M41D Light Tank (Republic of China)

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Hello everyone! Today ill be suggesting the M41D light tank, a further modernization of the M41A3 in Republic of China service.

 

 

History:

The M41A3 had served as the backbone of the ROCA, and had proved a corner stone of their armored forces. The Republic of China recognized a need for a light tank in their forces, and began looking for a replacement for their M41A3's in the late 80's. The military browsed for upgrade kits, and European light vehicles, however it was the M8 AGS that caught the attention of the higher-ups and began looking at purchasing the M8. The Republic of China began official talks for the M8 in the early 90's but eventually backed away due to unit costs. Unfortunately for the ROC, in 1995 the third Taiwan strait crisis began, as the then president of the ROC was invited to a US university to speak about the "Taiwan's Democratization Experience". In response to this the PRC began conducting missile tests near ROC controlled islands, as well as mobilizing its forces in Fujian. The PLA Navy also held a naval exercise and amphibious landing assaults. The United States chose to intervene, and sent two carrier groups centered around USS Nimitz and USS Independence. In a panic, the ROC began scrambling and allocated a emergency readiness fund of $20 billion dollars to modernize its M41. The M41 modernization was placed as a high priority, and 400 M41A3's were selected for the modernization. However, the tensions began to cool over the Taiwan strait, and the United States approved another sale of 300 M60A3 TTS to the ROC greatly reducing the need for the light tank modernization. In the end, only 1.2 billion dollars were allocated to the light tank program, and 50 M41D's were produced. The M41D, with D denoting the diesel engine, was a 1990's modernization of the M41A3. The upgrades included an enlargement of fuel tanks from 530 liters to 760 liters, increasing range to 450 kms, and a brand new Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine making 405 HP. The M41D was also equipped with the locally produced M32K 76mm cannon. This was based on the cannon originally on the M41A3, with the M32K most notably moving the fume extractor further down the barrel, and sporting a different muzzle break. The M1919 coaxial machine gun was replaced by the Type 74 machine gun (Not to be confused with the JSDF Type 74 Machine gun). Protection was increased subtly with the addition of sideskirts, and twin banks of smoke dischargers on each side of the turret. The largest improvement to the M41D's actual fighting capabilities came with the replacement of the driver IR periscope with starlight night vision, and a thermal sighting system for the gunner. Electronics were also added, with a laser range finder and digital ballistic computer. The M41D was accepted into service in 1999, and initially served with the 854th Armored Brigade, 2nd Battalion on Kinmen island. All M41D's are now located on Taiwan itself, where they continue to serve.

 

 

 

In-Game:

Similar to the previously suggested M41A3, however featuring more unique modifications rather than simply unique ammunition. The tank would effectively be a glass cannon at high tier, being forced more into ambush tactics or recon roles. That said it would really bolster a potential high tier light tank line up for China overall.

 

 

Specifications:

 

General characteristics:

Crew: 4

Length: 18 ft 3 in (5.56 m)

Width: 9 ft 10 in (3 m)

Height: 9 ft 1 in (2.77 m)

Weight: 25 tons

Powerplant: Detroit Diesel 8V-71T eight-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine making 405 HP (302 kW) @ unknown RPM

 

Performance & Armor:

Maximum speed: 45 mph (72 km/h)

Reverse speed: 11 mph (18 km/h)

Torque: 1,025-1,200 lb ft (1,390-1,627 N m) @ unknown RPM*1

HP/Ton ratio: 16.2 HP/Ton

Range: 280 mi (450 km)

Neutral Steering: Yes

Hull armor:

- - Front: 25.4 - 31.7mm

- - Side: 19 - 25.4mm + side skirts (10mm?)

- - Rear: 12.7 - 19mm

Turret armor:

- - Front: 31.7mm

- - Side: 25.4mm

- - Rear: 25.4mm

 

Armament:

1x M32K 76mm cannon:

- - Vertical guidance: +20/-10

- - Rate of fire per gun: 10 RPM 

- - Traverse speed: 36 degrees per second

- - Rounds carried: 65

- - Stabilization: No

Shells:

- - M352 HE (12mm penetration)

- - M361 Smoke

- - M339 AP (173mm @ 0 degrees, 100 m)

- - M319 APCR (200mm @ 0 degrees, 100 m)

- - M331A2 APDS (231mm @ 0 degrees, 100 m)

- - M496 HEATFS (254mm @ 0 degrees, 100 m)

- - M464 APDSFS (250-320mm @ 0 degrees, 1 km)*2

1x Type 74 7.62mm machine gun

1x M2HB 12.7mm machine gun

- - Rounds carried: 2175

 

Other:

IR Night vision driver lamps

Type 85 Night Vision

CVTTS Thermal sights 

Laser rangefinder

Type 85 smoke grenade launchers

- - 12x Smoke grenades

 

*1 Estimated torque, official net torque at 1,025 ft lb. Gross torque would be higher.

*2 Penetration data is estimated

 

 

Sources:

Spoiler

 

https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/M41D輕戰車

http://www.dieselhub.com/specs/detroit-71-series-two-stroke-diesel.html

https://ff1073.pixnet.net/blog/post/31292029

https://kknews.cc/military/plel4ee.html

 

 

Edited October 30, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[eleks12 1,079]

+1 as a Premium, filler or event tank.

Edited September 18, 2019 by eleks12

[chaffee90 234]

+1 We need that

[Milocat 4,857]

+1, would be a great high-tier Chinese light tank.

[Wolf_89 2,525]

+100 Hell yes. 

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Updated specifics in regards to additional equipment

 

Type 85 smoke grenade launchers

Type 85 Night vision

CVTTS thermal sights

[Solarmod 1,204]

+1, don't have much to say, cause I don't play high tier usually.

[Yontzee 1,676]

Definitely a fit for the tree! Nice!

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Removed mention of a thermal sight for the commander to prevent confusion. While the commander did have thermal sighting on a MFD, it was shared with the gunner rather than a independent sight found on the latest tanks.

[Wolf_89 2,525]

Still hoping Gaijin will add this.

And its a model that should be easy for them to make.

Since we already have the M41A3 in the game. And China do need more vehicles.

[_Pixy 196]

I always love when I think to make a new suggestion on a interesting vehicle that someone has already made one, and nicely done one at that! +1!

[John_JIANG 126]

This would make the Chinese 6.3-7.3 lineup more powerful. Definitely yes.

[ACOMETS 977]

• it is a shame that it is a m41 (every nation has a M4 M3 and M41 M113) 

Edited September 29, 2020 by ACOMETS

[tiger7742 260]

+1

[Cpt_Jack_Irons 464]

+1 an unique walker bulldog, yes please

[Black_Woof 123]

i voted "other", doesnt means i disagree for more ROC tanks, i means, how would you imagine a tank with thermal but without stab in warthunder?

put it in low br woud definatly be a power creep but it will be useless in high tier if no stab on it...

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

1 hour ago, Black_Woof said:

i voted "other", doesnt means i disagree for more ROC tanks, i means, how would you imagine a tank with thermal but without stab in warthunder?

put it in low br woud definatly be a power creep but it will be useless in high tier if no stab on it...

The AMX-30B2 BRENUS is in-game with no stabilizer and equipped with thermal optics for the gunner, so it's not like the M41D would be a first if it did come.

[Kasatka183 17]

+1

 

#TANK_VS_POLE #WARTHUNDERISTRUE

 

[tiger7742 260]

On 12/10/2020 at 17:58, Kasatka183 said:

+1

 

#TANK_VS_POLE #WARTHUNDERISTRUE

 

Lets hope WT doesn't add random flipping mechanisms to the CM11 and the M41D (if added)

 

(P.s: I heard that General Walton Harris Walker also died in a car accident while retreating which his jeep went out of control and flipped)

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Suggestion passed to the developers for consideration.

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the M41D has been implemented with update 2.13 Winged Lions,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.