War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

Leopard 1A5

2020-11-29T01:23:30Z

U24210083: /* Pros and cons */ added gunner thermals & turret angles can bounce the odd ricochet

{{Specs-Card|code=germ_leopard_1a5}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "New Power"]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===

The Leopard 1A5 is a further development of the A1A1 specification of the Leopard MBT. That being said, it does not differ much from its predecessor in terms of armour. The Leopard 1A5 prioritizes firepower and mobility over the survivability of the tank. As such, it has no notable modules or layout that offer advanced survivability. The frontal armour is reliable against APDS and AP rounds from many of the auto-cannons found on IFVs at the rank but struggles against chemical and armour-piercing rounds from dedicated tanks and tank destroyers. The side and rear armour however, is a different story. Offering only 30-60 mm of armour over most of the surface, it can be penetrated by most rounds fired from cannon calibre weapons. Any shot from the side will penetrate the tank and have the potential to destroy it in one shot. This is due to three of the four crewmembers in the tank being situated in the turret. This is the major drawback of the Leopard 1 series tanks. A single shot has the capability to destroy the Leopard. As such, it requires a slightly more careful and patient playstyle.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull ||70 mm (60°) ''Upper Glacis'' 50 mm (50°) ''Lower Glacis''|| 35 mm ''Upper'' 30 mm ''Lower'' ||25 mm||15-30 mm
|-
| Turret || 45-120 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 40-43 mm ''Right Side'' 37-45 mm ''Left Side'' || 33-52 mm ||21-65 mm
|-
|Additional Armor ||10-35 mm ''Gun Mantlet''||10-20 mm ''Turret Sides'' 5 mm ''Sideskirts''||5-10 mm ''Turret Rear''
|N/A
|-
|}

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,286|rbMinHp=734}}

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===

{{main|L7A3 (105 mm)}}

''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[L7A3 (105 mm)|105 mm L7A3]] || 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" | 60 || rowspan="2" | -9°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
|-
! ''Realistic''
| __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| DM12 || HEATFS || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400
|-
| DM502 || HESH || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127
|-
| DM23 || APFSDS || 337 || 335 || 330 || 322 || 314 || 306
|-
| DM33 || APFSDS || 408 || 405 || 398 || 389 || 379 || 370
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| DM12 || HEATFS || 1,173 || 10.5 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 1,270 || 65° || 72° || 77°
|-
| DM502 || HESH || 732 || 14.85 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 4,310 || 73° || 77° || 80°
|-
| DM23 || APFSDS || 1,455 || 3.79 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 78° || 80° || 81°
|-
| DM33 || APFSDS || 1,455 || 3.79 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 78° || 80° || 81°
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''60''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===

{{main|MG3A1 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MG3A1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm MG3A1]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 4,500 (1,000) || 1,200 || N/A || N/A
|-
| Pintle || 2,000 (1,000) || 1,200 || -8°/+20° || ±120°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Mobility
! Protection
! colspan="3" | Firepower
|-
| I
| Tracks
|
| Parts
| Horizontal Drive
| DM502
| DM23
|-
| II
| Suspension
| Brake System
| FPE
| Adjustment of Fire
|
|
|-
| III
| Filters
|
| Crew Replenishment
| Elevation Mechanism
| NVD
|
|-
| IV
| Transmission
| Engine
| Smoke grenade
| Artillery Support
| DM33
| Laser rangefinder
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has access to the powerful DM33 round
* Has access to gen 1 Gunner thermals
* Excellent mobility
* turret angles can bounce the odd ricochet

'''Cons:'''

* Armour doesn't offer much against any kinetic rounds
* Weak armour overall

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Germany medium tanks}}

Sd.Kfz.234/1

2020-05-01T00:53:41Z

U24210083: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=germ_sdkfz_234_1
|market=Sd.Kfz.234/1 (Germany)
}}

== Description ==


The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]] as a reward for the [[wt:en/news/6669-special-space-race-en|"Space Race" event]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=325|rbMinHp=186}}

The Sdkfz.234/1 has the same manoeuvrability as the rest of the Puma brethren. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h, both forward and reverse in Arcade and 90 km/h forward and reverse in Realistic.

== Armaments ==
=== Main armament ===
{{main|KwK38 (20 mm)}}

''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[KwK38 (20 mm)|20 mm KwK38]] || 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" | 250 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+70° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 14.3 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || rowspan="2" | 7.8 || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 8.9 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| Default || 36 || 34 || 26 || 19 || 14 || 10
|-
| Sprgr. || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
|-
| PzGr || 36 || 34 || 26 || 19 || 14 || 10
|-
| PzGr 40 || 64 || 63 || 26 || 8 || 3 || 1
|-
|}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''250''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

==== [[Optics]] ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} Optics
|-
!
! Default magnification
! Maximum magnification
|-
! Main Gun optics
| x1.8 || x3.5
|-
! Comparable optics
| colspan="2" | ___
|-
|}

=== Machine guns ===
{{main|MG42 (7.92 mm)}}

''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[MG42 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG42]]
|-
! Mount
! Capacity (Belt capacity)
! Rate of fire (shots/minute)
! Vertical guidance
! Horizontal guidance
|-
| Coaxial || 1,800 (150) || 1,200 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==
''Even though the armor of the Sd.Kfz.234/1 is lacking, if played to its advantages,can become a vital part of achieving victory over the other team. This armored car has 3 main things going for it. 1. It has excellent mobility (90 Kph RB) (100 Kph AB). 2. It has a very good and fast firing auto-cannon that can decimate enemies at close to medium range 500m max. Being a armored car it does have the scouting mechanic available to it. (which is very useful in RB for spotting enemies for your team).''

''With these advantages in mind you will have several options on how to play this vehicle. The first of these is to play a harasser role, because of your very good mobility you can get into good positions before your enemies get there and wait in ambush for them, once you have striked and taken them out use your mobility to get yourself to a new position and repeat the process. While waiting, if you spot any other tanks be sure to scout them for your team.''

''A second option is to play it so as to get to cap zones before the other teams do, and afterward use your vehicle as a support tank along with your teammates tanks taking up a position behind them.Third option, If playing in a group (2 or more) you can also use this vehicle for flanking operations.''

''Some enemies to watch out for. USSR, KV-1'S - Very well armored for its BR and can be very dangerous. (avoid if possible), T-70 / T-80 tanks - Very strong frontal armor that will be hard to penetrate (but thinner side & rear armor), if you find yourself fighting one of these try to flank its position and try to catch it off guard. USA, Most tanks of this tier can be penetrated easily by your auto-cannon, but be careful as some of these tanks especially BR 3.0 and up will carry 50cal machine guns which will pen your armor so be careful when engaging them. Other Nations tanks are relatively similar in their potency, so the same rules should be applied when engaging them. To conclude, this armored car is very useful when used in a harasser role, and in the other roles stated above. To make it even more useful, check the specs of other tanks & vehicles of the same BR to get a better idea on what vehicles you can pen and what you can't.''

=== ''Modules'' ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Mobility
! Protection
! colspan="2" | Firepower
|-
| I
| Tires
|
| Parts
| Horizontal Drive
| Sprgr.
|-
| II
| Suspension
| Brake System
| FPE
| Adjustment of Fire
| PzGr
|-
| III
| Filters
|
| Crew Replenishment
| Elevation Mechanism
|
|-
| IV
| Transmission
| Engine
|
| Artillery Support
| PzGr 40
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* HVAP belts has a full composition of HVAP rounds with rounds able to penetrate most light tanks and side armour of medium tanks easily
* Relatively fast reload at around 7 seconds
* The KwK38 is coupled with an MG42 with a blistering fire rate which allows quite effective suppressive fire capability on light-skinned vehicles
* The 20 mm cannon can shoot down aircraft due to a very high elevation angle which means it can, in a pinch, act as a pseudo-SPAA
* The quick speed (100 km/h in AB, 90 km/h in RB) allows the {{PAGENAME}} to be one of, if not the first vehicles, to both make contact with the enemy team and capture zones
* Very fast acceleration both forward and reverse, getting out of a sticky situation is very easily if your driver is alive
* It can average around 40 km/h off-road, which is quite fast for a wheeled vehicle
* The front hull and turret have 30 mm of armour which is sloped to increase the thickness
* The thin armour on the sides and rear mean that most solid shot rounds will go right through without causing much damage
* It has the ability to scout, which is unique for a vehicle in Rank I
* As a light tank it is able to repair allies, making the Sd.Kfz.234/1 an even more useful asset to the team

'''Cons:'''

* The 20 mm cannon's belt consists of only 10 rounds and it gets exhausted very quickly, this means that reloads are very frequent
* Weak armour from the sides and rear can be penetrated by lighter weapons like autocannons and machine guns
* Can be hull broken
* Tall wire mesh fencing on the turret sides can give it away if attempting to hide or play stealthily, while providing no armour benefits
* The wheeled suspension makes controlling the vehicle in turns very hard as it has a tendency to drift
* It is a wheeled vehicle so, while being race car-like on hard surfaces, mud, water, snow and sand really slow it down (to around 20-30 km/h)
* It is open topped so artillery is deadly and aircraft ramming the vehicle can knock it out
* Turret traverse speed is average, this, coupled with its tendency to drift in turns makes taking out a target after turning quite the chore
* Unlike the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]], the Sd.Kfz.234/1 does not have access to smoke grenades
* Ammunition detonations are very frequent

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== 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 ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Germany light tanks}}
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}