Ian R -> RE: Wolverines, Hellcats & Jacksons, Oh My (6/10/2021 7:31:46 PM)
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No, there is only one Matilda, but only the AMF use it. It is device #1097. And the howitzer armed version is not separately represented. Nor is the flamethrower version. Could they have been represented separately like the various M4 sub types? Perhaps, but they are not so it's possibly just factored in. But here are a few key points. First, the AIF 43 infantry section (with one Bren gun) has a higher anti soft rating than the Matilda. A coaxial BESA with lots of ammo in a moving pill box, you would think, might have a better a/s value than a bipod LMG, but the developers didn't think so. Over -rated? I would say no. But there is more. Secondly, the weapon mix, and ammunition mix, of Matilda IIs in AMF use in the SWPAC theatre was not the same as in the 1940-41 period in UK use. (a) Instead of 2 (or maybe only 1) CS tanks per squadron (initially intended to throw smoke) as originally issued, in SWPAC we used at least one per troop of 3 tanks, usually the troop commander's mount. Some troops were entirely comprised of CS tanks. (b) The APBC solid shot was found to be effective for bunker busting. (With splintering hard wood instead of spalling metal.) The 3" howitzer was preferred though. (c) A new improved HE round was developed. See photo below. Apparently it wasn't as useless as the original one. (d) 25 Matilda FROGS were converted. As there were only a few regiments operational, these were ultimately deployed in multiple vehicle formations. I would argue the anti-soft value of the Matilda should be fashioned so as to represent the significant proportion of 3" CS howitzer armed tanks, and the FROGs. The anti-soft of the Sherman flame tank (device #1182) is 96, and the effect is 200. The M3 Lee with a relatively short barrelled sponson mounted limited traverse 75mm howitzer (device #1179) is 31/12. Th at suggests to me the mixed model Matilda regiments fielded by the Australian army should be somewhere near the M3 at least, and are currently undervalued. The tank in the foreground has a 3", the far tank a 40mm (2lbr). [image]https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/image11-640x475.jpg[/image] Also, here is some useful HE ammo being loaded for later use: [image]https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/image23-1.jpg[/image] And, a froggy. [image]https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/image20-1.jpg[/image]
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