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Remember that from now on until the end of the month, the tank of the month is the M6! Use this tank instead of your T1 to earn 125% credits!
Commanders,
This month we will be taking a closer look at the T1 and M6 heavy tanks, which represent an evolution in American tank design. This is a story which goes from outlandish concept designs and experimental prototypes to production vehicles and finally to cancellation of the whole project.
In reality, the T1 was a prototype vehicle which then became the M6 for production. However, in World of Tanks they are both unique vehicles. As such, this month we will be celebrating them both with a special offer!
From the 1st to the 15th August, you can earn 125% of your normal credit revenue on the T1 tank. From the 16th of August to the 31st, you can earn 125% credits on the M6 tank!
In this article we will tell you a little about the history of these vehicles. We will then provide you with some top tips for getting the most out of your T1 and M6 vehicles in World of Tanks.
Concept
In summer 1940, the US were witnessing what was happening in Europe. In particular, they had seen how German PzKpfw IVs had overrun France with 75mm guns. The Americans realised that this rendered their current 37mm armaments obsolete, and posed a threat to all their vehicles. They decided to start developing a new heavy tank to counter these news German vehicles.
The original designs were somewhat ambitious. The tank was to be in the 80 tonnes class and was to have no less than four turrets – two partial traverse ones with 75mm guns and two full traverse turrets with 75mm guns. The tank was to be a true dreadnought of the land.
The T1 Heavy Tank
Fortunately, there was a reality check and the finalised plans for what was now designated as the T1 Heavy Tank were revised and scaled down. It was now to weigh around 50 tonnes and have a 3 inch (76.2mm) gun and a coaxial 37mm gun in a single turret. It also had four machine guns and a Wright 925HP engine with a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 km/h).
Four test vehicles were built in order to try out different combinations of transmission and hull types. Two of these prototypes proved successful – the T1E2 and T1E3. Both were identical apart from the form of the hull – the first had a cast hull and the second had a welded hull.
The M6 Heavy Tank
The T1E2 was standardised and renamed to be the M6 Heavy Tank whilst the T1E3 became a variant known as the M6A1. Plans for production were ambitious and a target of 5000 units for manufacture was declared. At the time, the M6 was the world’s heaviest tank, although it was quickly surpassed by other models. These were the glory days of American tank production.
Cancellation
However, reality quickly sank in. The tank was beset with logistical problems, its huge weight making it impractical to transport it across the ocean. In testing, it performed unsatisfactorily due to a high silhouette, a relatively weak gun and poor reliability. In the meantime, the priorities for military supply had shifted from tank production to aircraft.
In the end, only 40 M6 units were ever produced and none of them left US soil. Some toured the country for propaganda purposes, but in the end all but one were scrapped.
The T1 and M6 in World of Tanks
Obviously, these tanks are a lot more successful in the game than they were in real life! Both are heavy tanks available in the US tech-tree. The T1 heavy is tier V and can be researched after the M3 Lee. The M6 is tier VI and leads directly on from the T1.
T1 In-Game Performance
The T1 has 600 hit points (660 with upgraded turret). Be careful as despite being a heavy tank, your armour is fairly thin on all sides.
Suspension
As with most tanks, you first need to upgrade the suspension so that you can mount heavier components on it. As well as increasing the load capacity of the tank, the upgraded suspension also gives an increase to traverse speed.
|
Name |
Load limit |
Traverse speed |
|---|---|---|
|
HVSS T31 |
57.88 t |
18 deg/s |
|
HVSS T35 |
61.5 t |
20 deg/s |
Engine
The stock engine is somewhat underpowered with only 700 hp. Improving it will boost your acceleration allowing you to reach the top speed more quickly. The chances of fire are the same for all the Wright engines available for this tank, so the acceleration boost is the only real advantage gained by upgrading.
|
Name |
Power |
Fire chance |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wright G200 M795C9GC1 |
700 hp |
20% |
612kg |
|
Wright G2X M781C9GC1 |
825 hp |
20% |
612kg |
|
Wright G200 M781C9GC1 |
960 hp |
20% |
612kg |
Radio
Upgrading your radio will increase your communication range by 20%. This is useful to remain in touch with what your scouts and teammates are doing.
|
Name |
Range |
Weight |
|---|---|---|
|
SCR 508 |
395m |
100kg |
|
SCR 538 |
480m |
100kg |
Turret
At first glance there doesn’t seem to be much difference between the turrets. However, the stock turret has a large weak spot in the form of a machine gun window! This feature is eliminated on the upgraded turret. You will also need to use the better turret if you wish to mount the better gun. Finally, improving the turret will increase your hit points.
|
Name |
Armor(front/sides/back, in mm) |
Traverse speed |
View range |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
T1D5 |
102/83/83 |
31 deg/s |
315 m |
7,020 kg |
|
T1D6 |
102/83/83 |
30 deg/s |
332 m |
8,020 kg |
Gun
The improved gun offers some benefits. Whilst the damage doesn’t increase significantly, the penetration does improve so your effectiveness in combat will increase. In addition the better gun has a higher rate of fire. The combination of these improvements makes the gun worth researching and it is one of the better weapons available for its tier.
|
Name |
Damage(AP/APCR/HE) |
Penetration(AP/APCR/HE, in mm) |
Rate of fire |
Accuracy at 100 m |
Aiming time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
75 mm Gun M7L/50 |
110/110/175 |
101/157/38 |
14 r/m |
0.46 m |
2.3 s |
|
76mm Gun M1A1 |
115/110/185 |
128/177/38 |
16.6 r/m |
0.43 m |
2.3 s |
Playing Tips
Despite being a heavy tank, your armour is comparable with medium tanks of the tier.
Your side profile is large and vertical (not sloped at all) in this tank, so try to keep your front facing towards your enemies to reduce their target area.
Your size can also be an advantage though, allowing you to fight effectively from behind cover or over the tops of friends who are covering your weak hull. The high position of the turret and gun mean you can fire over cover that would block other vehicles’ view range.
This is the first US heavy tank available to research, so take the time to learn the different tactics involved in playing a heavy tank. Do not be afraid to stay behind and let the scouts and mediums go ahead of you. Let them engage first then roll up behind to support them whilst they keep the enemy in view. Do not grow complacent. Despite your armour and hit points, you can still be damaged and you will be a prime target for artillery, so always watch your position and try to use cover to your advantage.
M6 In-Game Performance
The M6 looks and handles in a very similar way to the T1. It has 840 hit points, although this can be increased to 870 by upgrading the turret. The hull armour is somewhat better than the T1, but it is still not astounding.
Suspension
As usual, start by improving your suspension, the base upon which all the cool stuff can be mounted.
|
Name |
Load limit |
Traverse speed |
|---|---|---|
|
HVS1 |
57.6 t |
21 deg/s |
|
HVS2 |
61.0 t |
25 deg/s |
Engine
The stock engine is same as the improved engine of the T1. Upgrade it for an increase in power!
|
Name |
Power |
Fire chance |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wright G2X M781C9GC1 |
825 hp |
20% |
612kg |
|
Wright G200 M781C9GC1 |
960 hp |
20% |
612kg |
Radio
Both the stock radio and the improved radio are identical to the T1. This means that (assuming you researched it for the T1) you can just go straight ahead and mount the upgrade without further research!
|
Name |
Range |
Weight |
|---|---|---|
|
SCR 508 |
395m |
100kg |
|
SCR 528F |
480m |
100kg |
Turret
Upgrade your turret for an increase in hit points. More importantly, you will need to upgrade the turret if you want to mount the best gun.
The upgraded turret also offers an additional 3 deg/s traverse speed which may seem very little, but can be a life saver when engaged by medium tanks on close distance.
|
Name |
Armor(front/sides/back, in mm) |
Traverse speed |
View range |
Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
M6D1 |
102/83/83 |
25 deg/s |
315 m |
8,000 kg |
|
M6D2 |
102/83/83 |
28 deg/s |
350 m |
8,400 kg |
Gun
There are several guns to work through for the M6. The stock gun and the first upgrade (the 76mm Gun M1A1) are identical to the T1. This means that if you had improved the gun on your T1, you can put the same one onto the M6 straight away without further research. The next gun (the 76 mm Gun M1A2) only offers a tiny improvement in firing rate. In all honesty, it’s really just a stepping stone on the way to the good stuff – that being the 90 mm Gun M3. This gun offers a huge improvement on the various 76mm variants. Not only is there a big increase in penetration, but the damage is doubled! This increase in power does come with a price – your firing rate will halve. But often, a big boom is worth far more than several small booms in quicker succession.
|
Name |
Damage(AP/APCR/HE) |
Penetration(AP/APCR/HE, in mm) |
Rate of fire |
Accuracy at 100 m |
Aiming time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
75 mm Gun M7L/50 |
110/110/175 |
101/157/38 |
14 r/m |
0.46 m |
2.3 s |
|
76 mm Gun M1A1 |
115/110/185 |
128/177/38 |
16.6 r/m |
0.43 m |
2.3 s |
|
76 mm Gun M1A2 |
115/110/185 |
128/177/38 |
16.72 r/m |
0.40 m |
2.3 s |
|
90 mm Gun M3 |
240/240/320 |
160/243/45 |
7.88 r/m |
0.38 m |
2.3 s |
Playing Tips
If you are used to playing the T1, you will initially not notice much difference when switching to the M6. The tank looks and handles exactly the same. Be warned though, at tier VI, you will no longer be treated favourably by the match-maker and could end up in some tricky battles. Stay low, don’t take risks and just fire potshots when you have the chance. You won’t be able to do much else before you fully upgrade the vehicle.
Fortunately, once you have mounted the top gun, the world awaits you. You will now be able to do some significant damage to those higher tier vehicles, so get out there and kill them! Just be warned though – your armour is still a little fragile and you still present a huge and inviting target for artillery. Keep making good use of cover and you will be fine.
That is everything there is to know about the T1 and M6. It is time to put your knowledge to the test and take to the battlefields. Remember you will earn 125% credits on the T1 for the first half of the month and 125% credits with the M6 for the second half of the month!
