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Centurion Mk.5/1

2021-05-10T17:36:50Z

U78844291: Added pros and cons, to better summarize the tank

{{About
| about = British medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Centurion (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=uk_centurion_mk_5_raac
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_Centurion Mk.5-1.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} British medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update "Hot Tracks"]] as a reward for [[Battle Pass: Season II, "Steel Centurion"]].

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled Homogeneous Armour - hull, turret roof, external fuel tank
* Cast Homogeneous Armour - turret (except roof)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! '''Armour''' !! '''Front (Slope angle)''' !! '''Sides''' !! '''Rear''' !! '''Roof'''
|-
| Hull || 76.2 + {{annotation|50.8|Appliqué armour}} mm (58°) ''Upper glacis'' 76.2 mm (47°) ''Lower glacis''
| 50.8 mm|| 38 mm || 29 mm ''Crew compartment'' 8-14 mm ''Engine compartment'' 5 mm ''Radiator vents''
|-
| Turret || 89-152 mm ''Turret front'' {{annotation|Up to 300 mm|Variable thickness armour}} + {{annotation|100 mm|Hidden in mantlet}} ''Gun mantlet'' || 89 mm || 89 mm || 29-50.8 mm
|-
| Cupola || 152 mm || colspan="2" | 90 mm || 29 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Road wheels - 20 mm, tracks - 20 mm
* Main gun - 20 mm, machine guns - 5 mm
* External fuel tank - 12.7 mm
* Fenders and stowage boxes - 4 mm

Your upper front glacis plate may bounce a shell or two but all side skirts have been removed. It means that HEATFS, and HESH rounds become much more effective as there is only 50.8 mm of RHA on the sides.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,007|rbMinHp=575}}

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}

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

{{main|20pdr OQF Mk.I (84 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[20pdr OQF Mk.I (84 mm)|84 mm 20pdr OQF Mk.I]] || 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" | 62 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 19.0 || 26.4 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.7 || rowspan="2" | 8.19 || rowspan="2" | 7.25 || rowspan="2" | 6.68 || rowspan="2" | 6.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== 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
|-
| Shot Mk.1 || APCBC || 232 || 229 || 216 || 201 || 187 || 173
|-
| Shell Mk.1 || HE || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15 || 15
|-
| Shot Mk.3 || APDS || 285 || 283 || 262 || 239 || 218 || 198
|-
|}
{| 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%
|-
| Shot Mk.1 || APCBC || 1,000 || 9.1 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| Shell Mk.1 || HE || 600 || 7.5 || 0 || 0.1 || 1,130 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| Shot Mk.3 || APDS || 1,400 || 3.2 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 75° || 78° || 80°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity (m/s)
! Projectile Mass (kg)
! Screen radius (m)
! Screen deploy time (s)
! Screen hold time (s)
! Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
|-
| 20pdr Shell SS Mk.1 || 250 || 9.3 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_Centurion_Mk.5-1.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
|-
| '''62''' || 61 ''(+1)'' || 59 ''(+3)'' || 51 ''(+11)'' || 43 ''(+19)'' || 35 ''(+27)''
|-
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
!
|-
| 27 ''(+35)'' || 7 ''(+55)'' || 5 ''(+57)'' || 1 ''(+61)'' || No
!
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Racks 8 and 9 are first stage ammo racks. They total 6 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
* These racks are also emptied early: the depletion order at full capacity is 8 - 9 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 7.
* Full reload speed will be realized as long as shells are available in the ready racks 8 and 9. If the ready racks are empty, a penalty to reload speed will occur.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-7 into racks 9 then 8. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|4}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|L3A1 (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
|-
| Coaxial || 3,000 (200) || 577 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[L3A1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm L3A1]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (250) || 500 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
|-
| Coaxial || 3,600 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


Take advantage of your good gun depression of -10° and powerful 20-pdr cannon to snipe from long distances. If you want to play close quarters, use cover as much as possible since your armour is something you shouldn't rely upon. The gun stabilizer means you can shoot faster than most tanks at that BR without needing to come to a stop. The night vision is a bonus and paired with the IR spotlight on the front side of the turret the vehicle can be excellent in night battles.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful APDS round
* Good mobility of a Centurion plus decent reverse speed
* Accurate cannon with stabilizer
* Extra 50.8mm sloped plate on UFP, can be the difference between life or death facing some full caliber rounds.
* Rank 5- good for researching rank 6 while remaining at 7.3 BR

'''Cons:'''

* Only solid shots without any explosive filler
* Weak side armour
* Frontal ammo stowage (can be mitigated by bringing fewer than 30 rounds)
* Weak engine for size, low top speed.
* Fuel tanks over the engine deck restrict gun depression while turret is facing backwards.

== History ==

The Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC) received Centurion Mark 3 tanks in 1955. The Mark 3 Centurion introduced the 20-pounder (84 mm) gun in the completely cast turret of the Mark 2. It was the first Centurion to include a new gunsight and a two-plane stabilization system for the main gun, as well as to have replaced the coaxial 20 mm Polsten gun with a 7.92 mm BESA machine gun. Additionally, the Mark 3 introduced a more powerful version of the Meteor engine - producing 650 horsepower. The RAAC upgraded their Mark 3 tanks to the Centurion Mark 5/1 standard. The Mark 5 replaced the coaxial BESA machine gun with a 7.62 mm L3 machine gun, a version of the American M1919 Browning, and added a second L3 machine gun on the commander's cupola; a 12.7 mm L6A1 machine gun (based on the American M2HB Browning) was mounted coaxial for ranging of the 20-pounder main gun. A layer of armour was added to the upper glacis to increase frontal protection.

Australian Centurion Mk 5/1 tanks of the C Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment were deployed to Vietnam in February 1968. They were mainly used in the infantry support role due to a lack of enemy armour in the theatre. The Australian Centurions proved to have a high level of mobility during the conflict but were too heavy for most South Vietnamese bridges. Notable combats involving RAAC Centurions included defensive actions at the Coral and Balmoral firebases where RAAC Centurions were instrumental in the Australian victory. RAAC Centurions had been withdrawn from Vietnam by August 1971 and were replaced in the RAAC by the German Leopard 1 soon after. During their time in Vietnam 42 out of 58 Centurions took combat damage, of which six were irreparable. Despite this, only two Centurion crew members were killed in the conflict.

While in Vietnam, Australian tank crews removed the sideskirts from around the suspension in order to prevent a buildup of muck in the suspension. A 100 gallon fuel tank was bolted onto the rear of the hull in order to increase the very limited range of the Centurion. The standard ammunition loadout for Centurions deployed in Vietnam was 62 rounds of 84 mm ammunition, 4,000 rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, and 9,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition. Some Australian Centurions had their smoke grenade launchers removed while in Vietnam.

=== [[wt:en/news/7070-development-battle-pass-vehicles-centurion-mk-5-1-raac-en|Devblog]] ===
Since 1951, the Royal Australian Armoured Corps has been replenished with Centurion Mk.3 and Mk.5 tanks, arriving both from the United Kingdom and other British-controlled regions. By the end of the 60s, all Centurion tanks were upgraded to the Mk.5/1 modification - among other works, the modernisation involved the installation of new sighting and commander machine guns, as well as the welding of additional armour plates, which were 50.8 mm thick, to the upper front plate of the hull.

In 1965, Australia announced the introduction of its military contingent into Vietnam. For this mission, Centurion tanks were additionally equipped with night vision devices: a removable IR searchlight appeared on the front of the tower, and the driver’s, gunner's, and commander's sights all received infrared night vision devices. The final standardisation of all available Centurions took place in 1973 after the return of the Australian troops from Vietnam. The Centurion Mk.5/1 was the main battle tank of the Australian Royal Tank Corps until the 1980s, later replaced by Leopard 1 tanks.

== Media ==


;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Centurion Mk 5-1 RAAC WTWallpaper 01.jpg|
File:Centurion Mk 5-1 RAAC WTWallpaper 02.jpg|
File:Centurion Mk 5-1 RAAC WTWallpaper 03.jpg|
File:Centurion Mk 5-1 RAAC WTWallpaper 04.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|9ffyPCaxp9k|'''Battle Pass Vehicles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 04:22 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==

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

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''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;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Britain medium tanks}}
{{Britain premium ground vehicles}}

F2G-1

2021-01-31T09:54:44Z

U78844291: Noting how it can outturn some jets

{{Specs-Card
|code=f2g-1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' "Super Corsair" is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update "New Power"]] as a reward for [[Battle Pass: Season I]]. The Super Corsair was a development made by Goodyear, a licensed manufacturer of the Vought F4U Corsair. The Super Corsair was intended by Goodyear as a low altitude fighter.<ref name=":0">https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=1394</ref> Powered by the Pratt & Whitney 28 cylinder R-4360 Wasp Major engine, nicknamed the "Corncob," the Super Corsair made 3,000 hp. By the time the Super Corsairs was ready for production the [[F8F-1|Grumman F8F "Bearcat"]] was already being built and had similar performance. Partially due to this, only 10 Super Corsairs were ever completed, 5 of which were the F2G-1 land variant found in game.<ref name=":0" />

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 675 || 654 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.0 || 22.7 || 14.9 || 14.9 || rowspan="2" | 180
|-
! Upgraded
| 739 || 706 || 20.7 || 21.0 || 27.0 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 382 || 324 || 248 || ~10 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 540 || < 250 || < 500 || > 440
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 38 mm bulletproof glass - Windscreen
* 12.7 mm steel - Pilot's headrest
* 8 mm steel - Pilot's seat
* 3 mm steel in front of pilot

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

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

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

* 6 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, wing-mounted (300 rpg = 1,800 total)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|AN-M57 (250 lb)|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|AN-M65A1 (1,000 lb)|HVAR|Tiny Tim}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 lb total)
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 8 x HVAR rockets
* 2 x Tiny Tim rockets

== Usage in battles ==

The Super Corsair is sandwiched between two extremes. On one end, a fully downtiered F2G will encounter Bf 109 K-4s, Ta 152s, Tempest Mk Vs, and F4U-7s. Against all of these, the F2G will enjoy considerable advantages in low altitude acceleration and speed, in exchange for somewhat reduced manoeuvrability due to engine weight. Against these enemies, Boom and Run tactics are preferred: the late war .50 cals are excellent at "marking" targets for this purpose, due to their damage and accuracy at range: even if the enemy avoids taking a lethal burst, they will most likely suffer damage to cooling, engine, or controls that makes them easier to destroy on a second pass. However, you will need to watch your ammunition supply more closely than in earlier models of the Corsair, as the F2G only carries 1,800 rounds, compared to the 2,400 of the F4U-4, or even the 2,350 of the -1A and -1D. It's generally best to open fire within 500 m of the target or less (less if firing from 6 o'clock), although in headon engagements, it is wiser to open fire from 1.5 km - 1 km, then use a combination of roll and slight pitch to evade incoming fire.

On the other end, a fully uptiered F2G will be faced with F-84Gs, Sea Hawks, and even the J29A. Against jets, any attempts to outperform them in straight lines, be they flat runs or shallow climbs/dives, will result in failure. Instead, you should take advantage of the F2G's superior low speed acceleration and handling. Be quick and decisive in punishing jet players who attempt to turn with you, as a manoeuvring Super Corsair tends to quickly grab attention from other enemies. However, express caution when attempting to engage Vampires/J28s and J21Rs. Both of these fighters have comparable manoeuvrability to you, while still boasting solid top speed and horizontal energy retention. However, their acceleration is still very lacking, so it is still possible to successfully counter them in a manoeuvring fight, just much more dangerous.

=== 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
|-
| Not controllable || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable 1 gear || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Great initial climb rate and acceleration for a propeller plane
* Six .50 cal machine guns can easily deal with any aircraft in its sights
* Very strong landing gear can survive speeds of over 700 km/h and be used as an airbrake
* Impressive roll rate at all speeds
* Good low altitude top speed for a propeller plane
* Can enter WEP without overheating for much longer than either of the F8F variants
* Access to the destructive Tiny Tim rockets for ground attack
* High-rank premium vehicle that can help research other vehicles and gain Silver Lions
* Can out turn a majority of early jets it faces in uptiers, with some exceptions such as the Meteor or Yak-15

'''Cons:'''

* Lacks engine power at higher altitudes
* Often uptiered to face F-84Gs and similar aircraft
* Like other Corsairs, the F2G-1s flaps rip at relatively slow speeds
* Reduced ammunition load in comparison to earlier Corsairs
* Rudder can become erratic and unresponsive at low airspeeds
* Compresses at higher speeds, which are necessary to catch most opponents

== History ==


{{Notice
|The F2G Corsair is often referred to as "Super Corsair", though that was never an official designation.
}}

=== Genesis ===
Pratt & Whitney fitted an F4U-1 Corsair (Bu.No. 02460) - donated to them by the Navy - with their R-4360-4 Wasp Major engine in March 1943. The P&W R-4360-4 Wasp Major engine put out approximately 50% more power than the original P&W R-2800-1 Double Wasp used in other Corsairs; the 28-cylinder R-4360-4 was able to produce 3,000 horsepower. The F4U-1 fitted with the R-4360-4 was designated as F4U-1WM, and it was proven as a success after testing. As such, development of a production Corsair fitted with the R-4360 was given to Goodyear on 22 March 1944, when the Navy ordered 418 F2G-1 Corsairs and 10 F2G-2 Corsairs (a navalized variant with carrier capability).

=== Development ===
[[File:XF2G-1 Bu.No. 14692 NH 87959.jpeg|thumb|XF2G-1 Bu.No. 14692 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, 21 July 1945.]]
Seven prototypes were built and designated as XF2G-1, being modified production FG-1 Corsairs (a Goodyear-produced, fixed wing "de-navalized" version of the Corsair). The first XF2G-1 (Bu.No. 13471) was fitted with the R-4360 engine but retained many characteristics of the standard Corsair, including the canopy and cockpit, though the engine cowling was extended and an air scoop was added on top of the fuselage right behind the engine cowling. It began ground testing on 31 May 1944, and first flew on 26 August of the same year. The second XF2G-1 (Bu.No. 13472) was used to test new aspects including oil coolers and propellers, which would be used on later XF2G-1s.

The remaining five prototypes (Bu.Nos. 14691 through 14695) were modified much more extensively. They featured a new bubble canopy and a reduced spine, in order to provide better visibility to the pilot. Additionally, the cockpit was redesigned; it received a floor and new controls quite similar to those used on the Vought F4U-4 version of the Corsair. The XF2G-1 retained the six .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns of the FG-1 as well as the same ordnance carrying capability, but they were modified to allow the carrying of external, jettisonable fuel tanks for extended range.

Bu.No. 14691 used the engine taken from the first prototype, Bu.No. 13471, and it first flew on 15 October 1944. Bu.No. 14692 added wing-mounted fuel tanks and improved vertical control surfaces. Bu.No. 14693 was fitted with the R-4630-4W version of the R-4630 engine, which introduced water-ethanol injection for increased power, but the -4W version of the engine was not fitted to any other version of the F2G. The final XF2G-1, Bu.No. 14695, had its first flight on 4 December 1944. Both 14692 and 14695 were lost in seperate accidents on December 12th 1945: 14692 lost hydraulics inflight which led to its undercarriage extending to a position in which a safe landing could not be made, so its pilot bailed out; while 14695 suffered a similar hydraulics failure but in its case the pilot could make a safe belly landing. However, on recovering the stricken aircraft, the crane used to salvage it failed and collapsed on top of the aircraft, effectively destroying it.

On 27 November 1944, the XF2G-1 was given to the U.S. Navy for testing. Some issues arose during testing, particularly that the engine torque of the engine would cause the aircraft to turn hard to the left in a carrier wave off (when increasing the throttle in the case that the landing had to be aborted). In the case of a wave off and the throttle being applied, the rudder was not able to prevent the nose swinging to the left. To prevent this effect, the rudder was heightened by twelve inches and an auxiliary rudder was installed beneath it which would automatically turn 12.5 degrees to the right when the landing gear was extended, in order to counteract the torque of the engine.

=== Production ===
The first production F2G-1 (Bu.No. 88454) was delivered to the Navy on 15 July 1945, but the contract for production had been cut down to only five F2G-1 and five F2G-2 two months earlier in May. Production therefore ended in August 1945 after only 5 F2G-1 (Bu.Nos. 88454 through 88458) and and 5 F2G-2 (Bu.Nos. 88459 through 88463) had been produced, for a total of eighteen F2G aircraft built of all variants, including the F4U-1WM. The Navy continued testing of the F2G series after production cancellation but dropped the F2G completely soon after.

Production of the F2G had been cancelled due in part to disappointing test results. The F2G-1 had an impressive climb rate of 4,400 feet per minute, but its top speed of 430 mph (692 km/h) was rather disappointing, and it also had some stability issues. Overall, its performance wasn't a large enough improvement over other aircraft in production, particularly the F4U-4 and F8F-1 Bearcat, which is why the production orders for the F2G were cancelled.

[[File:F2G-1 Bu.No. 88458 Race 57.jpg|thumb|F2G-1 Bu.No. 88458 "Race 57", 2005 AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin]]

=== Post-War Use - Racing ===
The F2G was much more successful post-war, many of the aircraft having served well as air racing aircraft, the most famous of which being the fifth production F2G-1 (Bu.No. 88458) known as "Race 57", famous for its bright red color scheme. Bu.No. 88463, the last F2G-2 produced, was also a racing aircraft known as "Race 74" and painted dark blue. Race 74 was destroyed in a crash in 2012 that also killed the pilot, Bob Odegaard. Only two F2G aircraft survive as of January 2021, which are the aforementioned Bu.No. 88458 "Race 57" and Bu.No. 88454, both F2G-1s.

=== List of F2G Aircraft ===
'''F4U-1WM'''

* Bu.No. 02460

'''XF2G-1'''

*[[File:NH 87958.jpeg|thumb|XF2G-1 Bu.No. 14692 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, 21 July 1945.]]
*Bu.No. 13471- engine test airframe and first flying prototype. Engine donated to 14691 after completion of trials.
* Bu.No. 13472 - scrapped April 30th 1946
* Bu.No. 14691 - scrapped June 30th 1947
* Bu.No. 14692 - destroyed in crash December 12th 1946, pilot bailed out with landing gear stuck in configuration unsafe for landing.
* Bu.No. 14693 - Sold to Cook Cleland in 1947 as NX5590N. "Race 94" at 1947, 1948 and 1949 National Air Races. Flown by Dick Becker at 1947 Thompson Trophy, 2nd place. Flown by Cook Cleland at 1948 Thompson Trophy, retired due to engine failure. Flown by Cook Cleland at 1949 Thompson Trophy, 1st place. Restored by Bob Odegaard in 2007 - destroyed in fatal accident in 2012.
* Bu.No. 14694 - Sold to Ron Puckett in 1947 as NX91092. "Race 18" in 1947 & 1949 National Air Races. Retired at 1947 Thompson Trophy due to engine failure. 2nd place at 1949 Thompson Trophy. Aircraft scrapped some time after 1949 National Air Races.
* Bu.No. 14695 - damaged in crash December 12th 1946, destroyed in subsequent recovery accident

'''F2G-1'''

* Bu.No. 88454 - N/A - Display, Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington
* Bu.No. 88455 - scrapped August 31st 1946
* Bu.No. 88456 - scrapped May 31st 1947
* Bu.No. 88457 - Sold to Cook Cleland in 1947 as NX5588N. "Race 84" at 1947 National Air Races. Destroyed in fatal accident at 1947 Thompson Trophy while flown by Tony Janazzo.
* Bu.No. 88458 - scrapped in January of 1948, parts sold as spares to Cook Cleland. Rebuilt using the data plate of 88457, taking up the identity of N5588N. "Race 57" at 1949 National Air Races - flown by Ben McKillen at 1949 Thompson Trophy, 3rd place Restored by Bob Odegaard in 1999 - Airworthy, Louise M. Thaden Airfield, Bentonville, Arkansas (owned by Steuart Walton)

'''F2G-2'''

* Bu.No. 88459 - scrapped January 1948
* Bu.No. 88460 - scrapped May 31st 1948
* Bu.No. 88461 - scrapped January 1948
* Bu.No. 88462 - scrapped May 31st 1947
* Bu.No. 88463 - Sold to Cook Cleland in 1947 as NX5577. "Race 74" at the 1947, 1948 and 1949 National Air Races. Flown by Cook Cleland at 1947 Thompson Trophy, 1st place. Flown by Dick Becker at 1948 Thompson Trophy, retired due to engine failure. Flown by Dick Becker at 1949 Thompson Trophy, withdrawn due to engine failure. Aircraft scraped some time after 1949 National Air Races.
* Bu.No. 88464 - aircraft not completed by Goodyear, probably scrapped while still incomplete on the production line.
* Bu.No. 88465 - aircraft not completed by Goodyear, probably scrapped while still incomplete on the production line.
* Bu.No. 88466 - bounced on landing and broke in two, NAS Alameda, February 6th 1949.
* Bu.No. 88467 - aircraft noted marked as C51. Aircraft fate unknown.
* Bu.No.88468 - aircraft not completed by Goodyear, probably scrapped while still incomplete on the production line.

'''Note:''' There was an aircraft named Super Corsair and later "Race #1" , which despite the name was not an F2G. It was an F4U-1D fitted with the R-4360 engine, clipped wings, and a modified cockpit.

== Media ==

[[File:F2G-1 Super Corsair Devblog Image 001.jpg|thumb|356x356px|none|F2G-1 devblog image.]]

== 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://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/504128-f2g-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
* [https://www.air-and-space.com/Goodyear%20F2G.htm Air and Space - Corsairs with Four-Bank Radials]

=== References ===
<references />

=== Bibliography ===

* Air Racers - The Planes - In Focus - F2G Super Corsairs - Part 3: Corncob Corsair Racing Roots. (n.d.). Retrieved January 09, 2021, from http://www.pylon1.org/articles/publish/article_24.shtml
* F2G Super Corsairs - Part 2: "Kamikaze Killer". (n.d.). Retrieved January 09, 2021, from http://www.pylon1.org/articles/publish/printer_23.shtml
* Goodyear F2G super Corsair. (n.d.). Retrieved January 09, 2021, from https://www.jdsf4u.be/goodyear-f2-g-super-corsair
* Goodyear XF2G-1 Corsair. (n.d.). Retrieved January 09, 2021, from https://www.jdsf4u.be/kopie-van-goodyear-f2-g-super-corsa
* http://www.airrace.com/1947%20NAR%20.html
* http://www.airrace.com/1948%20NAR.htm
* http://www.airrace.com/1949%20NAR%20.htm

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

M4A3E2

2021-01-31T09:49:00Z

U78844291: Describing how the Jumbo struggles with it's stock round

{{About
| about = American heavy tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| other
| usage-1 = other M4 Shermans
| link-1 = M4 Sherman (Family)
| usage-2 = other uses
| link-2 = M4 (Disambiguation)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=us_m4a3e2_sherman_jumbo
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==


The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was one of the first American tanks to be released with the American ground tree in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]]. It is built off a standard M4A3 chassis, with a T23 turret with a 75 mm gun, and up-armoured on nearly all sides. This gives the M4A3E2 boasts nearly 100 mm of frontal armour sloped at 47°, giving it a massive armour upgrade from the regular M4 Shermans. As a side note, the nickname "Jumbo" was likely never used during WWII, as there is no record of it. However, its use both on the Wiki and in-game is still prevalent.

The M4A3E2 looks like a normal Sherman medium tank, but it is still a very heavy tank and is used as a breakthrough tank to attack fortified enemy positions. It is certainly not a medium tank like normal Shermans. It is a great tank when fighting Tigers as the 88mm cannons cannot penetrate the armour of the M4A3E2 from its sides when angled efficiently. As such it allows players to get close to Tigers and attack them from the sides, or force them to retreat. When fighting Panthers the M4A3E2 is less effective as the 75mm cannon on the Panther can penetrate the armour of the Jumbo Sherman from the front even when angled more than 30 degrees at 500 meters. Only at close range can high-velocity guns, such as Soviet 85mm or German 88mm guns, penetrate the frontal glacis. However, larger calibres, such as the Soviet 122mm gun, will slice right through the armour.

It takes on the general look of an [[M4A2|M4A2]] but is much more armoured (and also uses a Ford gasoline engine). The M4A3E2 features the double layered front armour giving the vehicle its distinctive 101.6 mm total front armour, giving its boast of being better armoured than the [[Tiger H1|Tiger I]]. The transmission housing is also considerably beefier too from the addition of armour at the area as well. The front of the T23-style turret is also distinctive with the very blocky gun mantlet and circular barrel shroud around the rather underwhelming 75 mm gun barrel.

The sides and suspension look like the usual game with the M4 Sherman series, but with minor differences. The flat side armour of the hull, instead of 38.1 mm thick, is now 76.2 mm thick for much stronger side protection. However, the lower side hull around the bogie suspension area is still only 38.1 mm thick, vulnerable to most regular anti-tank weapons. Another minor difference is the tracks, the T48 rubber chevron tracks are equipped with extended end connectors in an effort to improve ground pressure performance for the additional weight of the armour.

However, the rear does not have any extra armour and is much thinner. The roof of the tank is very thinly armoured as well, only having 19.5 mm on the hull and 25.4 mm on the turret, so beware as artillery barrages tend to set engine compartment modules on fire.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret roof, cupola roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret, cupola, gun mantlet, transmission housing, MG port)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 63.5 + 38.1 mm (47°) ''Front glacis'' 25.4 + 34 mm ''MG port'' 114.3-139.7 mm (cylindrical) ''Transmission housing'' || 76.2 mm ''Top'' 38.1 mm ''Bottom'' || 38.1 mm (10°) ''Upper plate'' 38.1 mm (7°) ''Lower plate'' 38.1 mm (24°) ''Lower glacis'' || 63.5 + 38.1 mm (42°) ''Front glacis'' 19.5 mm ''Centre'' 19.5 mm (8°) ''Rear - Centre'' 19.5 mm (24°) ''Rear - Sides''
|-
| Turret || 152.4 mm (0-52°) ''Turret front'' 177.8 mm (4-60°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 152.4 mm (4-42°) || 152.4 mm (0-79°) || 63.5 mm (28°) ''Front'' 25.4 mm ''Centre''
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 51 mm (conical) || 51 mm ''Outer ring'' 25.4 mm ''Centre''
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, while bogies are 10 mm thick and tracks are 20 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.
* Hull underside right above the tracks are 9.5 mm thick.

The M4A3E2 presents very little frontal weak spots in an engagement. It is best to try and force the Jumbo to try and angle his vehicle towards the player or his allies. An angle more than 30 degrees can expose the much weaker lower side hull armour in the suspension that is only 38.1 mm thick. With a powerful enough gun, a round can penetrate this area and damage the crew, or even set off the ammunition all cluttered up on the bottom of the tank.

If a frontal engagement is unavoidable and is unfortunately armed with guns unable to penetrate through the front glacis, there are only two areas that are viable. First is the machine gun port, which is one of the areas that is not layered with the extra 38.1 mm added on top of the base armour. Guns like the Panzer IV 75 mm KwK 40 guns that are unable to cleave through the front glacis can push their luck in this area, with small "sweet spots" that the round can pass through. Another way to attack the M4A3E2 in this scenario is exploiting a shot-trap in the gun mantlet. The small corner flaps on the bottom corners of the gun mantlet have a tendency to deflect rounds downwards onto the 19.5 mm hull roof armour. While this will be left to the ricochet chances, it is still possible and can be used if no other scenarios are favourable.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=646|rbMinHp=442|AoAweight=|abMaxHp=795}}

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

In Tier I, ''Parts'' should, of course, be the prioritized module for field repairs. This will unlock Tier II modifications and grant access to the very vital ''FPE'' and ''M61 shot'', the former for preservation against fires and the latter to improve damage in the battlefield.

Then in Tier III, ''Crew Replenishment'' should be obtained for crew survival improvement and the APCR ''T45 shot'' for improved armour-piercing power. After that, everything else could be done at one's own priorities, but ''Engine'' should be invested for better automotive performances and ''M89'' for the smoke capabilities.

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

{{main|M3 (75 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm M3]] || 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" | 104 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 19.4 || 26.9 || 32.6 || 36.1 || 38.4 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* M72 shot - {{Annotation|AP|Armour-Piercing}} - Solid shot, stock shell. An armour-piercing shell with acceptable penetration but poor post-penetration damage.
* M48 shell - {{Annotation|HE|High-Explosive fragmentation shell}} - A low-velocity shell useful against soft targets, in particular when hitting an open-topped vehicle. Harmless against any enclosed vehicle with more than 10 mm of armour.
* M61 shot - {{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped}} - A capped armour-piercing shell with a better penetration than the M72 thanks to its ballistic cap and a good post-penetration damage thanks to its explosive filler.
* T45 shot - {{Annotation|APCR|Armour-Piercing Composite Round}} - Subcalibre round with high penetration but only on flat surfaces, with a high muzzle velocity but a poor post-penetration damage potential.
* M89 - Smoke shell - A very low-velocity shell deploying a smoke screen on impact, useful to blind enemy vehicles that are too remote for you to disable so that you can progress towards objectives.

{| 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
|-
| M72 shot || AP || 91 || 88 || 78 || 67 || 57 || 49
|-
| M48 shell || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
|-
| M61 shot || APCBC || 104 || 101 || 90 || 78 || 68 || 59
|-
| T45 shot || APCR || 139 || 135 || 121 || 105 || 91 || 79
|-
|}
{| 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%
|-
| M72 shot || AP || 619 || 6.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
|-
| M48 shell || HE || 463 || 6.3 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 666 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| M61 shot || APCBC || 618 || 6.79 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| T45 shot || APCR || 868 || 3.81 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 66° || 70° || 72°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
|-
! Ammunition
! Velocity (m/s)
! Projectile Mass (kg)
! Screen radius (m)
! Screen deploy time (s)
! Screen hold time (s)
! Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
|-
| M89 || 259 || 3 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''104''' || 100 ''(+4)'' || 50 ''(+54)'' || 0 ''(+104)'' || No
|-
|}
Notes:

* As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.
* Turret empty: 100 ''(+4)'' shells.

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

{{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 || 600 (200) || 577 || -10°/+30° || ±60°
|-
|}
The roof-mounted M2HB .50 cal heavy machine gun is very good at knocking out tracks, punching through lightly armoured vehicles and shooting down low-flying aircraft. Use it sparsely because of its low ammo count.

{| 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 || 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
The small calibre of the M1919A4 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

== Usage in battles ==


The M4A3E2 is best in assaulting enemy positions with allies. Its great mobility for a heavy tank, especially with its armour, makes it a vehicle able to charge into battle and take anything head-on with confidence. It can act as a bullet magnet against enemy tanks more worried about the M4A3E2, diverting fire that would've gone to more vulnerable teammates. Though the 75mm gun's AP performance is not suited to the type of enemies expected at the BR, it can still harass enemies and the gun is lethal enough that enemies will be forced to show their front armour towards the Jumbo else a 75 mm penetrates their side armour. Their focus on the Jumbo can allow allies to move around and eliminate them. During all this, take care not to over-angle and show the lower side armour too much as this will allow vehicles to penetrate through down there and damage modules, even the ammunition storage if they are lucky.

Another role the M4A3E2 is good it is as a flanker. Due to its great mobility as a heavy tank, the M4A3E2 Jumbo can manoeuvre like a medium tank around the battlefield. This is also beneficial to the 75 mm gun as it would permit the M4A3E2 a chance to attack the weaker side armours of enemy vehicles. Once flanking around and finding a prime position in a firing angle right into an enemy chokepoint, minimize exposure to anything but the front armour and the M4A3E2 can remain a formidable obstacle to all opponents. Take care not to be outflanked by enemy players aware of the M4A3E2 position.

Due to the M4A3E2 Jumbo having a slightly higher battle-rating than the other M4 Shermans, it can face tanks such as the [[Panther D]] and [[Tiger_H1|Tiger H1]], meaning its 75 mm cannon starts becoming less effective. For this reason, it is advisable to take the T45 APCR ammo into battle once unlocked, at least enough to take on the armoured targets the Jumbo will face.

The Soviet 85 mm can be a threat, so caution is advised when going up against tanks armed with the 85 mm, such as the [[T-34-85]], [[SU-85]], and [[IS-1]]. The [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]] and [[Jagdpanzer IV]] can be tricky when facing off against them. Their frontal armour is too thick and sloped for the 75 mm M3 gun to have any effect on it. For these two targets, it is advised to target their tracks and transmission and then flank for a side shot, where the armour is much weaker. Also, the [[Dicker Max]] wields a 105 mm that can penetrate the front plate of the M4A3E2 Jumbo, so caution is advised against those as well. The 2 last common threats from the German tree are the [[Panzer IV/70(A)]] and [[Panzer IV/70(V)]]. The same advice can be taken from the Jagdpanzer 38(t) and Jagdpanzer IV but also considering that these tank destroyers can penetrate your frontal hull and turret under 500m. The [[SU-152]] and [[ISU-152]] with the stock APHE round can sometimes penetrate your frontal plate, however, special caution should be paid to the ISU-152. From the front, the 75mm gun will struggle to penetrate the armour of the ISU-152 but an ISU-152 using the HEAT shell can easily penetrate anywhere in the front hull and turret. The best tactic to countering the ISU-152 is to attempt to flank it as the side armour is only 75 mm thick. If flanking it is not possible, aim for the barrel, as it will reduce the accuracy of the ISU-152's main gun, and many ISU-152 players will not shoot the main gun if the barrel is damaged. Remember to wait for the ISU-152 to shoot before engaging it, as the reload time of the ISU-152 is very long. Finally, there is one more common opponent from the Soviet/Chinese tree: [[IS-2 (Family)|IS-2]]. Its 122 mm gun can easily penetrate the Jumbo, regardless of angle and distance. To destroy it, shoot at it when it's reloading or is unaware of your presence. For the 1943 model, aim at the cupola or the curved part of its hull armour that blends into the side. It has only 4 crew so killing all the turret crew (3, which is easy) will destroy it. For the [[IS-2 (1944)|1944 model]], only aim at the turret or the cupola as its hull is very strong.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent 75 mm gun with APCR rounds
* High rate of fire for the main gun
* Excellent gun depression
* Very strong turret armour from all sides, very good at hull down position
* Very good at leading a spearhead towards a capture point where it can provide cover to weaker allied tanks with more powerful guns
* Excellent frontal armour, about 101 mm thick
* Excellent all around turret armour, average 152 mm thick
* Can absorb a lot of damage
* Better mobility than the Russian KV-1 and the British Churchill
* Equipped with gun stabilizer, making it more accurate at moving and when preparing a shot after moving
* Good acceleration
* Incredibly tough when angled
* Wide tracks enable it to have decent off-road mobility, unlike other previous Sherman models
* Learning curve from previous Sherman variant will help a lot at mastering this tank

'''Cons:'''

* [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm gun]] lacks penetration against [[:Category:Heavy tanks|heavy tanks]]
* It needs allies support to be effective in battle as it cannot deal serious damage on its own
* Armour weak spot above the gun-mantlet (63.5 mm @ 60°)
* Small bottom corners on M4A3E2 gun mantlet can serve as shot traps
* Side armour better than normal, but still weak (76.2 mm), but the lower side hull armour is even worse (38.1 mm)
* Very thin rear armour
* Inability to compound angle greatly due to very weak lower side hull armour that would be penetrated
* Tall profile makes it a bigger target
* Bad off-road manoeuvrability
* Low top speed of 35 km/h
* Reverse speed is bad
* Hull MG is a weak spot
* Due to the layered armour at the front and the armour over-matching mechanic, the upper glacis armour can be dubious in that it does not reliably ricochet shells, particularly those from large calibre guns like the T-34-85
* Stock round struggles a noticeable amount at this BR, struggling to pen common enemies such as a T-34-85

== History ==

===Development===
Even before the invasion of Normandy, the Allied commanders had to figure out a method in order to breach heavily-defended fortification lines such as the Siegfried Line blocking the path from France to Germany. One of the solutions was for the implementation of "assault tanks" to enter enemy territory and root out the enemy fortifications. The initial plan was for the production of the [[M26|M26 Pershing]] tanks to fulfil this role, but setbacks in its development caused the M26 deployment to be delayed until 1945. A quick solution must be made to fill this "assault tank" role for the invasion of Europe in 1944.

The US ordinance then took their abundant [[M4|M4 Shermans]] in stock and fixed them up for the new role they've been assigned in. Although keeping the same engine, the armour was upped from around 76.2 mm initial thickness to 102 mm and angled at 47 degrees from vertical. This angle would influence later Sherman design such as the M4A3 by changing the original 56 degrees angled glacis with protruding crew hatches to 47 degrees angled glacis without any protrusion from the crew hatches. This modified M4 Sherman's armour when angled would then be 150 mm line-of-sight (LOS) thick and 180 mm effective. The side armour is also increased to 76.2 mm thick and the turret is redesigned to provide more protection. These modified Shermans were designated the '''M4A3E2''' by the Ordnance Department, whereas the nickname "Jumbo" was likely a post-war invention. At the end of the modifications, the Sherman "Jumbo" now weighed about 42 tons and moves a lower speed of 22 miles per hour. A drawback to the increased weight of the Sherman is that the Vertical Volute Suspension System (VVSS) from the Sherman was unable to take the weight easily, so extra care was taken by the crew members to not break the suspension.

In March of 1944, the US Army ordered for 254 of these vehicles to be delivered for use for European Operations. Intended for the assault on the Normandy Beachhead, it was deployed in Normandy after D-Day to assist the infantry push through German defences. The M4A3E2 originally came with the 75 mm guns to support infantry with its better HE shells compared to the planned 76 mm instalment, but the 76 mm was installed later in the campaign and called the [[M4A3E2 (76) W|M4A3E2 (76) W Jumbo]].

===Combat usage===
The M4A3E2 was well-liked by the crew and commanders due to its protection value. Despite the weight difference and strain on the suspension, it performed reliably and could absorb damage that would otherwise destroy regular Shermans. Later in the war, when the quantity of the M4 Sherman "Jumbos" were unable to meet the demand, George S. Patton ordered for existing M4 Shermans to weld on armour plates scavenged from knocked out tanks to makeshift "on-the-field" Jumbos. This caused the newer Shermans such as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3 (76) W HVSS]] could have the same protection by welding metal onto the hull. One of the Jumbo's notable participation in the war was in Patton's Third Army where it spearheaded the assault to Bastogne to relieve the pinned down 101st Paratroopers (though they deny needing a "rescue").

When the war in the European Theater ended, the M4A3E2s were then placed stateside for the preparation for the invasion of the Japanese Home Islands. However, this was never to be fulfilled as Japan then surrendered to the United States in September 1945. The M4A3E2 Shermans proved to be a very effective stop-gap solution until heavier armoured tanks such as the Pershing could come into play. In 1948, about 96 Sherman Jumbos still remained in US inventory.

=== In-game description ===
The M4 Sherman went through its most interesting modification at the end of 1943, when American builders presented a compromise design. It was a direct infantry support tank to be used at the beginning of 1944 during infantry landings in Northern Europe. The solution, which was quite simple, came about after it became clear that the T26E1 heavy assault tank would be ready for full-scale production no earlier than January 1945: boost the tank's armour to 10 cm. At the same time a heavier turret was designed with 10.5 cm armour, the changes together resulting in a tank that weighed in at 38 tons. Experience on the front showed that modernized tracks with fixed grousers were the best option, and they ended up giving the new tank a significant speed boost. It was able to traverse rough terrain at a top speed of 22 mph.

The Fisher Tank Arsenal launched production of the M4A3E2 in May 1944 and finished in June of the same year. The tanks, which were bequeathed the nickname "Jumbo", were delivered to Europe that fall and served successfully through the end of the war.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=usa&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=heavy_tank&vehicle=us_m4a3e2_sherman_jumbo Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|kmLZDtH7FpU|'''The Shooting Range #208''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 05:42 discusses the {{PAGENAME}} Jumbo.|WglgTOAzkEw|'''Heavy tanks are loved and hated for their armour. {{PAGENAME}} Jumbo''' - ''HowToPlay1337''|l31USzTa5EQ|'''How to destroy the Jumbo''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|WqofzCegX98|'''{{PAGENAME}} Jumbo Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[M4 Sherman (Family)]]

;Vehicles equipped with the same gun

* [[M8A1]]
* [[T14]]

;Carbon-copy vehicles

* [[Cobra King]]
* [[M4A3E2 (France)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/devblog/current/704|[Devblog] Steel Generals: M4A3E2]]
* [[wikipedia:M4_Sherman#M4A3E2|[Wikipedia] M4 Sherman - M4A3E2]]
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/US/m4a3e2-jumbo-assault-tank <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Assault Tank M4A3E2 Jumbo]

{{USA heavy tanks}}