M4N-series Sherman Light Tank (3145-ish)

[Giovanni Blasini]

Wanted to see what you can do with a Sherman tank chassis with other more standard weaponry and updated fire control.  Original idea was joking with @chanman about having Niops build these and P-51 Mustangs for their Militia forces, but this could also work for any other small Periphery world.

Tech rating is, for the most part, C, the same as the XTRO:1945 version of the tank.  You'll note a couple differences in vehicle components from XTRO:1945, since i couldn't figure out how to turn on fractional accounting for support vehicles in megameklab.

First one falls close to the the M36 tank destroyer variant of the Sherman, in that the medium rifle stands in as well for the 90mm M3 gun as much as it does for the German 88mm gun.  The turret machine gun had to go, though, due to the mass of the larger gun.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N1 Light Tank

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  1 Machine Gun
  1 Rifle (Cannon, Medium)


Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 247,163 C-bills





 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Experimental)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 166

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  10.875
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Turret                                              0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          64                    3.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   
     Turret                  3         14   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
Rifle                          Turret       5.0     
Medium Rifle Ammo (18)          Body        2.0     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (0.5 tons)        1 Door   

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Advanced Fire Control(1 ton)


Second is a slight variant on the above, swapping the medium rifle for a much more modern light AC/5.  Cost increases ever so slightly, but you retain two tons of ammo, which in theory gives you the ability to run various ammo types, including flak, which makes it possible to run the M4N2 in the anti-air role.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N2 Light Tank

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  1 Light AC/5
  1 Machine Gun


Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 363,740 C-bills





 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 177

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  10.875
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Turret                                              0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          64                    3.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   
     Turret                  3         14   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
Light AC/5                     Turret       5.0     
LAC/5 Ammo (40)                 Body        2.0     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (0.5 tons)        1 Door   

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Advanced Fire Control(1 ton)


The M4N3, meanwhile, serves in the support tank role, providing militia forces with indirect-capable ranged fire in the form of two LRM-5s, backed up by an extra pair of machine guns for close-in duties.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N3 Light Tank

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  3 Machine Gun
  2 LRM 5


Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 314,340 C-bills
</p>




 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 204

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  10.875
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Turret                                              0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          64                    3.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   
     Turret                  3         14   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
2 LRM 5                        Turret       4.0     
2 Machine Gun                  Turret       1.0     
LRM 5 Ammo (48)                 Body        2.0     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (0.5 tons)        1 Door   

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Advanced Fire Control(1 ton)


Next up is the M4N4 Sherman Infantry Support Vehicle.  Megameklab was a bit weird in not showing it in the export list, so I had to edit it in by hand (I also had to hand-edit out HTML tags from all these, so... ), but the app did add it.  Weaponry's a bit weirder on this one, with a medium laser (with power amp and heat sinks) replacing the main gun, along with a turret-mounted machine gun.  Infantry compartment's 3 tons, enough for a platoon of infanty, though I have no idea where you'd put them all, since I don't think the Sherman is a Tardis.  Your mileage may vary.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N4 Light Tank

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  1 Medium Laser
  2 Machine Gun
  Infantry Compartment (3.0 tons)

Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 232,830 C-bills





 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 157

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  10.225
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    3                     3.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Power Amplifier                                     0.5
Turret                                              0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          64                    3.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   
     Turret                  3         14   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
Medium Laser                   Turret       1.0     
Machine Gun                    Turret       0.5     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     

Cargo
    None

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Advanced Fire Control(0.5 tons), Infantry Compartment (3.0 tons)


The M4N5 Sherman serves as an engineering vehicle, packing a lift hoist, bulldozer blade, minesweeping equipment, a searchlight, half a ton of cargo, and a 1-ton infantry compartment for additional personnel.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N5 Engineering Vehicle

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  1 Machine Gun


Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 313,040 C-bills





 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 134

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  9.725
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          50                    2.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (0.5 tons)        1 Door   

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Mine Sweeper(3 tons)
Bulldozer(2 tons)
Searchlight(0.5 tons)
Lift Hoist/Arresting Hoist(3 tons)
Infantry Compartment (1.0 ton)


I briefly thought about a MASH version but, with an overland speed of 2/3, and the road speed still not super fast, i decided against it.  I did, however, decide one more variant would be useful, though: a bridgelayer.  Had a little extra space, though, and threw in a field kitchen and paramedic gear for the heck of it.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N6 Bridgelayer

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  1 Machine Gun


Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-E
Cost: 301,210 C-bills





 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 114

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  9.725
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          50                    2.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (1.0 tons)        1 Door   

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Bridge Layer(6 tons)
Field Kitchen(3 tons)
Paramedic Equipment(0.25 tons)



Then I had another dumb idea: what about an airmobile version that can be dropped with a parachute?  That took up two tons.  I considered a medium laser backed by twin RL10s for weaponry, but ended up discarding that idea, as well as going back to a light rifle, since that won't affect standard BAR10 units at all, and settled on a Light AC/2 for the main gun, a second MG, mounted in the turret, and a single RL10 to supplement them, thus maxing out turret weight.  That left me with a half-ton, which I used for cargo.

Code: [Select]

Sherman M4N7 Airmobile Light Tank

Mass: 30 tons

Movement Type: Tracked

Power Plant:  ICE
Cruising Speed: 21.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 32.4 kph
Armor: BAR 5
Armament:
  2 Machine Gun
  1 Rocket Launcher 10
  1 Light AC/2


Communication System: Unknown
Targeting & Tracking System: Unknown
Introduction Year: 3145
Tech Rating/Availability: D/X-X-X-D
Cost: 295,490 C-bills





 
Type: Sherman
Chassis Type: Tracked (Medium)
Technology Base: Inner Sphere (Standard)
Mass: 30 tons
Battle Value: 152

Equipment                                         Mass (tons)
Chassis/Controls                                  9.875
Engine/Trans.                                       6.5
    Cruise MP:2
Flank MP:3
Heat Sinks                    0                     0.0
Fuel                                                0.5
Turret                                              0.5
Armor Factor (BAR 5)          64                    3.0

                          Internal   Armor   
                          Structure  Value   
     Front                   3         14   
     R/L Side               3/3      12/12   
     Rear                    3         12   
     Turret                  3         14   


Weapons
and Ammo                      Location    Tonnage   
Machine Gun                    Front        0.5     
LAC/2 Ammo (45)                 Body        1.0     
Half Machine Gun Ammo (100)     Body        0.5     
Light AC/2                     Turret       4.0     
Machine Gun                    Turret       0.5     
Rocket Launcher 10             Turret       0.5     

Cargo
    Bay 1:  Cargo (0.5 tons)        1 Door   

Notes:
Features Armored Chassis, Tractor Chassis and Controls Modifications
Vehicular DropChute(2 tons)

And with that, I've got seven variants, which I think is enough for now.  Thoughts?

[Daryk]

Neat idea, but 2/3 is just too slow, even for militia use.

[Giovanni Blasini]

Neat idea, but 2/3 is just too slow, even for militia use.

Couldn't be helped at this tech level, where everything is as exact a swap from XTRO:1945 as I could make in MegaMekLab (you'll note my fuel tank rounded up to the half-ton, for example).

Could it be faster on a more advanced chassis?  Sure, bur I'd probably save that for an M26/M46/M47/M48/M60 Pershing/Patton conversion.

[HABeas2]

Neat idea, but 2/3 is just too slow, even for militia use.

Mebbe, but the real-world Sherman was only about that fast, so it's not like he nerfed it on the speed.

- Herb

[Daryk]

Interestingly, IO lists Support Vehicle Fusion Engines as TL C (page 44 refers).

[Giovanni Blasini]

Tech Level C is usually reserved for 21st-22nd Century tech, per Tech Manual, with Tech Level B being late-20th, and A being late-19th to early 20th.  However, considering how much XTRO:1945 had to bend the construction rules, I suspect that they just couldn't get stuff to work with Tech Level B numbers.

[Daryk]

That's probably true.

As much as I like IO, the table layout is much less user friendly than the original TacOps format.

[DOC_Agren]

Well, if this is the best we have, our tankers better learn to fight in them like they did in WWII

that being said, if push came to shove I would us them

[Wolf72]

I would imagine an infantry carrier mod to that Sherman would be like adding a camper attachment to a pick-up truck, ugly and ungainly but somewhat more combat worthy.  Anyone would be able to pick out that variant from a kilometer (and more) away.

[Giovanni Blasini]

I would imagine an infantry carrier mod to that Sherman would be like adding a camper attachment to a pick-up truck, ugly and ungainly but somewhat more combat worthy.  Anyone would be able to pick out that variant from a kilometer (and more) away.

It's crazier than you think for the original Sherman APC variant, the "Kangaroo":

[Daryk]

That looks like a proper Taurian rig! 

[Wolf72]

How many men do you think that is? nm! articles says 8-12. 

[Daryk]

I posted when I hit 10 faces... 

[Wolf72]

to put that up to a 28 or 30 man platoon (lessee ... x.085) either 2.5 (2.38) or 3.0 (2.55) tons ... basically we'd put a bigger armored box on top and hope it doesn't draw to much more fire.

Are there advanced rules for survivors of destroyed vehicles?  PBI is s.o.l. (mostly) but I feel kind a bad when BA carried by a light veh are considered killed, especially when the probably have a better survivability than their transport.