Difference between revisions of "T-62M-1"

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(Updated intro and descriptions for now. Will add armor table and ammo racks soon.)
(Added mention of side flaps/gill armor)
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]].
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]].
  
A modernized version of the famous [[T-62]], the T-62M-1 chiefly features improved firepower, fire control, and protection in a similar manner to the [[T-55AM-1]]. The hull and turret feature add-on composite armour, including the conspicuous "brow" arrays on the turret cheeks. The gun is now equipped with a thermal sleeve and can fire improved APFSDS and HE shells in addition to a potent ATGM. A laser rangefinder is mounted in a large box above the gun barrel, smoke grenade launchers are added to the turret side, and a more powerful engine has been installed to compensate for the increased weight of all these new features. Though the T-62M-1's gun handling and speed are still inferior to most of its competitors, it has many tools at its disposal and can be a formidable opponent despite its old chassis and somewhat crude nature.
+
A modernized version of the famous [[T-62]], the T-62M-1 chiefly features improved firepower, fire control, and protection in a similar manner to the [[T-55AM-1]]. The hull and turret feature add-on composite armour, including the conspicuous "brow" arrays on the turret cheeks. The gun is now equipped with a thermal sleeve and can fire improved APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE shells in addition to a potent ATGM. A laser rangefinder is mounted in a large box above the gun barrel, smoke grenade launchers are added to the turret side, and a more powerful engine has been installed to compensate for the increased weight of all these new features. Though the T-62M-1's gun handling and speed are still inferior to most of its competitors, it has many tools at its disposal and can be a formidable opponent despite its old chassis and somewhat crude nature.
  
 
== 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? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
The T-62M-1 has very similar armour to the T-55AM-1, having similar composite add-on armour. The turret cheeks are protected by large curved composite blocks, sometimes historically referred to as "Brezhnev's Eyebrows" due to their appearance. These mean the turret can withstand many kinetic rounds, including any APFSDS that has less than 400mm of penetration. The protection against chemical munitions is even greater, able to stop between 450-750mm of chemical penetration depending on the angle. The hull protection is less, although still relevant. The hull composite will stop APDS and HEAT rounds from the L7 105mm gun, but any more powerful rounds will penetrate. The hull sides are relatively well protected. 80mm RHA will stop most autocannon rounds, and the composite skirts as well as flaps can stop HEAT rounds at an angle.
+
The T-62M-1 has very similar armour to the T-55AM-1, having similar composite add-on armour. The turret cheeks are protected by large curved composite blocks, sometimes historically referred to as "Brezhnev's Eyebrows" due to their appearance. These mean the turret can withstand many kinetic rounds, including any APFSDS that has less than 400mm of penetration. The protection against chemical munitions is even greater, able to stop between 450-750mm of chemical penetration depending on the angle. The brow armor's composite covers less than it might seem; the sectors closer to the gun are not backed by metal-polymer layers and only the outer steel provides extra protection. It can help to point the turret slightly away from opponents to reduce the chances of getting hit in the non-composite zones.  
  
'''Weak Points:'''
+
The hull protection is less, although still relevant. The hull composite will stop APDS and HEAT rounds from the L7 105mm gun, but any more powerful rounds will penetrate. The hull sides are relatively well protected. 80mm RHA will stop most autocannon rounds, and the composite skirts as well as flaps can stop HEAT rounds at an angle.
  
Frontal weak points include the cannon breech area, as it is not covered by the add-on composite. Additionally the lower front plate is not protected by composite. These areas are easy to penetrate. The hull sides also are only 20mm near the bottom, which is a weakness that can be exploited by autocannons. The rear armour is not worth mentioning, as it will not stop anything larger than a heavy machine gun.
+
Frontal weak points include the cannon breech area, as it is not covered by the add-on composite. Additionally the lower front plate is not protected by composite. These areas are easy to penetrate. The hull sides also are only 20 mm near the bottom, which is a weakness that can be exploited by autocannons. That said, there is essentially nothing important in those areas. The rear armour is not worth mentioning, as it will not stop anything larger than a heavy machine gun.
  
The T-62M-1 also has wet ammunition storage bins. 24 rounds are placed within the fuel tank located beside the driver, acting as a spaced armour, protecting the ammunition from HEAT. In fact, rounds within the fuel tank are extremely unlikely to be detonated by HEAT.
+
Side flaps, or "gill" armor, similar to those used on the [[T-64A (1971)]] can be equipped on the T-62M-1 with an unlockable modification. They add 30 kg of mass to the tank, which is a negligible penalty, and help to block HEAT-FS projectiles and ATGMs from side-aspect shots. Each flap will fall off after being hit, so do not count on being able to body-block an entire barrage of chemical rounds.
 +
 
 +
The T-62M-1 also has wet ammunition storage bins. 16 rounds are placed within the fuel tank located beside the driver, acting as a spaced armour, protecting the ammunition from HEAT. Successive HEAT shots might still detonate the ammunition. Note that APFSDS can detonate the rounds with ease, so avoid being shot in the hull if possible.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
!Armour
 +
!Front (Slope angle)
 +
!Sides
 +
!Rear
 +
!Roof
 +
|-
 +
|Hull
 +
|100 mm (59°) + 30 mm (59°) ''Upper glacis + add-on RHA'' <br>100 mm (50-51°) ''Lower glacis''
 +
|80 mm (0°) ''Middle to upper side''<br>80 mm (20-61°) ''Turret ring extension''<br>20 mm (0-28°) ''Lower hull side''<br>8 mm (0°) ''Side Skirts''
 +
|45 mm (0-2°) ''All rear''
 +
|30 mm (87°) ''Hull roof incl. engine deck''
 +
|-
 +
|Turret
 +
|240-214 mm (14-60°) + 85-65 (7-33°) ''Turret cheeks + add-on RHA''<br>40-50 mm (0-63°) ''Mantlet''<br>40 mm ''Rear Mantlet Plate''
 +
|165-140 mm (16-57°) ''Turret side''
 +
|65 mm (3-26°) ''Turret rear''<br>
 +
|60 mm (74-78°) ''Forehead Armour''<br>30 mm (78-85°) ''Turret roof''<br>60 mm (29-67°) ''Rear turret roof (including ejection port)''
 +
|-
 +
!Composite armour
 +
! colspan="2" |Front
 +
! colspan="2" |Sides
 +
|-
 +
|Hull
 +
| colspan="2" |'''''Upper glacis'''''<br>~300 mm ''Kinetic''<br>~450 mm ''Chemical''
 +
| colspan="2" |N/A
 +
|-
 +
|Turret
 +
| colspan="2" |'''''Turret cheeks'''''<br>~400 mm ''Kinetic''<br>450 - 750 mm ''Chemical''
 +
 
 +
| colspan="2" |N/A
 +
|}
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
Line 92: Line 127:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
The stock 3BM21 APFSDS already far exceeds any of the APFSDS rounds available to the original T-62. The unlockable 3BM28 APFSDS is improved all-round and should be used if ammo costs are not a concern. The APFSDS rounds should be the primary ammo choice for the T-62M-1, but its selection of three types of chemical rounds should not be overlooked either.
 +
 +
The 3BK15M HEAT-FS has high penetration for its class, but its 500 mm of flat penetration is overkill against steel armor, is less effective versus reactive or composite armor, and deals less post-penetration damage than the APFSDS rounds. The 3OF27 HE shell is surprisingly strong and can be lethal against even MBTs; however, it is not as powerful as the 125 mm HE rounds used by top-tier Soviet and Chinese MBTs and needs fine aim for best results. Considering the tank's long reload time, the HE shell is a situational choice. Lastly, the 9M117 gun-launched ATGM has 600 mm of penetration and is mouse-guided. It is the most versatile of the chemical rounds since it can be used against helicopters, can cause hull-breaks, and has the highest penetration. Taking a few into battle is a good idea.
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
<!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] -->
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
Note: Ammo rack #4 is on the left side of the fighting compartment, opposite of rack #2.
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
Line 103: Line 143:
 
! 4th<br>rack empty
 
! 4th<br>rack empty
 
! 5th<br>rack empty
 
! 5th<br>rack empty
! 6th<br>rack empty
 
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''40''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __
+
| '''40''' || 39&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 38&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 18&nbsp;''(+22)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+39)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
For maximum survivability, taking 17 rounds or less will store ammunition only in the wet rack next to the driver. However, the T-62M-1's ammo storage is relatively safe compared to, say, the [[T-55AM-1]]. Little ammunition is stored in the turret or the hull sides, the majority being stored in the rear of the fighting compartment. Any penetrating shot that manages to detonate the rear ammo rack will have likely caused catastrophic damage to the tank anyway, so feel free to take a healthy supply of ammo.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
Line 137: Line 178:
 
The T-62M-1 should be played like other high tier Soviet MBTs, though with an higher emphasis on range and cover. Hide your hull and use your almost impenetrable turret armour to deflect hostile fire. If possible, try to use cover to conceal your cannon breech, as a well-placed APFSDS can disable your cannon and, depending on which side of tank you were hit from, kill your gunner or loader. A turret penetration may result in a one-shot kill if it hits your ammo. Do not allow yourself to fall into close-range combat areas if at all possible.
 
The T-62M-1 should be played like other high tier Soviet MBTs, though with an higher emphasis on range and cover. Hide your hull and use your almost impenetrable turret armour to deflect hostile fire. If possible, try to use cover to conceal your cannon breech, as a well-placed APFSDS can disable your cannon and, depending on which side of tank you were hit from, kill your gunner or loader. A turret penetration may result in a one-shot kill if it hits your ammo. Do not allow yourself to fall into close-range combat areas if at all possible.
  
Those who have fought and/or used the T-55AM-1 will find the same tactics and assumptions work against the T-62M-1, as well. It performs similarly, mostly just having upgraded the strengths the T-55AM-1 is known for; the turret armour is even better, and the power of the variety of rounds these tanks are known for has been increased, thanks to the increased calibre of the cannon (from 100mm on the T-55AM-1 to 115mm on the T-62M-1). This allows the T-62M-1 to have ways of dealing with vehicles all the way up to 10.0.
+
Those who have fought and/or used the T-55AM-1 will find the same tactics and assumptions work against the T-62M-1, as well. It performs similarly, mostly just having upgraded the strengths the T-55AM-1 is known for; the turret armour is even better, and the power of the variety of rounds these tanks are known for has been increased, thanks to the increased calibre of the cannon (from 100mm on the T-55AM-1 to 115mm on the T-62M-1). This allows the T-62M-1 to have ways of dealing with vehicles all the way up to 9.7.
  
 
Thanks to the incredible turret armour, and highly effective and varied ammunition choices, the T-62M-1 is highly suited for a long-range sniping and support role. Players of tanks such as the Chieftain will have an idea of the playstyle. Use your fast and powerful APFSDS rounds to quickly disable targets travelling quickly at ranges out to several kilometres, use your potent HEAT-FS to dispatch targets at closer ranges, or fire the breech-loaded ATGM for highly accurate shots against exposed targets, both ground and air (especially against helicopters).
 
Thanks to the incredible turret armour, and highly effective and varied ammunition choices, the T-62M-1 is highly suited for a long-range sniping and support role. Players of tanks such as the Chieftain will have an idea of the playstyle. Use your fast and powerful APFSDS rounds to quickly disable targets travelling quickly at ranges out to several kilometres, use your potent HEAT-FS to dispatch targets at closer ranges, or fire the breech-loaded ATGM for highly accurate shots against exposed targets, both ground and air (especially against helicopters).
Line 143: Line 184:
 
Try to avoid close-range engagements at all costs. The T-62M-1 suffers in almost all regards compared to other tanks at closer ranges. Compared to other common tanks, such as the [[XM-1 (GM)]], the T-62M-1 has a far longer reload, worse acceleration and top speed, a larger and slower turning circle, and a poorer turret traverse speed. If you get caught out, try to take quick shots to disable the mobility of enemy tanks if you cannot out-right kill them, and make your goal of upmost importance to leave the area immediately. Use your smoke launchers to hide your retreat, and cover your upper frontal plate at all costs; a penetration on the left side of your front plate will spell instant death.
 
Try to avoid close-range engagements at all costs. The T-62M-1 suffers in almost all regards compared to other tanks at closer ranges. Compared to other common tanks, such as the [[XM-1 (GM)]], the T-62M-1 has a far longer reload, worse acceleration and top speed, a larger and slower turning circle, and a poorer turret traverse speed. If you get caught out, try to take quick shots to disable the mobility of enemy tanks if you cannot out-right kill them, and make your goal of upmost importance to leave the area immediately. Use your smoke launchers to hide your retreat, and cover your upper frontal plate at all costs; a penetration on the left side of your front plate will spell instant death.
  
Beware of high tier American MBTs, as their mobility allows them to easily flank you and get a shot into your weaker side armour. The Type 90 also poses a grave threat, as they can easily penetrate your turret armour and cripple your tank.
+
Beware of fast MBTs like the [[Leopard A1A1]], as their mobility allows them to easily flank you and get a shot into your weaker side armour. The T-62M-1 is currently unlikely to face many tanks capable of penetrating its turret composite armor. The majority of deaths will likely result from being shot through weak spots or from flanking, so avoiding these should be your primary concern.  
  
 
Your tank also has a large amount of weak-spots from even the slightest angle above you, so make sure you take enemy helicopters seriously and deal with them as fast as possible. Your gun elevation isn't the greatest, so make sure you use terrain to help lift your gun as well as present thicker armour profiles.
 
Your tank also has a large amount of weak-spots from even the slightest angle above you, so make sure you take enemy helicopters seriously and deal with them as fast as possible. Your gun elevation isn't the greatest, so make sure you use terrain to help lift your gun as well as present thicker armour profiles.
Line 202: Line 243:
 
* Laser rangefinder and high-velocity ammunition allows long-range sniping
 
* Laser rangefinder and high-velocity ammunition allows long-range sniping
 
* Tough turret cheek armour for the battle rating, as well as a composite addon on the glacis which may help in some cases
 
* Tough turret cheek armour for the battle rating, as well as a composite addon on the glacis which may help in some cases
* Wet ammunition storage within the frontal fuel tank holds the ready ammunition, greatly reducing the chances of a penetrating HEAT jet detonating it
+
* Wet ammunition storage within the frontal fuel tank holds the ready ammunition, reducing vulnerability to HEAT rounds
 
* Four crew members, compared to the three of most Soviet MBTs, increase its survivability on the battlefield
 
* Four crew members, compared to the three of most Soviet MBTs, increase its survivability on the battlefield
  
Line 208: Line 249:
  
 
* Upper front plate armour is inadequate against most enemies, especially in uptiers
 
* Upper front plate armour is inadequate against most enemies, especially in uptiers
* One of the most immobile top rank MBTs
+
* Not very mobile
 +
* No thermal sights
 +
* Substandard gun handling
 
* Three crew members lined-up on the right side of the tank, one shot may knock them all out
 
* Three crew members lined-up on the right side of the tank, one shot may knock them all out
* Weak gun mantlet, leaving cannon breech highly exposed at closer ranges; there are also big gaps between the "eyebrow" addon armour and the gun
+
* Weak gun mantlet, leaving cannon breech highly exposed at closer ranges
 
* Very long reload time compared to most contemporaries leaving you unable to deliver quick follow-up shots
 
* Very long reload time compared to most contemporaries leaving you unable to deliver quick follow-up shots
  

Revision as of 07:48, 1 July 2020

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
T-62M-1
ussr_t_62m1.png
T-62M-1
AB RB SB
9.0 9.0 9.0
Class:
Research:94 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:520 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage T-62M-1.jpg


The T-62M-1 is a rank VI Soviet medium tank with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X".

A modernized version of the famous T-62, the T-62M-1 chiefly features improved firepower, fire control, and protection in a similar manner to the T-55AM-1. The hull and turret feature add-on composite armour, including the conspicuous "brow" arrays on the turret cheeks. The gun is now equipped with a thermal sleeve and can fire improved APFSDS, HEAT-FS and HE shells in addition to a potent ATGM. A laser rangefinder is mounted in a large box above the gun barrel, smoke grenade launchers are added to the turret side, and a more powerful engine has been installed to compensate for the increased weight of all these new features. Though the T-62M-1's gun handling and speed are still inferior to most of its competitors, it has many tools at its disposal and can be a formidable opponent despite its old chassis and somewhat crude nature.

General info

Survivability and armour

The T-62M-1 has very similar armour to the T-55AM-1, having similar composite add-on armour. The turret cheeks are protected by large curved composite blocks, sometimes historically referred to as "Brezhnev's Eyebrows" due to their appearance. These mean the turret can withstand many kinetic rounds, including any APFSDS that has less than 400mm of penetration. The protection against chemical munitions is even greater, able to stop between 450-750mm of chemical penetration depending on the angle. The brow armor's composite covers less than it might seem; the sectors closer to the gun are not backed by metal-polymer layers and only the outer steel provides extra protection. It can help to point the turret slightly away from opponents to reduce the chances of getting hit in the non-composite zones.

The hull protection is less, although still relevant. The hull composite will stop APDS and HEAT rounds from the L7 105mm gun, but any more powerful rounds will penetrate. The hull sides are relatively well protected. 80mm RHA will stop most autocannon rounds, and the composite skirts as well as flaps can stop HEAT rounds at an angle.

Frontal weak points include the cannon breech area, as it is not covered by the add-on composite. Additionally the lower front plate is not protected by composite. These areas are easy to penetrate. The hull sides also are only 20 mm near the bottom, which is a weakness that can be exploited by autocannons. That said, there is essentially nothing important in those areas. The rear armour is not worth mentioning, as it will not stop anything larger than a heavy machine gun.

Side flaps, or "gill" armor, similar to those used on the T-64A (1971) can be equipped on the T-62M-1 with an unlockable modification. They add 30 kg of mass to the tank, which is a negligible penalty, and help to block HEAT-FS projectiles and ATGMs from side-aspect shots. Each flap will fall off after being hit, so do not count on being able to body-block an entire barrage of chemical rounds.

The T-62M-1 also has wet ammunition storage bins. 16 rounds are placed within the fuel tank located beside the driver, acting as a spaced armour, protecting the ammunition from HEAT. Successive HEAT shots might still detonate the ammunition. Note that APFSDS can detonate the rounds with ease, so avoid being shot in the hull if possible.

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 100 mm (59°) + 30 mm (59°) Upper glacis + add-on RHA
100 mm (50-51°) Lower glacis
80 mm (0°) Middle to upper side
80 mm (20-61°) Turret ring extension
20 mm (0-28°) Lower hull side
8 mm (0°) Side Skirts
45 mm (0-2°) All rear 30 mm (87°) Hull roof incl. engine deck
Turret 240-214 mm (14-60°) + 85-65 (7-33°) Turret cheeks + add-on RHA
40-50 mm (0-63°) Mantlet
40 mm Rear Mantlet Plate
165-140 mm (16-57°) Turret side 65 mm (3-26°) Turret rear
60 mm (74-78°) Forehead Armour
30 mm (78-85°) Turret roof
60 mm (29-67°) Rear turret roof (including ejection port)
Composite armour Front Sides
Hull Upper glacis
~300 mm Kinetic
~450 mm Chemical
N/A
Turret Turret cheeks
~400 mm Kinetic
450 - 750 mm Chemical
N/A

Mobility

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 61 10 41.9 0.03 1,069 1,316 25.47 31.33
Realistic 55 9 610 690 14.53 16.43

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: U-5TS (115 mm)
115 mm U-5TS Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 40 -6°/+16° ±180° Two-plane 15.20 20.97 __.__ __.__ __.__ 12.00 _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic 9.50 11.21 __.__ __.__ __.__

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
3BM21 APFSDS 420 415 405 390 380 370
3BM28 APFSDS 450 445 435 420 415 410
3BK15M HEATFS 500 500 500 500 500 500
3OF27 HE 40 40 40 40 40 40
9M117 ATGM 600 600 600 600 600 600
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%
3BM21 APFSDS 1,620 4.55 N/A N/A N/A 76° 77° 80°
3BM28 APFSDS 1,620 4.88 N/A N/A N/A 76° 77° 80°
3BK15M HEATFS 800 12.20 N/A 0.1 2,280 65° 72° 77°
3OF27 HE 800 17.82 0.1 0.1 4,820 79° 80° 81°
9M117 ATGM 370 18.80 N/A 0.1 3,000 80° 82° 90°

The stock 3BM21 APFSDS already far exceeds any of the APFSDS rounds available to the original T-62. The unlockable 3BM28 APFSDS is improved all-round and should be used if ammo costs are not a concern. The APFSDS rounds should be the primary ammo choice for the T-62M-1, but its selection of three types of chemical rounds should not be overlooked either.

The 3BK15M HEAT-FS has high penetration for its class, but its 500 mm of flat penetration is overkill against steel armor, is less effective versus reactive or composite armor, and deals less post-penetration damage than the APFSDS rounds. The 3OF27 HE shell is surprisingly strong and can be lethal against even MBTs; however, it is not as powerful as the 125 mm HE rounds used by top-tier Soviet and Chinese MBTs and needs fine aim for best results. Considering the tank's long reload time, the HE shell is a situational choice. Lastly, the 9M117 gun-launched ATGM has 600 mm of penetration and is mouse-guided. It is the most versatile of the chemical rounds since it can be used against helicopters, can cause hull-breaks, and has the highest penetration. Taking a few into battle is a good idea.

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the T-62M-1

Note: Ammo rack #4 is on the left side of the fighting compartment, opposite of rack #2.

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
40 39 (+1) 38 (+2) 18 (+22) 17 (+23) (+39) No

For maximum survivability, taking 17 rounds or less will store ammunition only in the wet rack next to the driver. However, the T-62M-1's ammo storage is relatively safe compared to, say, the T-55AM-1. Little ammunition is stored in the turret or the hull sides, the majority being stored in the rear of the fighting compartment. Any penetrating shot that manages to detonate the rear ammo rack will have likely caused catastrophic damage to the tank anyway, so feel free to take a healthy supply of ammo.

Machine guns

12.7 mm DShK
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 300 (50) 600 -10°/+60° ±180°
7.62 mm PKT
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,000 (250) 700 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The T-62M-1 should be played like other high tier Soviet MBTs, though with an higher emphasis on range and cover. Hide your hull and use your almost impenetrable turret armour to deflect hostile fire. If possible, try to use cover to conceal your cannon breech, as a well-placed APFSDS can disable your cannon and, depending on which side of tank you were hit from, kill your gunner or loader. A turret penetration may result in a one-shot kill if it hits your ammo. Do not allow yourself to fall into close-range combat areas if at all possible.

Those who have fought and/or used the T-55AM-1 will find the same tactics and assumptions work against the T-62M-1, as well. It performs similarly, mostly just having upgraded the strengths the T-55AM-1 is known for; the turret armour is even better, and the power of the variety of rounds these tanks are known for has been increased, thanks to the increased calibre of the cannon (from 100mm on the T-55AM-1 to 115mm on the T-62M-1). This allows the T-62M-1 to have ways of dealing with vehicles all the way up to 9.7.

Thanks to the incredible turret armour, and highly effective and varied ammunition choices, the T-62M-1 is highly suited for a long-range sniping and support role. Players of tanks such as the Chieftain will have an idea of the playstyle. Use your fast and powerful APFSDS rounds to quickly disable targets travelling quickly at ranges out to several kilometres, use your potent HEAT-FS to dispatch targets at closer ranges, or fire the breech-loaded ATGM for highly accurate shots against exposed targets, both ground and air (especially against helicopters).

Try to avoid close-range engagements at all costs. The T-62M-1 suffers in almost all regards compared to other tanks at closer ranges. Compared to other common tanks, such as the XM-1 (GM), the T-62M-1 has a far longer reload, worse acceleration and top speed, a larger and slower turning circle, and a poorer turret traverse speed. If you get caught out, try to take quick shots to disable the mobility of enemy tanks if you cannot out-right kill them, and make your goal of upmost importance to leave the area immediately. Use your smoke launchers to hide your retreat, and cover your upper frontal plate at all costs; a penetration on the left side of your front plate will spell instant death.

Beware of fast MBTs like the Leopard A1A1, as their mobility allows them to easily flank you and get a shot into your weaker side armour. The T-62M-1 is currently unlikely to face many tanks capable of penetrating its turret composite armor. The majority of deaths will likely result from being shot through weak spots or from flanking, so avoiding these should be your primary concern.

Your tank also has a large amount of weak-spots from even the slightest angle above you, so make sure you take enemy helicopters seriously and deal with them as fast as possible. Your gun elevation isn't the greatest, so make sure you use terrain to help lift your gun as well as present thicker armour profiles.

Fighting the T-62M-1

The T-62M-1's core strengths lie in the frontal armour and versatile ammunition choices. Do not attempt to out-snipe a T-62M-1 in anything short of a hull-down British MBT. Instead, abuse the T-62M-1's inferior mobility to out-flank it and quickly disable the gun. At closer ranges with higher penetration shells (260mm+ penetration, chemical or kinetic), shooting the cannon breech can also serve to turn the T-62M-1 into an easy kill.

If you're engaging a wary T-62M-1 at closer ranges, try to bait out a shot or wait until he fires. The T-62M-1, depending on crew skills, has a reload of up to 12 seconds, giving a smart opponent plenty of time to take out a T-62M-1 after he fires. Using smoke to hide a quick change in your position can also work well, as both the T-62M-1 itself and its turret turn slowly compared to vehicles it will face, giving you time to drive around it in the confusion.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive Laser rangefinder
II Suspension Brake System FPE Smoke grenade Adjustment of Fire 3BK15M
III Filters Crew Replenishment NVD Elevation Mechanism 9M117
IV Transmission Engine Side skirts ESS Artillery Support 3BM28

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful and varied ammunition choices, comparable to several top-rank vehicles
  • Access to a gun-launched ATGM with 600mm chemical, for long ranges or dealing with helicopters
  • Laser rangefinder and high-velocity ammunition allows long-range sniping
  • Tough turret cheek armour for the battle rating, as well as a composite addon on the glacis which may help in some cases
  • Wet ammunition storage within the frontal fuel tank holds the ready ammunition, reducing vulnerability to HEAT rounds
  • Four crew members, compared to the three of most Soviet MBTs, increase its survivability on the battlefield

Cons:

  • Upper front plate armour is inadequate against most enemies, especially in uptiers
  • Not very mobile
  • No thermal sights
  • Substandard gun handling
  • Three crew members lined-up on the right side of the tank, one shot may knock them all out
  • Weak gun mantlet, leaving cannon breech highly exposed at closer ranges
  • Very long reload time compared to most contemporaries leaving you unable to deliver quick follow-up shots

History

By the early 80s, the USSR began deploying new tanks: the T-72s, the modernized versions of the T-64, and its derivatives, the T-80s. However, the country also had a rather large fleet of "old-school" models that were no longer a match for the newest tanks but still possessed some modernization potential. So, in 1981 the government approved a project on the complex modernization of the T-62s. The aim of the project was to upgrade the defenses and augment the tanks' firepower. Following several radical design changes, the tank's combat effectiveness – despite the resurfaced issues and substantial age of the model – was significantly increased, putting the modified T-62M-1 on the same level as the third-generation tanks.

- From Devblog

Media

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


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