M4A1 (FL10)

Description

The M4A1 Sherman (FL10) is an up-gunned modification of the M4A1, which is the first variant of the early-generation Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family. The M4A1 (FL10) was one of the last major upgrades made to the M4A1 variant in the mid-1950s, created by the French in an attempt to modernise and potentially export their remaining fleet of M4 Shermans. The most straightforward option to improve the tank was to replace the main gun, as was already being done in France at the time with the M-50 and M-51 for the Israelis. However, attempting to modify the Sherman turret would be time-consuming and expensive; as a result, the FL10 Type-A early production turret of the AMX-13 was directly installed on the M4A1. This turret was lighter and less armoured than the standard M4A1, with the same main armament as on the AMX-13 and M-50: a high velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun. This modification would serve as the prototype for similar future ventures, including installation of the FL10 turret on the Egyptian M4A4 fleet, which later saw action in two of the Arab-Israeli conflict's major battles: the 1956 Suez Crisis and the 1967 Six-Day War.

Introduced in Update "Starfighters" initially as a premium pack, the M4A1 (FL10) has been substantially modified to provide a significant improvement in firepower over the standard M4A1. The high-velocity 75 mm SA50 L/57 tank gun was inspired by salvaged components of the 75 mm Kampfwagenkanone (KwK) 42 L/70 tank gun from damaged German Panther medium tanks during the German conquest of France. With an autoloader, the M4A1 (FL10) is capable of firing once every 5 seconds. Due to its weak armour, players should try to flank their opponents early in battle. Utilizing the M4A1 (FL10) autoloader advantage during combat, players will have little trouble destroying multiple opponents in a matter of seconds due to the quick reload.

The M4A1 (FL10) was removed from the store after the 2021 May sale. It was made available for purchase again in-game with Golden Eagles for the 2022 "Bastille Day" mini-event.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (hull sides - bottom, turret sides, rear and roof, belly)
• Cast homogeneous armour (front glacis, transmission carter, MG port, hull sides - top, hull rear and roof, turret base, turret front, gun mantlet, cupola)

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, tracks are 20 mm thick, and torsion bars are 10 mm thick.
• The belly armour is 25.4 mm thick.

The armour is overall weak for the battle rating. Turret shots will typically knock out both your breech and the two crew members there, penetrating hull shots will typically send you right back to the hangar.

Mobility

Fairly decent mobility due to the Sherman chassis with an upgraded engine. Flanking is possible and rewarding.

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Main armament

The gun is fantastic, capable of penetrating everything in its BR spread (3.7-5.7) frontally, except for some higher BR German casemate tank destroyers and the Sherman Jumbo. The autoloader enables firing every 5 seconds, even with only a skeleton crew left.

Ammunition

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A1 (FL10)

Notes:

• Shells in racks 1, 2, 7* and 8* are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
• Shells in racks 3, 4, 5, and 6 are modeled by sets of 2 and disappear from the rack only after both shells in the set have been shot or loaded.
• Racks 7* and 8* (autoloader magazines) are first stage ammo racks. They total 12 shells.
  • These racks get filled first when loading up the tank and are also emptied first.
  • The depletion order at full capacity is: 7 - 8 - 1 - 2 up to 6.
  • As it is equipped with an autoloader, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
  • Once autoloader magazines have been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the autoloader. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun. Take this into account when playing.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 to 6 into rack 8* then 7*. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

The small calibre of the MAC 31 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.

Usage in battles

Depending on the layout of the map, match battle rating and player's own playstyle the FL10 can be used as a sniper, a flanker or a close-quarter brawler. Details about playstyles are as follows:

Sniper

• Using FL10 as a sniper is a conservative, but commonly rewarding playstyle. The FL10 boasts a highly potent 75 mm cannon, with an equally impressive round, capable of penetrating 180+ mm of steel equivalent. Given the fast reload of the cannon due to the use of the autoloader, it is possible to perform quick follow-up shots on target at range. This tactic is recommended in matches where it is possible to position oneself in a good position early in the match (e.g. overlooking a point). Be wary of the gun's average depression, however, as this will require to expose the hull during firing.

Flanker

• Depending on your knowledge of the map and likely enemy routes, FL10 can be effectively used as a flanker. The FL10 inherits a relatively mobile chassis of an M4 medium tank making some flanking manoeuvres possible. In this role, FL10 can be used to assume an ambush position on the flanks. It is important to note, that FL10 is not the most agile vehicle at its battle rating, however, provided a good early-game position, fast reload and good penetration it can effectively engage an enemy from the flanks and counter enemy flankers. It is advised to retreat immediately if you're spotted as FL10 is unlikely to withstand being fired upon due to mediocre armour and 4 crew members.

Brawler

• Using FL10 as a close-quarter brawler is a high risk/high reward tactic that is likely to result in either multiple kills or an early return to the hangar. It is important to fire the first shot on the enemy, as, given the poor armour of the tank, you are commonly unable to withstand even one hit. Here, it is advised to disable the enemy's gun/turret first to prevent them from returning fire. It is important to note, that FL10 lacks the stabiliser found on the American Sherman counterparts, putting the player at a further disadvantage when fighting in close quarters.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• 4 smoke grenades.
• Improved engine gives good mobility.
• Potent gun with a high penetration power.
• Quick rate of fire thanks to the autoloader (12 shells).
• The best shell is available as stock shell (like many French tanks at ranks III and higher).

Cons:

• Overall thin armour and only 4 crew members limit your survivability.
• Turret armour too thin to stop 20 mm or HMG fire from strafing aircraft.
• Lacklustre reverse speed: disengaging from the fight when damaged or out of ammunition can be difficult.
• Oscillating turret means that from a full stop, the M4A1 (FL10) usually takes longer to level the gun compared to conventional turrets
• Limited turret elevation makes engaging low-flying aircraft difficult.
• Restocking the autoloader magazines is very slow.

History

In the mid-1950s, while M4 tanks were being replaced in the French Army because of their obsolescence, attempts at modernizing the Shermans were conducted to export those tanks instead of scrapping them. The M4 FL10 by the company Batignolles-Chatillon was such an attempt: born from the assembly of a FL10 turret (designed for the AMX-13) and the hull of a M4 Sherman (all variants of Sherman were used: M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3, M4A4 but the in-game variant is a M4A1).

The FL10 turret offered new combat capability to the Sherman with a crew of only 4 members and the autoloader. While the AMX hull had a low profile, the Sherman one stood very high, making it an obvious target. The M4 FL10 was produced in a small number: 24 units only.

In 1955, Egypt requested a similar modification to their existing fleet of M4A4s. They were fielded during the Suez Crisis in 1956 and the Six-Day War in 1967. 12 tanks were captured by the IDF in 1956.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M4A1 (FL10) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Other French hybrid vehicles

• AMX-13-M24

External links

• [Devblog] M4A1 FL10 - The Charming Sherman