Difference between revisions of "T-54 (1951)"

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
(Usage in the battles: Basically told everyone to read my other T-54 articles, lol)
(Machine guns: Updated to new template)
(18 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!-- In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about. -->
+
<!--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}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}.
+
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before [[Update 1.41]].
  
 
In 1951, a new hemispherical turret with improved ballistic shaping was introduced for the T-54 medium tank. This turret eliminated the turret shot-traps of earlier models and became the definitive one for all T-54 and T-55 variants that followed. A new telescopic gunsight was also introduced.
 
In 1951, a new hemispherical turret with improved ballistic shaping was introduced for the T-54 medium tank. This turret eliminated the turret shot-traps of earlier models and became the definitive one for all T-54 and T-55 variants that followed. A new telescopic gunsight was also introduced.
Line 11: Line 13:
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?''
+
<!--Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!Armour
 +
!Front
 +
!Sides
 +
!Rear
 +
!Roof
 +
|-
 +
|Hull
 +
|100 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' <br>100 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis''
 +
|80 mm
 +
|45 mm (16°) ''Upper'' <br>30 mm (72°) ''Lower''
 +
|30 mm ''Front''<br>20 mm ''Back''
 +
|-
 +
|Turret
 +
|160 mm (14-39°) ''Turret front'' <br>200 mm (4-78°) ''Gun mantlet''
 +
|115 mm (45-50°) ''Upper''<br>155 mm (10-30°) ''Lower''
 +
|65 mm (9-35°)
 +
|30 mm
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspensions wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''
+
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 806|rbMinHp= 460|<!--AoAweight=(optional) -->}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|D-10T (100 mm)}}
  
=== Additional armament ===
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[D-10T (100 mm)|100 mm D-10T]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 34 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+17° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 11.05 || rowspan="2" | 9.78 || rowspan="2" | 9.01 || rowspan="2" | 8.50
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.00
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== 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
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412 || APHE || 218 || 213 || 192 || 169 || 148 || 130
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412B || APHEBC || 218 || 214 || 195 || 173 || 154 || 137
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412D || APCBC || 239 || 236 || 223 || 207 || 192 || 178
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412P || APCR || 224 || 216 || 186 || 153 || 127 || 105
 +
|- 
 +
| 3BM-8 || APDS || 299 || 298 || 291 || 272 || 253 || 249
 +
|-
 +
| 3BK-5 || HEATFS || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380
 +
|-
 +
| OF-412 || HE || 19 || 19 || 19 || 19 || 19 || 19
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| 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%
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412 || APHE || 895 || 15.9 || 1.2 || 19 || 100.1 || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412B || APHEBC || 895 || 15.9 || 1.2 || 19 || 100.1 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412D || APCBC || 887 || 15.9 || 1.2 || 19 || 93.94 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| BR-412P || APCR || 1,050 || 8.53 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|- 
 +
| 3BM-8 || APDS || 1,415 || 4.13 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 75° || 78° || 80°
 +
|-
 +
| 3BK-5 || HEATFS || 900 || 12.38 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 1,440 || 65° || 72° || 77°
 +
|-
 +
| OF-412 || HE || 880 || 15.2 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 1,460 || 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)
 +
|-
 +
| 3D3 || 880 || 15.6 || 20 || 5 || 25 || 272
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! 6th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''34''' || 33&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 28&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+10)'' || 22&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+33)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
Notes:
 +
 
 +
* Turret empty: 28&nbsp;''(+6)'' shells.
 +
* Last rack only: 21&nbsp;''(+13)'' shells.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|DShK (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[DShK (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm DShK]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle || 250 (50) || 600 || -10°/+60° || ±180°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 3,500 (250) || 600 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
== Usage in the 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 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).-->
 
The T-54 '51 is practically the same tank as the [[T-54 (1949)|T-54 '49]], it has the same armour as the T-54 '49 and the only difference is the addition of the new HEAT-FS round capable of going through 380mm of armour (the War Thunder community generally accepts the T-54 '51 as having the best ammunition overall). Again, the new round should be taken as a back-up option for the most armoured enemies, while BR-412D should remain the main round.
 
The T-54 '51 is practically the same tank as the [[T-54 (1949)|T-54 '49]], it has the same armour as the T-54 '49 and the only difference is the addition of the new HEAT-FS round capable of going through 380mm of armour (the War Thunder community generally accepts the T-54 '51 as having the best ammunition overall). Again, the new round should be taken as a back-up option for the most armoured enemies, while BR-412D should remain the main round.
  
Line 39: Line 198:
 
* You can now penetrate all vehicles that you can see.
 
* You can now penetrate all vehicles that you can see.
 
* If the map is very big, and you are forced to snipe, you may prefer to take APDS ammunition, because it's much easier to aim.
 
* If the map is very big, and you are forced to snipe, you may prefer to take APDS ammunition, because it's much easier to aim.
 +
 +
=== The Stock Grind ===
 +
When grinding the first modifications, Arcade Battles might be more fun, because of faster-paced gameplay and the ability to see all threats. Now, it's '''a priority to research Parts and FPE,''' and it may also be a good idea '''to''' '''activate 3-5 universal vehicle back-ups''' to be able to respawn twice in one match. In this case, it's worth it, because the T-54 '51 is a grinder for rank V and first rank VI vehicles - the faster you spade it, the faster you can grind!
 +
 +
General tips for the stock grind are the same as those for the [[T-54 (1947)|T-54 '47]], read that article.
 +
 +
===Modules===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!Tier
 +
! colspan="2" |Mobility
 +
!Protection
 +
! colspan="3" |Firepower
 +
|-
 +
|I
 +
|Tracks
 +
|
 +
|Parts
 +
|BR-412B
 +
|Horizontal Drive
 +
|BR-412P
 +
|-
 +
|II
 +
|Suspension
 +
|Brake System
 +
|FPE
 +
|
 +
|Adjustment of Fire
 +
|Smoke grenade
 +
|-
 +
|III
 +
|Filters
 +
|
 +
|Crew Replenishment
 +
|BR-412D
 +
|Elevation Mechanism
 +
|3D3
 +
|-
 +
|IV
 +
|Transmission
 +
|Engine
 +
|
 +
|Artillery Support
 +
|3BM-8
 +
|3BK-5
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
After Parts and FPE, the player should focus on mobility upgrades or the Horizontal Drive modification, since both mobility and turret rotation are limited when the tank is stock.  Also, the 3BK-5 HEATFS shell greatly increases the tank's damage output, and should be considered quite important as well.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!-- Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective". -->
+
<!-- Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective". -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
Line 49: Line 255:
 
* Wide ammunition selection, including 380 mm penetration 3BK-5 HEAT-FS and powerful APHE rounds
 
* Wide ammunition selection, including 380 mm penetration 3BK-5 HEAT-FS and powerful APHE rounds
 
* Well-sloped hull glacis plate, resistant to most full-bore AP rounds
 
* Well-sloped hull glacis plate, resistant to most full-bore AP rounds
* Roof mounted DShK heavy machine gun for use against aircraft or light vehicles
+
* Roof-mounted DShK heavy machine gun for use against aircraft or light vehicles
 
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
Line 59: Line 264:
 
* Weaker hull armour than the 1947 model
 
* Weaker hull armour than the 1947 model
 
* Poor penetration with APHE rounds
 
* Poor penetration with APHE rounds
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
  
 
=== In-game description ===
 
=== In-game description ===
"The new 1951 tank model received a cast semi-spherical turret without shot traps and with improved traverse sealing and an apparatus for attaching a minesweeper. Its two SG-43 machine guns were replaced with a 7.62 mm SGMT machine gun. The T-54's main armament remained as before - a 100 mm D-10T cannon with a 56 calibre barrel length. This weapon was developed in the No. 9 artillery factory's design bureau under the direction of F.F. Petrov. The 100 mm cannon's armour-piercing round was able to penetrate a 125 mm thick vertical armour plate at a range of 2,000 m. After the Second World War, improved variants of this tank served for forty years after the basic model was developed. From 1946, all the characteristics of the T-54 and its variants surpassed those of foreign medium tanks, and its weapon had the best armour-piercing properties.
+
The new 1951 tank model received a cast semi-spherical turret without shot traps and with improved traverse sealing and an apparatus for attaching a minesweeper. Its two SG-43 machine guns were replaced with a 7.62 mm SGMT machine gun. The T-54's main armament remained as before - a 100 mm D-10T cannon with a 56 calibre barrel length. This weapon was developed in the No. 9 artillery factory's design bureau under the direction of F.F. Petrov. The 100 mm cannon's armour-piercing round was able to penetrate a 125 mm thick vertical armour plate at a range of 2,000 m. After the Second World War, improved variants of this tank served for forty years after the basic model was developed. From 1946, all the characteristics of the T-54 and its variants surpassed those of foreign medium tanks, and its weapon had the best armour-piercing properties.
  
In total, 7,009 of them were made between 1952 and 1955.The T54 Mod. 1951 became widespread outside the USSR's borders and was licensed for production in Poland, Czechoslovakia and China. Its Chinese variant was designated Type 59.
+
In total, 7,009 of them were made between 1952 and 1955. The T54 Mod. 1951 became widespread outside the USSR's borders and was licensed for production in Poland, Czechoslovakia and China. Its Chinese variant was designated Type 59.
 
Tanks of this type were used in a multitude of armed conflicts in the 20th century. These vehicles are still in service in many countries in Asia and the Middle East.
 
Tanks of this type were used in a multitude of armed conflicts in the 20th century. These vehicles are still in service in many countries in Asia and the Middle East.
  
A disadvantage of the tank was the hull layout it inherited from the T-44. It ensured the Soviet tank's advantages over its foreign counterparts, but also restricted opportunities for further increasing the tank's defences, particularly against the new 90 and 105 mm high-explosive anti-tank warheads and armour-piercing subcalibre rounds. The unstabilised tank cannon's accuracy and rate of fire were too low when firing on the move. The T-54's transmission and undercarriage restricted opportunities to increase its mobility after installing a more powerful weapon or increasing its armour."
+
A disadvantage of the tank was the hull layout is inherited from the T-44. It ensured the Soviet tank's advantages over its foreign counterparts, but also restricted opportunities for further increasing the tank's defences, particularly against the new 90 and 105 mm high-explosive anti-tank warheads and armour-piercing subcalibre rounds. The unstabilised tank cannon's accuracy and rate of fire were too low when firing on the move. The T-54's transmission and undercarriage restricted opportunities to increase its mobility after installing a more powerful weapon or increasing its armour.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=ussr&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=medium_tank&vehicle=ussr_t_54_1951 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|B6ZsuPjSuNo|'''T-54/T-55 family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:19 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|ZW4Cza5OqYg|'''{{PAGENAME}} Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''|KUSnuNXASxE|'''Most produced tanks''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:38 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
  
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''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.''
  
''ETC.''
+
== External links ==
 
 
== Sources ==
 
 
''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.''
 +
 +
{{USSR medium tanks}}

Revision as of 14:43, 29 November 2020

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
T-54 (1951)
ussr_t_54_1951.png
T-54 (1951)
AB RB SB
8.0 8.0 8.0
Class:
Research:61 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:340 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage T-54 (1951).jpg


The T-54 (1951) is a rank V Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of 8.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41.

In 1951, a new hemispherical turret with improved ballistic shaping was introduced for the T-54 medium tank. This turret eliminated the turret shot-traps of earlier models and became the definitive one for all T-54 and T-55 variants that followed. A new telescopic gunsight was also introduced.

Ingame, the 1951 model plays similarly to the 1949 model. It has the same reduced hull armour compared to the 1947 model but makes up for this with its better mobility and turret, which is not vulnerable to shot-traps like the 1947 and 1949 models are. The 1951 model also has access to a powerful HEAT-FS round.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 100 mm (60°) Front glacis 
100 mm (54°) Lower glacis
80 mm 45 mm (16°) Upper 
30 mm (72°) Lower
30 mm Front
20 mm Back
Turret 160 mm (14-39°) Turret front 
200 mm (4-78°) Gun mantlet
115 mm (45-50°) Upper
155 mm (10-30°) Lower
65 mm (9-35°) 30 mm

Notes:

  • Suspensions wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick

Mobility

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 56 9 35.5 806 992 22.7 27.94
Realistic 51 8 460 520 12.96 14.65

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: D-10T (100 mm)
100 mm D-10T Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 34 -4°/+17° ±180° N/A 9.52 13.18 16.00 17.69 18.82 11.05 9.78 9.01 8.50
Realistic 5.95 7.00 8.50 9.40 10.00

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
BR-412 APHE 218 213 192 169 148 130
BR-412B APHEBC 218 214 195 173 154 137
BR-412D APCBC 239 236 223 207 192 178
BR-412P APCR 224 216 186 153 127 105
3BM-8 APDS 299 298 291 272 253 249
3BK-5 HEATFS 380 380 380 380 380 380
OF-412 HE 19 19 19 19 19 19
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%
BR-412 APHE 895 15.9 1.2 19 100.1 47° 60° 65°
BR-412B APHEBC 895 15.9 1.2 19 100.1 48° 63° 71°
BR-412D APCBC 887 15.9 1.2 19 93.94 48° 63° 71°
BR-412P APCR 1,050 8.53 N/A N/A N/A 66° 70° 72°
3BM-8 APDS 1,415 4.13 N/A N/A N/A 75° 78° 80°
3BK-5 HEATFS 900 12.38 0.0 0.1 1,440 65° 72° 77°
OF-412 HE 880 15.2 0.1 0.5 1,460 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)
3D3 880 15.6 20 5 25 272

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T-54 (1951)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
34 33 (+1) 28 (+6) 23 (+10) 22 (+11) 21 (+13) (+33) No

Notes:

  • Turret empty: 28 (+6) shells.
  • Last rack only: 21 (+13) shells.

Machine guns

12.7 mm DShK
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 250 (50) 600 -10°/+60° ±180°
7.62 mm SGMT
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,500 (250) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The T-54 '51 is practically the same tank as the T-54 '49, it has the same armour as the T-54 '49 and the only difference is the addition of the new HEAT-FS round capable of going through 380mm of armour (the War Thunder community generally accepts the T-54 '51 as having the best ammunition overall). Again, the new round should be taken as a back-up option for the most armoured enemies, while BR-412D should remain the main round.

General Playstyle

The T-54 '51 is simply the better tank than the T-54 '49, because it has the same armour, and the only difference is the addition of HEAT-FS round, which penetrates through 380mm. (Read the T-54 '47 and the T-54 '49 articles, as they cover the T-54 playstyle).

Major Gameplay Differences from the T-54 '49 (Read the T-54 '47 and the T-54 '49 articles prior to reading this!)

  • You can now penetrate all vehicles that you can see.
  • If the map is very big, and you are forced to snipe, you may prefer to take APDS ammunition, because it's much easier to aim.

The Stock Grind

When grinding the first modifications, Arcade Battles might be more fun, because of faster-paced gameplay and the ability to see all threats. Now, it's a priority to research Parts and FPE, and it may also be a good idea to activate 3-5 universal vehicle back-ups to be able to respawn twice in one match. In this case, it's worth it, because the T-54 '51 is a grinder for rank V and first rank VI vehicles - the faster you spade it, the faster you can grind!

General tips for the stock grind are the same as those for the T-54 '47, read that article.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts BR-412B Horizontal Drive BR-412P
II Suspension Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire Smoke grenade
III Filters Crew Replenishment BR-412D Elevation Mechanism 3D3
IV Transmission Engine Artillery Support 3BM-8 3BK-5

After Parts and FPE, the player should focus on mobility upgrades or the Horizontal Drive modification, since both mobility and turret rotation are limited when the tank is stock. Also, the 3BK-5 HEATFS shell greatly increases the tank's damage output, and should be considered quite important as well.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Improved turret shape and armour thickness, with no shot-traps (Same turret as the T-54 '49)
  • Lighter than the 1947 model, with improved mobility
  • Wide ammunition selection, including 380 mm penetration 3BK-5 HEAT-FS and powerful APHE rounds
  • Well-sloped hull glacis plate, resistant to most full-bore AP rounds
  • Roof-mounted DShK heavy machine gun for use against aircraft or light vehicles

Cons:

  • Unstabilised main gun and very slow turret traverse make it vulnerable to being flanked in close combat
  • Relatively low rate-of-fire
  • Small magazine size of the DShK heavy machine gun
  • Weaker hull armour than the 1947 model
  • Poor penetration with APHE rounds

History

In-game description

The new 1951 tank model received a cast semi-spherical turret without shot traps and with improved traverse sealing and an apparatus for attaching a minesweeper. Its two SG-43 machine guns were replaced with a 7.62 mm SGMT machine gun. The T-54's main armament remained as before - a 100 mm D-10T cannon with a 56 calibre barrel length. This weapon was developed in the No. 9 artillery factory's design bureau under the direction of F.F. Petrov. The 100 mm cannon's armour-piercing round was able to penetrate a 125 mm thick vertical armour plate at a range of 2,000 m. After the Second World War, improved variants of this tank served for forty years after the basic model was developed. From 1946, all the characteristics of the T-54 and its variants surpassed those of foreign medium tanks, and its weapon had the best armour-piercing properties.

In total, 7,009 of them were made between 1952 and 1955. The T54 Mod. 1951 became widespread outside the USSR's borders and was licensed for production in Poland, Czechoslovakia and China. Its Chinese variant was designated Type 59. Tanks of this type were used in a multitude of armed conflicts in the 20th century. These vehicles are still in service in many countries in Asia and the Middle East.

A disadvantage of the tank was the hull layout is inherited from the T-44. It ensured the Soviet tank's advantages over its foreign counterparts, but also restricted opportunities for further increasing the tank's defences, particularly against the new 90 and 105 mm high-explosive anti-tank warheads and armour-piercing subcalibre rounds. The unstabilised tank cannon's accuracy and rate of fire were too low when firing on the move. The T-54's transmission and undercarriage restricted opportunities to increase its mobility after installing a more powerful weapon or increasing its armour.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

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

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the tank;
  • other literature.


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