Difference between pages "M4A3 (76) W" and "Lorraine 155 Mle.50"

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{{Specs-Card|code=us_m4a3e8_76w_sherman}}
+
{{Specs-Card|code=fr_lorraine_155}}
−
{{About
 
−
| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
−
| and
 
−
| usage = similar vehicles
 
−
| link-1 = M4A3 (105)
 
−
| link-2 = M4A3 (76) W (Japan)
 
−
}}
 
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.-->
+
<!--''In the description, the first part 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.''-->
−
[[File:GarageImage_M4A3(76)WSherman.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{break}}
 
{{break}}
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (also known as the '''M4A3E8''') 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"]]. This tank gives the M4 Sherman the best upgrades possible, with a new suspension and a high-penetrating [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm cannon]] with access to APCR rounds.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (shortened as '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} French tank destroyer {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm"]] during the [[wt:en/news/5453-special-chronicles-of-world-war-ii-in-war-thunder-en|2018 WW2 Chronicles]].
−
 
 
−
Compared to the previous Shermans, this one presents better mobility than the last few due to the new horizontal volute suspension system (HVSS). The suspension, like in real life, also seems to give the vehicle a much smoother ride across terrain, making it easier to acquire targets while on the move due to the stability. Another feature about this Sherman is the access to the HVAP rounds (APCR) for the 76 mm gun. The HVAP rounds give the tank a much greater firepower boost to fight the tanks at its rank.
 
  
 
== 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 helpful 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?''-->
−
 
+
The Lorraine 155 Mle.50 has very little armour (although some are sloped enough to deflect certain low-rank rounds), and can generally be penetrated by most guns of its rank. Even worse, however, the 'casemate' (if it can even be called that) has very little armour, and in some places can be shot through with machine guns. The machine-gunner (operating the 151) is completely open to the elements. Generally, you want to rely on good map placement and mobility, rather than 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 (Front, Side, Rear, Roof)
+
* Rolled homogeneous armour
−
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
+
* Structural steel
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
Line 31: Line 21:
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Hull || 63.5 mm (47°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 63.5-107.9 mm (13-77°) ''Transmission housing'' || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm (22°) ''Top'' <br> 38.1 mm (13-44°) ''Bottom''|| 19.5 mm
+
| Hull || 16 mm (70°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 16 mm (2-73°) ''Transmission housing'' || 16 mm || 10 mm (0-42°) || 10 mm
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Turret || 63.5 mm (10-62°) ''Turret front'' <br> 88.9 mm (1-74°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 63.5 mm (1-72°) || 63.5 mm (0-80°) || 25.4 mm
+
| Superstructure || 16 mm (21°) ''Front'' <br> 10 mm ''Gun shield'' || 16 mm (30°) ''Right side'' <br> 16 mm (21-48°) ''Left side'' || 10 mm || 10 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof  
 
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof  
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Cupola || 63.5 mm (55-56°) || 25.4 mm
+
| Cupola || 10 mm || N/A
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
  
−
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
+
* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks, sprocket wheels, torsion bars, and return rollers are 20 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 10 mm thick.
 +
* Gun breech is 300mm thick, while the barrel itself is 25mm.
 +
* Gun carriage around the gun is 20mm thick, while the gun mount/traverse device is 40mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
<!--Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.-->
+
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
 
−
|-
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 639|rbMinHp= 398}}
−
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 
−
|-
 
−
! Weight (tons)
 
−
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 
−
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 
−
|-
 
−
| rowspan="2" | 33.4 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | 0.6 || colspan="1" | 46 (AB)
 
−
|-
 
−
|41 (RB/SB)
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="1" | Mode
 
−
!Stock
 
−
!Upgraded
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Arcade''
 
−
|775
 
−
|954
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
−
|442
 
−
|500
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="1" | Mode
 
−
!Stock
 
−
!Upgraded
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Arcade''
 
−
|23.20
 
−
|28.56
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
−
|13.23
 
−
|14.97
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
== 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|M1 (76 mm)}}
+
{{main|L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950 howitzer (155 mm)|l1=L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950 (155 mm)}}
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm M1]]
+
! colspan="6" | [[L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950 howitzer (155 mm)|155 mm L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950]]
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
Line 102: Line 55:
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="3" | 71 || -10°/+25° || ±180° || Vertical
+
| colspan="3" | 30 || -5°/+67° || ±20° || N/A
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Line 113: Line 66:
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Arcade'' || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.46 || 45.18
+
| ''Arcade'' || 5.27 || 7.31 || 8.88 || 9.82 || 10.45
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Realistic'' || 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.4 || 22.60 || 24.00
+
| ''Realistic'' || 3.57 || 4.2 || 5.1 || 5.64 || 6.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
Line 124: Line 77:
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 7.67 || 6.78 || 6.25 || 5.90
+
| 26.0 || 23.0 || 21.2 || 20.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 143: Line 96:
 
! 2000m
 
! 2000m
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M62 shell || APCBC || 148 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
+
| M107 || HE || 54 || 54 || 54 || 54 || 54 || 54
−
|-
 
−
| M42A1 shell || HE || 8 || 8 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7
 
−
|-
 
−
| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
 
−
|-
 
−
| M93 shot || APCR || 221 || 215 || 203 || 181 || 154 || 124
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
! colspan="10" | Shell details
+
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
Line 170: Line 118:
 
! 100%
 
! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M62 shell || 792 || 7.0 || 1.2 || 20 || 63.7 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| M107 || HE || 563 || 43.1 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 6,860 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
−
|-
 
−
| M42A1 shell || 800 || 5.84 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 390 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
−
|-
 
−
| M79 shot || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
−
|-
 
−
| M93 shot || 1036 || 4.26 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
Line 190: Line 132:
 
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M88 || 274 || 3.44 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50  
+
| M110 || 563 || 40.8 || 25 || 5 || 30 || 50  
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
−
[[File:Ammoracks M4A1 (76) W.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the M4A1 (76) W Sherman (Identical to M4A3 (76) W).]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|right|thumbnail|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" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
+
! 6th<br />  rack empty
 +
! 7th <br /> rack empty
 +
! 8th <br /> rack empty
 +
! Visual discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| '''71''' || 57&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 43&nbsp;''(+28)'' || 29&nbsp;''(+42)'' || 15&nbsp;''(+56)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+70)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes
+
|| '''30''' || 29&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 27 ''(+3)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+7)'' || 18&nbsp;''(+12)'' || 15&nbsp;''(+15)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+21)'' ||6&nbsp;''(+24)''||1&nbsp;''(+29)''|| style="text-align:left" | No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 +
* Recommended ammo load: '''10'''.  ''Keeps most ammunition in the floor and out of sponsons.''
  
 
=== 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 M2 (12.7 mm)|Browning (7.62 mm)}}
+
{{main|MG 151/20 (20 mm)}}
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
+
! colspan="7" | [[MG 151/20 (20 mm)|20 mm MG151/20]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
+
! colspan="7" | ''Commander's mount''
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
Line 225: Line 174:
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="4" | 600 (200) || 576 || -10°/+30° || ±60°
+
| colspan="4" | 400 (250) || 700 || -8°/+45° || ±180°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
 
 +
== 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).''-->
 +
The best method of using the large-calibre weapon on the Loraine is to exploit the high-explosive power against thin-armour on the enemy. Like other large calibre HE tanks, shooting below an enemy vehicle will penetrate its belly armor. This is an effective, albeit difficult way to engage tanks whose armor is greater than what your HE shell can penetrate.
 +
 
 +
Some targets to keep in mind of, and their weak points:
 +
 
 +
* Tiger I - While seemingly a hard enemy to face, the Tiger is easily dispatched with a side shot. A hit to the roadwheels will penetrate the tank, with the shell fragments going through the thin armor on the underside of the tank's sponson. This is also possible to do to Tiger IIs, but usually results in much less damage done.
 +
* Tiger II P, Panthers D and A - a hit to the bottom of the curved turret face of these tanks will cause the HE shell to pen the roof of the vehicle. This can also be done on tanks with flat turret fronts ( Tiger I, Tiger II H, Panthers G and F) by aiming for the lower half of the turret, but is not as reliable.
 +
 
 +
=== Modules ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
! Tier
 +
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 +
! Protection
 +
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 +
|-
 +
| I
 +
| Tracks
 +
|
 +
| Parts
 +
| Horizontal Drive
 +
| M110
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | [[Browning (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
+
| II
 +
| Suspension
 +
| Brake System
 +
| FPE
 +
| Adjustment of Fire
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
+
| III
 +
| Filters
 +
|
 +
| Crew Replenishment
 +
| Elevation Mechanism
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
+
| IV
−
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
+
| Transmission
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
+
| Engine
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
+
|
 +
|
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="4" | 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
+
! colspan="6" |This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
 
−
== Usage in battles ==
 
−
<!--Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).-->
 
−
Playing as the M4A3 can be tricky since it features armour that can't stop most calibers at its rank such as the German 8.8 cm or the Soviet 85 mm, including the fact that it isn't the fastest tank. The M4A3 plays more of a support role, use its' powerful 76 mm as you assist your teammates during an advance or defense. The number one rule of this tank is to never fight alone with it, always be with a teammate and use cover when available since it will give you a great advantage.
 
−
 
−
Use manual transmission, as using "Cruise Control 1" will give you a speed that is 1 km/h above the speed the stabilizer works at. A gear level of 2 will land you at 9 km/h but allows the stabilizer to do its job.
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!--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".-->
+
<!--''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:'''
  
−
*Single-plane gun stabilizer.
+
* Powerful 155mm gun with a HE shell on-par with the KV-2's gun
−
*Decent 76 mm gun.
+
* Pintle-mounted 20mm cannon that is deadly to lightly-armoured vehicles and aircraft
−
*Better maneuverability than its predecessor.
+
* Decent mobility
−
*Easy to use if you played the M4 Shermans before it.
+
* Good reverse speed
−
*Very fast turret traverse.
 
−
*Quick reload for the 76 mm Gun.
 
−
*Wet ammo storage - Which reduces greatly ammo rack chances, is indicated by the "W" in its name, this also means tightly packed ammo only placed under the turret.
 
−
*Top-mounted .50 cal useful against fighters and open topped/light vehicles.
 
−
*Access to APCR shells.
 
−
*Great cross terrain performances due to larger tracks, same as the [[M4A3 (105)|M4A3 (105)]].
 
−
*it was in a movie
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
*All-around armour is very weak against most cannons.
+
* Thin armor with an open casemate, allows even rifle-calibre rounds to affect the crew
−
*76 mm gun, while adequate when top rank, is lacking against opponents.
+
* Despite thin armor, it's thick enough to trigger most fuses in APHE shells
−
*Doesn't like being uptiered against big tanks such as the [[Tiger II (P)|Tiger II (P)]] and [[IS-2 (1944)|IS-2 1944]].
+
* Large profile
−
*Tall profile.
+
* Long reload time; increases if the loader is taken out
 +
* If the machine-gunner is knocked out, so is the ability to use the 20mm cannon
 +
* No AP shells, only HE shells
 +
* Bad gun depression of 5°
  
 
== 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 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).-->
+
<!--''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 "/ 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.''-->
−
===Development===
+
Prototypes of the Lorraine 155 Mle.50 passed trials in 1950, but never reached production.
−
The [[M4|M4 Sherman]] has become a proven and well-respected tank design by 1944. It was highly reliable, adequately armoured, and could be produced in a very large number with a dedicated support arm to ensure that all of the ones in the field could be kept operational. It was also by 1944 that the Sherman's faults were becoming a more defining trait than its advantages, namely with the increased prevalence of German anti-tank weaponry and tanks, such as the [[Panther A|Panther]] tank. The German anti-tank abilities, ranging from rocket launchers, anti-tank guns, mines, and tank guns, all became more capable of penetrating the frontal armour or disabling the Sherman. This resulted in an increased Allied tank attrition rate of nearly double during the Normandy Campaign than that of the Allies' previous campaigns. Criticisms were raised on the Sherman's inability to destroy the heavier tanks with its [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm gun]], the tendency of catching fire easily when a penetrating round hits an ammo stowage bin scattered in the Sherman interior, and the lack of mobility on the muddy terrain due to the track design. The first and second criticism was addressed with the [[M1 (76 mm)|high-velocity 76 mm gun]] and a "wet stowage" ammo containers, but mobility became a big issue especially once the Allied front in France reached the Siegfried Line on the border of Germany, where the ground became very muddy in the fall season. An attempt to fix this was improvising "extensions" on the tracks, but these were difficult to add and there were never enough to go around. The problem had to be addressed in the manufacturing plant and Ordnance Department set to work finding a better solution to fix the track flotation for better mobility.
 
  
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The result was to be the basis of the next generation of Sherman models. Under the ''E8'' program, new suspension was trialed on the Sherman, one was the horizontal-volute suspension system (HVSS) taken from the ''[[T20]]'' program. The trials showed that the new suspension gave the Sherman a ground pressure that is even less than the heavier Panther, and this model was approved for production in March 1944, beginning in August 1944. Despite the time of production, the distance of the Atlantic Ocean between the American factories and Europe cause the delivery time of the first batch of the new models to be three months, meaning they would not see service until December 1944 the soonest. Nevertheless, the new Sherman, dubbed the '''M4A3 (76) W HVSS Sherman''' on papers and shortened as the '''M4A3E8''', was considered the best overall Sherman design with its new upgrades.
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== Media ==
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===Design===
 
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Aside from the enlarged T23 turret, the Sherman interior layout was largely unchanged from the original design. The driver and bow gunner still sat in the front, the three-man turret crew in the center, and the engine compartment in the back. The exterior was changed with the new horizontal-volute suspension system (HVSS), which presented a different bogie system with larger road wheels that allow the usage of a wider track for better mobility cross-country. The new suspension system helped defeat the problems the Sherman's original tracks had with sinking in the mud from poor flotation and poor traction on slippery terrain. Another advantage the HVSS gave was the ability to change out individual road wheels on the bogie rather than replace the entire bogie, easing maintenance and repairs. The suspension was also reported to be a very smooth ride in comparison with the vertical-volute suspension system (VVSS), leading tankers to nickname the tank the ''"Easy Eight"'' from the tank's experimental designation ''M4A3E8'', with the E8 corresponding to the usage of the HVSS.
 
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The M4A3(76)W HVSS ran on a gasoline Ford GAA V8 engine, which was the standard engine used in all M4A3 Sherman variants. The tank construction was welded and had a frontal armour plate sloping at a 47 degree angle. The (76) in the name indicated that the tank was armed with the more powerful 76 mm gun as a counter to the heavier German armour. The "W" designation on the Sherman indicated that the vehicle had the "wet stowage" feature in response to complaints that the Sherman can easily catch fire due to exploding ammunition. The "wet stowage" encased the ammo containers in a liquid mixture that would douse the flames when penetrated or block flaming shrapnels due to penetrating shots from hitting the ammunition. The containers also placed all the ammunition in the bottom center of the tank, reducing the likeliness of it being hit by a shell as the penetrating shell must go through every armour and obstacle to hit the tank center. This feature was only present after February 1944 and severely decreased the rate of Sherman fires. The "HVSS" indicated the usage of the horizontal-volute suspension system on the tank. The M4A3E8 started production in August 1944 and its production life ended around the end of World War II, probably September 1945. M4A3(76)W HVSS production consisted of 4,542 tanks out of the total 49,234 Shermans produced in its production life.
 
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===Combat usage===
 
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As a newly developed Sherman late in the war, the M4A3E8 did not see much use in the European theater until near the end of the war. Earlier deployment of such tanks did not take priority as military commanders did not take the 76 mm gun with much enthusiasm as the 75 mm gun could fire a much better high-explosive round to fight softer targets, which consists of more than half of the engagements the Shermans typically face. Another reason why these tanks did not see service earlier was the lack of battle need. The 75 mm gun was doing its job well and there were already a few [[M4A1 (76) W|76 mm Shermans]] going around fine with the older VVSS. These opinions changed with the Battle of the Bulge, where the German offensive with large numbers of their heavy tanks such as the [[Panther G|Panthers]] and [[Tiger II (H)|Tiger II's]] decimated armoured units stationed in the Ardennes. The M4A3E8 saw its first service in the Battle of the Bulge in low numbers, but their prevalence increased after December 1944 when the Battle of the Bulge urged many military commanders, even Eisenhower, to request further deliveries of Shermans to only be armed with the 76 mm cannons. The new units deploying in Europe afterwards had exclusively 76 mm Shermans and as standardization in the suspension went on, the HVSS became more and more common in the European theater.
 
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When World War II ended, many tank units and their Shermans were decommissioned and put out of service, distributed out to NATO allies. Of the 10,000 Shermans the US Army had in 1945, only about 3,202 units were left by 1950 with almost half unserviceable. The need of such tanks returned with the advent of the Korean War in 1950, which had the US military scrounge up whatever tanks they had in their storage to assist the South Koreans and their troops on the ground. This allowed them to build up units with the M4A3E8 and the heavier, but better armed [[M26|M26 Pershing]], building up around five tank battalions. The 8072nd Tank Battalion was raised from Shermans from the occupational forces of Japan and were the first to be sent to Korea in July 1950. By the end of the year, 1,326 tanks were on the ground, of which half were the M4A3E8. The M26 Pershing and M4A3E8 served alongside in the tank battles ensuing from August to October 1950. The most common enemy tank the Allies faced were the Soviet-supplied [[T-34-85]] medium tank. Between the M4A3E8 and the T-34-85, they were nearly identical in statistics as both were able to take each other out easily. Of the two, the Shermans prevailed with the better crew training and gun optics, allowing for an edge in a combat scenario. After these months, tank-vs-tank combat dropped significantly and the tank soon returned to the role of infantry support. It was this role that the Sherman won out against the M26 Pershing as the Pershing suffered from mechanical issues due to weighing ten tons more than a Sherman, but used the same engine. The Sherman was a proven design and was easier to maintain, more mobile, and reliable. It wasn't until the [[M46|M46 Patton]], an upgraded Pershing with improved reliability, that the Shermans were formally replaced in US service.
 
  
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While the Shermans were finally replaced in American service, many other countries that received the Shermans still used them all the way to the turn of the century. The most famous is Israel, who received a large handful of Shermans from the British to fight for its war of independence in 1948. When the Soviet started aiding the Middle East countries with tanks like the [[T-34-85]], [[PT-76B|PT-76]], and even the [[T-54 (1951)|T-54s]], Israel launched a program with cooperation with France to upgrade the Shermans. The result was the implementation of the AMX-13's 75 mm gun, based off the [[Panther G|Panther]]'s [[KwK 42 (75 mm)|gun]], onto the Sherman turret. Another program in the 1960s attached the larger 105 mm Modèle F1 French gun from their AMX-30 into the Sherman. The upgraded 75 mm and 105 mm Shermans were designated the ''M-50'' and ''M-51'' respectively, both more well known as the ''"Super Sherman"'' abroad. These tanks served in the Middle East conflicts that Israel had to deal with such as the 1956 Suez Crisis, 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where the "Super Shermans" proved itself as adequate against the superior and more modern Soviet tanks. These Shermans serve as a symbol of how desperate Israel's situation is with their neighbors, and also an example of how the Sherman is a proven design able to keep up with the arms race with adequate upgrades in its armaments.
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=france&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=tank_destroyer&vehicle=fr_lorraine_155 Skin and Camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
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== Media ==
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<!--''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''-->
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{{Youtube-gallery|YZtAEsSpwNM|'''The Shooting Range #96''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:39 discusses the Lorraine 155 Mle.50.|_xCgMBOiA8U|'''High-explosive power''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:50 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
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[https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=#m4a3 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M4A3 series from live.warthunder.com.]
 
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* [[Wikipedia:Obusier_de_155_mm_Mod%C3%A8le_50|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Obusier de 155mm Modèle 50 (The gun)]]
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* [[Wikipedia:AMX-50#Char_Lorraine|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> AMX-50 - Char Lorraine (The chassis)]]
  
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{{France premium ground vehicles}}

Revision as of 21:48, 15 August 2020

Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
Lorraine 155 Mle.50
fr_lorraine_155.png
Lorraine 155 Mle.50
France flag.png France
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.3 4.3 4.3
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Lorraine 155 Mle.50.jpg


The Lorraine automoteur de 155 mm modèle 1950 (shortened as Lorraine 155 Mle.50) is a gift rank III French tank destroyer with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm" during the 2018 WW2 Chronicles.

General info

Survivability and armour

The Lorraine 155 Mle.50 has very little armour (although some are sloped enough to deflect certain low-rank rounds), and can generally be penetrated by most guns of its rank. Even worse, however, the 'casemate' (if it can even be called that) has very little armour, and in some places can be shot through with machine guns. The machine-gunner (operating the 151) is completely open to the elements. Generally, you want to rely on good map placement and mobility, rather than armour.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Structural steel
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 16 mm (70°) Front glacis
16 mm (2-73°) Transmission housing 		16 mm 10 mm (0-42°) 10 mm
Superstructure 16 mm (21°) Front
10 mm Gun shield 		16 mm (30°) Right side
16 mm (21-48°) Left side 		10 mm 10 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 10 mm N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks, sprocket wheels, torsion bars, and return rollers are 20 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 10 mm thick.
  • Gun breech is 300mm thick, while the barrel itself is 25mm.
  • Gun carriage around the gun is 20mm thick, while the gun mount/traverse device is 40mm thick.

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 60 16 30 639 1,145 21.3 38.17
Realistic 55 15 398 600 13.27 20

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950 (155 mm)
155 mm L'Obusier de 155 Modèle 1950
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
30 -5°/+67° ±20° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 5.27 7.31 8.88 9.82 10.45
Realistic 3.57 4.2 5.1 5.64 6.0
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
26.0 23.0 21.2 20.0
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
M107 HE 54 54 54 54 54 54
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%
M107 HE 563 43.1 0.1 0.1 6,860 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Smoke characteristic
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Screen radius
in m 		Screen time
in s 		Screen hold time
in s: 		Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
M110 563 40.8 25 5 30 50
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Lorraine 155 Mle.50.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		8th
rack empty 		Visual discrepancy
30 29 (+1) 27 (+3) 23 (+7) 18 (+12) 15 (+15) 9 (+21) 6 (+24) 1 (+29) No

Notes:

  • Recommended ammo load: 10. Keeps most ammunition in the floor and out of sponsons.

Machine guns

Main article: MG 151/20 (20 mm)
20 mm MG151/20
Commander's mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
400 (250) 700 -8°/+45° ±180°

Usage in battles

The best method of using the large-calibre weapon on the Loraine is to exploit the high-explosive power against thin-armour on the enemy. Like other large calibre HE tanks, shooting below an enemy vehicle will penetrate its belly armor. This is an effective, albeit difficult way to engage tanks whose armor is greater than what your HE shell can penetrate.

Some targets to keep in mind of, and their weak points:

  • Tiger I - While seemingly a hard enemy to face, the Tiger is easily dispatched with a side shot. A hit to the roadwheels will penetrate the tank, with the shell fragments going through the thin armor on the underside of the tank's sponson. This is also possible to do to Tiger IIs, but usually results in much less damage done.
  • Tiger II P, Panthers D and A - a hit to the bottom of the curved turret face of these tanks will cause the HE shell to pen the roof of the vehicle. This can also be done on tanks with flat turret fronts ( Tiger I, Tiger II H, Panthers G and F) by aiming for the lower half of the turret, but is not as reliable.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive M110
II Suspension Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire
III Filters Crew Replenishment Elevation Mechanism
IV Transmission Engine
This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 155mm gun with a HE shell on-par with the KV-2's gun
  • Pintle-mounted 20mm cannon that is deadly to lightly-armoured vehicles and aircraft
  • Decent mobility
  • Good reverse speed

Cons:

  • Thin armor with an open casemate, allows even rifle-calibre rounds to affect the crew
  • Despite thin armor, it's thick enough to trigger most fuses in APHE shells
  • Large profile
  • Long reload time; increases if the loader is taken out
  • If the machine-gunner is knocked out, so is the ability to use the 20mm cannon
  • No AP shells, only HE shells
  • Bad gun depression of 5°

History

Prototypes of the Lorraine 155 Mle.50 passed trials in 1950, but never reached production.

Media

Skins
Videos
The Shooting Range #96 - Metal Beasts section at 00:39 discusses the Lorraine 155 Mle.50.
High-explosive power discusses the Lorraine 155 Mle.50 at 0:50 - War Thunder Official Channel

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


France tank destroyers
Lorraine 40t derivatives  CA Lorraine · Lorraine 155 Mle.50
ATGM  MEPHISTO · AMX-10M
Other  AMR.35 ZT3 · Lorraine 37L · SAu 40 · ARL-44 · ELC bis · AMX-50 Foch · AuF1
USA  ▄M10 GMC · ▄M36B2

France premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  AMD.35 (SA35) · H.39 "Cambronne" · LVT-4/40 · AMX-13 (SS.11) · AMX-13-M24 · E.B.R. (1954) · E.B.R. (1963) · VBCI-2 (MCT30)
Medium tanks  M4A1 (FL10) · Panther "Dauphiné" · AMX-30 · AMX-30 Super · AMX-50 (TO90/930)
Heavy tanks  B1 ter · 2C bis · Somua SM
Tank destroyers  Lorraine 155 Mle.50

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