Source: WoT Wiki
History
The T-44 Medium Tank wasn't in large-scale production like the T-26, or in widespread use like the T-34, nor was it the main battle tank for the post-war period like the T-54 and T-55, but it took a worthy place in the history of Soviet tank development.
In the autumn of 1943, the design bureau of the Stalin Ural Tank Factory No. 183, located in Nizhny Tagil, started working on a vehicle that would have improvement opportunities in the future, under a direct order from Stalin. Main requirements for the project: retain the high mobility of the T-34 and provide it with heavier armor protection against modern tank guns. In November of 1943, the chief designer, A. A. Morozov, presented the overall design and a model of the tank which received the designation Object 136. The first prototype was completed by January 1944, and two more were completed in February. The first two prototypes received the designation T-44-85 (as they were armed with 85 mm D-5T guns). The third prototype was armed with the 122mm D-25-44T tank gun and received the designation T-44-122. The D-25-44T tank gun was an analog to the basic D-25 field gun, but there were differences in some minor details; fixed single-piece ammunition to increase the rate of fire, and a double-baffle muzzle brake. The construction of the hull with an innovative placement of the engine allowed fitting such powerful armament in a medium tank weighing 30 tons. The engine of the T-44 was placed perpendicular to the axis of the tank. Armor plating: 75 mm on the front of the hull and 90 mm on the front of the turret. The side armor was 45 mm thick and could be reinforced by additional 30 mm thick armor plates. All three prototypes were powered by the V-2IS diesel engine which developed 500 hp (373 kW).
The T-44 was a tank with a typical layout: the driving compartment at the front, the fighting compartment in the middle, and the engine compartment in the rear. The intention was to retain the high mobility and speed of a T-34 and to provide the T-44 with heavier armor protection against large-caliber tank guns as well. This goal was accomplished by adding thicker armor, but reducing the internal volume of the hull. The T-44 also had a lower profile than the T-34, and was potentially simpler to manufacture. Although the T-44 used many components of the T-34, it had a new hull, modified V-2 engine, suspension, and transmission.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
• Excellent mobility
• Fast
• Variety of guns to cater for different play styles
• Arguably the best tier 8 medium for wolf packing
• Small Profile
• Good Camo Rating
• Excellent mobility
• Fast
• Variety of guns to cater for different play styles
• Arguably the best tier 8 medium for wolf packing
• Small Profile
• Good Camo Rating
Cons:
•
Very vulnerable Ammo Rack
• Armour ineffective against its own tier
• Fairly low Penetration on both guns
• Low HP pool
• Armour ineffective against its own tier
• Fairly low Penetration on both guns
• Low HP pool
Play Style
To
summarize, the T-44 is a thinking mans medium. It's not the easiest tank to
play, mainly due to the mediocre penetration, poor gun depression and
unreliable armour against its own tier. However, it also has some notable
strengths, (such as the excellent mobility and camo rating) that when
exploited, turn this humble medium into a deadly, killer.
The T-44 is all about positioning, both in relation to the enemy and to your own team. It lacks the grit to tackle most enemies head on, and so should instead aim to get around to their flanks. Thanks to the tanks outstanding mobility, this is easy enough to do, proving you get the timing right. A great deal of situational awareness is required, because if you misjudge your run, and get caught out in the open, it won't take long for you to end up a smoldering wreck. This is why its always important to stick with team mates, preferably those that you are in communication with. Two of the most common battle scenarios completely rely on working closely with your team mates to overcome the enemy.
Often in games with large numbers of Heavies and TDs, "battle lines" will develop as a game draws on. As opposing heavy tanks hold their ground and slug away at each other, a slow paced game will often result and requires patience from the T-44 driver. If you try and form up with your heavies, the enemy will sense an easy kill and target you instantly. Instead wait until your line of heavies firmly hold the enemies attention, and then try to slip by unnoticed to the enemies flank. If you see the enemies focus on you, don't be afraid to retreat to safety and try again later. Once off to the side, either continue on to the enemies base and try and flush out artillery, or turn around and pummel the enemy lines from your now favorable position. Often enemies will be too worried about the "bigger" threats in front of them that they won't focus on the lone medium off to the side. And if you do start attracting a lot of attention, then it should create a great opportunity for your heavies to attack.
Games with greater numbers of lights and mediums tend to be more dynamic and so may at first appear favorable for a tank such as the T-44. Often however, this may not be the case as the greatest strength of the T-44: its agility, is negated by the agility of the other mediums. It may be the most agile of the tier 8 mediums, but that doesn't mean that it can circle Pershings and Type-59's as if they were lumbering heavies. And whilst the Pershing has its gun depression, and the Type-59 has its armour, the T-44 is a bit of a one trick pony. It's gun is nothing special, neither is its armour, and it sorely lacks gun depression. The way to overcome this, is to make it impossible for the enemy to counter your agility. How? By teaming up with other mediums and forming a wolfpack. Overcome the enemy by weight of numbers in the local area. Swarm them and they can't keep up with all of you. Have the pack hunt down isolated enemies and dispatch them as quickly as possible, and then move on to the next target. Sweep across the map overpowering enemies one at a time.
Of course, in random matches, its not always possible to coordinate with your team mates and so you may end up facing enemy tanks alone.
As a general rule, unless they are all light tanks, always retreat when out numbered. Only engage alone, when the enemy tank is also alone.
The T-44 is all about positioning, both in relation to the enemy and to your own team. It lacks the grit to tackle most enemies head on, and so should instead aim to get around to their flanks. Thanks to the tanks outstanding mobility, this is easy enough to do, proving you get the timing right. A great deal of situational awareness is required, because if you misjudge your run, and get caught out in the open, it won't take long for you to end up a smoldering wreck. This is why its always important to stick with team mates, preferably those that you are in communication with. Two of the most common battle scenarios completely rely on working closely with your team mates to overcome the enemy.
Often in games with large numbers of Heavies and TDs, "battle lines" will develop as a game draws on. As opposing heavy tanks hold their ground and slug away at each other, a slow paced game will often result and requires patience from the T-44 driver. If you try and form up with your heavies, the enemy will sense an easy kill and target you instantly. Instead wait until your line of heavies firmly hold the enemies attention, and then try to slip by unnoticed to the enemies flank. If you see the enemies focus on you, don't be afraid to retreat to safety and try again later. Once off to the side, either continue on to the enemies base and try and flush out artillery, or turn around and pummel the enemy lines from your now favorable position. Often enemies will be too worried about the "bigger" threats in front of them that they won't focus on the lone medium off to the side. And if you do start attracting a lot of attention, then it should create a great opportunity for your heavies to attack.
Games with greater numbers of lights and mediums tend to be more dynamic and so may at first appear favorable for a tank such as the T-44. Often however, this may not be the case as the greatest strength of the T-44: its agility, is negated by the agility of the other mediums. It may be the most agile of the tier 8 mediums, but that doesn't mean that it can circle Pershings and Type-59's as if they were lumbering heavies. And whilst the Pershing has its gun depression, and the Type-59 has its armour, the T-44 is a bit of a one trick pony. It's gun is nothing special, neither is its armour, and it sorely lacks gun depression. The way to overcome this, is to make it impossible for the enemy to counter your agility. How? By teaming up with other mediums and forming a wolfpack. Overcome the enemy by weight of numbers in the local area. Swarm them and they can't keep up with all of you. Have the pack hunt down isolated enemies and dispatch them as quickly as possible, and then move on to the next target. Sweep across the map overpowering enemies one at a time.
Of course, in random matches, its not always possible to coordinate with your team mates and so you may end up facing enemy tanks alone.
As a general rule, unless they are all light tanks, always retreat when out numbered. Only engage alone, when the enemy tank is also alone.
Crew Skills (Recommend)
Commander:
Sixth sense, Repairs, Eagle Eye
Gunner: Repairs, Snap Shot, Camo
Driver: Repairs, Off road Driving, Clutch Braking
Loader: Safe Stowage, Repairs, Camo
Gunner: Repairs, Snap Shot, Camo
Driver: Repairs, Off road Driving, Clutch Braking
Loader: Safe Stowage, Repairs, Camo
Equipment (Recommend)
Vertical
Stabilizer
Gun
Rammer
Wet Ammo Rack
Wet Ammo Rack
My loader has Safe Stowage and I never get ammo racked. Can use the WAR slot for something better, which is optics for me. Wouldn't go for Eagle either. Need to stay on target too long and an immobile T-44 is easily recognized by the smoke pouring from it.
ReplyDeleteNL Celt
thanks for your feedback, good advice :)
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