War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

USS Helena

2020-07-03T10:23:56Z

U5715377: Added lots of pros and cons, added info about survivability and armor

{{Specs-Card|code=us_cruiser_brooklyn_class_helena}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium rank {{Specs|rank}} American cruiser {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.93 "Shark Attack"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
Armor on Helena is pretty strong for a light cruiser, as it can definitely hold out against large caliber HE shells. One should remember that Brooklyn class cruisers often times could survive a torpedo hit, so if you have enough crew, you can easily tank one or even two torpedoes. Your main concern while playing Helena should be high caliber AP shells, as they can wreck your ship in no time, especially if they are coming from fast reloading guns like American 5"/38 or if they are shot at you by a ship with lots of guns like Suzuya.

Turret face armor is 165 mm, side, rear and top armor are 76 mm, 76 mm, and 51 mm thick respectively, and mantlets are 100 mm of RHA. Barbettes are 152 mm of rolled cemented armor. Secondaries are protected only by 32 mm of antifragmentation armor, so expect them to be knocked out as soon as any high caliber shell hits them.

Bow ammo magazines are protected by 51 mm of antifrag armor on the top and sides, and 127 mm of antifragmentation armor in the front. They are also hidden deep below the waterline and behind fuel tanks, which makes them a very difficult target. Aft shells and charges are protected from the top and rear by the same armor as bow magazines, but since there are no fuel tanks, they get 120 mm rolled cemented armor as side armor. Rear of the bow ammo stowage and front of the aft ammo stowage are protected by 95 mm of rolled cemented armor. Ammo elevators are protected by 127 mm of antifragmentation armor.

Bridge is protected by 127 mm of antifragmentation armor on the sides and 57 mm of the same armor on the top.

Thanks to unit system (engines and boilers are alternating inside the hull) it's very hard to disable propulsion on the ship, even with a torpedo.

=== Mobility ===
''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.''

== Armament ==
=== Primary armament ===
''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{main|Weapon name (calibre)}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.''

=== Secondary armament ===
''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.''

=== Anti-aircraft armament ===
''An important part of the ship's armament responsible for air defence. Anti-aircraft armament is defined by the weapon chosen with the control <code>Select anti-aircraft weapons</code>. Talk about the ship's anti-air cannons and machine guns, the number of guns and their positions, their effective range, and about their overall effectiveness – including against surface targets. If there are no anti-aircraft armaments, remove this section.''

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''

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

* 2 x triple-mount 6 inch and 2 x dual-mount 5 inch cannons can fire straight ahead, allowing decent firepower while only exposing a small silhouette towards the enemy
* Extensive use of antifragmentation armor, rendering Helena as almost HE-"proof"
* Best citadel armor out of all light cruiser in the game
* One of the highest fire rates out of all light cruisers (10 rpm)
* It's very hard to disable all of the engines with one torpedo hit, thanks to unit system of machinery (transmission and engines are alternated inside the ship)
* Highest ammo count out of all cruisers
* Shells and charges are hidden below waterline, are protected by loads of antifragmentation armor, rolled cemented armor and fuel, making it very hard to one hit kill Helena
* Second thickest turret face in the game (only Chapayev and Sverdlov have thicker turret armor)
* Second best AA in game in terms of amount of guns, best AA in game in terms of ammo and flexibility (out of all light cruiser that is)
* Mobility is comparable to other ships (except top tier Japanese and Italian cruisers)
* Bridge is protected by 127 mm of antifragmentation armor
* One of the highest crew counts in the game

'''Cons:'''

* Citadel and ammoracks are well armored, but other parts of the ship are protected by only 16 mm of antifragmentation armor
* There are some shells hidden inside barbettes, so unlucky hit may cause heavy fires or even one hit kill a ship
* Auxiliary turrets have their first stage ammo stowages unprotected, so unlucky hit may caus heavy fires
* Second worst 152 mm penetration in game (but it's still enough to kill any vessel)
* Turret No. 3 can shoot only when retreating or when showing broadside

*

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

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

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

* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{USA light cruisers}}
{{USA premium ships}}

Bostwick's P-47M-1-RE

2019-10-10T19:15:16Z

U5715377: Added lots of text to "Usage in battles" and "Manual Engine Controls" sections

{{Specs-Card
|code = p-47m-1-re
|store = 4855
|cockpit=334581/1111233
}}
{{About
| about = gift American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = P-47 (Family)
}}

== Description ==


[[File:GarageImage_Bostwicks_P-47M-1-RE.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
'''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. This fighter was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. The Republic P-47M was the fastest of the production model Thunderbolts. The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of American pilot George E. Bostwick in the US Army Air Force in the 56th Fighter Group.

The P-47M is a high-altitude interceptor that has impressive armament and ordinance that serves it well in both the fighter and Close Air Support role. In Air RB, it is currently unequalled in performance at a 5.7 battle rating, possessing ridiculous top speed, competitive climb rate, decent energy retention, great armament, and surprising manoeuvrability at speed.

As such, the P-47M is best played to its strengths as a Boom & Zoom and Boom & Run fighter in Air RB. In Ground RB it is an excellent fighter bomber with a good rocket/bomb load-out and .50 cals that can deal with most turret roofs.

The M variant was specifically setup to intercept Germany's buzz-bombs and the new [[Me 262 A-1a|jet]]/[[Me 163 B|rocket]] powered fighters. The primary advantage of this new variant came through speed. The aircraft was powered by either a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-14W or R-2800-5 engine while using the CH-5 turbo-supercharger. The aircraft was able to produce 2,800 hp, giving it higher top speed.

In War Thunder Air RB, the P-47M sits at a battle rating of 5.7 while having the performance qualities of super-props. Top speeds above 5 km exceed literally any opponent besides the Ta-152 H-1 (which is only capable of competing at around 9-10 km). Climb rate is great, at around an average of 23 m/s from 0-6000 m. WEP is available for up to 12 minutes to maximize engine output.

Interestingly (besides the better engine), the P-47M gets a unique airbrake which makes it very easy to stick behind the tails of opponents in a high-speed dive.

== 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 9,144 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
|-
| 720 || 702 || 12,200 || 25.6 || 26.2 || 8.3 || 10.8 || 500
|-
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
|-
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,144 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
|-
| 801 || 760 || 12,200 || 22.8 || 24.0 || 27.6 || 15.9 || 500
|-
|}

====Details====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flap
! Take-off flap
! Landing flap
! Air brakes
! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || 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
|-
! +
! -
|-
| 910 || 450 || 520 || ~14 || ~6
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
|-
! Ailerons (km/h)
! Rudder (km/h)
! Elevators (km/h)
! Radiator (km/h)
|-
| < 380 || < 420 || < 450 || > 250
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
|-
! Optimal altitude
! 100% Engine power
! WEP Engine power
|-
| 9,320 m || 2,220 hp || 2,826 hp
|-

|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* 9.5 mm Steel - Seat back and headrest armour plate
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windscreen

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

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

'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 8 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns, wings-mounted (425 rpg = 3400 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|HVAR}}

'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

* 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb (500 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb + 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,500 lb total)
* 10 x 127 mm HVAR rockets
* 10 x 127 mm HVAR rockets + 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (500 lb total)
* 10 x 127 mm HVAR rockets + 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 10 x 127 mm HVAR rockets + 1 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb + 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,500 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==
First of all, P-47 should '''always''' fly fast. No matter the altitude, it is recommended to fly at speeds higher than 520 kph (~320 mph). One of the few things P-47 is terrible at is dogfighting. Imagine a truck loaded with cement with wings strapped to the side. Congratulations, you just seen P-47 at low speeds. Now, with this out of the way you must remember one thing, and one thing only, fly high, like, really high. The higher the P-47 goes the better the engine performs compared to its potential adversaries. The best altitude for P-47M is 9000 meters (~30k ft), but it still can perform very good at altitudes ranging from 6000 meters (~20k ft) to 8000 meters (~26k ft). P-47M's engine can easily overheat when using WEP, but most of the time disabling WEP for few seconds will be enough to cool down the powerful Pratt & Whitney powerplant hidden under the hood.

====== '''Modes''' ======
'''Arcade:''' In AB P-47M's pilot can pretty much forget about most of the things mentioned above, just put your throttle to WEP, climb above your enemies and Boom and Zoom them to death. Just watch out for those annoying Spitfires, Fw 190s and Bf 109s as they can climb as good as you and they often have cannons which can shred your plane to pieces.

'''Air Realistic:''' In RB P-47M's pilot should '''not''' take any additional armaments such as bombs and rockets, they will only slow down the plane and make it an easy prey for Bf 109 K-4s, Ta 152s and Fw 190s. As soon as you take off from the airfield divert 30 degrees to left or right (depends on where the middle of the map is, just don't climb towards middle), engage WEP and climb at ~17-18 degrees, the best speed for climbing ~267 kph (~165 mph). When you reach altitude of about 5500 meters (18k ft) start to gradually turn towards the middle of the map. Watch out for any enemy planes coming towards you, especially the Ta 152s and Bf 109 K-4s are the biggest threats as they have similar performance to P-47M. At ~6000 meters you will notice that climbing at 18 degrees makes your plane go slower, just change the angle to 10-15 degrees, or you can just stop climbing since you will probably be above everyone. Then, I recommend you to fly at 0 degrees and gain some speed, not more than 400 kph (~250 mph). Now is the time you will reign supreme over the skies, look around you, see if there are any enemy planes spotted and pick off the easiest targets, preferably slow flying fighters that fly straight. If you cannot see such targets go for other fighters, 109s and G.55s are your priority targets, they can easily kill you if you are not careful. Always perform powered dive, and if you feel you're going too fast just use the airbrakes, the biggest advantage of P-47M over the D-series and other non-allied prop fighters. When you are over with the "Boom" part of the flying do not climb outright, run away from the enemies (preferably towards your teammates). When you gain ~3 km (~2 miles) of separation from enemy planes you can do the "Zoom" part of the tactic or keep running if you're feeling that the enemy planes could catch up to you. Climb at 10 degrees and gain enough altitude to ensure that you have energy advantage above enemy planes. In most dire situations you can try to go for headon (only if you have at least 2.5 km separation from the enemy) but it's not recommended to do that as you will most likely get your engine damaged. In the worst case scenario you will catch fire and probably die. If you see that someone is diving on you try to make him/her overshoot, call for help and fly towards your closest teammate. You can shrug off few hits to the fuselage but anything that touches your wings and elevators will most likely kill you. Flying with your friends also helps as you can quickly call them to assist you. If you're the only one left on your team you should climb, look out for enemy fighters and BnZ them, just keep in mind that P-47 is not the best plane to do 1v2 in. Try to separate enemies and pick them off one by one.

The last thing you should do in P-47 is groundpound. Taking bombs and rockets will make your plane even more sluggish than it already is and because of that you will have to fly near the ground, and that is a death sentence for P-47. I also wouldn't recommend going bombers, they are not priority targets and often you will lose lots of ammo trying to kill them, and there is possibility that they will be able to set you on fire or even shoot off your wing.

I would want to mention the two schools of thought regarding the belts for .50 cals. The first one says that you should use Ground Targets belts because of the high amount of AP rounds that do lots of damage and can easily shred anything hit with them. The second one says that you should use Tracers because they have the biggest chance of setting the enemy on fire which will eventually lead to their death. But, there's one thing everyone agrees on: Don't use Default belts, they are garbage.

===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" | Controllable
Automatic control available
| rowspan="2" | Controllable
No automatic control
| rowspan="2" | Controllable
No automatic control
| rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Controllable
1 gear
| rowspan="2" | Controllable
|-
|}

===Modules===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="1" | Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! colspan="1" | Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage Repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 12 mm
|
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
|
| FMBC mk.1
|-
| III
| Wings Repair
| Engine
|
| New 12 mm MGs
| FRC mk.2
|-
| IV
| G-Suit
| Engine Injection
| Cover
|
| FLBC mk.1
|-
|}

* All modules and improvements are unlocked from the start. The Tracer belts are the most popular for Air combat, while several other ammunition belts are optional for uses such as ground attack.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Forgiving aircraft
* Eight deadly .50 cal M2 Brownings
* Good ground-attack ordinance selection
* Unrivaled high altitude performance
* Very good high-speed manoeuvrability
* Good climb rate, on par with the Bf 109 G-2
* Almost unrivaled top speed
* Airbrakes
* Radial engine is generally resistant to damage
* Access to premium bonuses in SL and RP

'''Cons:'''

* Payloads encourage a low-altitude attacker play style, playing into P-47M's disadvantages
* Poor low-Speed manoeuvrability
* Mediocre low altitude performance
* Large size and wing span makes it an easy target when the enemy has lead
* Engine damage is very likely in head-ons
* Engine easily catches fire when hit by 13/15/20 mm shells

== History ==


Four P-47D-27 Aircraft were pulled form the production line at the Farmingdale factory and were fitted with the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57(C) engine. They were also equipped with a larger CH-5 turbo-supercharger allowing the aircraft to reach 2,800 hp at 32,000 feet. Air brakes were also added underneath the wings to aid in deceleration and recovery during dives. These four prototypes were re-designated YP-47M.

The engine installations were eventually added to the last 130 P-47D-30s from Framingdale in Sept of 1944. They were all re-designated P-47M-1-RE. It is important to note that the under-wing racks were not fitted to this aircraft. It was intended to be strictly a fighter. They were delivered in Dec. of 1944. The dorsal fins were later added as a field modification.

The M-variant saw service with the 56th Fighter Group but problems with the new highly tuned R-2800 delayed their use until the last weeks of the war in Europe. At one point the aircraft was pulled from service and replaced with D variants until the aircraft performed reliably. The P-47M was never used against V-1 flying bombs, it's original target.

The P-47M is most remembered for Major George Bostwick's engagements with the [[Me 262 A-1a|Me 262]]. Bostwick shot down a Me 262 on March 25 1945. He was able to damage a second one a few days later on April 7th.

His P-47M-1-RE had the nickname "Ugly Duckling" and a striking paint scheme.

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

== 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 aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/3073/current/ [Series<nowiki>]</nowiki> Maj. George Bostwick's P-47 Thunderbolt]
* [http://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/234553-republic-p-47m/ Official WT forum Aircraft Data Sheet section: "Republic P-47M"]

{{USA fighters}}
{{USA premium aircraft}}

M551

2019-10-10T16:50:42Z

U5715377: /* Pros and cons */ Added info about 100 mm HEAT shells being able to hull break this tank

{{Specs-Card|code=us_m551}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_M551Sheridan.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} American light tank {{Battle-rating}}. The tank was added in [[Update 1.59 "Flaming Arrows"]].

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

'''Armour type:'''

* Aluminum Alloy 7039
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Turret)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope Angle°) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (70°), 12.7 mm (87°) ''Front Glacis'' 31.7 mm (33°) ''Lower Glacis'' 25.4 mm (2-80°) ''Driver's port'' || 19 + 2 mm ''Top'' 25.4 mm (0-56°) ''Bottom'' || 12.7 mm (49-50°) ''Top'' 19 mm (32-55°) ''Bottom'' || 19 mm 12.7 mm ''Engine grilles''
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm (6-78°) ''Turret front'' 31.7 mm (1-81°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (50-55°) || 25.4 mm (46-54°) || 19 mm
|-
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
|-
| Cupola || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.

Against most opponents, the M551 can be destroyed with a single shot. It's best to just stay in one spot along a road and wait for an enemy to pass by where so that they present their vulnerable side armour and vitals to target at. Once the ATGMS are unlocked then the player can stay out of range from everything but ATGMs.

=== Mobility ===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
|-
! Weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor weight (tons)
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
|-
| rowspan="2" | 15.2 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 77 (AB)
|-
|69 (RB/SB)
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|465
|___
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|265
|___
|-
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
|-
! colspan="1" | Mode
!Stock
!Upgraded
|-
|''Arcade''
|30.59
|__.__
|-
|''Realistic/Simulator''
|17.43
|__.__
|-
|}

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

{{main|M81 (152 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[M81 (152 mm)|152 mm M81]]
|-
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
! rowspan="1" | Vertical guidance
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal guidance
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
|-
| colspan="3" | 30 || -8°/+19° || ±180° || Two-plane
|-
! 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'' || 46.24 || 52.71 || 64.00 || 70.78 || 75.29
|-
| ''Realistic'' || 23.80 || 28.00 || 34.00 || 37.60 || 40.00
|-
! 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.
|-
| 15.6 || 13.8 || 12.72 || 12.0
|-
|}

===== 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''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
|-
! 10m
! 100m
! 500m
! 1000m
! 1500m
! 2000m
|-
| M409A1 || HEAT || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380 || 380
|-
| M657A2 || HE || 45 || 45 || 44 || 43 || 42 || 42
|-
| MGM-61B Shillelagh || ATGM || 431 || 431 || 431 || 431 || 431 || 431
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! 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%
|-
| M409A1 || 682 || 18.9 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 3,730 || +0° || 62° || 69° || 73°
|-
| M657A2 || 682 || 22 || 0.1 || 0.1 || 4,300 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| MGM-61B Shillelagh || 323 || 27.8 || 0.0 || 0.01 || 3,600 || +0° || 80° || 82° || 90°
|-
|}

===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
[[File:Ammoracks_M551.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the M551 Sheridan.]]
{| 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" |4th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual discrepancy
|-
|| '''30''' || 28 ''(+2)'' || 26 ''(+4)'' || 21 ''(+9)'' || 14 ''(+16)'' || 1 ''(+29)'' || style="text-align:center" | No
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|Browning M2HB (12.7 mm)|M73 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[Browning M2HB (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" | 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | [[M73 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M73]]
|-
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial 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" | 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The ''Sheridan'', even with the ability to fire ATGMS, is an extremely difficult tank to use due to it having no armour. Even some high-power MGs can penetrate the armour easily. The stock heat round while having high pen drops like a rock at range and bounces ALOT. Immediately upon reaching the tier 2 modifications research the ATGM missiles. Once those are unlocked the ''Sheridan'' becomes a fast and mobile missile platform that out ranges most vehicles in game. With only the stock HEAT always aim for ammo racks. This is pretty much the only way to destroy the heavier tanks. The mobile AAs will be the M551's biggest problems. While the ''Sheridan'' can drive circles around most of its heavy opponents, the fast anti-air turret can keep up with the M551, able to tear the armour to pieces. The ATGMs are a vast improvement over the HEAT rounds, one shotting pretty much everything and extending the ''Sheridan'' range past that of most of its opponents.

Stay in the back, everything will one shot the tank. Use the M551's speed and maneuverability to get around enemies. Don't be afraid to get in real close to the enemy, because with only HEAT, the 152 mm's effective range is very limited. Once ATGMs are usable, the ''Sheridan'' becomes an extremely formidable sniper. Able to fire on target, destroy a target, then move position for another opportunity. In Arcade, the ''Sheridan'' is an easy target for everyone, but in realistic and simulator its speed makes it a very hard target to hit.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Dual-purpose cannon, firing regular shells or [[Anti-tank guided missiles|guided missiles]].
* Very fast turret traverse.
* Missiles in RB have a point-to-aim guidance system.
* Rather small profile in comparison to other Rank V vehicles.

'''Cons:'''

* Virtually no armour.
* Uses only chemical rounds, no kinetic rounds (AP) available.
* Low ammunition storage (30).
* ATGM has a reload several seconds longer than normal ammunition.
* Can only hold 10 ATGM ammunition total.
* Can be hull broken with 100 mm HEAT shells

== History ==

{{main|M551/History|l1=History of the M551}}
===Development===
In the post-war period, U.S. Army specified for a new light tank that is light enough for air-transportation and have a large cruising range. The first resulting light tank, the [[M41A1|M41 ''Walker Bulldog'']], did not meet these specifications and the following development such as the [[T92]] were cancelled after the discovery of the amphibious Soviet [[PT-76B|PT-76]] tank, which added a requirement for the light tank to also be amphibious. A new tank design began development, using aluminum alloy to save weight, a fabric screen for flotation, and a controversial [[M81 (152 mm)|152 mm gun/launcher]] for firepower with the Shillelagh missiles. However, the design's lightweight and mobility made it favorable and so the tank was approved for Army standard in May 1966 and designated the '''M551 ''Sheridan'''''. Between 1966 to 1970, 1,662 ''Sheridans'' were produced at a program cost of $1.3 billion.<ref name="ZalogaM551">Zaloga, 2009</ref>

===Deployment===
The ''Sheridan'' first saw service in June 1967 n the 1/63rd Armor Regiment at Fort Riley. The first air usage of the ''Sheridan'' came from the 1/17th Cavalry at Fort Bragg. Its first overseas deployment was to South Korea in November 1968 and Europe in January 1969. 800 ''Sheridans'' were deployed worldwide by 1971. Troubles with the 152 mm Gun/Launcher plagued the M551's early service life as attempts were made to fix the issues in the weapon's ammo propellant and ability to fire missiles.<ref name="ZalogaM551" />

The ''Sheridan's'' tank's first combat would be seen in Vietnam under the urging of General Creighton Abrams. The tank first arrived in January 1969 modified for the environment in a configuration dubbed "Two-Box M551" with many complex mechanical instrument boxes removed (save for two), as well as the ability to fire the Shillelagh missiles disabled and the production of a fletchette ammunition for the 152 mm gun/launcher. First impressions of the ''Sheridan'' were positive due to the weapon's effectiveness in anti-infantry and bunker busting roles, as well as the mobility able to maintain speed with the M113 armoured personnel carriers. However, experience soon soured when the lack of armour became apparent compared to the [[M48A1|M48 Pattons]] employed in the theater, with the M551 vulnerable to mines and the numerous hand-held anti-tank weaponry.<ref name="ZalogaM551" />

Post-Vietnam, the M551 Sheridans underwent a product improvement program (PIP) that upgraded the design. The next combat operation would be in ''Operation Just Cause'' in Panama, featuring the first and only time tanks were parachuted into a combat zone. Inserted with the 82nd Airborne Division, the M551 proved a popular psychological weapon against the opposing forces. After Panama, the M551 were also deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of the Gulf War in both Operation ''Desert Shield'' and ''Desert Storm'', where in the latter they fought Iraqi units equipped with [[T-55A|T-55s]] and [[T-72A|T-72s]] in the only time in the M551's history that the gun-launched Shillelagh missiles were used against an enemy.<ref name="ZalogaM551" />

Back in the United States, the M551 also found use in the U.S. Army's National Training Center at the Mojave desert in California, where they are dressed up to look like Soviet vehicles to play as the "opposing forces" to train the army units on tactics in the battlefield. After the Gulf War, the Sheridan's combat career came to an end and so they remained in service at the National Training Center until 2004. The ''Sheridans'' were retired without any replacement in the airborne tank role. Though attempts had been made in the late 1990's for a replacement, the Army decided that an airborne tank was simply not worth the cost for a specialized vehicle.<ref name="ZalogaM551" />

== Media ==

[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23M551 '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M551 from live.warthunder.com.]

==References==
'''Citations:'''
<references />

'''Bibliography'''

* Zaloga Steven. ''M551 Sheridan: US Airmobile Tanks 1941-2001'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2009

== 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://warthunder.com/en/news/3736-development-m551-sheridan-en/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> M551 Sheridan] 

{{USA light tanks}}

[[Category:ATGM vehicles]]