Quote:
Originally Posted by -Luc-
Hi,
I'm (CCCP) fighting my father (Canada) in 1958 and I compare our tanks...
Vision: Centurion MK5 0 vs T-55 20
Stabiliser: Centurion MK5 1 vs T-55 2
Fire Control: Centurion MK5 15 vs T-55 5
Range Finder: Centurion MK5 6 vs T-55 6
I'm not sure I well understand these numbers...
Stabiliser help when you are on the move... right?
Fire Control everytime... right?
Range Finder... it help when the enemy is near (under 6 hexes)?
How it work?
Oh yeah... I did some test and I think the T-55 better... 
Thank you!
-Luc- |
The numbers are already explained by others.
The main advantage the T55 has at this particular time are:
a) vision of 20 (IR night fighting) - only worthwhile if map vision is < 20
b) While they last, and if the fuse works, they have 5-8 HEAT rounds which can deal with the up-armoured centurions at any range
c) Speed.
The centurion has better front armour (somewhat negated by the 100mm HEAT). The 20 pounder gun is reliable against the 19 front glacis only to about 950 metres using APDS, 1200 at a pinch. (load MBT_APCalc, load Canada, select weapon 91). Rely on the reliable figures, not the "best" result.
The centurion therefore has to get range down to 900-950 yards frontally or manoeuvre for side shots. Unfortunately, it is slower than T55. But primarily it has to bleed off the 100mm HEAT ammo (e.g. by encouraging long range fires, or perhaps showing the T55s some scout cars for a few moves before the cents trundle into range).
1958 is just when the 20 pounder centurions get a bit iffy - before that against the T54 models then you at least have no HEAT or only a few (3-4) as "golden BBs" to worry about. In 1965 then the 105mm L7 model arrives and the T55s are pretty much targets unless they land a lucky HEAT shot on the centurion. But by then, T62 is coming along.
Soviet T55 player should use his speed differential to dictate the engagement distances (and angles), and
keep a close watch on his remaining HEAT ammo because if he has none left then he is restricted to trying lucky shots at 500m or less, or having to go for side shots as well. Long range sniping (e.g. from a dominating hilltop) will work versus centurions here, if say he has backed up his tank company with some
ammo carriers to top up HEAT.
HEAT (and to a lesser degree speed) is the only Soviet advantage between the 2 tanks if it is not night time. If reduced to a kinetic-only duel then the 20pr centurions have a range advantage in a frontal duel against the up-armoured cents, any older ones with the original package (Mk3 say) are likely toast.
At night, the T55 is likely to own the centurions of the era however. 20 vision versus nil.
Cheers
Andy
(NB - in this era of the UK 20 pdr and the US 90mm, NATO armies were rather interested in the 106mm RCL jeep, or UK 120mm etc for some strange reason. Anyone using 20pr cents or 90mm Pattons should always invest in a few of those till the 105mm arrives and use as nippy ambush tank destroyers.)