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M18 "Black Cat"

2020-07-07T21:33:23Z

U49889558: Updated B.R

{{Specs-Card
|code = us_m18_hellcat_black_cat
}}
{{About
| about = American tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the regular version
| link = M18 GMC
}}~

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_M18BlackCat.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift Rank {{Specs|rank}} American tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. The M18 "Black Cat" is a gift version of the [[M18 GMC|M18 Hellcat]], with little difference in performance. As of [[Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy"|Update 1.89]], it is currently not available for sale on the [https://store.gaijin.net/storefront.php?category=WarThunder Gaijin Store].

The M18 "Black Cat" compensates the lack of anti-tank capability on U.S vehicles by having access to a 76 mm gun with APCR ammunition, all in the battle rating of 5.7. This makes the M18 able to fight off many of the high-ranking vehicles it could face like the [[Panther D|Panther D]], [[Tiger H1|Tiger H1]], [[KV-1_(ZiS-5)|KV-1]], [[KV-85]], and [[IS-1]].

Unlike the other tank destroyers known in the game, the M18 "Black Cat" has access to a 360° traversable turret, allowing players to have a greater arc of fire than a typical casemate tank destroyer like the [[StuG III G|StuG III]], but at the expense of a slightly higher profile. Americans tank destroyers also have very high manoeuvrability compared to other nation's tank destroyers, allowing it to flank the enemy.

The main weak point of M18 is its very thin armour, a feature that actually allows the M18 to reach its high speed. The thin armour makes it possible for any enemy tanks to penetrate the vehicle. A single hit would destroy many critical components in the M18 or cripple the crew. The only saving grace with this extremely thin ammunition is that standard AP rounds may over-penetrate the armour, doing minimal damage to the internals. Thus, when facing the M18, it's best to use AP rounds with explosive fillers or HE and HEAT rounds while avoiding usage of pure AP rounds and APCR.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 12.7 mm (39-64°) ''Front glacis'' 12.7 mm (23-52°) ''Lower glacis'' || 12.7 mm (23-26°) ''Top'' 12.7 mm ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm (12°) ''Top'' 12.7 mm (36°) ''Bottom'' || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm (15-26°) ''Turret front'' 19 mm + 25.4 mm (0-55°) ''Gun mantlet''|| 12.7 mm (1-21°) || 12.7 mm (7°) || N/A ''Open-top'' 8 mm ''Bustle and Front''
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 5 mm thick.
* The hull underside right above the tracks are only 8 mm thick.
* Tracks are attached the the turret rear, granting some 15 mm in thickness.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 653|rbMinHp= 407|}}

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|M1 (76 mm)}}
76 mm M1 is an extremely capable gun with a high damage potential and a very good gun handling. It can be found on tanks used up to battle rating 6.0, making it one of the most widely used guns throughout the battle ratings and with M18 being the first tanks to use it - it gives it a very high staying power throughout battle ratings. Once upgraded, the turret has very fair guidance in both: horizontal and vertical axis allowing to quickly catch pot-shots, though given exceptional mobility of the platform even it struggles to catch up with the near-instant hull rotation.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M1 (76 mm)|76mm M1]] || 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" | 45 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 21.13 || 29.25 || 35.50 || 39.30 || 41.79 || rowspan="2" | 7.93 || rowspan="2" | 7.02 || rowspan="2" | 6.47 || rowspan="2" | 6.10
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.60 || 24.00
|-
|}
===== Ammunition =====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
|-
! 10m
! 100m
! 500m
! 1000m
! 1500m
! 2000m
|-
| M62 Shell || APCBC || 127 || 125 || 116 || 106 || 97 || 89
|-
| M42A1 Shell || HE || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7
|-
| M79 Shot || AP || 155 || 154 || 131 || 107 || 88 || 72
|-
| M93 Shot || APCR || 221 || 215 || 203 || 181 || 154 || 124
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="11" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" |Velocity in m/s
! rowspan="2" |Projectile Mass in kg
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
''in m:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
''in mm:''
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° from horizontal:''
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
|-
! 0%
! 50%
! 100%
|-
| M62 Shell || APCBC || 792 || 7 || 1.2 || 20 || 63.7 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| M42A1 Shell || HE || 800 || 5.8 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 390 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| M79 Shot || AP || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
| M93 Shot || APCR || 1036 || 4.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity in m/s
! Projectile Mass in kg
! ''Screen radius in m''
! ''Screen time in s''
! ''Screen hold time in s:''
! ''Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):''
|-
| M88 || 274 || 3.4 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
|-
|}

===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
[[File:Ammoracks_M18GMC.png|right|thumbnail|300px|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
|-
| '''45''' || 37 ''(+8)'' || 27 ''(+18)'' || 17 ''(+28)'' || 9 ''(+36)'' || 1 ''(+44)'' || No
|-
|}

Turret empty: 37 ''(+8)''

When fighting in downtiers it's best to take only 17 shells, which allows the turret and sides of the tank to be empty of shells, notably increasing survivability. Otherwise, it doesn't matter how many rounds are loaded, as most hits against the tank will prove deadly regardless.

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
|-
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate (shots/minute)
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
|-
| colspan="4" | 800 (200) || 576 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

Before all, avoid colourful or bright decals. Camouflage is the main part of the M18's defence. Chances for good performance in battle are: be "invisible", fast and effective.
The M18's speed is its best ally. This speed has to be used for flanking manoeuvres and relocate. Not for trying to cross an open field, that will leave it open to enemy fire, speed is not a substitute for armour.

'''''Relocate''''': This movement will have to be done again and again. Choose a good spot wisely, remove the foliage if necessary to get a clear field of fire. When in the fire spot, use the gun depression and stay in a hull down position until a target is located. Once a target is locked on, aim at critical components. Try to immobilize the enemy by firing at the engine or transmission, or remove their firepower by shooting the gun or breech, or for instant destruction with an aim at the ammo storage. The last option can work very well or not, as skilled players only carry a few rounds of ammo.

If positive that the enemy hasn´t discovered the firing spot, go for another shot. Stay attentive that none of the enemy's teammates has also located the firing spot. If detected, hide immediately and relocate.

'''''Flanking''''': Flanking is the most dangerous manoeuvre of all because the vehicle will have to be exposed as it moves to the enemy's rear, but it is very effective when it's coordinated with other vehicles. A distraction is needed to gain the enemy's attention while the M18 makes its move. Isolated enemy units are very vulnerable to this tactic. Using the M18 speed to get to the rear and as the enemy heads toward the objective, the firing perspective should give a very clear view of the enemy's side armour. A good shot with the M62 APCBC shell could knock out the enemy rather quickly, but if using solid AP shots like the M79, aim at critical components on mobility and firepower before knocking out the crew or ammo stowage.

'''''Avoid flat terrain''''': Flat terrain means that the Hellcat will become an easy target for virtually any vehicle by exposure, especially when not moving or when moving in a straight line. Open plains are the bane of the Hellcat. Whenever possible, one should try to stay amongst hills.
=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Tier
! colspan="2" |Mobility
!Protection
! colspan="2" |Firepower
|-
|I
|Tracks||
|Parts
|Horizontal Drive||
|-
|II
|Suspension||Brake System
|FPE
|M79 shot||Adjustment of Fire
|-
|III
|Filters||
|Crew Replenishment
|M93 shot||Elevation Mechanism
|-
|IV
|Transmission||Engine
|
|M88
|
|-
! colspan="6" |This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* Overall mobility is superb, with very responsive manoeuvring that allows the Hellcat to excel in flanking manoeuvres
* Fast reload speed and turret traverse
* Stock APCBC round has great penetration and lots of explosive fillers, rarely requiring more than one penetrating shot to kill common tanks like M4, Cromwell, [[Tiger H1]] or [[Panzer V Panther (Family)|Panther]]
* Low profile, reducing target size and allows it to hide behind small bushes or rocks easily
* The nature of its thin armour means AP rounds have a tendency to pass straight through without damaging modules, and an APHE fuze may not even be triggered. For example the Russian 122mm will over-penetrate, dealing little damage.

'''Cons:'''

* Thin armour means rapid-fire autocannons, heavy machine guns, and aerial weapons could easily shred it. Beware of the [[R3 T20 FA-HS]], [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-2]] and [[Wirbelwind]]!
* Commander is exposed at the 0.50 calibre machine gun mount, and knocking him out would render the weapon useless
* Open-top construction means aerial strikes and artillery could rain havoc onto the crew
* Gun has poor penetration in an uptier, often can't penetrate anything frontally unless hitting a weak spot. The [[Ho-Ri Production|Ho-Ri]], [[Tiger II (H)]] and [[M26 (Family)|M26]] are frontally immune to this 76mm M1.
* Doesn't have access to APCR unlike its American counterpart.
* Rarely reaches 50 km/h in Realistic Battles, even in a straight line, therefore can be outran by the Sd.kfz.234 series or the [[R3 T20 FA-HS]]
* A moment of immobility due to a damaged engine or transmission could be a sign of impending doom for the M18
* Hull-break mechanics mean any explosions, HEAT or well-aimed AP round could instantly destroy the vehicle

== History ==

===US Tank Destroyer Doctrine===
The anti-tank doctrine established by the US military called for fast, powerful vehicles able to stop the German blitzkrieg tactics by ambushing the attacking tank forces. Unlike the other armoured fighting vehicles in the theatre, the tank destroyers were made to be placed in reserves to counter any breach in the front lines by taking out the enemy with ambushes. This role led to the desire for a fast vehicle with a powerful gun, the armour was not a concern due to the emphasis in speed. The initial response was the [[M10 GMC|M10 GMC]], made form the [[M4|Medium Tank M4 Sherman]] hull and mounting a 3-inch M1918 gun. While adequate at this role, it was no faster than an ordinary Sherman tank. The '''M18 GMC''' was a response to the problem to provide the tank destroyer force with a very fast tank destroyer.

===Development===
The origin of the '''[[M18 GMC|M18 GMC]]''' design came as early as December 1941 with the requirement of a Christie suspension and a 37mm gun. This requirement called for a radical new tank design rather than a derivative of the M4 Sherman. These requirements changed as the war progressed, the first change was to the new and innovative Torsion bar suspension from Buick Motor Division from General Motors and another change was to mount the British QF 6-pounder gun then in use on their Churchill Mark III tanks, the developed prototype vehicle was called the '''T49 GMC'''. Then the army wanted the heavier 75mm gun used on the Shermans on it, this prototype was designated the '''T67 GMC'''. Finally, the army decided to mount the 76mm gun also in development for the Sherman onto the prototype, now known as '''T70 GMC'''. Changes to hull shape and turret took place to accommodate all these new requirements and armament, but it eventually was approved for service and finally renamed as the '''M18 GMC''' and started production in mid-1943, which went on until ending in October 1944 with 2,507 units produced. A variant called the '''M39 Armored Utility Vehicle''' was also produced, its turret was removed for space for cargo, 8 personnel, or to tow guns.

===Combat usage===
These vehicles saw combat debut in the summer of 1944, where they are given the unofficial nickname '''"Hellcat"''' by the crews using them. Unlike the M10 tank destroyer that was built before it, the M18 GMC was purely made for emphasis on speed. Armour was restricted down to a maximum of 1-inch (25mm) on the turret front while the rest of the body plating is a measly .50-inches thick (12.7mm). The turret was also an open-top design similar to the M10 tank destroyer, meaning the crew are left exposed to the elements and enemy fire and shrapnel. These faults were mitigated by the fact that as its role as a tank destroyer, it was to have minimum contact with infantry and ambush enemy tanks in concealed position rather than face them in an offensive operation. Nevertheless, the M18 GMC were well liked by the crew for its 76mm cannon, which allows it to destroy the newer German [[Tiger H1|Tiger Is]] and [[Panther D|Panthers]] tanks from the front with HVAP ammo (though the Panther at close range only) when unable to flank around to the side or rear of these tanks. The speed was also astounding, reaching 55 miles per hour maximum, this makes the M18 GMC the fastest armoured fighting vehicle in World War II and was not succeeded until the third-generation main battle tank M1 Abrams. The name '''"Black Cat"''' came from the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company B where the naming practice for the battalion was the first letter of the company, then "Cats". Thus, a crew in Company B named their hellcat the "Black Cats".

While use in the Pacific theatre was limited due to the inadequate armour of Japanese tanks, it saw most of its service in the European theatre against Nazi Germany. Due to the lack in armour and emphasis on speed, the M18 crews utilize the "shoot and scoot" tactic in attacking the enemy from one position and quickly move to another before the enemy could find their initial firing position, this tactic confuses the German tanks, and could even lead them to believe there are more armoured enemy than what it appears. The M18 GMCs were present during the Battle of Arracourt in France as the 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Lt. Edwin Leiper led an M18 platoon of C Company and in the battle knocked a total of 15 German tanks for the loss of three M18; six of these German tank kills, most of which were Panthers, were credited to one M18 led by Sgt Henry R. Hartman. The M18 also played a crucial part in the Battle of the Bulge, where its top speed of 55 mph was finally put to good use in bypassing the enemy forces. Four M18 tank destroyers of the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion assisted the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in attacking the 2nd Panzer Divison and their support to kill the fuel lines to the German tanks. The overall attack had the M18 GMCs credited with at least 24 tank kills of the 30 total inflicted in the attack.

===Legacy===
Overall, the M18 GMC proved itself by having the highest kill to lose ratio to any other tanks and tank destroyer in American service, making it the most effective tank destroyer in American service. However, like its other tank destroyer brethren, it soon found itself obsolete along with the entire tank destroyer doctrine. Mainly due to increasing prevalence of well-armoured tanks that could do its job more efficiently such as the M26 Pershing, but also the lack of German AFVs at the time of the war and a study on ammo usage indicates that the tank destroyers spent more time supporting infantry with high-explosive shells than killing tanks with armour-piercing, rendering the anti-tank section an unnecessary component in the modernizing armoured forces.

Today, some countries in the world such as Yugoslavia still have the M18 Hellcats in reserves.

=== In-game description ===
The 805th’s M18 antitank vehicle was one of the most flamboyant. Its tactical designation was drawn in white against a black background. On the sides of the turret and body were white areas with two vertical black stripes and one horizontal one. On the sides of the body next to the mechanic’s station was a roundel of a cat biting through the body of the tank. It was the custom in the division to give their vehicles names, but the first letter of the “name” had to be the same as the company’s letter. So the first vehicle in company B was called “Black Cat”.

== Media ==

[[File:M18 GMC BC Insignia Garage.jpg|x250px|thumbnail|none|M18 "Black Cat" unit insignia on the hull side.]]

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/devblog/current/760/|[Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> M18 and M18 'Black Cat']]
* [[wt:en/news/2922-article-series-weapons-of-victory-m18-black-cat-en|[Weapons of Victory<nowiki>]</nowiki> M18 "Black Cat"]]

{{USA tank destroyers}}
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}

T-70

2020-06-25T00:30:45Z

U49889558: A grammer mistake in description was fixed

{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_t_70_1942}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_T-70.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41. The T-70 is a very good light tank for its rank location and should be taken seriously if seen on the battlefield.

The T-70 is an asymmetric vehicle with good mobility, average frontal sloped armour and the typical Rank 1 Soviet cannon: the [[20-К_(45_mm)|45 mm 20-K]]. It is manned by only 2 crew members, surrounded by two engines (right side), an ammo rack (left), transmission (front) and fuel tank (back).

This tank makes for a surprisingly good low-rank scout, and as an added bonus, can engage in front line combat when needed. The front armour is surprisingly strong and can bounce shots from several similarly low-rank opponents. The gun, while not the greatest, is very capable in combat.

The major drawbacks of this tank occur when it's engaged in urban combat, or against opponents with high penetration cannons. The side and rear armour is undeniably poor and combined with urban combat make it very easy to get flanked. This leads to the tank largest flaw, in that it only has two crew. One penetrating hit will usually be the tank's end.

Generally speaking in combat, stick to terrain with forests and hills. In these types of areas, the small stature of this tank can be used to hide it behind small hills, and use its gun for effective ambush attacks.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===


With sloped 50mm and 35mm on the turret and hull, the turret can take quite a beating and have sustained no lasting damage other than scratches on the glorious green paint. However, note that you only have 2 crew members in an extremely cramped crew compartment and, especially if your enemy has a tank of higher BR, you're unlikely to survive more than one penetrating hit. As like most tanks, the weak spots are the side and back but, thanks to our engineers in Stalingrad, the armor is also sloped, increasing the likelihood of bounces and non-penetration.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (62°) ''Front glacis'' 35 mm (33-71°) ''Driver's port'' 45 mm (31°) ''Lower glacis''|| 15 mm || 10 mm (70°) ''Top'' 25 mm (43°) ''Bottom'' || 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (7-59°) || 35 mm (0-28°) ''Side turret'' 15 mm (Armour joints) || 35 mm (29°) || 15 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 217|rbMinHp= 124|}}45 kph forward is nothing impressive compared to the Byhokstrodny series, but it does help you get out of sticky situations and it makes enemies harder to aim at your weak points.

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|20-K (45 mm)}}

The T-70 has a decent cannon for its BR. Although it's the same gun as the BT-5 and it's at 2.0, it is still sufficient to penetrate common enemies. Stock round has a maximum penetration of 70 mm. Combined with the 29 g TNT, it is almost certain that the T-70 will frontally one-shot every tank it will see. Even at more than 500 m away from the target, it still has 40-50 mm of penetration which is still enough to go through a lot of tanks' frontal armour. The tank has 6 degrees of gun depression which is only enough for some terrain, so it should be avoided to get into a hilly terrain. The 5 second reload (stock) isn't the best for its calibre which encourages the player to aim carefully at weakspots and disable the opponent in one shot. When facing heavily armoured tanks like the B1 and Matilda, the researchable APCR becomes pretty handy, but remember to only shoot at flat armour up close since APCR rounds lose penetration over distance or when hitting angled armour.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[20-K (45 mm)|45 mm 20-K]] || 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" | 90 || rowspan="2" | -6°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 5.71 ||7.91||9.60||10.62||11.29|| rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" |4.60|| rowspan="2" |4.24|| rowspan="2" |4.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 3.57 ||4.20||5.10||5.64||6.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| BR-240 || APHEBC || 70 || 68 || 59 || 50 || 42 || 35
|-
| BR-240SP || AP || 73 || 71 || 62 || 52 || 44 || 37
|-
| BR-240P || APCR || 106 || 99 || 72 || 49 || 33 || 23
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| BR-240 || APHEBC || 760 || 1.43 || 1.2 || 9.0 || 29.26 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| BR-240SP || AP || 757 || 1.43 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
| BR-240P || APCR || 1,070 || 0.85 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
|}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''90''' || 1 ''(+89)'' || Yes
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|DT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[DT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm DT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 945 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in the battles ==

Unlike later tanks, the T-70 presents a strange configuration: motor and turret are sided by side, meaning that exposing the tank's back will not immobilize it. With its turret definitively leaning to the left, a smart player will prefer going around corners with the obstacle on the right side of the tank. This tactic has two effects: it decreases the size of the target for the enemy and protects the crew with the engine block, at the expense of being immobilized if shot from the right side. Try to avoid being shot to the left side since there is a big ammo rack on the whole left side of the vehicle.

;Mobility:

* With two car engines crammed together, this small tank is less than 10 tons with 254 HP - a quite decent HP/ton ratio. The suspension is very smooth, providing ''some'' ability to fire on the move, but also making it more difficult to quickly engage an enemy after stopping, as the vehicle will keep rocking back-and-forth until the suspension settles. This puts T-70 at a disadvantage in sudden one-on-one encounters, so rushing for the nearest piece of cover instead of stopping to take aim may be a better option, unless the enemy is unaware of the light tank.

;Armour:

* While the hull's shape is similar to late and post-war Soviet vehicles ([[T-54 (1947)|T-54 1947]], [[T-44]], etc.), it is shorter and not angled as much. Still, this armour configuration is efficient and makes the most out of this little amount of steel, meaning the tank can bounce some shots if angled properly. The lower frontal plate, while thicker, is not angled as much, but transmission prevents most shots from injuring the crew when penetrating. The frontal armour of the turret is a semi-circular 50 mm thick steel plate, which provides decent protection at long ranges (very bouncy). Thanks to its small profile, this tank's turret are nearly invincible when hulled-down at ranges since no gun is accurate enough at this BR to efficiently take down the light tank. Beware the thin side armour, however - most HMG's can penetrate it, and the ammo rack located on the left side makes the tank even more vulnerable, so make sure it's protected.

;Firepower:

* Any player familiar with low-rank tanks will be comfortable with the [[20-K (45 mm)|45 mm 20-K]] cannon. Some peculiarities to the T-70 is its good gun depression of -6° and slow turret traverse.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Tier
! colspan="2" |Mobility
!Protection
! colspan="2" |Firepower
|-
|I
|Tracks
|
|Parts
|BR-240SP
|Horizontal Drive
|-
|II
|Suspension
|Brake System
|FPE
|
|Adjustment of Fire
|-
|III
|Filters
|
|Crew Replenishment
|BR-240P
|Elevation Mechanism
|-
|IV
|Transmission
|Engine
|
|Artillery Support
|
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good frontal armour
* Relatively good gun with high penetration
* Good machine gun
* Compact size makes it a small target
* Thick gun mantlet

'''Cons:'''

* Only two crew members
* Slow reloading
* Very vulnerable from sides
* Very slow turret traverse (hand cranked)

== History ==

===Development===
In 1942, advances in armoured warfare caused light tanks in Soviet service to be considered inadequate in terms of protection, firepower, and mobility in comparison to the all-around [[T-34 (1941)|T-34]] medium tank. The only advantage the light tanks present was that small factories could produce these, unable to handle the machining process of the medium and heavy tanks in Soviet service. The two light tanks in service however, the [[T-50]] and the [[T-60]] were inadequate in terms of Soviet doctrine. The T-50 was complicated and expensive to produce, and the T-60 had poor cross-country mobility and a weak 20 mm autocannon.

The '''T-70''' light tank was designed to solve this issue, though it started with a glaring mechanical issue of having two engines, one for each track. The '''T-70M''', a redesigned version that is still called the "T-70", fixes this with one engine on the right side of the hull and normal transmission layout. The turret was also changed in the "M" designation to be easily welded and moved to the left of the hull to compensate for the engine on the right. In the end, it was a 9-ton tank with a 45 mm gun and only had two crew members.

However, at this point of the war, it is increasingly clear that the light tank and the role of an infantry tank were obsolete. The T-70 was also insufficient of coordinating an armoured unit due to the two crew members, forcing the commander in the turret to be a gunner, loader, and radio operator as well. An attempt to remedy this was the [[T-80]] light tank design, which was a stronger T-70 with a two-man turret, but was deemed unnecessary and all light tank production ceased in October 1943, with the remaining ones issued to artillery units or other rear-echelon duties.

===Combat usage===
Despite its inferiority, the T-70 had a few moments to shine. On July 6, 1943, Lt B.V. Pavlovich of the 49th Guards tank brigade engaged and destroyed four German medium tanks near Pokrovka village. On March 26, 1944, Sgt Alexander Pegov of the Third Guards tank army in a T-70 tank ambushed a [[Panther A|Panther tank]] in a range of 150 to 200 meters with APCR rounds, setting it on fire. He immobilized another a moment later. The Panthers blocked a vital road as they were immobilized, and Pegov was decorated as a Hero of the Soviet Union.

The T-70 was also used as the platform for the SU-76 Soviet tank destroyer, featuring a wider and longer chassis. The main production variant for this tank destroyer was the '''[[SU-76M]]'''. The T-70 was also used as a basis for an anti-aircraft platform called the T-90 SPAAG. This was cancelled in 1943 in favour of the [[ZSU-37]] however, which is a repurposed SU-76M chassis.

The T-70 served all the way to 1948 in Soviet inventory. Despite its inferior status, it was a valuable war commodity as it helped fill in roles when the T-34 couldn't be spared to do so. About 8,226 of this vehicle was produced during its production life of 1942 to 1943.

=== In-game description ===
This tank was adopted by the Red Army in 1942 as a replacement for the Т-60 and put into mass production in three factories at once. In comparison to the T-60, it had stronger armour, more powerful weaponry and a powertrain consisting of two sequentially paired six-cylinder petrol engines. The transmission and driving wheels were placed in the front of the tank. The hull was welded together from rolled armour plates, and the welds were strengthened with rivets. The frontal and rear hull plates were set at a sloping angle. The vehicle was equipped with a 45 mm Mod. 1938 tank cannon and a DT coaxial machine gun. It was not equipped with a radio set.

T-70 light tanks served jointly with T-34 tanks in tank brigades and mixed regiments. They underwent their trial by fire in June-July 1942, suffering significant losses. Their first battles revealed the weaknesses of the new light tanks in combat. Their weaponry was not powerful enough to go toe to toe with German medium tanks, and their armour was insufficient for the tanks to be used for direct infantry support. In addition, there were only two tankers in the crew, one of which was overloaded with numerous responsibilities, and the vehicles had no means of communication. All of this significantly weakened their value in the units they operated in and led to increased losses.

According to some tank commanders, the T-70 was ideally suited for chasing retreating enemies, a characteristic which became important in 1943. The T-70's powertrain and running gear were more reliable than those of the T-34. This allowed them to make long treks. The T-70 was a quiet vehicle, in stark contrast to the roaring engine and rumbling tracks of the T-34, which could be heard from up to 1.5 km away at night.

== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''

== Read 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.''

''ETC.''

== Sources ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{USSR light tanks}}

Bf 109 B-1

2020-06-23T21:21:38Z

U49889558: Added a bit to the Survivability and Armour section

{{Specs-Card|code=bf-109b_2}}
{{About
|about=aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|usage=other uses
|link=Bf 109 (Family)
}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_Bf109B-1L.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update_1.49_"Weapons_of_Victory"|Update 1.49 (aka 1.70.1945) "Weapons of Victory"]]. The Bf 109 B-1 is the first of the fabled 109s that make up the bulk of the German fighter forces in War Thunder. Seeing combat in the Spanish Civil War, the B-1 allowed the Germans to acquire valuable combat experience and develop the 109s further.

== General info ==
=== Flight Performance ===
''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 438 || 432 || 9,000 || 23.5 || 24.0 || 5.8 || 7.4 || 210
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (meters/second)
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
|-
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
! AB
! RB
|-
| 491 || 465 || 9,000 || 20.6 || 22.0 || 16.2 || 10.2 || 210
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 789 || 320 || 500 || ~27 || ~12
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 370 || < 370 || < 420 || > 250
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 1,250 m || 670 hp || 704hp
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 2
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 3,200 m || 600 hp || 660 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
Despite having no armor this aircraft is ''very'' survivable. The first thing that you will lose is likely the engine. The engine is great for soaking up shots taken from head-on attacks, bombers, etc and saves your pilot from eating a storm of bullets (albiet you ''may'' die from a crash due to stalling). When fighting bi-planes and other 1.0-2.0 planes their bullets aren't very effective unless aimed ''correctly'', and most 1.0-2.0 pilots are just starting out and may not be good at aiming; coupled with good evasive maneuvers this aircraft can survive long enough to escape low-powered planes: saving your life.

== Armaments ==
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|MG 17 (7.92 mm)}}

The Bf 109 B-1/L is armed with:

* 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

== Usage in battles ==

Against fighters that are able to tank quite a few 7.92 mm, the best option to quickly dispatch an enemy is to aim specifically for the pilot.

Against bombers, the Bf 109 B-1 performs poorly. When engaging, aim for the engine or pilot. Due to its bigger hit box, the engine is the preferable of the two. This could cause an engine/fuel tank fire, making the task all the easier. Remember that propellers often take some time to 'stop spinning', so don't be misled into firing all you have into a single engine. A few good bursts will do the trick just nicely. Alternate to the second/third/fourth engine once you feel like the previous one had enough. Picking of the gunners might also allow you to stay behind the bomber, littering a certain area/ engine. However, this calls for some good shots and a loss of valuable time if you don't get them in your initial pass.

====Specific enemies worth noting====

The current (''1.73'') [[Matchmaker]] and [[BR]] systems are unkind to this plane. The Bf 109 B-1 runs the risk of meeting [[Hurricane_(Family)|Hurricanes]], a plane introduced to the [[:Category:Britain_aircraft|RAF]] in 1935 that has a far heavier armament and shorter snap turns. Against better performing enemies, the Bf 109 B-1 is not hopeless, but it will be tough. It is not exactly sturdy and will be quickly stitched to death by heavily armed enemies. Here, maneuverability is key, allowing you to roll out of an incoming attack quickly, setting up overshoots to keep the enemy at bay. A surprising number of players will lose their patience in such moments, making mistakes and thus nullifying their performance advantage. Nearly all planes of superior performance turn worse than a B-1, so if you manage to bleed their speed and pull them to the deck, you will be able to win a turning engagement. However, keep a watchful eye for better turning enemies such as biplanes.

====Counter-tactics====

The Bf 109 B-1 is going to be a rude awakening for those that flock to the 109s due to their historic reputation. While a capable pre-war fighter, it is severely lacking in firepower. Its two [[MG 17 (7.92 mm)|MG 17]]s 7.92 mm are just about adequate when engaging biplanes or [[I-16 type 5|I-16]]s, but lack punch against tougher opponents such as [[Hurricane Mk I/L|Hawker Hurricanes]]. Just about any enemy you might meet has either comparable or better armament.

What the plane lacks in firepower, it makes up in maneuverability, with the later trademark Bf 109 energy fighting capabilities displayed. A capable pilot can make this aircraft dance like any Messerschmitt, but it requires discipline, precision and effective use of the two MG 17’s. When engaging planes that are of the Spanish Civil War Era, the B-1 does best by using its speed and superior climb rate to place itself into an advantageous attack position, and then launching one concentrated attack after the other on its target. Remember to always recycle your speed into altitude and back as the fight progresses. Before zoom climbing back up from an attack, remember to extend a little bit to avoid getting picked off from a prop-hang. As you zoom up, check your surroundings to keep good situational awareness.

===Manual Engine Control===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" |Mixer
! rowspan="2" |Pitch
! colspan="3" |Radiator
! rowspan="2" |Supercharger
! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger
|-
! Oil
! Water
! Type
|-
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! Flight performance
! Survivability
! Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair, Radiator
|
| Offensive 7 mm
|-
| II
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
|-
| III
| Wing Repair, Engine
|
| New 7 mm MGs
|-
| IV
| Engine Injection
| Cover
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent agility, able to do very sharp turns
* Good energy conservation
* Very useful during dogfights since it is able to out manouver the oponent
* Has excellent control during slow speed

'''Cons:'''

* Not the fastest option at its rank
* Considerably weak armament
* May be too responsive for some players

== History ==

The Bf 109 B-1 came out of the prototype V series of the 109s to see combat in the Spanish Civil War. While the 109s faced various issues from engine performance/reliability to an obvious lack of 'punch', the experience proved to yield valuable data allowing for design improvement, ensuring the success of later Bf 109 models.

While the B-1 was the only production model of the 109 carrying the 'Berta' designation, later models that saw improvements to the variable pitch carried the unofficial designation of B-2. A B-1/Late did not exist but might be used by War Thunder instead of B-2.

A notable feature of the Bf 109 B-1 is its massive opening in the cowling. While production models carried a third MG 17 firing out of said cowling, this was nearly always removed after combat trials during the Spanish Civil War. Although the fixed gun was cooled by the air coming in through the hole, it proved unreliable and a detriment to the plane. The War Thunder Bf 109 B-1 does not have this MG 17.

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Mitsubishi [[A6M (Family)|A6M]]
* Bell [[P-39 (Family)|P-39]] Airacobra
* Curtiss [[P-36 (Family)|P-36]]
* Curtiss [[P-40 (Family)|P-40]]
* Dewoitine [[D.520]]
* Fiat [[G.55 serie 1|G.55]]
* Focke-Wulf [[Fw 190 (Family)|Fw 190]]
* Grumman [[F4F (Family)|F4F]] Wildcat
* Grumman [[F6F (Family)|F6F]] Hellcat
* Hawker [[Hurricane (Family)|Hurricane]]
* Heinkel [[He 112 (Family)|He 112]]
* [[IAR-81C|IAR-81]]
* Kawasaki [[Ki-61 (Family)|Ki-61]]
* Lavochkin [[LaGG-3 (Family)|LaGG-3]]
* Macchi [[C.202]]
* Macchi [[C.205 serie 1|C.205]]
* Mikoyan-Gurevich [[MiG-3 (Family)|MiG-3]]
* Morane-Saulnier [[M.S.406C1|MS.406]]
* Nakajima [[Ki-43 (Family)|Ki-43]]
* North American [[P-51 (Family)|P-51]] Mustang
* Polikarpov [[I-16 (Family)|I-16]]
* Supermarine [[Spitfire (Family)|Spitfire]]
* Yakovlev [[Yak-1]]
* Yakovlev [[Yak-9]]

== External links ==


* [http://www.messerschmitt-bf109.de/web.php?lang=de&auth=e&name=bf109b&versionscategory=3 "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109B subpage]
* [[Wikipedia:Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#Bf_109_A.2FB.2FC.2FD|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 A/B/C/D]]

{{AirManufacturer BFW}}
{{Germany fighters}}

LeKPz M41

2020-06-23T17:30:43Z

U49889558: Added an image of the LeKPz m41 and a video review of the tank as well

{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_le_kpz_m41
|display_name=leKPz M41
}}
{{About
| about = German light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other variants
| link = M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_leKPz_M41.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]].

Essentially a West German-operated model of the American [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]], the leKPz M41 features smoke grenades and a different ammunition selection in exchange for a higher battle rating. It offers scouting capability, powerful armament, and teammate support in a highly mobile package - especially valuable for players who do not own the premium [[Ru 251]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Lower glacis)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 28.5 mm (49°) ''Front glacis'' 63.5 mm (33-37°) ''Lower glacis'' || 28.5 mm || 28.5 mm (46°) ''Top'' 25.4 mm (1°) ''Middle'' 25.4 mm (20°) ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm
|-
| Turret || 44.4 mm (11-13°) ''Turret front'' 50.8 mm (2-43°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 31.75 mm (1°) || 31.75 mm (1°) || 12.7 mm
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels, bogies, and tracks are 15 mm thick.
* An extra 12.7 mm RHA metal plate is present on the right side of the turret near the pintle 7.62 mm machine gun.
* A 4 mm Structural steel box is present, mounted on the vehicle rear turret.

The M41's armour is very light and practically useless. With some luck, a few shots may bounce off of the turret if at an angle but don't expect that to happen often. As for the rest of the tank, it has no real armour and will be penetrated by any tank cannons at its rank. However, this means that APDS rounds used by some contemporary tanks will not create much spalling, which limits the post-penetration damage of poorly aimed shots. The armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses on APHE rounds, so be wary of instant knockouts. The most vulnerable part of this tank is the large turret. Three crew members are located here and most shots to the right of the gun will immediately destroy the tank. The turret does have a lot of empty space on the left side of the gun causing most solid shots there to do no damage. Still, avoid keeping the turret exposed, it is an enticing target for APHE rounds and a single one of those can send the tank back to the hangar.

Compared to some other contemporary light tanks like the [[Ru 251]] or [[T92]], the M41 is at least immune to heavy machine guns from the front and sides. It also cannot be hull-broken.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=775|rbMinHp=442}}

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|M32 (76 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[M32 (76 mm)|76 mm M32]]
|-
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
|-
| colspan="3" | 65 || -10°/+20° || ±180° || N/A
|-
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
|-
! style="width:4em" |Mode
! style="width:4em" |Stock
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| ''Arcade'' || 34.27 || 47.44 || 57.60 || 63.69 || 67.76
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 21.42 || 25.20 || 30.60 || 33.70 || 36.00
|-
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
|-
| 7.67 || 6.79 || 6.2 || 5.9
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| M319 shot || APCR || 206 || 200 || 174 || 146 || 122 || 103
|-
| M331A2 shot || APDS || 232 || 231 || 212 || 193 || 163 || 137
|-
| M352 shell || HE || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12 || 12
|-
| M496 shell || HEATFS || 254 || 254 || 254 || 254 || 254 || 254
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| M319 shot || APCR || 1,234 || 3.2 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
| M331A2 shot || APDS || 1,231 || 1.49 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 75° || 78° || 80°
|-
| M352 shell || HE || 732 || 6.8 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 867.2 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| M496 shell || HEATFS || 1,082 || 3.2 || N/A || 0.1 || 653.7 || 65° || 72° || 77°
|-
|}

The leKPz M41 has the same ammunition types as the [[T92]]. Unlike the original US M41A1, the stock round is the M319 APCR, which has poor angled penetration, low post-penetration damage, and is generally painful to use. Unfortunately, APCR is the only anti-tank round available until Tier 3 of upgrades. If forced to use it, aim for very flat armor, hope that this ends up causing some damage, and allow a teammate to finish the job. The APCR should be replaced as soon as possible by the unlockable M331A2 APDS, which is superior in all aspects. The APDS has high muzzle velocity and penetration, being decent against angled armour as well. It will penetrate the frontal armour of a [[M26|M26 Pershing]] or [[Centurion Mk 3]] with ease and can penetrate the turrets of most Soviet tanks. However, the upper glacis of the [[T-44]] and [[IS-2 (1944)]] are immune to it, and US heavy tanks like the [[T34]] can be tough customers. The best usage of APDS is for crippling targets. In frontal engagements, try to take out the enemy gunner or cannon breech first, and from the side, shoot for the engine or driver. Additional follow-up shots can be made as necessary to prevent return fire. Once the target is immobilized and neutered, the APDS can be fired at ammo racks or remaining crew members to deliver the coup de grace. This might take a few tries, and it's not uncommon for teammates to swoop in and secure the kill.

The unlockable M496 HEAT-FS round is one of the main selling points of the LeKPz. It has a lower muzzle velocity than the APDS and can be interrupted by bushes or fences, but it does offer slightly better flat penetration and significantly better angled penetration at any distance, which can help against hard targets. It is also more helpful against light targets as the explosive content allows it to hull-break SPAAs and other light tanks. The post penetration damage is otherwise nothing special. While inferior overall to the Ru 251's HEAT-FS, it is still worth taking.

The stock M352 HE shell can cause hull-breaks, but is otherwise useless. Once the HEAT-FS is unlocked, the HE should be avoided as it has significantly worse ballistics and utility in return for only slightly more explosive content.

The leKPz M41 does not have the M339 AP shot or the M361 smoke round from the US M41A1, which makes it more difficult to finish off crippled targets and blind enemies from afar.

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks M41A1.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo rack]] of the LeKPz M41.]]
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''65''' || 55 ''(+10)'' || 39 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+64)'' || style="text-align:center" | No
|-
|}

The ammo racks of the leKPz M41 are the same as the original M41A1. Ammunition tends to be stored initially in the fighting compartment and there is an enormous ammo rack to the right of the driver which would normally be a large survivability issue. However, since this is a light tank with little expectation of survivability to begin with, in practice this is not a huge problem. It is still recommended to take less ammo such that the fighting compartment is mostly empty. This way, penetrating rounds with punctual damage are less likely to blow the tank sky-high from shots aimed at the side or at the driver.

Keep in mind that due to the low post-penetration damage of its ammunition, the M41 goes through its APDS and HEAT-FS rounds quickly. Keep a reasonable number of them in stock to avoid having to run to cap zones frequently.



=== Machine guns ===

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 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 || 2,175 (200) || 576 || -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 || 4,900 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The leKPz M41 is best used as a support tank, covering teammate advances and scouting enemies from afar. While it can be used for brawling, the terrible armour, bouncy gun handling, and inability to destroy enemies quickly mean that this role should be left to other tanks if possible.

At the start of the match, use the mobility to move up and find a good vantage point. Stick close to cover and watch carefully for enemies. When they appear, scout them and wait for an opportune time to attack, perhaps when they have been distracted by teammates or are not looking in the M41's direction. As mentioned earlier, it is important to cripple enemies quickly quickly and efficiently to avoid return fire, at which point they can be dismantled at one's leisure or left for teammates to clean up. A good M41 user can keep multiple tanks disabled at the same time, turning the tide of battle.

Move up or otherwise switch positions every once in a while to avoid retaliatory flanks or bomb deliveries, and keep a comfortable distance away from where enemy tanks are expected to appear. Only advance to capture points if the coast is clear, and again, this job is better left to heavier tanks. Note that unlike the Ru 251, the M41's large profile and comparatively worse mobility make long flanks and aggressive pushes more risky, and these tactics are not preferred.

The good optics, decent gun depression, and high velocity APDS/HEAT-FS make the M41 a good sniper. Most enemies that it will encounter do not require precise aiming to penetrate unless the tank has been uptiered. Just be prepared to reverse into cover or pop smoke if the target only sustains superficial damage. Watch out for other light tanks like the [[T92]], [[M56|M56 Scorpion]], and [[Type 63-I]]. They are capable of dispatching the M41 with ease and their high mobility makes them difficult to account for when wrangling multiple opponents. The best tools against these are HEAT-FS and the M2 Browning machine gun. Thankfully, as a German tank, the M41 will usually not face the Ru 251 in realistic battles.

Stick close to trees or tall buildings if aircraft are around. The M41's size and bulbous turret makes it easy to spot and even aircraft armed with heavy machine guns can penetrate the roof easily. It should go without saying that bombs and rockets are also very lethal.

Remember to scout enemies as often as possible. This makes it much easier for your teammates to stay alive and dispatch them, and when the latter happens a reward is given and the SP cost of aircraft is reduced. A successful run can result in very cheap aircraft spawns, which is a good consolation if the M41's career ends with a revenge bomb or untimely snipe from a camping opponent. Do not fret if not many kills are achieved, it is common to rack up lots of assists and still contribute a lot to the team - definitely nice considering the difficult stock grind.

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Mobility
! Protection
! colspan="3" | Firepower
|-
| I
| Tracks
|
| Parts
| Horizontal Drive
|
|
|-
| II
| Suspension
| Brake System
| FPE
| Adjustment of Fire
| Airstrike
|
|-
| III
| Filters
|
| Crew Replenishment
| M331A2 shot
| Elevation Mechanism
| NVD
|-
| IV
| Transmission
| Engine
|
| M496 shell
| Artillery Support
| Improved optics
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Agile tank, has good reverse speed and can turn in place
* Good top speed 72 km/h (average speed is more around 35-40 km/h)
* Fast turret traverse
* Fast reload rate
* Has access to the same HEAT-FS shell as the T92
* .50 cal AA machine gun with good coverage, for use against aircraft and light targets
* Equipped with smoke grenade launchers
* Can fulfill the role of the Ru 251 for players that don't have it

'''Cons:'''

* Large profile for a light tank
* Bad armour, can be ripped to shreds by all the AA guns at the tier
* Armour is thick enough to fuse APHE rounds
* All ammo types cause punctual post-penetration damage
* Painful stock grind that begins with an APCR stock shell
* HEAT-FS is mediocre

== History ==


===Development===
The U.S. Army light tank in the latter part of World War II, the [[M24|M24 ''Chaffee'']], was a promising design but was deemed not effective for the future of armour encounters. Though its role as a scout was seen as needing the 75 mm gun, the army wanted a tank with a better gun to have a more equal chance against tanks. The project began as the ''T37'' program in 1947 with the focus of being air-transportable with an anti-tank capability in the form of a 76 mm gun and a rangefinder. The adoption of a simplified rangefinder had the project designation changed to the ''T41''. After testing and evaluations, the ''T41'' model was accepted into service as the '''M41 ''Little Bulldog'' ''', with production starting at Cadillac Cleveland Tank Plant in 1951. The name ''Little Bulldog'' stayed until General Walton Walker, the first commander of the 8th US Army in Korea, died in a car accident, so the tank was renamed into the '''M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' ''' in remembrance. Production went from 1953 to somewhere in the late 1960s with about 3,728 units produced.

The M41 light tank would go on to replace the M24 ''Chaffees'' by 1953. The M41 had a crew of four, commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The tank had a profile of under 9 feet and 19 feet long. The tank was lightweight at 23.5 tons and thus had rather thin armour, with the front armour only 25.4 mm thick (sloped at 60 degrees for about 50 mm effective). However, the tank was very agile with its torsion bar suspension and Continental AOS 895-3 series 6-cylinder gasoline engine of 500 hp which could deliver a road speed of 45 mph with a 100 miles operating range. Unfortunately, the tank was criticized for being noisy, a fuel-guzzler, rather heavy, and the American crewman found the ''Bulldog's'' interior to be quite cramped. Despite that, it delivered speed, firepower, and reliability in a light tank format. Several upgrades were made on the M41 with better technology, the '''M41A1''' had a hydraulic turret traverse with more ammo storage, the ''M41A2'' had a new fuel system, and the ''M41A3'' are old M41A1 tanks with the new fuel system from the M41A2.

===Combat usage===
The M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' first saw use in Korea in a limited combat run. The tanks, still labelled their experimental designation T41, were sent for field testing on design deficiencies. It is unknown what other purposes they served there except for the tests. Their first major conflict once adopted by the U.S. Army was in Vietnam, mainly by replacing the M24 ''Chaffees'' in service with the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) at the time. The M41A3 tanks arrived in January 1965 and were instantly popular; not only for their advantages, but the previously cramped interior for American crews were actually a perfect fit for the smaller Vietnamese armour crewman. The ''Bulldog'' went on to fight in the Vietnam War as a reliable war machine. The ''Bulldog'' had an advantage due to its lightweight in manoeuvring in the jungle terrain of the region. In 1971, Operation Lam Son 719, the disruption of the North Vietnamese Army supply lines had the M41 ''Bulldogs'' play a major role, accompanied by two airborne battalions and two cavalry regiments. Penetrating deep into enemy lines, the 17 M41 tanks engaged and destroyed six Soviet-designed [[T-54 (1951)|T-54 tanks]] and other lighter armoured vehicles. This engagement came at a loss of 5 M41 and 25 armoured personnel carriers. By 1973, the ARVN still used about 200 M41 tanks while the transition of the American unit over to the [[M48A1|M48A3 ''Patton'' tanks]] in Europe and Stateside. The M41 light tanks were also exported to various other countries. Today, Guatemala, Somalia, Taiwan, Uruguay, and Vietnam still use the M41 ''Walker Bulldog'', some via upgrading the tanks to extend their service life.

The M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' design was advanced for the time, giving a relatively lightweight tank the firepower to take on other tanks of its time period. The chassis was even used on the ''[[M42|M42 ''Duster'' Anti-Air gun]]'' and the ''M75 Armored Personnel Carrier''. The drive, engine, transmission, and auxiliary engine also were used in the ''M44/M52 155 howitzer''. By 1969, the US Army began replacing the M41 with the newer [[M551|M551 ''Sheridan'' Armored Airborne Reconnaissance Assault Vehicle]] (officially not a "light tank") which had a [[M81 (152 mm)|152 mm cannon]] that could fire shells and [[Anti-tank guided missiles|anti-tank missiles]]. The M551 ''Sheridan'' could be used in roles that the M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' couldn't do, such as be air-dropped and amphibious but was rather unreliable. This made the M41 ''Walker Bulldog'' to be the last American "light tank" produced and the last made before the classification between tank classes based on weight and role ended.

=== Usage by the Bundeswehr (leKPz M41) ===
The leKPz M41 (short for leichter Kampfpanzer M41 (light MBT M41) was the Bundeswehr variant, serving in the West German Army from 1956 to 1969. The leKPz M41's served in Panzeraufklärungsbatallionen (tank reconnaissance batallions) and Panzerjägerbataillionen (tank destroyer batallions). Very few served in Panzergrenadierbataillionen (tank grenadier bataillions). From 1969, the leKPz M41 was replaced by the [[Leopard 1]] in reconnaissance bataillions and by tank destroyers like the [[JPz 4-5]] and the [[RakJPz 2]] in tank destroyer bataillions. Variants with a slightly modified chassis of the M41 remained in service in the form of SPAA (Flakpanzer M42) as well as in the form of tank howitzers (lePzH M52 and mPzH M44).

== Media ==
[[File:LeKPz M41 Firing.jpg|alt=LePKz M41 firing its main gun|none|thumb|LePKz M41 firing its main gun]]
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Cgaf_UMQuE] – A video review on the LeKPz M41

== 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 ==


* [http://www.panzerbaer.de/types/bw_lkpz_m41-a.htm <nowiki>[Panzerbaer.de] DER SPÄHPANZER M41 (Bw)</nowiki>]

{{Germany light tanks}}

File:LeKPz M41 Firing.jpg

2020-06-23T17:17:32Z

U49889558:

LeKPz M41 Firing Its main gun on a winter map