Experience Epic Aerial Battles in War Thunder!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The M4 Sherman: A Versatile Veteran of Armored Warfare
   • 2.1 Pages of History: The Soviet Shermans
   • 2.2 Armament Comparison: M4 Sherman vs. T-34
   • 2.3 Mobility and Reliability
   • 2.4 Armor Protection
   • 2.5 Additional Features and Advantages
   • 2.6 The Sherman's Popularity among Soviet Troops
3. User-made Scenarios at live.warthunder.com
   • 3.1 High-Speed Race Track by Kruggly
   • 3.2 Naval Battles Close to the Community by Sonoda_Kotori
   • 3.3 Battle Against Hostile Ships by kololz
4. Pages of History: The Republic P-43 Lancer
   • 4.1 The Unconventional Design of the P-43A-1 Lancer
   • 4.2 The Turbo-Supercharger Innovation
   • 4.3 The Limitations and Legacy of the P-43 Lancer
5. Hotline: Developers Answering Questions

The M4 Sherman: A Versatile Veteran of Armored Warfare

In defense of the Medium Tank M4 Sherman, this versatile veteran of armored warfare has a story that spans continents and battles. Despite its adoration in the West, the Sherman didn't receive the same level of popularity in former Soviet Republics where it saw heavy use. Criticisms of the tank being unreliable and prone to catching fire are often heard, with comparisons made to the superior T-34. However, a closer comparison between the two reveals that the Sherman had its own set of advantages.

Pages of History: The Soviet Shermans

The Medium Tank M4 Sherman saw action in diverse landscapes, from African deserts to Russian snowy fields. Its significance in the former Soviet Republics Stems from the Lend-Lease Act, which led to heavy usage of the tank. Despite popular belief, the Sherman proved to be reliable, mobile, and well-armed. The Allies sent around four thousand Shermans to the Soviet Army, with half of them equipped with a 76-mm gun. Let's compare the armament of the M4 Sherman and the T-34.

Armament Comparison: M4 Sherman vs. T-34

The M4 Sherman's armament, including the 75mm M3 gun and later models with a 76mm gun, surpassed the Soviet F-34 and 85mm gun installed on the T-34-85. The Sherman's ammunition had higher penetrating power and superior high-explosive shells. With its three-man turret, good observability, and comfortable interior, the Sherman provided a competitive edge. The American tank's transmission and gun stabilizer further enhanced its firing effectiveness.

Mobility and Reliability

While the T-34 may have a better power-to-weight ratio, the Sherman's better transmission and driving ease compensate for it. Reports from the actual battlefield attest to the Sherman's reliability, speed, and ease of maintenance over long distances. The armor design of the Sherman, including thicker frontal armor, made it comparable to the T-34. The ammo rack vulnerability was resolved in later models, making the Sherman's protection comparable to that of the T-34.

Additional Features and Advantages

One of the unique features of the Sherman was the supplementary engine that allowed tankers to charge vehicle batteries without starting the main engine. This significantly increased the engine's lifespan and was highly valued by Soviet tankers. These advantages, coupled with the Sherman's reliability, mobility, and well-armed nature, made it a favorite foreign tank among Soviet troops.

User-made Scenarios at live.warthunder.com

While the M4 Sherman holds its place in history, the War Thunder community continues to Create exciting scenarios and challenges at live.warthunder.com. These user-made scenarios provide a fresh and dynamic experience for players.

High-Speed Race Track by Kruggly

One of the user-created scenarios is a high-speed race track on the Pacific Hidden Base map. Created by Kruggly, this track offers thrilling vertical drops and sudden turns. While not overly difficult, caution is necessary, especially when multiple players are racing. The track provides an opportunity for players to compete against friends.

Naval Battles Close to the Community by Sonoda_Kotori

Sonoda_Kotori brings Naval Battles closer to the community through a huge sea range Scenario. Although players cannot embark on the ships, they can witness their presence in the game. It allows players to engage in tank battles while the ships fire at them. The flight version of the same mission adds an additional challenge, as players must evade enemy fire from various vessels.

Battle Against Hostile Ships by kololz

In another user-made scenario by kololz, players can face the challenge of battling hostile ships. This scenario is unique as it allows tank drivers to fight against an onslaught of enemy ships. The objective becomes survival rather than victory, providing an opportunity for players to have fun while facing overwhelming odds.

Pages of History: The Republic P-43 Lancer

The War Thunder Universe is filled with intriguing stories, one of which involves the Republic P-43 Lancer. In 1935, during an era dominated by sleek aircraft with inline engines, Kartveli and Seversky took a different approach. They built the blunt-nosed P-35 with a radial engine, which surprisingly turned out to be faster than its inline engine counterparts. This unconventional design caught the Attention of the military and Hollywood.

The Unconventional Design of the P-43A-1 Lancer

Seversky and Kartveli continued to push the boundaries of aircraft design by creating the P-43 Lancer. This single-engine fighter featured a turbo-supercharger, a groundbreaking innovation at the time. The turbo-supercharger allowed the aircraft to perform exceptionally well at high altitudes, where other fighters struggled. Despite its shortcomings, including minimal armor and leaky fuel tanks, the P-43 Lancer was deemed worthy of purchase for training purposes.

The Turbo-Supercharger Innovation

The turbo-supercharger solved the problem of reduced air density at higher altitudes. By compressing outside air and injecting it into the engine, the turbo-supercharger provided the necessary air-fuel mixture for optimal performance. Normally, a turbo-driven supercharger would be too heavy for a single-engine fighter, but Seversky ingeniously placed it behind the cockpit, connected to the engine via an external exhaust housing.

The Limitations and Legacy of the P-43 Lancer

While the P-43 Lancer excelled at high-altitude performance, it didn't match up against fighters that operated at lower altitudes where most battles took place. Despite its limitations, such as the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks, the P-43 Lancer paved the way for future fighter aircraft. Its design and innovative features influenced the development of advanced fighters that would become symbols of the USAAF.

Hotline: Developers Answering Questions

In the Hotline segment, developers address questions from the War Thunder community. While there are requests for specific aircraft and features, the developers explain the reasons behind their decisions. They clarify that certain aircraft, like the Horten 18, were Never produced beyond the blueprint stage and, therefore, won't be added to the game. The developers also express their commitment to introducing more armored cars and consider the possibility of another way/event/tournament to obtain the BM-13N Katyusha Rocket Artillery. Finally, they reiterate their stance on combining warships, tanks, and airplanes as a regular game mode, explaining that such engagements were rare in real life and wouldn't fit the game's overall balance.

Highlights

• The M4 Sherman, despite its criticisms, was a reliable, mobile, and well-armed tank that received popularity among Soviet troops during World War II.
• User-made scenarios at live.warthunder.com offer exciting challenges such as high-speed races and battles against hostile ships.
• The Republic P-43 Lancer featured an unconventional design with a turbo-supercharger, allowing it to excel at high-altitude performance.
• Developers address community questions about specific aircraft, the addition of armored cars, and the possibility of combining warships, tanks, and airplanes.

FAQ

Q: Was the M4 Sherman tank reliable? A: Yes, despite some criticisms, the M4 Sherman was reliable, especially when compared to other tanks of its time.

Q: Are there any plans to add the Horten 18 aircraft to the game? A: No, the Horten 18 was never produced beyond the blueprint stage and won't be added to the game.

Q: Will there be more armored cars added to the game? A: Yes, the developers have plans to introduce more armored cars in the future.

Q: Is it possible to obtain the BM-13N Katyusha Rocket Artillery through events or tournaments? A: There may be opportunities in the future for players to obtain the BM-13N Katyusha Rocket Artillery through special events or tournaments.

Q: Will there be a game mode that combines warships, tanks, and airplanes? A: While such a game mode may be introduced as a special event, it is not planned to be a regular feature as it was rare in real-life engagements.