War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Me 163 B-0

2023-03-18T19:13:45Z

U91803232:

{{About
| about = German jet fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = Me 163 B
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=me-163b-0
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.81 "The Valkyries"]].

== 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 4,500 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
| 943 || 933 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 22.2 || 22.3 || 26.6 || 23.8 || rowspan="2" | 357
|-
! Upgraded
| 966 || 955 || 21.8 || 22.0 || 46.3 || 36.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || X || ✓ || X || 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}} || 598 || N/A || 420 || ~10 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 790 || < 600 || < 690 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="3" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="1" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Walter HWK 109-509A-2 || 1
| colspan="1" | 1,990 kg || colspan="2" | 204 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="2" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 1m fuel || 6m fuel
|-
| 166 kg || colspan="2" | Liquid-fuel rocket
| 2,593 kg || 4,000 kg || 4,297 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="3" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (100%)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 1m fuel || 6m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 1,700 kgf || N/A
| 0.66 || 0.42 || 0.40
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 1,700 kgf (any speed)|| N/A
| 0.66 || 0.42 || 0.40
|-
|}

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

The Me 163 B-0 is a glass (or in this case plywood) cannon. It takes very little damage to sever a wing or to set it on fire. However, as long as the plane doesn't spin out, you can fly relatively easily while missing wingtips or even a whole wing. One odd quirk of the Komet is that if the engine is set on fire, it cannot burnout due to the fire being unable to reach the wings or pilot. So if close enough to the airfield, it's possible to fly back to base to repair.

The plane can very easily rip off its own wings if not careful. Most often, wings rip off when performing two directional movements at the same time at 700-900 km/h, most commonly pulling up + rolling. Try to incrementally change directions when traveling at high speeds, one direction at a time and short bursts of turning.

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

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

{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)}}

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

* 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)

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

{{main|MG 151 (20 mm)}}

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

* Without load
* 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, suspended (80 rpg = 160 total)

The Me 163 B-0 can mount 2 additional 20 mm MG 151 cannons. These cannons have no effect on the performance of the plane, and are thus always worth running.

== Usage in battles ==


'''Takeoff'''

Around 240 km/h, the plane will start violently shaking on the runway, often causing hilariously brutal deaths. To avoid this, there are two methods:

* Upon spawning in, open flaps all the way to landing flaps and continue pulling up until you takeoff. This method will work on most maps, but on some runways the plane will still experience the bug and explode.
* At 200 km/h, open landing flaps, and tilt the plane so one wingtip touches the ground.

'''Landing'''

Achieving a safe landing is rather simple. Deploy landing flaps and gears at 400-500 km/h, and continue slowing down to 300 km/h. Once at that speed, gently lower the plane onto the runway, as the plane has a tendency to bounce off the ground. Once on the ground, continue braking until you come to a full stop.

'''Throttle Speeds'''

While flying the Komet, throttle control is critical, as it will greatly conserve your fuel. It's worth noting that fuel consumption is not linear. (e.g. 100% throttle = 100% fuel usage, while 25% throttle = 6.67% fuel usage).

* 100% - This is the speed you want to use while traveling to the battle and in combat. Maximum thrust and speed are achieved here, but those values aren't much different compared to 75%.
* 75% - If in a long-drawn dogfight, consider throttling down to 75%. Every second matters, and the extra 30-60 seconds sometimes outway the lost speed.
* 33% - This is cruising throttle. High speed can still be maintained while conserving large amounts of fuel. Even some manoeuvring is possible if under attack.
* 0% - This is used to glide, which this plane excels at. You can glide very far on 0% throttle or no fuel.

'''Initial Contact'''

There are two main ways to engage enemies with the Komet:

* Boom and Zoom. Climb up to 4-5 km, then throttle back and cruise to the battle. Wait for other players to initiate dogfights, and if you spot an opening, throttle up and dive in for the kill. Most enemies will outrun you, so look for enemies who are traveling slow or who just completed a sharp turn.
* Dogfighting. Climb to 1-2 km, then level out and travel 100% throttle straight towards to enemy. You will often be one of the first people to the fight, so remember to always check your tail. Avoid head-on engagements, and attempt to lure enemies into turnfighting you.

'''Dogfighting'''

This rocket glider excels in turnfights, with a playstyle very similar to the A6M "Zero" at lower BRs. If you can somehow lure an enemy into turnfighting you, it's extremely easy to outmanoeuvre and kill them. But there are several things to take note of:

* Almost every other plane will outrun the Komet. Never plan to escape through speed, only through manoeuvres or friendlly support.
* Missiles are your worst enemy. They're very hard to dodge at low speed and high speed (due to compression). So if you see someone tailing you with missiles, prepare to dodge.
* Lowering the enemies' speed is the best way to gain the advantage. A great way to do this is by performing straight vertical climbs with evasive manoeuvring. Done correctly, you can flip over onto the enemy plane and catch them before they have a chance to get away.
* The Komet is very small, and thus very hard to hit. And long as you don't fly slow or straight, enemies will really struggle to bring you down.

'''Returning to Base'''

A good time to return to base is when on 90-120 seconds of fuel. Anything below that and you'll have to throttle down to conserve fuel on the return journey, taking more time and making the plane far more vulnerable.

'''After A Successful Landing'''

Many games will have been decided by the time you return to the runway and rearm for the first time. Always check the scoreboard before taking back off. It might be a 10-vs-1, which (hopefully) the rest of the team can handle without you. On the flipside, it might be a 1-vs-10, and taking off guarantees an early grave.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very high climb rate, decent acceleration
* Amazing dogfighter, outmanoeuvring jets in almost any situation
* Well-suited to high altitudes due to its rocket engine
* Excellent manoeuvrability
* Powerful 20 mm MG 151 cannons with access to the ''Minengeschoß'' shell
* Small target

'''Cons:'''

* Extremely limited fuel capacity
* Prone to wing overload crashes when the fuel tanks are full
* Fragile airframe
* Aircraft easily compresses above 750 km/h
* Limited ammo capacity
* Low muzzle velocity ammunition
* No airbrakes

== History ==

The '''Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet''' is a German interceptor aircraft designed for point-defence that is the only rocket-powered fighter aircraft ever to have been operational and the first piloted aircraft of any type to exceed 1,000 km/h (621 mph) in level flight. Designed by Alexander Lippisch, its performance and aspects of its design were unprecedented. German test pilot Heini Dittmar in early July 1944 reached 1,130 km/h (700 mph), an unofficial flight airspeed record unmatched by turbojet-powered aircraft for almost a decade.

Over 300 Komets were built, but the aircraft proved lacklustre in its dedicated role as an interceptor and destroyed between 9 and 18 Allied aircraft against 10 losses. Aside from combat losses, many pilots were killed during testing and training, at least in part due to the highly volatile and corrosive nature of the rocket propellant used in later models of the aircraft. This includes one pilot by the name of Oberleutnant Josef Pöhs, who was dissolved by the rocket fuel following an incident that resulted in a ruptured fuel line.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=me-163b-0 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
File:Me 163B-0 WTWallpaper 001.jpg
File:Me 163B-0 WTWallpaper 002.jpg
File:Me 163B-0 WTWallpaper 003.jpg
File:Me 163B-0 WTWallpaper 004.jpg
File:Me 163B-0 WTWallpaper 005.jpg
File:Me 163B-0 WTWallpaper 006.jpg
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|2NgpHefq0hc|'''Rocket Planes''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 02:13 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|INb9VjLxKf0|'''Most unusual aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 2:24 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|y_BcBzYVOeU|'''The Shooting Range #116''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 09:19 discusses the Me 163.}}

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/5763-development-me-163b-0-model-update-en|[Devblog] Me 163B-0, Model Update]]
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/320874-messerschmitt-me-163-b-1/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]

{{AirManufacturer BFW}}
{{Germany jet aircraft}}

M42 (Italy)

2023-02-05T21:29:03Z

U91803232: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Italian SPAA '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = M42 (Disambiguation)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=it_m15_42_contraereo
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (shortened as just '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''', also nicknamed "Quadruplo") is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian self-propelled anti-aircraft gun {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret, turret frame)
* Gun steel (guns)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 50 mm (12°) ''Upper plate'' 25 + 30 mm (12°) ''MG bulge'' 25 mm (80°) ''Front glacis'' 30 mm (15°) ''Lower plate'' || 25 mm (8°) ''Top'' 25 mm ''Bottom'' 30 mm (9-12°) ''MG bulge'' || 25 mm ''Upper part'' 25 mm (15°) ''Lower part'' || 25 mm (10°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm ''Crew compartment'' 8 mm (15°) ''Rear section - Engine'' 5-25 mm (8°) ''Rear section - Radiator vents''
|-
| Turret || 15 mm ''Turret front'' 25 + 15 mm ''Turret ring'' || 15 mm (14°) 25 + 15 mm ''Turret ring'' || 15 mm (17°) 25 + 15 mm ''Turret ring''
!
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick and bogies 10 mm thick.
* The belly is 14 mm thick and mudguards are 4 mm thick.
* The turret is reinforced with a 10 mm thick framing supporting the quadruple gun mount.
* The hull-mounted MG has been removed and the port has been obturated.

The {{PAGENAME}} is based off the M15/42 hull, with an opened top turret surrounding the crew members. The gunner does have an exposed spot in the front, and if shown to the enemy, can be machine-gunned easily without them to have to fire their main cannon. The turret may protect you from small rifle-calibre bullets, but .50 calibre and up, especially on the M4 Sherman will be able to penetrate your turret from anywhere, as it is generally weak against them. The hull armour is decent, still keeping the armour from the M15/42 hull, but don't expect to tank a lot of shots, as most of your enemies will have better calibre weapons, mostly encountering 75 mm and Russian 76.2 mm cannons. You may be able to bounce some smaller calibre shells like the 37 mm cannons but don't rely on your hull armour as your turret will most likely be targeted by the enemy. You have a small crew count of 3 members, and with two in the turret, and having okay armour, you'll usually die in one hit.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=263|rbMinHp=164}}

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

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

{{main|Scotti-IF 20/70 mod.41 (20 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Scotti-IF 20/70 mod.41 (20 mm)|20 mm Scotti-IF 20/70 mod.41]] (x4) || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 640 (160) || rowspan="2" | 600 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+90° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 52.8 || 73.1 || 88.8 || 98.2 || 104.5 || rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" | 4.60 || rowspan="2" | 4.24 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 35.7 || 42.0 || 51.0 || 56.4 || 60.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}} - The standard belt fits the anti-aircraft role.
* '''Granata mod.35:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - This belt is perfect for shooting at aircraft.
* '''Perforante mod.35:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}} - This belt is adapted to destroy lightly armoured targets.
* '''PzGr 40:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - This is the most powerful belt that can help you even take on armoured targets, although you lose almost all your penetrating power above 500 m so use it in CQC.

{{:Scotti-IF 20/70 mod.41 (20 mm)/Ammunition|HEFI-T*, API-T, HVAP-T}}

==== [[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
|-
| '''4''' || 0 ''(+4)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Ammo is modeled as 4 magazines of 160 rounds each.
* It is not possible to select how many rounds to bring into battle.
* It is possible to take only one type of ammo into battle.

== Usage in battles ==

In Realistic battles, the Quadruplo is best used in the support role when tank hunting, sticking with teammates, assisting them and potentially distracting the enemy. Your best bet of killing any tank, usually a Sherman, Cromwell or T-34, is from the side as the HVAP will pierce through their side armour, killing the tank. Light tanks such as M24s, Stuarts and Crusaders are able to be penetrated from the front, but usually this is only in close range engagements. T-50 and other slightly armoured light tanks will be tougher to kill, but you're still able to flank them. You can kill basically any SPAA you see, as you'll usually encounter trucks or armoured cars. Ambush and surprise tactics are good options to kill tanks effectively, as the enemy will stroll past you, usually showing their side armour. Aggressive playstyles are suggested to get the most out of the Quadruplo, similar to playing a Wirbelwind when tank hunting. Try not to expose yourself too much and move from cover to cover, as one hit from a tank shell, usually APHE, will knock you out in one shot, or the machine guns pierce your turret armour and kill both your gunner and commander. When it comes to shooting down planes in the Quadruplo, it is best to get their attention so they try to strafe you, or surprise them as they come closer to you, when you have a good shot as they won't have enough reaction time to evade your shots if they connect. Be mindful that you are open-topped, and you're less likely to survive a strafe run. It should also be noted that shooting continuously will sway the hull back and forth, which will make your aim go up and down.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* PzGr 40 shells are great at penetrating tanks from the sides and knocking out modules
* High mobility when spaded
* Great armour for a SPAA
* Guns have a very high rate of fire
* Guns are placed very close together
** Incredible AA capacity, effectively a lower BR Wirbelwind with somewhat less explosive filling

'''Cons:'''

* PzGr 40 is tier IV modification
* Performance is inadequate when stock
* Gap in the gunner's position of the turret armour
* Turret can be penetrated by .50 cals heavy machine guns
* High rate of fire makes it more difficult to adjust fire against planes
* 2 of 3 crew members crammed inside the turret
* Hull rocks back and forth when firing causing some rounds to miss
* Low ammunition count compared to its high rate of fire

== History ==

{{main|M15/42#History|l1=History of the M15/42}}

The history of the M42 Contraereo began during the late stages of the Second World War. In the years following 1942, the Royal Italian army would set out a request for a mobile platform which could mount a special anti-air mount to bolster and provide protection to Italian mechanised columns. At the time they would be subject to very frequent air raids by the British RAF. Although they had some anti-air coverage, it was not enough for their needs. Ground units only really widely access to single 20 mm mounts, usually installed on armoured trucks.

To save time and to reduce maintenance costs, the Italian army opted to go with the M15/42 tank to be used as the basis for the SPAA platform. The original turret would be removed and completely replaced with a new polygonal welded open turret, containing quadruple 20 mm Scotti Isotta Fraschini anti-air cannons. The turret could accommodate belt-fed munitions or clip-fed munitions. At the time this was actually one of the better anti-air vehicles made, not many countries had something remotely comparable, but it would not be long until the Germans had gained a particular interest in the vehicle which would play later on. The first prototype of the M42 Contraereo would be completed by January or February 1943, it would then also be presented for trials at the "Centro Studi Motorizzazione dell'esercito" (in English: "Center for motorization of the army").

In terms of mobility, the M42 kept pretty much all the previous stats of the M15/42 tank, meaning it could reach speeds of up to 40 km/h. When it came to survivability, it also kept the same protection values as the previous M15/42 tank it was based of, however it is good to note that the removal of the 2 x Breda 38 machine guns that previously would be installed in the hull, would instead be covered by a 42 mm armour plate. The new anti-air turret was for the most part exposed to incoming enemy fire, and did not offer adequate protection levels.

As development of this anti-air platform continued, it's likely that a handful of prototypes were made. What ceased the further development of the vehicle however was the 8th of September Armistice of Cassibile. During the confusion of leadership in Italy, the Germans would use that as an advantage to invade the north of Italy and set up a puppet state lead by Mussolini. Due to this, the Germans took over any production factories, any vehicle development and would integrate it into the German army. In this case, at least one unit of the M42 Contraereo was captured by the German army and was likely thoroughly examined by German engineers.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=it_m15_42_contraereo Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|_PxXdDCbHnI|'''Whirly Boi Moved To Italy - {{PAGENAME}} 600 Rounds/Min''' - ''PhlyDaily''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[M15/42]]

;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[Wirbelwind]]
* [[Crusader AA Mk II]]
* [[ZSD63]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Semovente_da_20/70_quadruplo|[Wikipedia] Semovente da 20/70 quadruplo]]

{{TankManufacturer FIAT-Ansaldo}}
{{Italy anti-aircraft vehicles}}

Ta-Se

2023-02-05T21:25:29Z

U91803232: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=jp_type_98_ta_se
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces tree in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]]

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

It shares the same chassis as the Type 98 [[Ke-Ni]], very thin armour in favour of speed, with a modified open-top turret to be converted as an SPAAG.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (22-25°) ''Front plate'' 9 mm (24°) ''Driver's port'' 9 mm (72°) ''Front glacis'' 16 mm (2-58°) ''Lower glacis'' || 12 mm (0-31°) ''Top'' 12 mm ''Bottom'' || 10 mm (52°) ''Top'' 10 mm (12-52°) ''Bottom'' || 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 12-16 mm (13-14°) ''Turret front'' 12 mm (0-1°) ''Gun mount'' || 12 mm (11-13°) || 12 mm (6-11°) || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 9 mm thick.
* Turret underside armour is 9 mm thick.

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


As mentioned, the Ta-Se is built on the Type 98 [[Ke-Ni]] hull, which is a very manoeuvrable platform.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 136|rbMinHp= 115}}

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

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

{{main|Type 98 (20 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[Type 98 (20 mm)|20 mm Type 98]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 400 (20) || rowspan="2" | 300 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 35.2 || 48.8 || 59.2 || 65.5 || 69.6 || rowspan="2" | 3.90 || rowspan="2" | 3.45 || rowspan="2" | 3.18 || rowspan="2" | 3.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 23.8 || 28.0 || 34.0 || 37.6 || 40.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} - This belt can fulfill both roles until the others are researched.
* '''Type 100 HE-T:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} - These are best in the AA role but have no effect on enemy tanks except lightly armoured or open-topped vehicles.
* '''Type 100 AP-T:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - These are best against enemy tanks at close range and do good damage to planes. Concentrate your fire on weak spots like the sides and the rear.

{{:Type 98 (20 mm)/Ammunition|HEFI-T, API-T}}

==== [[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
|-
|| '''20''' || 1 ''(+19)'' || No
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The Ta-Se is a fast turreted SPAAG armed with a 20 mm autocannon. It can serve both as an AA or, in urban/small maps, as a close-quarter flanking vehicle. With a fair 24 hp/ton ratio (fully upgraded), the Ta-Se has enough mobility to follow other light tanks. Its light weight makes breaking through obstacles a bit challenging, but, its canon can break most of them before making contact. With fairly narrow tracks, this vehicle is easily slowed down by rough terrain.

One big downside to being such a fast and versatile vehicle (both AA and AT) is that armour is very light at an average of 12 mm. This means you won't survive any shot bigger than MG fire: play smart and always flank, strike fast and retreat at the littlest threat (arty, other enemy tank, strafing plane, etc.). Since two out of three crew members are located in the turret (with their head popping out of it), do not expect to survive any more than one shot.

'''AA role''':

While not being the best rank 1 AA autocannon (this title belongs to the German [[Flakpanzer 38|Flakpanzer 38(t)]] Gepard), this little gun is still very suitable to engage planes.

Shooting at aircraft, you can make use of its manoeuvrability to evade enemy bombs or bullets. This is not a spectacular AA since it's fire density is not so great, requiring every shot to be pinpoint on target to hit. Bring 5-6 full HE belts (API works aswell offering high fire chance) to take this role in case there is planes coming your way. Any good SPAA tactic works fine with the Ta-Se.

'''Light brawler''':

Any aggressive player will greatly enjoy taking this little brute into a close quarter fight. Its fast speed and turret turning rate allow for intense action and multi-target engagement. At this BR, 45 mm of penetration is more than enough to incapacitate most enemy tanks. But beware of its limited ammo count and always engage your target with a fully loaded magazine. It is recommended to spray the gunner first and then taking your time to snipe every other crew member. Whenever an artillery strike is coming your way, be it friendly or enemy, do not stand there for too long since a single shell can wreck this tank. One last warning: never engage heavy targets, instead: ''flee''.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* More armoured than the [[Type 94]] (can survive MG fire)
* Good manoeuvrability and speed
* Fast turret turning rate
* Tiny. Can easily conceal itself and wait for the perfect time to take out enemy aircraft
* 20 mm autocannon is more than enough to take out planes at its BR and API-T belt can even take out light tanks and medium tanks from the side.
* 20 magazines of 20 bullets each.
* Good default multi-purpose belt.
* Fast reload speed

'''Cons:'''

* Same single-mounted 20 mm autocannon as with the [[Type 94]]
* Turret crew members still vulnerable to air attacks and artillery strikes
* Only 3 crew members, two of which are in the turret
* Loader and commander are exposed from the turret.
* Low firing rate and dispersion, which can lead to poor performance against fast and tiny fighters
* Very thin armour makes it vulnerable to almost every enemy

== History ==


In 1941, Japanese command ordered armoured self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. The new vehicle was supposed to be based on a [[Ke-Ni|Type 98 Ke-Ni]] tank chassis and had a 20 mm canon. The vehicle had a Type 100 air-cooled diesel engine with an output of 96.9 kW. After testing the vehicle, it was decided not to put it into series production, so only one Ta-se was built.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=jp_type_98_ta_se Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Ke-Ni]]
* [[So-Ki]]

;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[Flakpanzer I]]
* [[Flakpanzer 38]]
* [[Pvlvv fm/42]]

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Hino}}
{{Japan anti-aircraft vehicles}}

I-Go Ko

2023-02-05T21:22:41Z

U91803232: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Japanese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = equipment of the same adoption year
| link = Type 89 (Disambiguation)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=jp_type_89b_i_go_otsu
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' {{Annotation|八九式中戦車 (乙型)「イ号」|Hachikyū-Shiki Chū-Sensha (Otsu-Gata) [I-Gō]}} is a reserve rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] along with the rest of the initial Japanese Ground Forces Tree.

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

The armour on the I-Go Ko is lacking against contemporary enemies. With an armour thickness of less than 20 mm (aside from the spaced areas) all over, even large-calibre machine guns can penetrate the tank frontally. Not to mention, the front armour is only mildly sloped and presents a large target that can result in the vehicle being knocked out with a single penetration. It is recommended to not rely on your armour, nor advance on an enemy unless they are incapacitated (i.e. gunner or cannon knocked out).

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 17 mm (32°) ''Front glacis'' || 17 mm ''Top'' 17 + 17 mm ''Bottom'' || 17 mm (61°) ''Top'' 17 mm ''Bottom'' || 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 17 mm (9°) ''Turret front'' 25 mm (10°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 15 mm (10-12°) || 15 mm (11°) || 10 mm
|-
| Cupola || 15 mm || 15 mm || 15 mm || 10 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are both 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=183|rbMinHp=104}}

Much like the armour, the {{PAGENAME}} leaves something to be desired in the mobility department. While the tank is reasonably mobile in close-quarters situations due to the good acceleration, the poor top speed will result in long trips across large maps and between capture points compared to other reserve tanks.

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

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

{{main|Type 90 (57 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 90 (57 mm)|57 mm Type 90]] || 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" | 100 || rowspan="2" | -15°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 14.47 || 20.03 || 24.32 || 26.90 || 28.61 || rowspan="2" | 4.29 || rowspan="2" | 3.80 || rowspan="2" | 3.50 || rowspan="2" | 3.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 9.04 || 10.64 || 12.92 || 14.30 || 15.20
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 90 (57 mm)/Ammunition|Type 92 APHE, Type 3 HEAT}}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''100''' || 97 ''(+3)'' || 61 ''(+39)'' || 49 ''(+51)'' || 13 ''(+87)'' || 1 ''(+99)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
* To minimize rack detonation, it is recommended to empty all the way to the 3rd rack with 49 ''(+51)'' shells.

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

{{main|Type 91 (6.5 mm)}}

The Type 91 machine gun is mounted in the hull with limited traverse. With a limited magazine capacity, slow traverse speed, and small calibre, this machine gun usually doesn't serve much use in combat except as a tool against open-topped SPAA or tank destroyers, or to ping enemies on the map for teammates to see. As is common with many Japanese tanks, the turret is not fitted with a forward facing coaxial machine gun, so this machine gun is the I-Go Ko's only other weapon option if the main gun is incapacitated.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 91 (6.5 mm)|6.5 mm Type 91]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Hull || 3,000 (30) || 499 || ±22° || ±25°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The Type 89b I-Go Ko, despite its rather tractor-esque look, is a mobile tank that could use its speed to get to an enemy's flanks and cause some serious damage. The 57 mm cannon is unfortunately rather pitiful even in Rank I, with a penetration value of between 20 to 30 mm with APHE at standard combat ranges. Therefore, it is usually best to catch enemies unaware and go for flanking shots against their weaker side armour by driving around, instead of directly toward them. The 57 mm low-velocity shell does have an advantage of a rather prominent parabolic trajectory so it is possible to lob shells over hills to hit unsuspecting enemies behind it.

The gun's poor penetration will change when using the High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) shell. This shell has 55 mm of penetration at any range but still has considerable drop-off due to the low velocity of the gun. It's a good enough anti-everything shell that can penetrate most targets you will meet, especially those pesky French tanks, which tend to be quite well armoured. The Type 3 HEAT shell, fortunately, has just enough penetration to get through them, although it is generally recommended to try to aim for weak spots and be prepared for the shell to non-pen. This shell will also most likely destroy any truck or open-topped vehicle with a good hit.

'''Specific enemies worth noting:'''

Pretty much everything is a threat to this vehicle due to its mediocre mobility and poor armour. Fast vehicles like the [[M2A4]], [[BT-5]], [[A13 Mk I]], and [[AMD.35]] in particular are a difficult encounter; the I-Go Ko is reasonably fast at close quarters, but not that fast. The tank's sluggish turret traverse makes tracking a close target difficult and at long range the slow shells are difficult to aim precisely at a moving target. The [[20-K (45 mm)|45mm 20-K]] gun that the commonly encountered BT series have can easily destroy you at any range with a well-aimed shot.

Vehicles with autocanons and heavy machine guns like the [[M2A2]], [[GAZ-AAA (DShK)]], [[Pz.II C]], and [[T-60]], are the I-Go Ko's worst nightmare. Their high volume of fire and good mobility coupled with the I-Go Ko's lack of a coaxial or pintle-mounted MG puts the I-Go Ko at a large disadvantage. SPAAs generally should be considered by the I-Go Ko to be just as deadly, if not more so, than conventional tanks.

One more vehicle type to worry about is aircraft. Due to the tank's roof being thin, aircraft with anything more than a heavy machine gun will be able to penetrate the I-Go Ko. Some examples of these include the 12.7 mm-armed [[P-26A-34 M2]] and [[F3F-2]], and the 20 mm-armed [[He 112 A-0]] and [[D.500]].

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Decent forward speed and good acceleration
* Parabolic trajectory lets you lob 57 mm rounds over hills
* APHE has a huge amount of explosive mass, especially for the calibre
* Type 3 HEAT shell has good damage output and can go through most tanks rather easily
* Great gun depression
* Shoulder-stabilized main gun which allows for stable shots at low speeds

'''Cons:'''

* Very poor armour layout
* APHE shell struggles to penetrate many of the tanks it will face, even from the sides
* Slow turret and hull traverse speed
* Tall for a Rank I tank
* No coaxial machine gun in the turret, the bow machine gun only fires forwards in a limited arc
* Tight crew spacing, resulting in a head on shot spelling certain death

== History ==

===Development===
Japan's early pioneering into the concept of armoured warfare began as early as October 1918 during the first World War. They were able to acquire a few tank samples from the European governments, ranging from a British Mark IV tank, Medium A Whippet tanks, and Renault FT tanks. These tanks would make up Japan's first tank units in 1925. Their experiences with these tanks led to the eventual development of their own domestic tank design. The requirement for this new tank was given to the 4th Military Laboratory under the Imperial Japanese Army's jurisdiction and was mainly in charge of land vehicle development. In the summer of 1926, the first prototype was completed with the design of three turrets, one main in the middle and two smaller ones in the front and rear. The design was deemed too heavy at 18 tons and so development restarted, the initial design carrying on in the failed Type 91 and 95 tanks. During this time, a trial with a British Vickers Model C tank had the tank's gasoline engine catch fire. This prompted the Japanese to fit their tanks with a diesel engine instead. The development led to a new design in 1929, titled Type 89 I-Go. Though it is considered to be a light tank, the designation changed to a medium tank due to its weight of 10 tons.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

The Type 89's construction was assigned to Sagami Arsenal, but it was subcontracted to private firms due to Sagami's lack in industry. One of the firms was Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which developed a tank plant specifically for the Type 89. The Type 89 production officially started in 1931, with mass-production in 1933 and continued until 1939 with 404 tanks built.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

[[File:Type_89,_early_version_front_view.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Front 3/4 view of an Imperial Japanese Army Type 89a I-Go Ko.]]
===Design===
The Type 89 I-Go was Japan's first domestic tank design, yet it showed a lot of features that were revolutionary and would become a trademark of the Japanese tank designs. The Type 89 I-Go had a four-man crew in the tank with two in the turret. The turret held a 57 mm low-velocity gun meant for fighting fortifications due to the tank's role as infantry support. A peculiar feature on the Type 89 was the rear machine gun on the back of the turret. This machine gun was meant to enable the Type 89 to engage forward targets with a machine gun or its 57 mm gun and would be a design trend in future tank development.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

The Type 89 design changed gradually over time due to troop experience and advances in technology. For example, a small change that occurred for the Type 89 was the change of the commander's cupola from a "top hat" or "lid" design to a split hatch design. A noticeable change was in the engine when the first models produced off the lines were powered by a 118hp gasoline engine, these tanks were labelled as Type 89A I-Go Ko. It wasn't until 1934 when a change to 120hp Mitsubishi diesel engine was made that the Type 89 was redesignated the Type 89B I-Go Otsu. This diesel engine made the Type 89 the first mass-produced tank that uses diesel as its fuel.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

The Type 89 does carry its few flaws, however. The tank was quite slow at about 25 km/h (16 mph), a hindrance to mobile operations using motorized infantry that must wait for the tanks to reach the combat zone. The armour was quite thin at 17 mm and the 57 mm's anti-tank power was quite abyssal. However, against the Chinese troops from 1932 onwards, the armour and firepower flaws were small worries due to the lack of available tanks and anti-tank defences on the Chinese side.

===Combat usage===
The Type 89 was first used in 1932 in the 1st Special Tank Company after the Manchurian Incident. The company, armed with Type 89 along with Renault FT and NC tanks, took part in the conflict between China and Japan in the Shanghai Incident. The experience showed that the Type 89 performed well in comparison to the Renaults and soon the entire company was fitted with Type 89s, retiring the Renaults.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

The mass production of the Type 89 from 1933 onwards allowed the formation of large tank groups in Japan, leading to the 1st and 3rd Tank Regiment in Kurume, Fukuoka with the 2nd Tank Regiment at Chiba Tank School. The 1st Tank Regiment would be deployed with the Kwantung Army in China, where it would carry the Type 89 tank in the conflict against China from 1937 onwards.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

By 1939, the Type 89 was starting to be succeeded by newer Japanese tanks, but they still served on the frontlines such as the border conflicts between Japan and the Soviet Union. In the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, the IJA's 1st Tank Corps attacked the Soviet 11th Tank and 7th Armoured brigades in July with a mixture of Type 89s, [[Chi-Ha|Type 97 mediums]], [[Ha-Go|Type 95 lights]], and tankettes in the 3rd and 4th Tank Regiments. Though the attack stirred up Soviet lines, there was no breakthrough in Soviet lines. The Soviets, armed with [[T-26|T-26]] and [[BT-5|BT]] [[BT-7|light tanks]], would soon push the Japanese back to Manchuria and have a cease-fire signed on 24 August.

Though the Type 89 was mostly withdrawn from service and replaced with the [[Ha-Go|Ha-Go]] and [[Chi-Ha|Chi-Ha]], the I-Go still served as far into the battles for the Philippines, Malaya and Burma. Some tanks saw further use as static pillboxes in the Japanese islands of the Pacific, but these tanks were vulnerable to newer anti-tank and tank technology of the Americans with their bazookas and [[M4|M4 Shermans]] once they started their island-hopping strategy against Imperial Japan.

Even after World War II, some Type 89s were still seen in service of the French during the First Indochina War, using the captured Japanese armour in a unit known as 'Commando Blindé du Cambodge'.

===Surviving Tanks===
[[File:Type 89b I-Go at Tsuchira.jpg|thumb|Restored Type 89b I-Go Otsu at Tsuchira tank museum open day.]]
{{Break}}
Many Type 89 relics still are visible in the wild usually reduced to a wreck with a handful of tanks still being in a good condition. These in good condition are located in:

* The Ordnance Training Support Facility, Ft. Lee, VA, USA.
* The Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force base at Tsuchiura, Ibaraki, Japan.
* Sinbudai Old Weapon Museum, Camp Asaka, Japan
* Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon Province, Philippines

Only 1 I-Go Otsu remains in running condition, which was restored at the JGSDF base at Tsuchiura together with the last [[Chi-Nu|Type 3 Chi-Nu]] to still exist. Both are stored on military ground so aren't at all times in public display. The I-Go Otsu usually makes an appearance during the open day of the Tsuchiura base. The vehicle can be seen in [[#Media|media]] still running after being restored by the JGSDF.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=jp_type_89b_i_go_otsu Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
ChiNuIGo.png|Type 3 Chi-Nu & Type 89 I-Go on display, The first and last Japanese Army production medium tank.
ArtImage I-Go Ko.png|Type 89 I-Go assaulting on White Rock Fortress.
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|p9_XD0TgdiA|'''TOP 5 Reserve Tanks''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 2:23 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|c8WHPgdkdOc|'''Type 89 medium tank - Imperial Japanese Army Armored Forces Exercise - September 1941''' - ''
kinsei1560''|LBM3eMJJRjg|'''Type 89 tank Imperial Japanese Army''' - ''MrHofner5001''}}

== 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/news/4341-development-type-89-i-go-ko-first-series-en/|[Devblog] Type 89 I-Go Ko: First Series]]

=== References ===
<references />

{{TankManufacturer Mitsubishi}}
{{Japan light tanks}}

Chi-He

2023-02-05T21:20:11Z

U91803232: /* Pros and cons */ stated rough distance in which the gun's inaccuracy becomes major issue

{{About
| about = Japanese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the premium version
| link = Chi-He (5th Regiment)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=jp_type_1_chi_he
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' ({{Annotation|一式中戦車「チへ」|Ichi-Shiki Chū-Sensha [Chi-He]}}) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Japanese medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] along with the initial Japanese Ground Forces Tree. Featuring a better armour, slightly better mobility with the same [[Type 1 (47 mm)|47 mm Type 1]] gun as its [[Chi-Ha Kai|Chi-Ha Kai]] predecessor, the Chi-He is an enjoyable tank to play in the early ranks of the game.

This tank is the middle-range Japanese traditional design: there is no surprise but it gets just a bit better every time, as does the enemy. Do not change tactics and play just like with earlier vehicles: stick to allies and use mobility to get to the point with other fast vehicles. Use its good gun depression to hide behind hills and snipe enemies. With its good reverse speed, it can easily get out of nasty situations or hide quickly.

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

There is nothing impressive here in terms of armour, the Chi-He features 50 mm, poorly angled, frontal armour. This is not the kind of plate that can take any punishment at the battle rating, it will only bounce poorly aimed shots. The five-man crew inside makes the tank very survivable, leaving some room for mistakes. Side armour is vulnerable to heavy machine gun and autocannon fire, so beware flanking fast tanks.

'''Armour Type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Machine gun ports)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 50 mm (15°) ''Front plate'' 12 mm (76°) ''Front glacis'' 50 mm (20°) ''Joint plate'' 8.5 mm (65°) ''Lower glacis'' || 20 mm (15-30°) ''Top'' 25 mm ''Bottom'' || 20 mm (0-20°) ''Top'' 8.5 mm (63°) ''Bottom'' || 12 mm
|-
| Turret || 25 + 25 mm (10°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (0-10°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25 mm (10°) || 25 mm ''Turret rear'' 50 mm (0-57°) ''Machine gun port'' || 12 mm
|-
| Cupola || 50 mm || 50 mm || 50 mm || 12 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels both 15 mm thick
* Tracks are 20 mm thick.
* Front of turret has bolted on 25 mm armour to total up to 50 mm thick as the rest of the front.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=372|rbMinHp=212}}

This is one of the main feature of the Chi-He, it enables it to do anything a commander want with it. Want to be first on the spot? With some skill/luck, the Chi-He can! Want to flank? follow other light tanks in the move, provide them with enhanced firepower! The enemy team is coming over? Hit the gas (in a rearward position) and fire while retreating.

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

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

{{main|Type 1 (47 mm)}}

Comparatively to other light/medium tanks at this battle rating, the 47 mm Type 1 gun is quite surprising with 77 mm of penetration at point-blank range and has a good reload speed. Plus, this fires APHE shells, which do great post-penetration damage. Comparatively, the [[20-K (45 mm)]] gun on Russian BR 1.0-2.7 tanks has only 62 mm of penetration in similar conditions. A top-mounted MG is really useful when dealing with unarmoured SPG and SPAA one might encounter at the battle rating.

One thing to keep in mind compared to [[Chi-Ha Kai]] is that it still retains the same hand-cranked turret with additional 25 mm plates to improve the frontal armour to a max of 50 mm. This however slows down the turret rotations speeds due the added weight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 1 (47 mm)|47 mm Type 1]] || 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" | 120 || rowspan="2" | -15°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 13.33 || 18.45 || 22.40 || 24.77 || 26.35 || rowspan="2" | 4.29 || rowspan="2" | 3.80 || rowspan="2" | 3.50 || rowspan="2" | 3.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 8.33 || 9.80 || 11.90 || 13.16 || 14.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 1 (47 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1 APHE, Type 1 HE}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! 10th rack empty
! 11th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''120''' || 91 ''(+29)'' || 76 ''(+44)'' || 73 ''(+47)'' || 62 ''(+58)'' || 51 ''(+69)'' || 40 ''(+80)'' || 29 ''(+91)'' || 21 ''(+99)'' || 15 ''(+105)'' || 9 ''(+111)'' || 1 ''(+119)'' || No
|-
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 73 ''(+47)'' shells.

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

{{main|Type 97 (7.7 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 97 (7.7 mm)|7.7 mm Type 97]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Hull || 3,000 (20) || 499 || ±10° || ±15°
|-
| Pintle || 1,000 (20) || 499 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


As the successor of the Chi-Ha, the Chi-He has a redesigned hull with thicker armour, a more powerful engine and an up-armoured turret from the Chi-Ha Kai, so the front is overall at 50 mm effective. This will result in a very similar playstyle as the Chi-Ha Kai with the added benefits of being an upgrade.

Unlike the [[Chi-Ha Kai|Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai]], the Type 1 Chi-He has some more armour and a stronger engine to rely on and it is able to brawl on its own with the fast rate of fire. But as previously mentioned on [[Chi-He#Main armament|Main armament]], the Chi-He retains the same hand-cranked turret with additional armour, slowing down the already mediocre turning time by a slight amount.

Literally on top of armour and engine upgrades, the Chi-He gets an additional pintle point anti-aircraft machine gun, even though the [[Type 97 tank (7.7 mm)|Type 97 7.7 mm]] has a low clip capacity, it can prove useful for pinning enemy units and even getting hits to down enemy planes.

The best practice for the Chi-He (and other WWII-era Japanese tanks) is to always point forward, the front armour has pre-angled sides, so angling only hurts your pre-angles and weaker side armour. It's not worth trying to get more out of the 50 mm frontal effective protection.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

* B1 bis / ter: the B1 can easily destroy the Chi-Ha when using both of its guns, but when angling only the 47 mm gun is available, meaning that the Chi-Ha can take some more hits. It is very hard to destroy the Char B1 from a distance, so get as close as possible with the ideal range being no more than 300 m. Aim at their flat hull side, turret side, hull cannon mount or the driving compartment (the near-vertical frontal armour right below the turret). Upon penetrating, the Chi-Ha's 47 mm APHE can knock out several crews, and your quick reload allows you to finish the rest off in time. However if the B1 has folded armour plates on their hull sides then it is a B1 ter, avoid shooting at its sides.
* [[M4A3 (105)]]: This low-rank Sherman posts a huge threat to every of its opponents due to its superior armour and destructive firepower. Its armour is overall quite tough to penetrate with your small 47 mm gun, but it can be solved by careful aiming. If the M4 is within 200 m, shoot at the vertical part of its gun mantlet or its side if exposed. One penetration might not kill all the crew, however two are generally enough. If it's up close and hull down, try shooting at its gun barrel to disarm it, but one shot is not guaranteed to destroy the barrel. When the M4 is further than 400 m away, all of your shells will perform poorly at penetrating its armour, so disengage or wait until it gets closer. Remember to not get hit by it, its HEAT is able to knock the Chi-He out with ease.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* 47 mm cannon can do some decent damage
* Small profile
* Gunner supported stabilization, can take accurate shots at low speeds
* Top-mounted MG
* Fast reverse speed (2 reverse gears)
* Fast in forward motion
* Frontal transmission
* Awesome gun depression of -15°
* Fast reloading rate

'''Cons:'''

* Thin side armour means angling front armour could expose weak armour
* 47 mm gun is so inaccurate, to the point where it can barely be used past 500 meters.
* Packed 5-men crew can lead to an easy knock out if penetrated
* 50 mm front armour, poorly angled
* Big ammo racks in the turret (carry only half-ammo load)
* Long and narrow hull: hard to turn on the spot

== History ==

{{main|Chi-He (Family)|l1=History of the Type 1 Chi-He}}
===Development===
The Imperial Japanese Army's main tank, the [[Chi-Ha|Type 97 Chi-Ha]], was becoming rather outdated by the turn of the decade in 1940. The 30 mm front plate armour was vulnerable to standard anti-tank weaponry and the riveted design post a hazard to the tank crew by spalling. In 1941, work began on modernizing the design up to new industrial standards.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

The first step in the modernizing design was to go towards a welded design rather than rivveted. The front glacis plate was also simplified into a large flat 50 mm armour plate rather than the curved one. The increased armour meant an increased weight, so the Japanese added the improved Type 100 diesel engine, capable of pumping out 240 hp to propel the tank. This new tank was accepted as the '''Type 1 Chi-He'''.<ref name="ZalogaJapaneseTank">Zaloga Steven. ''Japanese Tanks 1939-1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2007</ref>

During the tank's preparation for mass-production, a request by the commander of the 7th Tank Regiment calling for an improved armament on the Type 97 Chi-Ha was received by the Mitsubishi factory. With the Type 1 Chi-He still needing time to enter production levels, let alone the resources needed to manufacture completely new tanks, it was placed on hold and priority was placed on improving the Type 97. This lead to the cheaper method of adapting the Type 97 to using the Type 1 turret with the 47 mm cannon, producing to the [[Chi-Ha Kai|Type 97 Chi-Ha Kai]]. This delayed the mass-production of the Type 1 Chi-He until February 1944, resulting in only 170 tanks produced before the end of the war.<ref name="ZalogaChiHavsSherman">Zaloga Steven. ''M4 Sherman vs Type 97 Chi-Ha: The Pacific 1945'' Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2012</ref>

===Combat usage===
Despite its relatively early production life over late-war Japanese tanks and its improved characteristics, the Type 1 Chi-He would see its combat life held in reserves in the Japanese home islands. They would never see use in the battlefield before Japan surrendered in August 1945.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=jp_type_1_chi_he Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|4_cJ1CpEatw|'''Best gun depression''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:33 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==

;[[Chi-He (Family)|Related Development]]

* [[Chi-Ha (Family)]] - (Predecessor)
** [[Chi-Ha Kai]]
* [[Ho-I]] - (Gun tank variant)
* [[Ka-Chi]] - (Amphibious variant)

;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[Panzer III (Family)]] - (Early models)
* [[LT-38 (Family)]]
* [[M15/42]]
* [[Lago I]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4349-development-type-1-chi-he-an-updated-classic-en/|[Devblog] Type 1 Chi-He – An Updated Classic]]
* [[wikipedia:Type_1_Chi-He_medium_tank|[Wikipedia] Type 1 Chi-He medium tank]]

===References===
<references />

{{TankManufacturer Mitsubishi}}
{{Japan medium tanks}}

Somua SM

2022-07-14T20:33:08Z

U91803232: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_somua_sm
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_001.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_005.jpg}}
|store=9313
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} French heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]] as a [[wt:en/news/6852-news-meet-major-update-raining-fire-en|premium pack]] in the Gaijin store.

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

The upper glacis of the hull and the upper part of the turret are the only well-protected areas, which will give you good protection against most conventional rounds, especially from far ranges. However, the rest of the armour is very weak and can be easily penetrated by pretty much everything, and you will still be vulnerable against HEAT-FS, ATGMs, APFSDS and such. Your best bet is to flank the enemy and take them out with your auto-loading gun before they can get a hit on you. If an enemy spots you, face them so they can only hit the front of the tank, and hope that they don't hit the very weak bottom portion of your turret. Try not to angle your tank as the sides can easily be penetrated. Since you have 5 crew members, with 2 in the front of the hull and 3 in the turret, and come equipped with a handy autoloader, you can take a few hits and lose a couple of crew members without having to worry too much.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (oscillating turret, turret base, cupola)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 150 mm (55°) ''Front glacis''
60 mm (55°) ''Lower glacis''
| 40 mm (25°) ''Top'' 40 mm ''Bottom'' || 40 mm (30°) || 5 - 20 mm
|-
| Turret || 40 - 120 mm ''Turret front'' 200 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 40 - 60 mm || 40 mm || 30 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels, tracks and torsion bars are 20 mm thick.

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

Although heavier and not as mobile as the [[AMX-50]] or [[Lorraine 40t]], the Somua SM is still pretty mobile for a heavy tank. You will still want to flank the enemy as much as possible and take them out quickly with your auto-loading gun, but don't be afraid to take a few hits from the front. However, your reverse speed is pretty slow and will not save you, so watch out for that.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1291|rbMinHp=884}}

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

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

{{main|SA47 L/58 (100 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SA47 L/58 (100 mm)|100 mm SA47 L/58]] || 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" | 50 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A ||24.3||33.6||40.8||45.1||48.0|| rowspan="2" | 4.00 || rowspan="2" | 4.00 || rowspan="2" | 4.00 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
|17.9||21.0||25.5||28.2||30.0
|-
|}

==== 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
|-
| 100 mm Obus de rupture || APCBC || 273 || 270 || 257 || 242 || 228 || 215
|-
| 100 mm Obus explosif || HE || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18
|-
|}
{| 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%
|-
| 100 mm Obus de rupture || APCBC || 1,000 || 15 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| 100 mm Obus explosif || HE || 1,000 || 14.8 || 0 || 0.1 || 1,400 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''50''' || 46 ''(+4)'' || 39 ''(+11)'' || 32 ''(+18)'' || 25 ''(+25)'' || 18 ''(+32)'' || 14 ''(+36)'' || 10 ''(+40)'' || 9 ''(+41)'' || 1 ''(+49)'' || No
|-
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
Notes:

* Shells are modelled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 9* (autoloader magazine) is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 9 shells.
** This rack gets filled first when loading up the tank and is also emptied first.
* As it is equipped with an autoloader, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
* Once the autoloader magazine has been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the autoloader. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun. Take this into account when playing.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 to 8 into rack 9*. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
* The depletion order at full capacity is: 9 - 1 - 2 - up to 8.

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

{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 4,800 (150) || 551 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
The small calibre of the MAC 31 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.

== Usage in battles ==

Try to play the {{PAGENAME}} quite aggressively because the Somua has a very strong autoloader. Hardly anyone else on the battlefield owns an autoloader like the French do at this battle rating.

It's best to find a good, but safe position close to the front to get good shots onto targets. If encountering an enemy tank with good turret armor like a Tiger II, try to shoot the weak spots. Though the gun should be sufficient for front penetration, the {{PAGENAME}} can drive around to hit the target's side armour do to its semi-good mobility. If the enemy tank tries to drive away, shoot it in the tracks to immobilise it.

Though the 4 second autoloader is the {{PAGENAME}}'s greatest asset, try not to fire too quickly as the autoloader can only carry 8 ammunition at a time. Refilling the autoloader can take a long time. Once the 8 shots are depleted, look for a safe position behind the terrain or other cover and wait until the autoloader is refilled with shells.

A {{PAGENAME}}'s main worry on the battlefield is its own armour, as while the hull front is somewhat good, everywhere else is easy to penetrate by most tank shells being shot at the {{PAGENAME}}. This is especially the case when encountering tanks with HEAT rounds, as then nowhere on the tank is safe from a penetration. Always make sure that no one shoots the {{PAGENAME}} from the side because the damage can be very serious due to the ammunition stowage.

When fighting at the front lines, always try to drive with other tanks so that the {{PAGENAME}} does not get as much focus. Attacking the enemies while they are attacking allies is the best way to catch them off guard with the 100 mm cannon. With its autoloader, the {{PAGENAME}} can be a deadly machine by picking off the enemies one by one before they can react.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Same great gun found on the AMX-50 and Lorraine
* Equipped with a huge 9-shell autoloader, making this one of the best tanks to attack multiple enemies at once
*Unlike most French tanks, the SOMUA has good frontal armour; the upper turret and upper plate are basically immune to all conventional rounds
* Due to the frontal armour and nine shot autoloader, the tank is not only great at flanking and ambushing, but also very good at brawling
* The strong upper turret coupled with the eight degrees of gun depression makes this tank great at hull-down fighting and cresting ridgelines
* Due to how tall this tank is and how high the gun is placed, it can shoot over obstacles that many tanks have trouble seeing over
* Quick and manoeuvrable for a heavy tank
* This tank has a high level of survivability thanks to the spacious crew compartment and a five-man crew
* Good set of optics with 6x magnification
* The APCBC round has a tendency to cause lots of spalling upon penetration

'''Cons:'''

* Absolutely huge tank. Longer, wider, and taller than a Tiger II. Finding proper concealment is difficult
* The neck of the turret a prime weak spot that's hard to effectively hide
* The lower plate is as weak as British lower plates. Any APHE shell that enters here will likely knock out the whole crew
* Will face a lot of enemies that fire APDS and HEAT, the upper turret and upper plate just can't absorb those kinds of shells
* Terrible side armour, side-scraping or angling the tank is extremely hazardous
* Is much slower than the Lorraine and AMX-50
* Mediocre elevation angles thanks to the inherent nature of oscillating turrets
* Once the autoloader is expended, reloading the magazine takes a considerable amount of time
* Because of the 4.0s reload, you can quite easily empty the 9 round magazine
* no good way to get out of a bad position due to either having to expose its weak sides or pitifully scoot out with its 4 KMH reverse speed

== History ==

At the end of WW2, the French army realized that they needed a new modern heavy tank. The SOMUA Company competed with AMX to design a new heavy tank for France, and they were given the order to build a prototype in 1946. The hull of the tank was based off the German Tiger II, and the tank used an oscillating turret armed with an auto-loading 100 mm gun. Because the two companies were forced to make a new design with the same requirements, the Somua SM design looked similar to the AMX 50, and both tanks had equipped the 100 mm gun. The prototype was delivered in October of 1951 but was still lacking an engine and some other parts. Due to delays, the prototype was not tested until 1953, but it was already too late. The SOMUA's design was rejected in favour of the AMX 50.

=== [[wt:en/news/6825-development-somua-sm-heavy-weight-fighter-en|Devblog]] ===
In 1946, at the same time when AMX was given the order to develop what would eventually become the AMX-50 tank, SOMUA was instructed to come up with a competing design that would act as an alternative to the AMX.

Due to both companies being issued identical technical requirements by the French Army and taking much inspiration from the German "King Tiger" at the same time, both designs turned out to be very similar. In fact, SOMUA's design stood out from AMX's only in increased mass, coming as a result of heavier protection, and in its more simple running gear.

The SOMUA SM, as it became known, was presented for the first time to army officials in October 1951, albeit without its engine installed. At the same time, prototypes of the AMX-50 had already been tested. By 1953, SOMUA had completed the construction of its SM tank, subsequently conducting trials.

During testing however, several design issues were revealed. Because of this and the fact that the upgunned version of the AMX-50 with a 120mm gun was already available, the decision was made to cancel further work on the project. As a result, the SOMUA SM never left the prototype stage and the only constructed vehicle was scrapped shortly after the project's cancellation.

== Media ==


;Skins

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

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Somua SM Devblog Images" heights="150">
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 003.jpg|
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 004.jpg|
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 005.jpg|
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 006.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|KSaBs_8yOno|'''Premium Vehicles: Somua SM''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''|cj5yjwMfmAM|'''The Shooting Range #217''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:30 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|vQQSE0uTjnM|'''Should You Buy The {{PAGENAME}}?''' - ''Sako Sniper''|5aOvTs0novk|'''Frenchtastic - {{PAGENAME}} new French Heavy''' - ''Napalmratte''|wXLZaDh0uEQ|'''Should You Buy: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''ConeOfArc''}}

== See also ==


* [[AMX-50_Surbaisse|AMX-50 Surbaissé]]
* [[AMX-50_Surblinde|AMX-50 Surblindé]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6825-development-somua-sm-heavy-weight-fighter-en|[Devblog] SOMUA SM: Heavy Weight Fighter]]

{{France heavy tanks}}
{{France premium ground vehicles}}

Somua SM

2022-07-14T20:32:36Z

U91803232: added to the pro/con list

{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_somua_sm
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_001.jpg|StoreImage_{{PAGENAME}}_005.jpg}}
|store=9313
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} French heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]] as a [[wt:en/news/6852-news-meet-major-update-raining-fire-en|premium pack]] in the Gaijin store.

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

The upper glacis of the hull and the upper part of the turret are the only well-protected areas, which will give you good protection against most conventional rounds, especially from far ranges. However, the rest of the armour is very weak and can be easily penetrated by pretty much everything, and you will still be vulnerable against HEAT-FS, ATGMs, APFSDS and such. Your best bet is to flank the enemy and take them out with your auto-loading gun before they can get a hit on you. If an enemy spots you, face them so they can only hit the front of the tank, and hope that they don't hit the very weak bottom portion of your turret. Try not to angle your tank as the sides can easily be penetrated. Since you have 5 crew members, with 2 in the front of the hull and 3 in the turret, and come equipped with a handy autoloader, you can take a few hits and lose a couple of crew members without having to worry too much.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (oscillating turret, turret base, cupola)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 150 mm (55°) ''Front glacis''
60 mm (55°) ''Lower glacis''
| 40 mm (25°) ''Top'' 40 mm ''Bottom'' || 40 mm (30°) || 5 - 20 mm
|-
| Turret || 40 - 120 mm ''Turret front'' 200 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 40 - 60 mm || 40 mm || 30 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels, tracks and torsion bars are 20 mm thick.

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

Although heavier and not as mobile as the [[AMX-50]] or [[Lorraine 40t]], the Somua SM is still pretty mobile for a heavy tank. You will still want to flank the enemy as much as possible and take them out quickly with your auto-loading gun, but don't be afraid to take a few hits from the front. However, your reverse speed is pretty slow and will not save you, so watch out for that.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1291|rbMinHp=884}}

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

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

{{main|SA47 L/58 (100 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SA47 L/58 (100 mm)|100 mm SA47 L/58]] || 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" | 50 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A ||24.3||33.6||40.8||45.1||48.0|| rowspan="2" | 4.00 || rowspan="2" | 4.00 || rowspan="2" | 4.00 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
|17.9||21.0||25.5||28.2||30.0
|-
|}

==== 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
|-
| 100 mm Obus de rupture || APCBC || 273 || 270 || 257 || 242 || 228 || 215
|-
| 100 mm Obus explosif || HE || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18 || 18
|-
|}
{| 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%
|-
| 100 mm Obus de rupture || APCBC || 1,000 || 15 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| 100 mm Obus explosif || HE || 1,000 || 14.8 || 0 || 0.1 || 1,400 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''50''' || 46 ''(+4)'' || 39 ''(+11)'' || 32 ''(+18)'' || 25 ''(+25)'' || 18 ''(+32)'' || 14 ''(+36)'' || 10 ''(+40)'' || 9 ''(+41)'' || 1 ''(+49)'' || No
|-
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
Notes:

* Shells are modelled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 9* (autoloader magazine) is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 9 shells.
** This rack gets filled first when loading up the tank and is also emptied first.
* As it is equipped with an autoloader, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
* Once the autoloader magazine has been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the autoloader. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun. Take this into account when playing.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 to 8 into rack 9*. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
* The depletion order at full capacity is: 9 - 1 - 2 - up to 8.

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

{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 4,800 (150) || 551 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
The small calibre of the MAC 31 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.

== Usage in battles ==

Try to play the {{PAGENAME}} quite aggressively because the Somua has a very strong autoloader. Hardly anyone else on the battlefield owns an autoloader like the French do at this battle rating.

It's best to find a good, but safe position close to the front to get good shots onto targets. If encountering an enemy tank with good turret armor like a Tiger II, try to shoot the weak spots. Though the gun should be sufficient for front penetration, the {{PAGENAME}} can drive around to hit the target's side armour do to its semi-good mobility. If the enemy tank tries to drive away, shoot it in the tracks to immobilise it.

Though the 4 second autoloader is the {{PAGENAME}}'s greatest asset, try not to fire too quickly as the autoloader can only carry 8 ammunition at a time. Refilling the autoloader can take a long time. Once the 8 shots are depleted, look for a safe position behind the terrain or other cover and wait until the autoloader is refilled with shells.

A {{PAGENAME}}'s main worry on the battlefield is its own armour, as while the hull front is somewhat good, everywhere else is easy to penetrate by most tank shells being shot at the {{PAGENAME}}. This is especially the case when encountering tanks with HEAT rounds, as then nowhere on the tank is safe from a penetration. Always make sure that no one shoots the {{PAGENAME}} from the side because the damage can be very serious due to the ammunition stowage.

When fighting at the front lines, always try to drive with other tanks so that the {{PAGENAME}} does not get as much focus. Attacking the enemies while they are attacking allies is the best way to catch them off guard with the 100 mm cannon. With its autoloader, the {{PAGENAME}} can be a deadly machine by picking off the enemies one by one before they can react.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Same great gun found on the AMX-50 and Lorraine
* Equipped with a huge 9-shell autoloader, making this one of the best tanks to attack multiple enemies at once
*Unlike most French tanks, the SOMUA has good frontal armour; the upper turret and upper plate are basically immune to all conventional rounds
* Due to the frontal armour and nine shot autoloader, the tank is not only great at flanking and ambushing, but also very good at brawling
* The strong upper turret coupled with the eight degrees of gun depression makes this tank great at hull-down fighting and cresting ridgelines
* Due to how tall this tank is and how high the gun is placed, it can shoot over obstacles that many tanks have trouble seeing over
* Quick and manoeuvrable for a heavy tank
* This tank has a high level of survivability thanks to the spacious crew compartment and a five-man crew
* Good set of optics with 6x magnification
* The APCBC round has a tendency to cause lots of spalling upon penetration

'''Cons:'''

* Absolutely huge tank. Longer, wider, and taller than a Tiger II. Finding proper concealment is difficult
* The neck of the turret a prime weak spot that's hard to effectively hide
* The lower plate is as weak as British lower plates. Any APHE shell that enters here will likely knock out the whole crew
* Will face a lot of enemies that fire APDS and HEAT, the upper turret and upper plate just can't absorb those kinds of shells
* Terrible side armour, side-scraping or angling the tank is extremely hazardous
* Is much slower than the Lorraine and AMX-50
* Mediocre elevation angles thanks to the inherent nature of oscillating turrets
* Once the autoloader is expended, reloading the magazine takes a considerable amount of time
* Because of the 4.0s reload, you can quite easily empty the 9 round magazine

no good way to get out of a bad position due to either having to expose its weak sides or pitifully scoot out with its 4 KMH reverse speed

== History ==

At the end of WW2, the French army realized that they needed a new modern heavy tank. The SOMUA Company competed with AMX to design a new heavy tank for France, and they were given the order to build a prototype in 1946. The hull of the tank was based off the German Tiger II, and the tank used an oscillating turret armed with an auto-loading 100 mm gun. Because the two companies were forced to make a new design with the same requirements, the Somua SM design looked similar to the AMX 50, and both tanks had equipped the 100 mm gun. The prototype was delivered in October of 1951 but was still lacking an engine and some other parts. Due to delays, the prototype was not tested until 1953, but it was already too late. The SOMUA's design was rejected in favour of the AMX 50.

=== [[wt:en/news/6825-development-somua-sm-heavy-weight-fighter-en|Devblog]] ===
In 1946, at the same time when AMX was given the order to develop what would eventually become the AMX-50 tank, SOMUA was instructed to come up with a competing design that would act as an alternative to the AMX.

Due to both companies being issued identical technical requirements by the French Army and taking much inspiration from the German "King Tiger" at the same time, both designs turned out to be very similar. In fact, SOMUA's design stood out from AMX's only in increased mass, coming as a result of heavier protection, and in its more simple running gear.

The SOMUA SM, as it became known, was presented for the first time to army officials in October 1951, albeit without its engine installed. At the same time, prototypes of the AMX-50 had already been tested. By 1953, SOMUA had completed the construction of its SM tank, subsequently conducting trials.

During testing however, several design issues were revealed. Because of this and the fact that the upgunned version of the AMX-50 with a 120mm gun was already available, the decision was made to cancel further work on the project. As a result, the SOMUA SM never left the prototype stage and the only constructed vehicle was scrapped shortly after the project's cancellation.

== Media ==


;Skins

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

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" caption="Somua SM Devblog Images" heights="150">
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 001.jpg|
File:Somua SM WTWallpaper 002.jpg|
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</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|KSaBs_8yOno|'''Premium Vehicles: Somua SM''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''|cj5yjwMfmAM|'''The Shooting Range #217''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:30 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|vQQSE0uTjnM|'''Should You Buy The {{PAGENAME}}?''' - ''Sako Sniper''|5aOvTs0novk|'''Frenchtastic - {{PAGENAME}} new French Heavy''' - ''Napalmratte''|wXLZaDh0uEQ|'''Should You Buy: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''ConeOfArc''}}

== See also ==


* [[AMX-50_Surbaisse|AMX-50 Surbaissé]]
* [[AMX-50_Surblinde|AMX-50 Surblindé]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6825-development-somua-sm-heavy-weight-fighter-en|[Devblog] SOMUA SM: Heavy Weight Fighter]]

{{France heavy tanks}}
{{France premium ground vehicles}}