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▂M3 Medium

▂M3 Medium

USSR · Medium tank · Rank 2 · Premium

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
USSR
Class
Medium tank
Rank
2
Acquisition Type
Premium

View official War Thunder Wiki entry ↗

Battlefield Role

Alternate covered firing lanes with short movements. Keep the hull concealed and wait for the gun to settle before shooting.

Strengths

The vehicle adds another fighting role and a dependable replacement spawn to the lineup.

When to spawn

Choose it for a job your team needs. After a loss, try a different route rather than driving back into the same firing lane.

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
7 persons

Protect the sides and rear, limit repeated exposure from one position and avoid assuming that a strongly armored plate protects the whole vehicle.

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

M72 shot · AP

Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.

M48 shell · HE

Use against exposed crews, aircraft where applicable and lightly protected targets. Avoid spending the shot on heavy frontal armor.

M61 shot · APCBC

Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.

M89 · Smoke

Place smoke between the enemy and a crossing or retreat route. It blocks sight; it does not stop incoming fire.

M74 shot · AP

Weapon
37 mm M5 cannon

Use against armor and aim for crew or critical modules. A penetration alone may leave the enemy able to return fire.

M51B1 shot · APCBC

Weapon
37 mm M5 cannon

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
50 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
39 km/h
Maximum reverse speed
5 km/h
Power-to-weight ratio
14.4 hp/t
Engine power
400 hp
Weight
27.7 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
75 mm M2 cannon
Secondary weapons
37 mm M5 cannon · 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun (coaxial) · 7.62 mm M1919A4 machine gun
Reload
6.2 → 4.8 s

Economy

Crew training
3,400 SL
Expert crew
23,000 SL
Ace crew
160 GE
Ace crew research
380,000 RP

Battle Rating History

▂M3 Medium · confirmed changes
DateGame modeBattle rating
No confirmed battle rating changes are recorded.
Archived rating records
Recorded snapshots
Date / sourceArcadeRealisticSimulator
October 8, 2026Site profile snapshot2.72.72.7
May 1, 2026Observed · Wiki archive ↗2.72.72.7
November 26, 2024Observed · Wiki archive ↗2.32.72.7
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

▂M3 Medium vehicle guide · 0 comments

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