Commanders!
Six brand-new British medium tanks, that trade their treads for wheels, are making their Tech Tree debut in World of Tanks with Update 1.22 due in early September!
The new branch begins at the bottom of the U.K. Tech Tree. Between the Cruiser Mk. IV and Covenanter is the start of the new vehicle line with the AEC Armoured Car at Tier V, which extends to Tier X with the Concept No.5. It features the first non-Premium British Wheeled vehicles in the game. Before we examine them in detail, let's examine their unique features.
British Wheeled Vehicles: Support Strength
Although these new vehicles have wheels, they are a different beast than the wheeled French lights. The Brits excel at supporting the team, using their formidible firepower to protect flanks and other vulnerable spots.
For reference, the Polish lights ending with the CS-63 and German mediums ending with the Leopard 1 Tech Trees are a close match for the new British wheeled medium tanks.
Firepower
Run by three-person crews, all British wheeled mediums pack an accurate single-shot cannon that delivers high damage and penetration with a quick aiming time. Calibers range from 40 to 105 mm, depending on the vehicle's Tier. Their average DPM can distract foes at medium to long ranges, but full-time sniper tactics are occasionally thwarted by the vehicle's bulky shape.
Armor and Dynamics
With hull armor thickness in the double-digits, these vehicles are hardly first line. While the turret provides a bit more padding, avoid direct trades; if you can't avoid them, at the bare minimum don't show your sides to avoid being penetrated by HE shells.
The top speed of all the medium tanks is well above average at 60–65 km/h, with a reverse speed of 30–32 km/hr (depending on the specific vehicle). Vehicles retain excellent mobility in either direction. Aiding the vehicle's maneuverability is a "wheeled suspension mechanics" that allows it to turn in place (similar to their tracked counterparts). Where track damage is concerned, the wheeled Brits are not brought to a dead halt when a wheel is damaged—although their speed is reduced (and it's temporarily saddled with an eyesore of a wobbly tire).
For these vehicles, damage to one wheel reduces the top speed by approximately 60% to forward and reverse speeds. Damage to each subsequent wheel reduces the speed by approximately one-third of the current value. Even with all wheels damaged, the vehicle is still mobile—although barely—at around 4.5 km/h forward and 2 km/h reverse.
Summary With the combination of potent firepower, high speed, and light armor, the medium wheeled vehicles are best suited to supporting front-line allies and watching the flank.
Let's check out the branch composition.
Tier V–VI: AEC Armoured Car & Staghound Mk. III
Starting the line at Tier V is the AEC Armoured Car. The AEC Armoured Car, built on the 4×4 AEC Matador chassis, exemplified the era's design spirit of simplicity, reliability, and versatility. It influenced the evolution of armored vehicles, leaving a lasting legacy in post-war designs. The vehicle first saw service in late 1942 in the North Africa Campaign and was utilized until the end of World War II. The vehicle comes with a 40 mm cannon but can upgrade to a fast-firing 57 mm gun that can cause 1,928 DPM. Its 60 km/h top speed puts it far above average among mediums and lights. Works well as a reconnaissance scout—just be aware of its lightly armored hull and turret and rather large silhouette.
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The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the Commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks, and special in-game items.
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Following in the treads of its predecessor, is the Staghound Mk. III. Produced by the United States under Lend-Lease and modified by the U.K., the vehicle also saw action in the World War II North Africa Campaign, and later served in the 1948 Arab-Israeli clash and Vietnam (among other conflicts). The Staghound keeps many of the AEC’s attributes, namely top forward and reverse speed, but it brings more firepower with a second 75 mm cannon, slightly thicker armor, and a 360 m view range. Does the turret look familiar? It’s the same one that sits atop the Crusader.
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The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the Commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks, and special in-game items.
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Tier VII–IX Vehicles: More Wheels and Bigger Guns
Starting at Tier VII, the line adds two wheels to each vehicle for a total of six. It also brings bigger guns and and other improvements.
The FSV Scheme A is the first six-wheeler on the Tech Tree and the first machine that wasn't actually produced. Developed in the 1960s, the project considered various variants to the base model, but was ultimately scrapped. In World of Tanks, the FSV Scheme is the lightest of the half dozen at 9 t and although it has less horsepower than its predecessors, it hits a 60 km/h top speed. Two guns are available—a 75 mm and a 76 mm.
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The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the Commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks, and special in-game items.
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The Saladin (FV601) is the last vehicle in the line with a real-life manufactured counterpart. Developed as a replacement for the AEC Armoured Car, the Saladin rolled off the assembly line in 1958. Variants of the vehicle saw action worldwide in the Middle East, Oceana, Africa, and other regions. The Saladin’s good mobility, coupled with a 380 m view range, let it take up key battlefield positions to support teammates, with one of three cannons—75 mm, 76 mm, and 90 mm—to keep enemies occupied.
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The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the Commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks, and special in-game items.
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The GSOR 1006/7 is the penultimate wheeled vehicle in the line. In reality, the airborne vehicle never entered service and one of its designs provided for Swingfire anti-tank guided missiles. In World of Tanks, its 535 hp engine, can reach a 65 km/h top speed and is protected with 60 mm frontal hull and 85 mm frontal turret armor. The most noticeable improvement is the optional 105 mm cannon with 1,080/1,240/1,080 m/s velocity that causes 390/390/480 HP damage with 248/315/53 mm of penetration—take an occasional diversion from support duty and play sniper!
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The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the Commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks, and special in-game items.
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Crowned Cruiser: Concept No.5
Lighter than most medium tanks in the game, the 24-ton Concept No.5 sits at the end of the Tech Tree. It brings more of everything: 1,800 HP, 70/40/35 mm hull armor, is powered by a 580 hp engine, but only carries one gun—a 110 mm boomstick that penetrates 260/318/55 mm and causes 430/430/515 HP damage; all in, it can deliver 2,205 DPM, which is enough to send some heavies back to the Garage. Use the 65km/h top speed and 400 m view range to scout enemy positions and −8° gun depression to peek over uneven terrain to spot and take potshots at unsuspecting enemies, putting its 1,230/1,420/1,020 m/s velocity shells to good use.
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The parameters displayed are valid for the vehicle with each crew member trained to 100% major qualification level. Some vehicle characteristics can be further improved with the Commander's bonus to major qualification level, crew perks, and special in-game items.
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Even with the increased armor, the Concept No 5 is still a thin-shinned vehicle. As always, avoid head-on combat and instead join with other mediums in support and reconnaissance. You can see for yourself when Update 1.22 is released!
Enjoy these British mediums with wheels, Commanders!