M4A2 (USSR)

This page is about the premium medium tank M4A2 (USSR). For other M4 Shermans, see M4 Sherman (Family). For other uses, see M4 (Disambiguation).

▂M4A2

▂M4A2

USSR

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.3	5.3

Class:

PREMIUM

Medium tank

Purchase:2 980

Show in game

Description

The ▂M4A2 (76) W is a premium rank III Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of 5.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.45 "Steel Generals".

The M4A2 (76) W has an unusually high profile and thus it is difficult to drive around undetected. While playing this tank, the M4A2 is an easy target for Jagdpanzers. However, if correctly camouflaged, it is possible to get the first shot off. Also, the sides and rear of this tank are very poorly armoured. Thus, Sherman's fuel tanks and engine catch on fire very easily.

One redeeming fact of this model is that the ammo is in the centre 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 M4A2 even if it shoots first. In addition, they can easily penetrate the frontal armour at almost all ranges and in most cases, if they are using the correct ammo, the shells' shrapnel will knock out the entire crew. Consequently, the best chance of survival is to fight near allied tanks which allow the 76 mm gun to be effective. With two machine guns, the M4A2 can defend itself and the team from enemy aircraft or clear forested areas where German tank destroyers could be.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Hull38 / 38 / 38

Turret63 / 63 / 63

Crew5 people

Visibility122 %

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	63.5 mm (47°)	38.1 mm	38.1 mm	19.5 mm
Turret	88.9 mm	63.5 mm	63.5 mm	25.4 mm
Armour	Sides	Roof
Cupola	63.5 mm	25.4 mm

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, the bogies are 10 mm thick, and the tracks are 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB52 / 7 km/h

RB and SB46 / 6 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

1 back

Weight33.0 t

Engine power

AB782 hp

RB and SB410 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB23.7 hp/t

RB and SB12.4 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	52	7	33	635	782	19.24	23.7
Realistic	46	6		363	410	11	12.42

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB1 319

RB1 532

SB2 031

Crew training10 000

Experts250 000

Aces630

Research Aces870 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 90 / 150 / 180 %

2 × 160 / 160 / 160 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Suspension Brake System Filters Transmission Engine	Improved Parts Improved FPE Crew Replenishment	Horizontal Drive Adjustment of Fire 76mm_usa_APCBC_ammo_pack Elevation Mechanism Artillery Support

The most important modules to research are Parts and FPE. After that, the player may prioritize either mobility or firepower upgrades, depending on playstyle. It should be noted that the stock M62 APCBC shell is superior to the M79 shot in most situations, so researching the M79 shot module is not a priority.

Armaments

Main armament

76 mm M1 cannon

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°

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	6.78	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
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

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%
M62 shell	APCBC	792	7.00	1.2	14.0	63.7	48°	63°	71°
M42A1 shell	HE	800	5.84	0.1	0.5	390	79°	80°	81°
M79 shot	AP	792	6.80	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A1 (76) W (identical to the M4A2 (76) W)

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
71	57 (+14)	43 (+28)	29 (+42)	15 (+56)	1 (+70)	Yes

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun

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°

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)

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)	577	-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

The M4A2 (76) W is a classic Sherman tank. It requires careful positioning and avoidance of enemy fire, possesses an above-average gun, and works best when played around teammates.

As such, it is well-suited to city brawls in which it can use rubble as cover and protect its flanks effectively. The city environment also suits the tank's below-average mobility. In close quarters, this shortcoming will not be too much of a hindrance. That being said, the M4A2 is also a classic medium tank, and highly adaptable. If needed, it can engage at most, if not all, ranges. It can be used to rush a point, or to defend from an assault. Certainly, the powerful cannon is capable against all but the most heavily armoured enemies.

This vehicle has mediocre armour and a highly visible profile, so it must be played carefully if the player wishes to stay alive for more than a few minutes. It is not uncommon for the M4A2 to be destroyed in a single hit, especially when facing the German cannons. Other enemies to watch out for include enemy aircraft: although the roof armour will protect crew members from strafing runs, the vehicle's above-average size makes it rather visible from the air, and makes it a target for bombing and rocket attacks.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Higher top speed compared to the previous vehicle
• Great rate of fire for the main gun
• 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 and against light armoured vehicles
• 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
• Fast turret traverse

Cons:

• 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
• Lacks the add-on armour module found on the 76 mm M4A1 and M4A3
• Unlike the earlier M4A1 (76) W, Cruise Control 1 setting is slightly above the maximum speed that the stabilizer operates at
• Armour might not stand up against common guns like the Soviet 85 mm or the KwK36.

History

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In-game description

Large quantities of military vehicles were delivered to the Soviet Union as part of the lend-lease program. These deliveries made a considerable impact on the Soviet Army's arsenal and played a significant role in the final victory over Germany in WWII. One of the vehicles provided as part of the lend-lease program was the American Sherman medium tank.

Media

The Shooting Range #59 - Pages of History section at 00:34 discusses the Soviet Shermans.

See also

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• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the tank;
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