Difference between revisions of "M-51 (W)"
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{{Specs-Card | {{Specs-Card | ||
|code=il_m_51_w | |code=il_m_51_w | ||
− | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_003.jpg | + | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_003.jpg}} |
|store= 10705 | |store= 10705 | ||
}} | }} | ||
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== 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 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.'' --> | ||
− | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Israeli medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]]. | |
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== General info == | == General info == | ||
Line 20: | Line 13: | ||
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | {{Specs-Tank-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? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the 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? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | ||
− | While the Sherman had decent armour for its time, its armour will be penetrated by most enemies it will face at this rank. That's why you should adopt a playstyle similar to the [[Pz.IV F2]]: rely on your gun and mobility and keep distance between you and the enemy vehicles. | + | While the Sherman had decent armour for its time, its armour will be penetrated by most enemies it will face at this rank. That's why you should adopt a playstyle similar to the [[Pz.IV F2]]: rely on your gun and mobility and keep distance between you and the enemy vehicles. |
− | '''Armour type:''' | + | '''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> |
− | + | <!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof) | |
− | * Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull) | + | * Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) --> |
− | * Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
Line 31: | Line 23: | ||
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Hull || | + | | Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm |
− | |||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Turret || | + | | Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Cupola || | + | | Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | |||
− | * Suspension wheels are | + | '''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of --> |
+ | <!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. --> | ||
=== Mobility === | === Mobility === | ||
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}} | {{Specs-Tank-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.'' --> | ||
+ | ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' | ||
− | + | {{tankMobility}} | |
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− | {{tankMobility | ||
=== Modifications and economy === | === Modifications and economy === | ||
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}} | {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}} | ||
<!-- ''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|M-51 (105 mm)}} | ||
− | + | ''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.'' | |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! ''Arcade'' | ! ''Arcade'' | ||
− | | rowspan="2" | 56 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || | + | | rowspan="2" | 56 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ |
|- | |- | ||
! ''Realistic'' | ! ''Realistic'' | ||
− | | | + | | __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==== Ammunition ==== | ==== Ammunition ==== | ||
− | {{: | + | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" |
+ | ! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead | ||
+ | ! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | OCC 105 F1 || HEAT || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | OE 105 F1 Mle.60 || HE || 25 || 25 || 25 || 25 || 25 || 25 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
+ | ! colspan="10" | Shell details | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s) | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg) | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m) | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm) | ||
+ | ! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g) | ||
+ | ! colspan="3" | Ricochet | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! 0% !! 50% !! 100% | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | OCC 105 F1 || HEAT || 800 || 10.95 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 1,020 || 62° || 69° || 73° | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | OE 105 F1 Mle.60 || HE || 800 || 12.1 || 0 || 0.1 || 2,000 || 79° || 80° || 81° | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
+ | ! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! Ammunition | ||
+ | ! Velocity<br>(m/s) | ||
+ | ! Projectile<br>Mass (kg) | ||
+ | ! Screen radius<br>(m) | ||
+ | ! Screen deploy time<br>(s) | ||
+ | ! Screen hold time<br>(s) | ||
+ | ! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g) | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | OFPH 105 F1 || 600 || 11.4 || 20 || 5 || 25 || 50 | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ||
− | [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] | + | <!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] --> |
− | <!-- '''Last updated: | + | <!-- '''Last updated:''' --> |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
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! 2nd<br>rack empty | ! 2nd<br>rack empty | ||
! 3rd<br>rack empty | ! 3rd<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 4th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 5th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 6th<br>rack empty | ||
! Visual<br>discrepancy | ! Visual<br>discrepancy | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | '''56''' || | + | | '''56''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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=== Machine guns === | === Machine guns === | ||
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}} | {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}} | ||
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<!-- ''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|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}} | |
− | |||
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
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|- | |- | ||
| Coaxial || 4,750 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A | | Coaxial || 4,750 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Pintle || 600 (250) || 500 || -10°/+60° || ±180° | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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== Usage in 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 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).'' --> | <!-- ''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).'' --> | ||
− | + | ''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).'' | |
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=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
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'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
− | * Impressive firepower | + | * Impressive firepower |
− | * Great long range cannon | + | * Great long range cannon |
* Wide FOV in the gunner's sight | * Wide FOV in the gunner's sight | ||
* Quick turret traverse | * Quick turret traverse | ||
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* With its poor armour and massive gun, close quarters combat is not recommended | * With its poor armour and massive gun, close quarters combat is not recommended | ||
* Cramped turret due to the large breech | * Cramped turret due to the large breech | ||
− | * Fires only | + | * Fires only chemical based HEAT and HE shells |
− | * The HEAT shell has low muzzle velocity and unreliable post-penetration damage, | + | * The HEAT shell has low muzzle velocity and unreliable post-penetration damage, Aiming At Ammo Racks and Gunners are Often necessary. |
* The large muzzle brake catches a lot of shells, destroying the gun | * The large muzzle brake catches a lot of shells, destroying the gun | ||
+ | * Only has .30 cal machine guns | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
Line 172: | Line 187: | ||
The M-50s proved highly effective during the Sinai War of 1956, but the lessons of that war resulted in the Soviets flooding the region - particularly Egypt and Syria - with the newest [[T-54/55 (Family)|T-54/55]], armed with a 100 mm cannon and carrying more modern curved armour. Once again, new French [[AMX-30]]s were rejected as replacements for the M-50, but their new [[CN-105-F1 (105 mm)|CN-105-F1 105 mm]] cannons proved quite suitable for the IDF's purposes. The Israelis modified these cannons to their own specifications, slightly reducing barrel length and muzzle velocity as well as fitting the cannon with a brand new muzzle brake. This modified cannon would be installed on an [[M4A1]] Sherman hull fitted with a T23 turret (the turret originally used for 76 mm Sherman variants). The tank was then fitted with a number of additional modernization features, including infrared spotlights and a better fire control system. | The M-50s proved highly effective during the Sinai War of 1956, but the lessons of that war resulted in the Soviets flooding the region - particularly Egypt and Syria - with the newest [[T-54/55 (Family)|T-54/55]], armed with a 100 mm cannon and carrying more modern curved armour. Once again, new French [[AMX-30]]s were rejected as replacements for the M-50, but their new [[CN-105-F1 (105 mm)|CN-105-F1 105 mm]] cannons proved quite suitable for the IDF's purposes. The Israelis modified these cannons to their own specifications, slightly reducing barrel length and muzzle velocity as well as fitting the cannon with a brand new muzzle brake. This modified cannon would be installed on an [[M4A1]] Sherman hull fitted with a T23 turret (the turret originally used for 76 mm Sherman variants). The tank was then fitted with a number of additional modernization features, including infrared spotlights and a better fire control system. | ||
− | This new model was dubbed the Sherman M-51, of which 180 were constructed in total. They first saw action during the Six-Day War of 1967, where they often outmatched Syrian and Egyptian T-55s. In combat in the West Bank during that war, the M-51 exceeded expectations even further by thoroughly defeating Jordanian [[M48A1|M48 Pattons]] - very similar to the model that was in the process of replacing the M-51 in IDF service at the time. Despite becoming effectively obsolete by the 1970s, the M-51s were called back into action in 1973 during the desperate situation of the Yom Kippur War, and reportedly managed to hold their own even against late-model [[T-62]] tanks. | + | This new model was dubbed the Sherman M-51, of which 180 were constructed in total. They first saw action during the Six-Day War of 1967, where they often outmatched Syrian and Egyptian T-55s. In combat in the West Bank during that war, the M-51 exceeded expectations even further by thoroughly defeating Jordanian [[M48A1|M48 Pattons]] - very similar to the model that was in the process of ''replacing the M-51'' in IDF service at the time. Despite becoming effectively obsolete by the 1970s, the M-51s were called back into action in 1973 during the desperate situation of the Yom Kippur War, and reportedly managed to hold their own even against late-model [[T-62]] tanks. |
All in all, the M-51 is considered to be the last and most advanced version of the Sherman ever produced. | All in all, the M-51 is considered to be the last and most advanced version of the Sherman ever produced. | ||
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=il_m_51_w Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=il_m_51_w Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
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* ''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.'' --> | ||
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* [[M4 Sherman (Family)]] | * [[M4 Sherman (Family)]] | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
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* [[wt:en/news/7483-development-shop-israeli-ground-forces-cbt-early-access-packs-en|[Devblog] Israeli Ground Forces CBT Early Access Packs!]] | * [[wt:en/news/7483-development-shop-israeli-ground-forces-cbt-early-access-packs-en|[Devblog] Israeli Ground Forces CBT Early Access Packs!]] | ||
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{{Israel medium tanks}} | {{Israel medium tanks}} | ||
{{Israel premium ground vehicles}} | {{Israel premium ground vehicles}} |
Revision as of 17:11, 19 January 2022
Contents
Description
The M-51 (W) is a premium gift rank IV Israeli medium tank with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Winged Lions".
General info
Survivability and armour
While the Sherman had decent armour for its time, its armour will be penetrated by most enemies it will face at this rank. That's why you should adopt a playstyle similar to the Pz.IV F2: rely on your gun and mobility and keep distance between you and the enemy vehicles.
Armour type:
Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | ___ mm | ___ mm Top ___ mm Bottom |
___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
Turret | ___ - ___ mm Turret front ___ mm Gun mantlet |
___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm | ___ - ___ mm |
Cupola | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm | ___ mm |
Notes:
Mobility
Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.
Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
Arcade | 43 | 6 | 40 | _,___ | 878 | __.__ | 21.95 |
Realistic | 38 | 5 | _,___ | 460 | __.__ | 11.5 |
Modifications and economy
Armaments
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: {{main|Name of the weapon}}
. 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.
105 mm M-51 | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mode | Capacity | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
Arcade | 56 | -8°/+20° | ±180° | N/A | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ | _.__ |
Realistic | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ | __._ |
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 | ||
OCC 105 F1 | HEAT | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
OE 105 F1 Mle.60 | HE | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Shell details | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile Mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||
0% | 50% | 100% | |||||||
OCC 105 F1 | HEAT | 800 | 10.95 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 1,020 | 62° | 69° | 73° |
OE 105 F1 Mle.60 | HE | 800 | 12.1 | 0 | 0.1 | 2,000 | 79° | 80° | 81° |
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) |
OFPH 105 F1 | 600 | 11.4 | 20 | 5 | 25 | 50 |
Ammo racks
Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
56 | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ (+__) | __ |
Machine guns
7.62 mm M1919A4 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
Coaxial | 4,750 (250) | 500 | N/A | N/A |
Pintle | 600 (250) | 500 | -10°/+60° | ±180° |
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).
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Impressive firepower
- Great long range cannon
- Wide FOV in the gunner's sight
- Quick turret traverse
- 4 turret-mounted smoke grenades
Cons:
- Massive gun wobbling: the gun is not stabilised and bounces a lot
- Poor top speed and acceleration
- With its poor armour and massive gun, close quarters combat is not recommended
- Cramped turret due to the large breech
- Fires only chemical based HEAT and HE shells
- The HEAT shell has low muzzle velocity and unreliable post-penetration damage, Aiming At Ammo Racks and Gunners are Often necessary.
- The large muzzle brake catches a lot of shells, destroying the gun
- Only has .30 cal machine guns
History
Upon its establishment in 1948, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) was desperate to set up an armoured corps in order to contend with the multi-pronged Arab invasion. World War II surplus early-model M4 Sherman tanks, many of them already rendered combat-ineffective, were purchased from any European source that would provide them. A significant Israeli repair effort finally managed to get most of these tanks working in time to defeat the invading armoured battalions, ultimately winning the war. The basic M4 remained the IDF's primary tank for more than half a decade, precisely because it was considered obsolete everywhere else and could therefore be purchased en-masse at scrapyard prices. During the early 1950s it was slowly replaced with more advanced Sherman models, whenever those could be acquired.
Unfortunately for the IDF, this situation could not continue for long. Newfound cooperation between the Arab states and the Soviet Union resulted in an influx of T-34-85s into the region, whose armour was very difficult to penetrate using the M4's original 75 mm M3 cannon. It was obvious that the Shermans would need to be replaced in order to keep up with the arms race. Initially, the IDF considered purchasing the new AMX-13 from France (which was rapidly becoming Israel's primary weapon supplier), but the tank was determined to be too lightly armoured. Instead, a number of French CN-75-50 cannons (also known as the SA50 L/57) were purchased separately and installed into the turrets of existing M4A4 Shermans. This resulted in the Sherman M-50, known abroad as the "Super Sherman" and in War Thunder as the M4A4 (SA50).
The M-50s proved highly effective during the Sinai War of 1956, but the lessons of that war resulted in the Soviets flooding the region - particularly Egypt and Syria - with the newest T-54/55, armed with a 100 mm cannon and carrying more modern curved armour. Once again, new French AMX-30s were rejected as replacements for the M-50, but their new CN-105-F1 105 mm cannons proved quite suitable for the IDF's purposes. The Israelis modified these cannons to their own specifications, slightly reducing barrel length and muzzle velocity as well as fitting the cannon with a brand new muzzle brake. This modified cannon would be installed on an M4A1 Sherman hull fitted with a T23 turret (the turret originally used for 76 mm Sherman variants). The tank was then fitted with a number of additional modernization features, including infrared spotlights and a better fire control system.
This new model was dubbed the Sherman M-51, of which 180 were constructed in total. They first saw action during the Six-Day War of 1967, where they often outmatched Syrian and Egyptian T-55s. In combat in the West Bank during that war, the M-51 exceeded expectations even further by thoroughly defeating Jordanian M48 Pattons - very similar to the model that was in the process of replacing the M-51 in IDF service at the time. Despite becoming effectively obsolete by the 1970s, the M-51s were called back into action in 1973 during the desperate situation of the Yom Kippur War, and reportedly managed to hold their own even against late-model T-62 tanks.
All in all, the M-51 is considered to be the last and most advanced version of the Sherman ever produced.
Media
- Skins
See also
External links
Israel medium tanks | |
---|---|
M-51 | M-51 · M-51 (W) |
Magach | Magach 1 · Magach 2 · Magach 3 · Magach 3 (ERA) · Magach 5 · Magach 6 |
Magach 6A · Magach 6B · Magach 6B Gal · Gal Batash · Magach 6C · Magach 6M · Magach 6R · Magach Hydra · Magach 7C | |
Tiran | Tiran 4 · Tiran 4S |
Sho't | Sho't · Sho't Kal Alef · Sho't Kal Gimel · Sho't Kal Dalet |
Merkava | Merkava Mk.1B · Merkava Mk.2B · Merkava Mk.2D · Merkava Mk.3B · Merkava Mk.3C · Raam Segol |
Merkava Mk.4B · Merkava Mk.4M · Merkava Mk.4 LIC |
Israel premium ground vehicles | |
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