Difference between revisions of "MK-II "Matilda" (USSR)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_a_12_mk_2_matilda_2A_F96}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = Soviet heavy tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Matilda (Family)
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=ussr_a_12_mk_2_matilda_2A_F96
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
|market=Matilda Mk II (USSR)
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to 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 the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''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 premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.67 "Assault"]] as a reward for the 2017 World War Two: Chronicle events, unlocked after obtaining 6 Chronicle Awards. This is a British Matilda supplied to the Soviets through the Lend-Lease program whose turret was modified to receive a 76 mm cannon.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and 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 helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{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.'' -->
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (hull front, turret, gun mantlet, cupola, hull sides top -above the tracks-)
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides bottom -tracks compartment-, hull rear, hull roof, turret roof, cupola roof, gun breech, side skirts).
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 75 mm (0-7°) ''Front plate'' <br> 22-47 mm (69°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 22-78 mm (12-46°) ''Joint area'' <br> 22-45 mm (56°) ''Lower glacis'' || 70 mm (21-26°) ''Top'' <br> 40vmm + 25 mm ''Bottom'' || 20 mm (32-79°) ''Top'' <br> 55 mm (25°) ''Bottom'' || 20 mm <br> 35 mm ''Driver's port''
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 75 mm (1-48°) ''Turret front'' <br> 75 mm (0-22°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 75 mm (0-22°) || 75 mm || 18 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || colspan="3" | 75 mm (6-7°) ''Cupola wall'' + 50 mm ''Cupola base'' || 18 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are both 20 mm thick.
 +
* Openings in the center area of side skirts are 13 mm thick (54°).
 +
* The gun breech is very prominent and only 45 mm thick, making it a weak spot.
 +
* The sides of the joint area on the front glacis also are weak spots with only 22 mm of thickness.
 +
* 2 smoke launchers are installed on the right side of the turret. Both smoke grenades are launched simultaneously in the direction the gun is pointing at, 30 m away from your tank.
 +
* Smoke shells can also be used as protection but the absence of gun depression will prevent to shoot them close to your vehicle.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=245|rbMinHp=168}}
 +
 
 +
Originally designed as an infantry support, the {{PAGENAME}} is underpowered and sluggish when compared to other tanks at the same battle rating. With a maximum speed of only 23-25 km/h, the {{PAGENAME}} always needs time to get in position and inevitably arrives last.
 +
 
 +
The acceleration is good: the maximum speed is reached in seconds. The braking is good as well, as the tank is heavy and the maximum speed poor. The reverse speed is too poor to retreat quickly from an unexpected situation or allow any type of overextend tactic.
 +
 
 +
While the tank weighs only 28.5 tons for heavy tank (that's the average weight of a T-34 at the same BR), its narrow tracks make driving on soft terrain difficult (sand, snow, mud). Turning when moving is good and turning 180° on flat terrain only takes a few seconds. But turning from idling is very slow as there is no neutral steering. This also causes noticeable gun wobbling. Finally, going uphill is always difficult as the {{PAGENAME}} loses speed very quickly.
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 +
{{main|F-96 (76 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The gun accuracy starts dropping at 800 m and becomes a handicap over 1,000 m. The muzzle velocity is good and offers rather flat trajectories. While the turret rotation speed is good, the poor depression clearly is a handicap: the gun is situated very high due to the profile of the Matilda. This can make targeting an enemy close to you very difficult, especially if there is a little slope putting the enemy tank slightly under your level. The recoil is minimal and does not impact targeting quality. The reload time is a little longer than most of your opponents but the same as any T-34 tank at the same BR. The penetration values are good, like the T-34s.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[F-96 (76 mm)|76 mm F-96]] || 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" | 54 || rowspan="2" | -2°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 16.18 || 22.40 || 27.20 || 30.08 || 32.00 || rowspan="2" | 8.9 || rowspan="2" | 7.9 || rowspan="2" | 7.3 || rowspan="2" | 6.9
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 11.90 || 14.00 || 17.00 || 18.80 || 20.00
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
The available choice of ammunition offers a complete range to engage all types of targets:
 +
 
 +
* '''BR-350A (MD-5 fuze)''': APHEBC; a shell with high explosive mass that will knock out any tank it penetrates but has an average penetration power.
 +
* '''BR-350B (MD-8 fuze)''': APHEBC; increased penetration at the cost of slightly less explosive filler.
 +
* '''BR-350SP''': APBC; a solid shot with the best penetration but no explosive filler.
 +
* '''OF-350M''': HE; useful for destroying open and lightly armoured vehicles.
 +
* '''Sh-354T''': Shrapnel; useful against vehicles that are resistant to the HE shells but too thinly armoured to trigger the fuses of AP shells.
 +
* '''D-350A''': Smoke; useful to blind enemy vehicles that are too remote for you to penetrate.
 +
 
 +
{{:F-96 (76 mm)/Ammunition|BR-350A (MD-5 fuze), BR-350SP, BR-350B (MD-8 fuze), OF-350M, Sh-354T, D-350A}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''54''' || 43&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+53)'' || Yes
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
* To go into battle with flank racks depleted, pack 31&nbsp;''(+23)'' shells.
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
* The visual discrepancy is the floor rack: 36 shells are modeled but it contains only 30 shells.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 +
{{main|DT (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
The small calibre of the MG will only allow you to use it as a spotting gun or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[DT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm DT]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 3,150 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Offensive role
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} should be played as a support tank like the [[KV-1 (L-11)]], taking advantage of its good armour and good penetration power.
 +
When playing as a support tank, you will help friendly tanks successfully defeat enemy tanks in their frontline engagements. Stay in proximity of the frontline to rely on penetration power, all while staying at a reasonable distance from it to maximize your armour and avoid being flanked or swarmed. Once the enemy push destroyed, you move forward together with frontline tanks and help capturing objectives.
 +
 
 +
When engaging enemy tanks, position your lower glacis behind cover to protect it from incoming fire. Unexperienced players will most likely waste shots on your frontal armour. With the BR-350B (MD-8 fuze) shell, the {{PAGENAME}} easily can take on most opponents at this BR.
 +
 
 +
;Defensive role
 +
 
 +
In the event the spearhead tanks of your team get crushed by the enemy, you will then play a defensive role by containing enemy breakthrough attempts.
 +
It will fall upon you to stop enemy tanks dead in their tracks. Being at a distance from the frontline will force enemy tanks to drive in the open to get to you. Always play with a nearby obstacle you can use as cover if you get hit and need to repair. Have a planned escape plan as the enemy will try to use artillery or CAS to dislodge you from cover.
 +
A good player in a {{PAGENAME}} can lock a side of the battlefield, especially in corridor maps.
 +
 
 +
;Other roles
 +
 
 +
If you try to use the {{PAGENAME}} in a different role on the battlefield, you will quickly reach its limits:
 +
 
 +
* If you try to play the {{PAGENAME}} as a frontline tank, you will suffer from the tank's poor mobility and be easily flanked by light tanks or armoured cars and, especially if they swarm you. Your turning speed is too poor to manoeuvre quickly and your reverse speed is too poor to get out of hot spots quickly.
 +
* If you attempt to play long range engagements, your gun will lack accuracy and penetration will drop over distance, while your silhouette will make you a target of choice for enemy counterfire. The absence of gun depression will prevent you from firing behind the cover of a ridge.
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
;Notable enemies:
−
''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 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).''
+
 
 +
Your worst enemies will be the ones equipped with long cannons, able to penetrate you easily from middle to long range.
 +
 
 +
* Tank destroyers: M10 GMC, Archer, 90/53 M41M, Na-To, Pvkv II, Pvkv m/43 (1946).
 +
* Frontline tanks: M4, Pz. IV F2, T-34s, Chi-Nu.
 +
 
 +
;Defeating a {{PAGENAME}}
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} has a pretty strong hull and turret armour but several weak spots exist:
 +
 
 +
* In a frontal encounter, the gun breech is the easiest to target (under the gun). The sides of the lower glacis are also extremely weak (20 mm).
 +
* If you have a very high penetrating power, aim for the turret: a successful penetration will most likely knock out 3 out of 4 crew members.
 +
* When flanking, aim for the turret ring (small area).
 +
 
 +
In case of a frontal attack, try blinding the {{PAGENAME}} with smoke and then swarm it with several fast tanks to saturate its defensive capacities. If you are alone, flanking a {{PAGENAME}} undetected remains your best chance to destroy it.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Strong armour, comparable to the KV-1s. Especially sturdy against SPAAs like [[Wirbelwind]]
 +
* Gun with sufficient penetration to oppose enemies like [[M4A1]], [[Chi-Nu]].
 +
* Quick turret rotation for a heavy tank.
 +
* Spherical gun mantlet can bounce some poorly-aimed shells
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Poor mobility: slow (25 km/h max) especially on mountainous terrain, and can't outflank others.
 +
* Extremely insufficient -2° gun depression, is only enough for flat urban combat.
 +
* Average survivability against experienced tankers. Frontal weak spots lead to the 3 crew members in small turret
 +
* -4 km/h reverse is too slow to get the tank out from danger
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
{{main|Matilda_III#History|l1=History of the Matilda}}
 +
 
 +
;Lend-Lease
 +
 
 +
Matilda tanks were supplied to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program. The Red Army received a third of the Matildas produced overall. Matilda heavy tanks were appreciated by the Soviet tank crews for their strong armour. A notable weak point of the tank however was its poor performance in snowy or icy conditions because of its narrow tracks.
 +
 
 +
;Upgunning attempt
 +
 
 +
While the Red Army used the standard 2-pounder gun installed on Matildas from the beginning, the evolution of German armour made this gun less and less effective. In December 1941, plans were made to equip Matildas with the 76 mm of the KV-1. Only 1 prototype was built. Installing a 76 mm gun in an already cramped turret without modifying it brought major shortcomings: the quasi-absence of gun depression and the even more limited space for loaders to operate around the gun. This led the Red Army to scrap the project and concentrate on new KV-1 models instead.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
−
== Read also ==
+
;Skins
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_a_12_mk_2_matilda_2A_F96 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|eQpmnqi82gA|'''Matilda Mk II F-96: Is it worth it?''' - ''Many Miles Away''|eYcfCbaIJqc|'''I've Received The Matilda Mk.II F-96! (Soviet Exclusive Heavy Tank)''' - ''Tigerfrost''}}
 +
 
 +
== 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;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
* [[KV-1 (Family)]]
 +
* [[Churchill Mk III]]
 +
* [[ARL-44 (ACL-1)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4660-development-ww2-chronicles-vehicles-matilda-mk-2-f-96-a-soviet-lady-en|[Development] WW2 Chronicles vehicles: Matilda MK-2 F-96: A Soviet Lady]]
 +
* [[wt:en/news/4648-special-war-thunder-chronicles-en|[Special] War Thunder Chronicles]]
 +
* [[wikipedia:Matilda_II#Other_variants,_field_modifications_and_prototypes|[Wikipedia] Matilda II - Other variants]]
 +
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/soviet/matilda-mk-iv-zis-5 <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Matilda II Mk.IV with ZiS-5 76mm]
 +
 
 +
{{USSR heavy tanks}}
 +
{{USSR premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 23:06, 28 January 2023

This page is about the Soviet heavy tank MK-II "Matilda" (USSR). For other versions, see Matilda (Family).
▂MK-II "Matilda"
ussr_a_12_mk_2_matilda_2a_f96.png
GarageImage MK-II "Matilda" (USSR).jpg
▂MK-II "Matilda"
USSR flag.png USSR
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.7 3.3 3.3
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The ▂Tank MK-II "Matilda" (F-96) is a premium gift rank II Soviet heavy tank with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB) and 3.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.67 "Assault" as a reward for the 2017 World War Two: Chronicle events, unlocked after obtaining 6 Chronicle Awards. This is a British Matilda supplied to the Soviets through the Lend-Lease program whose turret was modified to receive a 76 mm cannon.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull75 / 70 / 55
Turret75 / 75 / 75
Crew4 people
Visibility84 %

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (hull front, turret, gun mantlet, cupola, hull sides top -above the tracks-)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides bottom -tracks compartment-, hull rear, hull roof, turret roof, cupola roof, gun breech, side skirts).
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 75 mm (0-7°) Front plate
22-47 mm (69°) Front glacis
22-78 mm (12-46°) Joint area
22-45 mm (56°) Lower glacis 		70 mm (21-26°) Top
40vmm + 25 mm Bottom 		20 mm (32-79°) Top
55 mm (25°) Bottom 		20 mm
35 mm Driver's port
Turret 75 mm (1-48°) Turret front
75 mm (0-22°) Gun mantlet 		75 mm (0-22°) 75 mm 18 mm
Cupola 75 mm (6-7°) Cupola wall + 50 mm Cupola base 18 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are both 20 mm thick.
  • Openings in the center area of side skirts are 13 mm thick (54°).
  • The gun breech is very prominent and only 45 mm thick, making it a weak spot.
  • The sides of the joint area on the front glacis also are weak spots with only 22 mm of thickness.
  • 2 smoke launchers are installed on the right side of the turret. Both smoke grenades are launched simultaneously in the direction the gun is pointing at, 30 m away from your tank.
  • Smoke shells can also be used as protection but the absence of gun depression will prevent to shoot them close to your vehicle.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB26 / 5 km/h
RB and SB24 / 4 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
1 back
Weight28.5 t
Engine power
AB363 hp
RB and SB190 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB12.7 hp/t
RB and SB6.7 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 26 5 28.5 245 363 8.6 12.74
Realistic 24 4 168 190 5.89 6.67

Originally designed as an infantry support, the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) is underpowered and sluggish when compared to other tanks at the same battle rating. With a maximum speed of only 23-25 km/h, the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) always needs time to get in position and inevitably arrives last.

The acceleration is good: the maximum speed is reached in seconds. The braking is good as well, as the tank is heavy and the maximum speed poor. The reverse speed is too poor to retreat quickly from an unexpected situation or allow any type of overextend tactic.

While the tank weighs only 28.5 tons for heavy tank (that's the average weight of a T-34 at the same BR), its narrow tracks make driving on soft terrain difficult (sand, snow, mud). Turning when moving is good and turning 180° on flat terrain only takes a few seconds. But turning from idling is very slow as there is no neutral steering. This also causes noticeable gun wobbling. Finally, going uphill is always difficult as the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) loses speed very quickly.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB783 Sl icon.png
RB769 Sl icon.png
SB1 848 Sl icon.png
Crew training6 900 Sl icon.png
Experts46 000 Sl icon.png
Aces270 Ge icon.png
Research Aces500 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 70 / 100 / 110 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 130 / 130 / 130 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_AP_1942_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_AP_1941_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_ussr_Smoke_ammo_pack

Armaments

Main armament

76 mm F-96 cannon
Ammunition54 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.0 → 6.9 s
Vertical guidance-2° / 20°
Main article: F-96 (76 mm)

The gun accuracy starts dropping at 800 m and becomes a handicap over 1,000 m. The muzzle velocity is good and offers rather flat trajectories. While the turret rotation speed is good, the poor depression clearly is a handicap: the gun is situated very high due to the profile of the Matilda. This can make targeting an enemy close to you very difficult, especially if there is a little slope putting the enemy tank slightly under your level. The recoil is minimal and does not impact targeting quality. The reload time is a little longer than most of your opponents but the same as any T-34 tank at the same BR. The penetration values are good, like the T-34s.

76 mm F-96 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 54 -2°/+20° ±180° N/A 16.18 22.40 27.20 30.08 32.00 8.9 7.9 7.3 6.9
Realistic 11.90 14.00 17.00 18.80 20.00

Ammunition

The available choice of ammunition offers a complete range to engage all types of targets:

  • BR-350A (MD-5 fuze): APHEBC; a shell with high explosive mass that will knock out any tank it penetrates but has an average penetration power.
  • BR-350B (MD-8 fuze): APHEBC; increased penetration at the cost of slightly less explosive filler.
  • BR-350SP: APBC; a solid shot with the best penetration but no explosive filler.
  • OF-350M: HE; useful for destroying open and lightly armoured vehicles.
  • Sh-354T: Shrapnel; useful against vehicles that are resistant to the HE shells but too thinly armoured to trigger the fuses of AP shells.
  • D-350A: Smoke; useful to blind enemy vehicles that are too remote for you to penetrate.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
BR-350A (MD-5 fuse) APHEBC 87 85 77 69 62 55
BR-350SP APBC 99 96 87 76 66 58
BR-350B (MD-8 fuse) APHEBC 96 94 84 74 64 56
OF-350M HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
Sh-354T Shrapnel 35 34 30 26 22 19
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
BR-350A (MD-5 fuse) APHEBC 662 6.3 1.2 14 150 48° 63° 71°
BR-350SP APBC 655 6.5 - - - 48° 63° 71°
BR-350B (MD-8 fuse) APHEBC 655 6.5 0.9 14 100.1 48° 63° 71°
OF-350M HE 680 6.2 0.05 0.1 621 79° 80° 81°
Sh-354T Shrapnel 618 6.44 1.2 14 85 62° 69° 73°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Screen radius
(m) 		Screen deploy
time (s) 		Screen hold
time (s) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
D-350A 680 6.45 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
54 43 (+11) 31 (+23) 1 (+53) Yes

Notes:

  • To go into battle with flank racks depleted, pack 31 (+23) shells.
  • The visual discrepancy is the floor rack: 36 shells are modeled but it contains only 30 shells.

Machine guns

7.62 mm DT machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition3 150 rounds
Belt capacity63 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: DT (7.62 mm)

The small calibre of the MG will only allow you to use it as a spotting gun or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

7.62 mm DT
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,150 (63) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Offensive role

The MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) should be played as a support tank like the KV-1 (L-11), taking advantage of its good armour and good penetration power. When playing as a support tank, you will help friendly tanks successfully defeat enemy tanks in their frontline engagements. Stay in proximity of the frontline to rely on penetration power, all while staying at a reasonable distance from it to maximize your armour and avoid being flanked or swarmed. Once the enemy push destroyed, you move forward together with frontline tanks and help capturing objectives.

When engaging enemy tanks, position your lower glacis behind cover to protect it from incoming fire. Unexperienced players will most likely waste shots on your frontal armour. With the BR-350B (MD-8 fuze) shell, the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) easily can take on most opponents at this BR.

Defensive role

In the event the spearhead tanks of your team get crushed by the enemy, you will then play a defensive role by containing enemy breakthrough attempts. It will fall upon you to stop enemy tanks dead in their tracks. Being at a distance from the frontline will force enemy tanks to drive in the open to get to you. Always play with a nearby obstacle you can use as cover if you get hit and need to repair. Have a planned escape plan as the enemy will try to use artillery or CAS to dislodge you from cover. A good player in a MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) can lock a side of the battlefield, especially in corridor maps.

Other roles

If you try to use the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) in a different role on the battlefield, you will quickly reach its limits:

  • If you try to play the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) as a frontline tank, you will suffer from the tank's poor mobility and be easily flanked by light tanks or armoured cars and, especially if they swarm you. Your turning speed is too poor to manoeuvre quickly and your reverse speed is too poor to get out of hot spots quickly.
  • If you attempt to play long range engagements, your gun will lack accuracy and penetration will drop over distance, while your silhouette will make you a target of choice for enemy counterfire. The absence of gun depression will prevent you from firing behind the cover of a ridge.
Notable enemies

Your worst enemies will be the ones equipped with long cannons, able to penetrate you easily from middle to long range.

  • Tank destroyers: M10 GMC, Archer, 90/53 M41M, Na-To, Pvkv II, Pvkv m/43 (1946).
  • Frontline tanks: M4, Pz. IV F2, T-34s, Chi-Nu.
Defeating a MK-II "Matilda" (USSR)

The MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) has a pretty strong hull and turret armour but several weak spots exist:

  • In a frontal encounter, the gun breech is the easiest to target (under the gun). The sides of the lower glacis are also extremely weak (20 mm).
  • If you have a very high penetrating power, aim for the turret: a successful penetration will most likely knock out 3 out of 4 crew members.
  • When flanking, aim for the turret ring (small area).

In case of a frontal attack, try blinding the MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) with smoke and then swarm it with several fast tanks to saturate its defensive capacities. If you are alone, flanking a MK-II "Matilda" (USSR) undetected remains your best chance to destroy it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Strong armour, comparable to the KV-1s. Especially sturdy against SPAAs like Wirbelwind
  • Gun with sufficient penetration to oppose enemies like M4A1, Chi-Nu.
  • Quick turret rotation for a heavy tank.
  • Spherical gun mantlet can bounce some poorly-aimed shells

Cons:

  • Poor mobility: slow (25 km/h max) especially on mountainous terrain, and can't outflank others.
  • Extremely insufficient -2° gun depression, is only enough for flat urban combat.
  • Average survivability against experienced tankers. Frontal weak spots lead to the 3 crew members in small turret
  • -4 km/h reverse is too slow to get the tank out from danger

History

Main article: History of the Matilda
Lend-Lease

Matilda tanks were supplied to the Soviet Union as part of the Lend-Lease program. The Red Army received a third of the Matildas produced overall. Matilda heavy tanks were appreciated by the Soviet tank crews for their strong armour. A notable weak point of the tank however was its poor performance in snowy or icy conditions because of its narrow tracks.

Upgunning attempt

While the Red Army used the standard 2-pounder gun installed on Matildas from the beginning, the evolution of German armour made this gun less and less effective. In December 1941, plans were made to equip Matildas with the 76 mm of the KV-1. Only 1 prototype was built. Installing a 76 mm gun in an already cramped turret without modifying it brought major shortcomings: the quasi-absence of gun depression and the even more limited space for loaders to operate around the gun. This led the Red Army to scrap the project and concentrate on new KV-1 models instead.

Media

Skins
Videos
Matilda Mk II F-96: Is it worth it? - Many Miles Away
I've Received The Matilda Mk.II F-96! (Soviet Exclusive Heavy Tank) - Tigerfrost

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


USSR heavy tanks
KV-1  KV-1 (L-11) · KV-1 (ZiS-5) · KV-1E · KV-1S
KV-2  KV-2 (1939) · KV-2 (1940) · KV-2 (ZiS-6)
Other KVs  KV-85 · KV-122 · KV-220
IS-1/2  IS-1 · IS-2 · IS-2 (1944) · IS-2 No.321 · IS-2 "Revenge" · Object 248
Other IS tanks  IS-3 · IS-4M · IS-6 · IS-7
T-10  T-10A · T-10M
Multi-turreted  T-35 · SMK
Other  Object 279
Lend-Lease  ▂MK-II "Matilda"

USSR premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  BA-11 · RBT-5 · BT-7A (F-32) · T-26 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-26E · T-126 · PT-76-57 · 2S38
Medium tanks  T-34 (Prototype) · T-34 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-34E · T-34-57 (1943) · T-34-85E · T-34-100 · T-44-122 · TO-55 · T-55AM-1 · T-72AV (TURMS-T) · T-80UD · Т-80U-Е1
  ▂M3 Medium · ▂M4A2 · ▂T-III · ▂T-V · ▂МК-IX "Valentine"
Heavy tanks  SMK · T-35 · ▂MK-II "Matilda" · KV-1E · KV-2 (1940) · KV-2 (ZiS-6) · KV-122 · KV-220 · IS-2 "Revenge" · Object 248 · IS-6 · T-10A
Tank destroyers  BM-8-24 · BM-13N · BM-31-12
  SU-57 · SU-76D · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A · SU-100Y · SU-122P · Object 120
SPAA  ▂Phòng không T-34 · ZUT-37

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