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Panther "Dauphiné"

2024-04-16T17:52:02Z

U119792451:

{{About
|about = French medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
|other
|usage-1 = other versions
|link-1 = Panzer V Panther (Family)
|usage-2 = other uses
|link-2 = Panther (Disambiguation)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_pzkpfw_V_panther_dauphine
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

Throughout the development of WWII after D-Day, French forces made an effort to capture and rearm as many German panzers as possible. Most of these tanks were Panzer IVs, however, a small number of Panthers and Tigers were also used by France. A number of Panthers were captured at the Battle of Dompaire after the French surrounded a Panzer Battalion, however not all the tanks captured during this encirclement were used due to logistical reasons. In the end, all tanks of this type were replaced shortly after the end of WWII.

The {{PAGENAME}} was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]]. It is a French-captured example of the [[Panther G]] found in the German tree with a few cosmetic differences like missing side skirts and new French markings. The '''{{Specs|name}}''' behaves like any other Panther G, compared to the more common Panther D, it has improved turret armour around the gun, eliminating the ricochet area that caused many projectiles to be redirected to the top of the hull. It features a very powerful cannon, which is easier to use thanks to the increased turret rotation when compared to the Panther D, however like all Panthers, it suffers from very poor reverse speed, and thus it is hard to escape from difficult situations, use your front armour at hull down positions and long-range combat for better chances of survival.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

'''Armour type:'''

*Rolled homogeneous armour
*Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Cupola)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 80 mm (55°) ''Front glacis'' 50 mm (56°) ''Lower glacis'' || 50 mm (30°) ''Top'' 41.5 mm ''Bottom'' || 40 mm (24°) || 17 mm
|-
| Turret || 110 mm ''Turret front'' 100 mm ''Gun mantlet''|| 45 mm || 45 mm || 15 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 110 mm || 15 mm
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Belly armour front part is 18 mm thick while the back part is 15 mm thick.
* Turret right side is covered in tracks, providing 20 mm extra thickness.

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=930|rbMinHp=531}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|KwK42 (75 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[KwK42 (75 mm)|75 mm KwK42]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 82 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 19.0 || 26.3 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.6 || rowspan="2" | 9.6 || rowspan="2" | 8.5 || rowspan="2" | 7.9 || rowspan="2" | 7.4
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:KwK42 (75 mm)/Ammunition|PzGr 39/42, Sprgr. 42}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_Panther_G.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
|-
| '''82''' || 80 ''(+2)'' || 74 ''(+8)'' || 62 ''(+20)'' || 50 ''(+32)'' || 38 ''(+44)''
|-
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! 10th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| 26 ''(+56)'' || 22 ''(+60)'' || 12 ''(+70)'' || 4 ''(+78)'' || 1 ''(+81)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* As they are modeled by sets of 2, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire both shells in the set.
* Right side empty: 50 ''(+32)'' or both sides empty: 22 ''(+60)''

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|MG34 (7.92 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MG34 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG34]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,700 (150) || 900 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
The small calibre of the MG34 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

== Usage in battles ==

As with all other Panther-series medium tanks, it is best played in a supporting role or as a front-line offensive tank due to its agility. The cannon is more than forgiving and powerful enough to destroy any potential target, so use it to an advantage; long-range shooting is effective as the muzzle velocity is extremely high, owing to the long-barreled 75 mm, the penetration values are more than capable of punching through any opposing armour, and the shell weight will, if the shell penetrates, consistently deal decent amounts of crew and module damage, if not immediately make the target on combat ineffective.

This tank, however, owing to its "mailbox" gun mantlet design, is not a good combatant frontally, especially at its BR; many enemy tanks will find the gun mantlet a juicy target. Never engage in extended frontal skirmishes with enemy tanks; instead, use the high mobility as much as possible. Don't stay in one place as much as possible, shoot and scoot before the enemy can react shoot through the mantlet.

Another thing to note: the only difference between this and the German Panther G is the absence of side skirts and the thicker lower part of the mantlet, as well as the French markings on the side of the gun mantlet and the tank's name at the hull rear. This is useful in Simulator battles because if you were to put German markings over the French ones you may just pass as a German tank. Take that as you will and warn the people on your team not to shoot you.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent cannon with great stock AP for common targets (e.g. [[Tiger H1]], [[Pz.IV H]] and [[M4A3E2]]) and HE for light vehicles. Great accuracy and velocity allows easy long-range sniping. Plenty of ammo capacity means flexible ammo setups
* Heavily armoured frontal hull is immune to most guns like the 75 mm Kwk40, 88 mm L/56 and 76 mm M1
* Fast top speed and good hull traverse. Can get to positions in time
* Adequate gun depression of -8° adapts most terrains well
* Does not face threatening opponents (e.g. [[IS-2 (Family)|IS-2]]) as much as the German one would, increasing survivability

'''Cons:'''

* Gun mantlet is only 100 mm, a huge and well-known weak spot to shoot at. 76 mm Sherman, Pz.IV G/H/J, [[Tiger H1]] can easily penetrate it
* Side ammo racks are prone to detonation when hit
* Terrible reverse speed of only -4 km/h, can get the player killed
* No access to APCR meaning it struggles to deal with tanks encountered in a uptier like [[Ho-Ri Production|Ho-Ri]], Tiger II(H) and [[Ferdinand]]
* Very identical appearance to the German Panthers, and can get hit by friendly fire a lot in simulator mode
* Weak side armour gets penetrated easily by Russian APHEBC (mixed battle). Cannot angle too much
* Lower glacis often catches fire or brakes transmission when penetrated, leaving the tank immobile and vulnerable
* High profile for a medium tank makes it harder to hide
* Weak roof armour is vulnerable to strafers like IL-2 (Germany) or Hs-129 B3
* Although heavily armoured, it can still get frontally penetrated by common British tanks like the [[Sherman Firefly]]

== History ==


The Panther "Dauphiné" played a significant role in a French initiative aimed at repurposing Panzers left behind by the Wehrmacht post-D-Day. Spearheaded by Captain Besnier, this initiative resulted in the formation of a small tank brigade comprising nearly 20 antiquated panzers, predominantly Panzer IVs, alongside 2 Panthers and even 2 Tigers. Operating under the moniker "Commando Besnier," these forces were instrumental during the encirclement of Saint-Nazaire, the final city under German control on May 11, 1945, before participating in the French Occupation of Germany toward war's end.

Following the conflict, some of these tanks were assigned to the 3rd Armored Division by late 1945 and remained operational for several months before eventual replacement. Several models found their way into museums, notably the Tiger housed in the Saumur museum in France.

Each tank under Besnier's command was affectionately dubbed after distinct French regions: Tiger "Colmar," Tiger "Bretagne," and Panther "Dauphiné."

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fr_pzkpfw_V_panther_dauphine Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|AEW7aFVCvmo|'''French Panthers''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|WoLatpmJuTA|'''Should You Buy: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''ConeOfArc''|PUwSXP04-9Q|'''{{PAGENAME}} - Tank Review''' - ''Napalmratte''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Panzer V Panther (Family)]]

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Bibliography

* Braeuer, Luc. L'incroyable histoire de la poche Saint-Nazaire, 2000 (French)

{{TankManufacturer MAN AG}}
{{France medium tanks}}
{{France premium ground vehicles}}

T14

2024-04-16T17:48:59Z

U119792451: /* Survivability and armour */

{{Specs-Card
|code=us_t14
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Assault Tank T14''' was a cooperative project between the U.S. Army and the British Army to develop a universal infantry tank. The Assault Tank T14 project was never completed because the prototype was not sent to the UK until 1944, by which time the [[Churchill (Family)|Churchill infantry tanks]] had been in service for two years and had substantially improved from their initial prototype. The [[T20|Medium Tank T20]] is the result of U.S. efforts to develop a similarly armoured tank with a higher speed for use other than infantry support. Only two prototypes were produced, one for testing in the U.S. and the other for testing in Britain. The tank transported to Britain is still on display at the tank museum in Bovington. The British had built the [[Excelsior|Heavy Assault Tank A33 "Excelsior"]] design to the same specifications as the Assault Tank T14, but it was never deployed.

Introduced in [[Update 1.67 "Assault"]], the Assault Tank T14 is designed to break through powerful enemy defences. Its 75 mm M3 tank gun reloads quickly, and its armour is strong enough to withstand numerous hits. With its primitive vertical stabilizer, it can also fire while moving and make fast stops around corners to attack the opponent. Its front armour is greatly slanted at 61°. Side-top armour is also sloped at 30°, and since it is the same thickness as the front, it is easy to angle without fear of revealing weak points. The lower side armour is not sloped, although it is thicker than the top and front to guard against glancing shots. Players will be delighted to experience this special heavy tank and lead the charge during battles.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}

Although classified as a heavy tank, the T14's armor may not initially impress when compared to the anti-tank weaponry prevalent in its battle rating bracket. Despite its relatively thin armor for a heavy tank, the T14 compensates with a pronounced slope effect, particularly evident in its turret. Understanding this armor profile is crucial for maintaining battlefield advantage.

When engaging a T14 head-on, targeting the lower glacis can yield effective results, damaging its transmission and potentially immobilizing it, facilitating flanking maneuvers. If the T14 adopts an angled position, utilizing smoke can be a tactical advantage. Deploy smoke shells directly at or ahead of the tank, then maneuver accordingly. Due to the T14's characteristics, it may advance through the smoke, unknowingly exposing itself to point-blank penetration.

The T14 heavy tank boasts commendable survivability, thanks to its robust frontal and side armor, along with a resilient turret. However, it's important to note the vulnerability of the turret cheek, susceptible to penetration by most tanks within its battle rating range. In lower-tier matches, the T14 excels as a breakthrough tank, leading assaults against enemy positions. Nevertheless, in higher-tier battles, its armor becomes less dependable against adversaries with superior penetrating capabilities, such as the German 88 mm or the Soviet 85 mm cannons.

Similar to the Sherman, the T14 features a vulnerable machine gun port, emphasizing caution when negotiating corners to avoid exposure.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission cover, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 50 mm (61°) ''Front Glacis'' 50-101.6 mm (11-57°) ''Transmission cover'' 50-70 mm (11°) ''Machine gun port'' || 50 mm (30°) ''Top'' 63.5 + 12.7-25.4 mm ''Bottom'' || 50 mm (19°) ''Upper'' 50 mm (21°) ''Lower'' || 25.4 mm
|-
| Turret || 76.2 mm (30-31°) ''Turret front'' 50.8 + 88 mm (1-62°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 101.6 mm (3-53°) || 101.6 mm (0-25°) ''Rear'' || 25.4 mm
|-
| Cupola || 51 mm || 51 mm || 51 mm || 25.4 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, while tracks are 20 mm thick.
* Tracks are peppered on the sides that give 20 mm extra where they are.
* Belly armour is 25.4 mm thick

=== Mobility ===
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}

Despite being a heavy tank, the T14 is surprisingly mobile. The T14's mobility is comparable to most medium tanks, and it can easily surprise the enemy by reaching unexpected locations during the early stages of a match. It can quickly react to threats and be used as a brawling tank during a downtier thanks to its fast traversing turret and excellent turning ability.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=646|rbMinHp=442}}

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M3 (75 mm)|75 mm M3]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 72 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+24° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24 km/h}} || 19.42 || 26.88 || 32.64 || 36.10 || 38.40 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:M3 (75 mm)/Ammunition|M72 shot, M48 shell, M61 shot, T45 shot, M89}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''72''' || 61 ''(+11)'' || 46 ''(+26)'' || 31 ''(+41)'' || 16 ''(+56)'' || 1 ''(+71)'' || No
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M1919A4 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 600 (200) || 577 || -10°/+15° || ±60°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M1919A4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M1919A4]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,000 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


This is an assault tank, and therefore a brawler. Its 75 mm gun has a quick reload and the armour is good enough to bounce most shots. With its stabilizer, it also allows for fire-on-the-move and perform short stops around corners to blast the enemy. The APHE shells decimate Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs, but if not angled the Panzer IV will go straight through the upper glacis plate and do the same to the T14.

The T14 is a boxy tank, so sidescraping is a valid tactics around corners. Ensure that the T14 maintains a 45 degree angle towards the enemy/target. Example: if advancing down the street in places like [[Advance to the Rhine]], it's best to drive across the road in a 45 degree angle to bounce shots. Go slowly enough and the stabilizer can be utilized to return fire while on the move, forcing the enemy to withdraw from its position. Try not to expose the side armour in any case as it may lead to giving the enemy an opportunity to penetrate the armour.

On a further note, the T14s 75 mm can use up its ammo rather quickly, so be wary of the ammo count and be prepared to go back to the cap zones to rearm.

This tank is slow off the mark, but once moving it is quite quick. The turn rate is slow at low speeds, so try and build up speed before turning. This is worth remembering when sidescraping. Because the T14 has APHE and APCR, it can punch through most opposing armour, including the drivers view port on the KV-1. With APHE, if aiming at Soviet tanks like the T-34, aim at the turret cheeks and it will go through, or the drivers hatch or machine gun port for some lovely ammo cook offs. For the Germans, aim at lower glacis or the MG gunners position and it will hopefully knock out all the crew.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good ol' tried 75 mm gun
* Access to APCR ammunition for an extra punch
* Front armour is heavily sloped
* Side armour is rather thick, allowing it to angle a lot for deflecting more shells, even the 76 mm M1
* Good mobility
* Not a commonly encountered tank. Players may hesitate while they work out where to shoot

'''Cons:'''

* Base armour is only 50-70 mm thick
* Hull machine gun port is a prominent weak spot
* Thin turret front armour
* 75 mm gun may have trouble dealing with heavily armoured enemies, even with APCR

== History ==


===Development===
In early 1942, a conference between United States Tank Committee and Joint British Tank Mission had the British propose the need of an assault tank.<ref name="MoranAssault">Moran, Nicholas "The Chieftain's Hatch: British Assault Tank" World of Tanks. N.p., 02 Aug. 2013. Web. 05 Nov 2017. [https://worldoftanks.com/en/news/chieftain/chieftains-hatch-british-assault-tanks/ Website]</ref> The assault tank, a designation reserved by the British at the time that was distinctive from their cruiser and infantry tanks, was not taken up by the US. However, the US agreed to a prototype production plan in which a vehicle design would be produced by both nations, and a limited production would be established for the better of the two. On 30 March 1942<ref name="ShermanTankT14">Jeeps_Guns_Tanks. "#33 The Sherman Of The Future: Advanced Sherman UpGrades That Almost Made It Into Production." The Sherman Tank Site. WordPress, 12 Dec. 2015. Web. 22 May 2017. [http://www.theshermantank.com/sherman/the-sherman-of-the-future-advanced-sherman-updates-that-almost-made-it-into-production/ Website]</ref>, the final details were placed with Aberdeen instructed to start designing a vehicle and a wooden mock-up, and the British also working on their vehicle based off the [[Cromwell V|Cromwell chassis]], which would become the [[Excelsior|A.33 Excelsior]]. The British set the estimated production scale for the assault tank to be 8,500 units.<ref name="MoranAssault" /> In May 1942, the details were finalized and a designation was chosen for the vehicle, '''T14'''.

In June, the design and wooden mock-up was established and the production order for two '''Assault Tank T14''' went to the American Locomotive Company.<ref name="ShermanTankT14" /> The tanks were produced in July and August 1943 for each unit. These two tanks would only be different except in their hydraulic power traverse, in which one used a Westinghouse model and the other had an Oilgear model. Which of the two tanks had which traverse model is not known.

===Testing and cancellation===
The two T14 were sent off for testing, the first model sent to Fort Knox and the second was sent to Britain.<ref name="ShermanTankT14" /> The Fort Knox tests showed a variety of problems in the design such as fume seeping into the crew compartment, cramped conditions, suspension problems, inaccessible components, and the bow machine gun tendency of breaking the operator's arm.<ref name="MoranCSPAN">Moran, Nicholas "Design and History of the M4 Sherman Tank During World War II (43:00 - 43:52)" C-SPAN. 22 Sept. 2017. Web. 05 Nov. 2017. [https://www.c-span.org/video/?433629-2/design-history-m4-sherman-tank-world-war-ii Video]</ref> The T14 also had a tendency for the tracks to be thrown and the overall tank was not very mobile with an underpowered Ford GAZ engine propelling the 47 ton tank.<ref name="ShermanTankT14" /> Regardless, the T14 eventually fell out of favor for the same reason the Excelsior did. The British had their [[Churchill_Mk_VII|Churchill infantry tank]] become more favorable to their armoured doctrine as the assault tank they needed. Due to the lack of interest, the T14 program was cancelled. Today, only one T14 tank remained intact at the Bovington Tank Museum, stored away in their storage hall.

The assault tank concept did not die with the failure of the two designs. The Churchill fitted this role well in the British armoured force as an infantry tank and the Americans eventually produced simpler version of it as the [[M4A3E2|M4A3E2 Jumbo]].

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=us_t14 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery
|g0B5dtPvj2E|'''T14 - The Ground Assault Tank''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''
|d27p2Kg06MA|'''The Shooting Range #302''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:54 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.
}}

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/4525-development-t14-the-ground-assault-tank-en|[Devblog] T14: The Ground Assault Tank]]

=== References ===
<references />

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Department}}
{{USA heavy tanks}}
{{USA premium ground vehicles}}