Sherman Vc (Italy)

Description

The M4A4 Sherman VC Firefly is an up-gunned modification of the M4A4, which is the fifth variant of the early-generation Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) family. Armed with the powerful 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder tank gun, this stopgap combination (before the introduction of the new generation of Allied tanks) was one of the most lethal tanks of its day, adding weight to the Allied battle to gain victory. Following Italy's rebuilding in 1945, some M4A4 Sherman VC Firefly variants were transferred to the country. In 1946, a minor military command was established for territory defence, and the unit received numerous other M4 Sherman variants. They served as the foundation for the first post-war tanker training school in Italy. In 1952, all M4 Sherman variants were officially decommissioned.

Introduced in Update "Starfighters", the M4A4 Sherman VC Firefly in the Italian Army ground forces is similar to the British counterpart, as they were provided by the British Army after World War II to aid in the reconstruction of Italy and the establishment of a territory defence force. The M4A4 Sherman VC Firefly, armed with the renowned 76 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder tank gun, will provide players with the first significant boost in firepower compared to the early variants of the M4 Sherman within the Italian Army ground forces, which were mounted with the 75 mm M3 tank gun. The M4A4 Sherman VC Firefly will be the main backbone of Italian Army ground forces for a long time, thanks to the availability of armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) ammunition that will bring its firepower up to level with more advanced adversaries.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
• Cast homogeneous armour (Transmission area, Turret)

Notes:

• Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
• Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
• The bow machine gun area has been welded shut with armour, but is only 25.4 mm thick so may present a viable weakness to weaker enemies.
• Unlike the armour on the American Rank III Shermans which saw itself upped from 50.8 mm to 63.5 mm, the British Firefly in Rank III retains the old 50.8 mm base armour thickness on the front hull, as well as the protruding driver and co-driver hatches in front. This makes the Firefly a much more vulnerable Sherman tank than even the American versions, a trade-off for its more powerful armament.

Mobility

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition

• Shot Mk.6: AP - Standard penetrating round, use until better rounds are unlocked.
• Shell Mk.1: HE - It is ideal for destroying SPAA and lightly armoured tanks, but useless against anything else.
• Shot Mk.4: APC - Cap for better grip against sloped armour.
• Shot Mk.8: APCBC - Like Shot Mk.4 but with a ballistic cap for improved flight path, as well as better penetration.
• Shot SV Mk.1: APDS - Highest armour penetration of any shot, but has worse spalling effect, and can only penetrate vertical surfaces.

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Sherman Firefly (identical)

Machine guns

Usage in battles

Shoot and scoot. Unless the enemy's tank gunner has been knocked out (black only), cannon breech has been disabled (red/black), or cannon barrel is disabled (red/black) that inhibits the enemy's ability to fire back, don't expose the tank after firing. Always try to retreat back into cover to reload. Once reloaded, preferably pop out of an area different from the last firing position and take another shot. Make sure to eliminate the enemy's ability to fire back by destroying their cannon breech and traverse gears, or incapacitate their driver and gunner again if they were replaced. During this whole process, watch out for other enemy tanks and avoid being swarmed. With situational awareness combined with the correct usage of the map, the Firefly becomes a decent tank capable of effectively fighting every medium and heavy tank it faces.

The Firefly can excel at vaporizing tanks that have clustered crew, like StuGs, SUs, T-34s, KVs, and even Panzer IIIs and IVs. The post-penetration affect of the Firefly's shells after the AP buffs allow it to decimate those tanks. However, it is recommended to still shoot from afar, as all of these tanks can destroy the Firefly easily.

Definitely do not play too aggressively. The huge weakness of the 3/4 crew in the turret is almost always pointed out immediately, because it's a huge issue. A good hit either means a quick trip back to the hangar, or a lengthy crew replenishment time in AB. But this ignores the fact that the tank is just a huge glass cannon, as any shot anywhere will likely cripple the tank.

The Sherman Firefly can dish out the punishment necessary for heavy tanks, but can't take it. Don't expose the tank towards enemy fire too long due to the thin armour on the Firefly in comparison to other tanks such as the Soviet T-34-85s and the German Panthers. Take a shot, preferably from a flanking location, then retreat into cover regardless of the shot's effect on target, because if the target could swing its gun towards the Firefly, or have friends that could hit it, consider writing off the Firefly very soon. This varies between different enemies, as going against something like the KV-2 would be different than going against a Tiger I.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Uses the tried and tested Sherman chassis. Experienced players will find this tank easy to use.
• Very fast turret traverse speed.
• The 17-Pounder gun, which can penetrate every single tank it faces, although newer players may struggle against the Panther.
• APDS rounds with excellent penetrating capabilities
• Fast reload even with untrained crew.
• 77 rounds maximum.
• Fast and very mobile.
• Has .50 cal AA machine gun that's unique among other vehicles as it can rotate for 360°.
• Has no side bulges unlike the Premium version.
• Post penetration damage tends to be enough to knock out crews when clustered together, such as on the T-34 series or turrets.

Cons:

• Armour of a M4 Sherman, very thin for a Rank III vehicle
• Large profile
• 4 crew members, 3 of which are clustered in the turret, making it easier to knock out
• Bad gun depression of only -5 degrees
• Gun post-penetration damage is decent with the AP buffs, but still won't always knock out a tank in one hit
• Short ready rack (5 shells), resulting in a much longer reload time after depleting
• Smart enemies will shoot the spot where the radio operator gunner usually sat, as in the Firefly, that spot is replaced by ammo (unless carrying 54 rounds)
• Lacks additional armour, unlike its British counterpart
• Reverse speed is bad
• Like all vehicles armed with early version of the 17-pounder gun, it will struggle before it has the Shot Mk.8
• Stock AP round is painful to use. It fragments poorly, bounces often and does very little damage unless hitting ammo or modules
• Unlike other Shermans, it doesn't have access to a gun stabilizer and thus the gun sight will rock up and down on a sudden stop
• Traverse is mediocre, and bad when its stock
• Insufficient mobility when stock

History

In Italian Service

The Firefly first saw action in Italy in British, American, and Polish hands in the Italian Campaign in 1944, but were ceased since heavy German armour proved to be a challenging opponent for the Firefly. After WW2, Italy was supplied with tanks by the US and UK, such as the Sherman Firefly (designated as M4 Tipo IC or M4 Tipo VC depending on the variant) and M24 Chaffee, which were commissioned in 1947. At that time, Italy created the first nucleus for the formation of a tankers school, and on the 1st of October officially formed the Military School Organization.

The M4 Tipo VCs were decommissioned and scrapped in 1952.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Sherman Vc (Italy) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same gun & turret

• Sherman Firefly
• Sherman IC "Trzyniec"
• M4 Tipo IC

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• M4A1 (76) W
• M4A4 (SA50)

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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