251/1 Halftrack vs M5 Halftrack in CMBB

[Der Kuenstler]

I thought it would be interesting to compare these two transport machines - which is superior? (I'm comparing regulars)



Cost: M5
Without rarity the M5 costs 40 points. The 251/1 costs 48.

Speed: M5
The M5 is 5 MPH faster than the 251/1 - M5 top speed is 38 MPH, 251/1 top speed is 33 MPH.

Horsepower: 251/1
251/1 is a ton lighter than the M5 (10 vs 11) and has 13 horsepower per ton vs the M5s 10 horsepower per ton. So the 251/1 has more "get up and go" - it will be able to zip out of trouble quicker and may even bog less.

Command delay: tie
Both command delays are exactly the same for the vehicles - five way points ordered = 17 seconds delay each.

Off road: tie
They are both listed as "good" off road.

Silouette: 251/1
The 251/1 is at 73, making it harder to spot and hit than the M5 rated at 91.

Transport: M5
The M5 is rated at 8 and will haul anything the Russians have except the 85mm AA gun. The 251/1 has a 7 rating and so can't haul the 105mm howitzer or the big 88s.

Passenger capacity: tie
They both are rated armor protected/squad, so can carry a squad and another 2 man team, or two HMGs. Because of the 7 man russian mortar team the M5 can't carry two mortar teams like the Germans can though.

Armor: 251/1
The 251/1 is built with 8mm angled armor, from 22-35 degrees all around, which tends to deflect small arms fire. It also has 15mm armor in front for extra protection. The M5 is built like a box, with 8mm zero degree flat armor all the way around - not nearly as protected.

Firepower: 251/1
The 251/1 has either a MG34 or MG42MG, depending on the time of the war. The M5 has a 30 Cal M1919A4 MG.

Ammo load: M5
The M5 has 160 in ammo - the 251/1 has less than half of that - 57.

Rate of Fire: M5
The regular M5 shoots 8 bursts per minute, the 251/1 shoots six bursts per minute.

Crew: M5
Has three crewmembers. The 251/1 has two.

Battle performance: 251/1
It gets a little complicated here. First of all, neither vehicle can shoot anymore if the gunner gets killed. The difference is the mounting of the MGs. Because the M5 has a flexible machine gun, it can't shoot if it is buttoned. So you either sit there buttoned not shooting or you pop up and get your gunner sniped and can't shoot anyway. The 251/1 has a front mounted MG and CAN shoot while buttoned - big bonus there.

The advantage of the M5 MG is it can pivot 360 degrees and shoot instantly without the vehicle turning. This is great for pinning enemy infantry in the open. Whether buttoned or unbuttoned, the 251/1 has to pivot around to shoot behind it. It's firing area is roughly like this at a 45 degree angle out each side of the front.



Still, in my opinion, the 251/1 is a more battle worthy vehicle. M5s are good in some ways, but you have to be more careful with them. if you did a QB with 251/1s vs M5s, I guarantee you'd have a field full of smoking M5 wrecks at the end.

[fluidwill]

The 251 just looks cooler too and with FOW you never really know if your opp has one of the reallly nasty variants, I have respect for the quad .50cal but as noted its pretty fragile.

[PoorOldSpike]

DK asked me to contribute to this thread so here goes-

[sross]

The allied HT's are vulnerable to the MG34 and MG42 from very long range, which is a big deal breaker.

[Der Kuenstler]

Yes and the A1s that POS are talking about are only found in CMAK....

[Kelen]

Yes and the A1s that POS are talking about are only found in CMAK....

They're also in CMBO. (Although I believe the Americans can only get the M3 & M3A1 and the British only the M5 & M5A1).