I wanted to bump this thread just for kicks.
(j/k)
actually... I wanted to bring this back up for a couple of reasons:
First, the trajectory of the 75mm AP and HE rounds out of the M3 L/40 cannon (as we have on the M4A3 Sherman) should very much be different, as well as the AP ability. There are differences in projectile weight and propellant charges (both favor the AP). I only tool the basic physics class in college but I'm thinking the AP round would have a more shallow trajectory. I'm not seeing a need to modify the M4A3's gun sight.
In some people have missed it below are the basics for HE damage from tanks against OBJ's:
King Tiger, Tiger, T34/85 = 234 lbs
M4A3 75mm = 178 lbs
Panther, Pzr IV's, T34/76, and LVT-4 = 156 (though the LVT-4 fires the SAME HE round as the M4/75mm
)
Sherman VC "Firefly" = 140 lbs
M4A3 (W) 76mm, M18 = 103 lbs
M8 Greyhound = 31 lbs
On that note, if you're in a tank and do not have any AP rounds do NOT be afraid to use it against enemy tanks especially you're cornered and have no support. I've damaged turrets and engines, and tracked enemy tanks with HE rounds (me being in Pzr IV and M4/75) using HE. These were straight on hits and it took more than one hit to get the job done.
Also, I highly suggest people always take HE along for the ride. It is very rare that tanks run out of AP ammo (yes, even the M18) on a mission and the likelihood of meeting an enemy M3, M8, M18, or FLAK (soft armored gv's) is high, the HE is more useful against ALL of the listed gv's then AP. You do not need to have a direct hit vs any of them to destroy them. I've watched people through a tantrum when not being able to hit an M3, M8, or M18 moving full speed across their guns while firing AP then I take aim with an HE and fire once and it is game over. A near miss will at minimum blow a tire or damage a track. The same goes for the turret on a Wirblewind or Ostwind, a near miss will damage the turret. Do not discount HE on the battlefield, those of us with bad aim can still do a lot of good.
