Armored Bulldog (American light tank M-41 Walker Bulldog)

Performance characteristics of the Bulldog tank

The first and main advantage that we notice when considering the Bulldog's characteristics is speed. Like the vast majority of light tanks, that is, fireflies, this vehicle has excellent mobility, reaches its maximum speed very quickly, and also has good maneuverability.

It is precisely thanks to the speed of 56 kilometers per hour that our lack of armor (clearly noticeable from the colijn model) becomes an insignificant disadvantage, after all, what kind of firefly has armor? However, Bulldog World of Tanks does not have the smallest dimensions; our silhouette is quite high, so you always need to act carefully, clearly calculating your options, and not just rely on speed.

Another advantage of our tank is its excellent viewing range of 400 meters. Standing in the bushes and showing no signs of life, you can quite successfully shine a light on an enemy who has lower camouflage parameters and is just approaching a key position.

Crew Perks

Commander

1. The Brotherhood of War
2. Sixth Sense
3. Disguise

Gunner

1. The Brotherhood of War
2. Disguise
3. Smooth rotation of the tower

Driver mechanic

1. The Brotherhood of War
2. Disguise
3. Virtuoso

Radio operator

1. The Brotherhood of War
2. Disguise
3. Radio interception

Charging

1. The Brotherhood of War
2. Disguise
3. Optional

Since there are not many skills for artillery that would bring real benefits, we can distinguish only 3 main ones - brotherhood, camouflage and “light bulb”. We download them first. Auxiliary skills will come third in line for leveling up and will slightly sweeten our harsh life.

Vulnerabilities of the machine

Our circular armor is 12 mm. Therefore, there can be no talk of any “chance” of survival. Don’t bother yourself with remembering the location of the modules and crew - just don’t expose yourself to gunfire once again.

gun

Things with weapons are even more interesting than with general characteristics. The fact is that for the M41 Bulldog the gun is another huge advantage. As you can see, we were given 2 guns to choose from, each of which can be called top-end: 1. The first is a standard version with good penetration, fast reloading, pleasant accuracy and stabilization parameters, as well as increased one-time damage. 2. The second is a gun with a loading magazine. In the magazine we have 6 shells, which we spit out with amazing speed, after which we go on a very long 36-second reload, but this 900 damage is worth it.

The fact is that both Walker Bulldog guns have almost the same parameters, the only minor difference is that the first option is a little more accurate and can deal more damage, the rest you can see for yourself. Thus, you should choose a weapon based on your playing style and skill. However, a loading drum in skillful hands is not only a formidable weapon, but also a lot of fun, and a complete headache for the enemy.

By the way, like most American tanks, our gun has good tilt angles - 10 degrees down and 20 degrees up.

In general, for a player on the M41 Walker Bulldog World of Tanks it is much more effective to ride with a conventional gun, since it has much greater firepower and stability in terms of the ability to deal damage constantly, without having to go through a very long reload, during which we will very vulnerable.

M41 "Walker Bulldog" Light Tank

Development of the M41 light tank began shortly after World War II. Several prototypes were made, designated T37, then T41. In mid-1950, the tank was standardized as the M41, and a little later received the name “Walker Bulldog” (Walker Bulldog in honor of the American General W. Walker, killed during combat operations in Korea in 1951). The production of M41 tanks was carried out by General Motors Corporation. In total, about 5,500 units were produced. The tank went through three stages of modernization, successively receiving the indices M41A1, M41A2, M41A3. On its basis, a twin anti-aircraft 40-mm self-propelled gun M42, 155-mm and 105-mm self-propelled howitzers M44 and M52, respectively, were created. Currently, M41 light tanks of various modifications are in service with the armies of Brazil, Denmark, Taiwan, Chile and some other countries.

The tank has a traditional layout typical of main tanks. The control compartment is located in the left front part of the hull, the combat compartment is in the center, and the engine and transmission compartment is in the rear of the hull. The tank has a crew of 4 people: the driver is in the control compartment, the tank commander, gunner and loader are in the turret, the first two to the right of the gun, the last to the left, which allows him to load the gun with his right hand. The commander's cupola has 5 glass blocks for all-round visibility. In addition, the commander and gunner have an M20A1 periscope device that rotates 360 degrees. The engine, transmission and fighting compartments are separated by a fire-resistant partition. The engine and transmission are connected into one unit. The main armament of the tank was a 76.2-mm M32 (T91E3) rifled gun, which was replaced during modernization by the M32A1. Its ammunition includes standard rounds: armor-piercing tracer (AR-T M339), cumulative (NEAT-T M496), high-explosive fragmentation (HE M352), with ready-made lethal elements (Canister M363), smoke, blank, etc. In 1982 For the M32 cannon, the AAI Corporation developed an armor-piercing feathered sabot projectile (APFSDS). Initially, the tank carried 57 unitary rounds; after modernization, starting with the M41A1 modification, the ammunition load was increased to 65 rounds. A 7.62 mm machine gun is paired with the cannon, its ammunition capacity is 5,000 rounds. The M2 anti-aircraft 12.7 mm machine gun is mounted on the turret roof near the commander's hatch. This machine gun has 2175 rounds of ammunition. The gunner and tank commander can control the weapons. To do this, they use electro-hydraulic guidance drives. Vertical pointing angles range from -9 degrees 45 minutes to +19 degrees 45 minutes. There is no weapon stabilizer or range finder on the tank. The gunner uses an M97 telescopic sight with 8x magnification and a field of view of 7.5 degrees. Both the gunner and the tank commander also use their M20A1 periscope devices, which have two optical channels. A single channel is used for orientation, a 6-fold channel is used for shooting. Night vision devices were not installed on the base model of the tank; during modernization, such devices were introduced, as well as an IR spotlight.

The tank has a relatively high level of protection. The tank hull is welded from rolled steel armor, the turret is welded from cast and rolled armor parts. The thickness of the armor parts of the turret ranges from 38 (gun mantlet) to 12.7 (roof) millimeters, the forward parts of the hull have a protective thickness of 50 mm, the sides of the hull are 12-15 mm, the front part of the bottom is 32, the rear part is 9.25 mm. No special means of protection against weapons of mass destruction were used. The MTO is equipped with a fire-fighting equipment system, which is controlled by the driver.

Initially, the M41 tank used a 6-cylinder Continental AOS-895-3 air-cooled gasoline engine with opposed cylinders. Since 1956, during modernization, a gasoline engine with a direct fuel injection system was installed instead. Both engines had a power of 370 kW (500 hp). In both cases, a hydromechanical transmission of the Cross Drive type CD-500-3 was used. The transmission had a cylindrical input gearbox, complex, with an automatically locked clutch, a torque converter, a planetary gearbox providing 2 forward gears and 1 reverse gear, a differential double-flow turning mechanism, disc brakes with metal-ceramic discs operating in oil.

The tank has an individual torsion bar suspension. Hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers are installed on the first, second and fifth suspension units. The torsion bars of the first and fifth suspension units are larger in diameter than all the others. The support rollers are rubberized, gable, collapsible. There are 3 support rollers on each side. Tracks with rubber-metal joints of a sequential type and removable rubber cushions. The undercarriage uses a lever compensating device to ensure constant track tension.

The tank is equipped with a GMC model A41-1 auxiliary engine with a charging unit. It can be used to preheat MTU at low temperature. Standard equipment includes a torch-type heater for the crew, devices for deep fording, and an electric bilge pump. The tank's communications equipment includes two radio stations, a TPU and a telephone for communication between the infantry (landing force) and the crew. Modification of TMS. , widely known for its work on creating tank fire control systems, proposed an option for upgrading the turret for the M41 tank. According to the company, the new design (TMS) provides a dramatic increase in shooting accuracy and the probability of hitting the target with the first shot, reducing the size and weight of the equipment, simplifying its use, maintenance and repair. The possibility of weapon stabilization is provided. The upgraded turret system can be installed on any M41 series model.

German M41 modernization program. At the beginning of 1986, Germany proactively developed a modernization program for the M41 light tanks, called GTI (German Tank Improvement), intended for export only. The main contractor in the development of the program was GLS (Munich). According to the program, the gasoline engine should be replaced by the MTU MB 833 Aa-501 diesel engine with a power of 330 kW (450 hp). It should be connected to the existing transmission through the new transfer case. A power unit equipped in this way can be easily replaced in the field. It also includes cooling systems, air purification systems and an alternating current generator (9 kW). The use of a more economical diesel engine allows you to increase the range from 160 to 600 km, although the capacity of the fuel tanks only increases from 530 to 800 liters. 4 new fuel tanks are located in the hull, 2 armored fuel tanks are installed at the stern on the fenders.

The driver's instrument panel and fire and explosion suppression system are being replaced. The suspension uses new torsion shafts and double-acting hydraulic shock absorbers, in addition, hydraulic travel limiters for the road wheels are installed. The existing track is replaced with a new one (Diehl). Anti-dust screens are installed on the sides of the hull, which can, if requested by the customer, improve the protection of the hull. The 76 mm gun was retained on the prototype, although a 90 or 105 mm gun could be installed instead, depending on requirements. Weapon stabilization is being introduced, electro-hydraulic guidance drives are being replaced with electric ones. The fire control system of the M41 GTI tank - MOLF 41 includes a digital ballistic computer, a laser rangefinder, sensors for trunnion tilt and gun elevation, weather conditions, etc. The gunner's periscope day-night sight is integrated with a laser rangefinder, the commander and gunner can fire effectively from a place and from moving against moving and stationary targets.

A block (6 barrels) of smoke grenade launchers is installed on both sides of the turret, from which, if necessary, you can fire high-explosive fragmentation grenades. The tank uses a collective defense system against weapons of mass destruction and new means of communication. Danish light tank M41 DK-1. In the mid-1980s, the Danish Army decided to modernize the American M41 tanks, received back in the 1950s, in order to maintain their combat and technical characteristics at the level necessary for use in modern conditions. Work to modernize all existing M41 tanks was completed in 1988. The vehicles received the M41 DK-1 index.

Over 70 different changes were made to the design of the M41 tank. First of all, instead of a gasoline engine, a more economical VTA-903T diesel engine with a power of 342 kW (465 hp) is installed. The gun's ammunition includes an armor-piercing finned sub-caliber projectile from AAI, which has increased armor penetration. The ammunition rack has been changed, electric drives from AEG are used to aim the weapon, a thermal imaging sight for the gunner is installed, integrated with a laser rangefinder, a halogen spotlight is mounted on the gun mantlet, and night vision devices are available to the commander and driver. The 12.7 mm anti-aircraft machine gun was replaced with a 7.62 mm one. Improved tank protection. A WMD protection system is located in the turret niche, side protective screens are installed, a fire and explosion detection and suppression system is installed, and four smoke grenade launchers are installed on the turret on both sides of the gun.

In addition, a large number of works have been carried out aimed at increasing the reliability of the tank and facilitating its operation (new batteries are used, the fuel supply has been increased to 930 liters, etc.). The mass of the tank after modernization increased to 25 tons. Taiwanese light tank M41. In the early 1970s, work began on creating a light tank for the Taiwanese army. The American M41 tank was taken as the basis. The first samples were copies of this tank. In 1975, after differences had accumulated in the design, the tank was standardized as Type 64. However, according to available information, this tank is structurally very close to the M41A2 and M41A3 modifications, although many assembly units (cannon, coaxial and anti-aircraft machine guns, elements designs that provide mobility, communications) are produced by Taiwanese industry. In 1990, there were reports of the Taiwanese army's intention to modernize M41 tanks (Type 64) and twin 40-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which have the same basic chassis. The main directions of modernization should be replacing the power unit (primarily the gasoline engine with a diesel engine), improving the fire control system and weapon guidance drives.

Light tank M41 with a 90-mm Kokkeril gun. The Belgian (Cockerill) replaced the existing 76.2 mm gun with its 90 mm Mk IV gun, the ammunition load of which includes cumulative (HEAT-T), armor-piercing with a flattened warhead (HESH-T), high-explosive (HE), smoke, with ready-made lethal elements (Canister) shots. A model with such a weapon system was adopted by Uruguay.

Combat weight – 23.5 tons Crew – 4 people. Height along the roof of the commander's hatch - 2730 mm Gun - 76.2 mm, rifled Ammunition - 57 rounds for the M41, 65 for subsequent modifications Types of ammunition - BPS, BKS, OFS, SGPE Range finder - no Weapon stabilizer - no Ballistic computer - no Loading guns - manually Machine guns - one 12.7 mm; one 7.62 mm Armor protection - from large-caliber bullets and shells of 20-mm cannons Maximum speed - 72 km/h Fuel range (highway) - 160 km Engine - gasoline AOS-895-3 or AOSI-895-5 Engine power – 370 kW Transmission – hydromechanical with differential steering mechanism Suspension – individual torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers Caterpillar – with RMS, sequential type Fording depth – 1.02 m

Tactics for playing the M41 Bulldog

What can you say about the tactics of playing firefly? Your task is to ensure competent coverage of enemy positions and movements. But do not confuse this with a thoughtless rush forward, when, due to your speed, you burst into the enemy’s camp and quickly go to the hangar, there is no sense in this. M41 Bulldog tactics involve active use of terrain, as well as dense vegetation. Sometimes it makes more sense to stand in the bushes and stand there for a long time rather than waste precious hit points trying to actively shine.

If a “lamp” lights up above your head, quickly change your position and do not stop until 10-15 seconds have passed. Regarding the implementation of damage, it is better to shoot only in cases where you are sure that they cannot see you. The second option is to spin the enemy and shoot him on the move, this is always fun and gives you a sense of self-worth. And if you choose a gun with a loading magazine, carefully monitor the number of shells and calculate the reload time.

Regarding whether the M41 Bulldog is worth taking or not, the answer is obvious - take it. The tank is really very strong and fun, and also opens up good prospects for further upgrades.

Specifications

Stock equipment

Basic

Balance weight: 32.4 Price: 1,370,000 silver Durability: 860 HP Vision: 380 m. Communications: 410 m.

Armament

Ammunition: 57 pcs. Damage: 115 / 115 / 185 HP Penetration: 150 / 199 / 38 mm. Cooldown: 3.1 sec. Accuracy: 0.38 Aiming time: 2 GN speed: 48 °/s VN angles: -6…+20°

Booking

Case: 25.4 / 25.4 / 19.1 mm. Tower: 25.4 / 25.4 / 25.4 mm.

Mobility

Weight: 22,974 tons. Power: 500 hp. Speed: 72.4 / 24 km/h. Agility: 54 °/s Ground resistance: 0.6/0.7/1.2

Top equipment

Basic

Balance weight: 32.4 Price: 1,370,000 silver Durability: 910 HP Vision: 400 m. Communications: 745 m.

Armament

Ammunition: 65 pcs. Damage: 150 / 150 / 185 HP Penetration: 175 / 210 / 38 mm. Cooldown: 3.5 sec. Accuracy: 0.38 Aiming time: 1.9 GN speed: 50 °/s VN angles: -6…+20°

Booking

Case: 25.4 / 25.4 / 19.1 mm. Tower: 25.4 / 25.4 / 25.4 mm.

Mobility

Weight/max.: 23,246 t. Power: 550 hp. Speed: 72.4 / 24 km/h. Agility: 56 °/s Ground resistance: 0.5/0.6/1.1

How to play

As a result, at level 7 we have a damage dealer whose damage is comparable to drum tanks of levels 8-9, while the recharge of the drum is significantly less (32 seconds versus 42 seconds for AMX 13-90 and 50 seconds for AMX 50-100).

On this machine, there is no such specific problem inherent in other drummers with a long CD: should you reload or not if there are a couple of cartridges left in the clip?

It turns out that you can safely go head-to-head (with cumulative ammunition, of course) at any heavy tank of level 8 and be guaranteed to send it to the hangar, or pick up several unfinished ones from one drum. The game goes like this: one frag, 30 seconds, second frag, 30 seconds, etc.

In terms of power density, things are better here than in the predecessor T37, but still it is often not enough.

Overall, the tank looks quite cheerful: a great damage dealer at medium and close range, periodically suffering from insufficient engine power.

Armament