Strengths
Look for a covered position that gives you side shots while teammates hold the enemy’s attention.
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M5A1
USA · Light tank · Rank 2
Battle Ratings
Arcade2.7
Realistic2.7
Simulator2.7
These are archived ratings; check the game for current values. The history below shows recorded ratings and announced changes.
Vehicle Overview
- Nation
- USA
- Class
- Light tank
- Rank
- 2
- Acquisition Type
- Tech Tree
Battlefield Role
Covered flank movement and short firing pauses suit reconnaissance support. Solid 37 mm ammunition rewards precise crew and module placement.
When to spawn
Bring it to scout from cover or to attack from a new angle after losing your first vehicle.
Common Mistakes
- Repeating the same peek. Once an enemy has your range, move to another angle before firing again. A second shot from the same opening is easier to anticipate.
- Firing without a retreat. Choose cover you can reach during the reload. Do not cross into an enemy firing lane just to finish a damaged target.
Survivability and Armor
- Crew
- 4 persons
Machine guns, autocannons and nearby explosions can be dangerous. Stay hidden and know how you will get out before firing.
Positioning
Use terrain to conceal the hull and solid cover to shield the sides. Expose the turret only long enough to fire, then retreat along the covered route.
Keep exposed sides and the fighting compartment behind cover. Check the incoming round and impact angle in Protection Analysis before relying on the armor.
Ammunition
M74B1 shot · AP
Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.
M63 shell · SAPHEI
A practical anti-tank round when it can penetrate. Aim into the fighting compartment so the explosive filler can reach crew and modules.
M51B1 shot · APCBC
Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.
Ready Rack and Carry Load
- Maximum capacity
- 147 rounds
Carry enough for the route and resupply plan. A listed first-stage capacity alone does not establish a safe spawn load or prove that another rack is empty.
Mobility
- Maximum forward speed
- 58 km/h
- Maximum reverse speed
- 15 km/h
- Power-to-weight ratio
- 18.9 hp/t
- Engine power
- 296 hp
- Weight
- 15.7 t
Top speed is not cross-country pace. Check the reverse route before taking a firing position.
Optics
Gunner
- Night equipment
- Unknown
- Magnification
- 1.9×–3.5×
Commander
- Night equipment
- Unknown
Driver
- Night equipment
- Unknown
Armaments
- Primary weapon
- 37 mm M6 cannon
- Secondary weapons
- 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun · 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial)
- Reload
- 3.7 → 2.9 s
Economy
- Crew training
- 3,000 SL
- Expert crew
- 10,000 SL
- Ace crew
- 115 GE
- Ace crew research
- 160,000 RP
- Reward multiplier · SL (AB/RB/SB)
- 30/30/40%
- Reward multiplier · RP
- 112%
- Total cost of modifications · RP
- 6,930 RP
- Total cost of modifications · SL
- 6,740 SL
Battle Rating History
| Date | Game mode | Battle rating |
|---|---|---|
| No confirmed battle rating changes are recorded. | ||
Archived rating records
| Date / source | Arcade | Realistic | Simulator |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2026Site profile snapshot | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| May 1, 2026Observed · Wiki archive ↗ | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| November 26, 2024Observed · Wiki archive ↗ | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
Sources and data checks
Vehicle data checked October 8, 2026. Crew optics checked October 22, 2026. Speeds use Realistic Battles values. Reload depends on crew skills and qualification; damage can reduce performance. Unknown equipment is not a confirmed absence.
Community discussion
M5A1 vehicle guide · 0 comments