M4A1 (75) W (China)

This page is about the medium tank M4A1 (75) W (China). For other M4 Shermans, see M4 Sherman (Family). For other uses, see M4 (Disambiguation).

␗M4A1 (75) W

␗T-34 (1943)

␗Т-34-85 (S-53)

␗M4A1 (75) W

␗T-34 (1943)

␗Т-34-85 (S-53)

China

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.0	4.0	4.0

Class:

Medium tank

Research:13 000

Purchase:76 000

Show in game

Description

The ␗Medium Tank M4A1 (75) W Sherman is a rank III Chinese medium tank with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.91 "Night Vision".

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Hull63 / 63 / 38

Turret63 / 63 / 63

Crew5 people

Visibility122 %

The armour layout of the M4A1 (75) W is identical to that of M4A1 (76) W, turret- and hull-wise. Taking out a M4A1 (75) W is not a difficult task to do for most cannons it will face. It can take a few hits from Pz IIIs that are equipped with KwK39 (50 mm), Shermans equipped with M3 (75 mm) and T-34 and KV-1's equipped with the L-11 (76 mm) that will have a difficulty for reliable penetration on the M4A1 (75) W's armour. Meanwhile most guns above 3.7 battle rating will penetrate the armour with ease. However, even up-gunned tanks can have a hard time penetrating it with the sloped armour the M4A1 models are shaped with.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB43 / 6 km/h

RB and SB39 / 6 km/h

Number of gears5 forward

1 back

Weight32.7 t

Engine power

AB763 hp

RB and SB400 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB23.3 hp/t

RB and SB12.2 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	43	6	32.7	620	763	18.96	23.33
Realistic	39	6		354	400	10.83	12.23

The M4A1 (75) W (China) has got a decent speed of 38 km/h (42 km/h AB), with a relative bad acceleration that makes it an easy prey for enemy vehicles when it have just started its movement. The reverse speed of 4 km/h (5 km/h AB) would make it important to not peek too much outside of cover. Even though it have a relative bad acceleration, it can still move its hull relative fast to throw off incoming shells. The narrow tracks on the tank gives it a hard time to get a good grip on soft soil when in movement, making movement more efficient when on solid ground or road when wanting to move it around.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB1 111 → 1 429

RB1 303 → 1 676

SB1 701 → 2 189

Total cost of modifications24 900

45 100

Talisman cost1 100

Crew training22 000

Experts76 000

Aces400

Research Aces320 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

70 / 100 / 120 %

142 / 142 / 142 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 100 140 Suspension Research: 1 100 Cost: 2 000 90 Brake System Research: 1 100 Cost: 2 000 90 Filters Research: 2 100 Cost: 3 800 170 Transmission Research: 2 000 Cost: 3 600 165 Engine Research: 2 000 Cost: 3 600 165	Improved Parts Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 100 140 Improved FPE Research: 1 100 Cost: 2 000 90 Crew Replenishment Research: 2 100 Cost: 3 800 170	Horizontal Drive Research: 1 700 Cost: 3 100 140 Adjustment of Fire Research: 1 100 Cost: 2 000 90 75mm_usa_APCBC_ammo_pack Research: 1 100 Cost: 2 000 90 Elevation Mechanism Research: 2 100 Cost: 3 800 170 Artillery Support Research: 2 000 Cost: 3 600 165 75mm_us_M89_Smoke_ammo_pack Research: 2 000 Cost: 3 600 165

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm M3 cannon

Vertical stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving

Ammunition71 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

6.5 → 5.0 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 25°

75 mm M3					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	71	-10°/+25°	±180°	Vertical	22.8	31.6	38.4	42.5	45.2	6.50	5.75	5.30	5.00
Realistic					14.3	16.8	20.4	22.6	24.0

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
M72 shot	AP	91	88	78	67	57	49
M48 shell	HE	10	10	10	10	10	10
M61 shot	APCBC	104	101	90	78	68	59

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%
M72 shot	AP	619	6.3	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°
M48 shell	HE	463	6.3	0	0.1	666	79°	80°	81°
M61 shot	APCBC	618	6.79	1.2	14	63.7	48°	63°	71°

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)
M89	259	3	13	5	20	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A1 (75) W (China)

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	Visual discrepancy
71	66 (+5)	31 (+40)	1 (+70)	No

Note:

• Shells are modeled individually and disappear from the rack after having been shot or loaded.

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun

Ammunition600 rounds

Belt capacity200 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate575 shots/min

Vertical guidance-10° / 30°

Horizontal guidance-60° / 60°

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

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	600 (200)	576	-10°/+30°	±60°

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

Usage in battles

Similar to the other 75 mm Shermans, the M4A1 (75) W has a decent gun to take out most opponents even when uptiered. The tank can handle itself against enemies, but it's never a problem to work with your team in it, cover your allies when they are moving forward. The M4A1 (75) W has advantages over the Soviet T-34, Japanese Chi-Nu and German Pz.III/IV by having a early stabilizer that makes short stop and shooting faster, but facing US or British M4's can be a problematic since they share similar armour and gun. While rival M4 tanks would not be a threat to a seasoned player, they can prove a nuisance to beginners.

The M4A1 (75) W has effective frontal armour for most common enemies you will face in a downtier, but the armour is relative weak against some enemies in an uptier. Enemies that should be prioritized in deadliness are mainly tank destroyers like the M10, Achilles, Jagdpanzers and SU-85 since their guns will slice through the M4A1's armour like butter and demolish the tank, while the tank destroyers can be difficult to take out with the M4A1's 75 mm cannon from the front.

When facing these dangerous enemies, it is best to move around them and flank their sides, especially since these vehicles like the Jagdpanzer IV's have thick enough sloped armour that makes the 75 mm M3 inefficient against the front plate. The M4A1's slow acceleration can make this a difficult task to do in Realistic Battle, but it will be easier in Arcade with the enhanced engine power, so it's easier to flank enemies.

Against the M4A1 (75) W

Light tank/SPAA: light vehicles with below-average penetration may struggle to fight an M4A1 frontally. There are weakspots, though: the hull side armour at the front blends into the upper front plate, forming a visible and thin triangular section each side right above the front sprocket wheel. It is only 38 mm thick like the side and is pretty much unangled, so even from the front, a light tank with over ~55 mm penetration can penetrate these two areas and knock out some turret crew. SPAA, with their rapid firing autocannons, will make short work of the thin side armour by firing long bursts across the entire side if it is exposed. Other than these areas, the M4A1 is quite sturdy, so do not shoot at places like upper front plate, turret, not even the spherical MG port.

Medium tanks: for medium tanks, apart from the two weakspots mentioned above, there are more weaknesses to shoot at on the M4A1. Tanks like the Pz.IV F2 and 75 mm M4 can target the upper part of the upper front plate where the armour gently blends with the driver's hatch and is almost laid horizontally flat, that area is less than 20 mm thick so average 75 mm/76 mm cannons will overmatch it and pierce through. Some might be wanting to shoot the turret, but American turrets are popular for their sturdiness. Although the on-paper thickness of the turret front is 63 mm, the gun mantlet, occupying most of the frontal turret, is actually 88 mm with slight angles. There are also thick framing around the gun barrel and the edge of the mantlet, which can cause non-penetrations. Therefore for common medium tanks with average cannons, it is best to avoid the turret/mantlet unless it is not facing you.

Heavy tank/tank destroyer: these vehicles with more powerful guns can easily penetrate the M4A1's hull unless the incidence angle is too small that a ricochet happens. If you are to fire at the turret front, avoid the edges of the gun mantlet and the surroundings of the gun barrel. Shoot at the very middle parts besides the barrel where the effective thickness is no more than 90 mm.

Enemies worth noting:

M4A2/A4:

These Sherman tanks are widely used by over 3 nations that spread across both the Allied and the Axis side, so no matter which nation you play they can be quite tough to destroy in the hands of a skilled tanker. Given the rather weak penetration of your short 75 mm gun, their hull can be almost impossible to penetrate when angled, hull down or 300 m away. For an M4A4, there are 2 apparent bulges on the upper front plate, a penetration through there is a guaranteed kill most of the times. But in case the opponent covers them up or when it's an M4A2, aim for the middle parts of the gun mantlet or the turret armour unprotected by the mantlet, you can at least make them defenceless. Note that their guns are equally weak against you, so wiggle around to disrupt their aim while you reload, you have a good chance of bouncing some shells.

KV-1 (ZiS-5):

While the L-11 is underpowered, the ZiS-5 is potent enough to punch through the Sherman's front, and the Sherman is unable to penetrate the KV-1's thick armour especially with its add-on armour plates. If this heavy tank is encountered and it's angling the hull, aim at the gun mantlet as it is only 50 mm thick. You can knock out its gunner easily. Or shoot at the thin cupola, there's also some chance to kill the gunner. Of course, the best way is to shoot at its sides and rear without any angle, where its armour is unsloped, though it will still have to be at a close range to penetrate the armour. In addition, shots to the sides will most likely hit fuel tanks or ammunition storage, causing a fire or ammunition detonation and at best, time to reassess the situation.

Churchill I, Churchill III, Pz.Kpfw. Churchill:

The Churchills, with their complex hulls and sturdy turrets, can be quite hard to kill at range. Again, manoeuvre as close to them as possible, the ideal distance being no more than 200 m. If they are angling their hull but facing their turret at you, only go for the turret. For the Mk I Churchills, aim at the near-vertical part of their rounded cheeks to ensure successful penetrations. For the Mk III and the German Churchill, also aim for their flat turret which is at most 89 mm. The shell should go in easily and knock out most, if not all of the crew. Only when you are facing their hull without any angles should you shoot the hull, otherwise shoot the turret only, as their big tracks can easily get in front of the frontal hull. The side hull have multiple layers of armour, some of which are weirdly angled and can absorb plenty of shells.

Pz.IV F2/G/H/J:

The historical nemesis of any Sherman, the Panzer IV is one of the Sherman's biggest threats at this rank. The long barrel 75 mm gun will easily penetrate the Sherman from the front. The F2 variant is admittedly easy to deal with. A single APCBC to its hull or turret should end it pretty quickly, even at long range. The other variants are slightly harder to deal with. They have thicker hull armour, at 80 mm, which will be much harder to penetrate with the APCBC over 500 m. Luckily the turret armour remains the same at 50 mm. Either aim here with APCBC or sacrifice damage potential and use the AP round to penetrate the hull.

StuG III F/G:

Another historical nemesis of the Sherman, and another big threat. The StuG III packs the same punch as the Panzer IV line with its long barrel 75 mm gun, whilst losing the turret, which turns out to be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Lacking a turret means that it will have to traverse the whole vehicle to target an enemy, but it also means that it has a lower profile. The StuG's armour profile is also more complex than the Panzer IV, with less flat areas. Certain areas are sloped and very bouncy. Luckily, there is a big weak spot. There are two flat plates on the front of the hull. The flat plate on the right is the drivers port. Shoot that and you are able to kill the driver, gunner and loader in one go. This is a very efficient way to destroy this vehicle. With the F variant, you can use APCBC to instantly one-shot this vehicle. With the G variant, it is more reliable to use AP at ranges within 500 m to ensure penetration.

R3 T20 FA-HS:

This speedy wheeled vehicle can circle around you with ease and wipe out all your crew with its fast firing autocannon. In a close encounter, never expose your side to it, and do not even angle your hull. Face your hull directly to the R3, because on each side of the cast hull, above the inducer wheel there is a triangular area that blends and connects the upper front plate to the side. By angling the hull, this triangle becomes unangled to the R3, making it easily penetrated, and the driver / gunner will usually get knocked out first. It is harder for the R3 to penetrate your unangled hull thus giving you more time to react and destroy it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Sloped hull armour and thick frontal turret can deflect quite some shells sometimes.
• APCBC shell is pretty effective against common opponents like the Pz.IV series and early Shermans.
• Vertical stabiliser allows the tank to fire on the move, or shoot first in a sudden encounter.
• Fast turret traverse, easily deal with enemies from multiple directions.
• Relatively fast reload of about 5 seconds.
• Great mountain warfare capacities due to its 10° gun depression and 90+mm gun mantlet.
• HMG can effectively damage light vehicles (M18, VFW) or low-flying aircraft.
• Wet ammo stowage reduces chance of being ammo-racked

Cons:

• Narrow tracks give it awkward turning speed.
• 38 mm side is weak, even rank I vehicles can penetrate
• Short gun creates low shell velocity and curved trajectory. Requires better aiming at long range or with moving targets
• High profile compared to other medium tanks it faces
• Armour can't resist tanks like Pz.IV G or 76mm Sherman
• The cast hull creates frontal weak spots with very little effective thickness, eg. the triangles between upper front plate and the side, and the curved hull hatches

History

'

The armoured forces of the Republic of China Army, which were mainly equipped with Stuart light tanks and captured Japanese tanks, have repeatedly suffered defeats during the civil war. Major General Chiang Wei-kuo, Chief of staff of the Armored Forces Command at the time, seeks US military surplus materials, especially armoured vehicles and tanks from Guam, Ryukyu, Philippine and other theaters, in order to arm his units. 

While purchasing and repairing surplus equipment from the US military, Chiang asked the British government to purchase 100 M4 Sherman medium tanks, communicating via the British Consul General in Taipei, C. Krentz. At the time, numerous excess tanks were being demilitarized in the scrapyards throughout Europe, and the Consul General eventually obtained export licenses for 85 of those scrapped tanks.

In the process of purchasing these used tanks, Krentz obtained the tank export permit under the cover of transporting them back to the United States for restoration, while in reality the tanks were heading for Taiwan through the Suez Canal. Since the U.S. refused to provide any form of military assistance to Republic of China at the time, the Office of Chinese Affairs of the US Department of State requested the British Foreign Office to revoke the expert permit of those Sherman tanks and detain the rest. Despite the obstruction by the United States, a total of 30 M4 Sherman tanks were loaded and delivered, arriving in Kaohsiung Port on December 12, 1949. 

The M4 Sherman tanks that arrived in Taiwan included 6 M4A1(76)w mounted with D82081 turret, 2 M4A1(76)w mounted with D50878 turret, and 22 M4A4 remanufacturing models. For the fact that these scrap tanks have been demilitarized and Taiwan lacks the ability to repair their 76mm tank cannons, all M4A1(76)w tanks are equipped with 75mm cannons instead. This batch of M4 Sherman tanks was officially equipped by the Republic of China Armoured Corps in June 1950, and was inspected by President Chiang Kai-shek on November 8, 1950. After the first batch of M18 Hellcat tank destroyers aided by the United States arrived in Taiwan in 1952, all M4 Shermans in the ROCA Armoured Forces were retired from active service. One remaining M4A1(75)w is currently on public display in Chenk-Kung Hill Camp, Taichung.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M4A1 (75) W (China) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Spade Review, M4A1 (75) W (China). A Hull down beast! - Joseph 2000

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

China medium tanks
ZTZ59	Type 59 · ZTZ59A · ZTZ59D1
ZTZ69	Type 69 · Type 69-IIa
ZTZ88/96	ZTZ88A · ZTZ88B
	ZTZ96 · ZTZ96A · ZTZ96A (P)
ZTZ99	ZTZ99-II · ZTZ99-III
ZTZ99A	ZTZ99A · WZ1001(E) LCT
Export series	MBT-2000 · VT4A1
ROC	CM11
Other	Т-34-85 Gai · Object 122MT "MC"
Bangladesh	T-69 II G
Japan	␗Chi-Ha · ␗Chi-Ha Kai
Pakistan	Al-Khalid-I
USA	␗M4A4 · ␗M4A4 (1st PTG) · ␗M4A1 (75) W · ␗M48A1 · ␗M60A3 TTS
USSR	␗T-34 (1943) · ␗Т-34-85 (S-53) · T-34-85 No.215 · Т-62 №545