Difference between revisions of "MK-IX "Valentine" (USSR)"

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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}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]] as a special Valentines' Day vehicle. This is a Lend-Lease Valentine, shipped to the USSR by British.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]] as a special Valentine's Day vehicle. This is a Lend-Lease Valentine, shipped to the USSR by the British. The tank was made available for purchase in-game ({{GE}}) for specific mini-events like the [[wt:en/news/6583-special-valentine-s-day-en|2020 Valentine's Day]] and the [[wt:en/news/7042-special-lunar-new-year-and-valentine-s-day-en|2021 Valentine's Day]] events.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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The mediocre armour construction means that there will be multiple types of enemies the MK-IX "Valentine" can encounter that can easily penetrate through the armour, especially if the opponent is firing at a close range and have a good knowledge on the MK-IX "Valentine"'s weak spots. These armour vulnerabilities adds up with the Valentine's fault of not being a particularly fast vehicle. This means any exposure from cover can be a long one that enemies can take the time to line up their next shot towards an armour weak point.
 
The mediocre armour construction means that there will be multiple types of enemies the MK-IX "Valentine" can encounter that can easily penetrate through the armour, especially if the opponent is firing at a close range and have a good knowledge on the MK-IX "Valentine"'s weak spots. These armour vulnerabilities adds up with the Valentine's fault of not being a particularly fast vehicle. This means any exposure from cover can be a long one that enemies can take the time to line up their next shot towards an armour weak point.
  
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
+
'''Armour type:'''
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
 
 
* Rolled homogenous armour (Hull, Turret)
 
* Rolled homogenous armour (Hull, Turret)
 
* Cast homogenous armour (Gun mantlet)
 
* Cast homogenous armour (Gun mantlet)
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|}
 
|}
  
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
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'''Notes:'''
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 
 
* Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
 
* Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels, bogies, and tracks are all 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels, bogies, and tracks are all 20 mm thick.
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|}
 
|}
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="11" | Shell details
+
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
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! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
! rowspan="2" | Normalisation at 30°<br>from horizontal
 
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
|-
 
|-
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.5 || AP || 815 || 2.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1.0° || 47° || 60° || 65°
+
| Shot Mk.5 || AP || 815 || 2.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.5 HV || AP || 853 || 2.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1.0° || 47° || 60° || 65°
+
| Shot Mk.5 HV || AP || 853 || 2.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.8 || APC || 853 || 2.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +4.0° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| Shot Mk.8 || APC || 853 || 2.87 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|-
| Shot Mk.9 || APCBC || 801 || 3.23 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +4.0° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| Shot Mk.9 || APCBC || 801 || 3.23 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
|-
 
|-
| Shell Mk.10 || HE || 655 || 2.72 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 590 || +0.0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
+
| Shell Mk.10 || HE || 655 || 2.72 || 0 || 0.1 || 590 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
[[File:Ammoracks_Valentine_Mk_IX.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
[[File:Ammoracks_Valentine_Mk_IX.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
* 57 mm gun has decent penetration
+
* The 57 mm gun has decent penetration
 
* Upper glacis is sloped, can bounce a few shots
 
* Upper glacis is sloped, can bounce a few shots
 
* Low profile allows it to hide behind obstacles
 
* Low profile allows it to hide behind obstacles
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* Drivers port and the area around it is a major weak spot
 
* Drivers port and the area around it is a major weak spot
 
* No explosive filler in shells
 
* No explosive filler in shells
* Only three crew members (crew can be knocked out very easily)
+
* Only three tightly sitting crew members (crew can be knocked out very easily)
 
* Thin top armour makes it vulnerable to air attacks
 
* Thin top armour makes it vulnerable to air attacks
  
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== See also ==
 
== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
 +
* [[Valentine I]]
 +
* [[Valentine IX]]
 +
* [[Valentine XI]]
 +
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same gun
 +
* [[M4A5]]
 +
* [[Crusader AA Mk II]]
 +
* [[Cromwell I]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
* [[wt:en/news/6583-special-valentine-s-day-en|[Special] Valentine's Day]]
+
* [[wikipedia:Valentine_tank|[Wikipedia] Valentine tank]]
 +
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/gb/Tank_Infantry_MkIII_Valentine.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Valentine, Infantry Tank Mk.III]
  
 
{{USSR medium tanks}}
 
{{USSR medium tanks}}
 
{{USSR premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{USSR premium ground vehicles}}

Revision as of 16:38, 12 February 2021

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
▂МК-IX "Valentine"
uk_valentine_mk_9.png
GarageImage MK-IX "Valentine" (USSR).jpg
▂МК-IX "Valentine"
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 3.0
Show in game

Description

The ▂МК-IX "Valentine" is a premium gift rank II Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.95 "Northern Wind" as a special Valentine's Day vehicle. This is a Lend-Lease Valentine, shipped to the USSR by the British. The tank was made available for purchase in-game (Ge icon.png) for specific mini-events like the 2020 Valentine's Day and the 2021 Valentine's Day events.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull60 / 30 / 60
Turret65 / 60 / 65
Crew3 people
Visibility78 %

The armour on the MK-IX "Valentine" is quite mediocre. The maximum base armour thickness of the hull is 60 mm and is laid out flat on the designs, while the sloping portions are of thinner 30 mm armour plates. This gives an average thickness of ~60 mm of armour when facing the MK-IX "Valentine" from the front. The turret is more well protected than the hull, with its front armoured with 65 mm armour plates and sloped with its circular shape, but the cast construction of the gun mantlet can lead to some enemies attacking the gun breech to disable the Valentine's firepower, if they do not aim for the hull directly.

The mediocre armour construction means that there will be multiple types of enemies the MK-IX "Valentine" can encounter that can easily penetrate through the armour, especially if the opponent is firing at a close range and have a good knowledge on the MK-IX "Valentine"'s weak spots. These armour vulnerabilities adds up with the Valentine's fault of not being a particularly fast vehicle. This means any exposure from cover can be a long one that enemies can take the time to line up their next shot towards an armour weak point.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogenous armour (Hull, Turret)
  • Cast homogenous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 60 mm (1°) Front plate
30 mm (65-67°) Front glacis
60 mm (24°) Lower glacis
50 mm 17 mm (51-54°) Top
60 mm (1°) Bottom
20 mm (40-89°)
Turret 65 mm (0-73°) Turret front
65 mm (1-61°) Gun mantlet
60 mm (0-1°) 65 mm (2-58°) 20 mm (76-89°)

Notes:

  • Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
  • Suspension wheels, bogies, and tracks are all 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB27 / 4 km/h
RB and SB25 / 3 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight17.3 t
Engine power
AB315 hp
RB and SB165 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB18.2 hp/t
RB and SB9.5 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 27 4 17.3 256 315 14.8 18.21
Realistic 25 3 146 165 8.44 9.54

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB745 Sl icon.png
RB552 Sl icon.png
SB2 181 Sl icon.png
Crew training4 800 Sl icon.png
Experts32 000 Sl icon.png
Aces210 Ge icon.png
Research Aces440 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 50 / 70 / 110 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 124 / 124 / 124 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_AP_HV_ammo_pack
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APC_ammo_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_britain_6pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition53 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-8° / 17°
57 mm 6pdr OQF Mk.III Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 53 -12°/+20° ±180° N/A 15.23 21.08 25.60 28.31 30.12 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 9.52 11.20 13.60 15.04 16.00

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
Shot Mk.5 AP 101 97 82 66 53 43
Shot Mk.5 HV AP 108 104 87 70 57 46
Shot Mk.8 APC 110 106 89 72 59 48
Shot Mk.9 APCBC 122 118 101 84 70 58
Shell Mk.10 HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
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%
Shot Mk.5 AP 815 2.8 N/A N/A N/A 47° 60° 65°
Shot Mk.5 HV AP 853 2.8 N/A N/A N/A 47° 60° 65°
Shot Mk.8 APC 853 2.87 N/A N/A N/A 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.9 APCBC 801 3.23 N/A N/A N/A 48° 63° 71°
Shell Mk.10 HE 655 2.72 0 0.1 590 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the MK-IX "Valentine" (USSR)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
53 43 (+10) 32 (+21) 21 (+32) 11 (+42) (+52) No

Optics

MK-IX "Valentine" (USSR) Optics
Which ones Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.85 x3.5
Comparable optics M4A1

Usage in battles

The MK-IX Valentine fits in a niche battle rating in the Soviet line-up, presenting its own unique traits compared to the rest of the Soviet line-up. Its armour is a considerable improvement from preceding medium tanks like the T-28. The firepower with the 57 mm gun gives penetration values similar to the tank destroyers like the ZiS-30, along with a faster reloading rate and superior gun depression. However, its mobility is a downgrade compared to anything available to the Soviets, even the ~30 ton heavier KV-1 can move faster than the Valentine on the battlefield. As such, finding a place for the Valentine in the Soviet line-up can be tricky.

The Valentine's excelling role is in a methodical march towards its objective, as its mobility precludes any attempt to make a speedy flanking manouvre. Teammates are more than likely to reach and capture the point before the Valentine will, but this does not mean the Valentine should not participate in the effort.

One must use the Valentine wisely to not expose it too long in the open when traveling to the objective; make the most of any cover available. It is in these periods that the Valentine is most vulnerable to a concealed enemy a distance away taking a shot at the Valentine's armour straight at the front or from the sides. Angling the armour during movement through contested areas is a must as the flat surfaces present easy weak points for any frontal enemy to attack at, and the guns at this rank are more than likely to penetrate even at slightly angled armour plates. Whether uptiered or downtiered, the main concerning enemy unit are tank destroyers, as their guns have a high chance of penetrating the Valentine's armour no matter how the vehicle is angled.

Once a position is taken however, the Valentine can plant itself at the location at suitable firing positions and make use of the fast-firing and potent 57 mm gun to take out any enemy assault units. The green paint on the Valentine can assist in concealment on foliage-rich environment for a good ambush position. Whether from behind cover or a hull-down position, the Valentine can end up victorious in an engagement if it hits with the first shot. However, due to the poor mobility, the Valentine's movement is restricted. This means it is important to make sure the enemy's ability to fire back and/or move is knocked out in the first shot so it is not required to retreat back into cover during the brief reloading period, then out again to fire, especially since that whole manouvre can take more time than simply reloading in place while exposing the tank to return fire. The poor mobility also means the Valentine needs to be aware of any flanking vehicles coming up, as the Valentine would not be able to react fast enough to the new threat.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • The 57 mm gun has decent penetration
  • Upper glacis is sloped, can bounce a few shots
  • Low profile allows it to hide behind obstacles
  • Decent stock shells
  • Turret is angled and can bounce some shots
  • Fast reload speed

Cons:

  • No machine gun
  • Side armour is very weak
  • Slow top speed (22 km/h)
  • Drivers port and the area around it is a major weak spot
  • No explosive filler in shells
  • Only three tightly sitting crew members (crew can be knocked out very easily)
  • Thin top armour makes it vulnerable to air attacks

History

Valentine in the USSR

Some Valentines were sent to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program, most of the Valentines came from Canada's production lines. The Valentines saw use from the time of Battle of Moscow in 1941 all the way until the end of the war, though the Valentines saw use more as a second-line tank due to its relative weakness. It was criticized for its slow speed and weak gun but was liked for its small size, reliability, and armour protection and thus the Soviet Supreme Command continue asking for it and its production to continue until the end of the war.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Vehicles equipped with the same gun

External links


USSR medium tanks
T-28  T-28 (1938) · T-28 · T-28E
T-34-76  T-34 (Prototype) · T-34 (1940) · T-34 (1941) · T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-34 (1942) · T-34E STZ · T-34E
T-34-57  T-34-57 · T-34-57 (1943)
T-34-85  T-34-85 (D-5T) · T-34-85 · T-34-85E
T-34-100  T-34-100
T-44  T-44 · T-44-100 · T-44-122
T-54  T-54 (1947) · T-54 (1949) · T-54 (1951)
T-55  TO-55 · T-55A · T-55AM-1 · T-55AMD-1
T-62  T-62 · T-62M-1
T-64  Object 435 · T-64A (1971) · T-64B
T-72  T-72A · T-72AV (TURMS-T) · T-72B · T-72B (1989) · T-72B3 · T-72M2 Moderna
T-80  T-80B · T-80U · T-80UD · T-80UK · T-80UM2 · T-80BVM · Object 292
T-90  Т-90А · T-90M
Trophies/Lend-Lease 
Germany  ▂T-III · ▂T-V
Great Britain  ▂МК-IX "Valentine"
USA  ▂M3 Medium · ▂M4A2

USSR premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  BA-11 · RBT-5 · BT-7A (F-32) · T-26 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-26E · T-126 · PT-76-57 · 2S38
Medium tanks  T-34 (Prototype) · T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-34E · T-34-57 (1943) · T-34-85E · T-34-100 · T-44-122 · TO-55 · T-55AM-1 · T-72AV (TURMS-T) · T-80UD
  ▂M3 Medium · ▂M4A2 · ▂T-III · ▂T-V · ▂МК-IX "Valentine"
Heavy tanks  SMK · T-35 · ▂MK-II "Matilda" · KV-1E · KV-2 (1940) · KV-2 (ZiS-6) · KV-122 · KV-220 · IS-2 "Revenge" · Object 248 · IS-6 · T-10A
Tank destroyers  BM-8-24 · BM-13N · BM-31-12
  SU-57 · SU-76D · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A · SU-100Y · SU-122P · Object 120
SPAA  ▂Phòng không T-34 · ZUT-37