M4A1 (76) W - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-08-31T12:35:10Z

‎Description

U74396666: New Description Project - USA Priority: Tanks - MM4A1 (76) W (wet ammunition storage) Sherman

2023-08-30T01:12:07Z

New Description Project - USA Priority: Tanks - MM4A1 (76) W (wet ammunition storage) Sherman

U44629479: /* Ammunition */ Converted to transclusion

2023-01-30T21:31:51Z

‎Ammunition: Converted to transclusion

U64395245: Spelling error, changed ' a excellent tank' to 'an excellent tank'

2023-01-10T15:50:42Z

Spelling error, changed ' a excellent tank' to 'an excellent tank'

U44629479: /* Media */ Removed dead video

2023-01-10T11:38:46Z

‎Media: Removed dead video

U129923676 at 08:39, 9 November 2022

2022-11-09T08:39:12Z

U38088265: /* In-game description */ Reformatted

2022-10-24T21:40:28Z

‎In-game description: Reformatted

U44629479: /* Ammunition */ Updated data for the shells

2022-09-29T12:48:49Z

‎Ammunition: Updated data for the shells

U44629479: Edits

2022-07-04T08:29:16Z

Edits

Show changes

U79488589: added m51 link

2022-06-16T20:34:24Z

added m51 link

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 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''M4A1 (76) W (wet ammunition storage) Sherman''' is the first variant of the late-generation [[M4 Sherman (Family)|Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family]]. These were essentially up-gunned and upgraded early generation [[M4A1|M4A1 variant]] with a modified T23 turret housing the M1 tank gun and split loader's hatches. The M4A1 (76) W featured an upgraded oil gear turret traverse mechanism and a simpler stabilizer. The M4A1 (76) W tank was the first of the late-generation M4 Sherman variants to see action in the U.S. Army. These tanks were shipped to depots in England in time to be assigned to units for Operation Neptune, also known as the Normandy Landings. It never saw combat, though, because no one wanted them at the time. The primary one was a lack of time for training on the M4A1 (76) W before the landings, and no one wanted any supply difficulties on the M1 tank gun's ammunition for the logistic lines. The M4A1 (76) W, on the other hand, would see heavy combat in Israeli hands after the Second World War.
+The '''M4A1 (76) W Sherman''' is the first variant of the late-generation [[M4 Sherman (Family)|Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family]]. These were essentially up-gunned and upgraded models of the early generation [[M4A1|M4A1 variant]], with a modified T23 turret housing the new 76 mm M1 tank gun and split loader's hatches, and "wet" ammunition stowage to reduce the risk of ammo rack detonation. The M4A1 (76) W featured an upgraded oil gear turret traverse mechanism and a simpler stabilizer. The M4A1 (76) W tank was the first of the late-generation M4 Sherman variants to see action in the U.S. Army. These tanks were shipped to depots in England in time to be assigned to units for Operation Neptune, also known as the Normandy landings. It never saw combat, though, because no one wanted them at the time. The primary reason was a lack of time for training on the M4A1 (76) W before the landings, and no one wanted any supply difficulties on the M1 tank gun's ammunition for the logistic lines. However, the M4A1 (76) W and other 76 mm-armed Shermans would see heavy combat in Israeli hands after the Second World War.
-Introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], the M4A1 (76) W provides much-needed improvements in armour penetration and firepower over previous early-generation M4 Sherman variants ([[M4A1]], [[M4]], [[Calliope|M4 Calliope]], [[M4A2]], [[M4A4 (1st PTG) (China)|M4A4]], [[M4 Hybrid (Italy)|M4 Hybrid]], [[M4A3E2]]/[[Cobra King]]). Ballistic properties and armour-piercing characteristics have clearly improved. However, the M4A1 (76) W retained the same overall protection and armour thickness as the early generation M4 Sherman variants, which is beginning to feel inadequate at this stage. Most enemy tanks will easily penetrate the M4A1 (76) W at any range, with the hull's upper front armour plate can hardly withstand any shells at its rank. Players have to alter their playstyle and take advantage of the M4A1 (76) W's mobility to cover strategic areas early in the battle. Exchanging shots with adversaries is not recommended because the M4A1 (76) W's protection is below average for its rank.
+Introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], the M4A1 (76) W provides much-needed improvements in armour penetration and firepower over previous early-generation M4 Sherman variants. Ballistic properties and armour-piercing characteristics have clearly improved. However, the M4A1 (76) W retains the same overall protection and armour thickness as the early-generation M4 Sherman variants, which begins to feel inadequate at its BR. Most enemy tanks will easily penetrate the M4A1 (76) W at any range, as the hull's upper front armour plate can hardly withstand any shells at its rank. Players have to alter their playstyle and take advantage of the M4A1 (76) W's mobility to cover strategic areas early in the battle. Exchanging shots with adversaries is not recommended because the M4A1 (76) W's protection is below average for its rank.
 == General info ==

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 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium 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"]]. The M4A1 (76) also introduces the more penetrative [[M1 (76 mm)|76 mm M1 cannon]] to the M4 Sherman series of tanks that gives the Sherman a substantial upgrade to fight Rank III enemy tanks.
+The '''M4A1 (76) W (wet ammunition storage) Sherman''' is the first variant of the late-generation [[M4 Sherman (Family)|Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family]]. These were essentially up-gunned and upgraded early generation [[M4A1|M4A1 variant]] with a modified T23 turret housing the M1 tank gun and split loader's hatches. The M4A1 (76) W featured an upgraded oil gear turret traverse mechanism and a simpler stabilizer. The M4A1 (76) W tank was the first of the late-generation M4 Sherman variants to see action in the U.S. Army. These tanks were shipped to depots in England in time to be assigned to units for Operation Neptune, also known as the Normandy Landings. It never saw combat, though, because no one wanted them at the time. The primary one was a lack of time for training on the M4A1 (76) W before the landings, and no one wanted any supply difficulties on the M1 tank gun's ammunition for the logistic lines. The M4A1 (76) W, on the other hand, would see heavy combat in Israeli hands after the Second World War.
-When compared to the prior models of M4 series tank, one will note the larger and flatter gun mantlet designed to support the 76.2 mm gun. Unfortunately, the gun mantlet lacks a spall shield behind it like the predecessor M4 and M4A2 Sherman models have. The M4A1 (76) W has the same cast hull as the original M4A1 but unlike the original, it appears to have a 2x6 lumber board attached to the front holding petrol cans, a bogey wheel and tracks up onto the hull. The latter two added for light appliqué armour. The two viewports for the machine gunner and driver have also been replaced with periscopes.
+Introduced in [[Update 1.45 "Steel Generals"]], the M4A1 (76) W provides much-needed improvements in armour penetration and firepower over previous early-generation M4 Sherman variants ([[M4A1]], [[M4]], [[Calliope|M4 Calliope]], [[M4A2]], [[M4A4 (1st PTG) (China)|M4A4]], [[M4 Hybrid (Italy)|M4 Hybrid]], [[M4A3E2]]/[[Cobra King]]). Ballistic properties and armour-piercing characteristics have clearly improved. However, the M4A1 (76) W retained the same overall protection and armour thickness as the early generation M4 Sherman variants, which is beginning to feel inadequate at this stage. Most enemy tanks will easily penetrate the M4A1 (76) W at any range, with the hull's upper front armour plate can hardly withstand any shells at its rank. Players have to alter their playstyle and take advantage of the M4A1 (76) W's mobility to cover strategic areas early in the battle. Exchanging shots with adversaries is not recommended because the M4A1 (76) W's protection is below average for its rank.
 == General info ==

@@ Line 80: / Line 80: @@
 ==== Ammunition ====
-{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+{{:M1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M79 shot, M42A1 shell, M62 shell, M88}}
 ==== [[Ammo racks]] ====

@@ Line 177: / Line 177: @@
 == Usage in battles ==
 <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
-In general terms, the M4A1 (76) W is a excellent tank for its battle rating, offering an effective gun, decent mobility, decent armour, and excellent gun handling.
+In general terms, the M4A1 (76) W is an excellent tank for its battle rating, offering an effective gun, decent mobility, decent armour, and excellent gun handling.
 The M4A1 (76) W has an unusually high profile and thus it is difficult to drive around undetected. While playing this tank, the unusually high profile, but well-armoured turret combined with excellent gun depression means that the M4A1 can take advantage of many hull-down positions throughout the map. The stabilizer also gives an excellent first shot/first hit possibility and allows the M4A1 to drive around some corners at low speed and make itself slightly harder to hit. The cast shape of the hull also creates some extreme angles where even more powerful shells from the [[D-5T (85 mm)|85 mm D-5T]], [[KwK36 (88 mm)|88 mm KwK36]], and [[KwK42 (75 mm)|75 mm KwK42]] can bounce. It is notably better armoured than the [[Pz.IV H]] or [[T-34-57]] of similar rank and offers equal or better mobility than most.

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 ;Videos
-{{Youtube-gallery|AThOHUXhcsI|'''The Shooting Range #114''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 08:02 discusses Lafayette G. Pool, US tank ace.|-7jMSCxnnRk|'''{{PAGENAME}} Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''|7xLjhn6mxoU|'''M4A1 (76) w, American Tier-3 Medium Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|LIPG2_TOITo|'''Tank Chats #111  Sherman M4A1 (76) W''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}
+{{Youtube-gallery|AThOHUXhcsI|'''The Shooting Range #114''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 08:02 discusses Lafayette G. Pool, US tank ace.|7xLjhn6mxoU|'''M4A1 (76) w, American Tier-3 Medium Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|LIPG2_TOITo|'''Tank Chats #111 Sherman M4A1 (76) W''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}
 == See also ==

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 '''Cons:'''
 * Frontal armour can easily be penetrated by German 75 mm guns
 * Is quite tall

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 After the war, the Shermans continued serving America and its allies as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8]] with a new suspension and 76 mm gun. The [[M26|M26 Pershing]] that was introduced late in World War II was phased out for the Shermans due to its unreliability, and the Sherman stayed until the [[M46|M46 Patton]] was introduced. After being phased out of American service, many other countries still used the Sherman as their main tank, mainly Israel where they up-gunned the tank with the much powerful post-war French 75 mm and 105 mm gun as the M-50 and [[M-51]] respectively (nicknamed "Super Shermans"). These proved successful as they were able to fight against the Soviet-supplied [[T-54 (1947)|T-54 tanks]] and [[T-34-85]]s in Middle East service, proving the Sherman as a successful and adaptable design for many years to come.
-=== In-game description ===
+{{break}}
 In July 1942 ATC began development of M1 and M1A1 76 mm cannons to boost the tank's firepower. Trials showed that the M4's turret was too small to fit long-barreled weapons, and the decision was made to use modified T20/T23 turrets. Tanks boasting 76 mm cannons hit assembly lines in February 1944, making them ready for the Normandy invasion. Ammunition bins were moved to recesses above the tracks on the floor of the battle compartment and on both sides of the driveshaft. An interesting peculiarity was so-called "wet stowage", which had double-walled water jackets surrounding the main gun ammunition storage. It was thought that if the ammunition storage suffered a hit, the water would keep a potential fire from spreading. Tanks with 76 mm weapons were given the additional suffix "76", while the 76 mm M1A1C and M1A2 and their muzzle brakes were installed later. The initial shell speed for the new weapons clocked in at 810 m/s, making the modernized tanks capable of standing up to the heavy German tanks.
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 The Pressed Steel Car Company built 3,396 of these units between January 1944 and June 1945.
 == Media ==

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 ! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 ! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
-! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
+! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 |-
 ! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 |-
-| M62 shell || APCBC || 149 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
+| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
 |-
 | M42A1 shell || HE || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7 || 7
 |-
-| M79 shot || AP || 134 || 132 || 121 || 109 || 99 || 89
+| M62 shell || APCBC || 149 || 146 || 133 || 119 || 106 || 95
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 102: / Line 102: @@
 ! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 ! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
-! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
+! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 ! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 ! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
-! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
+! rowspan="2" | Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 ! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 |-
 ! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 |-
-| M62 shell || APCBC || 792 || 7 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
+| M79 shot || AP || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 |-
-| M42A1 shell || HE || 800 || 5.84 || 0 || 0.1 || 390 || 79° || 80° || 81°
+| M42A1 shell || HE || 823 || 5.84 || 0 || 0.1 || 390 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 |-
-| M79 shot || AP || 792 || 6.8 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
+| M62 shell || APCBC || 792 || 7 || 1.2 || 14 || 63.7 || 48° || 63° || 71°
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 122: / Line 122: @@
 ! Ammunition
 ! Velocity<br>(m/s)
-! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
+! Projectile<br>mass (kg)
 ! Screen radius<br>(m)
 ! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
 ! Screen hold time<br>(s)
-! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
+! Explosive mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 |-
 | M88 || 274 || 3.44 || 13 || 5 || 20 || 50

@@ Line 241: / Line 241: @@
 Despite the stock of 76 mm Shermans now available for them, the commanders opted to not bring any during the invasion of France in June 1944. The issues were logistical, as having a 76 mm armament would mean supplying a different set of ammo to the tank forces. Another issue was that the 76 mm gun had a less lethal high-explosive round at hand, meaning combat against infantry or fixed emplacements would be slightly harder. This forced 75 mm armed Shermans to have to compete against the better armed and armoured Panthers and Tigers in the initial period of the invasion. The combat debut of the M4A1 (76) Shermans was during Operation Cobra in July 1944, as a response to the growing German armour threat in Europe. The 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions received 52 of these Shermans and the rest were distributed among the tank battalions in the infantry divisions. The M4 (76) and M4 (75) Shermans served alongside each other, though the 75 mm Shermans were around in larger numbers and the opinions of the 76 mm cannon vary from a necessary addition to a burden. The 75 mm guns stayed as the primary armament of the armoured forces until the Battle of the Bulge, which had many American armours destroyed by the German onslaught of heavy German tanks such as their [[Panther G|Panther]] and [[Tiger II (H)|Tiger II's]]. The negative response from both troops and press had Allied commanders, even Eisenhower himself, request only 76 mm Sherman to be delivered instead of 75 mm in response. The new units arriving in Europe after the Battle of the Bulge were all equipped with 76-mm Shermans. Despite their appearance, 75 mm Shermans were still in stock in the armoured divisions and were still held in high regards for their better capacity to destroy soft targets with high-explosive shells.
-After the war, the Shermans continued serving America and its allies as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8]] with a new suspension and 76 mm gun. The [[M26|M26 Pershing]] that was introduced late in World War II was phased out for the Shermans due to its unreliability, and the Sherman stayed until the [[M46|M46 Patton]] was introduced. After being phased out of American service, many other countries still used the Sherman as their main tank, mainly Israel where they up-gunned the tank with the much powerful post-war French 75 mm and 105 mm gun as the M-50 and M-51 respectively (nicknamed "Super Shermans"). These proved successful as they were able to fight against the Soviet-supplied [[T-54 (1947)|T-54 tanks]] and [[T-34-85]]s in Middle East service, proving the Sherman as a successful and adaptable design for many years to come.
+After the war, the Shermans continued serving America and its allies as the [[M4A3 (76) W|M4A3E8]] with a new suspension and 76 mm gun. The [[M26|M26 Pershing]] that was introduced late in World War II was phased out for the Shermans due to its unreliability, and the Sherman stayed until the [[M46|M46 Patton]] was introduced. After being phased out of American service, many other countries still used the Sherman as their main tank, mainly Israel where they up-gunned the tank with the much powerful post-war French 75 mm and 105 mm gun as the M-50 and [[M-51]] respectively (nicknamed "Super Shermans"). These proved successful as they were able to fight against the Soviet-supplied [[T-54 (1947)|T-54 tanks]] and [[T-34-85]]s in Middle East service, proving the Sherman as a successful and adaptable design for many years to come.
 === In-game description ===
@@ Line 254: / Line 254: @@
 ;Skins
 * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_m4a1_76w_sherman Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
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 ;Other M4A1 vehicles in the game
 * [[M4A1]]
 * [[Sherman II]]