Difference between revisions of "M4A1 (76) W"

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| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| about = American medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
| other
 
| other
| usage-1 = other M4 Shermans
+
| usage-1 = other versions
 
| link-1 = M4 Sherman (Family)
 
| link-1 = M4 Sherman (Family)
 
| usage-2 = other uses
 
| usage-2 = other uses
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{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=us_m4a1_76w_sherman
 
|code=us_m4a1_76w_sherman
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== 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 rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. The M4A1 (76) also introduces the more penetrative [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm cannon]] to the M4 Sherman series of tanks that gives the Sherman a substantial upgrade to fight Rank III enemy tanks.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. The M4A1 (76) also introduces the more penetrative [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm M1 cannon]] to the M4 Sherman series of tanks that gives the Sherman a substantial upgrade to fight Rank III enemy tanks.
  
When compared to the prior models of M4 series tank, one will note the larger and flatter gun mantlet designed to support the 76.2mm gun. unfortunately, the gun mantlet lacks a spall shield behind it like the predecessor M4 and M4A2 Sherman models have. The M4A1 76 W has the same cast hull as the original M4A1 but unlike the original, it appears to have a 2x6 lumber board attached to the front holding petrol cans, a bogey wheel and tracks up onto the hull. The latter two added for light appliqué armour. The two viewports for the machine gunner and driver have also been replaced with periscopes.
+
When compared to the prior models of M4 series tank, one will note the larger and flatter gun mantlet designed to support the 76.2 mm gun. Unfortunately, the gun mantlet lacks a spall shield behind it like the predecessor M4 and M4A2 Sherman models have. The M4A1 (76) W has the same cast hull as the original M4A1 but unlike the original, it appears to have a 2x6 lumber board attached to the front holding petrol cans, a bogey wheel and tracks up onto the hull. The latter two added for light appliqué armour. The two viewports for the machine gunner and driver have also been replaced with periscopes.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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| Turret || 63.5 mm (0-51°) ''Turret front'' <br> 88.9 mm (5-19°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 63.5 mm (1-20°) || 63.5 mm (0-57°) || 25.4 mm
 
| Turret || 63.5 mm (0-51°) ''Turret front'' <br> 88.9 mm (5-19°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 63.5 mm (1-20°) || 63.5 mm (0-57°) || 25.4 mm
 
|-
 
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
+
| Cupola || 63.5 mm || 63.5 mm || 63.5 mm || 25.4 mm
|-
 
| Cupola || 63.5 mm || 25.4 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{{Specs-Economy}}
 
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
Priority modules for research should be Parts, FPE, and mobility modifications. (These will make up for the vehicle's poor cross-country driving capabilities.)
+
Priority modules for research should be Parts, FPE, and mobility modifications. (These will make up for the vehicle's poor cross-country driving capabilities.)
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 71 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24km/h}} || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
+
| rowspan="2" | 71 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24 km/h}} || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
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==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:M1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M79 shot, M42A1 shell, M62 shell, M88}}
! 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
 
|-
 
| M62 shell || APCBC || 149 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
 
|-
 
| M42A1 shell || HE || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7
 
|-
 
| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| 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%
 
|-
 
| M62 shell || APCBC || 792 || 7 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
| M42A1 shell || HE || 800 || 5.84 || 0 || 0.1 || 390 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
| M79 shot || AP || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|}
 
{| 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)
 
|-
 
| M88 || 274 || 3.44 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
+
[[File:Ammoracks M4A1 (75) W (China).png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the M4A1 (75) W (China) (identical)]]
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.11.0.27''' -->
 
{| 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
 
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''71''' || 57&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 43&nbsp;''(+28)'' || 29&nbsp;''(+42)'' || 15&nbsp;''(+56)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+70)'' || Yes
+
| '''71''' || 66&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+40)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+70)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Note''':
 +
 +
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear from the rack after having been shot or loaded.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
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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).'' -->
In general terms, the M4A1 (76) W is a excellent tank for its battle rating, offering an effective gun, decent mobility, decent armour, and excellent gun handling.
+
In general terms, the M4A1 (76) W is an excellent tank for its battle rating, offering an effective gun, decent mobility, decent armour, and excellent gun handling.
  
The M4A1 (76) W has an unusually high profile and thus it is difficult to drive around undetected. While playing this tank, the unusually high profile, but well-armoured turret combined with excellent gun depression means that the M4A1 can take advantage of many hull-down positions throughout the map. The stabilizer also gives an excellent first shot/first hit possibility and allows the M4A1 to drive around some corners at low speed and make itself slightly harder to hit. The cast shape of the hull also creates some extreme angles where even more powerful shells from the [[D-5T (85 mm)|85 mm]], [[KwK 36 (88 mm)|88 mm]], and [[KwK 42 (75 mm)|KwK 42]] 75 mm can bounce. It is notably better armoured than the [[Pz.IV H|Pz.IV H]] or [[T-34-57]] of similar rank and offers equal or better mobility than most.
+
The M4A1 (76) W has an unusually high profile and thus it is difficult to drive around undetected. While playing this tank, the unusually high profile, but well-armoured turret combined with excellent gun depression means that the M4A1 can take advantage of many hull-down positions throughout the map. The stabilizer also gives an excellent first shot/first hit possibility and allows the M4A1 to drive around some corners at low speed and make itself slightly harder to hit. The cast shape of the hull also creates some extreme angles where even more powerful shells from the [[D-5T (85 mm)|85 mm D-5T]], [[KwK36 (88 mm)|88 mm KwK36]], and [[KwK42 (75 mm)|75 mm KwK42]] can bounce. It is notably better armoured than the [[Pz.IV H]] or [[T-34-57]] of similar rank and offers equal or better mobility than most.
  
Since the ammo stowage in this model is wet stowage, the ammo is stored in a box filled with water on the floor of the tank so it's harder to hit than in previous Sherman models ([[M4|M4]], [[M4A1|M4A1]], [[M4A2|M4A2]], and [[M4A3 (105)|M4A3(105)]]), but the more powerful tanks like the [[Tiger_H1|Tiger H1]] and [[Panther_D|Panther D]] can easily destroy the M4A1 even if the latter shoots first. In addition, they can easily penetrate the Sherman's frontal armour at almost all ranges and in most cases, if they are using the correct ammo, the shells' shrapnel will incapacitate all the crew. When not in a max up-tier, the M4A1 (76) W can confidently engage most enemies from 3.7-5.3 with little issue. In the event of a max up-tier, the Sherman must rely on its fast reload time of 7.6 seconds, its gun stabilizer in order to make accurate moving shots, its gun depression of -10 degrees, and its possession of enough mobility to flank heavier tanks. With its pintle mounted 12.7 mm M2 gun and the coaxial M1919A4 7.62 mm gun, the M4A1 can defend itself and the team from enemy aircraft as well as to incapacitate most SPAA.
+
Since the ammo stowage in this model is wet stowage, the ammo is stored in a box filled with water on the floor of the tank so it's harder to hit than in previous Sherman models ([[M4]], [[M4A1]], [[M4A2]], and [[M4A3 (105)]]), but the more powerful tanks like the [[Tiger H1]] and [[Panther D]] can easily destroy the M4A1 even if the latter shoots first. In addition, they can easily penetrate the Sherman's frontal armour at almost all ranges and in most cases, if they are using the correct ammo, the shells' shrapnel will incapacitate all the crew. When not in a max up-tier, the M4A1 (76) W can confidently engage most enemies at its BR with little issue. In the event of a max up-tier, the Sherman must rely on its fast reload time of 7.6 seconds, its gun stabilizer in order to make accurate moving shots, its gun depression of -10 degrees, and its possession of enough mobility to flank heavier tanks. With its pintle-mounted 12.7 mm M2 gun and the coaxial M1919A4 7.62 mm gun, the M4A1 can defend itself and the team from enemy aircraft as well as to incapacitate most SPAA.
  
The most dangerous opponents the 76 Sherman can face (This will apply to most American tanks armed with the 76mm M1 gun, excluding the Jumbo 76) are the aforementioned Tiger H1/E and Panther Ds, as well as the Soviet IS-1s and KV-85s. High-velocity guns armed by these tanks combined with their very thick/sloped armour makes them extremely dangerous opponents the M4A1 (76) can face. The standard T-34-85s and Panzer IVs can also be a danger, and can instantly knock out the M4A1 with one shot. However, so can the 76 mm gun on the M4A1.
+
The most dangerous opponents the M4A1 (76) W can face (This will apply to most American tanks armed with the 76 mm M1 gun, excluding the Jumbo 76) are the Tiger H1/E, Panther Ds, and the Soviet IS-1s and KV-85s. High-velocity guns carried by these tanks combined with their very thick/sloped armour makes them extremely dangerous opponents the M4A1 (76) can face. The standard T-34-85s and Panzer IVs can also be a danger, and can instantly knock out the M4A1 with one shot. However, so can the 76 mm gun on the M4A1.
  
While it is recommended to disable the turret on the tanks mentioned above, note that for the T-34-85s, the best spot to target would be their abnormally large turret gap/ring. The gap is a well-exploitable weakness found on many T-34 designs starting with the T-34 1942 model, as it is noticeably large, thin and not-at-all angled. Shots here with the M62 APCBC-HE shot will result in an instant knock out.
+
While it is recommended to disable the turret on the tanks mentioned above, note that for the T-34-85s, the best spot to target would be their abnormally large turret gap/ring. The gap is a well-exploitable weakness found on many T-34 designs starting with the T-34 1942 model, as it is noticeably large, thin and not-at-all angled. Shots here with the M62 APCBC shot will result in an instant knock out.
  
 
The speedy R3 T20 FA-HS can appear in higher BR battles and circle around you with ease and wipe out all your crew with its fast firing autocannon. In a close encounter, never expose your side to it, and do not even angle your hull. Face your hull directly to the R3, because on each side of the cast hull, above the inducer wheel there is a triangular area that blends and connects the upper front plate to the side. By angling the hull, this triangle becomes unangled to the R3, making it easily penetrated, and the driver / gunner will usually get knocked out first. It is harder for the R3 to penetrate your unangled hull thus giving you more time to react and destroy it.
 
The speedy R3 T20 FA-HS can appear in higher BR battles and circle around you with ease and wipe out all your crew with its fast firing autocannon. In a close encounter, never expose your side to it, and do not even angle your hull. Face your hull directly to the R3, because on each side of the cast hull, above the inducer wheel there is a triangular area that blends and connects the upper front plate to the side. By angling the hull, this triangle becomes unangled to the R3, making it easily penetrated, and the driver / gunner will usually get knocked out first. It is harder for the R3 to penetrate your unangled hull thus giving you more time to react and destroy it.
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'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* The gun has less penetration than the German equivalent found on Panzer IVs and Stug III/IVs
+
* Frontal armour can easily be penetrated by German 75 mm guns
* Frontal armour can easily be penetrated by German 75mm guns
 
 
* Is quite tall
 
* Is quite tall
 
* Prone to tipping over when travelling across steep inclines
 
* Prone to tipping over when travelling across steep inclines
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* Only reaches its top speed on paved surfaces
 
* Only reaches its top speed on paved surfaces
 
* Cannot be angled properly, hull "cheeks" are a weak spot
 
* Cannot be angled properly, hull "cheeks" are a weak spot
* The cast hull creates frontal weakspots with very little effective thickness, eg. the triangles between upper front plate and the side, and the curved hull hatches
+
* The cast hull creates frontal weak spots with very little effective thickness, e.g. the triangles between upper front plate and the side, and the curved hull hatches
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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=== M4 Sherman ===
 
=== M4 Sherman ===
The start of World War II and the Battle of France had America find that their current armoured forces were completely inadequate to fight back a German armour assault. With only the [[M2A4|M2 light tanks]] and the [[M2|M2 medium tank]] available with their [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm cannons]], the Americans greatly increased their efforts in tank development to bolster their defenses, but to satisfy demands from Great Britain for adequate tanks to rebuild their decimated armoured forces. The requirements set by the US Army called for a tank armed with a [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm gun]]. While a 75 mm gun was available for use, a turret mounting the gun on a tank was not. Thus, while the turret and tank design underwent development, the 75 mm would be mounted on the stopgap design - the [[M3 Lee|M3 Lee]] tank - in a "sponson" mount. During the M3's development, the designs of the 75 mm armed vehicle were submitted by the Ordnance Department. In April 1941, the Armored Force Board chose the simplest of the designs, which was a redesigned M3 hull and chassis with a turret mounting the 75 mm gun designated the ''T6'', completed in September 1941. This tank would then designated the '''[[M4|M4 Sherman]]'''. The production for the Sherman began in October 1941 and would continue to be produced until the end of the war in 1945 with around than 50,000 units produced, making it the second most-produced tank in World War II before the [[T-34 (1942)|T-34 tank]]. The Sherman first saw service in North Africa in the hands of the British, and the Shermans continued to see service throughout the North African campaign, Tunisian campaign, and the Italian campaign in the British and American armies. However, the 75 mm gun on the Sherman soon found itself saw as inadequate when the Germans began fielding their new generation of heavy tanks, the [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]] and the [[Panther D|Panther]], which could defend itself against the 75 mm gun and take out the Sherman at a long range. A desire to up-gun the Sherman grew among Ordnance officers to fight incoming armour threats and started as far back as 1942.
+
The start of World War II and the Battle of France had America find that their current armoured forces were completely inadequate to fight back a German armour assault. With only the [[M2A4|M2 light tanks]] and the [[M2|M2 medium tank]] available with their [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm M3 cannons]], the Americans greatly increased their efforts in tank development to bolster their defenses, but to satisfy demands from Great Britain for adequate tanks to rebuild their decimated armoured forces. The requirements set by the US Army called for a tank armed with a [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm M3 gun]]. While a 75 mm gun was available for use, a turret mounting the gun on a tank was not. Thus, while the turret and tank design underwent development, the 75 mm would be mounted on the stopgap design - the [[M3 Lee]] tank - in a "sponson" mount. During the M3's development, the designs of the 75 mm armed vehicle were submitted by the Ordnance Department. In April 1941, the Armored Force Board chose the simplest of the designs, which was a redesigned M3 hull and chassis with a turret mounting the 75 mm gun designated the ''T6'', completed in September 1941. This tank would then designated the [[M4|M4 Sherman]]. The production for the Sherman began in October 1941 and would continue to be produced until the end of the war in 1945 with around than 50,000 units produced, making it the second most-produced tank in World War II before the [[T-34 (1942)|T-34 tank]]. The Sherman first saw service in North Africa in the hands of the British, and the Shermans continued to see service throughout the North African campaign, Tunisian campaign, and the Italian campaign in the British and American armies. However, the 75 mm gun on the Sherman soon found itself saw as inadequate when the Germans began fielding their new generation of heavy tanks, the [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]] and the [[Panther D|Panther]], which could defend itself against the 75 mm gun and take out the Sherman at a long range. A desire to up-gun the Sherman grew among Ordnance officers to fight incoming armour threats and started as far back as 1942.
  
 
===Development===
 
===Development===
The desire for a hole puncher on the Sherman started in the Ordnance department, seen as an improvement to the Sherman's overall combat ability to fight future tank threats. It started with the adaption of the [[M7 (76 mm)|3-inch anti-tank gun]] into the M4 Sherman. The gun proved too heavy and too bulky for a straight adaption so a simpler and smaller gun model was created called the ''[[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm M1]]'', which could be practically fitted into the M4 Sherman turret. The 76 mm differed from the 3-inch in ammunition by using a different propellant case but the same shells, yet kept the same ballistics. The first guns were trialled in a [[M4A1|M4A1 Sherman]]; while Ordnance approved the vehicle, Armored Board rejected it as the design caused the turret interior to be too cramped for the crew and also the lack of need of such vehicle. This solution was fixed by taking the [[T20|cancelled T23 project]] and adapting the turret into the Sherman, which was easy as the Sherman and the T23 used the same turret ring diameter. The larger turret allowed for a more practical mounting of the 76 mm gun and more room for the crew to move around in. This variant was approved and production was to start in early 1944 for the upcoming invasion of Europe in Operation Overlord to counter the German [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]] and the [[Panther D|Panther]] tanks.
+
The desire for a hole puncher on the Sherman started in the Ordnance department, seen as an improvement to the Sherman's overall combat ability to fight future tank threats. It started with the adaption of the [[M7 (76 mm)|3-inch anti-tank gun]] into the M4 Sherman. The gun proved too heavy and too bulky for a straight adaption so a simpler and smaller gun model was created called the [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm M1]], which could be practically fitted into the M4 Sherman turret. The 76 mm differed from the 3-inch in ammunition by using a different propellant case but the same shells, yet kept the same ballistics. The first guns were trialled in a [[M4A1|M4A1 Sherman]]; while Ordnance approved the vehicle, Armored Board rejected it as the design caused the turret interior to be too cramped for the crew and also the lack of need of such vehicle. This solution was fixed by taking the [[T20|cancelled T23 project]] and adapting the turret into the Sherman, which was easy as the Sherman and the T23 used the same turret ring diameter. The larger turret allowed for a more practical mounting of the 76 mm gun and more room for the crew to move around in. This variant was approved and production was to start in early 1944 for the upcoming invasion of Europe in Operation Overlord to counter the German Tiger I and the Panther tanks.
  
 
===Design===
 
===Design===
 
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 centre, and the engine compartment in the back. The exterior design of the hull was also largely unchanged with the vertical volute suspension system (VVSS) and sloping front armour.
 
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 centre, and the engine compartment in the back. The exterior design of the hull was also largely unchanged with the vertical volute suspension system (VVSS) and sloping front armour.
  
The '''M4A1 (76) W Sherman''' model ran on a gasoline Continental R975C-4 radial engine. The M4A1 designation was given to Shermans constructed with a fully cast tank hull, giving the tank a distinctive rounded slope front and sides. Though the rounded shape gave the frontal armour uneven angling, it provided adequate protection up to 100 mm in thickness in certain areas. The cast, while efficient in armouring the tank, was hard to manufacture due to limited capabilities in most factories and was hard to repair in the field, so the cast design was changed to welding in future Sherman variants. The M4A1(76)W variant, as indicated by the name, mounted the 76 mm gun instead of the usual 75 mm. 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 shrapnel from penetrating shots from hitting the ammunition. The containers also placed all the ammunition in the bottom centre 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 centre. This feature was only present after February 1944 and severely decreased the rate of Sherman fires. Of the 49,234 Sherman produced in World War II, 3,426 M4A1(76)s were produced from January 1944 to July 1945.
+
The '''M4A1 (76) W Sherman''' model ran on a gasoline Continental R975C-4 radial engine. The M4A1 designation was given to Shermans constructed with a fully cast tank hull, giving the tank a distinctive rounded slope front and sides. Though the rounded shape gave the frontal armour uneven angling, it provided adequate protection up to 100 mm in thickness in certain areas. The cast hull, while efficient in protecting the tank, was hard to manufacture due to limited capabilities in most factories and was hard to repair in the field, so the cast design was changed to welding in future Sherman variants. The M4A1(76)W variant, as indicated by the name, mounted the 76 mm gun instead of the usual 75 mm. 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 shrapnel from penetrating shots from hitting the ammunition. The containers also placed all the ammunition in the bottom centre 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 centre. This feature was only present after February 1944 and severely decreased the rate of Sherman fires. Of the 49,234 Sherman produced in World War II, 3,426 M4A1(76)s were produced from January 1944 to July 1945.
  
 
===Combat usage===
 
===Combat usage===
Despite the stock of 76 mm Shermans now available for them, the commanders opted to not bring any during the invasion of France in June 1944. The issues were logistical, as having a 76 mm armament would mean supplying a different set of ammo to the tank forces. Another issue was that the 76 mm gun had a less lethal high-explosive round at hand, meaning combat against infantry or fixed emplacements would be slightly harder. This forced 75 mm armed Shermans to have to compete against the better armed and armoured Panthers and Tigers in the initial period of the invasion. The combat debut of the M4A1 (76) Shermans was during Operation Cobra in July 1944, as a response to the growing German armour threat in Europe. The 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions received 52 of these Shermans and the rest were distributed among the tank battalions in the infantry divisions. The M4 (76) and M4 (75) Shermans served alongside each other, though the 75 mm Shermans were around in larger numbers and the opinions of the 76 mm cannon vary from a necessary addition to a burden. The 75 mm guns stayed as the primary armament of the armoured forces until the Battle of the Bulge, which had many American armours destroyed by the German onslaught of heavy German tanks such as their [[Panther G|Panther]] and [[Tiger II (H)|Tiger II's]]. The negative response from both troops and press had Allied commanders, even Eisenhower himself, request only 76 mm Sherman to be delivered instead of 75 mm in response. The new units arriving in Europe after the Battle of the Bulge were all equipped with 76-mm Shermans. Despite their appearance, 75 mm Shermans were still in stock in the armoured divisions and were still held in high regards for their better capacity to destroy soft targets with high-explosive shells.
+
Despite the stock of 76 mm Shermans now available for them, the commanders opted to not bring any during the invasion of France in June 1944. The issues were logistical, as having a 76 mm armament would mean supplying a different set of ammo to the tank forces. Another issue was that the 76 mm gun had a less lethal high-explosive round at hand, meaning combat against infantry or fixed emplacements would be slightly harder. This forced 75 mm armed Shermans to have to compete against the better armed and armoured Panthers and Tigers in the initial period of the invasion. The combat debut of the M4A1 (76) Shermans was during Operation Cobra in July 1944, as a response to the growing German armour threat in Europe. The 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions received 52 of these Shermans and the rest were distributed among the tank battalions in the infantry divisions. The M4 (76) and M4 (75) Shermans served alongside each other, though the 75 mm Shermans were around in larger numbers and the opinions of the 76 mm cannon vary from a necessary addition to a burden. The 75 mm guns stayed as the primary armament of the armoured forces until the Battle of the Bulge, which had many American armours destroyed by the German onslaught of heavy German tanks such as their [[Panther G|Panther]] and [[Tiger II (H)|Tiger IIs]]. The negative response from both troops and press had Allied commanders, even Eisenhower himself, request only 76 mm Sherman to be delivered instead of 75 mm in response. The new units arriving in Europe after the Battle of the Bulge were all equipped with 76-mm Shermans. Despite their appearance, 75 mm Shermans were still in stock in the armoured divisions and were still held in high regards for their better capacity to destroy soft targets with high-explosive shells.
  
After the war, the Shermans continued serving America and its allies as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8]] with a new suspension and 76 mm gun. The [[M26|M26 Pershing]] that was introduced late in World War II was phased out for the Shermans due to its unreliability, and the Sherman stayed until the [[M46|M46 Patton]] was introduced. After being phased out of American service, many other countries still used the Sherman as their main tank, mainly Israel where they up-gunned the tank with the much powerful post-war French 75 mm and 105 mm gun as the M-50 and M-51 respectively (nicknamed "Super Shermans"). These proved successful as they were able to fight against the Soviet-supplied [[T-54 (1947)|T-54 tanks]] and [[T-34-85]]s in Middle East service, proving the Sherman as a successful and adaptable design for many years to come.
+
After the war, the Shermans continued serving America and its allies as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8]] with a new suspension and 76 mm gun. The [[M26|M26 Pershing]] that was introduced late in World War II was phased out for the Shermans due to its unreliability, and the Sherman stayed until the [[M46|M46 Patton]] was introduced. After being phased out of American service, many other countries still used the Sherman as their main tank, mainly Israel where they up-gunned the tank with the much powerful post-war French 75 mm and 105 mm gun as the M-50 and [[M-51]] respectively (nicknamed "Super Shermans"). These proved successful as they were able to fight against the Soviet-supplied [[T-54 (1947)|T-54 tanks]] and [[T-34-85]]s in Middle East service, proving the Sherman as a successful and adaptable design for many years to come.
  
=== In-game description ===
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{{break}}
 +
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
 +
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 
In July 1942 ATC began development of M1 and M1A1 76 mm cannons to boost the tank's firepower. Trials showed that the M4's turret was too small to fit long-barreled weapons, and the decision was made to use modified T20/T23 turrets. Tanks boasting 76 mm cannons hit assembly lines in February 1944, making them ready for the Normandy invasion. Ammunition bins were moved to recesses above the tracks on the floor of the battle compartment and on both sides of the driveshaft. An interesting peculiarity was so-called "wet stowage", which had double-walled water jackets surrounding the main gun ammunition storage. It was thought that if the ammunition storage suffered a hit, the water would keep a potential fire from spreading. Tanks with 76 mm weapons were given the additional suffix "76", while the 76 mm M1A1C and M1A2 and their muzzle brakes were installed later. The initial shell speed for the new weapons clocked in at 810 m/s, making the modernized tanks capable of standing up to the heavy German tanks.
 
In July 1942 ATC began development of M1 and M1A1 76 mm cannons to boost the tank's firepower. Trials showed that the M4's turret was too small to fit long-barreled weapons, and the decision was made to use modified T20/T23 turrets. Tanks boasting 76 mm cannons hit assembly lines in February 1944, making them ready for the Normandy invasion. Ammunition bins were moved to recesses above the tracks on the floor of the battle compartment and on both sides of the driveshaft. An interesting peculiarity was so-called "wet stowage", which had double-walled water jackets surrounding the main gun ammunition storage. It was thought that if the ammunition storage suffered a hit, the water would keep a potential fire from spreading. Tanks with 76 mm weapons were given the additional suffix "76", while the 76 mm M1A1C and M1A2 and their muzzle brakes were installed later. The initial shell speed for the new weapons clocked in at 810 m/s, making the modernized tanks capable of standing up to the heavy German tanks.
  
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The Pressed Steel Car Company built 3,396 of these units between January 1944 and June 1945.
 
The Pressed Steel Car Company built 3,396 of these units between January 1944 and June 1945.
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{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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;Skins
 
;Skins
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=us_m4a1_76w_sherman Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
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 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m4a1_76w_sherman Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
;Videos
 
;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|-7jMSCxnnRk|'''{{PAGENAME}} Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''|7xLjhn6mxoU|'''M4A1 (76) w, American Tier-3 Medium Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|LIPG2_TOITo|'''Tank Chats #111 Sherman M4A1 (76) W''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}
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{{Youtube-gallery|AThOHUXhcsI|'''The Shooting Range #114''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 08:02 discusses Lafayette G. Pool, US tank ace.|7xLjhn6mxoU|'''M4A1 (76) w, American Tier-3 Medium Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|LIPG2_TOITo|'''Tank Chats #111 Sherman M4A1 (76) W''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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;Other M4A1 vehicles in the game
 
;Other M4A1 vehicles in the game
 +
 
* [[M4A1]]
 
* [[M4A1]]
 
* [[Sherman II]]
 
* [[Sherman II]]

Revision as of 21:31, 30 January 2023

Rank 6 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the American medium tank M4A1 (76) W. For other versions, see M4 Sherman (Family). For other uses, see M4 (Disambiguation).
M4A1 (76) W
us_m4a1_76w_sherman.png
GarageImage M4A1 (76) W.jpg
ArtImage M4A1 (76) W.jpg
ArtImage2 M4A1 (76) W.png
M4A1 (76) W
AB RB SB
5.0 5.0 5.0
Class:
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Medium Tank M4A1 (76) W Sherman is a rank III American medium tank with a battle rating of 5.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals". The M4A1 (76) also introduces the more penetrative 76 mm M1 cannon to the M4 Sherman series of tanks that gives the Sherman a substantial upgrade to fight Rank III enemy tanks.

When compared to the prior models of M4 series tank, one will note the larger and flatter gun mantlet designed to support the 76.2 mm gun. Unfortunately, the gun mantlet lacks a spall shield behind it like the predecessor M4 and M4A2 Sherman models have. The M4A1 (76) W has the same cast hull as the original M4A1 but unlike the original, it appears to have a 2x6 lumber board attached to the front holding petrol cans, a bogey wheel and tracks up onto the hull. The latter two added for light appliqué armour. The two viewports for the machine gunner and driver have also been replaced with periscopes.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull63 / 63 / 38
Turret63 / 63 / 63
Crew5 people
Visibility122 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Lower side hull)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 63.5 mm (40-62°) Front glacis
63.5 mm (16-59°) Transmission housing
38.1 mm 38.1 mm (16°) Top
38.1 mm (16-53°) Bottom
19.5 mm
Turret 63.5 mm (0-51°) Turret front
88.9 mm (5-19°) Gun mantlet
63.5 mm (1-20°) 63.5 mm (0-57°) 25.4 mm
Cupola 63.5 mm 63.5 mm 63.5 mm 25.4 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Front armour slope not even, lower part is weaker than top.
  • Unlike original model, part of roof can be seen on very top of front glacis, presenting a weak point right under turret
  • Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB43 / 6 km/h
RB and SB38 / 5 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight32.7 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB23.3 hp/t
RB and SB12.2 hp/t
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 43 6 32 0.65 620 763 19.34 23.33
Realistic 38 5 354 400 11.05 12.23

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB869 → 1 243 Sl icon.png
RB1 014 → 1 451 Sl icon.png
SB1 276 → 1 825 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 950 Rp icon.png
32 700 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces330 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
60 / 90 / 110 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement us.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods tank additional armor.png
Add-on Armor
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_usa_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
890 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_us_M88_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png

Priority modules for research should be Parts, FPE, and mobility modifications. (These will make up for the vehicle's poor cross-country driving capabilities.)

Armaments

Main armament

Vertical stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition71 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.6 → 5.9 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 25°
Main article: M1 (76 mm)
76 mm M1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 71 -10°/+25° ±180° Vertical 22.85 31.62 38.40 42.47 45.18 7.67 6.79 6.25 5.90
Realistic 14.28 16.80 20.40 22.56 24.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M79 shot AP 134 132 121 109 99 89
M42A1 shell HE 16 16 14 13 11 10
M62 shell APCBC 149 146 133 119 106 94
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%
M79 shot AP 792 6.8 - - - 47° 60° 65°
M42A1 shell HE 823 5.84 0.2 0.1 390 79° 80° 81°
M62 shell APCBC 792 7 1.2 14 63.7 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)
M88 274 3.44 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A1 (75) W (China) (identical)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
71 66 (+5) 31 (+40) (+70) No

Note:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear from the rack after having been shot or loaded.

Machine guns

Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 30°
Horizontal guidance-60° / 60°
Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 600 (200) 576 -10°/+30° ±60°
7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

In general terms, the M4A1 (76) W is an excellent tank for its battle rating, offering an effective gun, decent mobility, decent armour, and excellent gun handling.

The M4A1 (76) W has an unusually high profile and thus it is difficult to drive around undetected. While playing this tank, the unusually high profile, but well-armoured turret combined with excellent gun depression means that the M4A1 can take advantage of many hull-down positions throughout the map. The stabilizer also gives an excellent first shot/first hit possibility and allows the M4A1 to drive around some corners at low speed and make itself slightly harder to hit. The cast shape of the hull also creates some extreme angles where even more powerful shells from the 85 mm D-5T, 88 mm KwK36, and 75 mm KwK42 can bounce. It is notably better armoured than the Pz.IV H or T-34-57 of similar rank and offers equal or better mobility than most.

Since the ammo stowage in this model is wet stowage, the ammo is stored in a box filled with water on the floor of the tank so it's harder to hit than in previous Sherman models (M4, M4A1, M4A2, and M4A3 (105)), but the more powerful tanks like the Tiger H1 and Panther D can easily destroy the M4A1 even if the latter shoots first. In addition, they can easily penetrate the Sherman's frontal armour at almost all ranges and in most cases, if they are using the correct ammo, the shells' shrapnel will incapacitate all the crew. When not in a max up-tier, the M4A1 (76) W can confidently engage most enemies at its BR with little issue. In the event of a max up-tier, the Sherman must rely on its fast reload time of 7.6 seconds, its gun stabilizer in order to make accurate moving shots, its gun depression of -10 degrees, and its possession of enough mobility to flank heavier tanks. With its pintle-mounted 12.7 mm M2 gun and the coaxial M1919A4 7.62 mm gun, the M4A1 can defend itself and the team from enemy aircraft as well as to incapacitate most SPAA.

The most dangerous opponents the M4A1 (76) W can face (This will apply to most American tanks armed with the 76 mm M1 gun, excluding the Jumbo 76) are the Tiger H1/E, Panther Ds, and the Soviet IS-1s and KV-85s. High-velocity guns carried by these tanks combined with their very thick/sloped armour makes them extremely dangerous opponents the M4A1 (76) can face. The standard T-34-85s and Panzer IVs can also be a danger, and can instantly knock out the M4A1 with one shot. However, so can the 76 mm gun on the M4A1.

While it is recommended to disable the turret on the tanks mentioned above, note that for the T-34-85s, the best spot to target would be their abnormally large turret gap/ring. The gap is a well-exploitable weakness found on many T-34 designs starting with the T-34 1942 model, as it is noticeably large, thin and not-at-all angled. Shots here with the M62 APCBC shot will result in an instant knock out.

The speedy R3 T20 FA-HS can appear in higher BR battles and circle around you with ease and wipe out all your crew with its fast firing autocannon. In a close encounter, never expose your side to it, and do not even angle your hull. Face your hull directly to the R3, because on each side of the cast hull, above the inducer wheel there is a triangular area that blends and connects the upper front plate to the side. By angling the hull, this triangle becomes unangled to the R3, making it easily penetrated, and the driver / gunner will usually get knocked out first. It is harder for the R3 to penetrate your unangled hull thus giving you more time to react and destroy it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good rate of fire for the main gun
  • Great gun depression of 10° means impressive terrain adaptation
  • Angled frontal slope which may sometimes bounce larger calibres if angled correctly
  • A standard 5 crew members, which equates to 3 spare crew members to take over positions of the tank if necessary
  • A pintle-mounted heavy machine gun (12.7 mm), which can be used for anti-aircraft purposes
  • Gun mantlet and spall shield is fairly thick
  • Turret has a nice armour layout
  • Applique armour (road wheel and track sections) is situated on the transmission of the vehicle
  • Fast horizontal turret traverse
  • An installation of a vertical plane stabilizer (noticeable by extremely fast gun depression/elevation) allows for shoot-n-scoot tactics, stopping immediately to shoot, or better accuracy when firing on the move
  • 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
  • Has access to Add-on Armour
  • Has more horsepower than most other Shermans (A3 Variants have 500) making this one of the better hp/t for Shermans

Cons:

  • Frontal armour can easily be penetrated by German 75 mm guns
  • Is quite tall
  • Prone to tipping over when travelling across steep inclines
  • Sides and rear are thinly armoured
  • Engine compartment is poorly armoured
  • Susceptible to nearby artillery explosions
  • Narrow tracks mean poor ground flotation and cross country performance
  • Only reaches its top speed on paved surfaces
  • Cannot be angled properly, hull "cheeks" are a weak spot
  • The cast hull creates frontal weak spots with very little effective thickness, e.g. the triangles between upper front plate and the side, and the curved hull hatches

History

M4 Sherman

The start of World War II and the Battle of France had America find that their current armoured forces were completely inadequate to fight back a German armour assault. With only the M2 light tanks and the M2 medium tank available with their 37 mm M3 cannons, the Americans greatly increased their efforts in tank development to bolster their defenses, but to satisfy demands from Great Britain for adequate tanks to rebuild their decimated armoured forces. The requirements set by the US Army called for a tank armed with a 75 mm M3 gun. While a 75 mm gun was available for use, a turret mounting the gun on a tank was not. Thus, while the turret and tank design underwent development, the 75 mm would be mounted on the stopgap design - the M3 Lee tank - in a "sponson" mount. During the M3's development, the designs of the 75 mm armed vehicle were submitted by the Ordnance Department. In April 1941, the Armored Force Board chose the simplest of the designs, which was a redesigned M3 hull and chassis with a turret mounting the 75 mm gun designated the T6, completed in September 1941. This tank would then designated the M4 Sherman. The production for the Sherman began in October 1941 and would continue to be produced until the end of the war in 1945 with around than 50,000 units produced, making it the second most-produced tank in World War II before the T-34 tank. The Sherman first saw service in North Africa in the hands of the British, and the Shermans continued to see service throughout the North African campaign, Tunisian campaign, and the Italian campaign in the British and American armies. However, the 75 mm gun on the Sherman soon found itself saw as inadequate when the Germans began fielding their new generation of heavy tanks, the Tiger I and the Panther, which could defend itself against the 75 mm gun and take out the Sherman at a long range. A desire to up-gun the Sherman grew among Ordnance officers to fight incoming armour threats and started as far back as 1942.

Development

The desire for a hole puncher on the Sherman started in the Ordnance department, seen as an improvement to the Sherman's overall combat ability to fight future tank threats. It started with the adaption of the 3-inch anti-tank gun into the M4 Sherman. The gun proved too heavy and too bulky for a straight adaption so a simpler and smaller gun model was created called the 76 mm M1, which could be practically fitted into the M4 Sherman turret. The 76 mm differed from the 3-inch in ammunition by using a different propellant case but the same shells, yet kept the same ballistics. The first guns were trialled in a M4A1 Sherman; while Ordnance approved the vehicle, Armored Board rejected it as the design caused the turret interior to be too cramped for the crew and also the lack of need of such vehicle. This solution was fixed by taking the cancelled T23 project and adapting the turret into the Sherman, which was easy as the Sherman and the T23 used the same turret ring diameter. The larger turret allowed for a more practical mounting of the 76 mm gun and more room for the crew to move around in. This variant was approved and production was to start in early 1944 for the upcoming invasion of Europe in Operation Overlord to counter the German Tiger I and the Panther tanks.

Design

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 centre, and the engine compartment in the back. The exterior design of the hull was also largely unchanged with the vertical volute suspension system (VVSS) and sloping front armour.

The M4A1 (76) W Sherman model ran on a gasoline Continental R975C-4 radial engine. The M4A1 designation was given to Shermans constructed with a fully cast tank hull, giving the tank a distinctive rounded slope front and sides. Though the rounded shape gave the frontal armour uneven angling, it provided adequate protection up to 100 mm in thickness in certain areas. The cast hull, while efficient in protecting the tank, was hard to manufacture due to limited capabilities in most factories and was hard to repair in the field, so the cast design was changed to welding in future Sherman variants. The M4A1(76)W variant, as indicated by the name, mounted the 76 mm gun instead of the usual 75 mm. 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 shrapnel from penetrating shots from hitting the ammunition. The containers also placed all the ammunition in the bottom centre 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 centre. This feature was only present after February 1944 and severely decreased the rate of Sherman fires. Of the 49,234 Sherman produced in World War II, 3,426 M4A1(76)s were produced from January 1944 to July 1945.

Combat usage

Despite the stock of 76 mm Shermans now available for them, the commanders opted to not bring any during the invasion of France in June 1944. The issues were logistical, as having a 76 mm armament would mean supplying a different set of ammo to the tank forces. Another issue was that the 76 mm gun had a less lethal high-explosive round at hand, meaning combat against infantry or fixed emplacements would be slightly harder. This forced 75 mm armed Shermans to have to compete against the better armed and armoured Panthers and Tigers in the initial period of the invasion. The combat debut of the M4A1 (76) Shermans was during Operation Cobra in July 1944, as a response to the growing German armour threat in Europe. The 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions received 52 of these Shermans and the rest were distributed among the tank battalions in the infantry divisions. The M4 (76) and M4 (75) Shermans served alongside each other, though the 75 mm Shermans were around in larger numbers and the opinions of the 76 mm cannon vary from a necessary addition to a burden. The 75 mm guns stayed as the primary armament of the armoured forces until the Battle of the Bulge, which had many American armours destroyed by the German onslaught of heavy German tanks such as their Panther and Tiger IIs. The negative response from both troops and press had Allied commanders, even Eisenhower himself, request only 76 mm Sherman to be delivered instead of 75 mm in response. The new units arriving in Europe after the Battle of the Bulge were all equipped with 76-mm Shermans. Despite their appearance, 75 mm Shermans were still in stock in the armoured divisions and were still held in high regards for their better capacity to destroy soft targets with high-explosive shells.

After the war, the Shermans continued serving America and its allies as the M4A3E8 with a new suspension and 76 mm gun. The M26 Pershing that was introduced late in World War II was phased out for the Shermans due to its unreliability, and the Sherman stayed until the M46 Patton was introduced. After being phased out of American service, many other countries still used the Sherman as their main tank, mainly Israel where they up-gunned the tank with the much powerful post-war French 75 mm and 105 mm gun as the M-50 and M-51 respectively (nicknamed "Super Shermans"). These proved successful as they were able to fight against the Soviet-supplied T-54 tanks and T-34-85s in Middle East service, proving the Sherman as a successful and adaptable design for many years to come.


Archive of the in-game description

In July 1942 ATC began development of M1 and M1A1 76 mm cannons to boost the tank's firepower. Trials showed that the M4's turret was too small to fit long-barreled weapons, and the decision was made to use modified T20/T23 turrets. Tanks boasting 76 mm cannons hit assembly lines in February 1944, making them ready for the Normandy invasion. Ammunition bins were moved to recesses above the tracks on the floor of the battle compartment and on both sides of the driveshaft. An interesting peculiarity was so-called "wet stowage", which had double-walled water jackets surrounding the main gun ammunition storage. It was thought that if the ammunition storage suffered a hit, the water would keep a potential fire from spreading. Tanks with 76 mm weapons were given the additional suffix "76", while the 76 mm M1A1C and M1A2 and their muzzle brakes were installed later. The initial shell speed for the new weapons clocked in at 810 m/s, making the modernized tanks capable of standing up to the heavy German tanks.

Tankers welded extra armour onto the front, sides, and occasionally turret to strengthen the weakly protected ammunition and fuel tanks. Field modifications included stacking sandbags onto the front or welding extra tracks to the most vulnerable areas. Sometimes armour shields or concrete blocks were also attached to the front of the hull.

The Pressed Steel Car Company built 3,396 of these units between January 1944 and June 1945.


Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Other M4A1 vehicles in the game

External links


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