Difference between revisions of "M4A4 (SA50)"

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== Description ==
 
== 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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} French medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. This tank is the equivalent to the British [[Sherman Firefly]], it trades its top-mounted HMG and additional armour for a better main gun: the SA50 L/57 cannon, which is the same gun as the [[AMX-13]], providing an interesting perspective to what's coming next in terms of firepower. That being said, the rest of this tank is 100% Sherman, with all its good and bad.
+
The '''M4A4 (SA50) Sherman''' is an up-gunned modification of the [[M4A4 (France)|M4A4]], which is the fifth variant of the early-generation [[M4 Sherman (Family)|Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family]]. The M4A4 (SA50) is the result of a joint Israeli-French program in 1954 to enhance Israel's existing M4 Shermans with more firepower to confront the growing threat from neighbouring countries in the 1950s. An Israeli military delegation visited France in 1953 to see the then-new AMX-13/75 light tank, which was armed with the 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun. While the tank's main gun was assessed as adequate, its armour was deemed insufficient. The AMX-13 was eventually purchased by Israel, but in a parallel development, it was decided that the high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun of the AMX-13s Israel purchased would be transferred to the more familiar and better-armoured hull of its M4 Sherman fleet, which was the standard tank family of the Israel Defense Force armoured units during the early 1950s. This project began in 1954, and an AMX-13 turret was transferred from France to Israel in 1955. In March 1956, Israeli Ordnance Corps military facilities began modifying their first 50 tanks of the [[M4A4 (France)|M4A4 variant]] to be equipped with high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank guns. The high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun was known as the M-50 in Israel; hence, the up-gunned Sherman was dubbed the Sherman M-50 (but M4A4 (SA50) as the official designation).
  
−
As with any Sherman design, this tank is quite iconic of this vehicle's family: tall profile, sloped frontal armour, front-mounted transmission, a radial engine from a plane, rounded turret with complex gun mantlet, it has got it all. The only difference from purely American Sherman is its long gun featuring a muzzle brake.
+
Introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]], the M4A4 (SA50) has been significantly modified to provide far more firepower than the standard M4A4. The salvaged components of the 75 mm Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 42 L/70 tank gun from destroyed German [[Panzer V Panther (Family)|Panther medium tanks]] during the German conquest of France inspired the high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun. However, when compared to the [[M4A1 (FL10)|M4A1 (FL-10)]], another tank prototype constructed by the French for Egypt, which had an autoloader, the M4A4 (SA50) lacks an autoloader and consequently reloads much slower than the M4A1 (FL-10). Nonetheless, players are sure to appreciate this modification, and there will be few opponents on the battlefield that can withstand the high-velocity shots fired by the M4A4 (SA50). At this rank, however, the M4A4 hull protection is barely adequate; therefore, rather than playing aggressively, it is vital to choose strategic areas early in the battle to set an ambush for the enemies.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
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With its sloped frontal armour, many low-calibre shells will just bounce off the Sherman, any actual anti-tank gun you will face at this BR will easily go through this relatively thin armour at average combat ranges. Keep in mind not to linger too long is front of SPAAs as there is two very convenient flat plates in front of the driver and machine gunner. As for the turret, some angles may deflect shots but don't count on it. Side and rear armour plates are vulnerable to anything bigger than HMG rounds since they are only 38 mm thick. In sum, this armour is there to provide occasional protection from poorly aimed shots and autocannon fire, but nothing more.
+
With its sloped frontal armour, many low-calibre shells will just bounce off the Sherman, though any actual anti-tank gun you will face at this BR will easily go through this relatively thin armour at medium range. Keep in mind not to linger too long in front of SPAAs as there are two very convenient flat plates in front of the driver and machine gunner which can possibly be penetrated by AA's of the BR. As for the turret, some angles may deflect shots but don't count on it. Side and rear armour plates are vulnerable to anything bigger than HMG rounds since they are only 38 mm thick. In conclusion, this armour is there to provide occasional protection from poorly aimed shots and autocannon fire, but nothing more.
  
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
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<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
  
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The Sherman chassis, with all its good and bad takes this tank around the battlefield. It will carry its user wherever it likes but it takes some time to do so. Don't count on it for hasty retreats as both reverse speed and hull turning are slow when this tank is stopped. As long as it is not required to do back-flips and drifting, this chassis does the job.
+
The Sherman chassis, with all its good and bad attributes carries this tank around on the battlefield. It will carry its user wherever it likes but it takes some time to do so; don't count on it for hasty retreats as both reverse speed and hull turning are slow when this tank is stopped. As long as it is not required to do back-flips and drifting, this chassis does it's job fairly well.
  
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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The Sherman's turret was not made for such a huge gun. this is why this tank has an elongated mantlet: to provide space for the long SA50 L/57 cannon. Originally, this tank was provided with a vertical stabiliser but it was disabled with this new gun mount as the strain was too great for this piece. Thus, unlike most Sherman, the French M4A4 SA50 does not have a stabilized gun, but what a gun it is ! This main armament performs a bit better than its British counter part, the [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|QF 17-pounder]] as it has superior penetration rates at all ranges. With such a gun, sniping is an easy task as only [[Panther D|early Panthers]] will be able to defeat it (they still have weak spots, thought).
+
The Sherman's turret was not made for such a huge gun. This is why this tank has an elongated mantlet: to provide space for the long SA50 L/57 cannon. Originally, this tank was provided with a vertical stabiliser but it was disabled with this new gun mount as the strain was too great for this piece. Thus, unlike most Shermans, the French M4A4 SA50 does not have a stabilized gun; this however is more than made up for by the egregious penetration rates of the high-velocity cannon. This main armament performs a bit better than its British counterpart, the [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|QF 17-pounder]], as it has superior penetration rates at all ranges. With such a gun, sniping is an easy task as only [[Panther D|early Panthers]] will be able to bounce an incoming round (they still have weak spots, though).
  
−
With such firepower, there is also concerns: as said above, this gun is not stabilized, which makes target acquisition quite slow. This specific Sherman's main weakness being its lack of top-mounted MG, leaving it mostly vulnerable to strafing planes.
+
With this great amount of firepower come some downsides however: it is not stabilized which makes target acquisition quite slow and the lack of explosive filler means that you will have to aim each shot to make it count. This specific Sherman's main weakness however is its lack of top-mounted MG, leaving it mostly vulnerable to strafing planes.
  
 
==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:SA50 L/57 (75 mm)/Ammunition|POT-51A, OE Mle 1951, PCOT-51P}}
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
−
! colspan="6" | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
 
−
|-
 
−
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
−
|-
 
−
| POT-51A || APBC || 182 || 178 || 162 || 143 || 127 || 113
 
−
|-
 
−
| 75 mm HE || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
 
−
|-
 
−
| PCOT-51P || APCBC || 202 || 198 || 180 || 159 || 141 || 125
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
−
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
−
! 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)
 
−
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
−
|-
 
−
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
−
|-
 
−
| POT-51A || APBC || 1,000 || 6.4 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
−
|-
 
−
| 75 mm HE || HE || 753 || 6.2 || 0 || 0.1 || 675 || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
−
|-
 
−
| PCOT-51P || APCBC || 1,000 || 6.4 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
−
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.1.0.113''' -->
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.35.1.125''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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|-
 
|-
 
|-
 
|-
−
| '''62''' || 57&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 51&nbsp;''(+11)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+20)'' || 33&nbsp;''(+29)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+45)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+61)'' || No
+
| '''62''' || 56&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 50&nbsp;''(+12)'' || 41&nbsp;''(+21)'' || 32&nbsp;''(+30)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+46)'' || 0&nbsp;''(+62)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes''':
 
'''Notes''':
  
 +
* Flank racks empty: 32&nbsp;(+30) shells.
 
* As they are modeled by sets of 3 or 4, shells disappear from the rack only after you've fired all shells in the set.
 
* As they are modeled by sets of 3 or 4, shells disappear from the rack only after you've fired all shells in the set.
−
* Flank racks empty: 33&nbsp;(+29) shells.
 
 
* The top rows of all 4 floor racks deplete successively, followed by all bottom rows.
 
* The top rows of all 4 floor racks deplete successively, followed by all bottom rows.
  
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
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Experienced Sherman commanders will like this tank as it drastically increases this old boy's lethality. This tank is a very good representative of the medium tanks line, with average mobility, sufficient armour and enjoyable firepower. Get into position, manage to avoid shots doing so and ensure any role an average tank could do: sniper, brawler, flanker, etc.
+
Experienced Sherman commanders will like this tank as it drastically increases this old boy's lethality. This tank is a very good representative of the medium tank line, with average mobility, sufficient armour and enjoyable firepower. Get into position, manage to avoid shots doing so and play any role an average tank can fit into: sniper, brawler, flanker, etc.
  
−
With good overall characteristics, this vehicle can play many roles on the battlefield, here is some of them:
+
With good overall characteristics, this vehicle can play many roles on the battlefield. Here are some of them:
  
 
'''Brawler:'''
 
'''Brawler:'''
  
−
This tank has bad armour for the BR and you assume it. Using its good turret turning speed and close-quarter penetration rates, it should blast through almost anything it looks at. This tactic is very efficient in urban combat, where long range precision shots are not required, only reaction time and situation awareness can save you. Make sure to surprise your enemies while avoiding being targeted yourself can grant you with a few points. The most important thing about this tactic is to know when to pull off, as enemies will be aware of a rampaging Sherman in the area and will take advantage of it as soon as they got the opportunity. This is a high risk/high stakes game-play.
+
This tank has bad armour for the BR and the tank gives that away very clearly. Using its good turret traverse rate and close-quarter penetration rates, it should blast through almost anything it looks at. This tactic is very efficient in urban combat, where long range precision shots are not required. Do note that only reaction time and situation awareness can save you, as any main gun will make short work of you. Make sure to surprise your enemies while you avoid being targeted yourself. This tactic can deliver you some points if executed well. The most important thing about this tactic is to know when to hold back, as enemies will be aware of a rampaging Sherman in the area and will take advantage of it as soon as they get the opportunity. This is a high risk/high reward type of playstyle.
  
 
'''Sniper:'''
 
'''Sniper:'''
  
−
To be used in open maps, preferably against lower BR vehicles. Keeping a good distance from your enemy's gun, use your own cannon to penetrate them from any range. Even if your armour is not the best, it should block most incoming round, which have lost most of their energy from travelling for so long. Make sure to reposition every 2-3 shots as you may get spotted by a big gun. This tactic is even more effective when hulled-down: this tank has -10° of depression, make good use of them.
+
This scenario is the most advantagious for the M4A4 (SA50) because the vehicle is very suited to open maps. It can easily dominate the field (especially against tanks of a lower BR) when you employ the right tactics; keep a good distance from your enemy and use your own cannon to penetrate them from any range. Even if your armour is not the best, it should block most incoming rounds which will have lost most of their penetration power at those ranges. Make sure to reposition your vehicle after every 2-3 shots as you may get spotted by a tank destroyer, which is one of the few dangerous foes even on longer ranges. This tactic is even more effective when you are in a hull-down position: unlike Soviet vehicles, this tank has -10° of depression which you can make good use of.
  
−
Use your imagination: any tactic that do not rely too much on armour is a good one when using this tank. Want to follow the team? No problem. Want to find a good ambush spot? Go for it.
+
Use your imagination: any tactic that doesn't rely on your armour is effective with the M4A4 (SA50). Supporting your teammates, ambushing oblivious enemies, many tactics are effective with this versatile tank.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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* Doesn't have access to any shells with explosive filler
 
* Doesn't have access to any shells with explosive filler
 
* Higher-than-average reload time for the battle rating
 
* Higher-than-average reload time for the battle rating
 +
* Lacklustre stock mobility
 +
* Gun-laying is slow and unstable when breaking or moving
 
* No roof mounted .50 cal HMG like on other Shermans at the same BR
 
* No roof mounted .50 cal HMG like on other Shermans at the same BR
  
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;Videos
 
;Videos
−
{{Youtube-gallery|OoKX7cxoQbM|'''{{PAGENAME}}, French, Tier-3, Medium Tank / Israeli M50 Mk.I''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|8uZ8yzvdPFY|'''{{PAGENAME}} Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''}}
+
{{Youtube-gallery|OoKX7cxoQbM|'''M4A4 (SA50), French, Tier-3, Medium Tank / Israeli M50 Mk.I''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==

Latest revision as of 07:49, 11 November 2024

This page is about the French medium tank M4A4 (SA50). For other M4 Shermans, see M4 Sherman (Family). For other uses, see M4 (Disambiguation).
M4A4 (SA50)
fr_m4a4_cn_75_50.png
GarageImage M4A4 (SA50).jpg
M4A4 (SA50)
France flag.png France
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.0 5.0 5.0
Class:
Research:33 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:105 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

The M4A4 (SA50) Sherman is an up-gunned modification of the M4A4, which is the fifth variant of the early-generation Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family. The M4A4 (SA50) is the result of a joint Israeli-French program in 1954 to enhance Israel's existing M4 Shermans with more firepower to confront the growing threat from neighbouring countries in the 1950s. An Israeli military delegation visited France in 1953 to see the then-new AMX-13/75 light tank, which was armed with the 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun. While the tank's main gun was assessed as adequate, its armour was deemed insufficient. The AMX-13 was eventually purchased by Israel, but in a parallel development, it was decided that the high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun of the AMX-13s Israel purchased would be transferred to the more familiar and better-armoured hull of its M4 Sherman fleet, which was the standard tank family of the Israel Defense Force armoured units during the early 1950s. This project began in 1954, and an AMX-13 turret was transferred from France to Israel in 1955. In March 1956, Israeli Ordnance Corps military facilities began modifying their first 50 tanks of the M4A4 variant to be equipped with high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank guns. The high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun was known as the M-50 in Israel; hence, the up-gunned Sherman was dubbed the Sherman M-50 (but M4A4 (SA50) as the official designation).

Introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance", the M4A4 (SA50) has been significantly modified to provide far more firepower than the standard M4A4. The salvaged components of the 75 mm Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 42 L/70 tank gun from destroyed German Panther medium tanks during the German conquest of France inspired the high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun. However, when compared to the M4A1 (FL-10), another tank prototype constructed by the French for Egypt, which had an autoloader, the M4A4 (SA50) lacks an autoloader and consequently reloads much slower than the M4A1 (FL-10). Nonetheless, players are sure to appreciate this modification, and there will be few opponents on the battlefield that can withstand the high-velocity shots fired by the M4A4 (SA50). At this rank, however, the M4A4 hull protection is barely adequate; therefore, rather than playing aggressively, it is vital to choose strategic areas early in the battle to set an ambush for the enemies.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull63 / 38 / 38
Turret76 / 51 / 51
Crew5 people
Visibility122 %

With its sloped frontal armour, many low-calibre shells will just bounce off the Sherman, though any actual anti-tank gun you will face at this BR will easily go through this relatively thin armour at medium range. Keep in mind not to linger too long in front of SPAAs as there are two very convenient flat plates in front of the driver and machine gunner which can possibly be penetrated by AA's of the BR. As for the turret, some angles may deflect shots but don't count on it. Side and rear armour plates are vulnerable to anything bigger than HMG rounds since they are only 38 mm thick. In conclusion, this armour is there to provide occasional protection from poorly aimed shots and autocannon fire, but nothing more.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (turret, gun mantlet, cupola, transmission carter, MG port)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 50.8 mm (56°) Front glacis
50.8 mm (8-17°) Viewports
34 + 25.4 mm (spherical) MG port
50.8 mm (3°) Radio antenna bulge
50.8 mm (cylindrical) Transmission housing 		38.1 mm
38.1 + 25.4 mm Ammo racks 		38.1 mm (21°) Top
38.1 mm Bottom 		50.8 mm (34°) Front glacis
19.5 mm Centre
25.4 mm Centre - Turret base
25.4 mm (7°) Engine bay - centre
19.5 mm (23°) Engine bay - sides
Turret 76 mm (7-65°) Turret front
63-100 mm (0-62°) Gun mantlet
51 mm (0-80°) Protruding gun mantlet 		51 mm (0-68°) 51 mm (3-68°) 25.4 mm
Cupola 63.5 mm (conical) 63.5 mm Outer ring
25.4 mm Centre

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, while bogies are 10 mm thick and tracks are 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB45 / 6 km/h
RB and SB41 / 5 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight34.3 t
Engine power
AB763 hp
RB and SB400 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB22.2 hp/t
RB and SB11.7 hp/t

The Sherman chassis, with all its good and bad attributes carries this tank around on the battlefield. It will carry its user wherever it likes but it takes some time to do so; don't count on it for hasty retreats as both reverse speed and hull turning are slow when this tank is stopped. As long as it is not required to do back-flips and drifting, this chassis does it's job fairly well.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 45 6 34.3 620 763 18.08 22.24
Realistic 41 5 354 400 10.32 11.66

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 248 → 1 606 Sl icon.png
RB1 473 → 1 895 Sl icon.png
SB1 877 → 2 415 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications29 600 Rp icon.png
57 800 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training30 000 Sl icon.png
Experts105 000 Sl icon.png
Aces470 Ge icon.png
Research Aces360 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
80 / 120 / 140 % Sl icon.png
148 / 148 / 148 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement fr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 900 Sl icon.png
135 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_SA50_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
90 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
170 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
220 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm SA50 L/57 cannon
Ammunition62 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.8 → 7.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 25°
Main article: SA50 L/57 (75 mm)
75 mm SA50 L/57 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 62 -10°/+25° ±180° N/A 22.9 31.6 38.4 42.5 45.2 9.75 8.62 7.95 7.50
Realistic 14.3 16.8 20.4 22.6 24.0

The Sherman's turret was not made for such a huge gun. This is why this tank has an elongated mantlet: to provide space for the long SA50 L/57 cannon. Originally, this tank was provided with a vertical stabiliser but it was disabled with this new gun mount as the strain was too great for this piece. Thus, unlike most Shermans, the French M4A4 SA50 does not have a stabilized gun; this however is more than made up for by the egregious penetration rates of the high-velocity cannon. This main armament performs a bit better than its British counterpart, the QF 17-pounder, as it has superior penetration rates at all ranges. With such a gun, sniping is an easy task as only early Panthers will be able to bounce an incoming round (they still have weak spots, though).

With this great amount of firepower come some downsides however: it is not stabilized which makes target acquisition quite slow and the lack of explosive filler means that you will have to aim each shot to make it count. This specific Sherman's main weakness however is its lack of top-mounted MG, leaving it mostly vulnerable to strafing planes.

Ammunition

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
POT-51A APBC 182 178 162 143 127 113
OE Mle 1951 HE 15 15 13 12 11 10
PCOT-51P APCBC 202 198 180 159 141 125
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%
POT-51A APBC 1,000 6.4 - - - 47° 60° 65°
OE Mle 1951 HE 753 6.2 0.2 0.1 675 79° 80° 81°
PCOT-51P APCBC 1,000 6.4 - - - 48° 63° 71°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A4 (SA50)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
62 56 (+6) 50 (+12) 41 (+21) 32 (+30) 16 (+46) 0 (+62) No

Notes:

  • Flank racks empty: 32 (+30) shells.
  • As they are modeled by sets of 3 or 4, shells disappear from the rack only after you've fired all shells in the set.
  • The top rows of all 4 floor racks deplete successively, followed by all bottom rows.

Machine guns

7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
Main article: M1919A4 (7.62 mm)

The small calibre of the M1919A4 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Experienced Sherman commanders will like this tank as it drastically increases this old boy's lethality. This tank is a very good representative of the medium tank line, with average mobility, sufficient armour and enjoyable firepower. Get into position, manage to avoid shots doing so and play any role an average tank can fit into: sniper, brawler, flanker, etc.

With good overall characteristics, this vehicle can play many roles on the battlefield. Here are some of them:

Brawler:

This tank has bad armour for the BR and the tank gives that away very clearly. Using its good turret traverse rate and close-quarter penetration rates, it should blast through almost anything it looks at. This tactic is very efficient in urban combat, where long range precision shots are not required. Do note that only reaction time and situation awareness can save you, as any main gun will make short work of you. Make sure to surprise your enemies while you avoid being targeted yourself. This tactic can deliver you some points if executed well. The most important thing about this tactic is to know when to hold back, as enemies will be aware of a rampaging Sherman in the area and will take advantage of it as soon as they get the opportunity. This is a high risk/high reward type of playstyle.

Sniper:

This scenario is the most advantagious for the M4A4 (SA50) because the vehicle is very suited to open maps. It can easily dominate the field (especially against tanks of a lower BR) when you employ the right tactics; keep a good distance from your enemy and use your own cannon to penetrate them from any range. Even if your armour is not the best, it should block most incoming rounds which will have lost most of their penetration power at those ranges. Make sure to reposition your vehicle after every 2-3 shots as you may get spotted by a tank destroyer, which is one of the few dangerous foes even on longer ranges. This tactic is even more effective when you are in a hull-down position: unlike Soviet vehicles, this tank has -10° of depression which you can make good use of.

Use your imagination: any tactic that doesn't rely on your armour is effective with the M4A4 (SA50). Supporting your teammates, ambushing oblivious enemies, many tactics are effective with this versatile tank.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent 75 mm gun, arguably better than the legendary 17-pounder due to the penetration and accuracy of the gun
  • Outstanding penetration on the default APCBC at all ranges
  • Unlike the Sherman Firefly, the SA50 gets 10 degrees of gun depression. Makes cresting ridgelines a good tactic
  • Set of optics with 7.5x magnification
  • The gun mantlet is both large and V-shaped. Can reliably stop or bounce incoming fire
  • Due to all the pros listed above, the SA50 is one of the best pound-for-pound snipers and ridgeline shooters in the game

Cons:

  • Bad overall armour layout: doesn't have any add-on tracks lining the sides like the Firefly
  • Doesn't have access to any shells with explosive filler
  • Higher-than-average reload time for the battle rating
  • Lacklustre stock mobility
  • Gun-laying is slow and unstable when breaking or moving
  • No roof mounted .50 cal HMG like on other Shermans at the same BR

History

Israeli M4 Shermans

During the Cold War, the Israelis received stocks of M4 Sherman tanks to equip their armoured force. They were obtained from the British, French, and scrap yards across Europe.[1] Their designations on the Shermans were based on their armaments, leading to names such as the Sherman M-1 with the 76 mm M1 gun, the Sherman M-3 with the 75 mm M3 gun, and the Sherman M-4 with the 105 mm M4 howitzer, regardless of Sherman hull and engine model types. Sherman tanks equipped with the horizontal volute suspension system (HVSS) were given the added name "Super" in the designation.[2]

The M4 Shermans were seen as adequate in the early 1950s conflicts, but the Soviet arms trade with the neighboring Arab countries in the 1950s caused the Israelis to focus on uparming their existing Sherman inventory. Their program was a 1954 joint venture with France to arm the Sherman with the 75 mm SA50 gun from the AMX-13 light tank. The modifications to hold the 75 mm SA50 gun required the extension of the Sherman turret front and rear to make room for the gun and add a counterweight for the heavier front weight. With the success of this modification, the Israelis chose the 75 mm SA50 gun to be the new armament for the M4 Sherman inventory. The first fifty tanks with the 75 mm SA50 guns were added into a M4A4 Sherman hull converted to use a R975 radial engine by the French, these tanks designated as the M-50 Sherman by Israel. These used a vertical-volute suspension system (VVSS), but the added weight of the gun inhibited the M-50's flotation and mobility, so this was shifted to use the HVSS and the Cummins diesel engine. These two variants are distinguished by engine type as the M-50 Continental and the M-50 Cummins. Other hulls outside the M4A4 were also used in the conversions.[2]

Combat usage

The M-50 Sherman was used by Israeli during the 1956 Suez Crisis and the 1967 Six-Day War. The 1956 Suez Crisis against Egypt was a curious case as the Egyptians also send their M4 Sherman inventory through a similar uparm program by adding the AMX-13 turret onto their M4 Shermans, giving them their own usage of the 75 mm SA50 gun on the M4 Sherman tanks.[1]

Its use in the 1967 war was interleaved with the more powerful M-51 Sherman, a similar upgun program with the French 105 mm Modèle F1 from the AMX-30 tank.[2] Though the early M-50 Continentals were retired by 1972, the the M-50 Cummins and M-51 served together up until the early 1980s, having to fight more modern Soviet tanks such as the T-54/55 tanks in the 1973 Yom-Kippur War. The Israeli gave away several of the M-50 Shermans to Lebanon to aid supporting militia groups in the Lebanese Civil War, in this conflict two were captured by Palestine, which they used against during the 1982 Lebanon War.[3] About 50 M-50 were given to Chile in late 1980s, rearmed with an IMI-OTO 60 mm Hyper Velocity Medium Support gun, which they used until 1999 when they replaced them with the Leopard 1 tanks. The Israelis cleared their stocks of M-50 and M-51 by this time, sold to collections, used as range targets, or repurposed to other usage such as engineer vehicles.

Media

Skins
Videos
M4A4 (SA50), French, Tier-3, Medium Tank / Israeli M50 Mk.I - Angry Nerd Gaming

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

External links

References

Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zaloga 2008, "Chapter 11: Cold War Sherman"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Jeeps_Guns_Tanks 2015, #34
  3. ↑ Chad 2011
Bibliography
  • Chad. "Palestinian Armor." Military In the Middle East. WordPress, 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 30 Dec. 2017. Website (Archive).
  • Jeeps_Guns_Tanks. "#34 Israeli Shermans: The Most Powerful Shermans Ever To See Action." The Sherman Tank Site. WordPress, 20 Dec. 2015. Web. 30 Dec. 2017. Website (Archive).
  • Zaloga Steven. Armored Thunderbolt: The U.S. Army Sherman in World War II Stackpole Books, 2008


France medium tanks
M4 Derivatives  M4A1 (FL10) · M4A4 (SA50)
AMX-50  AMX M4 · AMX-50 (TOA100) · AMX-50 (TO90/930)
AMX-30  AMX-30 · AMX-30 (1972) · AMX-30B2 · AMX-30B2 BRENUS · AMX-30 ACRA · AMX-30 Super
AMX-32/40  AMX-32 · AMX-32 (105) · AMX-40
Leclerc  Leclerc · Leclerc S2 · Leclerc SXXI · Leclerc AZUR
Other  D2 · S.35 · Lorraine 40t
Germany  Panther "Dauphiné"
USA  ▄M4A1 · ▄M4A3 (105) · ▄M4A4 · ▄M26

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