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M24

2023-05-02T04:04:19Z

U143100065: /* Survivability and armour */

{{About
| about = American light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other variants
| link = M24 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=us_m24_chaffee
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced along with the rest of the initial American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. The M24 Chaffee is a big improvement over the American light tank path from the [[M5A1|Stuart]] tanks, presenting a better driving handling and a 75 mm gun.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

The M24 Chaffee has thin armour on all sides and can only effectively resist machine gun fire or very low-penetrating shells. Its crew members also sit very close to each other, increasing the chance of it getting knocked out by a single shot. The V-shaped gun mantlet might bounce some small caliber shells if you are lucky enough. However, don't rely on it as the rest of the tank is still poorly protected. It should also be kept in mind that the hatch on the front is weak to most calibers of round rounds, so it is important to be careful when making advances as it is typically targeted by more experienced players.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret, cupola)
* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 25.4 mm (44°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25.4 mm (13°) ''Front'' 12.7 mm (13°) ''Rear'' || 12.7 mm (71-74°) ''Top'' 19 mm (1-43°) ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm
|-
| Turret || 38.1 mm (8-40°) ''Turret front'' 38.1 mm (1-45°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (17-26°) || 25.4 mm || 12.7 mm
|-
| Cupola || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=459|rbMinHp=262}}

The M24 travels at an average of 40 km/h on/off-road which is the average light tank speed. It also responds fast when reversing. Thanks to its short and wide tracks it is able to turn quickly. However the acceleration is poor, making it to feel sluggish when performing short range manoeuvres.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M6 (75 mm)}}

The tank offers the 75 mm M6 gun, which only differs from the [[M4|M4]]/[[M4A1|M4A1]] Sherman's 75 mm M3 gun with its slower reloading rate due to the smaller confines of the M24 Chaffee. The shells come in handy for certain tanks; they generally penetrate armour very well. It is rare to experience a ricochet or be to unable to penetrate any armour.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M6 (75 mm)|75 mm M6]] || 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" | 48 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24 km/h}} || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || rowspan="2" | 8.45 || rowspan="2" | 7.47 || rowspan="2" | 6.89 || rowspan="2" | 6.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:M6 (75 mm)/Ammunition|M72 shot, M48 shell, M61 shot, M64}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''48''' || 25 ''(+23)'' || 1 ''(+47)'' || No
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}

The two machine guns on the M24 Chaffee are the [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|.50 cal M2HB]] and the [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]. The roof-mounted .50 cal can traverse 360 degrees and has great depression & elevation, posting a big threat to any plane that is flying too close to the M24. It has an unbelievable penetration of 31 mm at 10 m, meaning it can easily penetrate plenty of lightly armoured vehicles and even the side of some low rank medium tanks. The 7.62 mm, on the other hand, can only efficiently damage exposed crews due to its low penetration.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The M24 Chaffee is a very good tank with a fairly interesting playstyle. Instead of being permanently stationed at a single point and continuously firing at an enemy, this tank offers impressive manoeuvrability and speed which allows it to perform impressive flanking manoeuvres. The M24 can travel at around 38 km/h forward and -25 km/h backwards. Its reverse speed is very good if a quick getaway by going backwards is needed. Thus, this tank excels at "peek-a-boo" tactics in which one hides behind a rock or other large piece of cover and repeatedly inches out to fire at an enemy.

An extension of this "peek-a-boo" tactic is to also use the tank's mobility for "scoot-and-shoot" tactics by firing and then moving to another firing location so as to prevent enemy tanks and tank destroyers from accurately guessing range. This can be difficult, however, as you must be very versed in your own tank's ballistics to make shots as you will have to estimate range on the fly. Don't think this means firing on the move - if you are going faster than 16 km/h (10 mph), the stabilizer will not allow for accurate shots, and it is only a vertical stabilizer.

Do not continuously shoot at a tank without backing up/moving. The vehicle's armour is very thin and will most likely be destroyed if it stays in one position and does not stop changing positions. Always try to get the first shot off in a head-on attack. The best shell to use is the M61 shell as its penetration and explosive filler make it better in almost every aspect than the M72 shell. You can try loading under 20 shells and you will be more survivable than players expect.

Another way to go around is to flank the enemy. If attacking with a more direct approach, keep hidden behind a building or boulder and pop out every now and then to take a shot at the enemy. Also, prioritize targets who are busy fighting others and cannot retaliate. Usually, after the first shot, it may disable their tank depending on what it is. Disabling the enemy tank's crew, tracks, engine, etc. allows for retaliation without the risk of any incoming enemy shells.

'''Enemies worth noting''':

* [[Sd.Kfz.234 (Family)]]: The M24, although agile, is still not the fastest tank at its rank. When your opposite team has Germany, you might want to reconsider the option of capping a point straight away, since the German Sd.Kfz.234 series are very likely to be there first. The [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]] is a turreted 8-wheel vehicle with a small profile, extremely high on-road speed and a powerful 50 mm gun. But it cannot turn in place, has a very slow turret traverse and only 8 mm of side hull armour, so a good tactic is to circle with it and utilise your stabiliser, fast turret and the piercing .50 cal. In an intense melee fight, you might miss your shots. Don't worry, your reliable .50 cal can penetrate the sides, or even the front of the puma easily. The [[Sd.Kfz.234/3]] and [[Sd.Kfz.234/4]], although being equally deadly, are turretless. You can use some quick turns to avoid their guns or tear through the thin armour plate protecting their gunners with your .50 cal.
* [[E.B.R. (1954)]]: this wheeled vehicle, just like the Sd.Kfz.234 series, is able to reach a remarkably high speed, especially on road. It is equipped with a deadly 75 mm cannon with autoloader, dealing more fragmental damage than the Sd.Kfz.234's and can therefore easily knock out the M24 with a single shot most of the times. The tactics vary a bit, as the E.B.R also has way faster turret traverse, therefore you do not want to "dogfight" it like how you deal with a Puma. You need to be more careful and try to ambush it. Utilise your advantages well, you have superior gun depression, explosive-packed shells, lots of smoke grenades and, most importantly, a vertical stabiliser.
* [[KV-1]], [[KV-IB (Germany)|KV-IB]], [[KW I C 756 (r) (Germany)|KW I C 756 (r)]]: The famous KV-series can cause a bit of troubles too. They are well know for their well-protected hull and turrets. The M24 can manoeuvre to point-blank range, line up your gun so it's pointing dead flat at the armour and fire. The 104 mm penetration of the M61 shell should punch a hole in the KV's armour with ease. If you are close enough but do not have the space to manoeuvre, shoot their gun barrel to prevent them from getting a shot off, then go for their turret ring or the vertical part on their gun mantlet, which is only 90 mm. For the KV-1B, do not try and fire at its turret from the front and side, as they are 105 mm thick and will never get penetrated. For the KW I C 756, aim for the cupola (50 m) or the gun mantlet (50 mm) to knock out the turret crew or the gun breech. Don't shoot at anywhere else, the shell won't penetrate.
* [[Churchill (Family)|Churchill]] tanks: The Churchills, with their complex hulls and sturdy turrets, can be quite hard to penetrate at range. Again, manoeuvre as close to them as possible, the idea distance being no more than 200 m. If they are angling their hull but facing their turret at you, only go for the turret. For the Mk I Churchills, aim at the near-vertical part of their rounded cheeks to ensure successful penetrations. For the Mk III and the German Churchill, also aim for their flat turret which is at most 89 mm. The shell should go in easily and knock out most, if not all of the crew. Only when you are facing their hull without any angles should you shoot the hull, otherwise shoot the turret only, as their big tracks can easily get in front of the frontal hull. The side hull have multiple layers of armour, some of which are weirdly angled and can absorb plenty of shells.
* [[M4A2]] / [[M4A4 (1st PTG)]]: these Sherman tanks are widely used by over 3 nations that spread across both the Allied and the Axis side, so no matter which nation you play they can be quite tough to destroy in the hands of a skilled tanker. Given the rather weak penetration of your short 75 mm gun, their hull can be almost impossible to penetrate when angled, hull down or 300 m away. For a M4A4, there are 2 apparent bulges on the upper front plate, a penetration through there can guarantee a knock-out most of the times. But in case the opponent covers them up or when it's a M4A2, aim for the middle parts of the gun mantlet or the turret armour unprotected by the mantlet, you can at least make them defenseless.
* [[StuG III G]], [[StuH 42 G]], [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]]: These German tank destroyers are deadly ambushers as well as well-defended frontline vehicles. They have low profiles which make them significantly less noticeable on the battlefield. They also have very thick or sloped armour. In particular, the StuG and StuH can have a maximum frontal thickness of 100 mm with additional armour, making them tough enough for the M24's 75 mm short cannon. Thus the M24 should avoid direct combat with them as they are difficult to penetrate and can easily knock out the M24. Fortunately, all 3 do not have a turret and were poorly protected on their sides, so flanking become a great tactic to finish them off. However, be aware that StuG and StuH can turn their hulls very quickly, so take that into account.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent mobility: good top speed and great turning ability
* Uses the same gun as the 75 mm Shermans: various shell types, great penetration & damage and excellent gun depression. M61 shell can easily knock out common medium tanks with a single shot
* Fast turret traverse allows it to track agile targets easily
* Low profile allows it to easily hide behind small bushes or rocks, increasing survivability
* Equipped with a vertical plane stabilizer, allowing for more accurate shots on the move or shoot-n-scoot tactics
* Pintle-mounted HMG allows for air defense and some anti tank ability (e.g. Marder III, Sd.Kfz.234 series, Breda 501, etc)
* 13 smoke grenades allow escaping from dangerous situation for many times
* Effective even in uptiers if used for flanking shots or hunting soft targets
* Very fast reverse allowing it to retreat from danger quickly

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: all-round thin armour and closely packed crews. Can get one-shot by common guns like 76 mm F-34 and 75 mm KwK40
* Acceleration is rather sluggish, especially when stock or on soft terrains
* On-road top speed is inferior to some wheeled vehicles like the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]] and other light tanks at its BR
* Shells drop dramatically at long distances, making distant / moving targets hard to shoot at
* Reload time is pretty slow for a light tank
* Low ammo count can be a problem in long games or RB/SB matches but not so low that ammo rack detonations are rare

== History ==

===Development===
As early as 1942, the light tanks [[M3 Stuart|M3]] and [[M5A1|M5 Stuart]] have been seen as severely lacking in the modernizing design of tanks and how they fight. The armour was seen as insufficient and the [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm gun]] was also deemed useless against even the standard German tanks like the [[Pz.III J|Panzer III]] and [[Pz.IV F2|Panzer IV]]. The system needed an upgrade, specifically a light tank that mounts the [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm gun]] seen on the [[M4|Shermans]]. An attempt to mount a 75 mm gun on a Stuart was deemed inefficient as it reduced ammo stowage and left the armour too thin on the design.

In April 1943, the U.S. Ordnance Department worked with Cadillac to start on a project for the new light tank, designated Light Tank T24. The powertrain and transmission of the M5 Stuart were used with the ultimate goal of producing a vehicle weighing less than 20 tons. This left the vehicle with relatively thin armour to stay lightweight. At the time, a lighter 75 mm gun was developed for mounting on the [[B-25J-20|B-25 Mitchell bomber]] without sacrificing performance, and this was mounted onto the light tank in development. The tank used 410 mm wide tracks with a torsion bar suspension that greatly improves cross-country travel. The engine was a Cadillac 44T24 V-8 petrol engine. The chassis was designed with the expectation that it would be used as a basis of many different vehicle roles so it was called the "Light Combat Team". The light tank end design had a low profile at 9 ft. 1 in. height and featuring a crew of five with a three-man turret, an improvement over the two-man turrets of the Stuarts. The first finished vehicle arrived on October 15, 1943, and was deemed a success, starting a contract for 1,000 units that was later raised to 5,000 units. The vehicle was classified as the Light Tank M24 and as the Chaffee by the British after US General Adna R. Chaffee, Jr., who helped develop some of America's earliest tank designs. The vehicle was produced by Cadillac and Massey-Harris from April 1944 to August 1945 with a total of 4,731 units produced.

===Combat usage===
The first batch of M24s reached the battlefields of Europe in November of 1944 and first assigned to the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Group in France. The M24 gradually entered widespread use by December 1944, some Chaffees went to the British to replace their Stuart tanks as well. The M24s were first used in the Battle of the Bulge with the 2nd and 42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron sent to support the southern sector of the battle. The Chaffees were slow to enter use in the front-lines as even by the end of the war, some armoured division did not have the M24 light tanks. Despite that, the reception of the Chaffee was positive even though it may not have the firepower to fight the better German tanks like the [[Panther G|Panther tanks]]. The 75 mm gun gave the crew much more firepower than the earlier 37 mm. The light armour, though allowing the tank to pick up speed, was penetrable by most anti-tank weapons in service by Germany. The effect of the M24 Chaffee in World War II was deemed insignificant as it was not used in great numbers in comparison to the Stuarts in service since the start of the war.

The M24 Chaffee served a greater role in the Korean War and were sent in large numbers to combat the North Korean Armoured Forces, however, they were severely under-gunned with their 75 mm cannon and the light armour was easily destroyed by the Soviet-supplied [[T-34-85]] tanks. Plus, the deficiency in crew training also contributed to the poor performance of the M24 against the North Koreans. Due to their inferiority, they were used as a delaying measure until better tanks like the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8 Sherman]] and [[M26|M26 Pershing]] could be brought in. Once with supports with these better tanks, the Chaffees were relegated to reconnaissance roles, where they served with better results.

The M24, after being replaced in America by the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]], was sent to many other countries for use. The French Army deployed the M24s during their fighting in Indochina and famously in the Battle for Dien Bien Phu. Some M24s went to the hands of the ARVN in South Vietnam to support the troops during the Vietnam War. The Pakistani Army used them as well in 1971 against India during the Indo-Pakistani War. The M24 Chaffee was also adapted in different roles by using the chassis for different designs, such as the [[M19|M19 TGMC anti-air gun]] and self-propelled guns with the M37 105 mm HMC and M41 155 mm HMC.

The Chaffee had turned out to be one of the greatest light tanks the Allies developed during World War II. Though arriving too late to be a main turning factor for the war, the design has turned out to be so reliable that some countries like Uruguay still operate modernized versions. Austria has since retired its M24 fleet, but their turrets still serve on as bunkers.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The experience of the M3 and M5 light tanks in the western desert proved that the era of light tanks with angular bodies and vertical suspension had come to a close. In 1943 work began on a completely new tank with the popular Hydromatic transmission and a carburetor engine made by Cadillac. The assignment, outside of strengthening the armament, was to keep the maximum weight below 18 short tons. As a result, a new hull with heavily sloped armour plates was developed. The turret gained a streamlined look with 37 mm armour.

The running gear was made up of five rubber-coated weight-bearing wheels and three supporting rollers in addition to forward, leading, and rear guiding wheels. The tank's main gun was a 75 mm M6 cannon with anti-recoil mechanisms around the barrel, something that made it much smaller. The tanks were fitted with coaxial and bow-mounted 7.62 mm machine guns.

The first T24 light tank prototype entered trials in October 1943. It turned out to be such a success that 1,000 units were quickly ordered, a number that later jumped to 5,000. Production took place at Cadillac and Massay-Harris factories, where 4,415 tanks were assembled between March 1944 and October 1945. The T24 was officially accepted two months after full-scale production began, receiving a new M24 designation. It entered combat in fall 1944 and was the American army's primary light tank through the end of the war.

The tanks sent to the UK via Lend-Lease were referred to as Chaffees.

The successful tank had a long career, fighting in the Korean, First Indochina, Vietnam, and Third Indo-Pakistani wars.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m24_chaffee Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|OwVN5bFIzaM|'''A Perfect Starter Light Tank - {{PAGENAME}} Chaffee''' - ''Virus''|vwrFDhWX1gg|'''Tank Chats #140 <nowiki>| M24 Chaffee |</nowiki> The Tank Museum''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}

== See also ==


;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[AMX-13 (FL11)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/2936--en|[Vehicle Profile] M24 Chaffee]]

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Department}}
{{TankManufacturer Cadillac}}
{{USA light tanks}}

M10 GMC

2023-05-02T03:59:11Z

U143100065: Added a point regarding the traverse rate of the M10's turret.

{{About
| about = American tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|other
|usage-1 = other uses
|link-1 = M10 (Disambiguation)
|usage-2 = other vehicles of the family
|link-2 = M10 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=us_m10
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (or the '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''', unofficially the ''Wolverine'') is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]].

The M10 GMC (Gun Motor Carriage) takes much from the [[M4A2|M4A2 Sherman]] which it was derived from. The drivetrain is identical with the drive shaft running from the engine in the rear to the front transmission and sprockets. The hull is sloped to a larger degree. The [[M7 (76 mm)|3-inch (76 mm) cannon]] originally mounted on the experimental M6 Heavy Tank lacks the muzzle brake of the 76 mm M1A2 gun used on the later Rank III Sherman's and the M18 Hellcat. The turret is a pentagonal shaped M5 Mount type. It has a powerful 76 mm gun; however it is held back due to the sluggish traverse speeds. this severely limits the ability to quickly react and engage opponents when fired upon, a problem that can prove costly in high intensity matches.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

'''Armour type:'''

*Rolled homogeneous armour
*Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Transmission area)
*Structural steel (Counterweight)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 38.1 mm (55°) 50.8 mm (7-55°) ''Transmission area'' || 19.05 mm (38°) ''Top'' 25.4 mm ''Bottom'' || 19.05 mm (28°) ''Top'' 25.4 mm (7-52°) ''Bottom'' || 19.05 mm ''Front'' 9.5 mm ''Rear''
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm (68-89°) ''Turret front'' 57.15 mm (0-47°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (24-47°) || 25.4 mm (30-47°) ''Turret rear'' 50 mm (0-50°) ''Counterweight'' || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspensions wheels are 20 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
* Hull rear sides are protected by attached grousers that give 20 mm of extra armour.

The armour of the M10 is quite decent for the rank and can make shells ricochet when angled properly, but nonetheless, the armour is not thick enough to resist the stronger tank weapons of Rank II. The thickest part of the front hull is the 51 mm lower plate and the upper plate is 38 mm, though both are sloping at 55 degrees from vertical. The sides and back are only 19 mm slightly angled and thus can be penetrated by most weapons stronger than a 12.7 mm machine gun. This fact is made worse by the positioning of ammo racks on the sides, making it easy to knock out the M10 in one hit with a side penetration. The turret has slightly better armour with the gun mantlet having 57 mm angled at 45 degrees on the front, but it is still very weak on the sides and back. The front of the turret can often eat shells as the shell will fragment on the initial armour, and the massive breech of the 76 mm cannon will often absorb most if not all of the spalling, leaving the turret crew untouched. This will take the M10 out of combat, but when backed up by team-mates it is possible to reverse away to repair. The turrets top is exposed and because of that artillery barrages and HE shells are much more lethal to the crew. One should avoid angling the armour a great degree as it may expose the weaker side armour at a more perpendicular angle.

For those fighting the M10 from the front, firing towards the upper left side of the hull glacis (towards the right from the firing perspective) will be able to knock out both the driver and/or gunner if the shot penetrates in the right angle. If this does not completely destroy the tank, it certainly has crippled it and the follow-up shot should go towards the opposite side to knock out the rest of the crew. Repeat if necessary in cases where the crews are still active inside the tank. It is also a good idea to shoot the bottom of the hull to disable the transmission if the M10 is trying to flee. Since the M10 is an open-topped tank destroyer, overpressure from HE rounds will have no problem dealing with the entire crew in a single shot, as long as the round hits the M10. When using HE against the front of the M10, aim center mass, as that will give you the strongest possibility of hitting it.

The M10's side is lined with ammo racks and it's extremely easy to knock out the tank with a single shot. Simply aim below the turret, shoot the side and the ammo should explode in a blaze of glory. If the ammo does not explode the first time, then try shooting the same spot again or aim more to the front of the hull to knock out any remaining crew. It is possible to blow up the fuel tanks or set it on fire by shooting the rear of the M10, the worse case at least the engine will be disabled.

There is not a whole lot of places to shoot at the back of the M10, though a shot at the turret can knock out the turret crew or a shot in the hull can cripple the engine. Two ammo racks are present at the rear of the turret, but these racks are most likely empty as 1) They are the first two to run dry and 2) Players will usually keep this empty with reduced ammo load. The best place to shoot in the rear would be the engine to immobilize the M10 and potentially set it on fire.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


The {{PAGENAME}} has roughly the same mobility characteristics as the M4 Sherman. Spaded, the tank moves surprisingly fast in a straight line, but the turning speed is a bit sluggish as well as the reverse speed. The {{PAGENAME}} struggles while driving on inclines due to its narrow tracks. All in all the {{PAGENAME}}'s mobility is moderate and it can get to its location reasonably fast.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=582|rbMinHp=363|AoAweight=0.5}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

First off get all protection modifications: Parts and FPE. The M62 shell should be a top priority since it is superior to the stock M79 AP shot in all aspects. After that move on to research modifications from the Firepower tree: Horizontal Drive, Adjustment of Fire, and the Elevation Mechanism. Lastly research the Mobility tree: Tracks, Filters, Engine, Transmission, Suspension, Brake System.

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M7 (76 mm)}}

The 3-inch (76 mm) cannon is a wonderful and powerful gun. APCBC ammo can penetrate any tank on the battlefield even from long range. It is not a bad idea to carry a few HE shells as well to fight lightly armoured and open top tanks like the [[M16_MGMC|M16 SPAA]]. The powerful gun and potent ammunition make the M10 a good sniper vehicle at its battle rating, especially with its -10° gun depression, giving the M10 the ability to maximize a hull-down position. Unfortunately, even though this tank destroyer does feature a turret, its turret rotation speed is extremely slow (< 4.0°/s) due to its historic configuration of only possessing a hand crank for the turret traverse. It is possible to crest a ridge and watch as the enemy rotates their turret, takes aim, and shoots the M10, all while the latter is rotating its turret into position. Thus, it is better to see it as a regular fragile SPG instead of a turreted SPG and fight from a distance and in possible concealment. Take warning that the gun's excellent penetration is too much for lower rank tanks and can lead to over-penetration, thus dealing less or even no damage to the enemy. Also, start each round with at least six missing shells (as detailed in the [[#Ammo_racks|Ammo Racks]] section) to remove the ammo racks on the rear of the turret, reducing turret penetration vulnerability to an instant cook-off.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M7 (76 mm)|76 mm M7]] || 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" | 54 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+30° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 3.96 || 5.48 || 6.66 || 7.37 || 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 8.19 || rowspan="2" | 7.25 || rowspan="2" | 6.68 || rowspan="2" | 6.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 2.68 || 3.15 || 3.83 || 4.23 || 4.50
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:M7 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M79 shot, M42A1 shell, M62 shell}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''54''' || 49 ''(+5)'' || 37 ''(+17)'' || 25 ''(+29)'' || 13 ''(+41)'' || 1 ''(+53)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 400 (200) || 577 || -10°/+28° || ±60°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The M10 is a support vehicle. Find a good sniping position and lay behind the team taking out enemy tanks from a distance. Try to stay away from enemy tanks to avoid getting destroyed quickly. To make full use of its decent sniping capacity, find a spot that:

* overlooks key passageway / street / battle area
* is not too close to the frontline
* has slopes, hard covers or bushes
* is not too hard to get to

With a location like that, the M10 can utilise its -10° gun depression and use hull down. Its turret front and mantlet can consistently cause ricochets especially in a downtier. Looming behind bushes, an M10's well aimed shots should be able to knock out most enemy tanks at the battle rating range from long range. Even if you get spotted, any slope or hard covers will provide protection for you.

If fighting in a close quarter's environment, do not try to push forward without support. Stay behind friendly tanks in order to support them without being shot at. If in an urban scenario on maps like [[Poland_(Ground_Forces)|Poland]] or [[Normandy (Ground Forces)|Normandy]], utilize the tank's turning speed to rotate the turret to the right angle. But, the best option is still to find a hull down location. For example, in [[Normandy (Ground Forces)|Normandy]], during arcade, the best location is towards the C point, where there are hills and dips that can be used to hide the hull, while giving a good view of the battlefield.

The M10 has a very slow turret rotation speed, but the M10 can traverse faster than it can rotate its turret and use its high speed when at high gear to produce some interesting skids via the physics engine to swerve the M10 and angle its gun at an enemy tank around the corner. It is recommended to understand and get a good feel of the M10's mobility and horsepower on dirt and paved roads before attempting this stunt. The low turret rotation speed means that a M10 player must always be aware of where the enemy tanks are, because they will not be able to turn the turret quickly if the enemy is able to flank the M10. In addition, the M10's side armour is weak, and the ammunition storage is in the hull sides, so if the enemy is able to shoot the M10 at that location, it is very likely to explode the ammo rack and destroy the tank with one shot.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

[[R3 T20 FA-HS]]: this vehicle is the exact opposite tank when comparing to an M10: extremely high topspeed, great traverse and fast gun rotation. A well-manoeuvred R3 can easily circle around the M10 and shoot AP shells through the thin side, while the M10 struggles to get the gun on target even when traversing the hull with the gun. If you know an R3 is around, you better turn your hull towards the possible direction and be ready to engage. Move the hull with the gun to target quicker. Even if you miss, the M2 Browning can still penetrate the R3 and knock out its crews. Note that a side shot on the R3 does not guarantee a kill as the fuse might not get triggered, and the crew are pretty separated. The R3 can run away and repair for another attack. A frontal shot, however, is likely to one shot it as the crew are all lined up.

[[8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl.]]: also known as the "flak truck" or "flak bus", it is rather hard to knock out with armour-piercing shells because its armour is so thin that almost every shell will overpenetrate, dealing almost no critical damage. Additionally, this vehicle faces the side to aim the cannon, making it even harder to knock it out as the crew are all far apart. The flak truck can take quite a few hits and retaliate by taking out attackers one by one. Aim for the left side of its turret to disable its gunner first, then knock out the rest of its crew (right side of the turret & driving compartment). Do not rely on the M2 HB to knock out the crew: while it can penetrate the gun armour, the vehicle crew will be safe behind armour too thick to penetrate.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Main cannon penetration and damage is very good for the rank, can knock out many tanks (e.g. T-34, KV-1 or even the [[Tiger H1]]) in one hit
* Mantlet sometimes absorbs shots with its sloped armour
* Good gun depression of -10°, perfect for hull-down positions
* Frontal glacis is somewhat bouncy due to a steep angle. Also the huge, V-shaped gun mantlet can often bounce / absorb shells (e.g. 75 mm M3 and 76 mm F-34 / ZiS-5), as well as the large gun breech behind it further protecting the turret crew
* 5 crew members increase survivability
* Turreted purpose-built tank destroyer allows for a wide field of fire compared to casemate designs
* Powerful roof-mounted .50 cal M2 Browning can damage lightly-armoured vehicles or low-flying aircraft
* Access to modification "[[Add-on Armor|Add-on Armour]]", that increases hull protection significantly on the sides and front
* Has relatively no problem when getting uptiered

'''Cons:'''

* Mediocre turret traverse speed combined with its rather sluggish hull traverse "locks" it as a long range sniper for most players. Close quarters combat is difficult, as it often cannot get its gun on target in time
* Base armour is quite thin, can get easily penetrated by common opponents
* Open-topped, vulnerable to aircraft strafing and artillery strikes
* Poor reverse speed won't save you from a dangerous encounter
* Only x3.5 gunsight zoom making it hard to shoot distant targets

== History ==

{{main|M10_GMC/History|l1=History of the M10 GMC}}

===Development===
Conceived after the Battle of France, the US Army employed a doctrine to fight against the expected massed armoured attack the Germans had employed with their Panzer Divisions.<ref name="MoranTDHistory">Moran 2016</ref> The doctrine called for a Tank Destroyer Branch that would be held in reserve to be deployed against an armoured attack. The first few vehicles produced on this concept was the 37 mm GMC M6 and the [[M3 GMC|75 mm GMC M3]]. While adequate, these were only seen as a stop-gap measure until better tank destroyers could be developed.<ref name="ZalogaM10">Zaloga 2002</ref><ref name="ZalogaM18">Zaloga 2004</ref> With requests being sent for a 3-inch Gun Motor Carriage (GMC), a proposal was made in November 1941 for a turreted tank destroyer that would use the chassis of [[M4A2]] Sherman and armed with the 3-inch gun from the [[M6A1|M6 heavy tank]]. The resulting prototype was standardized in June 1942 as the '''3-inch Gun Motor Carriage M10''' in June 1942.<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

Production started on the M10s in September 1942 at Fisher Tank Arsenal at Grand Blanc, Michigan with a production priority rating much higher than even the new M4 medium tank. Due to the concerns of not meeting production demands, a separate variant developed on the [[M4A3_(76)_W|M4A3]] chassis as the ''M10A1''. Production of these two vehicles would run until December 1943 (M10) and January 1944 (M10A1) for a total production number of 6,706 vehicle produced, 4,993 M10s and 1,713 M10A1s.<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

Today, the M10 is often referred to as the "Wolverine". However, the origin of this nickname is unknown. Some have contested that it was a British nickname, but it is unlikely as they gave it the designation [[Achilles|"Achilles"]]. It also is not an American nickname as well as all official documents referred to the M10s by their designation or "TD". It is widely accepted that "Wolverine" is a post-war nickname similar to the "Hetzer" nickname on the [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]].<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

===Combat usage===
The M10 received their baptism of fire in Tunisia, with the Tank Destroyer putting their doctrine into practice at the Battle of El Guettar on 23 March 1943 against the 10th Panzer Division. Afterwards, the Allies found themselves on the offensive while large-scale German armoured punches became sporadic and scarce. Discontent with valuable guns and vehicles being left in reserves, a tactic was devised by Lt.Col. James Barney of the 776th to use the M10 in an artillery role with their 3-inch guns, a role the M10 found itself in during the fighting in Italy.<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

The M10 was also deployed as the standard equipment in 11 Tank Destroyer battalions during Operation Overlord, serving alongside [[M18 GMC]] ''Hellcats'' and towed guns in the same tank destroyer role. Due to once again the armour engagements in Normandy and the rest of France to being scarce, the M10 found themselves supporting infantry advances into German territory. In July, encounters with [[Panther G|Panther tanks]] shocked the tank destroyer crew as there was a belief the armaments were capable of easily dealing with the new German tanks, and complaints were made for the fielding of a better gun on the field. The solution came in the form of the [[M36 GMC]] ''Jackson'' with a 90 mm cannon and the T4 HVAP ammo for the 3-inch gun.<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

Towards the end of 1944, the German Ardennes Offensive (Battle of the Bulge) caused the M10 and the other employed tank destroyers to face off once again against a dedicated armoured punch of Panthers and [[Tiger II (H)|Tiger II]] tanks. During this campaign, a deception mission was launched by the Germans named Operation Grief, which had ten [[Ersatz M10|Panther tanks dressed up to look like M10s]] externally to fool Americans.<ref name="HartPanther">Hart 2003</ref> All of these mock-ups were destroyed by battle or scrapped after it. After the Battle of the Bulge, the majority of German armoured forces have dwindled and armour engagements largely declined in the final months of the war in Europe.<ref name="ZalogaM10" /> One of the M10's most notable action in 1945 was done on January 26 in the Colmar Pocket when the most decorated soldier of World War II, Audie Murphy, used a knocked out M10's M2 Browning machine gun to hold off a German counterattack of six tanks plus infantry while calling in artillery. He held for an hour and killed about 50 German soldiers from behind the burning M10 wreck, forcing the tank units to retreat due to loss of infantry support. Audie Murphy was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.<ref name="USOMurphy">Walker 2015</ref><ref name="MoHMurphy">Smithsonian Institution. "The Price of Freedom: Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor Citation."</ref>

The M10s were a part of the American Lend-Lease program to the Allies and as such many M10s found their ways into British, Free French, and Soviet hands. In all, 1,855 M10s were sent in the Lend-Lease program, of which 1,648 were to Great Britain. The British designated the M10s as the 3" SPM (Self-Propelled Mount) M10. The most famous of the British usage of the M10 was the conversion of the armament into the 17-pounder gun. These converted M10s were designated ''M10C'' or ''M10 17-pdr'' under British nomenclature, though they did issue a name [[Achilles]] to designate all forms of M10 under British service.<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

After the end of World War II, most M10s were scrapped or given away as part of the Military Assistance Program to other allies.<ref name="ZalogaM10" />

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
A self-propelled artillery/anti-tank mount based on the Sherman tank. A new open turret featuring a more powerful gun, but only manual targeting, was installed on it. It was released from September 1942 to January 1944 and proved to be quite effective in combat against German medium tanks. However, it was not powerful enough to stand up to the Tiger or Panther. And also... Due to its open turret it was vulnerable to artillery barrages and in battles in populated areas. It was frequently used as a standard linear tank.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m10 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|trEB3qmyePk|'''Giving Advice on the M10 GMC Tank Destroyer''' - ''Joseph 2000''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[M10 (Family)]]
* [[M36 Jackson (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/devblog/current/772/|[Devblog] Attacker FB.1 and M10 & M36 Slugger]]
* [[wikipedia:M10_tank_destroyer|[Wikipedia] M10 tank destroyer]]
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/US/M10_Wolverine.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> 3in GMC M10 Wolverine]
* [https://live.warthunder.com/post/671566/en/ RideR2's Realistic gunsight (M76 & M71C & M71D) for M4 Shermans with 76 mm cannon, M10, M36, T25 and M26 Pershings]

=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Hart, Stephen A. ''Panther Medium Tank 1942-45.'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2003
* Moran, Nicholas. "US Tank Destroyer History." YouTube. YouTube, 26 Aug. 2016. Web. 08 Feb. 2017. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ho8TU_JpoI Video]
* Smithsonian Institution. "The Price of Freedom: Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor Citation." The Price of Freedom: Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor Citation. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2017. [http://amhistory.si.edu/militaryhistory/collection/object.asp?ID=421 Website]
* Walker, Dale L. "Audie Murphy: To Hell and Back." United Service Organizations. N.p., 20 Sept. 2015. Web. 24 Feb. 2017. [https://www.uso.org/stories/183-audie-murphy-to-hell-and-back Website]
* Zaloga, Steven J. ''M10 and M36 Tank Destroyers 1942-53'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2002
* Zaloga, Steven J. ''M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer 1943-97'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2004

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Department}}
{{USA tank destroyers}}

M15 CGMC

2023-05-02T03:56:20Z

U143100065: some slight spelling and punctuation fixes

{{About
| about = American SPAA '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other half-track vehicles based on the M3
| link = M3 Half-Track (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=us_halftrack_m15
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft (SPAA) gun {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]].

Comparing the M15 CGMC to the [[M16 MGMC|M16]] and [[M13 MGMC|M13]], they first appear similar. The same maneuverability and mobility are still passed on. All feature, [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|Browning]] heavy machine guns. But at this point, the similarities end. Both M13 and M16 have only one weapon system making long range shots easier to hit with all weapons. They also carry plenty of ammo (both 4800 rounds or 12 / 6 reloads) and will fire long after the M15 ran out of 37 mm and 12.7 mm rounds. Of course, the Combination Gun Motor Carriage has some advantages to the machine gun only armed versions: A nasty cannon and actual armour, the M15A1 is entrusted with the ability to engage at a longer distance down aircraft faster, and most importantly, survive much longer. However, the price paid is the inability for the armament to cover the vehicle's front and slower turret rotation. The latter can be addressed by driving backwards while in a combat zone.

A noteworthy issue is the gun layout: The secondary anti-air weapons (the M2 Brownings) can only be fired with the machine gun key. They do not activate when pressing the secondary weapon key.

As being a half truck and tank it will turn well in all speeds compared to other SPAA.

The M15 CGMC is a '''s'''elf '''p'''ropelled '''a'''nti-'''a'''ir vehicle. This machine is a very simple deal: More armour and a cannon in change for less ammo and more difficult aiming. Not much more to say. Stay behind and close to allies, but outside the enemies view-range and with a clear line of sight to the horizon for low aircraft and try to keep the turret facing the rear of the vehicle.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}


'''Armour type:'''

*Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 6.35 mm (31°) ''Front Hood'' 6.35 mm (83-84°) ''Hood top'' || 6.35 mm || 6.35 mm || N/A
|-
| Turret || 12.7 mm || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

Open top, open rear and only 12 mm (0.5 inch) all around? [[SU-152|SU-152's]] and [[M4A3 (105)|M4 (105)'s]] HE shells will always be happy to obliterate the M15A1. On the other hand, those nasty aircraft cannot damage it easily with their machine gun fire and Armour-piercing rounds are usually not fielded by fighters. Something to be aware of though is the 37 mm ammo location: The turret bin's walls. Easy to hit and even easier to detonate by tanks.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=210|rbMinHp=131}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M1A2 (37 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[M1A2 (37 mm)|37 mm M1A2]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 240 (10) || rowspan="2" | 120 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 22.02 || 30.47 || 37.00 || 40.92 || 43.53 || rowspan="2" | 2.60 || rowspan="2" | 2.30 || rowspan="2" | 2.12 || rowspan="2" | 2.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.88 || 17.50 || 21.25 || 23.50 || 25.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''M59A1 shot (mixed):''' {{Annotation|APC|Armour-piercing capped}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} - These work fine, a hit on an aircraft means certain destruction for it and still is able to damage lightly armoured vehicles.
* '''M54 shell:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}} - These are best for against aircraft.
* '''M59A1 shot:''' {{Annotation|APC|Armour-piercing capped}} - These are the worst belts against airplanes and even though they are able to damage lightly armoured vehicles, loading them in a RB match is usually a mistake.

{{:M1A2 (37 mm)/Ammunition|HEFI-T*, APC}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! 10th rack empty
! 11th rack empty
! 12th rack empty
! 13th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''24''' || 17 ''(+7)'' || 11 ''(+13)'' || 10 ''(+14)'' || 9 ''(+15)'' || 8 ''(+16)'' || 7 ''(+17)'' || 6 ''(+18)'' || 5 ''(+19)'' || 4 ''(+20)'' || 3 ''(+21)'' || 2 ''(+22)'' || 1 ''(+23)'' || 0 ''(+24)'' || No
|-
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_M15A1_(37_mm).png|right|thumb|x250px|37 mm ammo racks]]

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,800 (200) || 577 || N/A || N/A
|-
| Coaxial || 1,800 (200) || 577 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Common:''' {{Annotation|API-T|M20 armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|I|M1 incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|M2 armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|M20 armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - These rounds work well until the others are researched.
* '''API:''' {{Annotation|API-T|M20 armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|M8 armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|M20 armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - These are absolutely devastating in the AA role with slightly less performance against enemy tanks than AP.
* '''AP:''' {{Annotation|AP|M2 armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|M2 armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|M20 armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - These are best against enemy tanks at close range and do good damage to planes.
* '''APIT:''' {{Annotation|API-T|M20 armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - Better than API in all regards but not as good against tanks as AP, this is the belt of choice in almost all situations. Since every bullet is a tracer, it makes destroying aircraft much easier and detectability is not greatly increased over AP-I, however is increased a bit over AP.

{{:M2HB (12.7 mm)/Ammunition|AP, I, API-T, AP-I}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_M15A1_(12.7_mm).png|right|thumb|x250px|12.7 mm ammo racks]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''18''' || 12 ''(+6)'' || 9 ''(+9)'' || 2 ''(+16)'' || 0 ''(+18)'' || No
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


Compared to certain other SPAAs ([[ZSU-37]], [[Wirbelwind]], [[M13 MGMC|M13]], etc.) the M15 cannot be used effectively in an anti-vehicle role. The average [[BR|battle-rating]] is too high and the penetration value of the AP shells to low. While it does have increased armour compared to earlier models, it is still not strong enough against the devastating tank HE shells. However, the armour performs well versus the average aircraft armament.

With the 37 mm cannon the CGMC has a good tool against [[:Category:Bombers|bombers]] and [[:Category:Strike aircraft|strike aircraft]]. The ammo is limited though. Reserve the fire for certain hits. Against fighters the same tactic should be applied, while now the 12.7 mm HMG should be used as well, their ammo is limited, too. Without firing discipline, the M15A1 ammo will run out very fast.
[[File:M15A1GMC Normandy.jpg|thumb|left|Ingame screenshot of the M15 CGMC on the map Normandy.]]

Unlike many other SPAA this vehicle can continue shooting once it is reloading the big gun ([[M1A2 (37 mm)|37 mm cannon]] or the smaller calibre [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|M2 Browning]] guns). However, continued fire is not the strength of this machine. It simply lacks the ammo for it, 200 shells will earn some scores, but simply cannot compete with the constant rate of fire the German [[Sd.Kfz. 6/2]] As it has an extremely short reload time. The Axis counterpart has less armour overall, yet fire rate is 40 rounds a minute higher (~160 shells/min) and has 318 shots total instead of meagre 200. In addition, the German SPAA actually has efficient high-velocity rounds with 48 mm @ 100m (1.9 inches at 110 yards).
{{Clear}}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent armour, compared to its predecessors
* Armour to an extent can soak up 12.7 mm rounds, something the previous vehicles could not do
* Heavy armament setup
* Guns are fired separately, allowing for shots between reloading guns or tricking the enemy into misidentifying the vehicle as an M13 MGMC
* 37 mm can attack other tanks if necessary, though this is not recommended due to low penetration

'''Cons:'''

* Low ammo count, will run out easily
* Split armament causes different ballistics between them
* Different velocities for the cannon and machine guns
* Very slow fire rate for the 37mm gun for AA purposes.
* Open top turret, so the Turret crew is exposed
* Vulnerable against explosions
* Very uneven centre of gravity, may tip over in tight turns
* 37 mm ammunition is stored in the turret walls, it is easy to hit and is lethal to the crew and tank
* Cannot cover the front of the vehicle
* Lacks rapid reload on German and Russian counterparts

== History ==


===Development===
The history of the M15 CGMC, or Combination Gun Motor Carriage, the vehicle is derived from the prototype T28 CGMC. The T28 prototype was itself developed from the US Army Coast Artillery Corps T1A2 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage projects, which was designed around the current Army 37mm M1A2 Autocannon to be flanked with two .50 calibre M2 Browning machine guns on an M2 half-track. This vehicle was designated the T28, but failed evaluations in Aberdeen Proving Grounds due to the heavy recoil, causing the project to be cancelled in 1942. But the US Army Armored Forces required a mobile anti-aircraft system to support their tanks in combat, so the T28 was revitalized with modifications, using the larger M3 half-tracks as the basis instead with a newer site for target spotting, this modified variant was the T28E1 CGMC, and 81 of these were built from July to August of 1942 by White Motor Company. These vehicles did not have an armoured mount for the crew, leaving the gun and crew exposed to enemy fire, but after initial production, the vehicle was given an armoured shield and this was now designated the M15 CGMC.

The M15 CGMC had an M42 armoured weapon mount with two .50 calibre Browning machine guns side by side above the main 37 mm armament in the centre. Initial versions produced in 1943 accounted for 680 M15s built before modification with a lighter gun mount, lighter machine guns, and new sights. The M15s made from the M3A1 half-track chassis and were designated the M15A1 CGMC, which accounted for 1,052 units produced in 1943, and another 600 in 1944. This lead to a total production of 2,332 vehicles produced in the span of 1942 to 1944.

===Combat usage===
The M15 CGMC were first used in Operation Torch as the T28E1, when the Americans and British forces invaded North Africa. Crew usage was for the .50 calibre machine guns to fire tracers to bring the gun up to aim with the intended target. Performance of the M15 CGMC accounted for more than one hundred downed aircraft during the North African and Italian campaigns. During the invasion of Sicily, 78 T28E1s were available to provide anti-air protection for the invading force against the German low-flying planes such as the [[Ju 87 B-2|Ju 87 Stuka]] dive bombers. The T28E1s were still used all the way until the end of the war despite the development of the more armoured M15 half-tracks.

The M15s were organized into anti-aircraft artillery companies in the US Armored Divisions. In one company, there were eight M15 CGMCs and eight [[M16 MGMC]]. At higher levels, such as in the corps and army level, there were 32 of each vehicle available. The M15s accompanied its prototype in the Italian campaign, but also saw use in the Battle of Normandy and Operation Dragoon in France, and the rest of the fighting on the Western Front. Like the M16 MGMC, the M15 CGMC was used as both in an anti-aircraft role and a ground support role, supporting the infantry as they advance into territory where German aircraft prevalence becomes lower and lower. The M15 also served in the Pacific during the Philippines Campaign and the Battle of Okinawa in the same roles in the European theatre. During World War II, the M15 CGMCs were also given out in large numbers to allies, such as the Soviet Union. An attempt to upgrade the M15s to enhance firepower in the Korean War was done in Australia by converting the M15 CGMCs by removing the 37 mm and .50 calibre machine gun mount and instead of replacing it with a single 40 mm Bofors cannon. This modified M15 was unofficially named the M15 "Special" and was used during the Battle of the Philippines.

After World War II, many M15s were given to Japan under the Military Aid Program to support their new military formation. The M15s saw service again in the Korean War as an anti-aircraft and ground support vehicle. However, the M15 was classified as "limited standard" like its M16 counterpart due to its lower efficiency against the newer planes present due to advances in technology. The M15 "Special" was taken up as an improved version of the M15 and adopted due to the larger quantity of 40 mm ammo than the 37 mm, this caused the modified M15s to be designated the T19, then officially as the M34. The M15 was declared obsolete in 1946 and retired sometime after that, with the remaining ones given to Japan.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
Following the success enjoyed by the T28E1 CGMC in North Africa, US army command decided to launch full-scale production of a self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon with mixed armament. The weapon was standardized as the M15 CGMC.

The M15 was the M3 half-track personnel carrier with mixed cannon and machine gun weaponry: a 37 mm M1A2 cannon and two 12.7 mm Browning M2HB machine guns. The built-in gun mount was installed on a rotating, open-top turret on the floor of the personnel carrier's body. The mass-produced versions differed from the T28E1 in that they boasted an armoured shield to protect the crew and had a Browning M2HB machine gun with air-cooled barrels (the T28E1 had water-cooled Browning M2WC machine guns).

The M15 CGMC AA mount was produced by the Autocar Company from February to April 1943. In that time 600 were assembled, after which the vehicle was pulled from production due to its low reliability and manoeuvrability.

The M15 CGMC fought as part of the American army's AA divisions in the European theatre. The USSR received 100 units via Lend-Lease.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_halftrack_m15 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[Sd.Kfz. 6/2]]
* [[ZiS-43]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/3133/current/|[Vehicle Profile] M15 CGMC]]

{{TankManufacturer White Motor Company}}
{{USA anti-aircraft vehicles}}
[[Category:Half-tracks]]

M24

2023-05-02T03:50:57Z

U143100065: /* Survivability and armour */

{{About
| about = American light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other variants
| link = M24 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=us_m24_chaffee
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced along with the rest of the initial American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. The M24 Chaffee is a big improvement over the American light tank path from the [[M5A1|Stuart]] tanks, presenting a better driving handling and a 75 mm gun.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

The M24 Chaffee has thin armour on all sides, and can only effectively resist machine gun fire or very low-penetrating shells. Its crew members also sit very close to each other, increasing the chance of it getting knocked out by a single shot. The V-shaped gun mantlet might bounce some small calibre shells if you are lucky enough. However, don't rely on it as the rest of the tank is still poorly protected. It should also be kept in mind that the hatch on the front is weak to higher caliber rounds, so it is important to be careful when making advances as it is often targeted.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret, cupola)
* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 25.4 mm (44°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25.4 mm (13°) ''Front'' 12.7 mm (13°) ''Rear'' || 12.7 mm (71-74°) ''Top'' 19 mm (1-43°) ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm
|-
| Turret || 38.1 mm (8-40°) ''Turret front'' 38.1 mm (1-45°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (17-26°) || 25.4 mm || 12.7 mm
|-
| Cupola || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm || 38.1 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=459|rbMinHp=262}}

The M24 travels at an average of 40 km/h on/off-road which is the average light tank speed. It also responds fast when reversing. Thanks to its short and wide tracks it is able to turn quickly. However the acceleration is poor, making it to feel sluggish when performing short range manoeuvres.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|M6 (75 mm)}}

The tank offers the 75 mm M6 gun, which only differs from the [[M4|M4]]/[[M4A1|M4A1]] Sherman's 75 mm M3 gun with its slower reloading rate due to the smaller confines of the M24 Chaffee. The shells come in handy for certain tanks; they generally penetrate armour very well. It is rare to experience a ricochet or be to unable to penetrate any armour.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M6 (75 mm)|75 mm M6]] || 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" | 48 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24 km/h}} || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || rowspan="2" | 8.45 || rowspan="2" | 7.47 || rowspan="2" | 6.89 || rowspan="2" | 6.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:M6 (75 mm)/Ammunition|M72 shot, M48 shell, M61 shot, M64}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''48''' || 25 ''(+23)'' || 1 ''(+47)'' || No
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}

The two machine guns on the M24 Chaffee are the [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|.50 cal M2HB]] and the [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]. The roof-mounted .50 cal can traverse 360 degrees and has great depression & elevation, posting a big threat to any plane that is flying too close to the M24. It has an unbelievable penetration of 31 mm at 10 m, meaning it can easily penetrate plenty of lightly armoured vehicles and even the side of some low rank medium tanks. The 7.62 mm, on the other hand, can only efficiently damage exposed crews due to its low penetration.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The M24 Chaffee is a very good tank with a fairly interesting playstyle. Instead of being permanently stationed at a single point and continuously firing at an enemy, this tank offers impressive manoeuvrability and speed which allows it to perform impressive flanking manoeuvres. The M24 can travel at around 38 km/h forward and -25 km/h backwards. Its reverse speed is very good if a quick getaway by going backwards is needed. Thus, this tank excels at "peek-a-boo" tactics in which one hides behind a rock or other large piece of cover and repeatedly inches out to fire at an enemy.

An extension of this "peek-a-boo" tactic is to also use the tank's mobility for "scoot-and-shoot" tactics by firing and then moving to another firing location so as to prevent enemy tanks and tank destroyers from accurately guessing range. This can be difficult, however, as you must be very versed in your own tank's ballistics to make shots as you will have to estimate range on the fly. Don't think this means firing on the move - if you are going faster than 16 km/h (10 mph), the stabilizer will not allow for accurate shots, and it is only a vertical stabilizer.

Do not continuously shoot at a tank without backing up/moving. The vehicle's armour is very thin and will most likely be destroyed if it stays in one position and does not stop changing positions. Always try to get the first shot off in a head-on attack. The best shell to use is the M61 shell as its penetration and explosive filler make it better in almost every aspect than the M72 shell. You can try loading under 20 shells and you will be more survivable than players expect.

Another way to go around is to flank the enemy. If attacking with a more direct approach, keep hidden behind a building or boulder and pop out every now and then to take a shot at the enemy. Also, prioritize targets who are busy fighting others and cannot retaliate. Usually, after the first shot, it may disable their tank depending on what it is. Disabling the enemy tank's crew, tracks, engine, etc. allows for retaliation without the risk of any incoming enemy shells.

'''Enemies worth noting''':

* [[Sd.Kfz.234 (Family)]]: The M24, although agile, is still not the fastest tank at its rank. When your opposite team has Germany, you might want to reconsider the option of capping a point straight away, since the German Sd.Kfz.234 series are very likely to be there first. The [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]] is a turreted 8-wheel vehicle with a small profile, extremely high on-road speed and a powerful 50 mm gun. But it cannot turn in place, has a very slow turret traverse and only 8 mm of side hull armour, so a good tactic is to circle with it and utilise your stabiliser, fast turret and the piercing .50 cal. In an intense melee fight, you might miss your shots. Don't worry, your reliable .50 cal can penetrate the sides, or even the front of the puma easily. The [[Sd.Kfz.234/3]] and [[Sd.Kfz.234/4]], although being equally deadly, are turretless. You can use some quick turns to avoid their guns or tear through the thin armour plate protecting their gunners with your .50 cal.
* [[E.B.R. (1954)]]: this wheeled vehicle, just like the Sd.Kfz.234 series, is able to reach a remarkably high speed, especially on road. It is equipped with a deadly 75 mm cannon with autoloader, dealing more fragmental damage than the Sd.Kfz.234's and can therefore easily knock out the M24 with a single shot most of the times. The tactics vary a bit, as the E.B.R also has way faster turret traverse, therefore you do not want to "dogfight" it like how you deal with a Puma. You need to be more careful and try to ambush it. Utilise your advantages well, you have superior gun depression, explosive-packed shells, lots of smoke grenades and, most importantly, a vertical stabiliser.
* [[KV-1]], [[KV-IB (Germany)|KV-IB]], [[KW I C 756 (r) (Germany)|KW I C 756 (r)]]: The famous KV-series can cause a bit of troubles too. They are well know for their well-protected hull and turrets. The M24 can manoeuvre to point-blank range, line up your gun so it's pointing dead flat at the armour and fire. The 104 mm penetration of the M61 shell should punch a hole in the KV's armour with ease. If you are close enough but do not have the space to manoeuvre, shoot their gun barrel to prevent them from getting a shot off, then go for their turret ring or the vertical part on their gun mantlet, which is only 90 mm. For the KV-1B, do not try and fire at its turret from the front and side, as they are 105 mm thick and will never get penetrated. For the KW I C 756, aim for the cupola (50 m) or the gun mantlet (50 mm) to knock out the turret crew or the gun breech. Don't shoot at anywhere else, the shell won't penetrate.
* [[Churchill (Family)|Churchill]] tanks: The Churchills, with their complex hulls and sturdy turrets, can be quite hard to penetrate at range. Again, manoeuvre as close to them as possible, the idea distance being no more than 200 m. If they are angling their hull but facing their turret at you, only go for the turret. For the Mk I Churchills, aim at the near-vertical part of their rounded cheeks to ensure successful penetrations. For the Mk III and the German Churchill, also aim for their flat turret which is at most 89 mm. The shell should go in easily and knock out most, if not all of the crew. Only when you are facing their hull without any angles should you shoot the hull, otherwise shoot the turret only, as their big tracks can easily get in front of the frontal hull. The side hull have multiple layers of armour, some of which are weirdly angled and can absorb plenty of shells.
* [[M4A2]] / [[M4A4 (1st PTG)]]: these Sherman tanks are widely used by over 3 nations that spread across both the Allied and the Axis side, so no matter which nation you play they can be quite tough to destroy in the hands of a skilled tanker. Given the rather weak penetration of your short 75 mm gun, their hull can be almost impossible to penetrate when angled, hull down or 300 m away. For a M4A4, there are 2 apparent bulges on the upper front plate, a penetration through there can guarantee a knock-out most of the times. But in case the opponent covers them up or when it's a M4A2, aim for the middle parts of the gun mantlet or the turret armour unprotected by the mantlet, you can at least make them defenseless.
* [[StuG III G]], [[StuH 42 G]], [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]]: These German tank destroyers are deadly ambushers as well as well-defended frontline vehicles. They have low profiles which make them significantly less noticeable on the battlefield. They also have very thick or sloped armour. In particular, the StuG and StuH can have a maximum frontal thickness of 100 mm with additional armour, making them tough enough for the M24's 75 mm short cannon. Thus the M24 should avoid direct combat with them as they are difficult to penetrate and can easily knock out the M24. Fortunately, all 3 do not have a turret and were poorly protected on their sides, so flanking become a great tactic to finish them off. However, be aware that StuG and StuH can turn their hulls very quickly, so take that into account.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent mobility: good top speed and great turning ability
* Uses the same gun as the 75 mm Shermans: various shell types, great penetration & damage and excellent gun depression. M61 shell can easily knock out common medium tanks with a single shot
* Fast turret traverse allows it to track agile targets easily
* Low profile allows it to easily hide behind small bushes or rocks, increasing survivability
* Equipped with a vertical plane stabilizer, allowing for more accurate shots on the move or shoot-n-scoot tactics
* Pintle-mounted HMG allows for air defense and some anti tank ability (e.g. Marder III, Sd.Kfz.234 series, Breda 501, etc)
* 13 smoke grenades allow escaping from dangerous situation for many times
* Effective even in uptiers if used for flanking shots or hunting soft targets
* Very fast reverse allowing it to retreat from danger quickly

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: all-round thin armour and closely packed crews. Can get one-shot by common guns like 76 mm F-34 and 75 mm KwK40
* Acceleration is rather sluggish, especially when stock or on soft terrains
* On-road top speed is inferior to some wheeled vehicles like the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]] and other light tanks at its BR
* Shells drop dramatically at long distances, making distant / moving targets hard to shoot at
* Reload time is pretty slow for a light tank
* Low ammo count can be a problem in long games or RB/SB matches but not so low that ammo rack detonations are rare

== History ==

===Development===
As early as 1942, the light tanks [[M3 Stuart|M3]] and [[M5A1|M5 Stuart]] have been seen as severely lacking in the modernizing design of tanks and how they fight. The armour was seen as insufficient and the [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm gun]] was also deemed useless against even the standard German tanks like the [[Pz.III J|Panzer III]] and [[Pz.IV F2|Panzer IV]]. The system needed an upgrade, specifically a light tank that mounts the [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm gun]] seen on the [[M4|Shermans]]. An attempt to mount a 75 mm gun on a Stuart was deemed inefficient as it reduced ammo stowage and left the armour too thin on the design.

In April 1943, the U.S. Ordnance Department worked with Cadillac to start on a project for the new light tank, designated Light Tank T24. The powertrain and transmission of the M5 Stuart were used with the ultimate goal of producing a vehicle weighing less than 20 tons. This left the vehicle with relatively thin armour to stay lightweight. At the time, a lighter 75 mm gun was developed for mounting on the [[B-25J-20|B-25 Mitchell bomber]] without sacrificing performance, and this was mounted onto the light tank in development. The tank used 410 mm wide tracks with a torsion bar suspension that greatly improves cross-country travel. The engine was a Cadillac 44T24 V-8 petrol engine. The chassis was designed with the expectation that it would be used as a basis of many different vehicle roles so it was called the "Light Combat Team". The light tank end design had a low profile at 9 ft. 1 in. height and featuring a crew of five with a three-man turret, an improvement over the two-man turrets of the Stuarts. The first finished vehicle arrived on October 15, 1943, and was deemed a success, starting a contract for 1,000 units that was later raised to 5,000 units. The vehicle was classified as the Light Tank M24 and as the Chaffee by the British after US General Adna R. Chaffee, Jr., who helped develop some of America's earliest tank designs. The vehicle was produced by Cadillac and Massey-Harris from April 1944 to August 1945 with a total of 4,731 units produced.

===Combat usage===
The first batch of M24s reached the battlefields of Europe in November of 1944 and first assigned to the U.S. 2nd Cavalry Group in France. The M24 gradually entered widespread use by December 1944, some Chaffees went to the British to replace their Stuart tanks as well. The M24s were first used in the Battle of the Bulge with the 2nd and 42nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron sent to support the southern sector of the battle. The Chaffees were slow to enter use in the front-lines as even by the end of the war, some armoured division did not have the M24 light tanks. Despite that, the reception of the Chaffee was positive even though it may not have the firepower to fight the better German tanks like the [[Panther G|Panther tanks]]. The 75 mm gun gave the crew much more firepower than the earlier 37 mm. The light armour, though allowing the tank to pick up speed, was penetrable by most anti-tank weapons in service by Germany. The effect of the M24 Chaffee in World War II was deemed insignificant as it was not used in great numbers in comparison to the Stuarts in service since the start of the war.

The M24 Chaffee served a greater role in the Korean War and were sent in large numbers to combat the North Korean Armoured Forces, however, they were severely under-gunned with their 75 mm cannon and the light armour was easily destroyed by the Soviet-supplied [[T-34-85]] tanks. Plus, the deficiency in crew training also contributed to the poor performance of the M24 against the North Koreans. Due to their inferiority, they were used as a delaying measure until better tanks like the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8 Sherman]] and [[M26|M26 Pershing]] could be brought in. Once with supports with these better tanks, the Chaffees were relegated to reconnaissance roles, where they served with better results.

The M24, after being replaced in America by the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]], was sent to many other countries for use. The French Army deployed the M24s during their fighting in Indochina and famously in the Battle for Dien Bien Phu. Some M24s went to the hands of the ARVN in South Vietnam to support the troops during the Vietnam War. The Pakistani Army used them as well in 1971 against India during the Indo-Pakistani War. The M24 Chaffee was also adapted in different roles by using the chassis for different designs, such as the [[M19|M19 TGMC anti-air gun]] and self-propelled guns with the M37 105 mm HMC and M41 155 mm HMC.

The Chaffee had turned out to be one of the greatest light tanks the Allies developed during World War II. Though arriving too late to be a main turning factor for the war, the design has turned out to be so reliable that some countries like Uruguay still operate modernized versions. Austria has since retired its M24 fleet, but their turrets still serve on as bunkers.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
The experience of the M3 and M5 light tanks in the western desert proved that the era of light tanks with angular bodies and vertical suspension had come to a close. In 1943 work began on a completely new tank with the popular Hydromatic transmission and a carburetor engine made by Cadillac. The assignment, outside of strengthening the armament, was to keep the maximum weight below 18 short tons. As a result, a new hull with heavily sloped armour plates was developed. The turret gained a streamlined look with 37 mm armour.

The running gear was made up of five rubber-coated weight-bearing wheels and three supporting rollers in addition to forward, leading, and rear guiding wheels. The tank's main gun was a 75 mm M6 cannon with anti-recoil mechanisms around the barrel, something that made it much smaller. The tanks were fitted with coaxial and bow-mounted 7.62 mm machine guns.

The first T24 light tank prototype entered trials in October 1943. It turned out to be such a success that 1,000 units were quickly ordered, a number that later jumped to 5,000. Production took place at Cadillac and Massay-Harris factories, where 4,415 tanks were assembled between March 1944 and October 1945. The T24 was officially accepted two months after full-scale production began, receiving a new M24 designation. It entered combat in fall 1944 and was the American army's primary light tank through the end of the war.

The tanks sent to the UK via Lend-Lease were referred to as Chaffees.

The successful tank had a long career, fighting in the Korean, First Indochina, Vietnam, and Third Indo-Pakistani wars.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m24_chaffee Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|OwVN5bFIzaM|'''A Perfect Starter Light Tank - {{PAGENAME}} Chaffee''' - ''Virus''|vwrFDhWX1gg|'''Tank Chats #140 <nowiki>| M24 Chaffee |</nowiki> The Tank Museum''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}

== See also ==


;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[AMX-13 (FL11)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/2936--en|[Vehicle Profile] M24 Chaffee]]

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Department}}
{{TankManufacturer Cadillac}}
{{USA light tanks}}