk.1 || 754 || 8.44 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_Achilles.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo rack]] of the Achilles.]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
+
! Full<br>ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
+
! 1st<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
+
! 2nd<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty
+
! 3rd<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty
+
! 4th<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br /> rack empty
+
! 5th<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br /> rack empty
+
! 6th<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
+
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
|| '''50''' || 48&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 45&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 34&nbsp;''(+16)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+27)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+38)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+49)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes  
+
| '''50''' || 48&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 45&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 34&nbsp;''(+16)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+27)'' || 12&nbsp;''(+38)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+49)'' || Yes
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
Turret empty: 45&nbsp;''(+5)''
 
Turret empty: 45&nbsp;''(+5)''
 +
 +
===== Optics =====
 +
 +
<!-- ''Explain how the optic's status can affect the tank's gameplay in any unique or meaningful way. A comparison to rival tanks of the rank is welcome.''
 +
 +
''If you are having problems with it, refer to the [[Optics|optics gallery]] page for examples.'' -->
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} [[Optics]]
 +
|-
 +
! Which ones
 +
! Default magnification
 +
! Maximum magnification
 +
|-
 +
! Main Gun optics
 +
| x1.85 || x3.5 <!--Sometimes the actual value may not be known and here it should be referenced if the optic values are an estimate such as with an "X8.3 (estimated)" notation or something else that way the user will then be able to look to the comparable optics section and see a referenced optic which will have actual in-game data to back up the claim.-->
 +
|-
 +
! Comparable optics
 +
| colspan="2" | [[M10 GMC]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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 M2HB (12.7 mm)}}
+
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
 
! colspan="7" | [[Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
+
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
+
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
 
|-
 
|-
| colspan="4" | 300 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
+
| Pintle || 300 (200) || 576 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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Also, remember to use the .50 cal. It can disorientate enemy tanks and potentially give a few extra seconds breathing room in a bad situation. It is also useful against SPAA and low flying aircraft. Be aware that if the commander is knocked out, access to the .50 cal will be lost.
 
Also, remember to use the .50 cal. It can disorientate enemy tanks and potentially give a few extra seconds breathing room in a bad situation. It is also useful against SPAA and low flying aircraft. Be aware that if the commander is knocked out, access to the .50 cal will be lost.
 +
 +
=== Modules ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Tier
 +
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 +
! Protection
 +
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Tracks
 +
|
 +
| Parts
 +
| Shot Mk.4
 +
| Horizontal Drive
 +
|-
 +
| II
 +
| Suspension
 +
| Brake System
 +
| FPE
 +
| Shot Mk.8
 +
| Adjustment of Fire
 +
|-
 +
| III
 +
| Filters
 +
|
 +
| Crew Replenishment
 +
| Elevation Mechanism
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
| IV
 +
| Transmission
 +
| Engine
 +
| Add-on Armor
 +
| 17pdr Shell SS Mk.1
 +
|
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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. Try not to 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".''-->
 
<!--''Summarize 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 - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
 +
 
* Good gun (17-pounder!)
 
* Good gun (17-pounder!)
* High level of penetration. Will often pass through the front of lighter vehicles and leave through the back.
+
* High level of penetration. Will often pass through the front of lighter vehicles and leave through the back
 
* Good speed
 
* Good speed
 
* 5 crew members
 
* 5 crew members
 
* .50 cal Heavy machine gun on top to fight lightly armoured tanks and aircraft
 
* .50 cal Heavy machine gun on top to fight lightly armoured tanks and aircraft
 
* Sloped armour makes incoming rounds more likely to ricochet
 
* Sloped armour makes incoming rounds more likely to ricochet
* Spare tracks that provided some limited protection on the front and the rear section of the side armour.
+
* Spare tracks that provided some limited protection on the front and the rear section of the side armour
 
* Good gun depression
 
* Good gun depression
 +
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
* Armour is rather thin
+
 
 +
* Hull armour is rather thin
 +
* Gun mantlet is weak, T-34s with stock ammo can penetrate at 500 m
 
* Big ammo racks  
 
* Big ammo racks  
 
* Open top turret makes it vulnerable to artillery and strafing planes
 
* Open top turret makes it vulnerable to artillery and strafing planes
Line 262: Line 255:
 
* Reverse speed is bad
 
* Reverse speed is bad
 
* Low ammo reserve for Commander's machine gun (300 rds total)
 
* Low ammo reserve for Commander's machine gun (300 rds total)
 +
* Add-on armour upgrade is less useful than the one on the M10 GMC with less tracks on the side armour
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 286: Line 280:
 
* ''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.''-->
 +
 
* [[Achilles (65 Rg.)]] - Gift version, representing the 65th Anti-Tank Regiment.
 
* [[Achilles (65 Rg.)]] - Gift version, representing the 65th Anti-Tank Regiment.
 
* [[M10 GMC]] - Original American configuration of the M10 platform.
 
* [[M10 GMC]] - Original American configuration of the M10 platform.
Line 294: Line 289:
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
 
* [[Wikipedia:17pdr_SP_Achilles|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> 17pdr SP Achilles]]
 
* [[Wikipedia:17pdr_SP_Achilles|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> 17pdr SP Achilles]]
  
 
{{Britain tank destroyers}}
 
{{Britain tank destroyers}}

Revision as of 12:22, 6 June 2020

RANK 6 BRITAIN
Rooikat 105 PACK
uk_17_pdr_m10_achilles.png
Achilles
AB RB SB
3.7 3.3 3.3
Research:11 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:22 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the British tank destroyer Achilles. For the premium version, see Achilles (65 Rg.).

Description

GarageImage Achilles.jpg


The 17 pounder Self-Propelled M10 (nickname Achilles) is a rank II British tank destroyer with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB) and 3.3 (RB/SB). This tank destroyer was introduced in Update 1.55 "Royal Armour" along with the rest of the British Ground Forces Tree.

The Achilles is based on the American M10, but carries 17-pounder as the main armament, making it an effective tank destroyer. Thanks to a well assigned BR, the Achilles won't feel in the wrong game even when facing higher rank tanks. For a Battle Rating 4.0, the Achilles plenty of firepower, especially once the Mk.8 APCBC shot modules is unlocked, which is more effective against the T-34 sloped armour. The 17-pdr cuts through the enemy Panzer III and IV (the shots enter the front and exit from the rear) so try to aim vital points to cause the maximum damage (first shot to the turret to disable enemy firepower). The T-34 is a bigger problem due to its sloped armour. When facing Russians, the first shot should always be to the gunner. The Mk.8 APCBC is quite able to penetrate the T-34 glacis even from a distance but keep in mind that the damage the 17-pdr will cause is unreliable (sometimes 2 or more shots are required to destroy a T-34, sometimes one shot is enough). The M10 mobility is not outstanding, but the Achilles is pretty capable of carrying the player, gun, and event team where it needs to go.

Protection is not good. The sloped armour and the track links added to the front will protect the Achilles from some low calibre shots, but the vast majority of enemies will be able to destroy the Achilles quickly. Side armour is paper thin. The high profile and the very slow turret traverse (man-powered) are not suitable for close range combat so avoid deep flanking tactics.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
  • Structural steel (Counterweight)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 38.1 mm (55°) Front glacis
50.8 mm (7-55°) Transmission area
19.05 mm (38°) Top hull
25.4 mm Bottom hull
19.05 (28-33°) Top Hull
25.4 mm (7-52°) Bottom hull
19.05 mm Front
9.5 mm Rear
Turret 25.4 mm (66-88°) Turret front
57.15 mm (0-47°) Gun mantlet
25.4 mm (22-46°) 25.4 mm (0-29°) Turret rear
50 mm (0-50°) Counterweight
N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick while the bogies are 10 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
  • Hull rear sides are protected by attached grousers that give 20 mm of extra armour.
  • Tracks placed on the front transmission area provide 30 mm extra armour.

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock AoA Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 45 6 29.5 0.32 582 782 19.68 26.15
Realistic 42 5 363 410 12.27 13.71

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: QF 17-pounder (76 mm)
76 mm QF 17-pounder Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 50 -10°/+30° ±180° N/A 3.96 5.48 6.66 7.37 7.84 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 2.68 3.15 3.83 4.23 4.50

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.6 AP 171 168 155 139 126 113
Shell Mk.1 HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
Shot Mk.4 APC 171 168 155 139 126 113
Shot Mk.8 APCBC 190 187 172 155 140 126
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Normalization at 30°
from horizontal
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Shot Mk.6 AP 883 7.71 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
Shell Mk.1 HE 883 6.98 0.4 0.5 580 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Shot Mk.4 APC 883 7.71 N/A N/A N/A -1° 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.8 APCBC 883 7.71 N/A N/A N/A +4° 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)
17pdr Shell SS Mk.1 754 8.44 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Achilles
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
50 48 (+2) 45 (+5) 34 (+16) 23 (+27) 12 (+38) (+49) Yes

Turret empty: 45 (+5)

Optics
Achilles Optics
Which ones Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.85 x3.5
Comparable optics M10 GMC

Machine guns

Main article: M2HB (12.7 mm)
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 300 (200) 576 -10°/+70° ±60°

Usage in battles

The Achilles is best used for sniping and shoot and scoot tactics. Find a good spot where to shoot at enemies, aim carefully (RB need a good use of mils range estimation) and enjoy the fireworks!

Keep in mind the low fire rate (compared to other 17-pdr AFVs). Once the Achilles have destroyed (or damaged) the enemy, the best thing to do is to relocate. Don't stay in the same spot for too long: the Achilles has weak armour and an open top. Artillery barrages will cripple the tank destroyer and the crew.

Another thing to think about is the turret traverse. Yes, it is really slow. Therefore, changes to the play style must be taken. If an enemy needs to be targeted quickly, do not rely on the turret. Instead, traverse the entire tank so that the hull is facing the enemy head-on, similar to turretless, casemate style tank destroyers. To avoid situations like this, stay way back, avoiding urban areas and other areas where the Achilles will be flanked easily.

The Achilles performs very well on large maps with plenty of vegetation or terrain variations to hide. On maps like this, the Achilles can find a good hiding place and wait for enemy tanks to drive into the sights. Even the most heavily armoured tanks in the BR range cannot withstand the APCBC round. It is this tanks most redeeming factor. A well positioned Achilles can deal massive damage to an opposing team, and can even hold out an entire section of the map if it is protected from air support and can get the jump on attacking enemies. Remember to change position regularly as the Achilles will become easy prey for enemy aircraft if the situation is compromised.

Also, remember to use the .50 cal. It can disorientate enemy tanks and potentially give a few extra seconds breathing room in a bad situation. It is also useful against SPAA and low flying aircraft. Be aware that if the commander is knocked out, access to the .50 cal will be lost.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Shot Mk.4 Horizontal Drive
II Suspension Brake System FPE Shot Mk.8 Adjustment of Fire
III Filters Crew Replenishment Elevation Mechanism
IV Transmission Engine Add-on Armor 17pdr Shell SS Mk.1

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good gun (17-pounder!)
  • High level of penetration. Will often pass through the front of lighter vehicles and leave through the back
  • Good speed
  • 5 crew members
  • .50 cal Heavy machine gun on top to fight lightly armoured tanks and aircraft
  • Sloped armour makes incoming rounds more likely to ricochet
  • Spare tracks that provided some limited protection on the front and the rear section of the side armour
  • Good gun depression

Cons:

  • Hull armour is rather thin
  • Gun mantlet is weak, T-34s with stock ammo can penetrate at 500 m
  • Big ammo racks
  • Open top turret makes it vulnerable to artillery and strafing planes
  • Very slow turret traverse
  • Will have trouble penetrating some sloped armour before the Shot Mk.8 is purchased
  • Lack of explosive filler for AP shells
  • Handling is poor on some rough terrain before mobility modifications are researched
  • Reverse speed is bad
  • Low ammo reserve for Commander's machine gun (300 rds total)
  • Add-on armour upgrade is less useful than the one on the M10 GMC with less tracks on the side armour

History

Development

The M10 tank destroyer was developed in 1942 to fulfil the anti-tank doctrine established by the US military. The doctrine, creating the tank destroyer force, was established with the objective to stop German blitzkrieg tactics by attacking the tanks. Unlike the other armoured fighting vehicles in the theatre, the tank destroyers were made to be placed in reserves to counter any breach in the front lines by taking out the enemy with ambushes. This role led to the desire for a fast vehicle with a powerful gun; armour was not a concern due to the emphasis in speed. The design ended up taking a turret design developed from the M6A1 Heavy Tank and the body from the M4A2 Sherman, this with the 3-inch 1918 gun, provided the backbone of the American tank destroyer force in much of World War II. In total, 6,706 M10s and its variants were produced between September of 1942 to 1943 of the same month.

British use

These M10s were given out to America’s allies, though the British were the most well-known of these users, receiving about 1,650 M10s from the Americans from 1943 onward. The British designated the M10s under their service as the Achilles and unlike popular usage, was called that for both the 3-inch gun variant (Achilles I/II) and the variant mounting the 17-pounder (Achillies Ic / IIc). Though in most usage, the vehicle was called the 17pdr M10, or 17pdr SP M10, or even the “Firefly”, despite that name being used for a different design.

The British first received the M10s with the 3-inch cannons, which were much more powerful than the British tank armament at the time, giving them an edge in many tank confrontations in the North African Campaign. It was around 1943 that conversion is done onto the M10 to increase its firepower capabilities against the gradually upgraded German tank designs such as the Tiger I and the Panthers. The conversion used one of the best Allied anti-tank guns at the time, the 17-pounder, which could penetrate about 140 mm of armour at 500 meters away with APCBC rounds, and 209 mm at the same distance with APDS rounds (Armour-Penetrating Discarding Sabot). The conversion is done onto the M10 also required a counterweight to be placed on the 17-pounder to compensate the heavier weight of the 17-pounder compared to the 3-inch gun. This gave the M10 Achilles a much more defining profile and attempts were made to hide this more substantial cannon length with optical illusion. Aside from the gun conversion, the M10 Achilles also had an extra 17 mm of armour welded onto the front and sides of the hull for added protection, plus a 20 mm shield on the top of the turret to compensate for the open-turret design. About 1,000 M10 Achilles with the 17-pounders were ordered, but by D-Day, only 124 were available, and 816 were done by the end of the year. The low number of these converted Achilles made meant that any lost units were hard to replace with a 17-pounder one, and the disgruntled crew would be issued an M10 with a 3-inch gun instead. In the end, about a total of 1,000 Achilles were converted into 17-pounder ones by the end of World War II, making the M10 Achilles the second-most numerous design to mount the 17-pounder, coming before the Sherman Firefly.

Combat usage

The British doctrine with the Achilles differed from the Americans who saw it as a reserve tank destroyer. The British viewed it as a mobile anti-tank gun, thus the Achilles served in a role akin to the StuG III in German service, moving the 17-pounder into position to take a shot on incoming German Tiger or Panther tanks. These Achilles were used more with Churchill tank units rather than the medium tanks due to the lack of 17-pounder equipped on Churchills while the medium tanks have the Firefly available for use. Disadvantages with the M10 Achilles design were carried over from the original, the slow turret traverse speed, high profile, and open-top turret made it a rather harder vehicle to use than a regular tank, but it still had its advantages and was still suitable for the role it had.

The Achilles were deployed on D-Day onward in artillery forces in anti-tank regiments in armoured divisions. A typical anti-tank regiment would have four batteries, two with towed 17-pounders, one equipped with 17-pounder Achilles, and another with regular M10s with the 3-inch gun (though replaced with another Achilles unit once more were available). A notable event with the Achilles was during Operation Charnwood, where Achilles in the 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment fought off a German counterattack comprising of Panzer IVs and Panthers from the 12th Panzer Regiment were routed by the Achilles 17-pounder fires, destroying about 13 German tanks with the loss of four Achilles knocked out and four more damaged.

Media

Skin and Camouflages for the Achilles in Warthunder Live.

See also

  • Achilles (65 Rg.) - Gift version, representing the 65th Anti-Tank Regiment.
  • M10 GMC - Original American configuration of the M10 platform.

External links


Britain tank destroyers
Infantry tank derivatives  Archer · Gun Carrier (3-in)
Light tank derivatives  Alecto I
M10 Achilles  Achilles · Achilles (65 Rg.)
Centurion derivatives  FV4005 · Conway
ATGM  Swingfire · Striker
Other  Tortoise · ▄M109A1
Canada  QF 3.7 Ram · ADATS (M113)
South Africa  G6 · ZT3A2