M8A1
M8A1
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[Client Values; Actual values in
130,000  Cost |
| 38581 HP Hit Points |
| 15/16.26.83/17.5 t Weight Limit |
- Commander
- Gunner (Loader)
- Driver
- Radio Operator
| 320350 hp Engine Power |
| 58/20 km/h Speed Limit |
| 3540 deg/s Traverse |
| 21.3351.24 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
| YesYes Pivot |
| // mm Hull Armor |
HE/HEAT
AP/APCR/HE Shells |
56/2800
56/2800/56 Shell Cost |
| 175/110/110/110/175 HP Damage |
| 38/92/101/157/38 mm Penetration |
|
16.22 r/m ▲
14.29 r/m Standard Gun ▲ Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
|
2838.5 ▲
Standard Gun ▼
1571.9 Standard Gun
▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲ Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
|
0.53 m ▲
0.43 m With 50% Crew: 0.657 m ▲ Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.533 m |
| 1.9 s 1.7 s Aim time |
| 1818 deg/s Gun Traverse Speed |
| 360° Gun Arc |
| -10°/+25°-8°/+20° Elevation Arc |
| 7080 rounds Ammo Capacity |
| 2020 % Chance of Fire |
| 320 m 320 m View Range |
| 325 m 750 m Signal Range |
IV
130000
The M8A1 is an American tier 4 tank destroyer.
Developed in 1941 through 1942 on the basis of the M5 Stuart light tank. This SPG is an example of the successful use of an outdated chassis. The vehicle was equipped with a 75 mm short-barrel howitzer; however, attempts were made to fit a 75 mm tank gun into a modernized turret.
The M8A1 is very mobile, and when combined with its good DPM absolves the con of low armor. Once the crew reaches 100% in Concealment the M8A1 is difficult to detect. It's meant for support. A forward or close combat position, unless fully and well thought out, will result in a quick return to the garage. Although the 3-inch AT Gun M7 is a better money maker than the 57mm, the latter is superior in battle performance due to its greater penetration and higher DPM.
The M8A1 leads to the M10 Wolverine, and the M41 HMC.
Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables
Modules
Guns
| Tier | Gun | Penetration (mm) |
Damage (HP) |
Rate of fire (rounds/minute) |
Dispersion (m/100m) |
Aiming time (s) |
Weight (kg) |
Price (  )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | 57 mm Gun M1 | 110/180/29 | 75/75/95 | 24 | 0.39 | 1.7 | 400 | 33000 | |
| V | 3-inch AT Gun M7 | 101/157/38 | 110/110/175 | 14.29 | 0.43 | 1.7 | 1450 | 33500 | |
| III | 75 mm AT Howitzer M3 | 38/92 | 175/110 | 16.22 | 0.53 | 1.9 | 138 | 5400 | |
| IV | 75 mm AT Gun M3 | 92/127/38 | 110/110/175 | 14.29 | 0.43 | 1.7 | 1437 | 30000 |
Engines
| Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | Twin Cadillac, Series 42 | 320 | 20 | 530 | 10350 | |
| IV | Continental R-975-C1 | 350 | 20 | 500 | 10500 |
Suspensions
| Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | VVS T16 | 16.2 | 35 | 0 | 3000 | 1850 | |
| IV | T36 E6 | 17.5 | 40 | 0 | 3000 | 5850 |
Radios
| Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | SCR 510 | 325 | 80 | 1980 | |
| VI | SCR 610 | 420 | 100 | 24600 | |
| X | SCR 619 | 750 | 80 | 54000 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Fully traversable turret
- Good mobility
- Good view range
- Good signal range
- Good penetration
- Good DPM (57mm) or alpha (other guns)
- Makes for a painless stock grind since most modules carry over from its predecessor
Cons:
- The turret upgrade only gives 20 more hit points, nothing else
- Limited equipment options
- Oddball crew layout
- Open-topped turret makes it vulnerable to arty and HE shells
- Weak armor; only protects against small-caliber machine guns (e.g.: Pz. I C)
- Relatively low hull traverse speed
- Low turret traverse speed
- Lacks the acceleration and view range to be an active scout but good enough for passive scouting
Performance
This little tank actually has quite a bit going for it. A turret, speed, small profile, and excellent guns. The 57mm is a good all rounder, making up for its slightly low alpha with a very high rate of fire. The long 3-inch gun is also a good choice as well as its much greater alpha allows a more shoot-and-scoot play style suited to it. Both choices are entirely viable depending on the preferred play style.
Speed, and a turret give this tank added flexibility, compared to similar tiered tank destroyers. Additionally, it can be quite difficult to spot, especially if you have the Concealment skill and/or a camouflage net. The M8A1 belongs in a supporting role, whittling down opponents who don't know any better, or those that simply can't see you.
Unfortunately the M8A1's equipment options are rather limited: Improved Ventilation, Improved Rotation Mechanism, Gun Rammer, Improved Aiming, Vertical Stabilizer, Spall Liner, Modified Configuration, and Improved Radio Set are all unavailable. Fortunately that leaves a few genuinely useful equipment options.
Another bad point is the crew layout -- Commander, Gunner (Loader), Driver, Radio Operator -- which doesn't match any premium American tank destroyer, but the Super Hellcat and T30 FL can accommodate all four crew members, with the only mismatch being on Loader skills.
This tank is considered by many as a "pocket Hellcat" and looks and plays similarly to its Tier VI counterpart. Additionally, due to the high skill requirement (no giant guns or armor to speak of, while being very fast and stealthy) the M8A1 doesn't have the same reputation that a Hetzer does but is arguably a better tank destroyer, able to compete in any battle it is placed in.
Early Research
- The Continental R-975-C1 engine and the 57mm Gun M1 carry over from the T56 GMC and can be installed immediately
- Research the upgraded suspension first
- Next research the SCR 610 radio
- Go from there
Suggested Equipment
Low-Noise Exhaust System
Gallery
Historical Info
Development
It was developed on the chassis of the then-new Light Tank M5 (Stuart VI). The test vehicle had the standard M5 turret removed, and replaced with an open-topped turret, this vehicle was designated the T17E1 HMC. Armament consisted of a new open-topped turret armed with a 75 mm M2 howitzer, later an 75 mm M3 howitzer, which were reworks of the M1A1 pack howitzer. It carried 46 rounds of 75 mm ammunition; types of ammunition carried were Smoke M89 and H.E. (High Explosive) M48. It featured no coaxial or hull mounted Browning M1919A4 .30-06 machine guns as featured on standard Light Tank M5s. The only other armament was Browning M2HB .50-caliber machine gun for local area, and anti-aircraft defense; 400 rounds of .50-caliber were stowed onboard for the M2HB.
Production
The T17E1 HMC was ordered into production as the 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 in April 1942. Production ran from September 1942, to January 1944. A total of 1,778 vehicles were produced.
Combat Service
The M8 saw action in the Italian Campaign, the Western Front, and in the Pacific Theater of Operations during the war. It was used by the French Union and State of Vietnam during the First Indochina War. It was largely replaced by the adaption of the M4 Sherman to use the 105 mm howitzer.
Variants
- 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8
Based on the Light Tank M5 chassis.
- 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8A1
Historical Gallery
Historical Accuracy Errata
Actually a self-propelled gun, not a tank destroyer.
- Actual gun elevation is -20°/+40°. In World of Tanks, however, it is only -10°/+25° (-8°/+20° when upgraded).
- One of its historical armaments, the 75 mm M2 howitzer, is missing.
- Neither the 57mm Gun M1 nor 3-inch AT Gun M7 were developed for the M8A1.
