TCM-20 - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2024-08-25T10:45:06Z

‎Description

U28580205: Undo revision 185987 by U7665380 (talk)

2024-05-07T14:27:29Z

Undo revision 185987 by U7665380 (talk)

U7665380: /* Pros and cons */

2024-05-05T03:50:15Z

‎Pros and cons

U38088265: /* History */

2023-10-20T18:12:46Z

‎History

U43191476: Added dev blog History entry in History section

2023-10-20T15:42:31Z

Added dev blog History entry in History section

U38088265: /* Main armament */

2023-09-07T21:50:52Z

‎Main armament

U38088265: Edits

2023-09-07T21:50:30Z

Edits

U4656018: Updated description and adding most information for the vehicle

2023-09-03T17:03:21Z

Updated description and adding most information for the vehicle

U9202753: Thumbnail added.

2023-04-28T01:39:59Z

Thumbnail added.

U28580205 at 04:57, 12 April 2023

2023-04-12T04:57:28Z

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 == 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}}''' was an Israeli modification of the M3 half-track with a TCM-20 turret. This was likely a field modification done by Israel during their early days with sparse military equipment, mounting TCM-20 turrets on decade-old vehicles, including captured 6x6 trucks, BTR-152, and M3 half-tracks. The TCM-20 turret itself was an upgraded M55 Quadmount turret (M45 turret on M20 trailer) with two Hispano Hs.404 20 mm autocannons for better firepower. The lack of documents on the introduction of these modified vehicles makes it hard to trace their history, but they were likely replaced by the more advanced [[Hovet|M163 VADS (Hovet)]] with radar rangefinder by 1975.
+The '''TCM-20''' was an Israeli SPAA built on the chassis of the M3 half-track. After World War II, the Israel Defence Forces used various weaponry imported from the USA, including [[M16 MGMC|M3 half-tracks equipped with the M45 machine gun mount]]. However, the firepower of the .50 cal M2 Browning machine guns used in them was no longer satisfactory for the military. In 1969, to increase the firepower of these vehicles, Israeli forces modified the machine gun mount, replacing the machine guns with two Hispano-Suiza HS.404 20 mm cannons repurposed from decommissioned IAF aircraft. Production continued throughout the 1970s, with a total of 370 to 500 units produced. Besides the M3 half-track, the gun mounts were also installed on the Soviet [[BTR-152A|BTR-152]].
-Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]] along with the initial Israeli ground tree, players will soon find similarities with the M13 MGMC in service with the US Army. However, the .50 cal HMGs are replaced by two 20 mm HS.404 autocannons, enhancing its firepower against aircraft or sometimes suppressing ground targets if needed.
+Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]] alongside the initial Israeli ground tree, the TCM-20 is a compact SPAA with good manoeuvrability, and armed with fast-firing 20 mm cannons which allows it to effectively deal with both late piston-engine and early jet aircraft at low altitudes. Furthermore, the presence of armour-piercing belts makes the TCM-20 an effective hunter of lightly armoured vehicles. However, the TCM-20 itself has rather light armour.
 == General info ==

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 * Relatively small ammo pool per load (60 per gun)
 * Insufficient penetration due to the battle rating
 == History ==

@@ Line 135: / Line 135: @@
 * Relatively small ammo pool per load (60 per gun)
 * Insufficient penetration due to the battle rating
 == History ==

@@ Line 138: / Line 138: @@
 == History ==
 <!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
-'''Dev Blog Entry'''
+=== [[wt:en/news/7916-development-tcm-20-hail-of-bullets-en|Devblog]] ===
 During the 1960s, Israeli engineers took to modifying the American M45 anti-aircraft turret in service with the IDF at the time, in order to increase its effectiveness against fast modern aircraft. As a result, the engineers replaced the original quadruple 12.7 mm machine guns with a pair of HS.404 20 mm cannons salvaged from obsolete French jet fighters of the IAF. This new anti-air turret became known as the TCM-20 of which several hundred were converted from the original M45 design.

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

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 |-
 ! ''Arcade''
-| rowspan="2" | 720 (60) || rowspan="2" | 700 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+90° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 63.4 || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | 3.9 || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
+| rowspan="2" | 720 (60) || rowspan="2" | 700 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+90° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 63.4 || 87.8 || 106.6 || 117.8 || 125.4 || rowspan="2" | 3.90 || rowspan="2" | 3.45 || rowspan="2" | 3.18 || rowspan="2" | 3.00
 |-
 ! ''Realistic''
-| 42.8 || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
+| 42.8 || 50.4 || 61.2 || 67.7 || 72.0
 |-
 |}

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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}}''' was the modification of M3 half-truck with TCM-20 turret by IDF. This was likely a field modification done by Israeli during their early days with sparse military equipment where they would have to used decade-old vehicles as the chassis to modify with a TCM-20 turret, including captured 6x6 trucks, BTR-152 and aided M3 half-truck; the TCM-20 turret itself was an upgraded M55 Quadmount turret (M45 turret on M20 trailer) with 2 Hisapano Hs.404 20 mm autocannons for better firepower. The lack of documents on the introduction of these modified vehicles make it hard to trace the history of them but they were likely been replaced by more advanced [[Hovet|M163 VADS (Hovet)]] with radar rangefinder by 1975.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was an Israeli modification of the M3 half-track with a TCM-20 turret. This was likely a field modification done by Israel during their early days with sparse military equipment, mounting TCM-20 turrets on decade-old vehicles, including captured 6x6 trucks, BTR-152, and M3 half-tracks. The TCM-20 turret itself was an upgraded M55 Quadmount turret (M45 turret on M20 trailer) with two Hispano Hs.404 20 mm autocannons for better firepower. The lack of documents on the introduction of these modified vehicles makes it hard to trace their history, but they were likely replaced by the more advanced [[Hovet|M163 VADS (Hovet)]] with radar rangefinder by 1975.
-Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]] alongside with the Israeli tech-tree's SPAA, players will soon find similarities with M13 GMC in service with US Army. But upon closer look, these .50 cal HMGs are replaced by two 20 mm HS.404 autocannons, further enhancing its firepower against aircrafts or sometimes suppressing ground targets if needed.
+Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]] along with the initial Israeli ground tree, players will soon find similarities with the M13 MGMC in service with the US Army. However, the .50 cal HMGs are replaced by two 20 mm HS.404 autocannons, enhancing its firepower against aircraft or sometimes suppressing ground targets if needed.
 == General info ==
@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
-M3 half-truck has been a staple of US Army since 1940s as one of the most widely-used half-truck during the WWII alongside with Wehrmacht's Sdkfz series; these vehicles are universal chassis which could be converted for different missions i.e. anti-aircraft. In Israeli's case, the overall appearance of TCM-20 is very similar to M13 GMC but the larger guns and additional .30 cal M1919A4 gives its identity away. To put its protection in simple words: the vehicle is not even rated for rifle-caliber firearms at close distance. The thickest armor plate is the windshield but do not expect it will stop HMG from afar, although the engine block will absorb oncoming fire when head-on with enemies, in most cases - never, ever run into enemy fire lines or being preyed by aircrafts as these will end your career quickly; do also beware of high explosive shells or shrapnel, sometimes even close-calls could bring an end to TCM-20.
+The M3 half-track has been a staple of the US Army since the 1940s as one of the most widely-used half-tracks during the WWII alongside the Wehrmacht's Sd.Kfz series; these vehicles are a universal chassis which could be converted for different missions i.e. anti-aircraft. In Israel's case, the overall appearance of the TCM-20 is very similar to the [[M13 MGMC]], but the larger guns and additional .30 cal M1919A4 gives its identity away. The vehicle is not rated for even rifle-calibre firearms at close distance. The thickest armour plate is the windshield, but do not expect it to stop HMG fire, even from afar. The engine block may absorb oncoming fire when head-on with enemies. In most cases, never, ever run into enemy fire lines or become targeted by aircraft, as these will end your career quickly; do also beware of high explosive shells or shrapnel, sometimes even close-calls could bring an end to the TCM-20.
 '''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 {{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 <!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
-M3 half-trucks shares the same White 160AX petrol engine which could output up-to 148 hp and the transmission could ensure its mobility both forwards and backwards; it can still retain the speed of all-wheel vehicles while crossing complicated terrains with ease.
+M3 half-tracks share the same White 160AX petrol engine which could output up to 148 hp and the transmission could ensure its mobility both forwards and backwards; it can still retain the speed of all-wheel vehicles while crossing complicated terrain with ease.
 {{tankMobility|abMinHp=210|rbMinHp=131}}
@@ Line 56: / Line 56: @@
 {{main|HS.404 (20 mm)}}
-The modified M55 turret (now called TCM-20) houses two HS. 404 20 mm autocannon, if the name does ring the bell in player's brain, this is also the gun used on French [[M.B.157]] at the very same configuration and ammo count. It can be said that TCM-20 is a M.B.157 on wheels and tracks, thanks to the flat ballistic of HS.404, players will soon get in hand of the performance of the cannons; not only it can take out aircrafts as it been intended on different platforms, this also make sure light vehicles will have to think twice before appearing in front of a TCM-20, the rate of fire and penetration will make sure they will not get away with ease.
+The modified M55 turret (now called TCM-20) houses two HS.404 20 mm autocannon, the same gun used in many early French aircraft, with the same configuration and ammo count. Thanks to the flat ballistic of HS.404, players will soon get to grips with the performance of the cannons. Not only can it take out aircraft as it was intended, it also ensures that light vehicles will have to think twice before appearing in front of a TCM-20, the rate of fire and penetration will make sure they will not get away with ease.
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
@@ Line 105: / Line 105: @@
 {{main|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}
-To compensate for the lack of continuous firepower against infantry, TCM-20 installed a M1919A4 for the commander to suppress enemies; while it is nowhere harmful to enemy armored vehicles, there might be some occasions where enemies have exposed crews and the .30 cal could make short work of them.
+To compensate for the lack of continuous firepower against infantry, TCM-20 installed a M1919A4 for the commander to suppress enemies; while it is ineffective against enemy armoured vehicles, there might be some occasions where enemies have exposed crews and the .30 cal could make short work of them.
 {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
@@ Line 119: / Line 119: @@
 == 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).'' -->
-For players who have player M13 GMC in US tech-tree, it can be said that TCM-20 is an successor to M13 to some extent, especially its iconic twin gun configuration. However, when enemy aircrafts get too close, they will find out the major difference: they would soon be shattered by the 20 mm HS.404 autocannons, recalling the memories from being chased by aircrafts with these cannons. Such "upgrade" is very welcomed as 20 mm caliber is still more than enough to take out strafing fighters with ease, with overall 720 rounds onboard at 120 rounds per load, if players get used to the relatively straight ballistics and not being trigger-happy, the overall efficiency could be on-par with other SPAAs in other tech trees with their respective advantages. Most of all, the M3 chassis ensured TCM-20 could get to where it is needed as soon as possible thanks to its 72 km/h top speed, making it a viable option to flank enemies in some occasions; while the 13 km/h reverse speed could still make sure it can retreat to cover if masses of enemies/menacing aircrafts rushing to where the vehicle is. As said, TCM-20 is still a half-truck based SPAAG with minimal protection; in fact rifle-caliber firearms can harm the crew at around 200 m from the sides, let along HMGs and autocannons at even higher penetration, so be extra careful on where players should appear - rushing or running into heated frontline is certainly a death sentence to TCM-20. Overall, TCM-20 is still a good AA half-truck to handle different types of vehicles, whether it's on wheels, tracks or flying ones.
+For players who have played the [[M13 MGMC]] in the US tech tree, it can be said that the TCM-20 is an successor to M13 to some extent, especially with its iconic twin gun configuration. However, when enemy aircraft get too close, they will find out the major difference: they would soon be shattered by the 20 mm HS.404 autocannons, recalling the memories from being chased by aircraft with these cannons. Such an "upgrade" is very welcomed as the 20 mm calibre is still more than enough to take out strafing fighters with ease, with overall 720 rounds onboard at 120 rounds per load, if players get used to the relatively straight ballistics and not being trigger-happy, the overall efficiency could be on-par with other SPAAs in other tech trees with their respective advantages. Most of all, the M3 chassis ensures that the TCM-20 can get to where it is needed as soon as possible thanks to its 72 km/h top speed, making it a viable option to flank enemies in some occasions; while the 13 km/h reverse speed could still make sure it can retreat to cover if masses of enemies/menacing aircraft rushing to where the vehicle is. As said, TCM-20 is still a half-track based SPAAG with minimal protection; in fact rifle-calibre firearms can harm the crew at around 200 m from the sides, let along HMGs and autocannons at even higher penetration, so be extra careful on where players should appear - rushing or running into a heated frontline is certainly a death sentence to the TCM-20. Overall, the TCM-20 is still a good AA half-track to handle different types of vehicles, whether it's on wheels, tracks or flying ones.
 === Pros and cons ===
@@ Line 127: / Line 125: @@
 '''Pros:'''
-* Devastating 20 mm autocannon which works well against aircrafts
+* Devastating 20 mm autocannon which works well against aircraft
 * Rather mobile, can swiftly changes its position if needed
 * Quick turret traverse speed for target acquisition
 * Spare .30 cal machine gun for occasion unprotected crews of enemy vehicles
 '''Cons:'''
-* Lightly protected up to rifle caliber firearms, also prone to overpressure
+* Lightly protected up to rifle calibre firearms, also prone to overpressure
 * Relatively small ammo pool per load (60 per gun)
 * Insufficient penetration due to the battle rating
 == History ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Specs-Card
 |code=il_tcm_20
-|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
+|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 }}

@@ Line 17: / Line 17: @@
 <!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 * Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
 {| class="wikitable"
@@ Line 22: / Line 23: @@
 ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 |-
-| Hull || 7 mm(28 degrees) - 28 mm(83 degrees) || 6 - 7 mm || 6 - 7 mm || Generally 7 mm
+| Hull || 6.35 mm (28-83°)<br> 12.7 mm (1-27°) ''Driver windshield'' || 6.35 mm || 6.35 mm || N/A
 |-
-| Turret || 8 - 10 mm ''Turret front''  || 6 - 8 mm || Nil  || Nil
+| Turret || 6.35 mm (0-77°) ''Turret front'' || 6.35 mm || N/A || N/A
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 32: / Line 31: @@
 '''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
 <!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 === Mobility ===