War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 (75 mm)

2024-11-26T06:15:43Z

U41531792: /* Available ammunition */

== Description ==

The '''75 mm APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897''' is a French tank gun.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|fr_char_2c}}

== General info ==

The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 has just enough penetration to knock out most vehicles it faces frontally. The explosive filler grants a knock-out, as a penetrating hit to any internal compartment will overpressure the crew. The reload is rather fast for a 75 mm cannon, which makes missing shots due to the poor velocity more forgiving. Side shots will be required for more heavily armoured tanks such as the M4A3 (105), StuH 42G or Pz.IV G.

=== Available ammunition ===

The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 has 2 shell types available:

* The Mle 1916 APHE shell is, along with the HE shell, a stock shell. It penetrates 66 mm of armour at a 90° angle from 10 m away and travels at a velocity of 558 m/s right out of the barrel. It has 350 grams of TNT explosive filler, which means you don't need to aim for crew.
* The Mle 1900 HE shell is a stock shell. It penetrates 11 mm of armour at all ranges and at all angles. It has 695 grams of TNT explosive filler and travels at a velocity of 500 m/s, same as the APHE. It obviously is very useless against most tanks, and should only be used to dispatch pesky open-topped vehicles if you somehow can't knock them out with an APHE shell.

{{:{{PAGENAME}}/Ammunition|Mle1916, Mle1900}}

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The [[KwK37 (75 mm)|75 mm KwK37/StuK37]] and [[Type 99 (75 mm)|75 mm Type 99]] cannons are all quite similar. While the Japanese Type 99 has a worse APHE penetration, it also has the best APHE filler out of the three. The only disadvantage the APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 has is the lack of HEAT projectiles, which all of the previously mentioned similar cannons have access to. With them all having about twice the penetration of their respective APHEs, with the Germans having the best HEAT. However, the APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 does have the best penetration for an APHE round. The French and the Japanese cannons have the highest explosive filler, while the German round packs only 80 grams.

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* The APHE round inflicts good post-penetration damage, often overpressurizing the crew from the inside
* Rather short reload time for the calibre

'''Cons:'''

* Poor penetration for the BR
* Low velocity makes it hard to aim at longer distances
* No HEAT round for armoured targets

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== Media ==


;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
File:75mm APX 1897 field gun.jpg|The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 on a field gun mount
File:75mm APX 1897 on the Char 2C.png|The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 on the Char 2C
</gallery>

== 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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{France tank cannons}}

[[Category:Tank cannons]]

APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 (75 mm)

2024-11-26T06:15:23Z

U41531792: /* Available ammunition */

== Description ==

The '''75 mm APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897''' is a French tank gun.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|fr_char_2c}}

== General info ==

The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 has just enough penetration to knock out most vehicles it faces frontally. The explosive filler grants a knock-out, as a penetrating hit to any internal compartment will overpressure the crew. The reload is rather fast for a 75 mm cannon, which makes missing shots due to the poor velocity more forgiving. Side shots will be required for more heavily armoured tanks such as the M4A3 (105), StuH 42G or Pz.IV G.

=== Available ammunition ===

The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 has 2 shell types available:

* The Mle 1916 APHE shell is, along with the HE shell, a stock shell. It penetrates 66 mm of armour at a 90° angle from 10 m away and travels at a velocity of 500 m/s right out of the barrel. It has 350 grams of TNT explosive filler, which means you don't need to aim for crew.
* The Mle 1900 HE shell is a stock shell. It penetrates 11 mm of armour at all ranges and at all angles. It has 695 grams of TNT explosive filler and travels at a velocity of 500 m/s, same as the APHE. It obviously is very useless against most tanks, and should only be used to dispatch pesky open-topped vehicles if you somehow can't knock them out with an APHE shell.

{{:{{PAGENAME}}/Ammunition|Mle1916, Mle1900}}

=== Comparison with analogues ===

The [[KwK37 (75 mm)|75 mm KwK37/StuK37]] and [[Type 99 (75 mm)|75 mm Type 99]] cannons are all quite similar. While the Japanese Type 99 has a worse APHE penetration, it also has the best APHE filler out of the three. The only disadvantage the APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 has is the lack of HEAT projectiles, which all of the previously mentioned similar cannons have access to. With them all having about twice the penetration of their respective APHEs, with the Germans having the best HEAT. However, the APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 does have the best penetration for an APHE round. The French and the Japanese cannons have the highest explosive filler, while the German round packs only 80 grams.

== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.''

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* The APHE round inflicts good post-penetration damage, often overpressurizing the crew from the inside
* Rather short reload time for the calibre

'''Cons:'''

* Poor penetration for the BR
* Low velocity makes it hard to aim at longer distances
* No HEAT round for armoured targets

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-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>.''

== Media ==


;Images
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
File:75mm APX 1897 field gun.jpg|The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 on a field gun mount
File:75mm APX 1897 on the Char 2C.png|The APX Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 on the Char 2C
</gallery>

== 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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

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

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

{{France tank cannons}}

[[Category:Tank cannons]]

PLZ83

2024-11-07T03:31:47Z

U41531792: /* Description */ now PLZ83 has much powerful HE round BEE7 added in the game

{{About
| about = Chinese tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the gift version
| link = PLZ83-130
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_plz_83
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (PLZ83式152毫米自行加榴炮) was the very first self-propelled howitzer of PLAGF from 1980s as the key equipment of army mechanization. Due to the lag in development of general-purpose tracked platforms and the demand for replacement SPHs for the fleet of WWII Soviet tank destroyers, the PLAGF had already attempted to modify the [[ZSD63|ZSD63 chassis]] into the Type 70-I SPH with an obsolete 122 mm WWII era howitzer, with almost non-existent protection and reliability. Soon after the approval of economic reform and military modernization in 1978, the PLAGF issued the mission to vehicle factories for a domestic 152 mm SPH; thanks to the joint efforts of the three factories involved, the prototype was soon built in 1980 and two more were produced in 1981, using the new WZ321 tracked platform specifically for heavy guns. The vehicle, now named Type 83 (PLZ83 after 1987) was certified in November 1983 and was publicly shown in the 35th National Day parade. With new guided 152 mm shells and integration into the PLAGF's datalink network, both PLZ83 and PLZ83A are still one of the cornerstones of the PLAGF artillery corps until the more advanced 155 mm PLC181 and PLZ05 series replace the remaining 152 mm calibre towed guns and SPH.

Introduced in [[Update "Kings of Battle"]] as the first domestic SPH of the Chinese ground tech tree, players will see similarities with the [[2S3M]], as both of them were based on the same D-20 (PL66) 152 mm howitzer; Players need to exercise extra caution when using the howitzer - always aim for the most unprotected part of enemy vehicles to achieve one-hit kills as it might not have the chance to reload again and finish off the target.

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

Some similarities can be found between the PLZ83 and later [[PTZ89]] - they are both based on the WZ321 tracked platform developed in the 1980s. Although it is not as protected as its Soviet counterpart, the [[2S3M]], the PLZ83 still has sufficient protection to stop .50 calibre rounds up front at point-blank range (aside from the LFP); for an SPH, this is certainly good news as enemies have to utilize their autocannons or larger calibre cannons to destroy the vehicle, although it is wise to avoid the frontline at all as this will vastly increase its risk of being destroyed. As an SPH, the PLZ83 has a relatively tall profile to house its 152 mm howitzer, meaning that it will give itself away quickly without foliage or indestructible cover; so be sure to hide the vehicle from the sight of enemy vehicles. Being hit in the hull or the turret can bring completely different outcomes - while the hull can sometimes survive oncoming shots thanks to the engine block or the driver, 26 rounds are stowed in the turret behind the 3 turret crew, so any penetrated shots from APCBC with explosive filler can send the turret flying.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Structural steel (side skirts)


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (58°-75°) ''Upper glacis''
15 + 15 mm (4°-55°) ''Lower glacis''
| 15 mm (19°-60°) ''Turret ring extension'' 15 mm (0°-4°) ''Side''
4 mm (0°) ''Side skirts''
| 15 mm (0°) || 10 mm (90°)
|-
| Turret || 30 mm (0°-20°) ''Turret front''
25 mm (0°-14°) ''Turret cheeks'' 25-30 mm (0°-86°) ''Gun mantlet''
| 15 mm (0°-11°) ''Turret side''
10 mm (46°) ''Upper turret side''
| 10 mm (0°-11°) || 10 mm (90°) ''Front''
10 mm (77°) ''Rear''
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" | 30 mm (1°) || 10 mm (90°)
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

For maximum compatibility (and also due to the limit of technology) to Chinese tracked vehicles, all vehicles based on the WZ321 tracked chassis used the same 12V150L engine from the [[Type 59]] and a revised planetary transmission for its workload, and PLZ83 is no exception; thus the mobility of the vehicle feels like a lighter Type 59 and shares identical speeds at different gears. Be sure not to over-extend, as it doesn't have sufficient reverse to retreat to cover.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=739|rbMinHp=460}}

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

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

{{main|PL66 Gai (152 mm)}}

To accommodate such a huge 152 mm howitzer onto the WZ321 chassis, Chinese engineers revised the hydraulic recoil absorbers design and placed them under the barrel, as well as an assisted mechanical loader (the proposed autoloader was flawed and eventually ditched). The PLZ83 is tied with the 2S3M in terms of gun traverse speed and slower than the M109 series in various tech trees, so plan ahead and turn the turret accordingly for any situations.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[PL66 Gai (152 mm)|152 mm PL66 Gai]] || 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" | 30 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+65° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 8.8 || 12.2 || 14.8 || 16.4 || 17.4 || rowspan="2" | 17.29 || rowspan="2" | 15.30 || rowspan="2" | 14.10 || rowspan="2" | 13.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:PL66 Gai (152 mm)/Ammunition|DDB1/PL66-152, BEE7-152, BEE7-152 (VT)}}

Although the gun was certified in 1966, due to the lack of plans for more powerful shells until the late 1980s, both shells, DDB1 and its VT variant, are equivalent of the already obsolete OF-540 shell in Soviet service, thus it needs more careful aiming for maximum efficiency as enemies can sometimes survive a direct hit and fire back upon PLZ83.

'''DDB1/PL66, Stock''' - the DDB1 shell is identical to the OF-540 used in Soviet Army since the 1940s on the ISU-152 and 2S3M. Although the calibre sounds fearsome and it does extensive damage to enemy targets once hit, due to the insufficient explosive filler in DDB1 (the 3OF25 has almost twice the TNT equivalent), players should always aim for weak spots i.e. optics, top of vehicle etc. to achieve a one-hit knock-out. If the gun on the enemy vehicle survives the hit and remains operational, chances are this will be a death sentence to the PLZ83.

'''DDB1/PL66 (VT), Tier III''' - the researchable DDB1/PL66 (VT) is identical to its stock counterpart with the addition of an MD81 radio fuse; while this enables the gun to be used as a huge anti-aircraft cannon, the shell should only be considered if enemy aircraft are coming straight at PLZ83 without any manoeuvres, considering the 3 m trigger radius of the MD81 fuse and its relatively high trajectory. Remember to switch back to the stock DDB1/PL66 before hitting ground targets as the trigger radius is very unlikely to do any damage to armoured targets.

==== [[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
|-
| '''30''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|QJC88A (12.7 mm)}}

The PLZ83 is armed with the later QJC88A 12.7x108 mm machine gun on the commander side (right from the vehicle's PoV) of the turret, it has a larger ammo pool than the Soviet DShK/Chinese Type 54 HMG at 100 rounds per ammo box. The QJC88A still has sufficient firepower to gun down light vehicles or oncoming aircraft if they are set ablaze or have their pilot knocked out.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[QJC88A (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm QJC88A]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 600 (150) || 600 || -6°/+85° || -161°/+156°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the very first enclosed SPH of PLAGF, PLZ83 does have some flaws since its introduction, but with careful planning and only firing when players are certain of a knock-out or fatal blow to enemy vehicles, the PLZ83 can still play like its counterparts at its tier with extra caution.

A key to using SPHs is to never taking them as a frontline vehicle - SPHs are designed to strike enemies from the rear, direct fire is only for last-ditch options against oncoming enemy vehicles. This rule also applies to PLZ83, but to make the situation worse, there is no 152 mm HEAT shell for extreme penetration; the HE shell is also an early WWII make, making it less effective than its Soviet counterpart or NATO M109 series. Players will need to be extra careful about where they hit enemies and when to fire the shot, due to the relatively light explosive content. Aim for weak spots with likelihood of overpressure i.e. optics, hatches, tops or bottom of vehicles; although players can knock out the barrel of enemy vehicles with its sheer calibre, it is always better to take out enemies with one shot to eliminate any chance of them fighting back - a necessity for any manually-loaded SPH as they take at least 15 seconds to reload.

Enemy vehicles will have no problem penetrating the vehicle from all distance with their main cannon, if their shots land on the turret front, the last thing players can hear is the huge explosion caused by the detonation of at most 26 shells in the turret; bringing less shells can mitigate this slightly, but unless players are well-used to the ballistics and where to hit, it is always better to bring more spares for follow-up shots but no more than 18 shots for maximum safety.

To utilize the maximum efficiency of the PLZ83, it is a good idea to be the second-line fire support vehicle for the team, as over-extending the vehicle can quickly end its career. As HE shells are not affected by range, any well-calculated shots on the weak spots can certainly finish off enemies with relative ease. Due to the lack of HEAT shells, taking it as a turreted ISU-152 is not really a good idea; sneaking up at corners in urban maps can sometimes achieve great results as long as players are ready for any oncoming vehicles and turn the turret beforehand; at close distance without any ballistic drop, whoever shoots and damages the enemy first wins. In case of any flying objects on the skies or light vehicles behind terrain/cover, the PLZ83 also has a VT shell for this mission; just be sure to bring a mix of both conventional HE and HE-VT shells for flexibility.

Overall, although there are major flaws in terms of firepower without more powerful HE shells, the PLZ83 gives the chance to blast enemy players with its huge shell while maintaining sufficient efficiency; just wait for the chance to deliver the fatal blow.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Slightly more generous ammo pool for the gun (albeit vastly less than [[2S3M]])
* Sufficient power/weight ratio thanks to T-54/Type 59 equivalent powerplant
* Devastating 152 mm shell with options for VT fuse
* Turret without fire-arc limits
* Relatively fast gun vertical traverse (tied with higher tier [[Bkan 1C]])
* Somewhat better gun depression than its counterparts (-3° for M109 series and -4° for 2S3M)

'''Cons:'''

* Inferior explosive mass for both shells and lacks HEAT/APHEBC shell
* HMG rated protection, anything larger can cause extensive damage to the vehicle
* Rather slow reverse speed
* Long reload time even with mechanized assist loader
* Huge turret with likelihood of detonation once penetrated
* Slow gun horizontal traverse (almost a degree slower than M109 series)

== History ==


By 1960s, although the trends of Cold War aimed for SPH systems with enclosed turret system, PLAGF was rather lacking for such vehicles with only [[SU-76M (China)|SU-76M]] and [[ISU-122 (China)|ISU-122]]/[[ISU-152 (China)|152]] serving as the SPG for the Army; further development of Type 70 SPH based on ZSD63's stretched B531 chassis and WWII era 122 mm Model 1938 M-30 (as Type 54), considering the combat compartment with no extra protection outside the vehicle, this would not be a long-term solution for PLAGF especially after late-1970s economic reform and military modernization. In 1978, PLAGF Artillery Corps delivered the request to the General Staff for a new 152 mm and waited for the theorizing from 5th Ministry of Machine Building. The development of the new SPH was handed to Factory 674 ''(NORINCO Harbin First Machinery Group Corp.)'' for the chassis systems'','' Factory 127 ''(NORINCO Qiqihar Heping Heavy Industries)'' for the gun systems and Xingguang Instrument Factory at Dexing, Jiangxi for the gunnery instruments. The overall design was then theorized for another half year and passed for development in June 1979, which only took Factory 674 another half year to deliver the first prototype to PLAGF by February 1980. The SPH incorporated with a redesigned PL66-152 howitzer for vehicular use and originally planned for an autoloader, but eventually ditched due to technical difficulties for a simplified assisted loader. The result of the certified PLZ83 also set the foundation for the future WZ321 universal chassis for the future [[PTZ89]] and PHZ89, as well as the foundation of future howitzers with completely domestic solutions; due to the introduction of Bull's GC-45 155 mm howitzer and the development of PLZ45, only 79 PLZ83(A) was produced and now serving as one of the artillery systems in PLAGF service which would very likely to be replaced by PLZ05 series or PCL181 in near future.

An export solution was shown in 1987 NORINCO's catalogue with a PL59-130 howitzer, dubbed the PLZ83-130 but earned no export orders since then.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_plz_83 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==

'''Cold War SPHs'''

* [[2S3M]] - the Soviet SPH that PLZ83 aimed for
* [[M109 (Family)|M109]] series - NATO SPH system with very long service life and upgrades
* [[Bkan 1C]] - Swedish SPH with sophisticated autoloader system

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China tank destroyers}}

Tor-M1

2024-07-19T06:11:39Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_tor_m1
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The Tor-M1 ''(GRAU: '''9K331'''; NATO: '''SA-15 Gauntlet'''; commonly known in Chinese as '''道尔-M1''')'', was bought from Russia in late 1990s to fulfill the demand for a field air-defense system and was later reverse-engineered and improved under the name of HQ-17 (红旗-17). The basis of the Tor was to replace earlier divisional SAM systems and also develop a VLS SAM for the Soviet Navy, the result of this project was the Tor systems and they have been deployed on multiple occasions through the 21st century.

Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]] as the first SAM system to receive Track-while-Scan functionality, the Tor-M1 offers valuable anti-aircraft capabilities for the Chinese tech tree and also marked the introduction of VLS systems for the game. While the 8 missiles have rather long intercept range and sustained speed before the motor burns out, as well as having a long-range search radar, players will still have to be extra careful for targets at very high azimuth (>75°), its enormous size and launch trail that will gives away its position right away.

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

The chassis of the Tor-M1 (GM-5955) is based on the GM-335 universal chassis, the same as the [[ZPRK 2S6]] in Soviet service. What makes it stands out is the huge size of the battery system; not only does it have overall large dimensions that are barely smaller than the German [[FlaRakRad]], the huge 9K330 "Scrum Half" radar system also easily gives it away during operation so fold down the search radar after confirmed detection for concealment. Its nature of a mobile SPAA battery also means that it does not have any protection against oncoming shots, the overall protection was only rated for rifle-calibre fire or shrapnel so hiding from enemies' guns and cannons is again crucial for its survival.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 9 mm ''Upper'' (45°) 9 mm ''Lower'' (37°)
| 9 mm ''Top'' 9 mm ''Bottom'' || 9 mm || 9 mm
|-
| Turret || 6 mm ''Turret front'' || 6 mm || 6 mm || 6 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 20 mm thick
* Tracking radar is 15 mm structural steel

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

Thanks to the V12 V-46-1 diesel engine developing at most 780 hp and the 569A transmission with the same gear ratios on both directions, the Tor-M1 is one of the fastest tracked SPAAs, particularly in reversing (almost twice faster than the wheeled [[Type 93]]!). This allows the Tor-M1 to keep up with the team for field air-defense, while having more than enough speed to retreat into cover when necessary.

The Tor-M1 also has a controlled suspension, which allows it to adjust the vehicle's ground clearance. It can be useful for reducing the tall profile of the Tor-M1 or peeking above terrain features when necessary.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,193|rbMinHp=743}}

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

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

{{main|9M331}}

The Tor-M1 system has only one type of missile at its disposal - the eight 9M331 missiles inside its 8 VLS cells. Thanks to its sufficient speed and advanced electronics, along with the ability to track-while-scan and track 2 targets at once, the Tor-M1 is extremely efficient at long-range anti-aircraft operations. While it is one of the most advanced systems in the game, do bear in mind radar detection angle in case of high-altitude targets (scanning azimuth can be changed via multifunction menu) and the around 1 km dead-zone of the missiles due to the cold, vertical launch (the missiles are ejected from the launcher with compressed air and ignite mid-air) - attempt to terminate any aircraft as far away as possible.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[9M331]] missile || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 8 (8) || rowspan="2" | N/A || rowspan="2" | N/A || rowspan="2" | N/A || 70.4 || 97.5 || 118.4 || 130.9 || 139.3 || rowspan="2" | 19.50 || rowspan="2" | 17.25 || rowspan="2" | 15.90 || rowspan="2" | 15.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 47.6 || 56.0 || 68.0 || 75.2 || 80.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:9M331/Ammunition|9M331}}

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''1''' || 0 ''(+1)'' || No
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the long-awaited long-range SPAA for Chinese TT players, Tor-M1 also introduces some unique features from its counterparts in different countries- the most iconic feature is the unique cold-launch VLS cells onboard that ejects the missile vertically, which then turns and ignites its motor from a safe distance. While players can enjoy the aesthetic feature of the Tor-M1, this also means that it has a minimal firing range unlike its counterparts with "direct-fire" SAMs: a 1 km dead zone around the vehicle that can be embarrassing when aircraft show up in the radius at tree-top altitude on very rare occasions. Do remember that Tor is not an SPAAG with guns, so players used to the PGZ04A will need to make extra sure nothing comes too close to handle; teaming up with friendly SPAA armed with cannons or "direct-fire" missiles is also viable for better efficiency. Though the high elevation of the sight can make sure targets that are high overhead (anywhere before 75°) will face a miserable end thanks to the radar system. The other feature of the Tor-M1 is the capability of TWS with up to 2 tracked targets. If there are multiple targets within a 15°x15° scan zone of the radar, locking the other target via the "Select Radar/IRST target to lock on" button after a missile has been launched will cause the missile to become guided by the radar towards the originally locked target, allowing the new target to be engaged simultaneously by manual guidance. Depending on the desired accuracy of acquisition, changing the scanning pattern of the radar may be necessary for targets at different altitudes at the cost of additional scans required to detect higher targets.

The speed of the GM-5955 chassis is very satisfactory for changing positions, while the extreme reverse speed can make sure the Tor-M1 can retreat to safety with ease. However, do remember that it is also a huge vehicle (one of the tallest even with radar mast folded, at 5.1 m), both ground vehicles or aircraft can see such a huge vehicle from a distance; so hide the vehicle at all costs and never move in plain open fields - the speed itself most likely won't save the vehicle, and hits from enemy explosives will very likely overpressure the crew.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

[[Drones|'''Drones''']] - Due to their relatively small size and being high-flyers, drones could be annoying targets to deal with. While they are fragile once hit, do make sure that every shot counts and beware of any other aircraft - players are likely become distracted by drones and miss other, more dangerous, targets.

'''Helicopters, especially Ka-series''' - Although the launch range is up to 12 km and able to deal with 2 targets at once (within the same scan zone), it's better for Tor-M1 to take them out straight from their bases for the least risk. Remember to take them down via the IRST tracker for best efficiency, as it doesn't trigger RWR. They might be aware of continuous lock from radars, but it might not be the case when the battlefield is full of missiles which trigger their MAWS - they will need some time to determine whether it is them or their allies being targeted. If players are not confident with the dead-zone of 1.2 km, work together with gun-equipped SPAA to eliminate close-range blind-spots.

'''Attackers, especially those with LGBs''' (ie. [[Q-5L]], [[MiG-27K]], [[Harrier GR.7]]) - A very common situation for top-tier air-defense is that, due to the awareness or carefulness for possible SPAAs in operation, most attackers choose to opt for a very high entrance altitude for the best result against the team and often against Tor system itself; in most cases, those who fly straight into the battlefield or are concentrated on ground-attacking will often miss the trail of the 9M331. For aircraft that are flying too high for radar acquisition, it is better to leave them for interceptor aircraft or other SPAAs with "direct-fire" missiles.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent mobility for such a huge vehicle with very high reverse speed
* 8 powerful, long-range SAMs
* Radar system with up to 30 km detection range
* Rather high overload for the missile, able to track targets at evading maneuvers
* Back-up IRST tracking for better concealment against enemy RWR

'''Cons:'''

* Lightly protection rated up to rifle-calibre fire, easily overpressured
* Huge size with radar raised
* Only NVD for driver available, no thermal sights
* The missile system has dead zones within 1 km and >75° due to its unique trajectory

== History ==

==== The Tor System ====
The Soviet Army developed a complete and extensive field air defense network to repel possible oncoming air assaults from their enemies, with a great variety of missile systems for short-range defense. Although there are SA-8 Gecko/9K33 Osa systems for the army, the Soviet Armed Force still requested a successor to the 9K33 system with land/sea-based systems for different platforms, tackled by the joint efforts of Antey, Fakel and Altair (now part of the Almaz-Antey). After extensive tests under the restrictions from the armed forces and the use of their latest electronics including PESA radar, the ground-based version Tor (9K330) entered service in March 1986. The -M1 variant (9K331) was a further improvement for the system including the capability of attacking 2 targets simultaneously, revised missiles, new FCS, as well as new electronics for complicated battlefields with electronic interferences. The new system joined the Soviet Army in 1991.

While they were used extensively by the succeeding countries of the Soviet Union and some export customers in various conflicts, the system was also involved in the accidental shoot-down of Ukrainian International Airlines flight 752 (PS/AUI752) in early 2020 over Tehran.

==== Chinese Purchase ====
Although the PLAGF had developed some systems of the HQ (HongQi 红旗; Red Banner) family of SAMs including HQ-7 (licensed French Crotale EDIR) and domestic HQ-61 for short-range field air-defense, the load per vehicle and range were deemed insufficient. Shortly after the fall of Soviet Union and the dire need for foreign exchange, Boris Yeltsin took Mainland China as potential buyer of the relics of Soviet Union, thus Russia held an exhibition exclusively for PLA at Beijing Nanyuan Airport (ZBNY, now closed) in April 1993 (thus earning its code, Project 934)<ref>An article introducing Yeltsin's military sales

https://military.china.com/important/64/20230106/44235173_all.html</ref>, the weapons for sales were ranging from tanks (T-80UK) to long range SAMs like S-300; not only the tri-service of PLA imported new weapons such as BM-30, Su-30MKK Flanker-H, gun-launched ATGM and Project 956EM destroyers, among these weapons, one of them stood out and happened to fit the needs for PLAGF's new short-range air-defense system: the latest Tor-M1 which was freshly introduced to Soviet Army in 1991. PLAGF signed the contract with Rosoboronexport for total of 35 systems and were delivered in 1997 and 1998<ref>[https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php SIPRI Arms Transfers Database]</ref>; these systems including the missiles were then reverse-engineered and improved with new domestic electronics around 2005 and later known as the HQ-17 system, distinguished by a shorter, rectangular "solid" PESA search radar and AESA tracking radar, as well as longer range (15 km) than the imported -M1 systems.

=== [[wt:en/news/7938-development-tor-m1-and-new-options-for-sam-based-spaags-en|Devblog]] ===
The "Tor" short-range surface-to-air missile system was put into service with the Soviet Army in 1986. At that time, "Tor" was one of the most advanced air defense missile systems in the world, but almost immediately after commissioning, the Antey Concern initiated an upgrade program. As a result of the modernization, "Tor" received an additional fire control channel, the kill ability of the missile warhead increased, and the algorithms for hitting low-flying targets were improved. The updated system designated Tor-M1 was successfully tested in 1989 and soon after entered service with the Russian army in 1991. At the moment, Tor-M1 is serving in the Russian army, as well as actively exporting.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_tor_m1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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/7938-development-tor-m1-and-new-options-for-sam-based-spaags-en|[Devblog] Tor-M1 and new options for SAM based SPAAGs]]

=== References ===
<references />

{{China anti-aircraft vehicles}}

T-50

2024-07-12T02:02:37Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{Specs-Card
|code=ussr_t_50
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was a Soviet light tank, built as replacement for T-26 and BT series tanks in late 1930s and early 1940s. The development of T-50 started in 1939 at the OKMO design bureau in Leningrad S.M. Kirov Factory No. 185 by L. Troyanov and I. Bushnevov. Two prototypes designated T-126 and T-127 were built, out of which the heavier T-126 was selected for further developement. However the design bureau was heavily impacted by the Great Purge and the design works had to be passed over to Leningrad K.E. Voroshilov Factory No. 174. Troyanov completed the T-50 design in January 1941. Meanwhile a replacement for BT tanks was designed and produced, the T-34 tank from Kharkov Locomotive Factory. The difficulties in manufacturing the T-50s aswell as their higher cost compared to T-34 led to stopping the production after 69 tanks built. Two T-50 survived to this day. One uparmoured version with appliqué armour installed was captured in 1944 by Finland and now is in Finnish Tank Museum at Parola and second standard T-50 is at Kubinka Tank Museum.

The T-50 was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41. It is an effective light tank with great sloping armour and an adequate 45 mm cannon, a great vehicle for beginners getting used to the Soviet playstyle in higher ranks. Basically, the {{PAGENAME}} is a mini T-34 and should be played as such: as a close range brawler.

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

Like its big brother, the T-34, the {{PAGENAME}} has sloped frontal armour that can bounce most shots if angled properly. The armour is especially capable at stopping rounds when facing US [[M3 (37 mm)|37 mm M3]] and German [[KwK L/42 (50 mm)|50 mm KwK L/42]] cannons, which will bounce fairly easily even without proper angling. Additionally, there aren't many vital components (ammo rack, fuel tank, majority of the crew, etc.) in the front. Firing at the front will, at best, knock out the driver and immobilize the tank. However, the gun will still be operational and the {{PAGENAME}}'s gun is more than capable of defeating opponents at its level. Therefore, it is best to aim for other parts of the tank. It has excellent armour for a light tank and its sloping makes it very effective, especially if angled properly, though its hull cheeks are somewhat vulnerable.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, turret)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Cupola)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 37 mm (53°) ''Front glacis'' 37 mm (55°) ''Cheeks'' 45 mm (53°) ''Lower glacis'' || 37 mm (40°) ''Top'' 37 mm ''Bottom'' || 25 mm (59°) ''Upper part'' 37 mm (9°) ''Centre part'' 37 mm (28°) ''Lower part'' || 15 mm
|-
| Turret || 37 mm (6-64°) ''Turret front'' 37 mm (9-54°) ''Gun mantlet''|| 37 mm (15-19°) || 37 mm (13-15°) || 15 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 37 mm (20°) || 15 mm
|-
|}
'''Note'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


As a light tank, the {{PAGENAME}} is very agile and has a very high top speed and HP ratio. Due to this, the acceleration on the {{PAGENAME}} is outstanding. Use its agility coupled with the excellent armour to perform flanking manoeuvres, destroy enemy tanks and retreat quickly. It is often used in tier 2 battles for its versatility as an aggressive scout tank.
The tracks are quite large and grant you a decent mobility on hard (solid ground, roads) and soft terrain (mud, snow, sand).
The lack of neutral steering makes turning on the spot a bit slow: make sure to build a little speed before turning.
The reverse speed is good: it will get you out of a dangerous situation quickly. The {{PAGENAME}} reaches 16 km/h when fording and 20 km/h when driving uphill.
Light and medium obstacles (fences, posts, bushes and small trees) are not a problem for the {{PAGENAME}} but large obstacles will reduce your mobility: avoid them.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 465|rbMinHp= 265}}

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

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

{{main|20-K (45 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[20-K (45 mm)|45 mm 20-K]] || 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" | 150 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 7.62 || 10.54 || 12.80 || 14.16 || 15.06 || rowspan="2" | 3.77 || rowspan="2" | 3.33 || rowspan="2" | 3.07 || rowspan="2" | 2.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 4.76 || 5.60 || 6.80 || 7.52 || 8.00
|-
|}

The {{PAGENAME}} mounts the same gun as the [[T-26|T-26]] but compensates for lack of penetration with the ability to use APCR shells. The gun is also excellent for its BR, having a fairly high velocity combined with a good HE filler amount and a very fast fire rate which makes follow up/corrective shots easy and lethal. Elevation and depression angles of the gun are important, allowing you to fire from unusual positions (behind a ridge, on a slope, etc.). Your recoil is also nonexistent.
Unfortunately, there is one major flaw with the {{PAGENAME}}: the turret traverse. It has a very slow traverse rate which makes up-close urban encounters dangerous as you can't rotate quickly to face your opponent.

==== Ammunition ====
The available ammunition is focused on engaging armoured targets:

* '''BR-240''': APHEBC; a shell with explosive filler that will knock out any tank that it penetrates with a single shot, but it has an average penetration power.
* '''BR-240SP''': APBC; a solid shot with a better penetration but no explosive filler.
* '''BR-240P''': APCR; a composite round with the best penetration but no explosive filler and that will only penetrate flat vertical surfaces.

{{:20-K (45 mm)/Ammunition|BR-240, BR-240SP, BR-240P}}

==== [[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
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''150''' || 134 ''(+16)''|| 117 ''(+33)'' || 100 ''(+50)'' || 83 ''(+67)'' || 66 ''(+84)''|| 49 ''(+101)''|| 33 ''(+117)'' || 17 ''(+133)'' || 1 ''(+149)'' || Yes
|-
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
'''Notes''':

* The visual discrepancy concerns all racks.
** Racks 1: 10 shells modeled / contains 17 shells.
** Racks 2 & 3: 14 shells modeled / contains 17 shells.
** Racks 4 & 5: 12 shells modeled / contains 17 shells.
** Racks 6: 27 shells modeled / contains 17 shells.
** Racks 7: 21 shells modeled / contains 16 shells.
** Racks 8 & 9: 12 shells modeled / contains 16 shells.
* Pack 100 ''(+50)'' shells to let the left flank empty of ammo (racks 1 to 3 emptied).
* Packing 33 ''(+117)'' shells is a good compromise to have enough shells at your disposal while reducing drastically the risk of ammo rack detonation (racks 1 to 7 emptied).

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

{{main|DT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[DT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm DT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,890 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
|-
| Coaxial || 1,890 (63) || 600 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}
The small calibre of the DT machine guns makes them largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. They still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help. Even equipped with 2 machine guns, the clip capacity is quite poor as they rely on a magazine of 63 bullets instead of a belt like similar machine guns from other nations.

== Usage in battles ==


;Combat tactics

The {{PAGENAME}} is unusual in that it combines great mobility and good armour with lacklustre firepower. It is quite capable at flanking and ambushing unsuspecting enemies, and is also adept at close range brawling.

With a high top speed and great acceleration, the {{PAGENAME}} is one of the faster tanks at its tier. With such speed, it is possible to reach desirable positions on the map well before the enemy can, and it is also possible to flank around the enemy with ease. However, sharp turning does tend to cause the {{PAGENAME}} to drift, losing speed and controllability.

This tank is also protected by a surprisingly powerful armour setup. The front and sides of the hull are sloped quite well, and this means that low tier tanks will often bounce their shells off of the {{PAGENAME}}. The turret can also be quite challenging to penetrate.

With all of this in mind, the {{PAGENAME}}'s greatest weakness is its 45 mm main cannon. It's rather weak compared to the cannons on similar tanks, and the calibre is low for the battle rating. The gun's APHE shell does fairly decent post-penetration damage if it penetrates, but this is not guaranteed. Against better-armoured tanks, it is advisable to use the APCR shell for a better chance of penetrating. The gun has a fast reload, which makes it good for engaging multiple enemies at the same time. The turret traverse is slow, which may be a hindrance in close range brawls or city battles.

;Notable Enemies:

The [[Pz.III (Disambiguation)|Pz.III]] line of tanks are equipped with powerful guns, a high rate of fire, and decent armour. This makes for a difficult opponent, but the {{PAGENAME}} can still come out on top if it takes advantage of its mobility and sloped armour. British tanks are also well-armoured, and against these vehicles it is usually better to use APCR shells over APHE shells. Although they do less post-penetration damage, they have a better chance of penetrating the enemy's armour in the first place.

;Defeating a {{PAGENAME}}:

The advice for defeating a {{PAGENAME}} is similar to many other tanks: flank it and hit the sides. This is easier said than done, of course, as the {{PAGENAME}} demonstrates excellent mobility, but with the right amount of sneaking around, it can be done. Both sides of the tank contain juicy ammo racks that are hard to miss if the tank's sides are hit, but more experienced drivers will know to empty the left wall. Therefore, it is advised to fire at the right side of the tank if possible.
If the right side is angled at an impenetrable angle, or if it simply is too difficult to hit, the next best target is the turret. Hitting it anywhere on the turret is likely to, upon penetration, wound if not knock out the three crew inside the turret. Combined with the {{PAGENAME}}'s subpar turret traverse, the {{PAGENAME}} will be in dire straits if its turret is hit. Make sure to fire at the tracks with secondary armament, if possible, to immobilize the tank so anyone could dispatch it with leisure.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Great mobility
* Decent penetration and good rate of fire
* Excellent armour, especially the sloped frontal glacis
* Provides a good learning curve for the [[T-34 (1940)]]
* Unlike the BT-series ([[BT-5]], [[BT-7]]), the {{PAGENAME}} can be driven with some precision
* It is easy to rush an enemy tank and catch it by surprise, giving a first shot advantage
* APHEBC shell has explosive filler, making it much more effective than the comparable shells in the US 37 mm and British QF 40 mm cannons
* Unlike most tanks, it has two 7.62 mm machine guns in the turret. This allows for more effective combat against SPAA and low flying aircraft

'''Cons:'''

* Penetration can be found wanting with the APHEBC shell, though generally not an issue
* The high speed makes it easy to damage the tracks, especially the first few times driving this tank
* The cannon mantlet can be easily penetrated even by starter tanks
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Cramped interior, one penetration can knock out the majority of the crew
* Thin roof armor, can be penetrated by plane cannons in an uptier

== History ==

===Development===
The Spanish Civil War gave the Soviets insight on the future of tank warfare, and the knowledge led to an attempt to upgrade or replace their tank forces that consisted mainly of the [[T-26|T-26]] light tanks. The development started in 1939 to create a replacement for the T-26 and [[BT-5|BT]] light tanks.

The prototypes created for this development were the [[T-126|T-126]] and T-127, which were similar to a previous T-46-5 project earlier abandoned. The T-126 was selected for further development and was to have two prototypes built and tested in Leningrad after the original design bureau was decimated by Stalin's Great Purge.

The design, now finalised as the '''T-50''' light tank, used innovative features in its introduction, using well-sloped welded armour, a torsion-bar suspension, diesel engine, a commander's cupola, and a three-man turret. It was also arranged for all of the tanks to accommodate radios. The T-50's design plan was completed by January 1941, and production was authorised after setting up in April. However, technical difficulties prevented this from happening. While its production was on standby, another tank with superior specifications was being tested and produced, which will end up as the [[T-34 (1940)|T-34]] medium tank.

===Production===
Though production was planned for in 1941, the Germans launched Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, which delayed the T-50 productions as tank manufacturing lines were relocated. Tanks were being produced in the Urals and that included the T-50 light tanks, finally in production. While an excellent design, it was mechanically unreliable, expensive, and hard to produce compared to the T-34 and another light tank design, the [[T-60]]. Because of these issues, only 69 T-50s were made before production ended in January 1942. During production, two variants were made, a basic model and an up-armoured model with extra bolted or welded metal plates. The basic model had a 37 mm frontal armour thickness, while the up-armoured version could have 57 mm thickness.

===Combat usage===
Despite the low numbers, the ones available were sent to Leningrad where they saw most of their service. Some were also used in the Continuation War against Finland as the Finnish were able to capture one up-armoured version in 1944. After that, its role was largely replaced by the more numerous and capable T-34 tanks, and it was relegated to reconnaissance roles when available.

Today, two T-50 tanks survive, one basic in the Kubinka Tank Museum, and the up-armoured variant in Finland at a museum in Parola.

{{break}}
{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
This tank was developed in 1940 to replace the T-26 light tank, whose main task was direct infantry support on the battlefield. The T-50 was solidly armoured, well armed and equipped with a powerful diesel engine. It had a classical layout, with the driving and fighting compartments in the front of the vehicle and the engine transmission compartment in the rear. The armour plating on its hull was sloped at a steep angle. Its streamlined turret was fully welded. The tank seated three crew. The rear of the turret's roof contained a command cupola with seven observation slots protected by armoured hatches. The vehicle was armed with a 45 mm 20K Mod. 1938 cannon and two 7.62 mm DT coaxial machine guns.

Thanks to its 300 hp B-4 diesel engine, the vehicle's road speed came to 52 km/h in spite of its 13.8 tonne mass. Two fuel tanks with an overall capacity of 350 litres gave it an operational range of up to 344 km by road. Road wheels with internal cushioning and torsion-bar suspension were mounted in the tank's undercarriage.

These tanks were mass-produced by factory No. 174. Between July 1941 and February 1942, 69 of these tanks were built. The tank's construction was far more complicated than that of the T-26. The inline six-cylinder diesel engine designed for it was very difficult for the industry to adopt into its manufacturing processes.

The T-50 was primarily used on the Leningrad front. Several tanks were equipped with add-on armour plates during field maintenance. During the battles of 1941, one vehicle was captured by Finnish troops and was used right up to the end of 1954.

The tank turned out to be functionally designed and well balanced, with overall optimal combat and service characteristics. Its armament, armour and mobility were equal to the German PzKpfw III medium tank, and it had significantly smaller dimensions and lower combat-loaded weight.
{{Navigation-End}}

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_t_50 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|Tr-1BHTvokk|'''The Shooting Range #209''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:36 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[T-126]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/3250/current|[Vehicle Profile] T-50]]
* [[wikipedia:T-50_tank|[Wikipedia] T-50 tank]]

{{TankManufacturer OKMO}}
{{USSR light tanks}}

Q-5L

2024-07-09T02:36:27Z

U41531792: /* Offensive armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese strike aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = Q-5 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=q_5l
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The Q-5L (Chinese: 强-5L型强击机; unified NATO Codename: Fantan) was one of the final versions of the Q-5 family developed in the early 2000s, focusing on improving the electronics for ground-attack capabilities. China had been closely observing the USAF's guided munitions since the Vietnam War, during which their AGM-62 Walleyes performed exceptionally well in attacking critical infrastructure to stall attacks from the Viet Cong. Due to political turmoil, the PLAAF failed to acquire foreign targeting pods, so testing of domestic LGBs and guidance pods began in the 1990s with various prototypes. Although the plan for a 2-plane formation, where one plane would carry bombs and the other a target pod, was abandoned, the new avionics of the Q-5II (Q-5C; suffixed with L when upgraded) and Q-5D (suffixed with N) ensured the capability of the single jet to strike enemies with LGBs. These upgrades became the standard for the Q-5s before their ultimate decommission in the early 2010s.

Introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]], the Q-5L has an increased bomb payload and updated avionics such as a new FLIR sensor underneath the nose. However, it is still not any better in air combat than the [[Q-5A]] because it lacks air-to-air missiles and, in fact, loses the valuable chaff/flare dispenser. Its deficits in air-to-air combat and fragility are compensated for by access to laser-guided bombs and a targeting pod with thermal optics, all at a much lower battle rating than the [[Jaguar GR.1A]] or [[Mirage 2000D-R1]]. In Ground RB, a well-flown Q-5L can destroy enemy vehicles without much concern for enemy air defenses.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

For players who have flown the Q-5 series, Q-5L still retains the same flight performance - although sharing many parts with the [[J-6A]], due to the lack of weight-reduction measures, Q-5s are in fact structurally overweight; while it has better sustained turn to heavier jets such as Phantoms thanks to its engines, do note that the weight issue still haunts the jet. Beware of any targets that have higher manoeuvrability, although your higher speed might save you from subsonic jets, any supersonic jets will have no problem chasing a Q-5L. Another note is that the Q-5L still retains the same control surface lock-up at transonic speeds (>850 km/h and before hitting Mach 1.0), use the airbrakes according to the situation for both regaining control or "snap-shots" on enemy targets.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max speed (km/h at 7,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1,434 || 1,430 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 25.4 || 25.7 || 139.4 || 129.4 || rowspan="2" | 850
|-
! Upgraded
| 1,454 || 1,444 || 24.6 || 25.0 || 186.5 || 162.0
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || ✓ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| 1,260  || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 500 || 450 || ~9 || ~5
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 540 || < 650 || < 350 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="5" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Shenyang Liming WP-6A-III || 2
| colspan="2" | 6,598 kg || colspan="3" | 337 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 34m fuel
|-
| 725 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 7,446 kg || 8,215 kg || 9,024 kg || 9,425 kg || 12,457 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="5" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 34m fuel || MGW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 2,650 kgf || 3,713 kgf
| 1.00 || 0.90 || 0.82 || 0.79 || 0.59
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 2,677 kgf (1,000 km/h) || 3,789 kgf (1,000 km/h)
| 1.02 || 0.92 || 0.84 || 0.80 || 0.61
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}


* 10 mm steel plate behind nose cone
* 4.5 + 8 mm bulletproof glass in front of the cockpit
* 8 mm steel plate underneath cockpit
* 16 mm steel armoured pilot's seat
* 10 + 25 mm steel armoured pilot's headrest
* Self-sealing fuel tanks behind cockpit and underneath engines in rear fuselage

The Q-5L shares the same protection as its predecessors. Due to the need for ground attack and some protection for the pilot, the cockpit is enclosed by steel plates and comes with bulletproof glass. While this might not be sufficient against any autocannons at the rank, it could at least make sure the pilot will not be knocked out right away by incoming shots or shrapnel. The engines are still unprotected, but the installation of fire suppression systems allows the Q-5L to have greater odds to survive a fire onboard.

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Tick}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Type 23-2K (23 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 2 x 23 mm Type 23-2K cannons, wing-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)

The Type 23-2K cannons should be more than familiar to experienced Fantan users. Many of the Q-5L's opponents will be supersonic aircraft, and the substandard muzzle velocity and inconsistent damage per shot can be annoying. Still, they are its only air-to-air weapon.

Q-5L does not have impressive offensive weapons such as effective air-to-air missiles.

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}


The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! !! width="6%" | 1 !! width="6%" | 2 !! width="6%" | 3 !! width="6%" | 4 !! width="6%" | 5 !! width="6%" | 6 !! width="6%" | 7
| rowspan="10" width="30%" | <div class="ttx-image">[[File:Hardpoints_{{PAGENAME}}.png]]</div>
|-
! [[250-3 (250 kg)|250 kg 250-3]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 4 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[250-4 (250 kg)|250 kg 250-4]] bombs
| 1 || 1 || || 4 || || 1 || 1
|-
! [[500-3 (500 kg)|500 kg 500-3]] bombs
| || 1 || || || || 1 ||
|-
! [[500-4 (500 kg)|500 kg 500-4]] bombs
| || 1 || || || || 1 ||
|-
! [[TS250 (260 kg)|260 kg TS250]] bombs
| || 1* || || || || 1* ||
|-
! [[LS-500J (570 kg)|570 kg LS-500J]] bombs
| || 1* || || || || 1* ||
|-
! [[Type 90-1]] rockets
| || 7 || 7 || || 7 || 7 ||
|-
! [[Type 130-2]] rockets
| || 4 || 4 || || 4 || 4 ||
|-
! K/PZS-01 targeting pod
| || || || 1* || || ||
|-
| colspan="9" | * The K/PZS-01 targeting pod must be carried when equipping laser-guided bombs
|-
|}

{{Navigation-Start|Default weapon presets}}
{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}

* Without load
* 28 x Type 90-1 rockets
* 16 x Type 130-2 rockets
* 2 x 260 kg TS250 bombs (520 kg total)
* 2 x 570 kg LS-500J bombs (1,140 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg 250-3 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 8 x 250 kg 250-4 bombs (2,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg 500-3 bombs (1,000 kg total)
* 2 x 500 kg 500-4 bombs (1,000 kg total)
{{Navigation-End}}

The good news for players of the Q-5L is that the PLAAF have finally ditched the -2 series bombs for the streamlined -3 series low-drag bombs, in addition to the ability to carry greater payloads. Players can take eight 250-3 bombs which, combined with the ballistic computer, could do extensive damage to multiple targets. While the option for a pair of 500-3 bombs on the wings also exists, in most cases the 250 kg bombs are more than enough to take down tanks of the rank. Both payloads are also now finally sufficient to (barely) destroy a base in Air RB.

Thanks to the technological advances of the early 2000s, the Q-5L also receives "smart bombs" in the 260 kg TS250 and 500 kg LS-500J laser-guided bombs. Combined with the K/PZS-01 targeting pod with excellent thermal sights, both of these bombs can make sure the enemies will have a really bad day while you can keep yourself out of trouble by dropping the bombs from higher altitude. The TS250 is unlocked first and contains an underwhelming 91 kg of TNT equivalent. The LS-500J is much better with 220 kg of TNT and can quite consistently destroy clustered enemy tanks. Note that the targeting pod blocks the underbelly pylons from being used to carry unguided bombs.

For players that feel that bombs are not their cup of tea, there are still options for 90 mm and 130 mm rockets at their disposal; while both of them can be guided by ballistic computer as well, do note that they don't have as many salvoes as their NATO/Warsaw Pact counterparts, so aim carefully before firing upon light targets or careless MBTs, taking them out using the high penetration HEAT warheads of the 90-1 or the explosive mass of the 130-2 rockets.

== Usage in battles ==

The Q-5L shares many similar features to previous Fantans: the same bulky MiG-19/J-6-based airframe with high acceleration. While there are some changes to the avionics and weapons, in most scenarios Q-5L flies like all the other Fantans.

==== Not-so Fighter ====
An everlasting flaw of the Q-5s is the overweight airframe due to the limits of materials, this still applies to the Q-5L, though it has some parts of the airframe reinforced with modern materials. In most cases, using the Q-5L as a makeshift fighter is not a great idea as the airframe hinders the overall manoeuvrability; yes, it could still surprise in outturning supersonic jets of its rank or sometimes higher, but do remember that the Q-5 is an attacker and doesn't have the manoeuvrability at high speeds, especially at transonic speeds where the control surfaces lock up and might cause trouble when attempting to level out from a dive. To say the least, if enemy fighters are at lower speeds and lack the acceleration to escape from the Q-5L's pair of WP-6III engines, in most cases a sustained turnfight is enough to take them down with ease, assuming the pilot is used to the subpar ballistic performance of 23-2K cannons onboard. In some cases, even jets with delta wings will fall victim to the Q-5L with its superior manoeuvring energy retention. However, only take on enemies when they are on their own, as a prolonged dogfight means that supersonic enemy backup could quickly arrive and turn the tables.

Since the airframe has been reinforced, the Q-5L can carry up to 2 tons of bombs in a single run: for the more dedicated role of being an attacker, taking eight 250-3 bombs are barely sufficient to take down a base at its rank: although this also means you have to land and rearm often, this at least gives the Q-5L a chance to earn extra research points. Using the new CCRP function alongside bomb series makes it very easy to bomb bases and turn around early. While bombing AI targets is still viable, only do it when the skies are clear from enemies as the Q-5L lacks countermeasures against enemy missiles.

Using the Q-5L as a bomb truck will still leave the inner wing pylons available for carrying rockets. Two pods of 130 mm rockets can be fired at bases for additional points. More creatively, two pods of 90 mm rockets can be carried for use as makeshift flares in a tactic pioneered by contemporary attackers like the [[MiG-23BN (Germany)|MiG-23BN]]. Although 14 rockets is a long way from the MiG-23BN's swarms of 57 mm rockets, they are still better than nothing and can help the Q-5L survive a head-on or two from all-aspect missiles like the [[R-60M]].

==== Payback with Vengeance ====
While players might not have a good time in aerial combat, the Q-5L brings in a very valuable feature for PLAAF jets: a full-fledged ballistic computer and guided bombs. To players suffering from enemy jet attackers in ground battles, the Q-5L lets enemies taste their own medicine to some extent. Thanks to the new HUD and sensors onboard, the Q-5L is able to achieve precise strikes with either its bombs or rockets. The new targeting pod onboard provides a thermal vision sight, while the jet itself also has a built-in 1.5x camera for acquisition. For the safest approach against enemy targets, take either the 250/500 kg LGBs (TS250/LS-500J) alongside the targeting pod and climb to at least 6 km before entering the battlefield as this lowers the odds of being pinged by SAM radar and MANPADS of the rank have very little chance of hitting targets at such altitude. Do note that due to the limited view angle of the pod, you might sometimes have to dive in for a better lock, make sure to deploy airbrakes for maximum control.

Zoom-climbing to high altitudes and tossing laser-guided bombs in "orbital strikes" is a safe and relaxing way to destroy enemy SAMs, who cannot hide from the thermal targeting pod and will often have trouble detecting or hitting the Q-5L at such a high elevation. This anti-SAM capability is unparalleled for the Q-5L's battle rating. The bomb will take a long time to reach the ground however, so keep an eye on the battlefield and switch targets if needed. After SAMs are cleared, the Q-5L is free to start diving closer. Even after the LGBs are spent, the targeting pod can still be used to find and track targets to use unguided ordnance on - newly spawned revenge SAMs for example can be given a rude welcome of HE rockets.

However, even before any LGBs have been researched, the Q-5L still has a range of unguided ordnance including GP bombs and rocket pods; the ballistic computer onboard can make sure the ordnance lands as close as possible to the designated target. Leave the bombs for (groups of) tanks, and use the rockets against light vehicles or enemy SPAA who aren't aware of your existence.

The Q-5L's lack of air-to-air capability is not as relevant in Ground RB, but it is still important to keep an eye out for enemy aircraft because of its high fragility. A crafty opponent can counter the Q-5L by bringing out a jet with powerful missiles. It only takes one [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]] to send the Q-5L back to the hangar if the pilot is staring through the targeting pod for minutes at a time. Watch the enemy air spawn, avoid giving opponents opportunities to launch their missiles, and use rockets as flares if needed. A skilled Fantan veteran can still out-dogfight overconfident attackers when not carrying bombs. Friendly TY-90-equipped Chinese helicopters like the [[Z-9W]] are ironically more effective in air combat than the Q-5L, so bait pursuers near them if possible.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* New HUD with ballistic computer
* Built-in TVD camera for target acquisition; alternatively equipped with an advanced targeting pod
* Access to 250/500 kg laser-guided bombs
* Sufficient manoeuvrability at around 700 km/h
* Great acceleration thanks to the WP-6-IIIA engines
* Access to RWR

'''Cons:'''

* Same bulky airframe as all its predecessors and still locks up at transonic speeds
* The built-in camera only has 1.5x magnification and limited rotation range
* Lacks any type of AAM and countermeasures, unlike its technological predecessor [[A-5C]]
* Type 23-2K cannons needs extra practice against aerial targets
* Subpar payload to its NATO/Warsaw Pact counterparts

== History ==

The Q-5L variant of the Q-5 family traces back to two other variants, the Q-5E/F, in the late 1990s.

As part of the efforts to develop domestic precision munitions against enemies' infrastructure inspired by the USAF's AGM-62 and GBU-12 bombs in the Vietnam War and Gulf War, the PLAAF accelerated the development of LGBs in December 1996 with a plan for the precision munitions where either a single jet would carry both the targeting pod and the bombs for an attack run, or it would be guided by another Q-5/ground-based designators; both Factory 612 and 613 in Shaanxi started their respective development on an LGB and the targeting pod. A few brand-new Q-5Ds were then modified into Q-5E and Q-5F as the carrier and designator respectively, where Q-5F would guide the bombs dropped from Q-5E onto the target. Although both jets passed for certification in the early 2000s, it was deemed that 2 separated jets for a run wasn't viable and the project was ditched.

In the mid-1990s, after the previous projects of A-5M and A-5K were canceled by the 1989 Crackdown, the PLAAF requested for a domestic digital upgrade for later batches of Q-5III and Q-5D with new HUD and sensors for precision assaults, as well as as the placeholder before the XAC JH-7 Feibao (NATO: Flounder) entered mass-production. Those jets which were modified from the Q-5II (Q-5C after new nomenclature was issued to replace the numeral suffix) were designated Q-5L with new antennas and stabilized opto-electronic camera in the nose for target acquisition (while Q-5Ds with these upgrades were named Q-5N) , as well as the capability of carrying the targeting pod on its own for attack runs. With the older avionics replaced with more advanced ones, the new jet entered service in 2005 alongside Q-5Ns that were modified from the Q-5D and served as the economical alternatives to new jets before they were eventually replaced by fighters with multirole features such as J-10A, Feibao, and Flankers in 2017. <ref>PP.77-82, ''The Rising East Wind- The Biography of Q-5 Attacker'' by Lao Bi and Liu Ming, NAAS & Inertial Technology, ISSN 1009-5497, 2014</ref>

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=q_5l Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|Gy87KuguGJA|'''The Shooting Range #329''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


;[[Q-5 (Family)|Q-5 (NATO: Fantan) Family]]

* [[Q-5 early]]- LRIP of Q-5
* [[Q-5A]]- Base model of Q-5s
* [[A-5C]]- Export model of Q-5 and the technological predecessor of Q-5L

== External links ==


=== References ===
<references />

{{AirManufacturer Nanchang}}
{{China jet aircraft}}

ZBD86

2024-07-04T06:17:40Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = BMP-1 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_86
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|GarageImage ZBD86Late.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (ZBD86式步兵战车; industry code: WZ501) is the Chinese reverse-engineered version of the Soviet [[BMP-1]] which was acquired from military equipment exchanges with Egypt in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, during military modernization, the PLAGF faced a pressing need for a new IFV for its mechanized troops. As a result, one of the stored BMP-1s from Egypt was transported to Mainland China for evaluation. In order to expedite the development of a new IFV, the Central Military Commission approved plans to reverse-engineer the BMP-1, despite its underperforming gun systems. The WZ501 was subsequently built in December 1980, incorporating some domestic subsystems. However, due to testing and manufacturing flaws, engineers took nearly 8 years to finalize the design, making additional changes that happened to align with the improvements made to the later BMP-1 variants. The ZBD86 successfully passed state certification in 1986 and began production in April 1987, initially with placeholder gun systems. After failed attempts to introduce American and British turrets, the ZBD86 eventually received new 25/30 mm autocannon turrets in the late 1990s, becoming the ZBD86-I and ZBD86A respectively. These versions are still in service and recently competed with their ideological counterpart, the BMP-2, in the Army Games jointly held by Russia and Mainland China, where the ZBD86A demonstrated superior performance.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the ZBD86 can be considered a Chinese variant of the BMP-1, being nearly identical to the original Soviet version when stock, with the exception of the absence of rolled-up canvas on the turret sides. However, this vehicle possesses a hidden advantage: the "ZBD86 Late" modification. This equips it with the HJ-73E ATGM, a highly potent derivative of the original "Malyutka" SACLOS control and a tandem warhead. When employed effectively, the HJ-73E can neutralize any target the ZBD86 encounters, irrespective of ERA or composite armour protection. This makes the ZBD86 a valuable asset in uptiers and a versatile vehicle overall.

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


The ZBD86 has very little to speak of in the armour department. Minimal frontal and nearly non-existent side armour results in the vehicle being vulnerable to almost any incoming fire. At most it can be counted on to shrug off heavy machine gun fire from the front. As such, the vehicle's survivability stems entirely from its mobility and reasonably small profile. Where possible, utilise hills or other cover, only exposing as much of the vehicle as is necessary to engage an unaware target.

The thin armour renders the ZBD86 vulnerable to overpressure damage from chemical munitions, nearby artillery impacts, and aircraft ordnance. Be very cautious of aircraft and do not stick around under artillery fire.

Despite the lack of armour, however, the ZBD86 will, on occasion, survive hits unexpectedly - the internals of the vehicle are largely non-critical and many rounds will over-penetrate, particularly subcalibre rounds.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 7-12 mm (80°) ''Front glacis'' 19 mm (56°) ''Lower glacis'' || 16 mm (3-18°) ''Top'' 18 + 4 mm ''Bottom'' || 16 mm (12°) ''Top'' 12 mm (48°) ''Bottom'' 12 mm (8-51°) ''Doors'' || 6 mm 5 mm ''Engine exhausts''
|-
| Turret || 23 mm (0-53°) ''Turret front'' 33 + 26 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 13-23 mm (24-37°) || 13 mm (23-26°) || 6 mm
|-
| Cupola || 7 mm || 7 mm || 7 mm || 7 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 10 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 6 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=465|rbMinHp=265}}

The ZBD86's mobility is reasonably good, although somewhat lacking relative to other IFVs. Despite that, once it gets moving it can travel at a decent pace. It can reach around 45 km/h when driving off-road on flat terrain.

Be aware when attempting flanking manoeuvres and early pushes that there are vehicles with better mobility characteristics, and in many cases you'll encounter a vehicle before reaching a desirable position.

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

The modules and stock grind of the ZBD86 are very similar to the BMP-1. The main difference is that that the "ZBD86 Late" modification is present instead of the BMP-1P modification. "ZBD86 Late" upgrades the vehicle's ATGM and adds smoke grenades, as on the BMP-1P, but does not remove the autoloader. Thus, a spaded ZBD86 will always reload and is not dependent on crew reload skills compared to a spaded BMP-1. The smoke grenades are mounted on the turret cheeks, three per side, instead of residing behind the turret as on the BMP-1P.

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}

{{main|Type 86 (73 mm)}}

The Type 86 main cannon is a somewhat finicky weapon. The penetration of the DYP-73 HEAT round is no higher than the [[Type 62]]'s HEATFS but the muzzle velocity of 665 m/s is lower, making it difficult to use at long range. Still, the gun reloads in only 6 seconds and has an autoloader. It can be quite lethal at close quarters with careful aim and knowledge of enemy modules, these factors being important due to the limited post-penetration damage. For targets with larger volumes, it is best to aim for ammo racks. If that is difficult or risky, disable their gun and mobility first. DYP-73 has a TNT equivalent of about 480 g and might cause overpressure damage to light targets on occasion. Keep in mind that the {{PAGENAME}} does not feature any sort of stabilisation at all, and due to its light weight the gun is near impossible to get on target at speed.

There is almost no reason to use the DYS-73 HE round. Its muzzle velocity is an abysmal 290 m/s and it has minimal penetration, making it useless against armoured targets, it can only be used against open-topped ATGM carriers similar to the [[M113A1 (TOW) (China)|M113]] or super light ATGM carriers of BR 9.0+, like the [[Wiesel 1A2]] (but these will probably know better and just dodge).

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 86 (73 mm)|73 mm Type 86]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Autoloader
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+30° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 19.0 || 26.4 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.6 || rowspan="2" | 6.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 86 (73 mm)/Ammunition|DYP-73, DYS-73}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_BMP-1.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''40''' || 1 ''(+39)'' || No
|-
|}

The single ammunition rack consists of a shell barillet located around the turret basket.

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|HJ-73|HJ-73E}}

'''HJ-73'''

The {{PAGENAME}} comes with a rail-mounted manually-guided ATGM as stock, initially aimed manually and with somewhat mediocre penetration and explosive mass values. While occasionally useful, generally the main gun is easier and more reliable. Use it at long range against enemies who are not paying attention or to finish off a crippled target while the main gun is reloading. It does not have enough penetration to bypass ERA.

4 x HJ-73 ATGM

* Guidance type: MCLOS
* Firing range: 3 km

'''HJ-73E'''

Once the ZBD-86 Late upgrade is researched, the HJ-73 ATGM is replaced with a HJ-73E. Despite the new ATGM retaining the rail-mount, it is significantly more powerful and easier to use due to its semi-automatic guiding system. It penetrates more than twice as much as the original HJ-73 and ignores ERA due to the tandem-charge warhead. This will go clean through almost any target that the ZBD86 can encounter, even those equipped with early composite armour. It has enough penetration to go through the turret cheek of the [[M1 Abrams]]! Despite having a significantly lower TNT equivalent of 1.83 kg compared to the original HJ-73, the HJ-73E has excellent post-penetration damage due to its sheer penetration power. A center mass impact should be enough to take out all but the most voluminous targets.

Keep in mind that the ATGM can only be fired when stopped or at extremely low speeds. It also travels more slowly at 130 m/s compared to the 205 m/s of the BMP-1P's 9M113 ATGM.

4 x HJ-73E ATGM (ZBD-86 Late)

* Guidance type: SACLOS
* Firing range: 3 km

==== Ammunition ====
{{:HJ-73/Ammunition|HJ-73}}
{{:HJ-73E/Ammunition|HJ-73E}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_BMP-1.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''4''' || 3 ''(+1)'' || 1 ''(+3)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* The missiles are listed from M1 to M4. M2 is the 1st rack. M3-M4 constitutes the 2nd rack.

=== Machine guns ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|4}}

{{main|Type 86 (7.62 mm)}}

The {{PAGENAME}} comes equipped with a coaxial 7.62 mm Type 86 machine gun. This is only useful for clearing small obstacles or exposed crew in open-top vehicles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 86 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Type 86]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 700 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


Some experience with the previous [[Type 62]] will transfer to the ZBD86. Both are armed with HEAT rounds, have similar mobility, and are best used in ambushes. The ZBD86 enjoys a significantly faster reload, better turret rotation speed, and powerful ATGMs to supplement the main gun. However, the ZBD86 has poorer defensive properties since it's a larger target and has worse gun depression. It is even more important to maintain stealth and good positioning, but on the bright side it can unleash a lot of pain onto its victims upon a successful attack.

The ZBD86 is a shoot-and-scoot type of vehicle as an exposed ZBD86 is a dead ZBD86 - avoid being a target at all costs. Use your mobility to find reasonable sniping spots for the ATGM that have a good view and cover to hide behind. The cannon is helpful at close quarters, where targeting crew members and ammo racks is easy, but is difficult to aim precisely at medium or long range. At these distances, the traditional 1-2 punch of first firing the main gun and quickly following up with an ATGM is viable. Remember that if ''anything'' sees you, it can destroy you - even a .50 cal will make quick work of the ZBD86 from the sides or back. Retreat back into cover while reloading and be careful if you have damaged a target without crippling them; once an enemy knows your position, it becomes far easier for them to destroy you.

The ZBD86's HEAT shell can be formidable against light tanks and SPAAs since these vehicles tend to have smaller volumes and more tightly clustered crew. It is generally the best to aim for crew compartments so that the HEAT jet can do as much work as possible; the explosive content may or may not be able to trigger overpressure damage depending on the target and impact zone, so count it as a nice surprise if it happens. Vehicles equipped with stabilized autocannons like the [[Falcon]], [[Gepard]], or [[M3 Bradley]] can easily maul the thinly-protected ZBD86, so do not pop out in plain sight and do your best to disable them in one shot. ATGMs are typically better saved for armoured targets but it usually only takes one of them to blow a light target to smithereens.

The HJ-73E is an enticing weapon since its tandem warhead and extremely high penetration will maul any vehicle it meets. ERA-equiped tanks like the [[Magach 3 (USA)|Magach 3]], [[Sho't Kal Dalet (Great Britain)|Sho't Kal Dalet]], and [[Centurion Mk.5 AVRE]], which the original BMP-1 might struggle with, can be given a very rude surprise. Tough heavy tanks with steel armour can also be dispatched easily, making the ZBD86 a giant-slayer of sorts. Unfortunately, the HJ-73E travels slowly and is mounted on an upward-tilted launch rail like the basic HJ-73, which make it inconvenient to use at both close quarters and long range. Keep a healthy distance of at least 200 m from your target before launching the ATGM. For long distance engagements, try to use the HJ-73E against targets that are either immobile and not paying attention or exposed in the open without much cover. It is also important to stay close to cover yourself while launching the ATGM, as attentive enemies can deduce your location and guiding the missile requires staying in the line-of-sight and thus being at least partially exposed for the entire flight duration.

A lucky opponent (and/or one with a lot of machine guns) may be able to shoot the HJ-73E out of the air due to its slow flight speed. If they attempt this, the counter is to guide the missile on a less predictable path while it makes its way to the target, only aiming directly when it gets close. A similar tactic can be helpful against enemies that are not immediately focusing on the ZBD86 but may react to a missile heading straight towards them; for example, launching and guiding the HJ-73E in a different direction while keeping them in view might fool them into thinking that you are aiming at another target, which does not arouse the same panic factor, but snapping your aim to them at the last second as a bootleg form of terminal guidance will leave them very little time to duck into cover or deploy smoke grenades. Remember that these kinds of fancy missile manoeuvres take longer, leaving the ZBD86 more exposed, so it is still best to prioritize unaware targets and use direct aim.

Be very careful of aircraft, as the boxy ZBD86 is easy to spot from above. With only 6-7 mm of roof armour, it's trivial for contemporary planes to riddle it with holes. When planes are around, take advantage of the smoke grenades and ESS to mask your position when necessary. If there are buildings and trees to hide among, even better.

The ZBD86 can research NVD, which can help during night battles to increase visibility. NVD is available in commander, gunner, driver and outside viewports. Once purchased, the NVD modification also allows the use of a infrared spotlight to help illuminate targets if they are hard to see. However, it is mounted to the hull, and as such will require the hull to be rotated to illuminate anything.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good mobility
* One of the earliest ATGM light tanks, one of the earliest to receive mouse-guided (SACLOS) ATGMs, first to receive tandem warhead ATGM
* Amphibious ability allows it to reach positions that other vehicles struggle to
* Remains competitive in uptiers with its autoloader, HEAT shells, and ATGMs
* All ammunition types are default and as such have no cost
* HJ-73E ATGM has extremely high penetration for its rank, counters ERA equipped tanks
* Equipped with a night vision device

'''Cons:'''

* Mediocre reverse speed for a light tank
* Chemical ammunition only, may struggle to damage vehicles with ERA like the [[Centurion Mk.5 AVRE]] without the HJ-73E
* All available ammunition is hyper-sensitive and will detonate on hitting light obstacles such as fences or bushes
* Somewhat large silhouette for a light tank
* Poor gun depression
* No stabilizer
* Only three crew members, the commander and driver are clustered together
* Vulnerable to heavy machine gun and light cannon fire, particularly from the sides or top
* Very vulnerable to aircraft, helicopters, and artillery
* Infrared spotlight mounted to hull, won't rotate with turret when NVD is on
* HJ-73E is tilted upwards which makes close targets impossible to hit

== History ==

{{main|BMP-1#History|l1=History of the BMP-1}}

The People's Republic of China produced many Soviet vehicles such as the [[Type 59]]/[[T-54 (1951)|T-54]] and [[J-6A|J-6]]/[[MiG-19PT|MiG-19]] under license during its early years, when relations with the Soviet Union were cordial. However, the Sino-Soviet split starting from the early 1960s significantly toned down the cooperation between the two countries. When the BMP-1 first entered service around 1968, the Soviet Union was unwilling to share this new and novel vehicle with China. The BMP-1 was exported to numerous Soviet client states however, and some of these countries like Egypt were on good terms with China. A BMP-1 example was delivered to China from Egypt in the early 1980s and the design was subsequently reverse engineered into the '''ZBD86''', also known as "Type 86", entering service with the PLA in 1986. The original ZBD 86 model was mostly identical to the BMP-1, featuring a copy of the 9M14 Malyutka ATGM called the "[[HJ-73]]", but since almost two decades had passed since the BMP-1's original introduction, the design was in need of improvements. The "NFV-1" variant was designed for export in collaboration with the American FMC company, featuring a [[M242 (25 mm)|25 mm M242 Bushmaster cannon]] in a redesigned turret. The NFV-1 did not enter service, but Chinese designers learned from the project that for IFVs, autocannons were significantly more practical than the original 73 mm low-velocity cannon. Subsequent models were all armed with autocannons. The ZBD 86-I was the first updated variant to enter mass production and was equipped with the same M242 cannon in an unusual overhead turret, apparently lacking ATGM capability, along with a more powerful engine. The modernized "ZBD86A" variant used ZPT99 30 mm autocannon (domestic version of [[2A72 (30 mm)|2A72]], imported in parallel to the BMP-3 turret brought from Russia) in an angular and more traditional turret that could once more mount an upgraded version coded [[HJ-73E]] which enhances its odds to fight back heavier vehicles . Over 3,000 ZBD 86s have been produced and over 1,000 are still in service today. However, they have been supplanted in recent years by more advanced Chinese IFVs such as the ZBD04 series, which boast much better protection and armament.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_86 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|SJoW-2_6J6o|'''Amphibious tanks''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 5:15 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|2h5kFyznXKU|'''Best IFVs''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 0:29 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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 ==


=== References ===

;Bibliography

* David B. (2015, December 1). BMP-1. Tank Encyclopedia. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/USSR/soviet_BMP-1.php
* BMP-1. (2020, March 25). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=BMP-1&oldid=947316322

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}
[[Category:ATGM vehicles]]

PLZ83

2024-07-01T02:24:54Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Chinese tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the gift version
| link = PLZ83-130
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_plz_83
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (PLZ83式152毫米自行加榴炮) was the very first self-propelled howitzer of PLAGF from 1980s as the key equipment of army mechanization. Due to the lag in development of general-purpose tracked platforms and the demand for replacement SPHs for the fleet of WWII Soviet tank destroyers, the PLAGF had already attempted to modify the [[ZSD63|ZSD63 chassis]] into the Type 70-I SPH with an obsolete 122 mm WWII era howitzer, with almost non-existent protection and reliability. Soon after the approval of economic reform and military modernization in 1978, the PLAGF issued the mission to vehicle factories for a domestic 152 mm SPH; thanks to the joint efforts of the three factories involved, the prototype was soon built in 1980 and two more were produced in 1981, using the new WZ321 tracked platform specifically for heavy guns. The vehicle, now named Type 83 (PLZ83 after 1987) was certified in November 1983 and was publicly shown in the 35th National Day parade. With new guided 152 mm shells and integration into the PLAGF's datalink network, both PLZ83 and PLZ83A are still one of the cornerstones of the PLAGF artillery corps until the more advanced 155 mm PLC181 and PLZ05 series replace the remaining 152 mm calibre towed guns and SPH.

Introduced in [[Update "Kings of Battle"]] as the first domestic SPH of the Chinese ground tech tree, players will see similarities with the [[2S3M]], as both of them were based on the same D-20 (PL66) 152 mm howitzer.

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

Some similarities can be found between the PLZ83 and later [[PTZ89]] - they are both based on the WZ321 tracked platform developed in the 1980s. Although it is not as protected as its Soviet counterpart, the [[2S3M]], the PLZ83 still has sufficient protection to stop .50 calibre rounds up front at point-blank range (aside from the LFP); for an SPH, this is certainly good news as enemies have to utilize their autocannons or larger calibre cannons to destroy the vehicle, although it is wise to avoid the frontline at all as this will vastly increase its risk of being destroyed. As an SPH, the PLZ83 has a relatively tall profile to house its 152 mm howitzer, meaning that it will give itself away quickly without foliage or indestructible cover; so be sure to hide the vehicle from the sight of enemy vehicles. Being hit in the hull or the turret can bring completely different outcomes - while the hull can sometimes survive oncoming shots thanks to the engine block or the driver, 26 rounds are stowed in the turret behind the 3 turret crew, so any penetrated shots from APCBC with explosive filler can send the turret flying.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Structural steel (side skirts)


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (58°-75°) ''Upper glacis''
15 + 15 mm (4°-55°) ''Lower glacis''
| 15 mm (19°-60°) ''Turret ring extension'' 15 mm (0°-4°) ''Side''
4 mm (0°) ''Side skirts''
| 15 mm (0°) || 10 mm (90°)
|-
| Turret || 30 mm (0°-20°) ''Turret front''
25 mm (0°-14°) ''Turret cheeks'' 25-30 mm (0°-86°) ''Gun mantlet''
| 15 mm (0°-11°) ''Turret side''
10 mm (46°) ''Upper turret side''
| 10 mm (0°-11°) || 10 mm (90°) ''Front''
10 mm (77°) ''Rear''
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" | 30 mm (1°) || 10 mm (90°)
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

For maximum compatibility (and also due to the limit of technology) to Chinese tracked vehicles, all vehicles based on the WZ321 tracked chassis used the same 12V150L engine from the [[Type 59]] and a revised planetary transmission for its workload, and PLZ83 is no exception; thus the mobility of the vehicle feels like a lighter Type 59 and shares identical speeds at different gears. Be sure not to over-extend, as it doesn't have sufficient reverse to retreat to cover.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=739|rbMinHp=460}}

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

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

{{main|PL66 Gai (152 mm)}}

To accommodate such a huge 152 mm howitzer onto the WZ321 chassis, Chinese engineers revised the hydraulic recoil absorbers design and placed them under the barrel, as well as an assisted mechanical loader (the proposed autoloader was flawed and eventually ditched). The PLZ83 is tied with the 2S3M in terms of gun traverse speed and slower than the M109 series in various tech trees, so plan ahead and turn the turret accordingly for any situations.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[PL66 Gai (152 mm)|152 mm PL66 Gai]] || 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" | 30 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+65° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 8.8 || 12.2 || 14.8 || 16.4 || 17.4 || rowspan="2" | 17.29 || rowspan="2" | 15.30 || rowspan="2" | 14.10 || rowspan="2" | 13.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:PL66 Gai (152 mm)/Ammunition|DDB1/PL66-152, BEE7-152, BEE7-152 (VT)}}

Although the gun was certified in 1966, due to the lack of plans for more powerful shells until the late 1980s, both shells, DDB1 and its VT variant, are equivalent of the already obsolete OF-540 shell in Soviet service, thus it needs more careful aiming for maximum efficiency as enemies can sometimes survive a direct hit and fire back upon PLZ83.

'''DDB1/PL66, Stock''' - the DDB1 shell is identical to the OF-540 used in Soviet Army since the 1940s on the ISU-152 and 2S3M. Although the calibre sounds fearsome and it does extensive damage to enemy targets once hit, due to the insufficient explosive filler in DDB1 (the 3OF25 has almost twice the TNT equivalent), players should always aim for weak spots i.e. optics, top of vehicle etc. to achieve a one-hit knock-out. If the gun on the enemy vehicle survives the hit and remains operational, chances are this will be a death sentence to the PLZ83.

'''DDB1/PL66 (VT), Tier III''' - the researchable DDB1/PL66 (VT) is identical to its stock counterpart with the addition of an MD81 radio fuse; while this enables the gun to be used as a huge anti-aircraft cannon, the shell should only be considered if enemy aircraft are coming straight at PLZ83 without any manoeuvres, considering the 3 m trigger radius of the MD81 fuse and its relatively high trajectory. Remember to switch back to the stock DDB1/PL66 before hitting ground targets as the trigger radius is very unlikely to do any damage to armoured targets.

==== [[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
|-
| '''30''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|QJC88A (12.7 mm)}}

The PLZ83 is armed with the later QJC88A 12.7x108 mm machine gun on the commander side (right from the vehicle's PoV) of the turret, it has a larger ammo pool than the Soviet DShK/Chinese Type 54 HMG at 100 rounds per ammo box. The QJC88A still has sufficient firepower to gun down light vehicles or oncoming aircraft if they are set ablaze or have their pilot knocked out.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[QJC88A (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm QJC88A]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 600 (150) || 600 || -6°/+85° || -161°/+156°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the very first enclosed SPH of PLAGF, PLZ83 does have some flaws since its introduction, but with careful planning and only firing when players are certain of a knock-out or fatal blow to enemy vehicles, the PLZ83 can still play like its counterparts at its tier with extra caution.

A key to using SPHs is to never taking them as a frontline vehicle - SPHs are designed to strike enemies from the rear, direct fire is only for last-ditch options against oncoming enemy vehicles. This rule also applies to PLZ83, but to make the situation worse, there is no 152 mm HEAT shell for extreme penetration; the HE shell is also an early WWII make, making it less effective than its Soviet counterpart or NATO M109 series. Players will need to be extra careful about where they hit enemies and when to fire the shot, due to the relatively light explosive content. Aim for weak spots with likelihood of overpressure i.e. optics, hatches, tops or bottom of vehicles; although players can knock out the barrel of enemy vehicles with its sheer calibre, it is always better to take out enemies with one shot to eliminate any chance of them fighting back - a necessity for any manually-loaded SPH as they take at least 15 seconds to reload.

Enemy vehicles will have no problem penetrating the vehicle from all distance with their main cannon, if their shots land on the turret front, the last thing players can hear is the huge explosion caused by the detonation of at most 26 shells in the turret; bringing less shells can mitigate this slightly, but unless players are well-used to the ballistics and where to hit, it is always better to bring more spares for follow-up shots but no more than 18 shots for maximum safety.

To utilize the maximum efficiency of the PLZ83, it is a good idea to be the second-line fire support vehicle for the team, as over-extending the vehicle can quickly end its career. As HE shells are not affected by range, any well-calculated shots on the weak spots can certainly finish off enemies with relative ease. Due to the lack of HEAT shells, taking it as a turreted ISU-152 is not really a good idea; sneaking up at corners in urban maps can sometimes achieve great results as long as players are ready for any oncoming vehicles and turn the turret beforehand; at close distance without any ballistic drop, whoever shoots and damages the enemy first wins. In case of any flying objects on the skies or light vehicles behind terrain/cover, the PLZ83 also has a VT shell for this mission; just be sure to bring a mix of both conventional HE and HE-VT shells for flexibility.

Overall, although there are major flaws in terms of firepower without more powerful HE shells, the PLZ83 gives the chance to blast enemy players with its huge shell while maintaining sufficient efficiency; just wait for the chance to deliver the fatal blow.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Slightly more generous ammo pool for the gun (albeit vastly less than [[2S3M]])
* Sufficient power/weight ratio thanks to T-54/Type 59 equivalent powerplant
* Devastating 152 mm shell with options for VT fuse
* Turret without fire-arc limits
* Relatively fast gun vertical traverse (tied with higher tier [[Bkan 1C]])
* Somewhat better gun depression than its counterparts (-3° for M109 series and -4° for 2S3M)

'''Cons:'''

* Lacks HEAT/APHEBC shell
* HMG rated protection, anything larger can cause extensive damage to the vehicle
* Rather slow reverse speed
* Huge turret with likelihood of detonation once penetrated

== History ==


By 1960s, although the trends of Cold War aimed for SPH systems with enclosed turret system, PLAGF was rather lacking for such vehicles with only [[SU-76M (China)|SU-76M]] and [[ISU-122 (China)|ISU-122]]/[[ISU-152 (China)|152]] serving as the SPG for the Army; further development of Type 70 SPH based on ZSD63's stretched B531 chassis and WWII era 122 mm Model 1938 M-30 (as Type 54), considering the combat compartment with no extra protection outside the vehicle, this would not be a long-term solution for PLAGF especially after late-1970s economic reform and military modernization. In 1978, PLAGF Artillery Corps delivered the request to the General Staff for a new 152 mm and waited for the theorizing from 5th Ministry of Machine Building. The development of the new SPH was handed to Factory 674 ''(NORINCO Harbin First Machinery Group Corp.)'' for the chassis systems'','' Factory 127 ''(NORINCO Qiqihar Heping Heavy Industries)'' for the gun systems and Xingguang Instrument Factory at Dexing, Jiangxi for the gunnery instruments. The overall design was then theorized for another half year and passed for development in June 1979, which only took Factory 674 another half year to deliver the first prototype to PLAGF by February 1980. The SPH incorporated with a redesigned PL66-152 howitzer for vehicular use and originally planned for an autoloader, but eventually ditched due to technical difficulties for a simplified assisted loader. The result of the certified PLZ83 also set the foundation for the future WZ321 universal chassis for the future [[PTZ89]] and PHZ89, as well as the foundation of future howitzers with completely domestic solutions; due to the introduction of Bull's GC-45 155 mm howitzer and the development of PLZ45, only 79 PLZ83(A) was produced and now serving as one of the artillery systems in PLAGF service which would very likely to be replaced by PLZ05 series or PCL181 in near future.

An export solution was shown in 1987 NORINCO's catalogue with a PL59-130 howitzer, dubbed the PLZ83-130 but earned no export orders since then.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_plz_83 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==

'''Cold War SPHs'''

* [[2S3M]] - the Soviet SPH that PLZ83 aimed for
* [[M109 (Family)|M109]] series - NATO SPH system with very long service life and upgrades
* [[Bkan 1C]] - Swedish SPH with sophisticated autoloader system

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China tank destroyers}}

PLZ83

2024-07-01T02:21:24Z

U41531792: /* Description */

{{About
| about = Chinese tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the gift version
| link = PLZ83-130
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_plz_83
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (PLZ83式152毫米自行加榴炮) was the very first self-propelled howitzer of PLAGF from 1980s as the key equipment of army mechanization. Due to the lag in development of general-purpose tracked platforms and the demand for replacement SPHs for the fleet of WWII Soviet tank destroyers, the PLAGF had already attempted to modify the [[ZSD63|ZSD63 chassis]] into the Type 70-I SPH with an obsolete 122 mm WWII era howitzer, with almost non-existent protection and reliability. Soon after the approval of economic reform and military modernization in 1978, the PLAGF issued the mission to vehicle factories for a domestic 152 mm SPH; thanks to the joint efforts of the three factories involved, the prototype was soon built in 1980 and two more were produced in 1981, using the new WZ321 tracked platform specifically for heavy guns. The vehicle, now named Type 83 (PLZ83 after 1987) was certified in November 1983 and was publicly shown in the 35th National Day parade. With new guided 152 mm shells and integration into the PLAGF's datalink network, both PLZ83 and PLZ83A are still one of the cornerstones of the PLAGF artillery corps until the more advanced 155 mm PLC181 and PLZ05 series replace the remaining 152 mm calibre towed guns and SPH.

Introduced in [[Update "Kings of Battle"]] as the first domestic SPH of the Chinese ground tech tree, players will see similarities with the [[2S3M]], as both of them were based on the same D-20 (PL66) 152 mm howitzer.

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

Some similarities can be found between the PLZ83 and later [[PTZ89]] - they are both based on the WZ321 tracked platform developed in the 1980s. Although it is not as protected as its Soviet counterpart, the [[2S3M]], the PLZ83 still has sufficient protection to stop .50 calibre rounds up front at point-blank range (aside from the LFP); for an SPH, this is certainly good news as enemies have to utilize their autocannons or larger calibre cannons to destroy the vehicle, although it is wise to avoid the frontline at all as this will vastly increase its risk of being destroyed. As an SPH, the PLZ83 has a relatively tall profile to house its 152 mm howitzer, meaning that it will give itself away quickly without foliage or indestructible cover; so be sure to hide the vehicle from the sight of enemy vehicles. Being hit in the hull or the turret can bring completely different outcomes - while the hull can sometimes survive oncoming shots thanks to the engine block or the driver, 26 rounds are stowed in the turret behind the 3 turret crew, so any penetrated shots from APCBC with explosive filler can send the turret flying.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Structural steel (side skirts)


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (58°-75°) ''Upper glacis''
15 + 15 mm (4°-55°) ''Lower glacis''
| 15 mm (19°-60°) ''Turret ring extension'' 15 mm (0°-4°) ''Side''
4 mm (0°) ''Side skirts''
| 15 mm (0°) || 10 mm (90°)
|-
| Turret || 30 mm (0°-20°) ''Turret front''
25 mm (0°-14°) ''Turret cheeks'' 25-30 mm (0°-86°) ''Gun mantlet''
| 15 mm (0°-11°) ''Turret side''
10 mm (46°) ''Upper turret side''
| 10 mm (0°-11°) || 10 mm (90°) ''Front''
10 mm (77°) ''Rear''
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" | 30 mm (1°) || 10 mm (90°)
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

For maximum compatibility (and also due to the limit of technology) to Chinese tracked vehicles, all vehicles based on the WZ321 tracked chassis used the same 12V150L engine from the [[Type 59]] and a revised planetary transmission for its workload, and PLZ83 is no exception; thus the mobility of the vehicle feels like a lighter Type 59 and shares identical speeds at different gears. Be sure not to over-extend, as it doesn't have sufficient reverse to retreat to cover.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=739|rbMinHp=460}}

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

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

{{main|PL66 Gai (152 mm)}}

To accommodate such a huge 152 mm howitzer onto the WZ321 chassis, Chinese engineers revised the hydraulic recoil absorbers design and placed them under the barrel, as well as an assisted mechanical loader (the proposed autoloader was flawed and eventually ditched). The PLZ83 is tied with the 2S3M in terms of gun traverse speed and slower than the M109 series in various tech trees, so plan ahead and turn the turret accordingly for any situations.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[PL66 Gai (152 mm)|152 mm PL66 Gai]] || 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" | 30 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+65° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 8.8 || 12.2 || 14.8 || 16.4 || 17.4 || rowspan="2" | 17.29 || rowspan="2" | 15.30 || rowspan="2" | 14.10 || rowspan="2" | 13.30
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:PL66 Gai (152 mm)/Ammunition|DDB1/PL66-152, BEE7-152, BEE7-152 (VT)}}

Although the gun was certified in 1966, due to the lack of plans for more powerful shells until the late 1980s, both shells, DDB1 and its VT variant, are equivalent of the already obsolete OF-540 shell in Soviet service, thus it needs more careful aiming for maximum efficiency as enemies can sometimes survive a direct hit and fire back upon PLZ83.

'''DDB1/PL66, Stock''' - the DDB1 shell is identical to the OF-540 used in Soviet Army since the 1940s on the ISU-152 and 2S3M. Although the calibre sounds fearsome and it does extensive damage to enemy targets once hit, due to the insufficient explosive filler in DDB1 (the 3OF25 has almost twice the TNT equivalent), players should always aim for weak spots i.e. optics, top of vehicle etc. to achieve a one-hit knock-out. If the gun on the enemy vehicle survives the hit and remains operational, chances are this will be a death sentence to the PLZ83.

'''DDB1/PL66 (VT), Tier III''' - the researchable DDB1/PL66 (VT) is identical to its stock counterpart with the addition of an MD81 radio fuse; while this enables the gun to be used as a huge anti-aircraft cannon, the shell should only be considered if enemy aircraft are coming straight at PLZ83 without any manoeuvres, considering the 3 m trigger radius of the MD81 fuse and its relatively high trajectory. Remember to switch back to the stock DDB1/PL66 before hitting ground targets as the trigger radius is very unlikely to do any damage to armoured targets.

==== [[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
|-
| '''30''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|QJC88A (12.7 mm)}}

The PLZ83 is armed with the later QJC88A 12.7x108 mm machine gun on the commander side (right from the vehicle's PoV) of the turret, it has a larger ammo pool than the Soviet DShK/Chinese Type 54 HMG at 100 rounds per ammo box. The QJC88A still has sufficient firepower to gun down light vehicles or oncoming aircraft if they are set ablaze or have their pilot knocked out.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[QJC88A (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm QJC88A]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 600 (150) || 600 || -6°/+85° || -161°/+156°
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the very first enclosed SPH of PLAGF, PLZ83 does have some flaws since its introduction, but with careful planning and only firing when players are certain of a knock-out or fatal blow to enemy vehicles, the PLZ83 can still play like its counterparts at its tier with extra caution.

A key to using SPHs is to never taking them as a frontline vehicle - SPHs are designed to strike enemies from the rear, direct fire is only for last-ditch options against oncoming enemy vehicles. This rule also applies to PLZ83, but to make the situation worse, there is no 152 mm HEAT shell for extreme penetration; the HE shell is also an early WWII make, making it less effective than its Soviet counterpart or NATO M109 series. Players will need to be extra careful about where they hit enemies and when to fire the shot, due to the relatively light explosive content. Aim for weak spots with likelihood of overpressure i.e. optics, hatches, tops or bottom of vehicles; although players can knock out the barrel of enemy vehicles with its sheer calibre, it is always better to take out enemies with one shot to eliminate any chance of them fighting back - a necessity for any manually-loaded SPH as they take at least 15 seconds to reload.

Enemy vehicles will have no problem penetrating the vehicle from all distance with their main cannon, if their shots land on the turret front, the last thing players can hear is the huge explosion caused by the detonation of at most 26 shells in the turret; bringing less shells can mitigate this slightly, but unless players are well-used to the ballistics and where to hit, it is always better to bring more spares for follow-up shots but no more than 18 shots for maximum safety.

To utilize the maximum efficiency of the PLZ83, it is a good idea to be the second-line fire support vehicle for the team, as over-extending the vehicle can quickly end its career. As HE shells are not affected by range, any well-calculated shots on the weak spots can certainly finish off enemies with relative ease. Due to the lack of HEAT shells, taking it as a turreted ISU-152 is not really a good idea; sneaking up at corners in urban maps can sometimes achieve great results as long as players are ready for any oncoming vehicles and turn the turret beforehand; at close distance without any ballistic drop, whoever shoots and damages the enemy first wins. In case of any flying objects on the skies or light vehicles behind terrain/cover, the PLZ83 also has a VT shell for this mission; just be sure to bring a mix of both conventional HE and HE-VT shells for flexibility.

Overall, although there are major flaws in terms of firepower without more powerful HE shells, the PLZ83 gives the chance to blast enemy players with its huge shell while maintaining sufficient efficiency; just wait for the chance to deliver the fatal blow.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Slightly more generous ammo pool for the gun (albeit vastly less than [[2S3M]])
* Sufficient power/weight ratio thanks to T-54/Type 59 equivalent powerplant
* Devastating 152 mm shell with options for VT fuse
* Turret without fire-arc limits
* Relatively fast gun vertical traverse (tied with higher tier [[Bkan 1C]])
* Somewhat better gun depression than its counterparts (-3° for M109 series and -4° for 2S3M)

'''Cons:'''

* Inferior explosive mass for both shells and lacks HEAT/APHEBC shell
* HMG rated protection, anything larger can cause extensive damage to the vehicle
* Rather slow reverse speed
* Long reload time even with mechanized assist loader
* Huge turret with likelihood of detonation once penetrated
* Slow gun horizontal traverse (almost a degree slower than M109 series)

== History ==


By 1960s, although the trends of Cold War aimed for SPH systems with enclosed turret system, PLAGF was rather lacking for such vehicles with only [[SU-76M (China)|SU-76M]] and [[ISU-122 (China)|ISU-122]]/[[ISU-152 (China)|152]] serving as the SPG for the Army; further development of Type 70 SPH based on ZSD63's stretched B531 chassis and WWII era 122 mm Model 1938 M-30 (as Type 54), considering the combat compartment with no extra protection outside the vehicle, this would not be a long-term solution for PLAGF especially after late-1970s economic reform and military modernization. In 1978, PLAGF Artillery Corps delivered the request to the General Staff for a new 152 mm and waited for the theorizing from 5th Ministry of Machine Building. The development of the new SPH was handed to Factory 674 ''(NORINCO Harbin First Machinery Group Corp.)'' for the chassis systems'','' Factory 127 ''(NORINCO Qiqihar Heping Heavy Industries)'' for the gun systems and Xingguang Instrument Factory at Dexing, Jiangxi for the gunnery instruments. The overall design was then theorized for another half year and passed for development in June 1979, which only took Factory 674 another half year to deliver the first prototype to PLAGF by February 1980. The SPH incorporated with a redesigned PL66-152 howitzer for vehicular use and originally planned for an autoloader, but eventually ditched due to technical difficulties for a simplified assisted loader. The result of the certified PLZ83 also set the foundation for the future WZ321 universal chassis for the future [[PTZ89]] and PHZ89, as well as the foundation of future howitzers with completely domestic solutions; due to the introduction of Bull's GC-45 155 mm howitzer and the development of PLZ45, only 79 PLZ83(A) was produced and now serving as one of the artillery systems in PLAGF service which would very likely to be replaced by PLZ05 series or PCL181 in near future.

An export solution was shown in 1987 NORINCO's catalogue with a PL59-130 howitzer, dubbed the PLZ83-130 but earned no export orders since then.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_plz_83 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==

'''Cold War SPHs'''

* [[2S3M]] - the Soviet SPH that PLZ83 aimed for
* [[M109 (Family)|M109]] series - NATO SPH system with very long service life and upgrades
* [[Bkan 1C]] - Swedish SPH with sophisticated autoloader system

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China tank destroyers}}

Object 775

2024-06-17T05:51:51Z

U41531792: /* Description */

{{Specs-Card
|code=ussr_object_775
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

In the mid 1960s, the USSR devised a new idea for a frontline tank destroyer: a low-profile armoured tank with a gun-launcher. By utilizing multiple technologies of the time, namely hydropneumatic suspension, a drum autoloader, and a shortened gun-launcher, the profile of the vehicle could be lowered to a new extreme. The first prototype of this project, the "Object 775" was a more obscure but intriguing piece of military history. With its unique design and the ability to fire anti-tank guided missiles from a concealed, low-profile turret, the Object 775 aimed to be a formidable addition to the Soviet military's arsenal. However, the program faced various challenges, including technical issues with the drum autoloader and hydropneumatic suspension cramped in such a small vehicle, and changing military requirements and Soviet tank doctrine of the era. These hurdles ultimately led to the cancellation of the program to instead focus on the development of a new dedicated MBT armed with an autoloaded 115 mm gun firing APFSDS rounds, resulting in the [[Object 435|Object 432]] prototype for the future [[T-64 (Family)|T-64]]. The Object 775's story is a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of military technology and the need for constant adaptation to meet the demands of modern warfare.

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', introduced in [[Update "Kings of Battle"]], is definitely unique in its appearance. The Object 775 excels in hidden strikes at most ranges due to its strong [[Anti-tank guided missiles|ATGM]], comically low profile, and decent frontal armour for its battle rating. When utilizing the hydropneumatic suspension and the built-in dozer blade to entrench the tank, the Object 775 can achieve almost complete invisibility from the enemy line of sight in its own "dug-in" cover, using its suspension to "peek" up and take a shot before lowering back down. The Object 775, however, most not be played as a brawler, as its side armour and internal protection is very weak. Due having a large ammo rack around the inside of the tank and only two crew members in the turret, pretty much any penetrating or overpressuring shot is guaranteed to destroy the tank. All in all, the Object 775 builds on the doctrine of Soviet missile tank destroyer engagement, primarily from the preceding [[IT-1]].

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-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.''

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
|-
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
|-
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The mobility is solidly average. The Object 775 is very similar to the T-62, with a long and narrow chassis coupled to a decent engine. The vehicle will never be first to the fight or to cap points but it is fast enough to fit its playstyle very comfortably.

The vehicle has acceptable terrain-crossing capability but doesn't have the best torque for going up bigger hills or for keeping speed up on bumpy terrain.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=994|rbMinHp=619}}

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

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

{{main|D-126 (125 mm)}}

The 775 is armed with the [[D-126 (125 mm)|125 mm D-126]] gun-launcher system. This weapon will be very familiar to tankers who have played the M551 Sheridan before, as the primary ammunition is an ATGM and an HE round. The barrel is very short, helping maintain the stealth of the vehicle. The turret traverse is not very fast so care will need to be taken to pre-aim the gun around any expected enemy avenues of approach.

The Rubin ATGM is a very solid missile, providing users 500 mm of penetration while having great speed (550 m/s) and decent range (4,000 m / 2.49 miles). The only downside is that right after leaving the barrel, the missile dips down before coming back into the center of the sight, making firing from behind cover difficult.

The BUR High-Explosive rocket is less functional but can be fun to surprise enemies with. The round drops very quickly and there is no laser rangefinder, making anything but point-blank shots an exercise in skill. The warhead contains the equivalent of 3.96 kg of TNT, making it a serious threat to lightly armoured targets.

Given how condensed the ammunition is, you can comfortably take a full loadout. The main ammo storage is in the front of the tank, protected by heavily sloped armour and internal fuel tanks. The central autoloader holds eight rounds, allowing you to fire a new projectile every . The autoloader also gets replenished extremely fast so running out of ammo in the carousel is not life-threatening, unlike many other ATGM vehicles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[D-126 (125 mm)|125 mm D-126]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Autoloader
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 24 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 17.6 || 24.4 || 29.6 || 32.7 || 34.8 || rowspan="2" | 6.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:D-126 (125 mm)/Ammunition|Rubin, BUR}}

==== [[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
|-
| '''24''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|PKT (7.62 mm)}}

The only machine gun the 775 has available is a coaxial 7.62 mm PKT. This weapon is next to useless as open-top vehicles are exceedingly rare and it doesn't have the targeting speed or power to damage any air vehicles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[PKT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm PKT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 700 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The Object 775 plays very similarly to the [[IT-1]], another Soviet missile-only tank. However, unlike the IT-1, the Object 775 can also engage somewhat effectively in the CQC if needed. Like most ATGM tank destroyers, being only equipped with the Rubin anti-tank missile can put the Object 775 at a disadvantage in many situations when facing conventional enemies armed with a cannon, but it does have the capacity to excel in certain situations, like setting ambushes.

'''Close Range Engagement'''

Unlike the [[IT-1]], the Object 775 has some chance in CQC due to its very low profile, and the adjustable suspension can help to "level" the battlefield. However, the player should carefully consider their options, because once committed to the attack, backing out is difficult due to the signature Soviet horrendous reverse speed.

Needless to say, some attention must be paid to your team status as well, as sometimes an enemy might get very bold if all allies surrounding you have died, and since you only have one launcher, fear is all you have to protect the Object 775 from a large tank squad.

'''Mid to Long Range Engagement'''

The mid to long range is the optimal engagement range for many ATGM tank destroyers and the Object 775 is no exception. However, player must use terrain a bit differently, as unlike the IT-1, the Object 775 doesn't have a top mounted launcher to shoot over the hills but a 125 mm D-126 rifled missile launcher.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Extremely low profile, as well as an adjustable suspension
* Mouse-guided ATGMs
* Fast auto-loader
* Decent frontal armour

'''Cons:'''

* Only two crew members
* Autoloader is relatively large
* Terrible reverse speed
* Poor depression and elevation angles
* No heavy calibre machine gun

== History ==


=== [[wt:en/news/8543-development-object-775-the-flattened-pancake-en|Devblog]] ===
In the early 1960s, the USSR began to develop a promising medium tank with guided missile weapons. Engineers from the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant presented two prototypes for testing of the Object 775 tank, featuring Rubin anti-tank guided missiles, which are launched from the barrel of the tank. In 1968, the project was closed due to the concentration of efforts on the Object 434 tank project (which became the T-64A). The only surviving Object 775 is on display at the Patriot Park in Kubinka near Moscow.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_object_775 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|avl9dE1525Y|'''The Shooting Range #379''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:24 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


'''Other vehicles with gun-launcher systems'''

* [[M551|M551 Sheridan]] - US light tank
* [[M60A2|M60A2 Starship]] - US medium tank
* [[KPz-70]]/[[MBT-70]]/[[XM-803]] - US/German main battle tanks
* [[AMX-30 ACRA]]/[[AMX-10M]] - French tanks with the 142 mm ACRA gun-launcher

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8543-development-object-775-the-flattened-pancake-en|[Devblog] Object 775: The Flattened Pancake]]

{{USSR tank destroyers}}

AMX-13-M24

2024-05-21T06:40:59Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{About
| about = French light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = AMX-13 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=fr_amx_13_chaffee
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''AMX-13-US''' is the second subvariant of the [[AMX-13 (FL11)|AMX-13/75 FL-10]], which is the first variant of the [[AMX-13 (Family)|AMX-13 light tank family]]. In 1956, the French Army and the Direction des Etudes et Fabrications d'Armements were looking into cost-effective ways to modernize their fleet of aged M24 Chaffee light tanks. One approach was to combine the hull of the French [[AMX-13|AMX-13/75 FL-10]] light tank with the turret of the American [[M24|M24 Chaffee]]. While the official name of this subvariant of the AMX-13/75 FL-10 is AMX-US, it is also known by several unofficial names, including AMX-13 Chaffee, as it was known by troops, and AMX-13 Avec Tourelle Chaffee, which is often seen in some resources. There were only a few of these vehicles built. They first served in French military units tasked with policing colonies like Algeria. When they were no longer needed on the front lines, they were converted into driver-training vehicles.

Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]], the AMX-13-US is a light tank that performs similarly to the AMX-13/75 FL-11. It does, however, have a roof-mounted 12.7 mm M2HB Browning heavy machine gun, which will come in handy in some situations against enemy aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Use your superior mobility to ambush choke points and crossroads and, if necessary, capture the zones. Always scout opponents for your allies and avoid engaging multiple enemies at the same time.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret base, turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret, gun mantlet, cupola)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 20 mm (29-30°) ''Turret base'' 20 mm (66°) ''Upper glacis'' 40 mm (cylindrical) ''Transmission carter'' 20 mm (51°) ''Lower glacis'' || 20 mm (30-31°) ''Turret base - Centre'' 20 mm ''Turret base - Sides'' 20 mm Sides || 20 mm ''Turret base - Centre'' 20 mm (31°) ''Turret base - Sides'' 15 mm (1°) ''Top'' 15 mm (44°) ''Bottom'' || 20 mm (24°) ''Front glacis'' 10 mm ''Centre'' 10 mm (5°) ''Rear'' 5 mm ''Vents''
|-
| Turret || 38.1 mm (8-40°) ''Turret front'' 38.1 mm (1-45°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm (17-26°) || 25.4 mm || 12.7 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" style="text-align:center" | 38.1 mm (spherical)
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 10 mm thick.
* Mudguards and storage boxes are 4 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=418|rbMinHp=239}}

This tank utilises an AMX-13 chassis with a 270 HP engine. At 19.4 hp/ton, the AMX-13-M24 has decent mobility, which will alllow it to get to best spots. While not one of the fastest light tanks in the game, the AMX-13 chassis, if driven correctly, will allow the player to survive long enough to see the end of battle.

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

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

{{main|M6 (75 mm)}}

The punchy 75 mm M6 cannon may already be familiar to players due to extensive use of its variants in American tanks, including the [[M3 Lee]], [[M4 Sherman (Family)|M4 Sherman]], and [[M24 (Family)|M24 Chaffee]]. It offers the same excellent selection of shells, ranging from standard M72 AP to the infamous M61 APCBC. However, unlike its American counterparts, the AMX-13-M24 does not feature stabilisation for its gun.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M6 (75 mm)|75 mm M6]] || 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" | 48 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 24 km/h}} || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 8.45 || rowspan="2" | 7.47 || rowspan="2" | 6.89 || rowspan="2" | 6.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 17.9 || 21.0 || 25.5 || 28.2 || 30.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:M6 (75 mm)/Ammunition|M72 shot, M48 shell, M61 shot, M64}}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''48''' || 29 ''(+19)'' || 15 ''(+33)'' || 1 ''(+47)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Packing 15 ''(+33)'' shells will keep ammo only on the hull's right side.

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

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

With the M24 Chaffee turret comes the standard set of a roof-mounted Browning .50 cal and the coaxial .30 cal. The .50 can be used for both anti-air duty and for destroying tracks, add-on armour, side-skirts, and lightly armoured vehicles (such as open-top SPAAGs and SPGs), but the .30 is only suitable for open-top vehicles and for spotting enemy vehicles due to the lack of penetrative power.

{| 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 || 1,000 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±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 || 2,000 (250) || 500 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

If a player wants to do well in this vehicle, they must understand that playing recklessly in this tank will get you killed immediately. The player's mindset has to be adjusted due to the unusual combination. As with each light tank, the player has to use all tools available, ranging from smoke grenades to optics. It is also recommended to use the roof-mounted .50 cal to aid you on the battlefield. Hug choke points, intersections, and, if needed, push the objective. In Arcade battles, take advantage of the light tank's Airstrike ability to assist in both the air and on the ground. In both Realistic and Simulator battles, spotting is your primary goal, but the player can easily set up ambushes and profit from this premium vehicle.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

[[M4A2]]/[[M4A4 (1st PTG)|A4]]: these Sherman tanks are widely used by over 3 nations that spread across both the Allied and the Axis side, so no matter which nation you play they can be quite tough to destroy in the hands of a skilled tanker. Given the rather weak penetration of your short 75 mm gun, their hull can be almost impossible to penetrate when angled, hull down or 300 m away. For a M4A4, there are 2 apparent bulges on the upper front plate, a penetration through there is a guaranteed kill most of the times. But in case the opponent covers them up or when it's an M4A2, aim for the middle parts of the gun mantlet or the turret armour unprotected by the mantlet, you can at least make them defenseless.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good mobility: high top speed, good turning and climbing ability
* Equipped with smoke launchers (14 individual smoke grenades)
* Engine in the front protects the crew in head-on engagements
* Uses the same gun as the M24 tanks: various shell types and good penetration
* Excellent gun depression allows for shooting from behind ridges
* M61 APCBC shell with explosive filler can easily knock out enemy vehicles with a single shot
* Fast turret traverse allows it to track targets easily
* Pintle-mounted .50 cal MG allows for air defense and some anti-tank ability (e.g. Marder III, Sd.Kfz.234 series, Breda 501, etc.)
* Scouting ability
* Gun stabilizer

'''Cons:'''

* Light armour overall with a prominent weak spot: the base of the turret
* Unstable cannon pitch due to tall turret layout and bouncy hull
** After firing, it is difficult to stay on target with the recoil
** After braking, Acquiring targets is slow as the hull rocks back and forth for a short while
* Tall silhouette
* Poor reverse speed
* Shells drop dramatically at long distances, making distant and moving targets hard to shoot at
* Reload time is pretty slow for a light tank
* Low ammo count can be a problem in long games or RB/SB matches but not so low that ammo rack detonations are rare

== History ==


In 1956, the French military attempted to modernise its light tank "fleet", and a few solutions were suggested. One of these was to attach an M24 turret to the newly developed AMX-13 chassis, which lead to the designation AMX-US. Soon, other nicknames were added, like "AMX-13 Chaffee" or "AMX-13 Avec Tourelle Chaffee" (French: ''AMX-13 with Chaffee turret''). A small number of these conversions were produced until the [[AMX-13 (FL11)|FL11]] turret was introduced. These tanks were sent peacekeep and protect French colonial interest, but were soon replaced with the new AMX-13 with an oscillating turret.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fr_amx_13_chaffee Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|P-RnfEaO0ns|'''The Shooting Range #215''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:28 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|pNN8n4BYXIg|'''Premium Review. {{PAGENAME}}. The Frankenstein Scout''' - ''Joseph 2000''|HFcHs5Onaxg|'''Should You Buy: {{PAGENAME}}''' - ''ConeOfArc''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[AMX-13 (Family)]]

;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

* [[M24 (Family)]]
* [[BT-7 (F-32)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:AMX-13|[Wikipedia] AMX-13]]
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar-france-amx-us-amx-13-avec-tourelle-chaffee/ <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> AMX-US (AMX-13 Avec Tourelle Chaffee)]

{{TankManufacturer AMX}}
{{France light tanks}}
{{France premium ground vehicles}}

ZBD04A

2024-04-15T09:04:32Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zbd_04a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' , with an industry code WZ502G, is one of the main composition of modern time PLAGF heavy composite mechanized brigades and the most advanced IFV for the army. As part of the military modernization program since 1990s, PLAGF, which had only started the deployment of [[ZBD86]] on early 1990s, purchased the 2K23 turret system from Rostec after their evaluations on the [[BMP-3]] with negative impression mostly on the hull ergonomics; the new turret system and the designated chassis under the name ZBD97 (WZ502) was developed since 1997 all the way to 2007 and commissioned as the ZBD04 as the new generation PLAGF IFV. Likely due to new stages of military modernization called for revisions on IFV design philosophy, the new IFV adopted a NATO-alike hull design while retaining identical turret system from ZBD04, upgraded protection, mobility and state-of-the-art FCS for the new IFV, leading to the introduction of ZBD04A which has been spotted since 2011.

As the very first dedicated autocannon IFV introduced to Chinese tech tree in [[Update "Alpha Strike"]], ZBD04A puts the full-stop of the embarrassing situation where both PLAGF and ROCA couldn't offer any IFV with autocannon; with the superior FCS, mobility for its size and wide variety of domestic/licensed ammunition based on the BMP-3, ZBD04A can be a fearsome flanker with its autocannon or supporting vehicle for the advancing allies - the vehicle will not disappoint players with its new capabilities, be sure to find a large enough object to be your cover in dire situations due to its rather huge size.

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

If ZBD04 can be said as the Chinese interpterion of BMP-3 for better crew ergonomics (which was the deal-breaker of BMP-3 with its unique, narrow hatches), ZBD04A is the total departure of Warsaw-Pact/Russian designs with a much larger hull while retaining similar turret from ZBD04. To fit new powerpack which is part of the fruit of ZTZ99A (WZ1001) program, as well as fulfilling the protection requirements from PLAGF, ZBD04A enlarged the engine bay while revising the construction angles of the hull. The vehicle is constructed with RHA armor and covered by either composite plates (by LFP, four blocks) or harden steel plates (on the sides and front of turret), while the turret is constructed with aluminum alloy instead; oddly enough, the aluminum alloy shares identical protection coefficient to conventional RHA armor. To put the front protection in short words: anything below 25 mm caliber and without subcaliber shell is fruitless. The side can also withstand up to .50 cal bullets, thus the overall survivability is quite well for such a huge IFV.

The crew of 3 has similar layout to NATO IFVs - instead of having all crews close to the centerline like BMP series, the driver is placed on the far left of the hull while the remaining two are in the turret (gunner on left, commander on right); while the protection is very sufficient to extend the crew's service, but once penetrated, if the crew are not disabled by higher caliber kinetic shells, hitting the carousel below the turret crews will also turn ZBD04A into a Shenzhou rocket with its turret flying sky high, let alone if the vehicle is at full-load (up to 48 projectiles and 500 30 mm shells), it's always better not being hit at all.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 18 mm (82°) UFP
20 mm +30 mm (43°) LFP
| 20 +10 mm ''Top'' 20 mm ''Bottom'' || 13 mm || 13 mm
|-
| Turret || 40 mm + 15 mm ''Turret front'' 40 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 40 mm || 40 mm || 18 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

To further increase the mobility of ZBD04A to keep up with MBTs, NORINCO installed new power pack consists of new version of 6V150 ''(same name as the one on ZBD86 but based on 12V150HB on ZTZ99 series)'' and CH400D transmission; enabling the vehicle to quickly reach vantage points or flanking enemies with its mobility, as well as retreat from danger much faster than BMP-1 variants.

{{tankMobility}}

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

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
=== Main armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}

{{main|ZPL02 (30 mm)}}

As part of the main component of ZBD04 series, China acquired the 2K23 turret system from Russia in the 1990s as the mean to quickly enhance the overall firepower of PLAGF IFVs. Both Chinese and Russian systems use identical weapons aside from the coaxial machine gun; in Chinese's case, NORINCO also developed a new autoloader for the onboard missiles thus enabling vastly higher rate of fire than BMP-3 to the equivalent of [[BMD-4]]. The ZPL02 (ZPZ02) also carries APFSDS which is lacking on any vehicles with 2A72 autocannon, making flanking much easier thanks to the high penetration.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[ZPL02 (30 mm)|30 mm ZPL02]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 500 (250) || rowspan="2" | 330 || rowspan="2" | -6°/+60° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
|-
! ''Realistic''
| __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary (self-destroying)}}
* '''30 mm HE:''' {{Annotation|HEF-I*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-I*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary (self-destroying)}}
* '''30 mm APDS:''' {{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APDS|Armour-piercing discarding sabot}}
* '''30 mm APDS-FS:''' {{Annotation|APFSDS|Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APFSDS|Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APFSDS|Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot}}

{{:ZPL02 (30 mm)/Ammunition|HEF-I*, APDS, APFSDS}}

==== [[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
|-
| '''2''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

=== Additional armament ===
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}

{{main|ZPL04 (100 mm)}}

Part of the composition of 2K23 system is the iconic 100 mm smoothbore, low-recoil cannon as the main weapon to demolish enemy positions or taking out enemy tanks with ATGM; in this case, PLAGF neither introduce the better 9M117M1 nor developed domestic alternative of such missile, thus affecting the odds to disable enemy MBTs with ERA or composite protection with one shot.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[ZPL04 (100 mm)|100 mm ZPL04]] || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
| 50 || - || - || Two-plane || colspan="4" | 4.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:ZPL04 (100 mm)/Ammunition|3OF32, 3OF70, APS03}}

==== [[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
|-
| '''50''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|QJT (5.8 mm)}}

Like most PLAGF vehicles post-2010, instead of more conventional 7.62x39 mm caliber, ZBD04A adapted the QJT with 5.8x42 mm caliber; while it might sound nowhere threating to armored vehicles, this is not the case for exposed crews.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[QJT (5.8 mm)|5.8 mm QJT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
|-
|}

== 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).''

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* Extensive frontal protection with composite plates rated up to 35 mm autocannons ''(full-caliber shell)''
* Fast and nimble for such a huge IFV
* Sufficient reverse to get away from danger
* Improved gunnery system to Russian equivalents
** Fixed 8 second reload rate for both missiles or HE shells
** Access to 30 mm APFSDS
** Tandem ATGM for taking out MBTs frontally
** 3rd Gen TVD for gunner and CITV with high magnification

'''Cons:'''

* Rather huge target (overall height and length equivalent to an Abrams!)
* Low RoF for the autocannon
* Less protected sides without composite screens against chemical energy weapons
* Lacks more powerful ATGM for higher rank MBTs

== 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).''

=== [[wt:en/news/8776-development-zbd-04a-the-unstoppable-scout-en|Devblog]] ===
The ZBD-04 which has a fighting compartment from the Russian BMP-3 was developed in China in the late 1990s and began entering service in the early 2000s. The next model of this vehicle was the modernized ZBD-04A, featuring additional armor and improved electronics. This vehicle was first presented to the general public at a parade in 2015. Today, the ZBD-04A is in service with units and is the most modern vehicle of this class in the People’s Liberation Army of China.

== 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 ==


* [[wt:en/news/8776-development-zbd-04a-the-unstoppable-scout-en|[Devblog] ZBD-04A: The Unstoppable Scout]]

{{China light tanks}}
[[Category:ATGM vehicles]]

AFT09

2024-04-07T09:28:52Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_hj_9
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (AFT09型反坦克导弹武器系统; lit Anti-tank missile weapon system) is one of the dedicated ATGM carrier of PLAGF alongside with platforms with HJ-10 ATGM in PLAGF service. HJ-9 was part of the pre-development efforts by Institute 203 after they foresaw that the combat capabilities of HJ-73 and the earlier variants of HJ-8 would be ineffective against new MBTs; after PLAGF HQ demanded for a new ATGM against possible enemy MBTs by the 2000s, the engineer team based on the previous team that developed HJ-8 started the development of HJ-9 in 1988. The new missile ditched wire-guidance and opted for TV guidance instead, featuring tandem warhead for maximum effectiveness against enemy armored targets and revised solid fuel rocket engines for higher speed. The missile and its weapon system was finalized and delivered to PLAGF in 1999, appeared in both 50th and 60th National Day Parade as the anti-armor spearhead of PLAGF.

Introduced in [[Update "Drone Age"]] as the first PLAGF missile carrier, the AFT09 is a wheeled 4x4 Chinese ATGM carrier from 1999 with up to twelve HJ-9 ATGMs onboard. It uses a shortened variation of the WZ551 chassis (WZ550) which previously introduced on the [[PTL02]] and [[WMA301]] in previous patches, but instead of a large assault gun turret, it has an unmanned, retractable ATGM launcher brandishing four missiles at a time. It invites comparison to the French [[MEPHISTO]] but is in fact far more deadly: the chassis has higher forward mobility and the HJ-9 missiles are superior to the HOT-2 in almost every respect. Thanks to the HJ-9's unrivaled penetration, sufficiently fast missile speed and good FCS, players can send even groups of the toughest enemies straight back to the hanger with a single hit each.

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

Players of the Chinese tech tree might think that the chassis of AFT09 looks very similar to that of [[PTL02]]/[[WMA301]]- in fact this is a correct assumption as this is also a variant of the WZ551 chassis aka WZ550 with a 4x4 config; while player of [[MEPHISTO|VAB MEPHISTO]] in France will find many similarities to it. Most of the features on WZ551 are identical on both chassis other than being a 6x6 (WZ551) / 4x4 (WZ550) respectively, especially the overall protection. To sum up the overall protection in a few words, it would be: paper-thin. For the protection, other than the lower part of the chassis, the whole vehicle can only stop rifle-caliber bullets; anything that is larger than a M2HB is more than enough to tear down AFT09 and its 4 crews with ease even at long distance; so be extra careful on where should AFT09 appear.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 12 mm (31°) ''Upper'' 20 mm (43°) ''Lower''
| 10 mm ''Top'' 10 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

Since AFT09 is based on the WZ551 chassis but reduced into a 4x4 instead of 6x6, WZ551 family mostly shares the same Detuz BF8L413F engine and ZF 5S-111GPA transmission; this reduction in size also means that it goes faster than its other cousins (at 95 km/h)while has a slightly better but still horrible -8 km/h reverse, so make sure to plan your route to cover; the overall mobility is also good so make sure to utilize it for getting into a shooting position before the enemy does.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=412|rbMinHp=256}}

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

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

{{main|HJ-9}}

The main and the only armament on AFT09 is the HJ-9 ATGMs onboard, these 12 rounds of missiles are the 2nd generation ATGM of PLAGF since 1999. The missile airframe resembles the South African [[ZT3|ZT3 Ingwe]] used by the [[ZT3A2]] (a fellow wheeled ATGM carrier) or US BGM-71 TOW, but performance-wise it is very similar to the infamous Russian [[9M133|9M133 Kornet]] used by the [[BMP-2M]]: an incredibly potent tandem-heat warhead with 1,200 mm of penetration is more than enough to even send the infamous Rank VII [[T-80BVM]] to kingdom come. The 305 m/s maximum flight speed is basically the same as the Kornet or TOW-2B. The massive post-penetration damage leads to frequent OHKOs and the four kilograms of explosive mass will also overpressure light vehicles if that wasn't enough.

Although the HJ-9 is often said to be a laser beam-riding missile, it in fact uses a SACLOS system where the laser beam is presumably used to transmit coded information to the missile. As with other SACLOS systems in War Thunder, the HJ-9 cannot be fired on the move and cannot guide multiple missiles at the same time. Beam-riders like the Kornet are more flexible in these regards. However the HJ-9 is resistant to soft-kill APS systems and can be used against opponents like the [[PUMA]] and [[T-90A]] without any issues.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[HJ-9]] missile || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 12 (4) || rowspan="2" | ±10° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 13.2 || 18.3 || 22.2 || 24.5 || 26.1 || rowspan="2" | 15.00 || rowspan="2" | 15.00 || rowspan="2" | 15.00 || rowspan="2" | 15.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 8.9 || 10.5 || 12.8 || 14.1 || 15.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:HJ-9/Ammunition|HJ-9}}

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''3''' || 0 ''(+3)'' || Yes
|-
|}
Note: the final 4 missiles at the internal rack clears out only when all missiles has been fired.

== Usage in battles ==

Players of [[MEPHISTO|VAB MEPHISTO]] will soon find themselves home as AFT09 shared a very similar config of missile launcher and chassis; both vehicles are 4×4 and have a retractable launcher with 4 missiles. The HJ-9 is much deadlier than the HOT-2 however, with twice the flight speed, 25% greater raw penetration, and a tandem warhead, allowing players to be more aggressive. The AFT09 shares a similar chassis with the [[PTL02]], but thanks to its relatively lighter weight, it has a higher top speed than the latter and a slightly faster reverse speed; although this might not sound like much for such a lightly-protected vehicle, the mobility is enough to take advantageous positions before most enemies can. Be ready to counter enemy assaults or retreat as soon as the tides have turned, as the AFT09 takes a while to reload and has a poor reverse speed. Do remember that the overall protection of it is only rated for rifle-caliber bullets, anything larger is like a hot knife through butter, therefore cover and stealth are the most essential element to ensure the overall survival of the vehicle. Be especially careful of vehicles with top-attack missiles such as the [[M3A3 Bradley]] because they can very easily destroy the AFT09 behind cover. The number of smoke grenades on the vehicle might be low, but it is still enough for a retreat or two.

AFT09 has a trump card in hand- its HJ-9 missiles. At its current tier, there is practically no vehicle that can stop its 1,200 mm penetration missile that flies at 500 m/s, this also ensures its capability even at the top tier as HJ-9 can even penetrate some of the most infamous MBTs in-game with ease. Fitted with ±10° vertical limits and a 1st generation TVD, this also ensures players can find targets at a faster rate and deliver the fatal blow to enemies; alternatively, its 5.5 km range is also threatening to hovering helicopters since most missiles at this tier can barely fly 4 km, a precise hit on them will very likely knock them out right away if they are unaware of such a huge missile. Unlike the [[Shturm-S]] or [[BMP-2M]], the AFT09 does not have a proximity-fused HE missile available, so hitting attentive targets is difficult.

The large profile of the AFT09 is a double-edged sword. It is not difficult to spot the boxy wheeled APC chassis and the turret itself is very tall, which is a problem when moving between positions on the battlefield. A SPAA or IFV could easily turn the AFT09 into Swiss cheese with a quick burst. However, the height of the turret and the decent gun depression (-10 degrees is better than any other PRC vehicle) makes it possible to hide in hull-down positions behind hills and low cover while only exposing the unmanned turret, allowing the AFT09 to unleash its incredible offensive power without risking the crew. On large and open maps, an entrenched AFT09 can lock down an entire flank. This is not a risk-free strategy because incoming fire can detonate the loaded ATGMs and a single TOW-2B can end the party, so it is best to not stay in a fixed position for long and orient the hull to drive away quickly at a moment's notice.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Extremely high 1,200 mm penetration, enough to finish off any tank even at high tier (e.g. [[T-72A]], Leopard 2A4, [[M1A1]])
* ATGMs have fast flight speed
* Thermal gunsight with high zoom (3x-12x) allows efficient targeting in all weathers
* -10° gun depression makes hull-down a viable tactic

'''Cons:'''

* Horrible -8 km/h reverse speed, fatal for a wheeled light vehicle
* Sluggish mobility on soft surface
* Can only fire when stationary which is dangerous in a sudden encounter
* Thin armour all around, can get penetrated by machine guns and shrapnel easily

== History ==

As the development of the previous generation ATGM has settled (HJ-73) and earlier HJ-8 were proved ineffective against the latest MBTs from both USSR and NATO, PLAGF was in dire for a new heavy ATGM with new guidance system as well as sporting their latest FCS. The new missile started its pre-development theorization in early 1980s by Institute 203 and officially started its development in 1988, with the likelihood of influence from the US BGM-71 TOW captured in Vietnam in terms of caliber and appearance; the engineer team also has to develop TV guidance systems and quad-mount, retractable missile launcher which could be traced back to different ancestors such as the ZDF89 ATGM carrier with quad-mount HJ-8 and WZ504 ATGM carrier using HJ-73 with retractable launcher, the system was later installed on the newly-developed WZ550 4x4 chassis by Factory 256 (NORINCO Chongqing Tiema). Due to the oversized superstructure to fit in the weapon systems, designers simplified the design with superstructures cover only the missiles and new intergraded launcher with enhanced FCS. The result was the HJ-9 that has been finalized in 1995; the new weapon system, delivered in April 1999 for the Project 9910 (50th National Day Parade) as the earliest new equipment for the parade, was first shown in both the 50th and 60th National Day Parade as the vehicles G phalanx and 14th phalanx respectively on a WZ550 chassis with different camouflage designs.<ref>https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1m8411R7Ec

A video introducing the development of the HJ-9</ref> In NORINCO catalogues, they also displayed a tripod variant as a standalone weapon system or onboard a open-top Iveco truck as its main weapon; different export customer, such as Rwanda opted to mount HJ-9A launcher on top of their Otokar Cobra APC<ref>https://www.military.africa/2018/12/rwandan-defense-forces-operating-chinese-red-arrow-hj-9a-anti-tank-guided-missile/</ref> while Morocco purchased the tripod mount HJ-9A for their Marine Corps<ref>https://www.defensa.com/africa-asia-pacifico/sistema-misiles-antitanque-chino-hj-9a-exhibido-infanteria-real</ref>

=== [[wt:en/news/7826-development-hj-9-the-red-arrow-en|Devblog]] ===
Being based on a shortened version of the Chinese ZSL92 APC, the HJ-9 features excellent mobility, typical for most wheeled vehicles regardless of rank. Specifically, the HJ-9 can reach an excellent top speed of 95 km/h on paved roads thanks to its 290 horsepower diesel engine. On the other hand, the vehicle's comparably low combat weight and the resulting high power-to-weight ratio enable it to cross even rougher terrain with relative ease - just be wary of boggy areas and deep snow as these considerably hamper the mobility of wheeled vehicles in general.

In most cases, wheeled vehicles don't feature heavy duty protection so as to not hamper their mobility. This principle also applies to the HJ-9. Engineers only equipped the HJ-9 with steel armor up to 12 mm in thickness as well as bulletproof glass for the windows. Needless to say, this makes the HJ-9 highly susceptible to everything but small arms fire and shrapnel. Aircraft in particular may prioritize the HJ-9 over other targets due to its poor protection and lack of a defensive roof-mounted machine gun. As a result, commanders are best advised to make the most use out of the HJ-9's excellent mobility and constantly change position after each engagement to ensure they remain an elusive target on the battlefield.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_hj_9 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|2QdxhMAGn6o|'''The Shooting Range #353''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:24 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==


* [[MEPHISTO]] - A very similar missile carrier from France

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7826-development-hj-9-the-red-arrow-en|[Devblog] HJ-9: The Red Arrow]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China tank destroyers}}
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]
<references />

ZT3A2

2024-04-07T09:28:22Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{Specs-Card
|code=uk_ratel_zt3
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Ixwa Strike"]].

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

[[File:ZT3A2 fragility example.jpg|thumb|right|Even a single lucky hit of a 35 mm KDA cannon can obliterate the ZT3A2, avoid fighting SPAA at any cost]]
The armour of this vehicle is irrelevant as its launcher is barely protected. The launcher ammunition counts as an active ammo rack, so any ATGM or HE shell detonating next to it will detonate it as well, taking the vehicle out in the process. Even hitting the missiles with any MG can cause them to detonate. Even worse, the ammo rack sometimes does not disappear after firing and definitely reappears in the middle of the reload, even though the vehicle cannot fire yet, so the operator must turn the launcher away when attacked. If the launcher is destroyed past that point, the ammo rack will not disappear but reload progress is still reset.

Frontal hull armour might sustain some MG fire from 500 m away, but it has way too many weak spots with 10 mm or even 8 mm RHA protection to be of any use. Unfortunately, the commander of the {{PAGENAME}} cannot take control of the weapon to fire, meaning that literally anything and anyone can disarm the {{PAGENAME}} with a well-placed shot.

Both commander and gunner are located in the turret, which must be exposed to fire in most cases, which makes this tank very easy to disable if not destroy outright. Sometimes, one of them will survive if the tank took a glancing hit of APFSDS, and ammunition is being stored along the sides of the carrier, so with some luck such shells will pass through the entire vehicle without doing any more damage.

One might argue that the {{PAGENAME}}'s long hull might confuse enemies, but overpressure damage and missile ammo racks placed along the entirety of it make the spaced armour argument irrelevant in most scenarios. Any ATGM landing next to it will instantly destroy it, particularly the ones with 4 kg explosive mass. Missiles with wide splash radius can do fatal damage even by hitting the top of the tree 20 m away from {{PAGENAME}}.

Aircraft strafing the {{PAGENAME}} often prefer to fire at it from the top and focus fire in the middle of it, so cannon based airstrike might fail to destroy the {{PAGENAME}}, but any rockets will obliterate the entire hull due to overpressure damage.

Artillery will obliterate this tank even with a 20 m miss and any artillery warning should be a cue to leave for anyone using the {{PAGENAME}}. Sometimes the shells land far enough to only cause minor overpressure damage, but the crew will only endure 4 hits at best.

The {{PAGENAME}} has smoke grenades, but these are outdated old smoke grenades and there is only one group of them. Smoke grenades are launched very high up in the direction the turret is facing, so it takes 4 seconds for them to hit the ground and then 5 seconds to set in. The smoke screen has gaps in it and usually is not enough to provide proper detection protection in AB, unless you park inside of it.

Therefore, the smoke must be used long before the enemy reached your position, not when it is already too late, and should not be relied on in AB. Another way to use them is to launch them at the same time as the ATGM salvo - by the time the carrier runs out of ATGMs, the smoke grenades connect with the ground, concealing the vehicle.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
|-
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
|-
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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


In arcade battles, the stock {{PAGENAME}} drives at 30-40 km/h offroad and 60-77 km/h on dirt roads. When using paved roads, it will accelerate towards 100 km/h instead. An upgraded {{PAGENAME}} does not drive much faster due to the engine only working at 1,700-2,000 RPM almost all the time, but it will reach 40 km/h almost as fast as it reached 30 km/h before and will reach its top speed on paved roads far more reliably. The maximum speed limits do not really change at all.
[[File:ZT3A2 Climbed impossible spot and sniped.jpg|thumb|right|Arcade mode: a ZT3A2 climbed an impossible mountain spot in order to deny enemy access to C point.]]
The {{PAGENAME}} tends to have a lot of momentum in its movement and will keep its speed for some time after going off road, but also should be driven carefully to avoid losing speed by accidentally ramming something. Its mass is also not enough to plough through thick trees, so they must be avoided. When reaching the maximum possible speed, the engine starts whining really loudly and the vehicle will start to shake, so turning becomes risky.

This tank also has an uncanny ability to drive uphill at very sharp angles, which may slow it to 5 km/h but won't stop it entirely. This, combined with the "Tires" upgrade, allows it to climb even certain mountains. The tank can also easily climb rocks and other objects, which tend to be impossible for regular tanks to get over. Unfortunately, this ability is rarely of any use in RB due to its low camera depression, so it is mostly used in AB to sneak shots into players not expecting a missile tank firing from weird positions.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=401|rbMinHp=249}}

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

Researching "Horizontal Drive" might make controlling missiles in RB slightly easier and will allow the user to respond to sudden flank attacks, but "Parts" should be researched first. Research "Brakes" instead of FPE to improve the {{PAGENAME}}s ability to fire fast. "Elevation mechanism" in theory could help, but isn't necessary and can be skipped. Research "Tandem missile" as soon as possible, as it will help fight tanks of higher BR. Mobility upgrades might make the {{PAGENAME}} faster, but their usefulness is very limited, with "Tires" and "Engine" bringing the most noticeable benefit. "Smoke grenades" might help the {{PAGENAME}} to survive in between reloads or if it got caught in a crossfire, so it might be a good idea to research them first instead. "Laser rangefinder" is only really useful to see if the enemy is within the missile attack range, but it will also trigger laser warnings and is useless in AB, so it can be researched last.

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

{{main|ZT3}}

There are two main missiles on the {{PAGENAME}}, the ZT3A1 and ZT3A2. Both missiles are laser-guided, which makes them immune to jamming by IRCM and allows the carrier to guide them all at once. Both missiles have reasonably strong vertical drive and rather sluggish horizontal drive, allowing the operator to quickly shift them up or down, as long as they do not try to change their flight direction, in which case the missiles will start to lose control and wiggle, only stabilizing after at least 400 m. These missiles also can cause overpressure damage through more RHA than would be expected from a normal HEAT warhead, meaning they can destroy many medium tanks by hitting their turret's rooftop.

The missiles are loaded in magazines of 3 missiles with 5 magazines or 15 missiles total. They aren't reloaded if the launcher is damaged. Each shot forces a 0.6s reload. Missiles fire off in order from the right to the left. Missiles struggle to take off and initially take a vertical stance, sometimes even obscuring the gunner's vision, so attempts to launch them downward while having the launcher peek over an object is likely to make them explode on launch.

In AB/RB the guiding "camera" is located in the launcher, which means that it can fire and guide straight after exposing the launcher. In SB, missiles are guided by the gunner's optics under the launcher, which means that the hull must also be exposed.

In terms of speed, the ZT3A1 can be treated like a [[MILAN 2]] with 40 more km/h speed on it. It often fails to break through light tanks and will only destroy ERA screens, but not break through them in most cases. Regardless, they are still very strong and there are 3 of them at once, so it is possible to destroy an entire tank squad if they are not paying attention to their surroundings and stand close to each other. These missiles can cause overpressure through 20 mm RHA, which means one can destroy [[Leopard_1_(Family)|Leopard]] by hitting the top of its roof.

The ZT3A2 has a tandem warhead, which allows it to penetrate one obstacle (primarily, ERA of Soviet or French tanks) without wasting the HEAT payload, and it in general has more penetration than all of the rank VI ATGMs, easily breaching and obliterating any tanks they land on. Unfortunately, some light tanks like the [[TAM]] can still somehow survive a direct hit, so aiming at weak spots is still recommended. This missile can cause overpressure through 30 mm RHA, so even many Soviet tank roofs aren't safe from it, so even if they hide the hull they are still an easy target.

Both missiles are easier to aim by using the sniper scope, even in arcade mode and at point-blank range, as the sniper scope makes it easier to see the missile's position via the light it emits onto the ground and thus easier to force them to fall into enemy cover.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[ZT3]] missile || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 12 (3) || rowspan="2" | -5°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 35.2 || 48.8 || 59.2 || 65.5 || 69.7 || rowspan="2" | 19.50 || rowspan="2" | 17.25 || rowspan="2" | 15.90 || rowspan="2" | 15.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 23.8 || 28.0 || 34.0 || 37.6 || 40.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:ZT3/Ammunition|ZT3A1, ZT3A2}}

==== [[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
|-
| '''4''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|Browning MG4 (7.62 mm)}}

This MG fires way too slowly to be of any combat use, but if the {{PAGENAME}} is attacked by a hostile ATGM carrier, it should be fired at the incoming missiles for a small chance of shooting them down mid-air.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Browning MG4 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Browning MG4]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 2,000 (250) || 500 || -10°/+20° || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


'''Arcade mode'''

It can be used on a map with a road leading off your spawn towards a capture point to quickly take over a strong defensive position. Do note, that it will only reach maximum speed if uses asphalt road and it might need a head start for that anyway. Any position that the enemy has to attack into and cannot attack indirectly is worth taking over like this. For example, on the map "[[Middle East (Ground Forces)|Middle East]]" it can rush into the north capture point and fall down into cover of a bunker or change direction to drive behind a building to avoid being sniped. This position is well protected, and also allows it to abuse simplified AB ATGM controls to deny any access to the capture point for the enemy team, as it has strong vertical missile control and can snipe attacking enemy tanks by just pointing the sniper scope at them after firing out and over cover.
[[File:ZT3A2 lean on a mountain to land a shot.jpg|thumb|right|If it's difficult to aim from the low ground due to the LOS limitations, or there are roadblocks in the way, remember to use the carrier's climbing abilities. This might even make some shots possible in RB.]]
It can also be used to drive to the side of attacking enemies to sneak shots into them. You can also do this in a more provocative manner by hiding behind buildings next to them, but be aware that you then have to rely on your team to act as a distraction and you should avoid being seen and especially avoid or destroy light tanks to not get unnecessary attention. While sneaking in AB is difficult, it is still rather easy to sneak up on Soviet players and heavy tanks in general as long as you understand the game mechanics. Do note, that in AB the {{PAGENAME}} does not have the constraints of "gun depression" and is able to fire off any kind of ground spikes, therefore it might be a good idea to climb any weird ground formation or rocks if it allows you to fire over buildings or other enemy cover, or at least give you a second before the enemy can process what is going on and react. In case enemy light tanks with chemical weapons did spot you, it's often possible to still beat them by hiding behind a destructible building, waiting for them to pull out of cover to stare at you, then unloading the entire magazine onto them through your own cover, instead of going around it. This kind of move is considered pure insanity for the tanks with just one or two weapons, but not for the 3-shot magazine of the ZT3A2, since even after your cover is gone, you still have one or two shots to destroy any opponent jumping in for a free kill.

There is also a possibility of using the {{PAGENAME}}'s tall profile to fire over or through the openings of indestructible buildings at the tanks standing on the other side, for example big tall windows of churches, which can allow you to capture a point with minimal effort. It is also possible to fire through some street corners, as many of them have little openings and cracks which are often overlooked, such as ones on the south side of [[Port Novorossiysk]] domination mode, when there can be at least 6 tanks waiting for you to rush them, but not noticing a very little window next to them which you can fire through. This tactic is usually successful, as at close range it is impossible for regular tanks to fire back, and at long range your launcher is such a small target, only a specialist will be able to notice and hit you back. Be careful with the missile launching pattern, so as to not hit your own cover. Do not forget that the ZT3A2 can destroy many medium tanks by hitting their commander cupola, so it's not necessary to even engage them directly most of the time.

It can be easily used as a sniper tank, with the main advantage of it being able to destroy an entire tank group almost simultaneously or obliterate enemy cover with the first missile, which is immediately followed by another two hitting their turret and hull. Multiple missiles can be sent over cover if the target managed to survive the first hit as well. Likewise, it is possible to just send all 3 missiles through a forest in hopes that they will be able to brute force the foliage and hit enemy tanks anyway. It is also possible to drive missiles into enemy ATGM tanks over hills when they are reloading, but it might be too difficult to time correctly, unless the missile is guided next to the ground and you keep its position by tracking the light it emits onto the ground. Remember to immediately hide after such attacks and in general fire into enemy tank sides to avoid being countersniped.

In any case, be very wary of your reload timings - locate targets, gain as much of an unfair advantage over them, like tall cover you can fire over and they cannot, as possible, then fully commit to your attack when they seem to lose focus. Each shot forces a 0.6-second "reload" and in that time you must point the missile at your first target and decide who needs to be destroyed next, then fire the next missile. If the enemy group is very spread out, guide each missile till the very end and focus on enemies that clearly noticed that they are being attacked and start turning towards you. After firing three shots, back off into cover before anyone decided to fire back. If the enemy managed to destroy the launcher, turn around and make a complete retreat, especially if it was already empty, as repair will take at least 5 seconds and reloading after this will take from 15 to 20 seconds, making you unable to recover from that kind of damage fast enough.

Overall, in AB the {{PAGENAME}}'s efficiency depends on a lot of factors outside of the player's control - if everyone will focus on it, you will not be able to do much, especially from long range, as it takes just one or two good hits of virtually any weapon to destroy the {{PAGENAME}}, but you should be already used to play around enemy with aim assist at this point.

'''Notable enemies'''

* Proximity missile carriers: avoid gaining the attention of vehicles with TOW-2B or [[Rbs 56|BILL]] missiles since their missiles can explode above enemy tanks and the {{PAGENAME}}'s armour is too thin to survive overpressure damage. Locate and destroy them immediately, if you can, or run very far away, as simple cover of a hill or a wall won't protect against them. If forced to fight them head-on (preferably in AB only): ensure that your launcher is fully loaded, position yourself as far away from them as possible and put the hull low behind cover to avoid being obliterated by a gun, but high enough to be visible. Natural reaction to this for most such light tanks is to start spamming ATGMs at you, this is where the 3-shot magazine of the ZT3A2 comes into play. Since proximity missiles have the tendency to react to anything they fly next to, your answer should be firing a missile of your own. Once they are out of ammo, drop the third shot straight into their turret or run.

* Wheeled light tanks: the ZT3A2 is on average two times slower than light tanks on wheels at the same rank due to its negligible off-road speed, as it averages at a speed of a fast medium tank or slower light tanks even with the best player effort. It is too likely to meet a player, that can and will fire their guns while driving at a full 90+ km/h, but maybe you will be able to do an emergency stop and destroy them (or at least destroy each other). It is even more likely to meet 4 of such tanks already standing next to a capture point that you were intending to attack, so don't be overconfident and be careful with rushing attacks into capture points with lots of low cover (which the ZT3A2 can't use as it's too tall). Do not act as if you are the only person who can rush, as otherwise the ZT3A2 will get gunned down before even doing anything, since it can't fire on the move.

* [[XM-1 (GM)]]: this tank has NERA screen in the turret, and is as fast as a light tank. Try to hit it in the hull or at least angle the missile down before it lands on the turret, if you use the default missile. Tandem missiles should be able to penetrate it regardless. Avoid engaging it directly, as it has way too many machine guns.

* [[IT-1]]: This tank is more dangerous than it seems, as it can fire on the move and is difficult to hit. Try to not park next to trees or walls when fighting it to avoid being overpressured. Fortunately, due to the insane overpressure damage of the ZT3A2, it is possible to destroy IT-1 by hitting its missile or the fake panel on the turret's front that allows it to reload, as it's only 25 mm thick. Therefore, it's best to attack when IT-1 is about to reload - since their missile rack does not explode from damage, they are often very arrogant and are unlikely to try and dodge your shot, instead they will move in to fire. Another opportunity to hit them is to fight them over a hill and abuse strong vertical drives of your missiles to hit them as they retreat, but it's less feasible in RB/SB.

*[[T-55AMD-1]]: this tank is annoying, as if it is looking in your direction, this means that it can shoot down your ATGM with its active protection system. There are at least 2 guns with 2 shots each covering each 20 degrees in front of the turret. Fortunately, the protection arc is quite narrow, its reaction time is not great, it seems to not understand if there are multiple missiles flying after one another, and there are blind spots on the lower half. Generally, the system shoots down missiles high in the sky, but fails to hit missiles that go along the ground, and it will fail to stop any missiles suddenly appearing from behind an obstacle (for example, if the tank doesn't fully expose the turret over a hill). To straight up obliterate it frontally, launch at least two missiles and guide them to a single side of the tank to overload APS (do not shake them horizontally or APS on both sides of the turret might fire) and crush the tank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Is able to use tandem missiles, which penetrate ERA at almost any angle of attack and also have a chance of penetrating the [[IPM1]]'s turret frontally if the user controls them well
* Missiles can cause overpressure damage through more armour than normal HEAT ATGM, meaning it's possible to destroy tanks by hitting their cupolas, even if they try to avoid fighting you
* Has a three-shot launcher, which is a step down from the [[Striker]], but it can guide all three missiles simultaneously
* Missiles are immune to jammers
* Can relocate fast on maps with a lot of paved roads after having researched mobility upgrades and often can get to the advantageous position at the beginning of the match before being sniped
* Missiles have reasonable vertical mobility, though this is often irrelevant in RB due to mediocre camera depression
* While clumsy, the {{PAGENAME}}'s chassis are able to climb at very sharp angles (60-70 degree inclination even when stock in AB) and it can get on top of certain objects the [[Striker]] or other ATGM tanks would not be able to climb
* Tall profile allows it to fire directly over certain cover which other tanks normally see as a full cover or an indestructible wall, for example, destroyed building debris, cargo containers or a church, potentially surprising some enemies

'''Cons:'''

* Missiles do not turn well in the horizontal plane and are especially unresponsive in RB, can easily overshoot during a turn if used incorrectly
* Vertical depression is not too great on the launcher, and missiles tend to crash into the carrier's own cover, which can limit launch options from high ground in RB or at point-blank range in any mode (not as much of an issue in AB)
* In SB, the hull must be exposed to make a direct shot and almost any responding shot to the top of the hull will destroy the weapon, ammo rack, or enough crew to count as crew knockout, even a single glancing hit from [[ZSU-57-2]] may be enough. In AB/RB it still has to be careful, as any direct hit to the missiles will make them explode the carrier
* Slow when driving offroad and in general drives more like a bus rather than a tank or a regular armoured car
* Must make a complete stop to fire, which makes it incapable of fighting any kind of light tanks or SPAA directly
* Missiles are rather slow, only 20-40 m/s faster than MILAN
* Reloads only after spending all three shots (but reloads all three at once), does not automatically reload during rearm like the [[Striker]]
* Has obsolete smoke grenades and only has one group of them
* Too tall to drive under bridges on most maps (on some maps, cannot attack a capture point with others)

== History ==


=== [[wt:en/news/7059-development-ratel-zt3-a2-the-sharpshooting-honey-badger-en|Devblog]] ===
In the early 1960s, the South African military already identified the need for anti-tank missile capabilities. Subsequently, this led to South Africa procuring the MILAN ATGM in the early to mid 1970s. However, early use experience with the MILAN highlighted the weapon's unsuitability for the African tropical conditions.

Being a wire-guided missile, the MILAN's control wire had a tendency to get caught up in the thick African bush and get severed, causing the missile to go off target and making engaging moving targets even more challenging. As a result, the decision was made to procure a laser-guided missile. However, as international arms embargoes were imposed on South Africa, simply acquiring an existing weapon off the export market wasn't possible. Therefore, South African engineers at the Kentron company went about designing their own laser-guided ATGM in the late 1970s.

The result of this undertaking was the creation of the ZT3 missile system. By the time the ZT3 system had been ready for production in 1986, plans were being drawn up for a modified Ratel 20 housing the newly developed ZT3 missile launcher in a modified Ratel 60 turret. The modified Ratel with the ZT3 missile system was developed in order to supplement the Ratel 90s in anti-tank operations as the latter often struggled to engage heavy armour in direct combat.

The Ratel ZT3-A1 entered production in 1987 and around 90vehicles of the type had been built by 1993. The ZT3-A2 was introduced in 2008 and continues its successful operation with SANDF units till the present day.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_ratel_zt3 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 01.jpg|
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 02.jpg|
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 03.jpg|
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 04.jpg|
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 05.jpg|
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 06.jpg|
File:Ratel ZT3-A2 WTWallpaper 07.jpg|
</gallery>

== See also ==


* [[Ratel (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/7059-development-ratel-zt3-a2-the-sharpshooting-honey-badger-en|[Devblog] Ratel ZT3-A2 - The Sharpshooting Honey Badger]]

{{TankManufacturer Sandock-Austral}}
{{Britain tank destroyers}}

[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]

WZ305

2024-03-14T01:15:40Z

U41531792: /* Ammunition */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_wz_305
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''', or the PGZ80 as it would have been designated by the PLAGF, was an SPAAG that was based on the design of the [[ZSU-57-2]] but mounted on a ZTZ79 chassis. In the late 1970s, the PLAGF recognized the need for a new SPAAG, as they had an abundance of towed anti-aircraft guns but lacked self-propelled systems. The plans included reverse-engineering ZSU-23-4s exchanged from Egypt and developing their own domestic systems. Additionally, they aimed to create a SPAAG with a relatively high-calibre weapon for field air-defense. Chinese engineers likely acquired the ZSU-57-2 from either Vietnam or Egypt, and the twin-barrelled turret was finalized by the mid-1980s. However, due to its inferior performance against third-generation jets and the development of new domestic SPAA systems, the WZ305 never entered service with the PLAGF. Instead, it was exported to Middle Eastern countries.

Introduced in [[Update 1.95 "Northern Wind"]], the WZ305 serves as the Chinese counterpart to the infamous [[ZSU-57-2]]. Veteran users of the "Sparka" will find the WZ305 very familiar. While it shares similarities in appearance, there are some differences. The hull of the WZ305 was developed from a later variant of the [[Type 69]], unlike the ZSU, which used a chassis derived from the [[T-54]]. Cosmetic variations include headlights mounted on the fenders, side skirts, and the retention of all five road wheels. The WZ305's hull has improved armour, although this also adds approximately three tons to its weight, and it features a slightly more powerful engine. In terms of firepower, it benefits from a new DKY-1 airburst HE shell, making it much more effective against aircraft. The WZ305 can dispatch light targets, secure flanks, and clear the skies, making it a valuable asset in battle.

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

The armour of the WZ305 is very poor. While the upper glacis is now about as strong as a T-34, this level of protection does not amount to much at its rank. The paper-thin turret means that enemies with heavy machine guns or autocannons can mow down the turret crew and potentially knock out the tank with a single burst. The open roof renders the WZ305 highly vulnerable to overpressure damage, so nearby artillery, bombs, and rockets will often knock out the crew.

Compared to the ZSU-57-2, the upper glacis is significantly thicker at 45 mm of RHA compared to the original 13.5 mm. The side armour is 20 mm (+5 mm difference) and the rear armour is 30 mm (+20 mm difference). The turret is slightly thinner than the original but the difference is negligible.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 45 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 45 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 20 mm || 30 mm (17-49°) ''Top'' 20 mm (73°) ''Bottom'' || 20 mm
|-
| Turret || 12 mm (14-57°) ''Turret front'' 12 mm (25-64°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 12 mm (9-61°) || 12 mm (4-59°) || N/A
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 12 mm thick.
* Hatches and air intake are 15 mm thick.
* Side skirts consist of rubber-fabric screens 3 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=824|rbMinHp=513}}

The mobility of the {{PAGENAME}} is about the same as the [[ZSU-57-2]], with a hp/ton ratio of 19, a top speed of 50 km/h, and a reverse speed of -7 km/h. While not lightning fast, it is considerably more mobile than contemporary Chinese MBTs like the [[Type 59]] and should have few issues keeping up with teammates. Flanking should be done with caution since proper light tanks and some MBTs are more mobile, especially on-road, and may appear suddenly.

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

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

{{main|WA318 (57 mm)}}

Although this is an AA vehicle, its twin 57 mm cannons are still equally deadly against ground units. When stock, their accuracy isn't good so the shells fly all over the place as the distance increases, and the stock belt is made up of half APCBC, half HE, meaning it is not the most efficient belt when dealing with either planes or tanks. Therefore the best tactic for a fully stock WZ305 is to shoot the enemies' side up close or to target low-flying helicopters. The full APCBC belt should be the priority to research with the HE-VT behind it.

When the BR-281 belt (full APCBC) is available, the player can go into full anti-tank mode as this shell packs quite a punch, and it can penetrate pretty much any tank's side armour (excluding the Maus) and some tanks' frontal armour. In a flank the WZ305 can finish off a group of opponents with an unbelievable speed. Two shells will slice through their side armour and explode with a single click of the mouse, so theoretically one clip is enough to wipe out four tanks in a row (aiming at the crew compartment only, of course). A few seconds later, another set of clips will be loaded, ready to hunt more prey.

The APCBC shell also performs alright in the AA role, since its calibre is quite large for planes, and a direct hit usually critically damages the plane, if not destroying it instantly. However, it is best to use the deadly HE-VT belt for anti-air duties. Killing planes will be much easier since now you don't have to hit right on target (which requires lots of careful leading and adjusting). Those near-misses will all deal quite a bit of damage, thanks to the 450 g TNT, over 1,000 m/s of velocity and the 6 m trigger radius for each shell.

Note that the WZ305's gun handling is worse than the ZSU-57-2's. The turret rotation speed is roughly 40% slower, which makes it more difficult to track aircraft or react to ground targets in close quarters fighting. It still rotates significantly faster than other Chinese tanks, so this is not unbearable.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="6" | [[WA318 (57 mm)|57 mm WA318]] (x2) || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 304 (4) || rowspan="2" | 120 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 31.7 || 43.9 || 53.3 || 58.9 || 62.7 || rowspan="2" | 2.60 || rowspan="2" | 2.30 || rowspan="2" | 2.12 || rowspan="2" | 2.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 21.4 || 25.2 || 30.6 || 33.8 || 36.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|HE*|High-explosive fragmentation (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-piercing capped ballistic capped}} - 50% of this belt are useless against tanks or planes. However, against other SPAA this belt can reliably take out crew, armament, ammo and engine. Having one belt in reserve does not hurt.
* '''BR-281SP:''' {{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-piercing capped ballistic capped}} - For use against ground vehicles. With around 150 mm of penetration at point blank, this belt can go through side armour and take out lightly armoured targets. Actual MBTs can typically resist it from the front.
* '''Type 59 HE:''' {{Annotation|HE*|High-explosive fragmentation (self-destroying)}} - For use against planes. One or two hits usually get the job done. However, heavy armoured attackers and bombers may require several hits.
* '''Type 59 APCBC:''' {{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-piercing capped ballistic capped}} - For use against ground vehicles. While the shells have the same penetration values as the BR-281SP belt, they also contain a small amount of explosive filler, making their use slightly more efficient against ground vehicles.
* '''DKY-1:''' {{Annotation|HE-VT*|High-explosive variable time fuse (self-destroying)}} - For use against planes. The huge explosive mass will blow most aircraft out of the sky with a fairly close hit, while the 6 m trigger radius means that one can be much more lenient with aiming. However, the proximity fuse requires 200 m of arming distance and within this distance it acts only like a powerful HE round.

{{:WA318 (57 mm)/Ammunition|BR-281SP, Type 59 HE, Type 59 APCBC, DKY-1}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
|-
| '''76''' || 76 ''(+0)'' || 74 ''(+2)'' || 60 ''(+16)'' || 58 ''(+18)'' || 54 ''(+22)'' || 52 ''(+24)''|| 42 ''(+34)'' || 32 ''(+44)''
|-
! 9th rack empty
! 10th rack empty
! 11th rack empty
! 12th rack empty
! 13th rack empty
! 14th rack empty
! 15th rack empty
! 16th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| 30 ''(+46)'' || 30 ''(+46)'' || 28 ''(+48)'' || 18 ''(+58)'' || 18 ''(+58)'' || 9 ''(+67)'' || 1 ''(+75)'' || 1 ''(+75)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* A clip is made of 4 shells.
* The belts can only be picked in multiples of 2 and they also deplete in multiples of 2. Each gun using 1 belt each time.
* Because the User Interface only allows to pick belts in multiples of 2, the UI may indicate the {{PAGENAME}} carries 76 belts.
* Ammo racks 1 to 11 are stored in the turret.
* Ammo racks 12 to 16 are stored in the hull.
* It is advised to bring 18 ''(+58)'' clips in order to reduce the chances of ammo rack upon being shot in the turret. However, this may not be enough for an anti-air role.

== Usage in battles ==


Like its Soviet cousin, the WZ305 is capable of slaughtering lightly armoured vehicles, but using it in an anti-ground role is risky due to its lacklustre defence. It is best to play carefully while keeping a keen eye out for opportunities to knock out tanks and aircraft.

;AAA

As an SPAA this should be the first course of action. Find a safe location from enemy ground vehicles, lie in wait and open fire on any enemies when they are in range. The powerful 57 mm cannons will tear apart any aircraft from the sky in 1-5 direct hits. If the fused HE shells are unlocked, this is even easier; the proximity fuse will make it much easier to land hits in general and manoeuvring targets will have a harder time dodging your fire. The big downside is that the gunner crew are exposed to strafing aircraft and can easily be taken out by aircraft machine gun/cannon fire, so it is important to first prioritize aircraft which appear to be gunning for the WZ305.

In Ground RB, the WZ305 will often face helicopters. The common [[AH-1G]] is fast, slim, and has a solid armament that can take out the WZ305 with ease. Gunning down a Cobra with the HE or APCBC rounds can be rather difficult due to its small profile. Once the HE-VT rounds are unlocked, swatting helicopters becomes much easier. Among early helicopters, the AH-1G, [[UH-1B (Japan)|Japanese UH-1B]] and [[AB 205 A-1]] have only unguided weapons and must get close to fight, which forces them into to the WZ305's comfortable engagement range, but others such as the British [[Scout AH.Mk.1]] or German [[SA.313B Alouette II (Germany)|SA.313B Alouette II]] can hover several kilometres away from the battlefield and sling ATGMs in relative safety. The WZ305 has no radar or rangefinder, so sniping an ATGM helicopter at long range is difficult. If they are sitting very still, it may be possible to eventually fire onto the helicopter's position. This will probably attract the helicopter's attention, so be prepared to jump into cover if they fire an ATGM.

Enemy planes fly faster and are more difficult to hit than helicopters. Propeller or turboprop planes are slow enough to hit fairly comfortably and common sights include the [[AD-2]]/[[AD-4]] Skyraiders, [[A2D-1]] Skyshark, [[Wyvern S4]], and [[F4U-7]] Corsair, which all boast very potent ordnance. These aircraft also tend to be large and full of fuel, which makes it easier to trigger the proximity fuse and set them on fire if they are not blown apart. Jets are generally not worth shooting at unless they are flying in a straight line or have lost most of their speed. If you destroy an aircraft with ordnance in a head-on, it may be worth sending some more HE-VT rounds their way to ensure that they have lost control; otherwise, they may be able to steer their wreck towards you and deliver some nasty farewell presents.

Although Ground RB seems to be more popular, Ground AB still works great in the case of WZ305, since there are lead indicators for all aircraft which makes killing them even more easier, given that the player has the HE-VT belt. In an arcade battle, fill all the ammo racks up with the VT belt but also prepare around 10 full AP belts to defend against tanks. At the start of the match, find a place that is not too far away from the frontline (planes usually go for the crowded frontline) but also not too close to it (easier to get shot by tanks), so the player can fully concentrate on planes and not worrying about tanks. The place should have a hard cover that is wide and tall enough to hide from strafing aircraft. Then just wait til the enemy begins to spawn in planes. For fighters, wait until they are 2 km or closer. For slow and little manoeuvrable bombers (e.g. Tu-14, IL-28) open fire at around 3 km distance. If the lead indicator doesn't show up, wait until the plane is about 2.5 km away. Now just pour those VT shells towards that grey circle and there is a great chance to destroy a plane with 1-2 belts. Even if the plane isn't dead, the excellent VT shells will at least score hits / critical hits, and since planes in arcade always ram into the ground themselves, the kill will eventually be yours. Be careful when dealing with Me 262, Me 163 and the MiGs, as they have large-calibre nose-mounted cannons which tend to kill the gunner or the loader in the open turret easily. If the plane wants to strafe you, move sideways to make yourself harder to aim at, or quickly go back to cover.

;Tank Destroyer

Using the 57 mm cannons on a ground attack role is possible and have been exploited by many players. Using BR-281 ammo, the guns can effectively pierce the side and rear of any tank (excluding the Maus). Remember the WZ305's armour does not compare to other tanks armour so one shot could be the end of the SPAA. Play cat-and-mouse and wait for the enemy to go into an engagement with another target and then jump out into the open and fire upon them while they are distracted. It is recommended to the first aim for their rear to disable their engine and cause a fire, they will have to stop what they are doing and put it out. During this time they won't be able to move or fire upon the WZ305, allowing a chance to finish off the crewmen inside by unloading the 57 mm cannons into the side of the enemy tank.

Light tanks and IFVs are quite common at the WZ305's rank and are enticing targets. The [[M3 Bradley]] has a large profile and pitiful protection, so it is quite possible to destroy one with a single salvo of APCBC rounds. Do not underestimate the Bradley since it is still very capable of destroying the WZ305 in turn with its autocannon, ATGMs, and thermal sights. The [[M551|M551 Sheridan]] is another easy target, having neither thermals nor an autocannon. Despite being an IFV, the German [[Begleitpanzer 57]] fulfills a similar role to the WZ305 as it has an unstabilized 57 mm cannon with HE-VT rounds; take advantage of the fact that the WZ305 has twice the gun count to quickly gun down the Begleitpanzer and protect friendly aircraft. The Italian [[Centauro]] is also a common sight and can be difficult to destroy at times due to its large volume and good sloping despite its thin armour. Focus fire on the turret crew and try flanking shots if possible.

Medium and heavy tanks tend to be resistant if not outright immune to the WZ305 from the front, even the poorly armoured ones like the [[Leopard I]]. While it is often possible to pop out in the frontal view of an otherwise unaware light tank and gun them down in a single shot, this typically won't work against MBTs. As mentioned before, strive for side shots instead: Western MBTs tend to have poor side armour and it is often possible to perforate their hull or turret sides at half-decent angles of attack. This might be achieved by going on flanking runs, hiding in ambush positions, or sometimes even just waiting until their turrets are turned. Just avoid frontal assaults; the WZ305 and ZSU-57-2 do have a reputation for being functionally tank destroyers, but much of that comes from being able to greatly capitalize on good flanks or unaware enemies. They are not all-purpose death machines.

The WZ305 is very well capable of hunting down tanks of all types with adequate armour ([[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[M48 Patton (Family)|M48]], [[M60 (Family)|M60]], etc.), but there are some heavy tanks that you cannot destroy ([[IS-7]], [[Object 279]], [[Maus]]).

Despite the increased hull armour over the ZSU-57-2, do not expect to survive any incoming fire. The hull can shrug off light fire from the front but the turret is paper-thin. HESH or HEATFS rounds can also cause overpressure. Stick close to cover when possible and try not to stay in exposed positions.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Fantastic HE-VT rounds are deadly against air targets, a few hits will cripple if not destroy them
* Excellent anti-tank firepower for a SPAA, especially when flanking
* High rate of fire and fast reload makes quick work of multiple tanks and planes alike
* Dedicated APHE and HE-VT belts
* Decent mobility
* Master at the late game where it can perform multiple roles (flanker, SPAA, support)

'''Cons:'''

* Inadequate armour protection and survivability, entire turret crew is vulnerable to machine guns of any calibre
* No radar of any kind, requires plenty of manual searching and leading which is sometimes very ineffective
* HE-VT rounds are a Tier IV modification and take some practice to use effectively
* Slower gun traverse speed than ZSU-57-2 makes it harder to react to low and fast jet strafes
* No night vision devices or thermal, rendering it useless in night battles
* Poor reverse speed of only -7 km/h and bad gun depression (-5 degrees)

== History ==


In the 1980s, Iraq requested that China make a copy of the ZSU-57-2 and provided a few examples of the Soviet SPAAG for reverse engineering. China had not previously imported or used the ZSU-57-2. However, a local copy of the ZSU's gun was available. The result of the project was the Type 80 SPAAG, sometimes known by its industrial designation of '''WZ305'''. Designed on the chassis of the Type 69-II medium tank, the Type 80 was very similar to the ZSU-57-2, featuring twin 57 mm cannons in an open topped turret with no fire control systems, limiting it to clear weather anti-aircraft use. A proximity-fused round was later developed that improved its utility.

According to some sources, the Type 80 was adopted by the PLA in small numbers, while others claim that it was not accepted into Chinese service at all. It was used in Iraqi service in the Iran-Iraq War and Gulf War, and may have been exported to North Korea.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_wz_305 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|ZR4C7q4NZIU|'''{{PAGENAME}} - SPAA Goes Full Anti Tank Mode''' - ''Napalmratte''|t4CO6g-B0-8|'''Twin 57mm cannons proximity fuse shells''' - ''PhlyDaily''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[ZSU-57-2 (Family)]]

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

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

{{China anti-aircraft vehicles}}

WZ305

2024-03-06T08:19:52Z

U41531792: /* Ammunition */

T-64B

2024-01-11T06:30:17Z

U41531792: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Soviet medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = T-64 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=ussr_t_64_b_1984
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|GarageImage T-64BV.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''T-64B''' is the third variant of the [[T-64 (Family)|T-64 main battle tank family]]. It has many improvements over its predecessor, including a redesigned armour layout, a better 1A33 fire control system, a new 9K112-1 "Kobra" ATGM system, an improved 125 mm 2A46-2 tank gun, a 2E26M two-plane fully automatic stabilisation system, and a new 6ETs40 autoloader. T-64B variants were fitted with stronger upper hull glacis armour beginning in 1985, and older T-64B variants were upgraded with a 16 mm armour plate.

Introduced in [[Update 1.77 "Advancing Storm"]], the T-64B is a formidable opponent on the battlefield. Its triple-layer composite hull armour can withstand most enemy hits; however, its lacklustre engine power can be disappointing. The tank has access to a vast arsenal of ammunition that is more than capable of dealing with any type of enemy on the battlefield. The tank's low profile allows players to avoid detection and utilize forms of cover that other tanks cannot. Additionally, players have access to a "Kontakt-1" explosive reactive armour (ERA) upgrade, which significantly alters the tank's appearance. The ERA is shaped like a "pike" or triangular prism. The appearance of the hull will also change, as it will be covered in ERA and the distinctive triangle at the front will be removed. An extra armour plate will be added to the lower plate.

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

'''Armour type:'''

* Composite armour (Hull front, Turret front)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Armour radiation material (Roof)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 60* mm (68°) ''Front glacis'' 80 mm (62°) ''Lower glacis'' || 85 mm ''Front'' 70 mm ''Rear'' <br. 20 mm (33°) ''Bottom'' || 20 mm (4-54°) ''Top'' 45 mm ''Center'' 20 mm (21-57°) ''Bottom'' || 30 + 30 mm ''Front'' 20 mm ''Engine deck''
|-
| Turret || 50-330 mm (0-80°) || 65-140* mm (12-29°) || 65 + 30 mm (0-65°) || 45-140 + 30 mm
|-
| Cupola || 45 mm || 45 mm || 45 mm || 40 + 30 mm
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Composite armour* !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides
|-
| Hull || 403 mm ''Kinetic'' 476 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
|-
| Turret || ''Angles +0-0°:'' 440 mm ''Kinetic'' 500 mm ''Chemical'' ''Angles +30-30°:'' 400 mm ''Kinetic'' 450 mm ''Chemical'' || 200 mm ''Kinetic'' 220 mm ''Chemical''
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, torsion bars are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 30 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
* A 5 mm RHA plate separates the engine from the crew compartment
* A log providing 100 mm thickness in wood is mounted on the rear.
* The snorkel tube on the turret rear provide 4 mm of structural steel.
* Hull composite armour configuration is 60 mm RHA + 35 mm Textolite + 30 mm RHA + 35 mm Textolite + 45 mm RHA.
* Turret composite armour configuration is 130-140 mm CHA + 150 mm Ultra porcelain + 100-110 mm CHA.
* Turret side composite armour configuration is 90 mm CHA + 80 mm Ultra porcelain + 60 mm CHA.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,085|rbMinHp=619|AoAweight=1.1|weight=41.2}}

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

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

{{main|2A46M-1 (125 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[2A46M-1 (125 mm)|125 mm 2A46M-1]] || 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" | 36 || rowspan="2" | -6°/+14° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 22.85 || 31.62 || 38.40 || 42.47 || 45.18 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 7.10
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.28 || 16.80 || 20.40 || 22.56 || 24.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:2A46M-1 (125 mm)/Ammunition|3BK18M, 3OF26, 3BM22, 9M112, 3BM42}}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! Ammo part
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty*
! 4th rack empty*
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''36''' || ''Projectiles'' ''Propellants'' || 36 ''(+0)'' 36 ''(+0)'' || 34 ''(+2)'' 29 ''(+7)'' || 29 ''(+7)'' 1 ''(+35)'' || 1 ''(+35)'' N/A || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* The {{PAGENAME}} main ammo rack consists of a mechanized carousel at the bottom of the turret. Such ammo stowage carries 28 propellants and projectiles.
* The 4th projectile rack is the carousel at the bottom of the turret; it serves as first-stage ammo stowage.
* The 3th propellant rack is the carousel at the bottom of the turret; it serves as first-stage ammo stowage.

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

{{main|NSVT (12.7 mm)|PKT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[NSVT (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm NSVT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 300 (150) || 700 || -5°/+70° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[PKT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm PKT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 1,250 (250) || 700 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The T-64B performs optimally as a sniper or support tank, utilising the low profile and long-range weapon performance. While the armour of the T-64B was good for its time, many later vehicles can fairly reliably penetrate the UFP, even through the composite armour. The gun performs well, with a good variety of ammunition, an autoloader for reliable reload times (even when a crew member is knocked, or putting out fires) and extremely high round velocity for long-range ease of use.

The T-64B can be used as a brawling tank but positioning is key - wherever possible, the LFP should not be exposed, and due to the abysmally low reverse speed, there's usually no escape from a sticky situation. Play carefully in close quarters environments, letting targets move into your gunsights rather than vice versa.

Keep in mind that the vehicle is relatively slow, so you'll often be one of the last into battle. This gives you an opportunity to exploit known intel - where your teammates have been shot/destroyed from, primarily - which can be used to position, ready for pushing enemy tanks.

'''T-64BV'''

One of the later upgrades available to the T-64B is the "additional protection" upgrade, which covers the frontal hull and turret with "Kontakt-1" ERA. This adds a huge amount of protection to the vehicle specifically against chemical rounds. While it's uncommon to see top rank MBTs use HEAT rounds, it can prove useful when facing IFVs/ATGM carriers, or in many cases, helicopters with ATGMs. The weight increase is often well worth the benefits of the BV upgrade.

'''Top-rank Adversaries'''

* [[M1 Abrams (Family)|M1 Abrams]]: The Abrams series of vehicles are significantly faster than the T-64B, and will almost always get into position before you're able to. The best way to combat them is to catch them while they're pushing. Be careful with shot placement, however, because of the nature of the Abrams vehicles it's often very hard to guarantee a single-shot vehicle knockout - if necessary, disable the vehicle's gunner/weapon first. When you have a clear shot on the back of an Abrams' turret, try to place it through the ammunition and the blast door: this often results in ammo detonation and the vehicle's destruction.

* [[Leopard 2K]]: The Leopard 2K has negligible armour and can often be destroyed with a well placed shot almost anywhere - beware the highly angled surfaces, however, which will bounce shots you may not expect it to. Watch out for the Leopard's mobility, though - it can flank quickly and the L/44 120mm can be deadly.

* [[Leopard 2A4]]: The Leopard 2A4 is similar vehicles to face and it is reasonably mobile, especially compared to the T-64. The best option is to try to get a side shot - but if this isn't possible, try for a round through the upper plate or shooting the side of turret where the commander and gunner are inside.

* [[Challenger Mk.2]]/[[Challenger Mk.3|Mk.3]]: These vehicles can be extremely hard to destroy when they're in a hull-down position - their turret cheeks are extremely well protected and the mantlet is small and hard to place a round through. If you're forced to engage one at long range, it's best to try your best to land a shot in the mantlet or the lower half of the turret cheeks, which are slightly weaker. When a Challenger is exposed, however, simply place a shell through the massive LFP and reap the rewards.

* [[Ariete]](P): The Ariete is reasonably easy to destroy - it has a reasonably vulnerable hull, although the turret can be slightly harder to deal with. Still avoid being a target, because due to the compact nature of the T-64 and spread out ammunition, if an Ariete penetrates you, there's a pretty good chance you're a goner.

'''How to fight the T-64B'''

Disable its gun: the gun mantlet is very weak against top tier shells so it will be destroyed. Even if a shell can penetrate the composite armour, make sure the T-64B can not hit you back as it will penetrate most vehicles it can face. The driver port does not contain composite armour. Rounds with 200 mm of penetration can penetrate effectively, almost guaranteeing a kill. However at long ranges this is a very small target so try and hit the T-64B's gun. The lower plate is a very big weak spot as there is no composite armour there. Any top tier shell will penetrate at close to medium range. However at long ranges the lower plate is a very small target so try and disable the T-64B's gun. Vehicles such as the Type-90 or Ariete C1 are capable of punching straight through the hull composite armour.

Fighting the T-64BV (T-64B with "Kontakt-1" ERA) is a different situation. With the ERA, protection against chemical is 850 mm and above meaning it can stop the HOT missile and DM12 HEAT-FS. If you have an autocannon fire at the ERA to destroy it. Once it is gone you the value will drop to 500 mm against chemical rounds. In some cases, a if a projectile with lots of explosive hits the breech or the ERA on turret, some shrapnel will deflect downwards into the ammunition, destroying the tank even though the projectile was stopped. However, the provides minimal protection against kinetic rounds.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Stock-friendly grind, with decent stock HEAT shell and potent HE shell
* Upgraded hull armour allows it to shrug off hits from many top-rank cannons
* Lower profile compared to other MBTs, allows the user to utilize cover and tactics that other players cannot use
* Ability to mount the Kontakt-1 Explosive Reactive Armour package which enhances first-hit protection against chemical munitions
* Very strong turret armour combined with a bad but usable -6° gun depression can allow it to hull down relatively well in some instances
* Upgraded 125 mm cannon inherited from the previous model
* The high muzzle velocity on the T-64B's APFSDS rounds make it an excellent sniper
* More diverse ammunition choices gives it a great deal of flexibility and allows it to engage at any distance and adapt to different situations and playstyle
* 9M112 "Kobra" ATGM capable of penetrating 650 mm of armour
* Replaces the "oil barrel" smoke grenades with two sets of four-barrelled smoke grenade launchers
* Good optics allow for more accurate shots at long range

'''Cons:'''

* Horrible reverse speed
* Bad gun depression compared to its adversaries
* Gun elevation/depression speed is very slow compared to other MBTs (2.4 degrees per second)
* HEAT-FS shell requires skill against its contemporaries' armour, simply pointing and firing it will not guarantee a penetration
* High risk of ammunition detonation thanks to the vertical nature of the autoloader
* The hull armour is not good enough to reliably stop APFSDS shells from the most higher-tier tanks.
* Angling the tank causes the weak side armour to be exposed and let APFSDS to tear through the ammo carousel

== History ==

The T-64B is a third-generation main battle tank developed in the Soviet Union in the early 1960s. It was designed to replace the [[T-54/55 (Family)|T-54/55]] and [[T-62 (Family)|T-62]] tanks with a more modern and effective design. The development of the T-64B began in 1963, with the first prototype completed in 1965. The tank entered service in 1976.

The T-64B was a significant improvement over its predecessors. It was faster and more manoeuvrable, with a more powerful engine that gave it a top speed of 70 km/h on the road. The tank was armed with a 125 mm smoothbore gun that was capable of firing a variety of ammunition, including APFSDS, HEAT, HE, and the new 9M112 "Kobra" radio-guided ATGM.

The T-64B was also equipped with advanced fire control systems, including a laser rangefinder, an electronic ballistic computer, and an automatic target tracker. These systems allowed the tank to engage targets accurately and quickly, even while on the move. The tank also had a composite armour system that was lighter but more effective than the armour used on previous Soviet tanks.

The T-64B was produced in large numbers, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 tanks built. The tank was eventually replaced by the T-72, T-80, and T-90 tanks in the Soviet and Russian armies, but it remains in service with several other countries, including Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

=== [[wt:en/news/5351-development-t-64b-when-good-is-not-good-enough-en|Devblog]] ===

Development work on the T-64B started in the early 1970s, with Soviet engineers conducting research on firepower improvements for the T-64. Specifically, they wanted to give the T-64 the ability to fire ATGMs through its main gun via a complex guidance system. This attempt succeeded and resulted in the construction of the Object 447A.

Beside the ability to fire "Kobra" ATGMs, the Object 447 also received a new gun stabilizer, a modernized autoloader and improved electronics. However, as the ATGM capability came at a high production cost, the decision was made to produce two separate versions of the improved T-64, one with and one without the ATGM capability. The two new tanks would be designated T-64B and T-64B1 respectively. The resulting high cost of the T-64B led to the fact that far more T-64B1s were manufactured due to their lower complexity and production cost. Throughout the years, T-64s were continuously being modernized and improved upon, incorporating many new features that would extend their capabilities and service life. It's safe to say that the later modifications of the T-64 and its prototypes laid the foundation for new Soviet tanks to make their appearance, such as the T-72 and T-80. In fact, most of the improvements featured on these younger Soviet MBTs were initially tested on the T-64 chassis.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_t_64_b_1984 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200px">
File:T-64B Snow.JPG|250px|thumb|none|The T-64B in War Thunder with Winter Camouflage
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|P6SfZC-n-U4|'''T-64B vs M1 Abrams''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|9VBAWLdfLcw|'''The Shooting Range #90''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:26 discusses the T-64B.}}

== 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/5351-development-t-64b-when-good-is-not-good-enough-en|[Devblog] T-64B: When Good Is Not Good Enough]]
* [[wt:en/news/5503-development-t-64bv-defence-reaction-en|[Devblog] T-64BV: Defence Reaction]]

{{TankManufacturer Morozov}}
{{USSR medium tanks}}

[[Category:ATGM vehicles]]

ZTZ59D1

2024-01-08T05:34:18Z

U41531792: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = ZTZ59 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_59d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ59D1式中型坦克; industry code WZ120C) is the proof-of-concept of what would later become the ZTZ59D in PLAGF service. Although PLAGF has already upgraded some of their fleet of Type 59s with now-domestic 105 mm cannons, there were still plans to further upgrade its protection against enemies and its FCS at a more economic price, including FY-1/2 ERA for different types of threats and new digitalized FCS. The modified tanks, now under the designation of WZ120C passed for certifications in April 1995 with the technologies used on ZTZ59D aside from the main cannon. These tanks have been part of the PLAGF armored corps until they are eventually replaced by wheeled assault guns or ZTQ15 with overall superior performance.

It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]] alongside with the Chinese tech-tree, the ZTZ59D1 is a comprehensive upgrade of the venerable [[Type 59]]. It includes a large number of modern features on a old chassis, rather like an AK-47 decked out with modern furniture and accessories. The most noticeable difference at a first glance are the ERA arrays on the hull and turret cheeks. The original 100 mm Type 59 cannon has been replaced with a licensed copy of the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance 105 mm L7 cannon, and the installation of night vision and a laser rangefinder give the tank impressive firepower. Unfortunately it still suffers from many of the Type 59's weaknesses, namely subpar mobility and gun handling. While it is not very suited to the high-speed combat common at its rank, a skilled and careful tanker can still enjoy it as a formidable sniper.

In tech tree, the ZTZ59D1 is succeeded by the [[ZTZ88A|ZTZ88B]], a significantly more modern design with better mobility and hull protection.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 100 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 80 mm || 45 mm (16°) ''Upper'' 30 mm (72°) ''Lower'' || 30 mm ''Front'' 20 mm ''Back''
|-
| Turret || 160 mm (14-39°) ''Turret front'' 200 mm (4-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 115 mm (45-50°) ''Upper'' 155 mm (10-30°) ''Lower'' || 65 mm (9-35°) || 30 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick

The base armour of the ZTZ59D1 is exactly the same as the [[Type 59]]. The hull and turret armour are quite thick, but the original T-54 armour was designed to counter WWII-era German cannons, and at the ZTZ's rank it will not hold up against sabot or HEAT rounds. It is capable of stopping all autocannon fire from the front and resisting most autocannon fire from the sides, which is helpful. The ERA arrays on the turret use ERA comparable to the Soviet Kontakt-1 and have good protection against chemical rounds; unfortunately they do not have very good coverage, and the area around the gun mantlet is heavily exposed.

The ERA arrays on the upper glacis have an interesting setup: two layers of ERA separated by an air gap. While the hull coverage is spotty due to the tow cable attachment points, the ERA setup boasts 120 mm of kinetic protection. This is not quite enough against the common 105 mm DM23 APFSDS considering that the ZTZ59D1 lacks composite armour to back the ERA up, but it will stop all 105 mm APDS rounds. Certain APFSDS rounds with especially poor angled penetration like the [[T-55A]]'s 3BM25 and the [[T95E1]]'s T320 will fail to penetrate even at point-blank range. Even the [[T-62]]'s sizeable 115 mm APFSDS rounds can be stopped. The US 105 mm M735 and 152 mm XM578E1 will occasionally be blocked given some distance and angling. The hull ERA's chemical protection is not as strong as the turret ERA due to the less drastic sloping from the front profile and 120 mm HEAT-FS as fired by the [[Leopard A1A1 (L/44)]] will be able to penetrate.

Post-penetration survivability is not ideal. There is an ammo rack behind the fuel tank next to the driver, but unlike the comparable [[T-55AM-1]], it is not "wet" and can be easily detonated by penetrating hits. Loose ammunition is stowed in various corners of the crew compartment. It is a good idea to minimize the number of rounds carried.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you will survive a penetrating shot that knocked out your gunner / driver, and your fate depends on whether if you can fight back / retreat before the enemy loads the second shell. If your crew cannot replace the dead gunner / driver on time, a split second late and you will certainly get destroyed by the next shell. Therefore it is recommended to max out the "Agility" skill on every crew, it might save your life one day.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 806|rbMinHp= 460}}

Speed is definitely not a strength for the {{PAGENAME}}. The original [[Type 59]] was not a speedster to begin with and the upgrades on this tank add an extra ton of weight without any increase in engine power. It is also incapable of turning in place and has a poor reverse speed of only -7 km/h.

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

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

{{main|Type 83 (105 mm)}}

The Type 83 cannon is a Chinese produced version of the tried-and-true Royal Ordnance L7 gun used by numerous contemporary tanks. Unfortunately, since it's mounted in the cramped confines of the Type 59 chassis, the reload speed is about 1 seconds slower than Nato tanks with L7 gun. The ZTZ59D1 also does not have an upgraded turret drive and the turret rotation speed of at most 10 degrees per second is exceptionally bad for the battle rating. It at least maintains the vertical stabilizer.

The -4.5° gun depression might look too poor, but due to the low height of the vehicle it is actually enough for quite some not-so-hilly terrains. On gentle hills the ZTZ59D1 can peek over safely, exposing only the turret for hull down, for example in certain spots on Jungle and Frozen Pass. However, this gun depression is still not great in very hilly maps like Karelia, forcing the player to ditch the hull down tactic.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 83 (105 mm)|105 mm Type 83]] || 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" | 37 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 40 km/h}} || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The ZTZ59D1's ammunition consists of the typical set for 105 mm guns. The stock Type 83-HEAT is a HEATFS round with 400 mm of penetration at any distance that struggles against enemies with ERA or composite armour but is adequate against steel or spaced armor. It is a slight improvement over the Type 1973 HEAT-FS used by the previous [[Type 69]] but still functions much the same. Use it as an interim round until APFSDS is unlocked. It is a good idea to still bring a few HEATFS afterwards since it can trigger overpressure damage against light tanks and SPAAs on occasion and has better ballistics than the HESH round.

The Type-83 HESH round causes a wide but shallow cone of damage and practically ignores slopes, but only works against thinner plates of conventional armour and has poor ballistics. It may be helpful once in a while to finish off targets that only have a slight portion of their tank exposed, such as splashing the turret roof of an enemy hiding behind cover, but for the most part it should be ignored.

The Type-83 APDS is, despite its name, an APFSDS round with identical performance to the common 105 mm DM23 used by the [[Leopard A1A1]] for example. The flat penetration is nothing special but the angled penetration is good, which can be helpful for side-shots or penetrating certain tanks with composite armor. It is easy to aim due to its high muzzle velocity, has consistent post-penetration damage, and should be the round of choice once unlocked. Exercise some caution when fighting Soviet MBTs from the [[T-72A]] onwards because the APFSDS does not have enough angled penetration to casually penetrate the hull armor of a spaded T-72A. In a frontal engagement it is best to aim for the driver's viewport or lower glacis, which are weak spots on all Soviet T-64/72/80 series tanks. Other opponents worth noting are the British [[Chieftain Mk 10]] and [[Challenger Mk.2]]/[[Challenger Mk.3|Mk.3]] with strong turrets but weak hulls.

{{:Type 83 (105 mm)/Ammunition|Type-83 HEAT, Type-83 HESH, Type-83 APDS}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th* rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''37''' || 36 ''(+1)'' || 31 ''(+6)'' || 30 ''(+7)'' || 26 ''(+11)'' || 23 ''(+14)'' || 21 ''(+16)'' || 1 ''(+36)'' || No
|-
|}

Notes:

* The 7th rack serves as first-stage ammo stowage.
* It is recommended to carry at most 31 ''(+6)'' rounds as to empty the turret's ammo racks.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|Type 59 (7.62 mm)}}

The ZTZ59D1 features two MGs: one roof-mounted 12.7 mm heavy MG, and a 7.62 mm coaxial MG. The 12.7 mm MG, with its maximum penetration of around 30 mm, can do quite well against lightly armoured vehicles such as the [[R3 T20 FA-HS|R3 T20]] / [[R3 T106 FA|T106]] and the [[AUBL/74]]. It can also damage or even destroy the opponent's gun barrel or track with around 5 seconds of continuous fire. Against low-flying aircraft it can easily get you some critical hits with the correct lead. However its magazine empties very quickly and it does not carry enough ammo for prolonged MG fire comparing to the infamous M2HB.

The 7.62 mm, on the other hand, can only damage fully exposed crew which are not commonly seen at this BR, or clear up light obstacles. Its low penetration greatly limits its usage in battles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 250 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 59 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Type 59]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,500 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The ZTZ59D1 might have a lot of modern features, but there is really no disguising the fact that it is a Type 59 at heart. The Type 59 at a lower BR already struggled with its poor gun handling and the ZTZ59D1 is struggling as well. It will almost entirely face enemies with two-plane stabilizers and superior mobility. The ZTZ59D1 is best used as a support tank or sniper to take advantage of its good firepower, low profile, and decent protection while minimizing the effects of its poor gun handling and mobility. Ideally one can stay behind the front lines, moving up when prudent, and allow other teammates to push forwards. Enemies that appear or reveal themselves can then be dispatched at a safe distance. However one must be on the lookout for flanking enemies, as the gun handling is not adequate for responding quickly to unexpected threats. For this reason close range brawling should also be avoided. The mobility is also quite poor for its rank and it pays to be vigilant when moving up to sniping positions - enemies may be already present.

Situational awareness is very important on the ZTZ59D1 to compensate for its poor gun handling and reload. The ZTZ59D1 retains the zoom settings of the original Type 59's optics and it has a 3.5x zoom setting with a 21 degree field of view, so tunnel vision is less of an issue at close to medium range compared to other tanks. Make good use of the laser rangefinder at long distances, missed shots are a major hassle on the ZTZ59D1 because of its slow reload.

The ZTZ59D1 has better protection than the average MBT at its BR, but it is by no means immune or even consistently resistant to enemy fire. Poorly aimed 105 mm HEAT-FS can be resisted by the hull and turret ERA and very poorly aimed 105 mm APDS or weak APFSDS can be resisted by the hull ERA. The turret is vulnerable to any kind of kinetic round, though turret penetrations are less likely to knock out the tank in one hit. Count yourself lucky if you survive a hit from any tank cannon and treat it as a second chance.

Helicopters are a major threat to the ZTZ59D1. ATGMs will typically go right through its ERA and even helicopters with unguided rockets, which typically need to fly closer to the battlefield, are difficult to destroy given the ZTZ59D1's bad gun handling. Stay out of sight if possible and take advantage of the smoke grenades if caught in the open. Lightly armoured helicopters can be harassed with the heavy machine gun at closer distances.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful 105 mm gun with a solid APFSDS round is a major step up from the [[Type 69]]'s cannon
* Equipped with ERA on the turret and upper glacis, resistant to chemical munitions
* Hull ERA setup offers some kinetic protection
* Has a vertical stabilizer
* Access to smoke grenades, NVD, and laser rangefinder
* Top mounted Type 54 heavy machine gun is helpful against light targets and aircraft
* Low profile

'''Cons:'''

* Mobility is slightly worse than the original [[Type 59]], quite inadequate at its match-making position
* Turret traverse and base armour are the same as the Type 59, gun handling is painful in close quarters and APFSDS will go straight through much of the tank
* ERA coverage is sparse, significant gaps around the gun and on the upper glacis
* Turret ERA will get destroyed in large patches, not piece by piece, upon getting hit by chemical rounds
* Not particularly mobile; reverse speed in particular is quite slow
* Poor gun depression greatly limits its capacity in hilly terrain
* Slow reload compared to Western MBTs
* No wet ammo storage

== History ==


The [[Type 59]] tank was the primary tank of the People's Liberation Army in the Cold War era. While reliable, easy to manufacture, and available in large numbers, the design began to show its age as time went on. Improved derivatives like the [[Type 69]] were not used extensively by the PLA. In the 1980s the large inventory of old Type 59s was in need of modernization, but defrosting relations with the Western world around that time allowed the purchase, use, and study of foreign technology, greatly aiding in the improvement of existing vehicles and development of future models. The first Type 59 model to benefit from these upgrades was the Type-59-II, which boasted a 105mm rifled gun based on the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance L7 and improved vision systems. The '''Type 59D1''' variant was a further development, adding on modern computerized fire-control systems, passive night vision devices, an improved gun with thermal sleeve, and explosive reactive armour. Other variants of note include the similar Type 59D, which has a longer gun and support for gun-launched ATGMs, the Type 59G, an export overhaul featuring a welded turret and 125mm gun similar to the modern [[ZTZ96|Type 96]], and the Jaguar, a joint Sino-American project with a heavily modified turret, hull, and powertrain.

Later Type 59 variants are still present in the inventory of the PLA at present, though they have been replaced over time by the [[ZTZ99|Type 99]] and [[ZTZ96|Type 96]] tanks. While outdated, they are still useful for reserve or training purposes.

The designation/acronym "ZTZ" is used at times by the Chinese military for its main battle tanks. In Mandarin, the first Z stands for "armoured vehicle" or "armour", the T stands for "tank", and second Z stands for "main battle". This term is generally used to describe modern Chinese MBTs, but for the most part it can be interchanged freely with "Type".

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_59d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|B6ZsuPjSuNo|'''T-54/T-55 family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:24 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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.''

{{China medium tanks}}

ZTZ59D1

2024-01-08T05:30:58Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = ZTZ59 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_59d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ59D1式中型坦克; industry code WZ120C) is the proof-of-concept of what would later become the ZTZ59D in PLAGF service. Although PLAGF has already upgraded some of their fleet of Type 59s with now-domestic 105 mm cannons, there were still plans to further upgrade its protection against enemies and its FCS at a more economic price, including FY-1/2 ERA for different types of threats and new digitalized FCS. The modified tanks, now under the designation of WZ120C passed for certifications in April 1995 with the technologies used on ZTZ59D aside from the main cannon. These tanks have been part of the PLAGF armored corps until they are eventually replaced by wheeled assault guns or ZTQ15 with overall superior performance.

It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]] alongside with the Chinese tech-tree, the ZTZ59D1 is a comprehensive upgrade of the venerable [[Type 59]]. It includes a large number of modern features on a old chassis, rather like an AK-47 decked out with modern furniture and accessories. The most noticeable difference at a first glance are the ERA arrays on the hull and turret cheeks. The original 100 mm Type 59 cannon has been replaced with a licensed copy of the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance 105 mm L7 cannon, and the installation of night vision and a laser rangefinder give the tank impressive firepower. Unfortunately it still suffers from many of the Type 59's weaknesses, namely subpar mobility and gun handling. While it is not very suited to the high-speed combat common at its rank, a skilled and careful tanker can still enjoy it as a formidable sniper.

In tech tree, the ZTZ59D1 is succeeded by the [[ZTZ88A|ZTZ88B]], a significantly more modern design with better mobility and hull protection.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 100 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 80 mm || 45 mm (16°) ''Upper'' 30 mm (72°) ''Lower'' || 30 mm ''Front'' 20 mm ''Back''
|-
| Turret || 160 mm (14-39°) ''Turret front'' 200 mm (4-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 115 mm (45-50°) ''Upper'' 155 mm (10-30°) ''Lower'' || 65 mm (9-35°) || 30 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick

The base armour of the ZTZ59D1 is exactly the same as the [[Type 59]]. The hull and turret armour are quite thick, but the original T-54 armour was designed to counter WWII-era German cannons, and at the ZTZ's rank it will not hold up against sabot or HEAT rounds. It is capable of stopping all autocannon fire from the front and resisting most autocannon fire from the sides, which is helpful. The ERA arrays on the turret use ERA comparable to the Soviet Kontakt-1 and have good protection against chemical rounds; unfortunately they do not have very good coverage, and the area around the gun mantlet is heavily exposed.

The ERA arrays on the upper glacis have an interesting setup: two layers of ERA separated by an air gap. While the hull coverage is spotty due to the tow cable attachment points, the ERA setup boasts 120 mm of kinetic protection. This is not quite enough against the common 105 mm DM23 APFSDS considering that the ZTZ59D1 lacks composite armour to back the ERA up, but it will stop all 105 mm APDS rounds. Certain APFSDS rounds with especially poor angled penetration like the [[T-55A]]'s 3BM25 and the [[T95E1]]'s T320 will fail to penetrate even at point-blank range. Even the [[T-62]]'s sizeable 115 mm APFSDS rounds can be stopped. The US 105 mm M735 and 152 mm XM578E1 will occasionally be blocked given some distance and angling. The hull ERA's chemical protection is not as strong as the turret ERA due to the less drastic sloping from the front profile and 120 mm HEAT-FS as fired by the [[Leopard A1A1 (L/44)]] will be able to penetrate.

Post-penetration survivability is not ideal. There is an ammo rack behind the fuel tank next to the driver, but unlike the comparable [[T-55AM-1]], it is not "wet" and can be easily detonated by penetrating hits. Loose ammunition is stowed in various corners of the crew compartment. It is a good idea to minimize the number of rounds carried.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you will survive a penetrating shot that knocked out your gunner / driver, and your fate depends on whether if you can fight back / retreat before the enemy loads the second shell. If your crew cannot replace the dead gunner / driver on time, a split second late and you will certainly get destroyed by the next shell. Therefore it is recommended to max out the "Agility" skill on every crew, it might save your life one day.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 806|rbMinHp= 460}}

Speed is definitely not a strength for the {{PAGENAME}}. The original [[Type 59]] was not a speedster to begin with and the upgrades on this tank add an extra ton of weight without any increase in engine power. It is also incapable of turning in place and has a poor reverse speed of only -7 km/h.

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

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

{{main|Type 83 (105 mm)}}

The Type 83 cannon is a Chinese produced version of the tried-and-true Royal Ordnance L7 gun used by numerous contemporary tanks. Unfortunately, since it's mounted in the cramped confines of the Type 59 chassis, the reload speed is about 1 seconds slower than Nato tanks with L7 gun. The ZTZ59D1 also does not have an upgraded turret drive and the turret rotation speed of at most 10 degrees per second is exceptionally bad for the battle rating. It at least maintains the vertical stabilizer.

The -4.5° gun depression might look too poor, but due to the low height of the vehicle it is actually enough for quite some not-so-hilly terrains. On gentle hills the ZTZ59D1 can peek over safely, exposing only the turret for hull down, for example in certain spots on Jungle and Frozen Pass. However, this gun depression is still not great in very hilly maps like Karelia, forcing the player to ditch the hull down tactic.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 83 (105 mm)|105 mm Type 83]] || 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" | 37 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 40 km/h}} || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The ZTZ59D1's ammunition consists of the typical set for 105 mm guns. The stock Type 83-HEAT is a HEATFS round with 400 mm of penetration at any distance that struggles against enemies with ERA or composite armour but is adequate against steel or spaced armor. It is a slight improvement over the Type 1973 HEAT-FS used by the previous [[Type 69]] but still functions much the same. Use it as an interim round until APFSDS is unlocked. It is a good idea to still bring a few HEATFS afterwards since it can trigger overpressure damage against light tanks and SPAAs on occasion and has better ballistics than the HESH round.

The Type-83 HESH round causes a wide but shallow cone of damage and practically ignores slopes, but only works against thinner plates of conventional armour and has poor ballistics. It may be helpful once in a while to finish off targets that only have a slight portion of their tank exposed, such as splashing the turret roof of an enemy hiding behind cover, but for the most part it should be ignored.

The Type-83 APDS is, despite its name, an APFSDS round with identical performance to the common 105 mm DM23 used by the [[Leopard A1A1]] for example. The flat penetration is nothing special but the angled penetration is good, which can be helpful for side-shots or penetrating certain tanks with composite armor. It is easy to aim due to its high muzzle velocity, has consistent post-penetration damage, and should be the round of choice once unlocked. Exercise some caution when fighting Soviet MBTs from the [[T-72A]] onwards because the APFSDS does not have enough angled penetration to casually penetrate the hull armor of a spaded T-72A. In a frontal engagement it is best to aim for the driver's viewport or lower glacis, which are weak spots on all Soviet T-64/72/80 series tanks. Other opponents worth noting are the British [[Chieftain Mk 10]] and [[Challenger Mk.2]]/[[Challenger Mk.3|Mk.3]] with strong turrets but weak hulls.

{{:Type 83 (105 mm)/Ammunition|Type-83 HEAT, Type-83 HESH, Type-83 APDS}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th* rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''37''' || 36 ''(+1)'' || 31 ''(+6)'' || 30 ''(+7)'' || 26 ''(+11)'' || 23 ''(+14)'' || 21 ''(+16)'' || 1 ''(+36)'' || No
|-
|}

Notes:

* The 7th rack serves as first-stage ammo stowage.
* It is recommended to carry at most 31 ''(+6)'' rounds as to empty the turret's ammo racks.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|Type 59 (7.62 mm)}}

The ZTZ59D1 features two MGs: one roof-mounted 12.7 mm heavy MG, and a 7.62 mm coaxial MG. The 12.7 mm MG, with its maximum penetration of around 30 mm, can do quite well against lightly armoured vehicles such as the [[R3 T20 FA-HS|R3 T20]] / [[R3 T106 FA|T106]] and the [[AUBL/74]]. It can also damage or even destroy the opponent's gun barrel or track with around 5 seconds of continuous fire. Against low-flying aircraft it can easily get you some critical hits with the correct lead. However its magazine empties very quickly and it does not carry enough ammo for prolonged MG fire comparing to the infamous M2HB.

The 7.62 mm, on the other hand, can only damage fully exposed crew which are not commonly seen at this BR, or clear up light obstacles. Its low penetration greatly limits its usage in battles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 250 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 59 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Type 59]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,500 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The ZTZ59D1 might have a lot of modern features, but there is really no disguising the fact that it is a Type 59 at heart. The Type 59 at a lower BR already struggled with its poor gun handling and the ZTZ59D1's upgraded two-plane stabilizer is not much of a consolation considering that it will almost entirely face enemies with two-plane stabilizers and superior mobility. The ZTZ59D1 is best used as a support tank or sniper to take advantage of its good firepower, low profile, and decent protection while minimizing the effects of its poor gun handling and mobility. Ideally one can stay behind the front lines, moving up when prudent, and allow other teammates to push forwards. Enemies that appear or reveal themselves can then be dispatched at a safe distance. However one must be on the lookout for flanking enemies, as the gun handling is not adequate for responding quickly to unexpected threats. For this reason close range brawling should also be avoided. The mobility is also quite poor for its rank and it pays to be vigilant when moving up to sniping positions - enemies may be already present.

Situational awareness is very important on the ZTZ59D1 to compensate for its poor gun handling and reload. The ZTZ59D1 retains the zoom settings of the original Type 59's optics and it has a 3.5x zoom setting with a 21 degree field of view, so tunnel vision is less of an issue at close to medium range compared to other tanks. Make good use of the laser rangefinder at long distances, missed shots are a major hassle on the ZTZ59D1 because of its slow reload.

The ZTZ59D1 has better protection than the average MBT at its BR, but it is by no means immune or even consistently resistant to enemy fire. Poorly aimed 105 mm HEAT-FS can be resisted by the hull and turret ERA and very poorly aimed 105 mm APDS or weak APFSDS can be resisted by the hull ERA. The turret is vulnerable to any kind of kinetic round, though turret penetrations are less likely to knock out the tank in one hit. Count yourself lucky if you survive a hit from any tank cannon and treat it as a second chance.

Helicopters are a major threat to the ZTZ59D1. ATGMs will typically go right through its ERA and even helicopters with unguided rockets, which typically need to fly closer to the battlefield, are difficult to destroy given the ZTZ59D1's bad gun handling. Stay out of sight if possible and take advantage of the smoke grenades if caught in the open. Lightly armoured helicopters can be harassed with the heavy machine gun at closer distances.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful 105 mm gun with a solid APFSDS round is a major step up from the [[Type 69]]'s cannon
* Equipped with ERA on the turret and upper glacis, resistant to chemical munitions
* Hull ERA setup offers some kinetic protection
* Has a vertical stabilizer
* Access to smoke grenades, NVD, and laser rangefinder
* Top mounted Type 54 heavy machine gun is helpful against light targets and aircraft
* Low profile

'''Cons:'''

* Mobility is slightly worse than the original [[Type 59]], quite inadequate at its match-making position
* Turret traverse and base armour are the same as the Type 59, gun handling is painful in close quarters and APFSDS will go straight through much of the tank
* ERA coverage is sparse, significant gaps around the gun and on the upper glacis
* Turret ERA will get destroyed in large patches, not piece by piece, upon getting hit by chemical rounds
* Not particularly mobile; reverse speed in particular is quite slow
* Poor gun depression greatly limits its capacity in hilly terrain
* Slow reload compared to Western MBTs
* No wet ammo storage

== History ==


The [[Type 59]] tank was the primary tank of the People's Liberation Army in the Cold War era. While reliable, easy to manufacture, and available in large numbers, the design began to show its age as time went on. Improved derivatives like the [[Type 69]] were not used extensively by the PLA. In the 1980s the large inventory of old Type 59s was in need of modernization, but defrosting relations with the Western world around that time allowed the purchase, use, and study of foreign technology, greatly aiding in the improvement of existing vehicles and development of future models. The first Type 59 model to benefit from these upgrades was the Type-59-II, which boasted a 105mm rifled gun based on the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance L7 and improved vision systems. The '''Type 59D1''' variant was a further development, adding on modern computerized fire-control systems, passive night vision devices, an improved gun with thermal sleeve, and explosive reactive armour. Other variants of note include the similar Type 59D, which has a longer gun and support for gun-launched ATGMs, the Type 59G, an export overhaul featuring a welded turret and 125mm gun similar to the modern [[ZTZ96|Type 96]], and the Jaguar, a joint Sino-American project with a heavily modified turret, hull, and powertrain.

Later Type 59 variants are still present in the inventory of the PLA at present, though they have been replaced over time by the [[ZTZ99|Type 99]] and [[ZTZ96|Type 96]] tanks. While outdated, they are still useful for reserve or training purposes.

The designation/acronym "ZTZ" is used at times by the Chinese military for its main battle tanks. In Mandarin, the first Z stands for "armoured vehicle" or "armour", the T stands for "tank", and second Z stands for "main battle". This term is generally used to describe modern Chinese MBTs, but for the most part it can be interchanged freely with "Type".

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_59d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|B6ZsuPjSuNo|'''T-54/T-55 family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:24 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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.''

{{China medium tanks}}

ZTZ59D1

2024-01-08T05:26:20Z

U41531792: /* Description */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = ZTZ59 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_59d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ59D1式中型坦克; industry code WZ120C) is the proof-of-concept of what would later become the ZTZ59D in PLAGF service. Although PLAGF has already upgraded some of their fleet of Type 59s with now-domestic 105 mm cannons, there were still plans to further upgrade its protection against enemies and its FCS at a more economic price, including FY-1/2 ERA for different types of threats and new digitalized FCS. The modified tanks, now under the designation of WZ120C passed for certifications in April 1995 with the technologies used on ZTZ59D aside from the main cannon. These tanks have been part of the PLAGF armored corps until they are eventually replaced by wheeled assault guns or ZTQ15 with overall superior performance.

It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]] alongside with the Chinese tech-tree, the ZTZ59D1 is a comprehensive upgrade of the venerable [[Type 59]]. It includes a large number of modern features on a old chassis, rather like an AK-47 decked out with modern furniture and accessories. The most noticeable difference at a first glance are the ERA arrays on the hull and turret cheeks. The original 100 mm Type 59 cannon has been replaced with a licensed copy of the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance 105 mm L7 cannon, and the installation of night vision and a laser rangefinder give the tank impressive firepower. Unfortunately it still suffers from many of the Type 59's weaknesses, namely subpar mobility and gun handling. While it is not very suited to the high-speed combat common at its rank, a skilled and careful tanker can still enjoy it as a formidable sniper.

In tech tree, the ZTZ59D1 is succeeded by the [[ZTZ88A|ZTZ88B]], a significantly more modern design with better mobility and hull protection.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 100 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 80 mm || 45 mm (16°) ''Upper'' 30 mm (72°) ''Lower'' || 30 mm ''Front'' 20 mm ''Back''
|-
| Turret || 160 mm (14-39°) ''Turret front'' 200 mm (4-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 115 mm (45-50°) ''Upper'' 155 mm (10-30°) ''Lower'' || 65 mm (9-35°) || 30 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick

The base armour of the ZTZ59D1 is exactly the same as the [[Type 59]]. The hull and turret armour are quite thick, but the original T-54 armour was designed to counter WWII-era German cannons, and at the ZTZ's rank it will not hold up against sabot or HEAT rounds. It is capable of stopping all autocannon fire from the front and resisting most autocannon fire from the sides, which is helpful. The ERA arrays on the turret use ERA comparable to the Soviet Kontakt-1 and have good protection against chemical rounds; unfortunately they do not have very good coverage, and the area around the gun mantlet is heavily exposed.

The ERA arrays on the upper glacis have an interesting setup: two layers of ERA separated by an air gap. While the hull coverage is spotty due to the tow cable attachment points, the ERA setup boasts 120 mm of kinetic protection. This is not quite enough against the common 105 mm DM23 APFSDS considering that the ZTZ59D1 lacks composite armour to back the ERA up, but it will stop all 105 mm APDS rounds. Certain APFSDS rounds with especially poor angled penetration like the [[T-55A]]'s 3BM25 and the [[T95E1]]'s T320 will fail to penetrate even at point-blank range. Even the [[T-62]]'s sizeable 115 mm APFSDS rounds can be stopped. The US 105 mm M735 and 152 mm XM578E1 will occasionally be blocked given some distance and angling. The hull ERA's chemical protection is not as strong as the turret ERA due to the less drastic sloping from the front profile and 120 mm HEAT-FS as fired by the [[Leopard A1A1 (L/44)]] will be able to penetrate.

Post-penetration survivability is not ideal. There is an ammo rack behind the fuel tank next to the driver, but unlike the comparable [[T-55AM-1]], it is not "wet" and can be easily detonated by penetrating hits. Loose ammunition is stowed in various corners of the crew compartment. It is a good idea to minimize the number of rounds carried.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you will survive a penetrating shot that knocked out your gunner / driver, and your fate depends on whether if you can fight back / retreat before the enemy loads the second shell. If your crew cannot replace the dead gunner / driver on time, a split second late and you will certainly get destroyed by the next shell. Therefore it is recommended to max out the "Agility" skill on every crew, it might save your life one day.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 806|rbMinHp= 460}}

Speed is definitely not a strength for the {{PAGENAME}}. The original [[Type 59]] was not a speedster to begin with and the upgrades on this tank add an extra ton of weight without any increase in engine power. It is also incapable of turning in place and has a poor reverse speed of only -7 km/h.

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

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

{{main|Type 83 (105 mm)}}

The Type 83 cannon is a Chinese produced version of the tried-and-true Royal Ordnance L7 gun used by numerous contemporary tanks. Unfortunately, since it's mounted in the cramped confines of the Type 59 chassis, the reload speed is about 1 seconds slower than average. The ZTZ59D1 also does not have an upgraded turret drive and the turret rotation speed of at most 10 degrees per second is exceptionally bad for the battle rating. It at least maintains the vertical stabilizer.

The -4° gun depression might look too poor, but due to the low height of the vehicle it is actually enough for quite some not-so-hilly terrains. On gentle hills the ZTZ59D1 can peek over safely, exposing only the turret for hull down, for example in certain spots on Jungle and Frozen Pass. However, this gun depression is still not great in very hilly maps like Karelia, forcing the player to ditch the hull down tactic.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 83 (105 mm)|105 mm Type 83]] || 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" | 37 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 40 km/h}} || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The ZTZ59D1's ammunition consists of the typical set for 105 mm guns. The stock Type 83-HEAT is a HEATFS round with 400 mm of penetration at any distance that struggles against enemies with ERA or composite armour but is adequate against steel or spaced armor. It is a slight improvement over the Type 1973 HEAT-FS used by the previous [[Type 69]] but still functions much the same. Use it as an interim round until APFSDS is unlocked. It is a good idea to still bring a few HEATFS afterwards since it can trigger overpressure damage against light tanks and SPAAs on occasion and has better ballistics than the HESH round.

The Type-83 HESH round causes a wide but shallow cone of damage and practically ignores slopes, but only works against thinner plates of conventional armour and has poor ballistics. It may be helpful once in a while to finish off targets that only have a slight portion of their tank exposed, such as splashing the turret roof of an enemy hiding behind cover, but for the most part it should be ignored.

The Type-83 APDS is, despite its name, an APFSDS round with identical performance to the common 105 mm DM23 used by the [[Leopard A1A1]] for example. The flat penetration is nothing special but the angled penetration is good, which can be helpful for side-shots or penetrating certain tanks with composite armor. It is easy to aim due to its high muzzle velocity, has consistent post-penetration damage, and should be the round of choice once unlocked. Exercise some caution when fighting Soviet MBTs from the [[T-72A]] onwards because the APFSDS does not have enough angled penetration to casually penetrate the hull armor of a spaded T-72A. In a frontal engagement it is best to aim for the driver's viewport or lower glacis, which are weak spots on all Soviet T-64/72/80 series tanks. Other opponents worth noting are the British [[Chieftain Mk 10]] and [[Challenger Mk.2]]/[[Challenger Mk.3|Mk.3]] with strong turrets but weak hulls.

{{:Type 83 (105 mm)/Ammunition|Type-83 HEAT, Type-83 HESH, Type-83 APDS}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th* rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''37''' || 36 ''(+1)'' || 31 ''(+6)'' || 30 ''(+7)'' || 26 ''(+11)'' || 23 ''(+14)'' || 21 ''(+16)'' || 1 ''(+36)'' || No
|-
|}

Notes:

* The 7th rack serves as first-stage ammo stowage.
* It is recommended to carry at most 31 ''(+6)'' rounds as to empty the turret's ammo racks.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|Type 59 (7.62 mm)}}

The ZTZ59D1 features two MGs: one roof-mounted 12.7 mm heavy MG, and a 7.62 mm coaxial MG. The 12.7 mm MG, with its maximum penetration of around 30 mm, can do quite well against lightly armoured vehicles such as the [[R3 T20 FA-HS|R3 T20]] / [[R3 T106 FA|T106]] and the [[AUBL/74]]. It can also damage or even destroy the opponent's gun barrel or track with around 5 seconds of continuous fire. Against low-flying aircraft it can easily get you some critical hits with the correct lead. However its magazine empties very quickly and it does not carry enough ammo for prolonged MG fire comparing to the infamous M2HB.

The 7.62 mm, on the other hand, can only damage fully exposed crew which are not commonly seen at this BR, or clear up light obstacles. Its low penetration greatly limits its usage in battles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 250 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 59 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Type 59]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,500 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The ZTZ59D1 might have a lot of modern features, but there is really no disguising the fact that it is a Type 59 at heart. The Type 59 at a lower BR already struggled with its poor gun handling and the ZTZ59D1's upgraded two-plane stabilizer is not much of a consolation considering that it will almost entirely face enemies with two-plane stabilizers and superior mobility. The ZTZ59D1 is best used as a support tank or sniper to take advantage of its good firepower, low profile, and decent protection while minimizing the effects of its poor gun handling and mobility. Ideally one can stay behind the front lines, moving up when prudent, and allow other teammates to push forwards. Enemies that appear or reveal themselves can then be dispatched at a safe distance. However one must be on the lookout for flanking enemies, as the gun handling is not adequate for responding quickly to unexpected threats. For this reason close range brawling should also be avoided. The mobility is also quite poor for its rank and it pays to be vigilant when moving up to sniping positions - enemies may be already present.

Situational awareness is very important on the ZTZ59D1 to compensate for its poor gun handling and reload. The ZTZ59D1 retains the zoom settings of the original Type 59's optics and it has a 3.5x zoom setting with a 21 degree field of view, so tunnel vision is less of an issue at close to medium range compared to other tanks. Make good use of the laser rangefinder at long distances, missed shots are a major hassle on the ZTZ59D1 because of its slow reload.

The ZTZ59D1 has better protection than the average MBT at its BR, but it is by no means immune or even consistently resistant to enemy fire. Poorly aimed 105 mm HEAT-FS can be resisted by the hull and turret ERA and very poorly aimed 105 mm APDS or weak APFSDS can be resisted by the hull ERA. The turret is vulnerable to any kind of kinetic round, though turret penetrations are less likely to knock out the tank in one hit. Count yourself lucky if you survive a hit from any tank cannon and treat it as a second chance.

Helicopters are a major threat to the ZTZ59D1. ATGMs will typically go right through its ERA and even helicopters with unguided rockets, which typically need to fly closer to the battlefield, are difficult to destroy given the ZTZ59D1's bad gun handling. Stay out of sight if possible and take advantage of the smoke grenades if caught in the open. Lightly armoured helicopters can be harassed with the heavy machine gun at closer distances.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful 105 mm gun with a solid APFSDS round is a major step up from the [[Type 69]]'s cannon
* Equipped with ERA on the turret and upper glacis, resistant to chemical munitions
* Hull ERA setup offers some kinetic protection
* Has a vertical stabilizer
* Access to smoke grenades, NVD, and laser rangefinder
* Top mounted Type 54 heavy machine gun is helpful against light targets and aircraft
* Low profile

'''Cons:'''

* Mobility is slightly worse than the original [[Type 59]], quite inadequate at its match-making position
* Turret traverse and base armour are the same as the Type 59, gun handling is painful in close quarters and APFSDS will go straight through much of the tank
* ERA coverage is sparse, significant gaps around the gun and on the upper glacis
* Turret ERA will get destroyed in large patches, not piece by piece, upon getting hit by chemical rounds
* Not particularly mobile; reverse speed in particular is quite slow
* Poor gun depression greatly limits its capacity in hilly terrain
* Slow reload compared to Western MBTs
* No wet ammo storage

== History ==


The [[Type 59]] tank was the primary tank of the People's Liberation Army in the Cold War era. While reliable, easy to manufacture, and available in large numbers, the design began to show its age as time went on. Improved derivatives like the [[Type 69]] were not used extensively by the PLA. In the 1980s the large inventory of old Type 59s was in need of modernization, but defrosting relations with the Western world around that time allowed the purchase, use, and study of foreign technology, greatly aiding in the improvement of existing vehicles and development of future models. The first Type 59 model to benefit from these upgrades was the Type-59-II, which boasted a 105mm rifled gun based on the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance L7 and improved vision systems. The '''Type 59D1''' variant was a further development, adding on modern computerized fire-control systems, passive night vision devices, an improved gun with thermal sleeve, and explosive reactive armour. Other variants of note include the similar Type 59D, which has a longer gun and support for gun-launched ATGMs, the Type 59G, an export overhaul featuring a welded turret and 125mm gun similar to the modern [[ZTZ96|Type 96]], and the Jaguar, a joint Sino-American project with a heavily modified turret, hull, and powertrain.

Later Type 59 variants are still present in the inventory of the PLA at present, though they have been replaced over time by the [[ZTZ99|Type 99]] and [[ZTZ96|Type 96]] tanks. While outdated, they are still useful for reserve or training purposes.

The designation/acronym "ZTZ" is used at times by the Chinese military for its main battle tanks. In Mandarin, the first Z stands for "armoured vehicle" or "armour", the T stands for "tank", and second Z stands for "main battle". This term is generally used to describe modern Chinese MBTs, but for the most part it can be interchanged freely with "Type".

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_59d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|B6ZsuPjSuNo|'''T-54/T-55 family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:24 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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.''

{{China medium tanks}}

ZTZ59A

2024-01-08T05:23:40Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = premium Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = ZTZ59 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_ztz_59a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: [ZTZ]59A式中型坦克 or 59-I式中型坦克; industry code WZ120A) was the first major revision for the Type 59 in PLAGF service. The plans for this revision was based on the suggestions gathered from the armored corps during the Sino-Vietnamese War to upgrading the existing fleet with new FCS and suspensions before the later 59-II (59B) with 105 mm gun could enter service; the upgrades included IR searchlight, LRF and new FCS with automatic ballistic solutions for faster acquisition, side fences and smoke grenade launchers by the turret, as well as new APFSDS for better penetration. The upgraded tank was certified in 1984 and became the placeholder upgrades during the modernization of PLA.

Introduced in [[Update "Ground Breaking"]] as a GE premium for PLAGF, the ZTZ59A is based on the long-existing [[Type 59]] and upgraded with some technologies from [[Type 69]]. Although the Type 59 chassis is rather outdated compared to later MBTs, or indeed many of its contemporaries in War Thunder, the ZTZ59A has some improvements that extend its lease on life somewhat. A laser rangefinder allows it to stay away from the heated battlefield and strike enemies from further away and a pair of barrel-type smoke grenades are available, enhancing its survivability and offering a straight upgrade to the tech tree Type 59.

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


The ZTZ59A's armour layout is nearly identical to the Type 59, which itself had virtually the same armour layout as the [[T-54 (1951)]]. It is well protected against typical autocannons and most conventional full-calibre rounds, but falls short against HEAT, APDS, and APFSDS. The only real differences from the Type 59 are the side skirts, familiar to players who have used the [[ZTZ59D1]] or [[T-69 II G]]. They do almost nothing against kinetic projectiles but can be helpful against HEAT warheads with some angling, acting as spaced armour. This is particularly noticeable with weaker HEATFS rounds in the 73 mm - 90 mm size range.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret roof, cupola roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret, gun mantlet, cupola)
* Rubber-fabric screens (side skirts)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 100 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 80+3 mm ''Top'' 20 mm + 20 mm (31°) ''Bottom'' || 45 mm (16°) ''Upper plate'' 30 mm (72°) ''Lower glacis'' || 100 mm (30°) ''Front glacis'' 30 mm ''Crew compartment'' 20 mm ''Engine compartment'' 5 mm ''Engine vents''
|-
| Turret || 160 mm (14-39°) ''Turret front'' 150-250 mm (4-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 115-155 mm (24-45°) ''Front and centre'' 100 mm (18-38°) ''Rear'' || 65 mm (14°) || 30-60 mm
|-
| Cupola || 100 mm (34-66°) || 100 mm (27-66°) || 100 mm (25-66°) || 30-40 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 20 mm thick.
* Spare track links on the upper glacis provide an addition 20 mm of armour.
* Mudguards and storage boxes are 4 mm thick.

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


The ZTZ59A has exactly the same mobility characteristics as the Type 59, with the same weight and engine power. It has decent forward mobility and the wide tracks allow it to perform well on rough terrain. The poor reverse speed and lack of neutral steering are major drawbacks, but the hull traverse is quite decent. It is easily beaten by light tanks and fast MBTs such as Leopards and OF-40s, so it is safe to assume that the ZTZ59A will not be the first to arrive on the battlefield.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=806|rbMinHp=460}}

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

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

{{main|Type 59 (100 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 59 (100 mm)|100 mm Type 59]] || 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" | 34 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 40 km/h}} || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.62 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 59 (100 mm)/Ammunition|BR-412, BR-412D, Type 1959 APDS, Type 1973 HEAT-FS, OF-412}}

The ZTZ59A's ammo selection is mostly identical to the Type 59. As usual, the BR-412D APCBC round is highly effective against lightly armoured targets such as light tanks and Leopard 1s, successful penetrations usually resulting in instant knockouts. It also works very well for flanking shots. The Type 1959 APDS round has the highest muzzle velocity and impressive flat penetration, but the limited angled penetration can be an issue against the hull armour of heavy tanks (and even some medium tanks).The Type 1973 HEAT-FS round has the best penetration and can counter just about any vehicle with steel armour, but has a sensitive fuse and can be stopped by ERA or composite armour.

The BR-412 APHE shell is worse than BR-412D in every practical way and should be disregarded because the ZTZ59A is a premium tank with all ammo types unlocked from the start. The OF-412 HE shell is technically the best option for triggering overpressure damage against light targets, but it has no utility against targets with half-decent armour and the HEATFS is more versatile. The ZTZ59A does not have access to the Type 59's BR-412B APHEBC round, but that round is again inferior to BR-412D in practical terms and its absence will not be missed.

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_T-54_(1951).png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the T-54 (1951) (identical).]]

{| 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
|-
| '''34''' || 33 ''(+1)'' || 28 ''(+6)'' || 24 ''(+10)'' || 23 ''(+11)'' || 21 ''(+13)'' || 1 ''(+33)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 20 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
* Full reload speed will be realized as long as shells are available in the ready rack 6. If the ready rack is empty, a penalty to reload speed will occur.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
* If you pack 28 ''(+6)'', it will keep the turret empty of ammo.
* If you pack 21 ''(+13)'' shells, it will keep most of the hull empty of ammo.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The ZTZ59A is essentially a [[Type 59]] with a laser rangefinder and smoke grenades. Most of the tactics and advice for the Type 59 still apply, but it is more competent in long range combat and can work as a good sniper as a supplement to the [[Type 69]]. The laser rangefinder allows for precise long-range shots to be made with any ammunition type; Type 59 veterans may have relied heavily on the high-velocity APDS, but the ZTZ59A can comfortably sling APCBC and HEATFS rounds from across the map as well. The ZTZ59A can be argued to have superior armament to the Type 69, because its APDS has higher penetration than the Type 69's APFSDS under most circumstances and their HEATFS rounds are identical.

Bear in mind that the ZTZ59A does not have the Type 69's improved turret drive or engine, so it is less mobile and has a difficult time reacting to ambushes. These weakness can be mitigated if one maintains some separation from the front lines. In close range engagements, remember to utilize the hull traverse as well as the turret traverse to quickly adjust one's aim. The smoke grenades are also nice for covering retreats because the basic Type 59 has no sources of smoke whatsoever, though keep in mind that they are barrels mounted on the back of the tank and are not the best for instant concealment while reversing into cover.

The ZTZ59A does not bring anything drastically new to the table, but as a direct improvement to the Type 59, it is a good addition to the already impressive Chinese ground lineup at this BR bracket. Partnering it with the Type 69 gives one access to two MBTs with laser rangefinder, and because the Type 69 is more suited for front line work, the ZTZ59A can be preferentially used for laid back sniping.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Has a range of good ammo: explosive AP, piercing HEAT, and APDS
* 200 mm frontal effective thickness is immune to SPAA (e.g. [[Gepard]]) or low-tier tanks firing full-calibre kinetic shells
* Laser rangefinder allows it to engage distant targets easily
* Roof-mounted 12.7 mm HMG is deadly against light vehicles (e.g. [[AML-90]], [[M551]]) and some low-flying or slow aircraft
* Has smoke grenades
* Sideskirts offer some protection against HEAT shells and explosion shrapnel

'''Cons:'''

* No night vision device, fatal flaw in night battles against NVD- (or even thermal-) equipped foes like [[Type 74 (G)]]
* Slow turret traverse and elevation speed limits targeting rate. Fatal in surprise engagements
* Poor mobility overall, meaning low agility and responsiveness to changing situations
* Armour is still inadequate to stop common HEATFS or APFSDS (e.g. [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[T-55AM-1|T-55AM]], [[OF-40 (Family)|OF-40]])
* Limiting gun depression of -5° hinders its capacity in uneven battlefield
* Terrible reverse speed of -7 km/h prevents it from getting out of danger quickly
* Smoke grenades discharge behind the tank, can't conceal the tank very well

== History ==

The [[Type 59]] (ZTZ59, WZ120) has been the backbone of PLAGF for many decades. The chassis itself received many upgrades throughout its service and the ZTZ59A (alternatively called ZTZ59-I in the earlier naming system) is the first major upgrade over Type 59.

During the Sino-Vietnamese conflict in the late 1970s, PLAGF had found some problems with the original Type 59 and suggestions were handed to the 5th Ministry of Machine Building (第五机械工业部) for possible upgrades; meanwhile it was the era of economic reform and normalisation of relationships with Western countries. Although new tanks and refurbishment of older tanks with NATO L7 105 mm guns were planned, the mass of original Type 59s could still use some upgrades as well. In 1984, the ZTZ59A upgrade program passed state certifications: the upgrade included hydraulic steering, which provided the driver with better control and lighter force to move than the previous torsion bar steering; a Model 6610 IR searchlight mounted on the front of the chassis; FCS upgrades with Type 73 laser rangefinder from Type 69 mounted on the centre line of the tank by the mantlet, TSFCS with automatic ballistic solution; and side skirts. A new APFSDS was also developed for the gun, said to be on-par with Soviet 3BM25. Some parts of the tank were also revised from the suggestions of frontline troops, sub-systems were aimed to be more reliable and ergonomic. Some of the later ZTZ59A that had received such upgrades were also tested with different designs such as a two-plane stabiliser for the gun and welding extra fences onto the turret, while some received a smoke grenade launcher upgrade on the turret.

Although the gap between the mainstream 1980s MBTs and ZTZ59A was still huge, ZTZ59A also became the basis of more ergonomic sub-system designs of PLAGF tanks, as well as simplified maintenance; filling the gap while waiting for the newer ZTZ59-II with a brand new British FCS system and [[L7A3 (105 mm)|L7A3]] to replace them.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_ztz_59a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== 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.''

{{China medium tanks}}
{{China premium ground vehicles}}

M41D

2024-01-08T05:21:55Z

U41531792: /* The M41"D" upgrade */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_m_41d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: M41D輕型戰車) is the overhaul upgrade of the ROCA's fleet of M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs during the 1990s as an alternative to new imported light tanks. As a long-time user of M41 tanks, the ROCA previously attempted to reverse-engineer the tank under the name Type 65 with M41A3 equivalent designs. After attempts to import light tanks to replace the fleet of Bulldogs failed and the increasing tension of cross-strait relationships, they sought upgrades for the existing fleet of M41s including a domestic gun with the capability to fire APFSDS, FCS upgrades, and a new engine for better logistic maintenance. 50 tanks were upgraded, and peacefully served the ROCA for around 2 decades. A few continue to serve on Kinmen Island, after fatal accidents involving the M41A2.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as the most modern variant of the M41 in-game, this Taiwanese upgrade features APFSDS, thermals, and a laser rangefinder, but trades for a less powerful (but more economical) engine. The high gun depression and laser rangefinder, combined with its poor armour and lack of stabilizer, make this tank well-suited for hull-down sniping, and its good reverse speed allows it to quickly retreat if spotted. Compared to its PLA light tank counterpart, the [[PTL02]], the M41D trades a stabilizer and some firepower for superior reverse mobility, a slightly smaller profile, and increased gun depression.

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

Although the M41D underwent an overhaul from the original Walker Bulldog, protection wasn't part of the upgrade. The M41D retains the very same protection like any other member of the M41 family of tanks, other than the addition of side skirts. The protection all-round is not enough to protect the tank from any shells found at the rank, autocannons are also a deadly foe for the M41D as they can penetrate it with ease. Since it is a light tank in nature, the crew is also cramped into a confined space, any penetration from shells with explosive filler or large-calibre HE shells means a very quick demise for the crew.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (60°) ''Upper'' 31.7 mm (45°) ''Lower''
| 25.4 mm ''Front'' 19 mm ''Back'' || 12.7 mm (58°) ''Top'' 19 mm (32 - 37°) ''Bottom''
| 10 - 19 mm
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm ''Turret front'' 31.7 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm || 19 mm
|-
| Cupola || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 5 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 15 mm thick

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

For upgrades in terms of mobility, most vehicles would go for higher power output from the engine or replacing the transmission system.

The upgrade for M41D did neither. ROCA decided to downgrade the original 500 hp Continental AOS 895-3 petrol engine to a Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine for better fuel economy and torque. The statistic that matters the most is the engine output, and after downgrading the engine, the M41D can barely reach 50 km/h on road, let alone reached the claimed 72 km/h top speed. Handling is still identical, oddly, to the original M41.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=628|rbMinHp=358}}

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

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

{{main|M32K1 (76 mm)}}

The M32K1 cannon on M41D, to a certain extent, is the very first tank cannon made in Republic of China. Based on the original M32 76 mm gun found on other M41s, it can fire HEATFS, HE, APFSDS and smoke shells. It comes with a 2nd generation Texas Instruments TVD and a laser rangefinder which boosts the tank's search-and-destroy capabilities, though it has no stabilizer of any form, so firing accurately on the move is virtually impossible.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M32K1 (76 mm)|76 mm M32K1]] || 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" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 22.8 || 31.6 || 38.4 || 42.5 || 45.2 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The stock shell is M496 HEATFS, which is the top shell for the German M41 and US T92; at its tier, it can handle medium tanks it might face, such as M48 Pattons or Soviet T-54/T-62 series. It might still need careful shots when facing any Cold War heavy tanks like T-10M; some other heavies can be penetrated up front, but the damage might be minimal.

The other stock shell, M352 HE, can be neglected as a means to knock out any tanks at all, it doesn't have enough explosive mass to even trigger overpressure against most targets. It might be sufficient for vehicles with open combat compartment, but anything that is thicker than a sheet of steel or aluminium more than half an inch (12.7 mm) can stop this shell with ease.

The M464 APFSDS serving as the M41D's top shell is another story. It is still the go-to ammunition for M41Ds in service, this dart imported from Israel can penetrate 280 mm of armour at point blank range, which does fit ROCA's requirement to penetrate PLAGF's masses of ZTZ59s; and many tanks at the same BR don't even come with any darts; which means M41D can finally handle most tanks it might face at similar BR.

The M361 smoke shell also comes available to M41D, serving as a long-range option to blind enemies or cover your team's movement.

{{:M32K1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M496 shell, M352 shell, M361, M464}}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''65''' || 33 ''(+32)'' || 12 ''(+53)'' || 1 ''(+64)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 3 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 1 - 2.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 and 2 into rack 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
* Although having the minimal survivability of a light tank, it is still suggested to bring only 12 rounds as the standby ammo; in case of concerns over missed shots or non-lethal shots on enemies, bring 32 shells at most, which will be located in the lower hull by the center mass.

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

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M240 (7.62 mm)}}

The M41D retains the same M2HB as its anti-air machine gun; all the characteristics for the machine gun itself are identical to any other M2HB as well. It can be good for handling lightly armoured APCs, IFVs or SPAAGs; it is also a good for gunning down early helicopters with very limited protection in this BR range.

{| 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 || 2,200 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
The M240 coaxial machine gun is only good for gunning down exposed crew of vehicles and marking enemies, alternatively as a makeshift rangefinder before the laser rangefinder becomes available.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 5,000 (200) || 941 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The M41D may be one of the most challenging light tanks at this tier, perhaps even among other non-stabilized light tanks in-game; however, taking a less aggressive approach can ensure that it can at least contribute to the team by harassing or crippling enemies, helping the team to advance.

==== Harassing enemies ====
Players should remember one thing for the M41D in general: it is a light tank and never designed for head-on assaults against masses of enemies. Some inferior features of the M41D also make it a struggle to grind through the basic equipment for survivability, notably the underpowered engine and rather wobbly main cannon; players who are already used to the PLAGF's Type 69 or PTL02 with stabilizers will have to adapt a completely new doctrine. The M41D has neither the armour of the former or the crisp clear TVD of the latter, but it does have the best gun depression of any Chinese gun-equipped vehicle at -10° and a rather fast gun traverse speed for its tier. So for any chance to utilize the M41D, remember to never be the first one on the frontline; it's better off staying behind the lines or taking cover near the frontline for the early grind - taking enemies from the sides is much less risky as the stock M496 HEATFS is nowhere close to reliable due to its lesser penetration and calibre to most HEATFS of the tier. Be sure to aim for their gunnery crews or ammunition; although it has a sufficiently fast reload time (7.7 second stock) for a second chance, if it happens that the shell didn't do lethal damage, the M41D is very unlikely survive the retaliatory shot from enemies. And make sure to hide from any aircraft - you could fight back with the pintle-mounted M2HB, but this is more likely to draw their attention to you and they will make sure you will have a bad day from either their cannons or any other explosive ordnances.

Once the thermal sight and laser rangefinder modifications are installed, your life will much be easier as they mean you can finally stay way behind the lines for scouting or harassing enemies thanks to the automatic ballistic solution; only fire once the gun has stabilized since the ballistic solution will still make the gun vibrate. Both the stock M496 and the researchable M464 dart are nowhere near the best shells for quick kills; but careless players or those who showed their sides will be likely to have some trouble finding the flanker. Another note is to pick your targets carefully, "doomsday" heavy tanks and those of the early Cold War will occasionally absorb the damage from the shells, this is especially true for long-range engagements when the shell happens to land on different weld joints on the tank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The APFSDS round can penetrate most common tanks it will face, like the [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[T-55A|T-55]], or [[M60 (Family)|M60]]
* Gunner thermals allows efficient target searching especially at night, as most other counterparts only have NVD
* Laser rangefinder can quickly target distant foes and provide an automatic ballistic solution
* -10° gun depression means good hull-down and hilly terrain performance
* -18 km/h reverse allows it to retreat from danger quickly
* Smoke grenades and smoke shells allow it to protect itself or blind enemies
* Good gunner optics with 3-10x magnification
* Pretty low tier with a scout UAV

'''Cons:'''

* Cannon is not stabilised, significantly reducing its ability to fire on the move or to shoot first during an encounter against stabilised guns
* APFSDS is not strong enough to penetrate certain well-protected tanks, e.g. [[M48 Super|Object 279]], [[T-55AM-1]]
* The small calibre of the main gun results in frustratingly little spalling/post penetration damage
* Mobility can become rather sluggish on soft surfaces like mud
* Somewhat tall profile, worsening its concealment
* Poor survivability. Can be easily penetrated by autocannons, or destroyed by cannons and missiles with overpressure

== History ==

The ROCA, after their retreat to the island of Taiwan, used various imported tanks from different military aids, mostly US-built tanks such as earlier [[M24 (China)|M24 Chaffee]] and some [[M18 (China)|M18 GMC]]. Since 1958, during the heat of 1st Taiwan Strait Crisis, ROCA purchased 700 [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)|M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs]] and 300 [[M48A1 (China)|M48A1s]] to strengthen their defences in case the turmoil intensified into all-out warfare; these tanks replaced the older tanks in different armoured units. In 1975 (ROC Year 64，民國64年), ROCA started to reproduce a complete hull of M41, with some efforts made to reproduce the gun as well, the reverse-engineered light tank was first named Type 64 Light Tank (國造64式輕戰車) then renamed Type 65 Light tank (國造65式輕戰車) to avoid confusion with [[M64|the other Type 64 (M64)]]. While the tank didn't go into mass production, it gave ROCA the chance to build a domestic tank and some designs were retained for further use.

Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, ROCA decided to opt for a NATO retrofit of their M41s, after a long shot plan to buy the new [[XM8|M8 AGS]] to replace the fleet was scrapped due to budget issues.

The idea for M41D started during the 2nd Taiwan Strait Crisis. In view of aggressive PLA exercises aimed to protest against the talks given by the new ROC government, ROCA was in dire need for an overhaul upgrade of the M41 against possible landing operations from PLANMC, along with the insufficient amount of [[CM11]] and [[M60A3 TTS (China)|M60A3 TTS]] on hand.

=== The M41"D" upgrade ===
The M41 light tank improvement project mainly focused on night vision/fire control system and the adaptation of the diesel engine. Two corporations participated in the M41 tank improvement project and 2 prototype vehicles were built and tested. The prototype No. 1 was equipped with a Texas Instruments (TI) CVTTS night vision FCS and a 4-stroke VTA-903TR diesel engine produced by Cummins company, No. 2 vehicle is equipped with the 'M41 tank night vision fire control system' of the domestic Kunyi company and a two-stroke 8V-71T diesel engine produced by Napco company (the letter D of M41D stands for diesel engine modification).

After the bids for the improvements were determined, the first M41D prototype was composed of the chassis of the No. 2 prototype and the turret of the No. 1. The assembly took about a week and cost about NT$20 million to transform a regular M41 into M41D. Only 50 M41D were modified as the first batch due to insufficient funding, but the budget was expected to increase in the future.

The original M32A1 cannon was replaced with a M32K1 gun produced by Joint Logistics Command. The new cannon slightly enlarged the original cylindrical smoke evacuator and moved it backward 44 cm, while the original T-shaped muzzle brake was removed, and a pepper-pot type depressor was installed.

Although the calibre of the M32K1 cannon remained 76 mm, it could fire the high-pressure M464 APFSDS due to the self-tightening design of the cannon, and the muzzle velocity of the projectile could reach 1,433 m/s. The new ammunition could penetrate the frontal armour of Type 59 and Type 69 MBTs that the Communist forces equipped at that time. The M41D light tank was planned to be assigned to the armoured cavalry, the main task of which was to perform search, alert, and cover tasks on the battlefield, or to sweep the beach and annihilate the enemy's lightly armed forces during the initial stage of the enemy's landing, instead of engaging the heavy armour face-to-face. So the new main gun of the M41D tank should be sufficient for future missions.

The CVTTS (Combat Vehicle Thermal Targeting System) night vision FCS equipped by the M41D light tank could identify the enemy and aim at a target from 1,000 m away at night. In addition, a periscope in front of the driver's seat was modified with Starlight night vision goggles to facilitate night driving. The original mechanical ballistic compensator was converted to a digital ballistic computer; the optical rangefinder was also replaced with a laser rangefinder.

M41D employed a two-stroke DDC 8V-71T diesel engine, the maximum net output of which was 450 hp and the maximum net torque was 806 ft/lb. As the new diesel engine was more fuel-efficient than the original gasoline one, while the fuel capacity was increased from the original 530L to 760L, the maximum cruising range was greatly increased from the original 160 km to 450 km. The 8V-71T diesel engine of the M41D can also be found in the M108, M109, M110, and other self-propelled artillery vehicles in the ROCA, which helped to reduce pressure on logistics.

The original Allison CD500 gearbox of M41 was replaced, and the improvement in the suspension system lay in the replacement of a new torsion bar produced by Joint Logistics Command. Thus, the general manoeuvrability of the M41D tank was greatly improved compared with the original M41A series.

=== M41D in ROCA service ===
The Ministry of National Defence passed a 20 billion NTD budget for emergency upgrades of existing equipment, where 400 M41A1/A2s with better hull condition would undergo the new M41D upgrade program; after more M60A3 TTS were delivered to ROCA, the whole program shrunk to a 1.2 billion NTD budget and only 50 of these Walker Bulldogs were upgraded into M41D. 6 out of the 50 upgraded tanks were retained at military academies, the remaining ones were deployed on Kinmen Island just off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian; the closest Nationalist-controlled area to Mainland China. Later military reforms decided to have them return to the main island and serve in different units. A recent fatal incident at Kinmen raised concerns as to whether the remaining few M41A2s were safe enough for training, let alone fighting the now-modernized PLA with masses of MBTs. Around 20 M41Ds returned to Kinmen and replaced these old tanks, after the decommission ceremony of the remaining M41A in ROCA on 2022/2/25, the remaining M41Ds have to struggle until the new CM34 "Project Leopard (獵豹專案)" and M1A2T could eventually replace them.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_m_41d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)]]

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Research Development Center}}
{{China light tanks}}

M41D

2024-01-08T05:18:48Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_m_41d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: M41D輕型戰車) is the overhaul upgrade of the ROCA's fleet of M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs during the 1990s as an alternative to new imported light tanks. As a long-time user of M41 tanks, the ROCA previously attempted to reverse-engineer the tank under the name Type 65 with M41A3 equivalent designs. After attempts to import light tanks to replace the fleet of Bulldogs failed and the increasing tension of cross-strait relationships, they sought upgrades for the existing fleet of M41s including a domestic gun with the capability to fire APFSDS, FCS upgrades, and a new engine for better logistic maintenance. 50 tanks were upgraded, and peacefully served the ROCA for around 2 decades. A few continue to serve on Kinmen Island, after fatal accidents involving the M41A2.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as the most modern variant of the M41 in-game, this Taiwanese upgrade features APFSDS, thermals, and a laser rangefinder, but trades for a less powerful (but more economical) engine. The high gun depression and laser rangefinder, combined with its poor armour and lack of stabilizer, make this tank well-suited for hull-down sniping, and its good reverse speed allows it to quickly retreat if spotted. Compared to its PLA light tank counterpart, the [[PTL02]], the M41D trades a stabilizer and some firepower for superior reverse mobility, a slightly smaller profile, and increased gun depression.

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

Although the M41D underwent an overhaul from the original Walker Bulldog, protection wasn't part of the upgrade. The M41D retains the very same protection like any other member of the M41 family of tanks, other than the addition of side skirts. The protection all-round is not enough to protect the tank from any shells found at the rank, autocannons are also a deadly foe for the M41D as they can penetrate it with ease. Since it is a light tank in nature, the crew is also cramped into a confined space, any penetration from shells with explosive filler or large-calibre HE shells means a very quick demise for the crew.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (60°) ''Upper'' 31.7 mm (45°) ''Lower''
| 25.4 mm ''Front'' 19 mm ''Back'' || 12.7 mm (58°) ''Top'' 19 mm (32 - 37°) ''Bottom''
| 10 - 19 mm
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm ''Turret front'' 31.7 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm || 19 mm
|-
| Cupola || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 5 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 15 mm thick

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

For upgrades in terms of mobility, most vehicles would go for higher power output from the engine or replacing the transmission system.

The upgrade for M41D did neither. ROCA decided to downgrade the original 500 hp Continental AOS 895-3 petrol engine to a Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine for better fuel economy and torque. The statistic that matters the most is the engine output, and after downgrading the engine, the M41D can barely reach 50 km/h on road, let alone reached the claimed 72 km/h top speed. Handling is still identical, oddly, to the original M41.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=628|rbMinHp=358}}

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

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

{{main|M32K1 (76 mm)}}

The M32K1 cannon on M41D, to a certain extent, is the very first tank cannon made in Republic of China. Based on the original M32 76 mm gun found on other M41s, it can fire HEATFS, HE, APFSDS and smoke shells. It comes with a 2nd generation Texas Instruments TVD and a laser rangefinder which boosts the tank's search-and-destroy capabilities, though it has no stabilizer of any form, so firing accurately on the move is virtually impossible.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M32K1 (76 mm)|76 mm M32K1]] || 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" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 22.8 || 31.6 || 38.4 || 42.5 || 45.2 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The stock shell is M496 HEATFS, which is the top shell for the German M41 and US T92; at its tier, it can handle medium tanks it might face, such as M48 Pattons or Soviet T-54/T-62 series. It might still need careful shots when facing any Cold War heavy tanks like T-10M; some other heavies can be penetrated up front, but the damage might be minimal.

The other stock shell, M352 HE, can be neglected as a means to knock out any tanks at all, it doesn't have enough explosive mass to even trigger overpressure against most targets. It might be sufficient for vehicles with open combat compartment, but anything that is thicker than a sheet of steel or aluminium more than half an inch (12.7 mm) can stop this shell with ease.

The M464 APFSDS serving as the M41D's top shell is another story. It is still the go-to ammunition for M41Ds in service, this dart imported from Israel can penetrate 280 mm of armour at point blank range, which does fit ROCA's requirement to penetrate PLAGF's masses of ZTZ59s; and many tanks at the same BR don't even come with any darts; which means M41D can finally handle most tanks it might face at similar BR.

The M361 smoke shell also comes available to M41D, serving as a long-range option to blind enemies or cover your team's movement.

{{:M32K1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M496 shell, M352 shell, M361, M464}}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''65''' || 33 ''(+32)'' || 12 ''(+53)'' || 1 ''(+64)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 3 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 1 - 2.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 and 2 into rack 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
* Although having the minimal survivability of a light tank, it is still suggested to bring only 12 rounds as the standby ammo; in case of concerns over missed shots or non-lethal shots on enemies, bring 32 shells at most, which will be located in the lower hull by the center mass.

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

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M240 (7.62 mm)}}

The M41D retains the same M2HB as its anti-air machine gun; all the characteristics for the machine gun itself are identical to any other M2HB as well. It can be good for handling lightly armoured APCs, IFVs or SPAAGs; it is also a good for gunning down early helicopters with very limited protection in this BR range.

{| 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 || 2,200 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
The M240 coaxial machine gun is only good for gunning down exposed crew of vehicles and marking enemies, alternatively as a makeshift rangefinder before the laser rangefinder becomes available.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 5,000 (200) || 941 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The M41D may be one of the most challenging light tanks at this tier, perhaps even among other non-stabilized light tanks in-game; however, taking a less aggressive approach can ensure that it can at least contribute to the team by harassing or crippling enemies, helping the team to advance.

==== Harassing enemies ====
Players should remember one thing for the M41D in general: it is a light tank and never designed for head-on assaults against masses of enemies. Some inferior features of the M41D also make it a struggle to grind through the basic equipment for survivability, notably the underpowered engine and rather wobbly main cannon; players who are already used to the PLAGF's Type 69 or PTL02 with stabilizers will have to adapt a completely new doctrine. The M41D has neither the armour of the former or the crisp clear TVD of the latter, but it does have the best gun depression of any Chinese gun-equipped vehicle at -10° and a rather fast gun traverse speed for its tier. So for any chance to utilize the M41D, remember to never be the first one on the frontline; it's better off staying behind the lines or taking cover near the frontline for the early grind - taking enemies from the sides is much less risky as the stock M496 HEATFS is nowhere close to reliable due to its lesser penetration and calibre to most HEATFS of the tier. Be sure to aim for their gunnery crews or ammunition; although it has a sufficiently fast reload time (7.7 second stock) for a second chance, if it happens that the shell didn't do lethal damage, the M41D is very unlikely survive the retaliatory shot from enemies. And make sure to hide from any aircraft - you could fight back with the pintle-mounted M2HB, but this is more likely to draw their attention to you and they will make sure you will have a bad day from either their cannons or any other explosive ordnances.

Once the thermal sight and laser rangefinder modifications are installed, your life will much be easier as they mean you can finally stay way behind the lines for scouting or harassing enemies thanks to the automatic ballistic solution; only fire once the gun has stabilized since the ballistic solution will still make the gun vibrate. Both the stock M496 and the researchable M464 dart are nowhere near the best shells for quick kills; but careless players or those who showed their sides will be likely to have some trouble finding the flanker. Another note is to pick your targets carefully, "doomsday" heavy tanks and those of the early Cold War will occasionally absorb the damage from the shells, this is especially true for long-range engagements when the shell happens to land on different weld joints on the tank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The APFSDS round can penetrate most common tanks it will face, like the [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[T-55A|T-55]], or [[M60 (Family)|M60]]
* Gunner thermals allows efficient target searching especially at night, as most other counterparts only have NVD
* Laser rangefinder can quickly target distant foes and provide an automatic ballistic solution
* -10° gun depression means good hull-down and hilly terrain performance
* -18 km/h reverse allows it to retreat from danger quickly
* Smoke grenades and smoke shells allow it to protect itself or blind enemies
* Good gunner optics with 3-10x magnification
* Pretty low tier with a scout UAV

'''Cons:'''

* Cannon is not stabilised, significantly reducing its ability to fire on the move or to shoot first during an encounter against stabilised guns
* APFSDS is not strong enough to penetrate certain well-protected tanks, e.g. [[M48 Super|Object 279]], [[T-55AM-1]]
* The small calibre of the main gun results in frustratingly little spalling/post penetration damage
* Mobility can become rather sluggish on soft surfaces like mud
* Somewhat tall profile, worsening its concealment
* Poor survivability. Can be easily penetrated by autocannons, or destroyed by cannons and missiles with overpressure

== History ==

The ROCA, after their retreat to the island of Taiwan, used various imported tanks from different military aids, mostly US-built tanks such as earlier [[M24 (China)|M24 Chaffee]] and some [[M18 (China)|M18 GMC]]. Since 1958, during the heat of 1st Taiwan Strait Crisis, ROCA purchased 700 [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)|M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs]] and 300 [[M48A1 (China)|M48A1s]] to strengthen their defences in case the turmoil intensified into all-out warfare; these tanks replaced the older tanks in different armoured units. In 1975 (ROC Year 64，民國64年), ROCA started to reproduce a complete hull of M41, with some efforts made to reproduce the gun as well, the reverse-engineered light tank was first named Type 64 Light Tank (國造64式輕戰車) then renamed Type 65 Light tank (國造65式輕戰車) to avoid confusion with [[M64|the other Type 64 (M64)]]. While the tank didn't go into mass production, it gave ROCA the chance to build a domestic tank and some designs were retained for further use.

Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, ROCA decided to opt for a NATO retrofit of their M41s, after a long shot plan to buy the new [[XM8|M8 AGS]] to replace the fleet was scrapped due to budget issues.

The idea for M41D started during the 2nd Taiwan Strait Crisis. In view of aggressive PLA exercises aimed to protest against the talks given by the new ROC government, ROCA was in dire need for an overhaul upgrade of the M41 against possible landing operations from PLANMC, along with the insufficient amount of [[CM11]] and [[M60A3 TTS (China)|M60A3 TTS]] on hand.

=== The M41"D" upgrade ===
The M41 light tank improvement project mainly focused on night vision/fire control system and the adaptation of the diesel engine. Two corporations participated in the M41 tank improvement project and 2 prototype vehicles were built and tested. The prototype No. 1 was equipped with a Texas Instruments (TI) CVTTS night vision FCS and a 4-stroke VTA-903TR diesel engine produced by Cummins company, No. 2 vehicle is equipped with the 'M41 tank night vision fire control system' of the domestic Kunyi company and a two-stroke 8V-71T diesel engine produced by Napco company (the letter D of M41D stands for diesel engine modification).

After the bids for the improvements were determined, the first M41D prototype was composed of the chassis of the No. 2 prototype and the turret of the No. 1. The assembly took about a week and cost about NT$20 million to transform a regular M41 into M41D. Only 50 M41D were modified as the first batch due to insufficient funding, but the budget was expected to increase in the future.

The original M32A1 cannon was replaced with a M32K1 gun produced by Joint Logistics Command. The new cannon slightly enlarged the original cylindrical smoke evacuator and moved it backward 44 cm, while the original T-shaped muzzle brake was removed, and a pepper-pot type depressor was installed.

Although the calibre of the M32K1 cannon remained 76 mm, it could fire the high-pressure M464 APFSDS due to the self-tightening design of the cannon, and the muzzle velocity of the projectile could reach 1,400 m/s. The new ammunition could penetrate the frontal armour of Type 59 and Type 69 MBTs that the Communist forces equipped at that time. The M41D light tank was planned to be assigned to the armoured cavalry, the main task of which was to perform search, alert, and cover tasks on the battlefield, or to sweep the beach and annihilate the enemy's lightly armed forces during the initial stage of the enemy's landing, instead of engaging the heavy armour face-to-face. So the new main gun of the M41D tank should be sufficient for future missions.

The CVTTS (Combat Vehicle Thermal Targeting System) night vision FCS equipped by the M41D light tank could identify the enemy and aim at a target from 1,000 m away at night. In addition, a periscope in front of the driver's seat was modified with Starlight night vision goggles to facilitate night driving. The original mechanical ballistic compensator was converted to a digital ballistic computer; the optical rangefinder was also replaced with a laser rangefinder.

M41D employed a two-stroke DDC 8V-71T diesel engine, the maximum net output of which was 405 hp and the maximum net torque was 806 ft/lb. As the new diesel engine was more fuel-efficient than the original gasoline one, while the fuel capacity was increased from the original 530L to 760L, the maximum cruising range was greatly increased from the original 160 km to 450 km. The 8V-71T diesel engine of the M41D can also be found in the M108, M109, M110, and other self-propelled artillery vehicles in the ROCA, which helped to reduce pressure on logistics.

The original Allison CD500 gearbox of M41 was retained, and the improvement in the suspension system lay in the replacement of a new torsion bar produced by Joint Logistics Command. Thus, the general manoeuvrability of the M41D tank was greatly improved compared with the original M41A series.

=== M41D in ROCA service ===
The Ministry of National Defence passed a 20 billion NTD budget for emergency upgrades of existing equipment, where 400 M41A1/A2s with better hull condition would undergo the new M41D upgrade program; after more M60A3 TTS were delivered to ROCA, the whole program shrunk to a 1.2 billion NTD budget and only 50 of these Walker Bulldogs were upgraded into M41D. 6 out of the 50 upgraded tanks were retained at military academies, the remaining ones were deployed on Kinmen Island just off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian; the closest Nationalist-controlled area to Mainland China. Later military reforms decided to have them return to the main island and serve in different units. A recent fatal incident at Kinmen raised concerns as to whether the remaining few M41A2s were safe enough for training, let alone fighting the now-modernized PLA with masses of MBTs. Around 20 M41Ds returned to Kinmen and replaced these old tanks, after the decommission ceremony of the remaining M41A in ROCA on 2022/2/25, the remaining M41Ds have to struggle until the new CM34 "Project Leopard (獵豹專案)" and M1A2T could eventually replace them.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_m_41d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)]]

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Research Development Center}}
{{China light tanks}}

M41D

2024-01-08T05:16:54Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_m_41d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: M41D輕型戰車) is the overhaul upgrade of the ROCA's fleet of M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs during the 1990s as an alternative to new imported light tanks. As a long-time user of M41 tanks, the ROCA previously attempted to reverse-engineer the tank under the name Type 65 with M41A3 equivalent designs. After attempts to import light tanks to replace the fleet of Bulldogs failed and the increasing tension of cross-strait relationships, they sought upgrades for the existing fleet of M41s including a domestic gun with the capability to fire APFSDS, FCS upgrades, and a new engine for better logistic maintenance. 50 tanks were upgraded, and peacefully served the ROCA for around 2 decades. A few continue to serve on Kinmen Island, after fatal accidents involving the M41A2.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as the most modern variant of the M41 in-game, this Taiwanese upgrade features APFSDS, thermals, and a laser rangefinder, but trades for a less powerful (but more economical) engine. The high gun depression and laser rangefinder, combined with its poor armour and lack of stabilizer, make this tank well-suited for hull-down sniping, and its good reverse speed allows it to quickly retreat if spotted. Compared to its PLA light tank counterpart, the [[PTL02]], the M41D trades a stabilizer and some firepower for superior reverse mobility, a slightly smaller profile, and increased gun depression.

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

Although the M41D underwent an overhaul from the original Walker Bulldog, protection wasn't part of the upgrade. The M41D retains the very same protection like any other member of the M41 family of tanks, other than the addition of side skirts. The protection all-round is not enough to protect the tank from any shells found at the rank, autocannons are also a deadly foe for the M41D as they can penetrate it with ease. Since it is a light tank in nature, the crew is also cramped into a confined space, any penetration from shells with explosive filler or large-calibre HE shells means a very quick demise for the crew.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (60°) ''Upper'' 31.7 mm (45°) ''Lower''
| 25.4 mm ''Front'' 19 mm ''Back'' || 12.7 mm (58°) ''Top'' 19 mm (32 - 37°) ''Bottom''
| 10 - 19 mm
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm ''Turret front'' 31.7 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm || 19 mm
|-
| Cupola || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 5 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 15 mm thick

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

For upgrades in terms of mobility, most vehicles would go for higher power output from the engine or replacing the transmission system.

The upgrade for M41D did neither. ROCA decided to downgrade the original 500 hp Continental AOS 895-3 petrol engine to a Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine for better fuel economy and torque. The statistic that matters the most is the engine output, and after downgrading the engine, the M41D can barely reach 50 km/h on road, let alone reached the claimed 72 km/h top speed. Handling is still identical, oddly, to the original M41.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=628|rbMinHp=358}}

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

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

{{main|M32K1 (76 mm)}}

The M32K1 cannon on M41D, to a certain extent, is the very first tank cannon made in Republic of China. Based on the original M32 76 mm gun found on other M41s, it can fire HEATFS, HE, APFSDS and smoke shells. It comes with a 2nd generation Texas Instruments TVD and a laser rangefinder which boosts the tank's search-and-destroy capabilities, though it has no stabilizer of any form, so firing accurately on the move is virtually impossible.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M32K1 (76 mm)|76 mm M32K1]] || 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" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 22.8 || 31.6 || 38.4 || 42.5 || 45.2 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The stock shell is M496 HEATFS, which is the top shell for the German M41 and US T92; at its tier, it can handle medium tanks it might face, such as M48 Pattons or Soviet T-54/T-62 series. It might still need careful shots when facing any Cold War heavy tanks like T-10M; some other heavies can be penetrated up front, but the damage might be minimal.

The other stock shell, M352 HE, can be neglected as a means to knock out any tanks at all, it doesn't have enough explosive mass to even trigger overpressure against most targets. It might be sufficient for vehicles with open combat compartment, but anything that is thicker than a sheet of steel or aluminium more than half an inch (12.7 mm) can stop this shell with ease.

The M464 APFSDS serving as the M41D's top shell is another story. It is still the go-to ammunition for M41Ds in service, this dart imported from Israel can penetrate 280 mm of armour at point blank range, which does fit ROCA's requirement to penetrate PLAGF's masses of ZTZ59s; and many tanks at the same BR don't even come with any darts; which means M41D can finally handle most tanks it might face at similar BR.

The M361 smoke shell also comes available to M41D, serving as a long-range option to blind enemies or cover your team's movement.

{{:M32K1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M496 shell, M352 shell, M361, M464}}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''65''' || 33 ''(+32)'' || 12 ''(+53)'' || 1 ''(+64)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 3 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 1 - 2.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 and 2 into rack 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
* Although having the minimal survivability of a light tank, it is still suggested to bring only 12 rounds as the standby ammo; in case of concerns over missed shots or non-lethal shots on enemies, bring 32 shells at most, which will be located in the lower hull by the center mass.

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

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M240 (7.62 mm)}}

The M41D retains the same M2HB as its anti-air machine gun; all the characteristics for the machine gun itself are identical to any other M2HB as well. It can be good for handling lightly armoured APCs, IFVs or SPAAGs; it is also a good for gunning down early helicopters with very limited protection in this BR range.

{| 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 || 2,200 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
The M240 coaxial machine gun is only good for gunning down exposed crew of vehicles and marking enemies, alternatively as a makeshift rangefinder before the laser rangefinder becomes available.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 5,000 (200) || 941 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The M41D may be one of the most challenging light tanks at this tier, perhaps even among other non-stabilized light tanks in-game; however, taking a less aggressive approach can ensure that it can at least contribute to the team by harassing or crippling enemies, helping the team to advance.

==== Harassing enemies ====
Players should remember one thing for the M41D in general: it is a light tank and never designed for head-on assaults against masses of enemies. Some inferior features of the M41D also make it a struggle to grind through the basic equipment for survivability, notably the underpowered engine and rather wobbly main cannon; players who are already used to the PLAGF's Type 69 or PTL02 with stabilizers will have to adapt a completely new doctrine. The M41D has neither the armour of the former or the crisp clear TVD of the latter, but it does have the best gun depression of any Chinese gun-equipped vehicle at -10° and a rather fast gun traverse speed for its tier. So for any chance to utilize the M41D, remember to never be the first one on the frontline; it's better off staying behind the lines or taking cover near the frontline for the early grind - taking enemies from the sides is much less risky as the stock M496 HEATFS is nowhere close to reliable due to its lesser penetration and calibre to most HEATFS of the tier. Be sure to aim for their gunnery crews or ammunition; although it has a sufficiently fast reload time (7.7 second stock) for a second chance, if it happens that the shell didn't do lethal damage, the M41D is very unlikely survive the retaliatory shot from enemies. And make sure to hide from any aircraft - you could fight back with the pintle-mounted M2HB, but this is more likely to draw their attention to you and they will make sure you will have a bad day from either their cannons or any other explosive ordnances.

Once the thermal sight and laser rangefinder modifications are installed, your life will much be easier as they mean you can finally stay way behind the lines for scouting or harassing enemies thanks to the automatic ballistic solution; only fire once the gun has stabilized since the ballistic solution will still make the gun vibrate. Both the stock M496 and the researchable M464 dart are nowhere near the best shells for quick kills; but careless players or those who showed their sides will be likely to have some trouble finding the flanker. Another note is to pick your targets carefully, "doomsday" heavy tanks and those of the early Cold War will occasionally absorb the damage from the shells, this is especially true for long-range engagements when the shell happens to land on different weld joints on the tank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The APFSDS round can penetrate most common tanks it will face, like the [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[T-55A|T-55]], or [[M60 (Family)|M60]]
* Gunner thermals allows efficient target searching especially at night, as most other counterparts only have NVD
* Laser rangefinder can quickly target distant foes and provide an automatic ballistic solution
* -10° gun depression means good hull-down and hilly terrain performance
* -18 km/h reverse allows it to retreat from danger quickly
* Smoke grenades and smoke shells allow it to protect itself or blind enemies
* Good gunner optics with 3-10x magnification
* Pretty low tier with a scout UAV

'''Cons:'''

* Cannon is not stabilised, significantly reducing its ability to fire on the move or to shoot first during an encounter against stabilised guns
* APFSDS is not strong enough to penetrate certain well-protected tanks, e.g. [[M48 Super]], [[T-55AM-1]]
* The small calibre of the main gun results in frustratingly little spalling/post penetration damage
* Mobility can become rather sluggish on soft surfaces like mud
* Somewhat tall profile, worsening its concealment
* Poor survivability. Can be easily penetrated by autocannons, or destroyed by cannons and missiles with overpressure

== History ==

The ROCA, after their retreat to the island of Taiwan, used various imported tanks from different military aids, mostly US-built tanks such as earlier [[M24 (China)|M24 Chaffee]] and some [[M18 (China)|M18 GMC]]. Since 1958, during the heat of 1st Taiwan Strait Crisis, ROCA purchased 700 [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)|M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs]] and 300 [[M48A1 (China)|M48A1s]] to strengthen their defences in case the turmoil intensified into all-out warfare; these tanks replaced the older tanks in different armoured units. In 1975 (ROC Year 64，民國64年), ROCA started to reproduce a complete hull of M41, with some efforts made to reproduce the gun as well, the reverse-engineered light tank was first named Type 64 Light Tank (國造64式輕戰車) then renamed Type 65 Light tank (國造65式輕戰車) to avoid confusion with [[M64|the other Type 64 (M64)]]. While the tank didn't go into mass production, it gave ROCA the chance to build a domestic tank and some designs were retained for further use.

Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, ROCA decided to opt for a NATO retrofit of their M41s, after a long shot plan to buy the new [[XM8|M8 AGS]] to replace the fleet was scrapped due to budget issues.

The idea for M41D started during the 2nd Taiwan Strait Crisis. In view of aggressive PLA exercises aimed to protest against the talks given by the new ROC government, ROCA was in dire need for an overhaul upgrade of the M41 against possible landing operations from PLANMC, along with the insufficient amount of [[CM11]] and [[M60A3 TTS (China)|M60A3 TTS]] on hand.

=== The M41"D" upgrade ===
The M41 light tank improvement project mainly focused on night vision/fire control system and the adaptation of the diesel engine. Two corporations participated in the M41 tank improvement project and 2 prototype vehicles were built and tested. The prototype No. 1 was equipped with a Texas Instruments (TI) CVTTS night vision FCS and a 4-stroke VTA-903TR diesel engine produced by Cummins company, No. 2 vehicle is equipped with the 'M41 tank night vision fire control system' of the domestic Kunyi company and a two-stroke 8V-71T diesel engine produced by Napco company (the letter D of M41D stands for diesel engine modification).

After the bids for the improvements were determined, the first M41D prototype was composed of the chassis of the No. 2 prototype and the turret of the No. 1. The assembly took about a week and cost about NT$20 million to transform a regular M41 into M41D. Only 50 M41D were modified as the first batch due to insufficient funding, but the budget was expected to increase in the future.

The original M32A1 cannon was replaced with a M32K1 gun produced by Joint Logistics Command. The new cannon slightly enlarged the original cylindrical smoke evacuator and moved it backward 44 cm, while the original T-shaped muzzle brake was removed, and a pepper-pot type depressor was installed.

Although the calibre of the M32K1 cannon remained 76 mm, it could fire the high-pressure M464 APFSDS due to the self-tightening design of the cannon, and the muzzle velocity of the projectile could reach 1,400 m/s. The new ammunition could penetrate the frontal armour of Type 59 and Type 69 MBTs that the Communist forces equipped at that time. The M41D light tank was planned to be assigned to the armoured cavalry, the main task of which was to perform search, alert, and cover tasks on the battlefield, or to sweep the beach and annihilate the enemy's lightly armed forces during the initial stage of the enemy's landing, instead of engaging the heavy armour face-to-face. So the new main gun of the M41D tank should be sufficient for future missions.

The CVTTS (Combat Vehicle Thermal Targeting System) night vision FCS equipped by the M41D light tank could identify the enemy and aim at a target from 1,000 m away at night. In addition, a periscope in front of the driver's seat was modified with Starlight night vision goggles to facilitate night driving. The original mechanical ballistic compensator was converted to a digital ballistic computer; the optical rangefinder was also replaced with a laser rangefinder.

M41D employed a two-stroke DDC 8V-71T diesel engine, the maximum net output of which was 405 hp and the maximum net torque was 806 ft/lb. As the new diesel engine was more fuel-efficient than the original gasoline one, while the fuel capacity was increased from the original 530L to 760L, the maximum cruising range was greatly increased from the original 160 km to 450 km. The 8V-71T diesel engine of the M41D can also be found in the M108, M109, M110, and other self-propelled artillery vehicles in the ROCA, which helped to reduce pressure on logistics.

The original Allison CD500 gearbox of M41 was retained, and the improvement in the suspension system lay in the replacement of a new torsion bar produced by Joint Logistics Command. Thus, the general manoeuvrability of the M41D tank was greatly improved compared with the original M41A series.

=== M41D in ROCA service ===
The Ministry of National Defence passed a 20 billion NTD budget for emergency upgrades of existing equipment, where 400 M41A1/A2s with better hull condition would undergo the new M41D upgrade program; after more M60A3 TTS were delivered to ROCA, the whole program shrunk to a 1.2 billion NTD budget and only 50 of these Walker Bulldogs were upgraded into M41D. 6 out of the 50 upgraded tanks were retained at military academies, the remaining ones were deployed on Kinmen Island just off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian; the closest Nationalist-controlled area to Mainland China. Later military reforms decided to have them return to the main island and serve in different units. A recent fatal incident at Kinmen raised concerns as to whether the remaining few M41A2s were safe enough for training, let alone fighting the now-modernized PLA with masses of MBTs. Around 20 M41Ds returned to Kinmen and replaced these old tanks, after the decommission ceremony of the remaining M41A in ROCA on 2022/2/25, the remaining M41Ds have to struggle until the new CM34 "Project Leopard (獵豹專案)" and M1A2T could eventually replace them.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_m_41d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)]]

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Research Development Center}}
{{China light tanks}}

M41D

2024-01-08T05:15:22Z

U41531792: /* Harassing enemies */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_m_41d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: M41D輕型戰車) is the overhaul upgrade of the ROCA's fleet of M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs during the 1990s as an alternative to new imported light tanks. As a long-time user of M41 tanks, the ROCA previously attempted to reverse-engineer the tank under the name Type 65 with M41A3 equivalent designs. After attempts to import light tanks to replace the fleet of Bulldogs failed and the increasing tension of cross-strait relationships, they sought upgrades for the existing fleet of M41s including a domestic gun with the capability to fire APFSDS, FCS upgrades, and a new engine for better logistic maintenance. 50 tanks were upgraded, and peacefully served the ROCA for around 2 decades. A few continue to serve on Kinmen Island, after fatal accidents involving the M41A2.

Introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]] as the most modern variant of the M41 in-game, this Taiwanese upgrade features APFSDS, thermals, and a laser rangefinder, but trades for a less powerful (but more economical) engine. The high gun depression and laser rangefinder, combined with its poor armour and lack of stabilizer, make this tank well-suited for hull-down sniping, and its good reverse speed allows it to quickly retreat if spotted. Compared to its PLA light tank counterpart, the [[PTL02]], the M41D trades a stabilizer and some firepower for superior reverse mobility, a slightly smaller profile, and increased gun depression.

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

Although the M41D underwent an overhaul from the original Walker Bulldog, protection wasn't part of the upgrade. The M41D retains the very same protection like any other member of the M41 family of tanks, other than the addition of side skirts. The protection all-round is not enough to protect the tank from any shells found at the rank, autocannons are also a deadly foe for the M41D as they can penetrate it with ease. Since it is a light tank in nature, the crew is also cramped into a confined space, any penetration from shells with explosive filler or large-calibre HE shells means a very quick demise for the crew.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 25.4 mm (60°) ''Upper'' 31.7 mm (45°) ''Lower''
| 25.4 mm ''Front'' 19 mm ''Back'' || 12.7 mm (58°) ''Top'' 19 mm (32 - 37°) ''Bottom''
| 10 - 19 mm
|-
| Turret || 25.4 mm ''Turret front'' 31.7 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 25.4 mm || 25.4 mm || 19 mm
|-
| Cupola || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 31.7 mm || 5 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 15 mm thick

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

For upgrades in terms of mobility, most vehicles would go for higher power output from the engine or replacing the transmission system.

The upgrade for M41D did neither. ROCA decided to downgrade the original 500 hp Continental AOS 895-3 petrol engine to a Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine for better fuel economy and torque. The statistic that matters the most is the engine output, and after downgrading the engine, the M41D can barely reach 50 km/h on road, let alone reached the claimed 72 km/h top speed. Handling is still identical, oddly, to the original M41.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=628|rbMinHp=358}}

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

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

{{main|M32K1 (76 mm)}}

The M32K1 cannon on M41D, to a certain extent, is the very first tank cannon made in Republic of China. Based on the original M32 76 mm gun found on other M41s, it can fire HEATFS, HE, APFSDS and smoke shells. It comes with a 2nd generation Texas Instruments TVD and a laser rangefinder which boosts the tank's search-and-destroy capabilities, though it has no stabilizer of any form, so firing accurately on the move is virtually impossible.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M32K1 (76 mm)|76 mm M32K1]] || 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" | 65 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 22.8 || 31.6 || 38.4 || 42.5 || 45.2 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The stock shell is M496 HEATFS, which is the top shell for the German M41 and US T92; at its tier, it can handle medium tanks it might face, such as M48 Pattons or Soviet T-54/T-62 series. It might still need careful shots when facing any Cold War heavy tanks like T-10M; some other heavies can be penetrated up front, but the damage might be minimal.

The other stock shell, M352 HE, can be neglected as a means to knock out any tanks at all, it doesn't have enough explosive mass to even trigger overpressure against most targets. It might be sufficient for vehicles with open combat compartment, but anything that is thicker than a sheet of steel or aluminium more than half an inch (12.7 mm) can stop this shell with ease.

The M464 APFSDS serving as the M41D's top shell is another story. It is still the go-to ammunition for M41Ds in service, this dart imported from Israel can penetrate 280 mm of armour at point blank range, which does fit ROCA's requirement to penetrate PLAGF's masses of ZTZ59s; and many tanks at the same BR don't even come with any darts; which means M41D can finally handle most tanks it might face at similar BR.

The M361 smoke shell also comes available to M41D, serving as a long-range option to blind enemies or cover your team's movement.

{{:M32K1 (76 mm)/Ammunition|M496 shell, M352 shell, M361, M464}}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''65''' || 33 ''(+32)'' || 12 ''(+53)'' || 1 ''(+64)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 3 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 11 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 3 - 1 - 2.
* Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 and 2 into rack 3. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.
* Although having the minimal survivability of a light tank, it is still suggested to bring only 12 rounds as the standby ammo; in case of concerns over missed shots or non-lethal shots on enemies, bring 32 shells at most, which will be located in the lower hull by the center mass.

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

{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|M240 (7.62 mm)}}

The M41D retains the same M2HB as its anti-air machine gun; all the characteristics for the machine gun itself are identical to any other M2HB as well. It can be good for handling lightly armoured APCs, IFVs or SPAAGs; it is also a good for gunning down early helicopters with very limited protection in this BR range.

{| 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 || 2,200 (200) || 577 || -10°/+70° || ±60°
|-
|}
The M240 coaxial machine gun is only good for gunning down exposed crew of vehicles and marking enemies, alternatively as a makeshift rangefinder before the laser rangefinder becomes available.
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[M240 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm M240]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 5,000 (200) || 941 || N/A || N/A
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The M41D may be one of the most challenging light tanks at this tier, perhaps even among other non-stabilized light tanks in-game; however, taking a less aggressive approach can ensure that it can at least contribute to the team by harassing or crippling enemies, helping the team to advance.

==== Harassing enemies ====
Players should remember one thing for the M41D in general: it is a light tank and never designed for head-on assaults against masses of enemies. Some inferior features of the M41D also make it a struggle to grind through the basic equipment for survivability, notably the underpowered engine and rather wobbly main cannon; players who are already used to the PLAGF's Type 69 or PTL02 with stabilizers will have to adapt a completely new doctrine. The M41D has neither the armour of the former or the crisp clear TVD of the latter, but it does have the best gun depression of any Chinese gun-equipped vehicle at -10° and a rather fast gun traverse speed for its tier. So for any chance to utilize the M41D, remember to never be the first one on the frontline; it's better off staying behind the lines or taking cover near the frontline for the early grind - taking enemies from the sides is much less risky as the stock M496 HEATFS is nowhere close to reliable due to its lesser penetration and calibre to most HEATFS of the tier. Be sure to aim for their gunnery crews or ammunition; although it has a sufficiently fast reload time (7.7 second stock) for a second chance, if it happens that the shell didn't do lethal damage, the M41D is very unlikely survive the retaliatory shot from enemies. And make sure to hide from any aircraft - you could fight back with the pintle-mounted M2HB, but this is more likely to draw their attention to you and they will make sure you will have a bad day from either their cannons or any other explosive ordnances.

Once the thermal sight and laser rangefinder modifications are installed, your life will much be easier as they mean you can finally stay way behind the lines for scouting or harassing enemies thanks to the automatic ballistic solution; only fire once the gun has stabilized since the ballistic solution will still make the gun vibrate. Both the stock M496 and the researchable M464 dart are nowhere near the best shells for quick kills; but careless players or those who showed their sides will be likely to have some trouble finding the flanker. Another note is to pick your targets carefully, "doomsday" heavy tanks and those of the early Cold War will occasionally absorb the damage from the shells, this is especially true for long-range engagements when the shell happens to land on different weld joints on the tank.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* The APFSDS round can penetrate most common tanks it will face, like the [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[T-55A|T-55]], or [[M60 (Family)|M60]]
* Gunner thermals allows efficient target searching especially at night, as most other counterparts only have NVD
* Laser rangefinder can quickly target distant foes and provide an automatic ballistic solution
* -10° gun depression means good hull-down and hilly terrain performance
* -18 km/h reverse allows it to retreat from danger quickly
* Smoke grenades and smoke shells allow it to protect itself or blind enemies

'''Cons:'''

* Cannon is not stabilised, significantly reducing its ability to fire on the move or to shoot first during an encounter against stabilised guns
* APFSDS is not strong enough to penetrate certain well-protected tanks, e.g. [[M48 Super]], [[T-55AM-1]]
* The small calibre of the main gun results in frustratingly little spalling/post penetration damage
* Mobility can become rather sluggish on soft surfaces like mud
* Somewhat tall profile, worsening its concealment
* Poor survivability. Can be easily penetrated by autocannons, or destroyed by cannons and missiles with overpressure

== History ==

The ROCA, after their retreat to the island of Taiwan, used various imported tanks from different military aids, mostly US-built tanks such as earlier [[M24 (China)|M24 Chaffee]] and some [[M18 (China)|M18 GMC]]. Since 1958, during the heat of 1st Taiwan Strait Crisis, ROCA purchased 700 [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)|M41A1/A2 Walker Bulldogs]] and 300 [[M48A1 (China)|M48A1s]] to strengthen their defences in case the turmoil intensified into all-out warfare; these tanks replaced the older tanks in different armoured units. In 1975 (ROC Year 64，民國64年), ROCA started to reproduce a complete hull of M41, with some efforts made to reproduce the gun as well, the reverse-engineered light tank was first named Type 64 Light Tank (國造64式輕戰車) then renamed Type 65 Light tank (國造65式輕戰車) to avoid confusion with [[M64|the other Type 64 (M64)]]. While the tank didn't go into mass production, it gave ROCA the chance to build a domestic tank and some designs were retained for further use.

Later, in the 1980s and 1990s, ROCA decided to opt for a NATO retrofit of their M41s, after a long shot plan to buy the new [[XM8|M8 AGS]] to replace the fleet was scrapped due to budget issues.

The idea for M41D started during the 2nd Taiwan Strait Crisis. In view of aggressive PLA exercises aimed to protest against the talks given by the new ROC government, ROCA was in dire need for an overhaul upgrade of the M41 against possible landing operations from PLANMC, along with the insufficient amount of [[CM11]] and [[M60A3 TTS (China)|M60A3 TTS]] on hand.

=== The M41"D" upgrade ===
The M41 light tank improvement project mainly focused on night vision/fire control system and the adaptation of the diesel engine. Two corporations participated in the M41 tank improvement project and 2 prototype vehicles were built and tested. The prototype No. 1 was equipped with a Texas Instruments (TI) CVTTS night vision FCS and a 4-stroke VTA-903TR diesel engine produced by Cummins company, No. 2 vehicle is equipped with the 'M41 tank night vision fire control system' of the domestic Kunyi company and a two-stroke 8V-71T diesel engine produced by Napco company (the letter D of M41D stands for diesel engine modification).

After the bids for the improvements were determined, the first M41D prototype was composed of the chassis of the No. 2 prototype and the turret of the No. 1. The assembly took about a week and cost about NT$20 million to transform a regular M41 into M41D. Only 50 M41D were modified as the first batch due to insufficient funding, but the budget was expected to increase in the future.

The original M32A1 cannon was replaced with a M32K1 gun produced by Joint Logistics Command. The new cannon slightly enlarged the original cylindrical smoke evacuator and moved it backward 44 cm, while the original T-shaped muzzle brake was removed, and a pepper-pot type depressor was installed.

Although the calibre of the M32K1 cannon remained 76 mm, it could fire the high-pressure M464 APFSDS due to the self-tightening design of the cannon, and the muzzle velocity of the projectile could reach 1,400 m/s. The new ammunition could penetrate the frontal armour of Type 59 and Type 69 MBTs that the Communist forces equipped at that time. The M41D light tank was planned to be assigned to the armoured cavalry, the main task of which was to perform search, alert, and cover tasks on the battlefield, or to sweep the beach and annihilate the enemy's lightly armed forces during the initial stage of the enemy's landing, instead of engaging the heavy armour face-to-face. So the new main gun of the M41D tank should be sufficient for future missions.

The CVTTS (Combat Vehicle Thermal Targeting System) night vision FCS equipped by the M41D light tank could identify the enemy and aim at a target from 1,000 m away at night. In addition, a periscope in front of the driver's seat was modified with Starlight night vision goggles to facilitate night driving. The original mechanical ballistic compensator was converted to a digital ballistic computer; the optical rangefinder was also replaced with a laser rangefinder.

M41D employed a two-stroke DDC 8V-71T diesel engine, the maximum net output of which was 405 hp and the maximum net torque was 806 ft/lb. As the new diesel engine was more fuel-efficient than the original gasoline one, while the fuel capacity was increased from the original 530L to 760L, the maximum cruising range was greatly increased from the original 160 km to 450 km. The 8V-71T diesel engine of the M41D can also be found in the M108, M109, M110, and other self-propelled artillery vehicles in the ROCA, which helped to reduce pressure on logistics.

The original Allison CD500 gearbox of M41 was retained, and the improvement in the suspension system lay in the replacement of a new torsion bar produced by Joint Logistics Command. Thus, the general manoeuvrability of the M41D tank was greatly improved compared with the original M41A series.

=== M41D in ROCA service ===
The Ministry of National Defence passed a 20 billion NTD budget for emergency upgrades of existing equipment, where 400 M41A1/A2s with better hull condition would undergo the new M41D upgrade program; after more M60A3 TTS were delivered to ROCA, the whole program shrunk to a 1.2 billion NTD budget and only 50 of these Walker Bulldogs were upgraded into M41D. 6 out of the 50 upgraded tanks were retained at military academies, the remaining ones were deployed on Kinmen Island just off the coast of Xiamen, Fujian; the closest Nationalist-controlled area to Mainland China. Later military reforms decided to have them return to the main island and serve in different units. A recent fatal incident at Kinmen raised concerns as to whether the remaining few M41A2s were safe enough for training, let alone fighting the now-modernized PLA with masses of MBTs. Around 20 M41Ds returned to Kinmen and replaced these old tanks, after the decommission ceremony of the remaining M41A in ROCA on 2022/2/25, the remaining M41Ds have to struggle until the new CM34 "Project Leopard (獵豹專案)" and M1A2T could eventually replace them.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_m_41d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[M41 Walker Bulldog (Family)]]

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Ordnance Research Development Center}}
{{China light tanks}}

ZTZ96A

2023-11-24T02:21:32Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = ZTZ96 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_ztz_96a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (ZTZ96A式主战坦克; industry code '''WZ122R''') is a major upgrade to the [[ZTZ96]] with new FCS, upgraded protection and powerplant, presenting a more economical MBT to support the superior but more expensive fleet of [[ZTZ99 (Family)|ZTZ99]]s and [[ZTZ99A]]s in PLAGF service. By the time the ZTZ96 joined the PLAGF in 1999, the overall performance of the tank lagged behind the mainstream of overseas countries. Thanks to the finalization of the ZTZ99 around the same time, plans for upgrading the ZTZ96 with new powerplant, FCS, and protection were proposed by 2001 for later production runs of the ZTZ96. An earlier prototype included a domestic (or imported) JD-3 IR jammer on the side of turret and an arrow-shaped applique armour on the front, while [[ZTZ96A (P)|another prototype]] was mostly identical to the former except the turret applique armour design was changed to a pike. The former design eventually won the competition and entered service in 2005 as the ZTZ96A; this design was also retained to the future ZTZ96B with overhaul upgrades to the design. Although being named as "ZTZ96", the earlier ZTZ96 (WZ122H) cannot be upgraded to ZTZ96A or ZTZ96B standards.

Introduced in [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]], the ZTZ96A is an upgraded variant of the [[ZTZ96]] that improves on several of its predecessor's deficiencies. FY-4 ERA blocks have been installed on the turret and hull, changing the appearance of the tank and offering drastically improved protection against both kinetic and chemical munitions. The engine has been slightly improved and the gunner now has access to thermal sights. While it still isn't the most mobile or well-protected tank around, the ZTZ96A has enough tricks up its sleeve to be a flexible and capable fighter on the battlefield.

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

The most noticeable change on the ZTZ96A is the new armour profile. The design of the ZTZ96A's turret is a further drastic departure from the traditional Chinese and Soviet dome turret design. The turret front is equipped with a wedge or arrowhead shaped block of applique armour, which is modeled as being made of FY-4 ERA tiles. It looks somewhat like the [[Leopard 2A5]]; however, the armour stops short at the coaxial gun port, providing a weak spot for the enemy to exploit. Shooting this area does not usually result in an instant knock-out as it will only disable the gun breech and take out the commander or gunner (depending on which side is shot). The protected areas of the turret cheeks are quite strong for the ZTZ96A's rank; total kinetic protection is around 500 mm of RHA equivalent, which is sufficient to resist any APFSDS fired by Rank VI tanks. Chemical protection is around 900 mm, enough to stop many ATGMs. ERA has also been added to the exterior of the storage racks on the turret sides, but there is not enough total protection to stop anything more than light autocannon fire or small HEAT rounds.

As for the hull, the added FY-4 ERA on the upper glacis increases the survivability of the tank. Total kinetic protection is around 480 mm and chemical protection is upwards of 900 mm. Even a direct shot from most APFSDS can be resisted.

It is worth remembering that ERA tiles are destroyed upon absorbing fire and can also be stripped off by autocannons. Without the FY-4 ERA, the base armour of the ZTZ96A is exactly the same as the ZTZ96 and can be easily penetrated by 105 mm DM33 rounds for example. The general weak spots of the ZTZ96 still exist; as mentioned before, the gun breech area does not enjoy the benefits of the new turret armour, and the lower glacis is still completely unprotected. Shots to the lower glacis will often detonate the ammunition in the autoloader and total the tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, commander cupola)
* Rubber-fabric screens (side skirts)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 20 mm (69°) ''Outer UFP'' 100 mm (67°) ''Inner UFP'' 60 mm (51°) ''LFP'' || 50 mm || 45 mm (52°) ''Top'' 45 mm (15°) ''Bottom'' || 20-30 mm
|-
| Turret || 220 mm ''Turret front'' 310 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 50-80 mm || 20 mm || 30 mm
|-
|Cupola|| colspan="3" | 30 mm (cylindrical) || 30 mm (spherical)
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
! Composite armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides
|-
| Hull ||'''Upper glacis:''' 350 mm ''Kinetic'' 480 mm ''Chemical'' ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' 140 mm ''Kinetic'' 450 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
|-
| Turret || '''Turret front:''' 400 mm ''Kinetic'' 520 mm ''Chemical'' ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' 140 mm ''Kinetic'' 450 mm ''Chemical'' || '''Rear:''' ''{{Annotation|FY-4|ERA}}'' 50 mm ''Kinetic'' 50 mm ''Chemical''
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels, tracks, and torsion bars are 20 mm thick.
* Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
* Side skirts are 8 mm thick.
* Mudguards and storage boxes are 4 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,240|rbMinHp=708}}

The ZTZ96A's 12V150ZLD engine outputs an additional 70 horsepower compared to the ZTZ96's, which is a small but welcome improvement. It still will not win any speed races against most Western MBTs like the [[Leopard 2K]] or [[MBT-70]], and even the [[Challenger Mk.2]] can match the ZTZ96A's mobility; but its power-weight ratio is still on par with his Soviet/Russian counterparts. Oddly enough, due to the increased weight from applique ERAs, the reverse speed of -6 km/h is actually worse than the original ZTZ96, so be careful not to overextend.

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

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

{{main|Type 88C (125 mm)}}

The ZTZ96A makes up for its drawbacks in mobility with a superb gun. The 125 mm Type 88C smoothbore gun is capable of firing APFSDS, HE and HEAT-FS ammunition. For its battle rating, the 125-I shell performs very well, offering 466 mm of flat penetration at point-blank and dropping only to 434 mm at 2 km. Its angled performance is exceptionally good at 269 mm at 60 degrees, outperforming even the best Soviet APFSDS round, 3BM42 whose angled penetration is only 248 mm. For reference, the 125-I performs comparably to Western long-rod sabot rounds such as DM33. The HEAT-FS round is nothing special with a standard 480 mm of penetration that is only really effective at destroying lightly armoured vehicles such as SPAA. The HE round is of the Soviet-style, packing a whopping 5.4 kg of TNT equivalent that can deal devastating damage against Western tanks' weak spots of the hull and turret roof and turret ring. It's recommended to entirely ditch the HEAT-FS for HE as it arguably performs better in the anti-tank role, ironically.

Both T-72s and ZTZ96A now shares the same reload rate at 7.1 second per shot.

It should be noted that the ZTZ96A's gun depression and gun elevation have declined by 1 and 2 degrees, respectively, compared to the ZTZ96. The latter doesn't make much of a difference, but the former is concerning on hilly maps.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 88C (125 mm)|125 mm Type 88C]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || Reloading rate (seconds)
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
! Autoloader
|-
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+12° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 28.6 || 39.5 || 48.0 || 53.1 || 56.5 || rowspan="2" | 7.10
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 17.9 || 21.0 || 25.5 || 28.2 || 30.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 88C (125 mm)/Ammunition|DTP-125, DTB-125, 125-I}}

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

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! Ammo part
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! 4th rack empty
! 5th rack empty
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! 9th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''40''' || ''Projectiles'' ''Propellants'' || 40 ''(+0)'' 39 ''(+1)'' || 38 ''(+2)'' 38 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+3)'' 37 ''(+3)'' || 35 ''(+5)'' 31 ''(+9)'' || 32 ''(+8)'' 27 ''(+13)'' || 29 ''(+11)'' 23 ''(+17)'' || 24 ''(+16)'' 39 ''(+1)'' || 23 ''(+17)'' N/A || 39 ''(+1)'' N/A || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* The 9th projectile rack and the 7th propellant rack are a mechanized first stage ammo rack. As such the tank has a fixed reload as it uses an autoloader to reload the main gun, and the main gun cannot be reloaded when these ammo racks are empty.
* It takes around 25s per shell to reload the first stage ammo rack. Additionally, there is a 10s interval between when the gun is fully loaded and the crew starts to reload the first stage ammo rack.
* It is advised to take at most 37 rounds in order to empty the turret's ammo racks.

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

{{main|QJC88A (12.7 mm)|Type 86 (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[QJC88A (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm QJC88A]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Commander's cupola || 600 (150) || 600 || -6°/+85° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 86 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Type 86]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,500 (250) || 700 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The ZTZ96A has a different playstyle than most MBTs do. Instead of being a king of mobility, this tank trades speed for improved armour protection. The tank's mobility is improved from that of the [[ZTZ96]], but it is still below average for this battle rating. It can keep up with some IFVs, but against MBTs, this tank can't match their speed and acceleration. It also has a poor reverse speed, which can make getting out of sticky situations difficult. This lack of mobility means that the ZTZ96A can't rush objectives or favourable locations at the beginning of battle like faster vehicles can. Additionally, it takes longer to relocate around the map to deal with enemies or to attack and defend capture zones. Flanking manoeuvres are also difficult. However, the ZTZ96A's below-average speed doesn't hinder its abilities to brawl in close quarters situations or to snipe from afar.

Both of these playstyles benefit from the tank's strong armour protection, which features ERA on the front of the hull and turret. The turret cheeks and upper glacis are especially well-defended--even a direct APFSDS shell can't always penetrate. In general, the tank is hard to damage from the front. This does not mean that it has no weakpoints, though: the gun breech is exposed and unprotected, and a shot there can do great damage inside the turret compartment. In addition, the vehicle sports an ammunition carousel in the bottom of the hull; a side shot here will very often detonate the ammo storage, causing immediate destruction of the tank. And finally, the ZTZ96A only has three crew members, so long-term endurance is lacking. Even one crew member being knocked out makes taking any more damage much riskier. As a whole, the ZTZ96A's protection is potentially strong but inconsistent, so it's best to stick to cover and not trust the armour as a first line of defense. Even gentle ridgelines can help mask the vulnerable lower glacis.

The ZTZ96A also makes up for its mobility drawbacks with its powerful cannon. Its APFSDS shell has high penetration against both flat and angled armour, and can perform even at long ranges. The gun also makes use of a very powerful HE shell which can deal devastating damage if fired at the roofs of enemy tanks. This gun is reloaded by an autoloading system, which can get a new shell in the breech every 7.1 seconds. The reload speed is worse than that of many MBTs, and skilled players will be able to take advantage of this to destroy the ZTZ96A. It is important to try to destroy the enemy in one shot, or else there may not be enough time to try again. And, the slow reload means that dealing with multiple enemies in quick succession is more difficult than normal. Be careful about the gun's poor turret elevation speed. It can take longer than expected to get sights on a target. The ZTZ96A is equipped with thermal sights which help visibility in night battles or for spotting targets during daytime. Make good use of the thermal sights as they are one of the ZTZ96A's selling points; most contemporary Soviet tanks lack them.

This vehicle is armed with a roof machine gun for use against aircraft and lightly-armoured ground targets.

This tank is a good sniper thanks to its strong frontal armour and powerful gun. When sniping, poor mobility is not an issue and the long reload rate doesn't overly hurt the ZTZ96A's performance. It is also more difficult for enemies to target the ZTZ96A's weak spots. If firing from behind ridgelines, remember that the gun depression is below average, at only -5 degrees.

The ZTZ96A is also effective in close-quarters brawls, where its armour provides a great advantage against the enemy. An opponent like the [[Leopard 2K]] or [[M1 Abrams]] will have to aim for the ZTZ96A's weak spots while the 125-I APFSDS can penetrate these tanks anywhere. Although the gun handling isn't outstanding, it's enough to get the job done with some situational awareness.

===Assault mode===
For players grinding the APFSDS in assault mode, it is recommended to bring full ammo, with around half HEAT and half HE. As the countdown goes at the start of the match, quickly find a spot where you will not get shot from every direction and stay there until you run out of ammo or get destroyed. The HEAT is great at knocking out weakly armoured Cold War tanks with a single shot, while the HE is capable of destroying those heavily protected top tier MBT. Given that you do not have APFSDS therefore lacking the ability to knock out some AI frontally, you will have to rely on assists to get scores. Firing HEAT/HE at tracks, roof mounted MG, turret ring, cannon barrel, etc can at least immobilise/disarm the AI, granting you an assist. The 7.1 second reload will be quite slow when facing a huge wave of AI so you must aim each shot carefully, but other times it is generally fast enough. The ZTZ96's armour can take quite some beating but is also prone to ammo rack explosion, or penetrating shots from the lower front plate and gun mantlet.

'''Enemies worth noting:'''

* Leopard 2A5: this is the most protected Leopard you will see in assault, usually in Mozdok and Fulda. When facing it frontally or with slight angles, load HE and aim for its turret ring where the crosshair is green. It is very likely to destroy it instantly. When facing its side, load HEAT and aim for its central hull. Don't expect to block any of its shells as its APFSDS can easily go through the ZTZ96's frontal armour, or the AI can just target your weak spots.
* M1A2: you will see it mostly in Fulda and Ardennes. When facing it frontally or with slight angles, load HEAT and aim for its turret ring where the crosshair is green. It is very likely to destroy it instantly. HE might not work here since it cannot effectively hurt the turret crew. But HE works great when aiming at the M1's turret roof. Items like the MG and the optics will all detonate the HE, causing the downward shrapnel to knock out all the crew. When facing its side, load HEAT and aim for its central hull.
* Challenger 2F: you will see it mostly in Sands of Sinai. It is one of the toughest AI to destroy, especially when there are waves of them. When facing it frontally or with slight angles, load HE and aim for the hull side above the tracks where the crosshair is green. It is very likely to detonate random ammo inside. When facing its side, still load HE and aim for its central hull for an ammo detonation. The Challenger 2F's sides are covered with ERA blocks thus HEAT will get absorbed.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful gun with access to high-penetrating APFSDS (same as [[ZTZ96]])
* Autoloader reloads the cannon even when putting out fires or replacing crew members
* HE shell is extremely powerful (more than 5 kg TNT) for a MBT, can cripple or outright destroy enemies with overpressure
* Low profile comparing to Western counterparts
* FY-4 ERA cover turret cheeks and upper glacis, significantly improving protection against common foes (e.g. [[XM-1 (GM)|XM-1]], [[Leopard 2A4]])
* Roof-mounted heavy machine gun is useful against aircraft and light targets
* Relatively fast turret rotation speed, compared to contemporary Soviet tanks
* 2nd generation TVD for gunner allows it to fight better in all conditions
* Slightly improved mobility over the preceding ZTZ96

'''Cons:'''

* Only 3 crew members, can get knocked out easily by a single round
* Large weak spots
** Large and weak mantlet
** Lower plate is very weak, with penetrating shells killing crew or exploding ammo
* Higher BR tanks can still penetrate even through the ERA (e.g. [[Ariete (Family)|Ariete]])
* Mobility is below average at its rank
** Poor reverse speed
** Heavier than the preceding ZTZ96 due to added FY-4 ERA - slightly lower reactive mobility
* Poor gun handling characteristics
** Below average gun depression (-5°)
** Slow vertical gun aiming
* Autoloader carousel is a giant ammo rack
* No ATGM capability, unlike the T-64B and T-72B

== History ==


The [[ZTZ96]] main battle tank entered service with the People's Liberation Army starting in the late 1990s. The Gulf War had shown that older tanks like the [[T-55A|T-55]] or [[Type 69]] were no match whatsoever for modern MBTs like the [[M1 Abrams]], and the ZTZ96 was derived from the export Type 85-IIAP as a stopgap. It was a significant improvement over the old stocks of [[Type 59]] variants that formed the bulk of the PLA's tank forces, featuring modular composite armour and a powerful 125 mm smoothbore gun. However, the basic ZTZ96 was still below par in terms of engine power, electronics, and overall protection compared to many Western main battle tanks. The next-generation [[ZTZ99]], which had been under separate development for years, was a significantly more competitive design with heavier armour, superior mobility, and a sophisticated suite of electronics. However, the ZTZ99 was heavier and more expensive than the ZTZ96, limiting how quickly it could be adopted and where in China it could be deployed. The ZTZ96 could still occupy a niche as a lighter and cheaper MBT for the rapid modernization of the PLA, but it needed upgrades to bring it closer to parity with its rivals.

The ZTZ96A variant was developed through the early 2000s and first unveiled in 2006. The upgrades consisted of applique armour on the turret front in an "arrowhead" shape, a new gunner's sight with thermal imaging, an improved fire control system, and a slightly more powerful 800 horsepower engine. At least [[ZTZ96A (P)|one prototype vehicle]] was tested with an unusual "needle-nose" applique armour format while both prototypes installed JD-3 infrared dazzlers akin to the Soviet Shtora system. The aforementioned prototype failed the bid while the JD-3 dazzler didn't make into production runs of ZTZ96A, likely due to cost reduction.

The ZTZ96A was used by the Chinese team from 2014-2016 at the Tank Biathlon competition hosted by Russia. The Chinese team placed third in 2014 and second in 2015 and 2016 in the final results. From 2017 onward, it was replaced for competition use by the upgraded ZTZ96B variant with a more powerful engine developing between 1,000 and 1,130 horsepower and general improvements to the systems and chassis.

The ZTZ96A has been offered for export by Norinco under the name of "VT-2", first demonstrated in 2012.

At present, more than 1,100 examples of the ZTZ96A are currently in service with the PLA. It is more numerous than the elite [[ZTZ99]] and will continue to serve for the forseeable future.

=== [[wt:en/news/6630-development-ztz96a-can-take-a-punch-en|Devblog]] ===

Development of the ZTZ96A began in the early 2000s, once it became clear that the introduction of the ZTZ99 MBT would be delayed due to issues surrounding its development. As a result, Chinese engineers developed an improved version of the existing ZTZ96, in order to counter the threat of the most advanced fighting vehicles of other nations, such as the USA, Russia, Japan, Korea or India.

Two different prototypes were built as part of the development work, of which one was chosen for further development and eventually entered production as the ZTZ96A. With the ZTZ96A, Chinese engineers addressed two of the biggest shortcomings of the original ZTZ96 - mobility and protection - by installing additional ERA packages to the turret and hull front as well as fitting a more powerful engine.

The ZTZ96A was first revealed in 2006 and served as the basis for the development of more advanced versions of the vehicle. The ZTZ96A is still in service and makes for the most widely used main battle tank in service with the PLA today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_ztz_96a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Images
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:ZTZ-96A WTWallpaper 01.jpg|
File:ZTZ-96A WTWallpaper 02.jpg|
File:ZTZ-96A WTWallpaper 03.jpg|
File:ZTZ-96A WTWallpaper 04.jpg|
File:ZTZ-96A WTWallpaper 05.jpg|
File:ZTZ-96A WTWallpaper 06.jpg|
</gallery>

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|86-UrgRQQ5k|'''ZTZ96A Slightly Improved''' - ''JustinPlaysYT''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[ZTZ96]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/6630-development-ztz96a-can-take-a-punch-en|[Devblog] ZTZ96A: Can take a punch!]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China medium tanks}}

ZTZ88A

2023-11-24T02:16:48Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = ZTZ88B
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_ztz_88a
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (88A式主战坦克, coded WZ122G) is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]].

An attempt of the PLAGF to modernize from the previous masses of [[ZTZ59 (Family)|ZTZ59]] medium tanks, the ZTZ88A offers a superior engine, slightly better hull protection thanks to a new hull, and better firepower with a long barrel 105 mm gun, making it a more mobile alternative to previous tanks while retaining decent armour and a powerful cannon. It can be considered a stepping stone between the [[T-69 II G]] and the more modern [[ZTZ96]], having a cast turret and armament resembling the former and a chassis similar to the latter.

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

At first glance, the ZTZ88A still resembles a T-54 or its Chinese domestic counterpart, ZTZ59, but with a closer look at its hull, players will find that it is a new design. The UFP is more angled than the T-54's (67° vs 60°), so the base protection is slightly better than that of the T-54/T-62. Furthermore, thanks to the advancement in composite armour in China, it is also the first Chinese vehicle to be equipped with composite armour as an applique on UFP. Compared to similar hull armour seen on the Soviet [[T-55AM-1]] and [[T-62M-1]], the ZTZ88A has less chemical protection (around 380-420 mm) and 105 mm HEATFS may sometimes be able to damage the driver and fuel tanks towards the lower portion of the UFP. Angling the hull slightly can help mitigate this. Surprisingly, it has better kinetic protection than its Soviet contemporaries: the UFP can resist APFSDS rounds with less than around 180 mm of 60° penetration, so some US and Soviet offerings like 100 mm 3BM25, 105 mm M735, and even 125 mm 3BM15 are blocked. Unfortunately the ubiquitous 105 mm DM23/M111 round used by the [[Leopard A1A1]] for example will penetrate with few issues, but still, the ZTZ88A has one of the most protected hulls at its tier.

The side armour was reduced to 60 mm, so do be aware of any vehicles with autocannons - at the tier, most autocannons have APDS or APFSDS at their disposal. The side skirts can help somewhat at angles.

The turret, on the other hand, is poorly protected comparing to the hull. It is very similar to previous Soviet/Chinese dome-shaped turret designs with only slightly greater thickness. Unlike the [[ZTZ59D1]] and [[T-69 II G]], the ZTZ88A's turret does not have any ERA coverage, leaving it extremely vulnerable to stock HEATFS rounds as well as ATGMs, which are all commonly found at this tier. Thus the uncovered steel armour cannot provide much protection, if any, against ammunitions like APFSDS or HEATFS. Tanks that mainly use chemical rounds are especially more threatening, such as [[M551]] and [[BMP-1 (Family)|BMP-1]].

Like the previous Soviet/Chinese designs, the crew of 4 tankers is packed in a slightly bigger but still confined space. Although the ammo rack is protected by fuel tanks, the abundance of APFSDS or HEAT at the tier isn't really concerned about these improvements. Be very careful when moving on the battlefield, a penetrating shot will very likely result in a knockout of the crew or ammunition detonation.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 + 20 mm (67°) ''Upper'' 80 mm (52°) ''Lower''
| 60 mm ''Top'' 50 mm ''Bottom'' || 45 mm (3°) || 30 mm (89°)
|-
| Turret || 200-300 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 70-400 mm ''Gun mantlet'' (Volumetric) || 165-250 mm (Volumetric) || 60-100 mm (Volumetric) || 30 mm (87°)
|-
| Cupola || colspan="3" | 80 mm (cylindrical) ||30 mm
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Composite armour !! Frontal effective protection !! Sides
|-
| Hull || '''Upper glacis:''' 280 mm ''Kinetic'' / 380 mm ''Chemical'' || N/A
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Tracks and suspension wheels are 20 mm thick

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

Thanks to improvements during the early 1980s, the ZTZ88A is equipped with a NORINCO 12150ZL engine with 730 hp, the same as the succeeding [[ZTZ96]], and the chassis has a new suspension offering a smoother ride. The 10% increase in weight compared to the [[ZTZ59D1]] is more than compensated by the 40% increase in engine power. This gives the ZTZ88A a vast improvement in power-weight ratio to about 19.0 hp/ton and thus better a top speed at 57 km/h compared to its predecessors. Although it is not quite as fast as NATO counterparts at similar tier, it is certainly a very welcome improvement. For comparison, the [[Leopard A1A1]] has about 19.6 hp/ton, the [[T-62M-1]] has about 16.4 hp/ton, and the [[M60A1 RISE (P)]] only has 14.1 hp/ton. Thanks to the improved horsepower, the ZTZ88A has a considerably faster hull traverse comparing to older tanks like the ZTZ59D1, which is helpful to angle the hull quickly or to wiggle through tight spaces.

The reverse speed however is slightly better at a -9 km/h, it might sound nowhere fast enough like its more agile foes (e.g. [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30 (Family)|AMX-30]], etc.), but it's at least some improvement over the T-54 family. This can be quite risky, meaning that the player must think carefully before peeking out of a cover/hill.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1131|rbMinHp=646}}

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

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

{{main|ZPL94 (105 mm)}}

The introduction of the Royal Ordnance 105 mm L7 cannon marked the transformation of PLAGF from Warsaw Pact armaments to Western ones. The ZPL94 mounted on the ZTZ88A has one of the longest barrels in the L7 family, giving it a higher muzzle velocity over its Western counterparts. While ZTZ88A still doesn't reload quite as quickly as NATO tanks, the gap is significantly smaller.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[ZPL94 (105 mm)|105 mm ZPL94]] || 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" | 45 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 19.0 || 26.4 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.6 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:ZPL94 (105 mm)/Ammunition|Type-83 HEAT, DTB-1, Type-83 HESH, Type-83 APDS}}

The ZTZ88A offers a range of shells at the player's disposal, and players who already own the [[T-69 II G]] will be very familiar with them as both tanks share the same shells.

The first option that comes stock is the Type 83 HEAT having identical performance to NATO's DM13 HEAT. At its tier, it is still sufficient to penetrate most tanks without ERA or composite armour and its explosive mass is enough to knock out lighter vehicles with overpressure on occasion. Some opponents to watch out for include the [[Sho't Kal Dalet (Great Britain)|Sho't Kal Dalet]], [[T-55AM-1]]/[[T-62M-1]], and [[M60A1 RISE (P)]].

The DTB-1 is very different from most HE shells at its tier - it is a VT shell, meaning that the shell detonates when it is close to other vehicles, including aircraft; this is a trait that the ZTZ88A's NATO counterparts don't have. It has 1.66 kg of explosive mass, which can sometimes knock out lighter vehicles like SPAAs, but its real utility lies in its anti-air potential. It is suggested to use to target aircraft or helicopters which happen to be within your elevation angle - a hit from DTB-1 is very lethal to aircraft.

The Type 83 HESH is another story. It is a common HESH found on NATO vehicles - a solid hit on vehicles can trigger a lethal post-penetration effect, but the results of HESH is mixed. It generates a wide cone of shrapnel but the effects tend to be rather shallow or inconsistent. It is still possible to snipe stationary vehicles hiding behind cover with Type 83 HESH in some cases so bring some if desired - the laser rangefinder will certainly help with this.

The last round available is Type 83 APDS, which is actually an APFSDS round. Thanks to the longer barrel of the ZPL94, the overall penetration is slightly higher than M111/DM23 APFSDS at 351 mm point-blank; this is the go-to shell for the ZTZ88A. It might not have the highest penetration at its tier, especially compared to the [[PTL02]] and [[PTZ89]], but it can still hit enemies hard. There are a few opponents to watch out for in uptiers: the British [[Chieftain Mk 10]] and [[Challenger Mk.2]]/[[Challenger Mk.3|Mk.3]] have tough turrets, and the Soviet [[T-72A]] (when spaded), [[T-72AV (TURMS-T)]], [[T-64B]], and [[T-72B]] have tough turret and UFP armour that the ZTZ88A cannot penetrate without aiming for weak spots.

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


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! Full ammo
! 1st rack empty
! 2nd rack empty
! 3rd rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''45''' || 40 ''(+5)'' || 23 ''(+22)'' || 1 ''(+44)'' || No
|-
|}

Although there are 23 shells in the ready rack, only 19 of them are protected by the fuel tanks, not the 4 shells on the left side; so it is suggested to bring only 20 shells into battle (19 in the rack + 1 preloaded in the breech).

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The ZTZ88A still uses the same machine guns from the obsolete T-54s despite its introduction date in the early 1990s. The Type 54 (DShK) is still sufficient to gun down strafing aircraft/helicopters or lighter vehicles but suffers from a small 50 round belt capacity, while the SGMT is only good for harassing enemies or sometimes targeting exposed crews.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,500 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

For Soviet or Chinese players, the ZTZ88A would feel like a faster [[T-55A]] or [[ZTZ59D1]], which is indeed true thanks to its 730 hp engine, giving it higher mobility over them. It might not be the fastest tank at its tier, but the ZTZ88A can still follow the main forces with its speed. For those who are playing against the ZTZ88A, the tank looks very similar to T-55s but they may be surprised when they don't penetrate its UFP thanks to the applique armour. As discussed, it might not stop all contemporary APFSDS or HEATFS, but it certainly helps stop earlier shells and it can still surprise common tanks like the [[XM-1 (GM)]] that lack good angled penetration. The turret is another story however - although it is slightly thicker than the T-55s, it will not stop any well-placed shots at its tier. Overall, the ZTZ88A's additional hull armor reduces the likelihood of being destroyed in one shot, but it should not be considered a consistently well-protected tank for advancing straight into enemy fire or peeking out of a hull-down position.

The firepower of the ZTZ88A is certainly sufficient thanks to the longer barrel ZPL94 gun with a variety of shells, faster reload, and improved gun handling over previous PRC tanks; but like many Eastern Bloc/Chinese tanks, it doesn't quite have the reaction time of NATO counterparts and the gunsight is fixed at 8x magnification, so sniping with this gun may be a problem. It also lacks thermal sights from the gunner. Thus, good situational awareness is required.

The ZTZ88A is the earliest non-premium Chinese vehicle with access to the DTB-1 HE-VT round. Players who do not own the [[T-69 II G]] or [[WMA301]] may find it a nifty surprise, but there are some limitations to be aware of. It has a considerable explosive content for an anti-air shell but the muzzle velocity of 825 m/s is rather slow by Rank VI standards and it takes 500 m of travel distance to arm. The ZTZ88A also does not have very good vertical elevation angles. With these factors in mind, DTB-1 is best used against helicopters, particularly those that are hovering or moving in straight lines and not paying attention. The laser rangefinder helps immensely for vertical aim adjustment but it is up to the user to provide the proper lead against moving targets.

Overall, the ZTZ88A provides a more mobile and higher firepower alternative for the PLAGF compared to NATO or Soviet counterparts but still has some flaws. It is best used in a more aggressive midfielding role where its significantly better speed compared to the [[ZTZ59D1]], [[M60A3 TTS (China)|M60A3 TTS]], and [[PTZ89]] can be used to rush to objective points and overwatch positions, and its heavier armour and lower profile compared to the [[PTL02]] or [[WMA301]] allows it to survive attacks from IFVs, aircraft, and artillery more easily. DTB-1 gives it some ability to counter early-game helicopter rushes or ATGM helicopters later on. Assess the battlefield to determine if better sniping capabilities, bigger guns, or greater speed are needed on the next spawn. But as one of the most flexible options available in the Chinese lineup at this BR, there is rarely a poor time to bring out the ZTZ88A.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Satisfactory frontal arc protection for its tier, UFP can stop some APFSDS
* Long barrel L7 with a variety of shells at its disposal
* Improved reload and gun handling compared to the [[ZTZ59D1]]
* HE-VT shell offers basic anti-air capabilities, especially against helicopters
* Improved engine with a higher output than its predecessors, leading to better agility than [[ZTZ59D1]] and [[T-69 II G]]

'''Cons:'''

* Tightly packed crew and components
* Poor gun depression and fixed zoom gunsight
* Only has composite armour on the UFP, turret is completely unprotected
* No thermal sights, disadvantaged against thermal-equipped tanks like [[Type 74 (G)|Type 74G]]
* No ERA, turret is especially vulnerable to missiles and HEAT shells
* Slow reverse speed can be fatal in some scenarios

== History ==

After the Damansky/Zhenbao Island (珍宝岛) incident where the PLAGF [[T-62 545 (China)|captured a T-62]] from the Soviet border guards, they soon realized that the existing [[ZTZ59 (Family)|ZTZ59s]] and later WZ121 ([[ZTZ69 (Family)|ZTZ69]]) were nowhere near comparable with the masses of the latest Soviet MBTs. The Commission for Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (国防科学技术委员会, COSTIND) and Fifth Ministry of Machine Building (第五机械工业部;五机部) accelerated their project coded "Project 2-4" (二四会战; established on 1970/2/4) for a new MBT which would be known as Project 122 (122工程). The project was dropped a few years later after revisions on the development route but this trained new batches of tank designers and engineers for future projects.

Meanwhile, one of the "fail-safe" versions of the designs in Project 122, WZ1225 with the newly-imported 105 mm gun and improved engine, designed by Fang Weixian (方慰先, designer of later ZTZ85, 88, and 96) passed state evaluation and inherited the industrial code WZ122. The later revised design of WZ1225 would become the basis of the later domestically designed ZTZ80 (80式主战坦克) tanks.

The ZTZ88 series was a hybrid of the ZTZ85 (85式主战坦克) which was aimed for export with a redesigned hull and the turret from ZTZ80, aka ZTZ80-I. The ZTZ88A was the improved version with a ZPL94 105 mm gun. What was achieved in ZTZ85 and ZTZ88A would later be used in the new 2nd generation MBT of PLAGF - the [[ZTZ96]] (ZTZ88C). Although it wasn't seen among the tanks at the 1999 National Day parade like its predecessor ZTZ88B was, the ZTZ88A could be seen in pictures from PLA media and they were last seen in large scale during the ongoing Sino-Indo Border Conflicts where numbers of them were deployed near the LAC.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_ztz_88a Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|M_EnuM2MoQ8|'''The Shooting Range #296''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:28 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 ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China medium tanks}}

ZTZ88B

2023-11-24T02:12:21Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the other version
| link = ZTZ88A
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_ztz_88b
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ88B式主战坦克; industry code WZ122E) belongs to the WZ122 family of MBTs and is the first mass-produced variant of the ZTZ80/88 series. The WZ122 series traces back to the [[Object 122MT "MC"|Object 122]], which emerged after Chinese engineers embarked on a campaign to develop new armoured vehicles for the PLAGF in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Although the program was canceled after direction changes, one of its prototypes, WZ1225, made it to PLAGF evaluation and was later designated as the PLAGF's new 2nd generation MBT, retaining its industry code WZ122. The tank was first manufactured as the ZTZ80-I for evaluation, and with a need for new MBTs and the 3rd generation MBT (Project 784; later renamed WZ123 and ZTZ99) still being in development, the a fusion of the hull of the ZTZ85 and the turret of the ZTZ80-I later joined the PLAGF as the ZTZ88B and was first shown during 50th National Day Parade.

Introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]], the design shares many similarities with its successor, [[ZTZ88A]], with a longer 105 mm cannon. For players who struggled with the rather slow turret traverse speed and top speed of the previous ZTZ59/69 series, the ZTZ88B now enjoys a better gun laying system and is equipped with commander override for the gun, as well as experimental applique armour for extra protection against both kinetic and chemical shells. Alongside a new 730 hp engine for better mobility in both directions, the ZTZ88B makes a good training vehicle for later PLAGF MBTs.

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

When viewed from a distance, players may mistake the ZTZ88B for another tank in the T-54/55 or Type 59/69 family due to its similar appearance. However, upon firing on or approaching the target, they will notice several significant differences. Firstly, their shots may fail to penetrate the UFP of the ZTZ88B, thanks to its applique armour and the main armour angled at 68° (compared to 60° on the T-54 series). Secondly, the ZTZ88B features 6 road wheels and an integrated FCS channel (for daytime, night, and laser rangefinding) on the left side of the turret. While the applique armour may not provide the best protection against chemical shells compared to its Soviet counterparts (such as the [[T-62M-1]] or [[T-55 (Family)|T-55AM]] series), even some short-rod APFSDS shells at higher calibres might fail to penetrate the UFP, which offers up to 360 mm RHA equivalent protection.

However, the ZTZ88B also marks a reduction in side armour for PLAGF tanks. Instead of the 80 mm found on previous tanks, the side armour has been reduced to 60 mm. This makes it more vulnerable to autocannons, which can easily penetrate the sides even with APHE shells. Although the skirt armour may mitigate some of the penetration, in most cases, flanking autocannons will have no trouble dealing with the ZTZ88B. While angling the tank might provide some protection, it should not be relied upon as a foolproof defense.

Another weakness lies in the turret, which features full CHA armour. Despite retaining the oval-shaped turret reminiscent of Warsaw Pact and early Chinese designs, at its tier where APFSDS and HEAT shells are common, they will have no trouble penetrating the turret from any angle, causing fatal damage to the crew or turret compartment and effectively disabling the ZTZ88B. Therefore, caution must be exercised when deciding the direction to turn the turret. Sometimes slight angling might help deflect some incoming shots, allowing for a chance to return fire. It is important to remember that the crew of 4 and the tank's compartments are tightly packed near the center of mass. As a result, the crew is susceptible to being knocked out by penetrating shots and their shrapnel or by fuel or ammunition detonation.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 + 20 mm (68°) ''Upper'' 80 m (51°) ''Lower'' || 60 mm ''Top'' 50 mm ''Bottom'' || 45 mm (4°) || 30 mm
|-
| Turret || 200 - 300 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 70 - 400 mm ''Gun mantlet'' (Volumetric) || 100 - 200 mm (Volumetric) || 60 - 70 mm (Volumetric) || 30 mm
|-
| Cupola || 80 mm || 80 mm || 80 mm || 30 mm
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable"
! Composite Armour !! Frontal Effective Protection
|-
| Hull || 100 mm ''Kinetic'' / 100 mm ''Chemical''
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTZ88 series shares the same NORINCO 12V150ZLC engine with 730 hp output. Although it is not comparable to NATO counterparts, it is a vast improvement over Soviet tanks at its BR, giving the tank more flexibility on assaults as it can push the tank to up to 57 km/h while having faster acceleration. While the transmission has been upgraded to a planetary gear system, the gear ratio for reverse/first gear is not very satisfactory and only gives around 9 km/h reverse speed. In the event of a retreat, this limitation could pose a major problem, as enemy tanks will have no trouble pursuing the ZTZ88B.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,131|rbMinHp=646}}

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

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

{{main|88B-105T (105 mm)}}

The ZTZ88B retains the same calibre gun as the previous ZTZ59D1, although it is designated as the 88B-105T. Despite the different name, the ballistic performance of both guns is identical. The main differences lie in the turret traverse speed and reload rate: while the ZTZ59 series suffers from a slow, hand-cranked turret, and the ZTZ69 improves upon this to some extent, the ZTZ88B introduces a hydraulic drive for the turret, significantly increasing its rotation speed to at 20°/s. While this improvement is welcomed, it still lags behind most NATO tanks of its tier. The reload rate is below 10 seconds, which is not as quick as NATO tanks with spacious turrets. Nevertheless, the ammunition available is still sufficient to take down most encountered enemies. However, caution should be exercised when facing later Soviet MBTs equipped with autoloaders and composite armour. It is advisable to plan ahead and position the turret in anticipation of enemies since the ZTZ88B lacks the reaction time for sudden attacks.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[88B-105T (105 mm)|105 mm 88B-105T]] || 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" | 45 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 19.0 || 26.4 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.6 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:88B-105T (105 mm)/Ammunition|Type-83 HEAT, Type-83 HESH, Type-83 APDS}}

==== [[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
|-
| '''45''' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __ ''(+__)'' || __
|-
|}

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|Type 86 (7.62 mm)}}

Like most Chinese tanks before the late 1990s, the ZTZ88B equips the Type 54 (DShK) by the commander hatch while the coaxial MG was replaced by Type 86 (PKT). While the ammo pool on the Type 54 is rather low, its calibre can certainly cause some problems for low-flying helicopters or lightly armoured targets.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 86 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm Type 86]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,500 (250) || 700 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

Although ZTZ88B still appears to be a T-54/Type 59 derivative from its oval shape turret and hull design, but when players hear the similar engine sound to a T-72 and the gun has heat sleeves, as well as seeing the composite applique armor on the front, ZTZ88B will become the tank that will hit them hard.

One of the most distinctive differences is the main cannon - instead of 100 mm cannon, Chinese upgraded their fleet of medium tanks/MBTs with 105 mm L7 equivalents since 1980s; ZTZ88B is no exception. Thanks to the advances of technology in 1980s (albeit lagging behind mainstreams), the turret traverse speed and penetration of types of ammunitions is vastly improved than earlier PLAGF tanks; the shells on ZTZ88B is identical to its tech-tree predecessor ZTZ59D1 though, but now it has better reaction time than the latter while still enjoys most of the FCS features minus the TVD channel, so players will have to rely on their naked eyes to seek for enemy targets, 8x is suitable for engages at around 800m, but fixed magnification also means lesser flexibility at close-quarter brawling or long-range sniping. The other distinctive feature is the engine, there can be occasions that enemy players hear a very unpleasing engine sound from the V-46 used on T-72 or 12V150ZLC/D on ZTZ96(A), but when they see the source of sound, they will be surprised by the source - 12V150ZLC diesel engine on ZTZ88 series. Thanks to upgrades to the production of diesel engines, the engine which was based on V-54 now has similar horsepower of the early series T-72 at 730 hp, a vast improvement from any T-54/62 series and now pushes the tank faster. Sometimes, when the tank was hit by enemies on the UFP or having gunner knocked-out, one thing would be no effective damage on UFP thanks to the composite applique armor or the tank could still fire back thanks to the commander override; underestimating enemies is fatal after all.

While having improvements onboard, there are still some flaws in terms of protection and flexibility; the design of ZTZ88B still retains the iconic, casted oval turret with similar protection of Type 59, it might be enough for full-caliber kinetic shells from lower tier, but APFSDS or HEATFS is more than enough to penetrate and disable the turret at once, possibly knocking out crews at the turret. This is also the first Chinese tank to have reduced side armor to 60 mm, autocannons even with only full-caliber shells can very likely penetrate the sides with ease during a sudden strike. And in case for a retreat for whatever reason, due to the transmission limits, the fastest it can go in reverse is only at 9 km/h, so plan ahead for where you should appear; not over-extending is a good way to increase overall survivability while still contribute to the team by stalling enemy team or even push them back.

Overall, ZTZ88B offers a mobile and flexible options for Chinese tech tree players from the ROCA M60A3TTS with inferior mobility; while its introduction by 1990s meant being obsolete at the time, it can still be a good training tank for future PLAGF tanks.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Improved gun handling and reload rate to previous tanks
* Commander override leaves the opportunity for a revenge shot on enemies
* Vastly improved mobility to T-54/55 series
* Composite applique armour on UFP for extra protection
* Accurate licensed L7 gun

'''Cons:'''

* The turret has no ERA protection, unlike ZTZ59D1
* Fixed 8x gunner optics channel, embarrassing at both short and long range engagements
* Tightly packed interior and crew layout
* Lacks TVD for faster target acquisition
* Relatively slow reverse rate to NATO counterparts

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_ztz_88b Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Object 122MT "MC"]] - The nominal ancestor of WZ122 series MBT
* [[ZTZ88A]] (WZ122G) - ZTZ88 with longer ZPL94 cannon

== External links ==

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China medium tanks}}

ZTZ59D1

2023-11-24T02:08:54Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = ZTZ59 (Family)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_59d
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (Chinese: ZTZ59D1式中型坦克; industry code WZ120C) is the proof-of-concept of what would later become the ZTZ59D in PLAGF service. Although PLAGF has already upgraded some of their fleet of Type 59s with now-domestic 105 mm cannons, there were still plans to further upgrade its protection against enemies and its FCS at a more economic price, including FY-1/2 ERA for different types of threats and new digitalized FCS. The modified tanks, now under the designation of WZ120C passed for certifications in April 1995 with the technologies used on ZTZ59D aside from the main cannon. These tanks have been part of the PLAGF armored corps until they are eventually replaced by wheeled assault guns or ZTQ15 with overall superior performance.

It was introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]] alongside with the Chinese tech-tree, the ZTZ59D1 is a comprehensive upgrade of the venerable [[Type 59]]. It includes a large number of modern features on a old chassis, rather like an AK-47 decked out with modern furniture and accessories. The most noticeable difference at a first glance are the ERA arrays on the hull and turret cheeks. The original 100 mm Type 59 cannon has been replaced with a licensed copy of the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance 105 mm L7 cannon, and the installation of night vision and a laser rangefinder give the tank impressive firepower. Unfortunately it still suffers from many of the Type 59's weaknesses, namely subpar mobility and gun handling. While it is not very suited to the high-speed combat common at its rank, a skilled and careful tanker can still enjoy it as a formidable sniper.

In tech tree, the ZTZ59D1 is succeeded by the [[ZTZ88A]], a significantly more modern design with better mobility and hull protection.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 100 mm (60°) ''Front glacis'' 100 mm (54°) ''Lower glacis'' || 80 mm || 45 mm (16°) ''Upper'' 30 mm (72°) ''Lower'' || 30 mm ''Front'' 20 mm ''Back''
|-
| Turret || 160 mm (14-39°) ''Turret front'' 200 mm (4-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 115 mm (45-50°) ''Upper'' 155 mm (10-30°) ''Lower'' || 65 mm (9-35°) || 30 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick

The base armour of the ZTZ59D1 is exactly the same as the [[Type 59]]. The hull and turret armour are quite thick, but the original T-54 armour was designed to counter WWII-era German cannons, and at the ZTZ's rank it will not hold up against sabot or HEAT rounds. It is capable of stopping all autocannon fire from the front and resisting most autocannon fire from the sides, which is helpful. The ERA arrays on the turret use ERA comparable to the Soviet Kontakt-1 and have good protection against chemical rounds; unfortunately they do not have very good coverage, and the area around the gun mantlet is heavily exposed.

The ERA arrays on the upper glacis have an interesting setup: two layers of ERA separated by an air gap. While the hull coverage is spotty due to the tow cable attachment points, the ERA setup boasts 120 mm of kinetic protection. This is not quite enough against the common 105 mm DM23 APFSDS considering that the ZTZ59D1 lacks composite armour to back the ERA up, but it will stop all 105 mm APDS rounds. Certain APFSDS rounds with especially poor angled penetration like the [[T-55A]]'s 3BM25 and the [[T95E1]]'s T320 will fail to penetrate even at point-blank range. Even the [[T-62]]'s sizeable 115 mm APFSDS rounds can be stopped. The US 105 mm M735 and 152 mm XM578E1 will occasionally be blocked given some distance and angling. The hull ERA's chemical protection is not as strong as the turret ERA due to the less drastic sloping from the front profile and 120 mm HEAT-FS as fired by the [[Leopard A1A1 (L/44)]] will be able to penetrate.

Post-penetration survivability is not ideal. There is an ammo rack behind the fuel tank next to the driver, but unlike the comparable [[T-55AM-1]], it is not "wet" and can be easily detonated by penetrating hits. Loose ammunition is stowed in various corners of the crew compartment. It is a good idea to minimize the number of rounds carried.

Sometimes, if you are lucky, you will survive a penetrating shot that knocked out your gunner / driver, and your fate depends on whether if you can fight back / retreat before the enemy loads the second shell. If your crew cannot replace the dead gunner / driver on time, a split second late and you will certainly get destroyed by the next shell. Therefore it is recommended to max out the "Agility" skill on every crew, it might save your life one day.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 806|rbMinHp= 460}}

Speed is definitely not a strength for the {{PAGENAME}}. The original [[Type 59]] was not a speedster to begin with and the upgrades on this tank add an extra ton of weight without any increase in engine power. It is also incapable of turning in place and has a poor reverse speed of only -7 km/h.

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

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

{{main|Type 83 (105 mm)}}

The Type 83 cannon is a Chinese produced version of the tried-and-true Royal Ordnance L7 gun used by numerous contemporary tanks. Unfortunately, since it's mounted in the cramped confines of the Type 59 chassis, the reload speed is about 1 seconds slower than average. The ZTZ59D1 also does not have an upgraded turret drive and the turret rotation speed of at most 10 degrees per second is exceptionally bad for the battle rating. It at least maintains the vertical stabilizer.

The -4.5° gun depression might look too poor, but due to the low height of the vehicle it is actually enough for quite some not-so-hilly terrains. On gentle hills the ZTZ59D1 can peek over safely, exposing only the turret for hull down, for example in certain spots on Jungle and Frozen Pass. However, this gun depression is still not great in very hilly maps like Karelia, forcing the player to ditch the hull down tactic.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 83 (105 mm)|105 mm Type 83]] || 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" | 37 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+18° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Vertical|up to 40 km/h}} || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.75 || rowspan="2" | 8.63 || rowspan="2" | 7.95 || rowspan="2" | 7.50
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The ZTZ59D1's ammunition consists of the typical set for 105 mm guns. The stock Type 83-HEAT is a HEATFS round with 400 mm of penetration at any distance that struggles against enemies with ERA or composite armour but is adequate against steel or spaced armor. It is a slight improvement over the Type 1973 HEAT-FS used by the previous [[Type 69]] but still functions much the same. Use it as an interim round until APFSDS is unlocked. It is a good idea to still bring a few HEATFS afterwards since it can trigger overpressure damage against light tanks and SPAAs on occasion and has better ballistics than the HESH round.

The Type-83 HESH round causes a wide but shallow cone of damage and practically ignores slopes, but only works against thinner plates of conventional armour and has poor ballistics. It may be helpful once in a while to finish off targets that only have a slight portion of their tank exposed, such as splashing the turret roof of an enemy hiding behind cover, but for the most part it should be ignored.

The Type-83 APDS is, despite its name, an APFSDS round with identical performance to the common 105 mm DM23 used by the [[Leopard A1A1]] for example. The flat penetration is nothing special but the angled penetration is good, which can be helpful for side-shots or penetrating certain tanks with composite armor. It is easy to aim due to its high muzzle velocity, has consistent post-penetration damage, and should be the round of choice once unlocked. Exercise some caution when fighting Soviet MBTs from the [[T-72A]] onwards because the APFSDS does not have enough angled penetration to casually penetrate the hull armor of a spaded T-72A. In a frontal engagement it is best to aim for the driver's viewport or lower glacis, which are weak spots on all Soviet T-64/72/80 series tanks. Other opponents worth noting are the British [[Chieftain Mk 10]] and [[Challenger Mk.2]]/[[Challenger Mk.3|Mk.3]] with strong turrets but weak hulls.

{{:Type 83 (105 mm)/Ammunition|Type-83 HEAT, Type-83 HESH, Type-83 APDS}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th* rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''37''' || 36 ''(+1)'' || 31 ''(+6)'' || 30 ''(+7)'' || 26 ''(+11)'' || 23 ''(+14)'' || 21 ''(+16)'' || 1 ''(+36)'' || No
|-
|}

Notes:

* The 7th rack serves as first-stage ammo stowage.
* It is recommended to carry at most 31 ''(+6)'' rounds as to empty the turret's ammo racks.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The ZTZ59D1 features two MGs: one roof-mounted 12.7 mm heavy MG, and a 7.62 mm coaxial MG. The 12.7 mm MG, with its maximum penetration of around 30 mm, can do quite well against lightly armoured vehicles such as the [[R3 T20 FA-HS|R3 T20]] / [[R3 T106 FA|T106]] and the [[AUBL/74]]. It can also damage or even destroy the opponent's gun barrel or track with around 5 seconds of continuous fire. Against low-flying aircraft it can easily get you some critical hits with the correct lead. However its magazine empties very quickly and it does not carry enough ammo for prolonged MG fire comparing to the infamous M2HB.

The 7.62 mm, on the other hand, can only damage fully exposed crew which are not commonly seen at this BR, or clear up light obstacles. Its low penetration greatly limits its usage in battles.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 250 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,500 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The ZTZ59D1 might have a lot of modern features, but there is really no disguising the fact that it is a Type 59 at heart. The Type 59 at a lower BR already struggled with its poor gun handling and the ZTZ59D1's upgraded two-plane stabilizer is not much of a consolation considering that it will almost entirely face enemies with two-plane stabilizers and superior mobility. The ZTZ59D1 is best used as a support tank or sniper to take advantage of its good firepower, low profile, and decent protection while minimizing the effects of its poor gun handling and mobility. Ideally one can stay behind the front lines, moving up when prudent, and allow other teammates to push forwards. Enemies that appear or reveal themselves can then be dispatched at a safe distance. However one must be on the lookout for flanking enemies, as the gun handling is not adequate for responding quickly to unexpected threats. For this reason close range brawling should also be avoided. The mobility is also quite poor for its rank and it pays to be vigilant when moving up to sniping positions - enemies may be already present.

Situational awareness is very important on the ZTZ59D1 to compensate for its poor gun handling and reload. The ZTZ59D1 retains the zoom settings of the original Type 59's optics and it has a 3.5x zoom setting with a 21 degree field of view, so tunnel vision is less of an issue at close to medium range compared to other tanks. Make good use of the laser rangefinder at long distances, missed shots are a major hassle on the ZTZ59D1 because of its slow reload.

The ZTZ59D1 has better protection than the average MBT at its BR, but it is by no means immune or even consistently resistant to enemy fire. Poorly aimed 105 mm HEAT-FS can be resisted by the hull and turret ERA and very poorly aimed 105 mm APDS or weak APFSDS can be resisted by the hull ERA. The turret is vulnerable to any kind of kinetic round, though turret penetrations are less likely to knock out the tank in one hit. Count yourself lucky if you survive a hit from any tank cannon and treat it as a second chance.

Helicopters are a major threat to the ZTZ59D1. ATGMs will typically go right through its ERA and even helicopters with unguided rockets, which typically need to fly closer to the battlefield, are difficult to destroy given the ZTZ59D1's bad gun handling. Stay out of sight if possible and take advantage of the smoke grenades if caught in the open. Lightly armoured helicopters can be harassed with the heavy machine gun at closer distances.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Powerful 105 mm gun with a solid APFSDS round is a major step up from the [[Type 69]]'s cannon
* Equipped with ERA on the turret and upper glacis, resistant to chemical munitions
* Hull ERA setup offers some kinetic protection
* Has a vertical stabilizer
* Access to smoke grenades, NVD, and laser rangefinder
* Top mounted Type 54 heavy machine gun is helpful against light targets and aircraft
* Low profile

'''Cons:'''

* Mobility is slightly worse than the original [[Type 59]], quite inadequate at its match-making position
* Turret traverse and base armour are the same as the Type 59, gun handling is painful in close quarters and APFSDS will go straight through much of the tank
* ERA coverage is sparse, significant gaps around the gun and on the upper glacis
* Turret ERA will get destroyed in large patches, not piece by piece, upon getting hit by chemical rounds
* Not particularly mobile; reverse speed in particular is quite slow
* Poor gun depression greatly limits its capacity in hilly terrain
* Slow reload compared to Western MBTs
* No wet ammo storage

== History ==


The [[Type 59]] tank was the primary tank of the People's Liberation Army in the Cold War era. While reliable, easy to manufacture, and available in large numbers, the design began to show its age as time went on. Improved derivatives like the [[Type 69]] were not used extensively by the PLA. In the 1980s the large inventory of old Type 59s was in need of modernization, but defrosting relations with the Western world around that time allowed the purchase, use, and study of foreign technology, greatly aiding in the improvement of existing vehicles and development of future models. The first Type 59 model to benefit from these upgrades was the Type-59-II, which boasted a 105mm rifled gun based on the ubiquitous Royal Ordnance L7 and improved vision systems. The '''Type 59D1''' variant was a further development, adding on modern computerized fire-control systems, passive night vision devices, an improved gun with thermal sleeve, and explosive reactive armour. Other variants of note include the similar Type 59D, which has a longer gun and support for gun-launched ATGMs, the Type 59G, an export overhaul featuring a welded turret and 125mm gun similar to the modern [[ZTZ96|Type 96]], and the Jaguar, a joint Sino-American project with a heavily modified turret, hull, and powertrain.

Later Type 59 variants are still present in the inventory of the PLA at present, though they have been replaced over time by the [[ZTZ99|Type 99]] and [[ZTZ96|Type 96]] tanks. While outdated, they are still useful for reserve or training purposes.

The designation/acronym "ZTZ" is used at times by the Chinese military for its main battle tanks. In Mandarin, the first Z stands for "armoured vehicle" or "armour", the T stands for "tank", and second Z stands for "main battle". This term is generally used to describe modern Chinese MBTs, but for the most part it can be interchanged freely with "Type".

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_59d Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|B6ZsuPjSuNo|'''T-54/T-55 family''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:24 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== 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.''

{{China medium tanks}}

ZTS63

2023-11-24T02:06:54Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zts_63_1980
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''ZTS63''' (Chinese: ZTS63式水陆两栖坦克, industry code WZ211; known as Type 63 before 1987 nomenclature revision), originally certified in 1963 as the amphibious tank for PLANMC or PLAGF units with the need to cross the water bodies abundant in Asia, received some of the technologies used on ZTZ59A and ZTQ62 that had already been installed successfully since 1980; in the ZTS63's case, it received a laser rangefinder and better fire control system for long-range fire support. These tanks served during the Sino-Vietnamese War in the early 1980s as a supporter to troops against Vietnamese troops and militia with very few tanks in service; although having insufficient protection against cannons and RPGs, these vehicles were kept in service until the later ZTS63A and eventually ZLT05 or newer IFVs replaced its role as an amphibious tank, marking the end of the prefix ZTS in PLA service.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], players of the [[Type 62]] or [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] will soon find themselves at home thanks to its identical handling and overall design. Some welcome upgrades including better FCS and the installation of a Type 54 DShK machine gun also make it a more versatile alternative to its predecessors. With both APFSDS and a laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic solutions, not only does this greatly extend the combat distance of the tank, it also greatly increases its odds to survive as this feature is extremely rare at its tier. However, players will still have to beware of its below-average protection against even HMGs and rather slow turret traverse speed, these could be fatal if players run into heated fights without the situational awareness needed.

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

One thing to note is that the name of ZTS63 is interchangeable with Type 63, other than the name change after 1980, HMG on turret and a LRF on the mantlet by the centerline, the overall design of these two tanks are totally identical. For the needs of amphibious operations, the protection is reduced to the bare minimum to stop rifle calibre bullets and shrapnel; other than the mantlet at 50 mm, the whole vehicle has only up to 20 mm of armour: autocannons and HMGs will tear down the vehicle with ease. So it's better to keep the vehicle from the heated battlefield and act as a supporter of the team to deliver possible final blow to enemy vehicles or disabling enemies as much as possible.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) UFP
15 mm (54°) LFP
| 10 mm ''Top'' 8 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" |20 mm (Volumetric)
| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTS63 didn't receive any upgrades in terms of powerplant and transmission, so it shares the same 12150L-2 diesel engine found previously on Type 63; the very slight or even no weight change on the tank also means it can retain a sufficiently high power-to-weight ratio at around 21 hp/t. If players ever have the need to flank enemies by taking detours on water, it could also travel on water at 11 km/h, one of the fastest speed among other amphibious vehicle in game.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type 63 (85 mm)}}

Still sharing the same gun as the Type 62 and 63, the Type 63 85 mm rifled cannon still handles totally identically to the Type 63 with some changes on the ammunition available. Players will find the same exact advantages and flaws from previous vehicles - while the calibre is larger than most light tanks of its tier with a variety of ammunition and now APFSDS among them, players need extra situational awareness to use the gun as it has much slower reaction time than most light tanks at its tier as well; plan ahead and turn the turret before any close-quarter assaults.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 63 (85 mm)|85 mm Type 63]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 63 (85 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1956 HEAT-FS, Type 56 HE, Type 56 AP, DJW85}}

The ZTS63's rounds are somewhat different from the original Type 63. The Type 56 APBC (Aka BR365 APHEBC) shell, well known for its generous explosive content and slope modifiers, is not available anymore. The returning Type 56 HEAT-FS is now the stock shell, which gives the ZTS63 the ability to engage heavy tanks like the [[IS-3]] from the start. Compared to the [[ZBD86]]'s PG-9 rocket propelled grenade, the HEAT-FS has the same penetration and a better muzzle velocity, which is helpful at medium and long ranges.

The stock "Type 56 HE" shell is a renamed O-365K and should be completely ignored, because the HEAT-FS has a greater explosive mass.

The only APHE shell available is the unlockable "Type 56 APCBC", a renamed BR-367 APCBC. Although it is not as efficient for one-shotting light targets or scoring sideshots as BR-365, it still gets the job done with some careful aim and the enhanced flat penetration is nice to have. Enemy IFVs can be dispatched easily with a single AP shell, even from across the map, due to their thin armour and typically large profiles.

The top round is the DJW85 APFSDS, something completely new to the 85 mm caliber. Although Chinese tankers may be apprehensive about early domestic APFSDS rounds, DJW85 actually has better performance than the [[Type 69]]'s Type 71 AFPSDS despite being a significantly smaller round. Although it has a a lower muzzle velocity, it does not lose as much penetration over distances. The 2.1 kg projectile mass is not able to create much spalling, but it is a useful tool for disabling shots and targeting ammo racks in long range combat.

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 18 ''(+29)'' || 10 ''(+37)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* It is recommended to take 42 ''(+5)'' shells to clear the turret of ammunition.
* Taking 18 ''(+29)'' shells clears the right hull of ammunition.
* Taking 10 ''(+37)'' shells clears both hull sides of ammunition.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The previous Type 63 has no HMG installed on top; in ZTS63's case, it has a pintle Type 54 DShK installed on the commander side of turret, giving it the chance to unleash 12.7 mm bullets against light targets or aircraft/helicopters that came too close.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

At first glance, ZTS63 looks exactly like its pre-1980 cousin Type 63; this is indeed true as they are the same vehicle plus new FCS and a HMG mounted on the former, players from Type 63 will get their hands on the tank rather quickly thanks to their totally identical handling in terms of mobility and tactical flexibility to flank enemies. Do remember that ZTS63 is still a light tank with minimal protection due to its amphibious capability (for buoyancy reasons at complicated waters), while the turret might look very similar to T-54/ Type 59's, but the thickness is at most rated for HMG fire at longer distance; anything with a caliber of over 20 mm with have no problem tearing down the tank with ease, let alone the chassis with even less protection. The design of ZTS63 is relatively large to LTs at its tier, therefore it is extremely essential to conceal the vehicle from enemy sights, going frontline means a quick death sentence to the tank as well; thus, the lightweight of the vehicle could be put into use by flanking enemies by taking detours to enemies' flanks, alternatively utilize the river network on some maps to launch sudden attacks from the rear (its 11 km/h on-water speed thanks to the water jet propulsion system certainly helps a lot). Another uncommon feature of ZTS63 from most LTs of its tier is its LRF and automatic ballistic solution, the tank might have insufficient magnification for long-range engagements, but the two aforementioned equipment will certainly helps taking out enemies showing their sides from afar; its stock HEATFS shell also helps as most LTs would have to either have to rely on APCR with subpar damage or lacking a rangefinder for long-range engagements. If HEATFS is not your cup of tea, its researchable, conventional APHE and the only 85 mm APFSDS in game will certainly give players more option to take down various enemies- APHE for hitting enemies from the sides and blowing them out with its explosive fillers, while APFSDS ensures flat trajectory and penetration to take out heavy targets up-front or at long range. Although messing with aircrafts or rotorcrafts on a ZTS63 is a rather unrecommended move, if there's one flying straight at the player, they might have to reconsider as the Type 54 DShK will give ZTS63 a chance to earn a surprise kill on aircrafts; 12.7x108 mm bullets can certainly do extensive damage to enemies.

Overall, ZTS63 is a welcomed addition to PLAGF line-up thanks to its better FCS and various ammunition options; but do remember to plan your assaults ahead or turn the turret beforehand for incoming, unaware enemies, sudden strikes from unexpected places is the key to support the team to advance for victory.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amphibious, allowing the use of surprise tactics involving rivers
* Fast and nimble enough to get into vantage points
* Laser rangefinder and automatic ballistic solution for long-range engagement
* Access to HMG for self-defense against planes
* APFSDS with ~220 mm penetration is effective against weakly armoured tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30]]
* Varieties of ammunition for different scenario

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: unprotected with its paper-thin armour, and large size
* Cannon struggles against late war heavy tanks like [[Maus]], [[IS-4M|IS-4]]
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Relatively slow reload speed
* Still lacks NVD for night battles
* No smoke grenades

== History ==

As the previous Type 63 (ZTS63 after 1987) was commissioned by 1965, there were some flaws suggested by the PLA units that received the tank, thus the need for an upgrade on ZTS63 arose. There were a few major modifications for the tank including single transmission control stick, HMG gun mantle, safety locks for hatches, revised seats, new suspension springs and etc. Among these modifications, some parts from late-production ZTQ62 including its fire control system and laser rangefinder were also introduced to the ZTS63 revision by the late 1970s. These tanks rolled off the production line by the same time and likely have join the Sino-Vietnamese War where its FCS and amphibious capabilities would shine due to the rivery terrain of Vietnam, where they were sometimes used as makeshift SPGs to strike fortifications or suppressing waves of infantry.

Some of these tanks were then modified to ZTS63A in the late 1990s with upgraded firepower in view for the possible landing operations. Although the landing didn't happen, the ZTS63A also set the footsteps for the later ZLT05 assault gun which is also currently the fastest amphibious armoured vehicle in commission.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_zts_63_1980 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Type 63-I|Type 63]]: the base model

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8092-development-zts63-1980-nimble-sniper-en|[Devblog] ZTS63 (1980): Nimble Sniper]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Object 211

2023-11-24T02:06:22Z

U41531792: /* See also */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_object_211
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Object 211''' is a prototype designed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the late 1950s to produce an effective amphibious tank. By 1957, the structure of the Chinese People's Liberation Army had been revised, and the Chinese Marines were integrated into the Chinese Army. The southeast coastal areas remained unstable as the Chinese Nationalist Army in Taiwan, led by the Kuomintang, has not abandoned the goal of "counterattacking the mainland." Since Southern China is mountainous and has a lot of rice fields with water networks and rivers, it was considered that medium and heavy tanks would be unsuitable and amphibious vehicles would play an indispensable role during defence. In July 1958, a development code called "Project 211" was assigned, and China purchased the Soviet Union's [[PT-76 (Family)|PT-76]] amphibious tank to acquire the technologies. The program initially encountered various challenges due to the Chinese tank industry's inadequate technologies at the time, primarily as a result of World War II and the Civil War. Nonetheless, by the early 1960s, the program had proven to be a success, and it was ready for production as the [[Type 63-I|Type 63 amphibious light tank]]. The model in-game represented the 4th prototype with new Type 62 85 mm cannon now displayed at Block 4 of family housings at Institute 201 (aka China North Vehicle Research Institute, 中国北车研究所).

Introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]], Object 211 is a unique tank that can provide players with significant insights into the Chinese tank development philosophies that were influenced by the Soviet Union during the late 1950s. Due to the diversity of landscapes in China at the time, several tank designs were needed to effectively defend the mainland against potential adversaries. Since the prototype was intended to be amphibious, it was lightly armoured and offered low protection only against light machine guns and artillery shrapnel. However, due to its low profile and high speed, Object 211 will give players the advantage of taking strategic areas early in the battle. The 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun has excellent firepower and can readily engage and dispatch adversaries with a single well-placed shot.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-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.''

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) ''UFP'' 15 mm (45°) ''LFP'' || 10 mm || 8 mm || 80 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 20 mm || 20 mm|| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick.

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

Like its in-service cousin Type 63, the tank is also equipped with the same 12150L-2 V12 diesel engine which has max output at 400 hp and could travels up to 64 km/h on road or at 11 km/h while on water; a major improvement from its Soviet counterpart PT-76. Making it a fast and nimble tank to hit vantage points.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

After previous domestic 76 mm was proved unviable in the 1960s and was rather unreliable, while the other prototype with ZIS-S-53 has high recoil to the chassis on water, Chinese engineers eventually opted for the new 85 mm cannon for Object 211. Previous players of Type 62 and 63 will be very familiar to its performance minus the HEAT or even APFSDS rounds; while new players will certainly enjoy the 85 mm gun that packs a punch and a magnification at up to 7x, they will have to be extra careful with the slow turret traverse speed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, O-365K, BR-367}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 39 ''(+8)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 25 ''(+22)'' || 16 ''(+31)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 6 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
* Not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,250 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the project number and its design suggests, Object 211 is what set the foundations for the ZTS63 family which was PLA's weapon of choice when crossing battlefields with extensive water networks. As there was no need for an amphibious tank with crew compartments, the overall size could be further shrunken to an even small size. The turret design be reminiscent of the Type 62's oval shape turret, but the Object 211's is even smaller: enemy tanks very unlikely to find the 211 while hiding in vegetation. The size and function also means that the protection will not be anywhere near normal non-amphibious light tanks: the overall protection is only rated for .50 calibre at most, skirt heated frontlines and avoid any vehicles with autocannons at all costs as the 211 will meet its end rather quickly. Be sure to keep the crew alive as much as possible, since it has a 3 men crew rather than 4 in Type 62 or 63; although it is more likely that the Object will be knocked out by enemy shells right away, any reduction on crew also further lowers its combat capability. The major problem goes to the turret traverse, this turret with a 85 mm cannon turns extremely slowly, so be prepared to turn the turret beforehand for maximum reaction time.

Once players have clear information on these flaws, they can now utilize the tank like most other light tanks around its tier: be sneaky and hit enemies from the sides. While the tank doesn't have the highest depression angle among light tanks, it has an ace up its sleeve - its 85 mm gun. While it doesn't have access to BR-365P, BR-367 has even higher penetration at 164 mm point-blank; sharing the same ballistic performance to the T-34 S-53, players using PLAGF tanks will soon get on hand with the cannon. In most cases, the explosive content is more than enough to disable even the most heavy tanks at its tier, if not knocking them out right away. Since the gun itself doesn't have the highest penetration and lacks the capability to face enemies up front, taking the sides is always a good idea to at least harass the enemies if not bringing devastation from the flanks. Use the terrain to compensate for the lack of depression angle if needed as it has only -4°. If sometimes the map doesn't have the required room for manoeuvre or enemies have already taken vantage points while there are some water bodies, the Object 211 has another card on hand: being amphibious. Be sure to learn the map beforehand and find any possible points to go back onto land. Due to the lack of a stabilizer, it is not a good idea taking it as a gunboat on water as the gun will vibrate. If it happens that another PT-76B is taking the same route, the 211 will have a hard time fight back, using the high on-water speed is the key to navigate in water bodies as fast as possible.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Devastating 85 mm cannon with high-end 85 mm APCBC
* Low profile
* Faster than most tracked light tanks at its tier
* Good optic magnification at 3.5x-7x
* Amphibious with high on-water speed at 11 km/h

'''Cons:'''

* Thin overall protection is not ideal, only rated to .50 machine guns
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Lacks APCR/HEAT for well-protected targets
* Relatively low reload time
* Rather low depression angle

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_object_211 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] - The inspiration to Object 211 and future ZTS63 series
* ZTS63 family
** [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] - The first variant of the family with revised turret design from prototype
** [[ZTS63]] - Post-1980 upgrade with LRF and access to APFSDS

== External links ==

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

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

{{China light tanks}}

Object 211

2023-11-24T02:06:02Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_object_211
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Object 211''' is a prototype designed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the late 1950s to produce an effective amphibious tank. By 1957, the structure of the Chinese People's Liberation Army had been revised, and the Chinese Marines were integrated into the Chinese Army. The southeast coastal areas remained unstable as the Chinese Nationalist Army in Taiwan, led by the Kuomintang, has not abandoned the goal of "counterattacking the mainland." Since Southern China is mountainous and has a lot of rice fields with water networks and rivers, it was considered that medium and heavy tanks would be unsuitable and amphibious vehicles would play an indispensable role during defence. In July 1958, a development code called "Project 211" was assigned, and China purchased the Soviet Union's [[PT-76 (Family)|PT-76]] amphibious tank to acquire the technologies. The program initially encountered various challenges due to the Chinese tank industry's inadequate technologies at the time, primarily as a result of World War II and the Civil War. Nonetheless, by the early 1960s, the program had proven to be a success, and it was ready for production as the [[Type 63-I|Type 63 amphibious light tank]]. The model in-game represented the 4th prototype with new Type 62 85 mm cannon now displayed at Block 4 of family housings at Institute 201 (aka China North Vehicle Research Institute, 中国北车研究所).

Introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]], Object 211 is a unique tank that can provide players with significant insights into the Chinese tank development philosophies that were influenced by the Soviet Union during the late 1950s. Due to the diversity of landscapes in China at the time, several tank designs were needed to effectively defend the mainland against potential adversaries. Since the prototype was intended to be amphibious, it was lightly armoured and offered low protection only against light machine guns and artillery shrapnel. However, due to its low profile and high speed, Object 211 will give players the advantage of taking strategic areas early in the battle. The 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun has excellent firepower and can readily engage and dispatch adversaries with a single well-placed shot.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-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.''

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) ''UFP'' 15 mm (45°) ''LFP'' || 10 mm || 8 mm || 80 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 20 mm || 20 mm|| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick.

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

Like its in-service cousin Type 63, the tank is also equipped with the same 12150L-2 V12 diesel engine which has max output at 400 hp and could travels up to 64 km/h on road or at 11 km/h while on water; a major improvement from its Soviet counterpart PT-76. Making it a fast and nimble tank to hit vantage points.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

After previous domestic 76 mm was proved unviable in the 1960s and was rather unreliable, while the other prototype with ZIS-S-53 has high recoil to the chassis on water, Chinese engineers eventually opted for the new 85 mm cannon for Object 211. Previous players of Type 62 and 63 will be very familiar to its performance minus the HEAT or even APFSDS rounds; while new players will certainly enjoy the 85 mm gun that packs a punch and a magnification at up to 7x, they will have to be extra careful with the slow turret traverse speed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, O-365K, BR-367}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 39 ''(+8)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 25 ''(+22)'' || 16 ''(+31)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 6 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
* Not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,250 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the project number and its design suggests, Object 211 is what set the foundations for the ZTS63 family which was PLA's weapon of choice when crossing battlefields with extensive water networks. As there was no need for an amphibious tank with crew compartments, the overall size could be further shrunken to an even small size. The turret design be reminiscent of the Type 62's oval shape turret, but the Object 211's is even smaller: enemy tanks very unlikely to find the 211 while hiding in vegetation. The size and function also means that the protection will not be anywhere near normal non-amphibious light tanks: the overall protection is only rated for .50 calibre at most, skirt heated frontlines and avoid any vehicles with autocannons at all costs as the 211 will meet its end rather quickly. Be sure to keep the crew alive as much as possible, since it has a 3 men crew rather than 4 in Type 62 or 63; although it is more likely that the Object will be knocked out by enemy shells right away, any reduction on crew also further lowers its combat capability. The major problem goes to the turret traverse, this turret with a 85 mm cannon turns extremely slowly, so be prepared to turn the turret beforehand for maximum reaction time.

Once players have clear information on these flaws, they can now utilize the tank like most other light tanks around its tier: be sneaky and hit enemies from the sides. While the tank doesn't have the highest depression angle among light tanks, it has an ace up its sleeve - its 85 mm gun. While it doesn't have access to BR-365P, BR-367 has even higher penetration at 164 mm point-blank; sharing the same ballistic performance to the T-34 S-53, players using PLAGF tanks will soon get on hand with the cannon. In most cases, the explosive content is more than enough to disable even the most heavy tanks at its tier, if not knocking them out right away. Since the gun itself doesn't have the highest penetration and lacks the capability to face enemies up front, taking the sides is always a good idea to at least harass the enemies if not bringing devastation from the flanks. Use the terrain to compensate for the lack of depression angle if needed as it has only -4°. If sometimes the map doesn't have the required room for manoeuvre or enemies have already taken vantage points while there are some water bodies, the Object 211 has another card on hand: being amphibious. Be sure to learn the map beforehand and find any possible points to go back onto land. Due to the lack of a stabilizer, it is not a good idea taking it as a gunboat on water as the gun will vibrate. If it happens that another PT-76B is taking the same route, the 211 will have a hard time fight back, using the high on-water speed is the key to navigate in water bodies as fast as possible.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Devastating 85 mm cannon with high-end 85 mm APCBC
* Low profile
* Faster than most tracked light tanks at its tier
* Good optic magnification at 3.5x-7x
* Amphibious with high on-water speed at 11 km/h

'''Cons:'''

* Thin overall protection is not ideal, only rated to .50 machine guns
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Lacks APCR/HEAT for well-protected targets
* Relatively low reload time
* Rather low depression angle

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_object_211 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] - The inspiration to Object 211 and future ZTS63 series
* ZTS63 family
** [[Type 63-I]] - The first variant of the family with revised turret design from prototype
** [[ZTS63]] - Post-1980 upgrade with LRF and access to APFSDS

== External links ==

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

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

{{China light tanks}}

Object 211

2023-11-24T02:04:46Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_object_211
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Object 211''' is a prototype designed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the late 1950s to produce an effective amphibious tank. By 1957, the structure of the Chinese People's Liberation Army had been revised, and the Chinese Marines were integrated into the Chinese Army. The southeast coastal areas remained unstable as the Chinese Nationalist Army in Taiwan, led by the Kuomintang, has not abandoned the goal of "counterattacking the mainland." Since Southern China is mountainous and has a lot of rice fields with water networks and rivers, it was considered that medium and heavy tanks would be unsuitable and amphibious vehicles would play an indispensable role during defence. In July 1958, a development code called "Project 211" was assigned, and China purchased the Soviet Union's [[PT-76 (Family)|PT-76]] amphibious tank to acquire the technologies. The program initially encountered various challenges due to the Chinese tank industry's inadequate technologies at the time, primarily as a result of World War II and the Civil War. Nonetheless, by the early 1960s, the program had proven to be a success, and it was ready for production as the [[Type 63-I|Type 63 amphibious light tank]]. The model in-game represented the 4th prototype with new Type 62 85 mm cannon now displayed at Block 4 of family housings at Institute 201 (aka China North Vehicle Research Institute, 中国北车研究所).

Introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]], Object 211 is a unique tank that can provide players with significant insights into the Chinese tank development philosophies that were influenced by the Soviet Union during the late 1950s. Due to the diversity of landscapes in China at the time, several tank designs were needed to effectively defend the mainland against potential adversaries. Since the prototype was intended to be amphibious, it was lightly armoured and offered low protection only against light machine guns and artillery shrapnel. However, due to its low profile and high speed, Object 211 will give players the advantage of taking strategic areas early in the battle. The 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun has excellent firepower and can readily engage and dispatch adversaries with a single well-placed shot.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-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.''

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) ''UFP'' 15 mm (45°) ''LFP'' || 10 mm || 8 mm || 80 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 20 mm || 20 mm|| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick.

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

Like its in-service cousin Type 63, the tank is also equipped with the same 12150L-2 V12 diesel engine which has max output at 400 hp and could travels up to 64 km/h on road or at 11 km/h while on water; a major improvement from its Soviet counterpart PT-76. Making it a fast and nimble tank to hit vantage points.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

After previous domestic 76 mm was proved unviable in the 1960s and was rather unreliable, while the other prototype with ZIS-S-53 has high recoil to the chassis on water, Chinese engineers eventually opted for the new 85 mm cannon for Object 211. Previous players of Type 62 and 63 will be very familiar to its performance minus the HEAT or even APFSDS rounds; while new players will certainly enjoy the 85 mm gun that packs a punch and a magnification at up to 7x, they will have to be extra careful with the slow turret traverse speed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, O-365K, BR-367}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 39 ''(+8)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 25 ''(+22)'' || 16 ''(+31)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 6 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
* Not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,250 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the project number and its design suggests, Object 211 is what set the foundations for the ZTS63 family which was PLA's weapon of choice when crossing battlefields with extensive water networks. As there was no need for an amphibious tank with crew compartments, the overall size could be further shrunken to an even small size. The turret design be reminiscent of the Type 62's oval shape turret, but the Object 211's is even smaller: enemy tanks very unlikely to find the 211 while hiding in vegetation. The size and function also means that the protection will not be anywhere near normal non-amphibious light tanks: the overall protection is only rated for .50 calibre at most, skirt heated frontlines and avoid any vehicles with autocannons at all costs as the 211 will meet its end rather quickly. Be sure to keep the crew alive as much as possible, since it has a 3 men crew rather than 4 in Type 62 or 63; although it is more likely that the Object will be knocked out by enemy shells right away, any reduction on crew also further lowers its combat capability. The major problem goes to the turret traverse, this turret with a 85 mm cannon turns extremely slowly, so be prepared to turn the turret beforehand for maximum reaction time.

Once players have clear information on these flaws, they can now utilize the tank like most other light tanks around its tier: be sneaky and hit enemies from the sides. While the tank doesn't have the highest depression angle among light tanks, it has an ace up its sleeve - its 85 mm gun. While it doesn't have access to BR-365P, BR-367 has even higher penetration at 164 mm point-blank; sharing the same ballistic performance to the T-34 S-53, players using PLAGF tanks will soon get on hand with the cannon. In most cases, the explosive content is more than enough to disable even the most heavy tanks at its tier, if not knocking them out right away. Since the gun itself doesn't have the highest penetration and lacks the capability to face enemies up front, taking the sides is always a good idea to at least harass the enemies if not bringing devastation from the flanks. Use the terrain to compensate for the lack of depression angle if needed as it has only -4°. If sometimes the map doesn't have the required room for manoeuvre or enemies have already taken vantage points while there are some water bodies, the Object 211 has another card on hand: being amphibious. Be sure to learn the map beforehand and find any possible points to go back onto land. Due to the lack of a stabilizer, it is not a good idea taking it as a gunboat on water as the gun will vibrate. If it happens that another PT-76B is taking the same route, the 211 will have a hard time fight back, using the high on-water speed is the key to navigate in water bodies as fast as possible.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Devastating 85 mm cannon with high-end 85 mm APCBC
* Low profile
* Faster than most tracked light tanks at its tier
* Rather versatile optic magnification at 4x-12x
* Amphibious with high on-water speed at 11 km/h

'''Cons:'''

* Thin overall protection is not ideal, only rated to .50 machine guns
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Crew of 3 gives less flexibility if any of the crew is knocked-down
* Lacks APCR/HEAT for well-protected targets
* Relatively low reload time
* Rather low depression angle

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_object_211 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] - The inspiration to Object 211 and future ZTS63 series
* ZTS63 family
** [[Type 63-I]] - The first variant of the family with revised turret design from prototype
** [[ZTS63]] - Post-1980 upgrade with LRF and access to APFSDS

== External links ==

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

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

{{China light tanks}}

Object 211

2023-11-24T02:03:05Z

U41531792: /* Description */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_object_211
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Object 211''' is a prototype designed by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the late 1950s to produce an effective amphibious tank. By 1957, the structure of the Chinese People's Liberation Army had been revised, and the Chinese Marines were integrated into the Chinese Army. The southeast coastal areas remained unstable as the Chinese Nationalist Army in Taiwan, led by the Kuomintang, has not abandoned the goal of "counterattacking the mainland." Since Southern China is mountainous and has a lot of rice fields with water networks and rivers, it was considered that medium and heavy tanks would be unsuitable and amphibious vehicles would play an indispensable role during defence. In July 1958, a development code called "Project 211" was assigned, and China purchased the Soviet Union's [[PT-76 (Family)|PT-76]] amphibious tank to acquire the technologies. The program initially encountered various challenges due to the Chinese tank industry's inadequate technologies at the time, primarily as a result of World War II and the Civil War. Nonetheless, by the early 1960s, the program had proven to be a success, and it was ready for production as the [[Type 63-I|Type 63 amphibious light tank]]. The model in-game represented the 4th prototype with new Type 62 85 mm cannon now displayed at Block 4 of family housings at Institute 201 (aka China North Vehicle Research Institute, 中国北车研究所).

Introduced in [[Update "La Royale"]], Object 211 is a unique tank that can provide players with significant insights into the Chinese tank development philosophies that were influenced by the Soviet Union during the late 1950s. Due to the diversity of landscapes in China at the time, several tank designs were needed to effectively defend the mainland against potential adversaries. Since the prototype was intended to be amphibious, it was lightly armoured and offered low protection only against light machine guns and artillery shrapnel. However, due to its low profile and high speed, Object 211 will give players the advantage of taking strategic areas early in the battle. The 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun has excellent firepower and can readily engage and dispatch adversaries with a single well-placed shot.

== General info ==
=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Tank-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.''

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull)
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) ''UFP'' 15 mm (45°) ''LFP'' || 10 mm || 8 mm || 80 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 20 mm || 20 mm|| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick.

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

Like its in-service cousin Type 63, the tank is also equipped with the same 12150L-2 V12 diesel engine which has max output at 400 hp and could travels up to 64 km/h on road or at 11 km/h while on water; a major improvement from its Soviet counterpart PT-76. Making it a fast and nimble tank to hit vantage points.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

After previous domestic 76 mm was proved unviable in the 1960s and was rather unreliable, while the other prototype with ZIS-S-53 has high recoil to the chassis on water, Chinese engineers eventually opted for the new Type 62 85 mm cannon for Object 211. Previous players of Type 62 and 63 will be very familiar to its performance minus the HEAT or even APFSDS rounds; while new players will certainly enjoy the 85 mm gun that packs a punch and high magnification at up to 12x, they will have to be extra careful with the slow turret traverse speed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, O-365K, BR-367}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 39 ''(+8)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 25 ''(+22)'' || 16 ''(+31)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* Rack 6 is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 6 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
* This rack is also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 5.
* Not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready rack.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 3,250 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

As the project number and its design suggests, Object 211 is what set the foundations for the ZTS63 family which was PLA's weapon of choice when crossing battlefields with extensive water networks. As there was no need for an amphibious tank with crew compartments, the overall size could be further shrunken to an even small size. The turret design be reminiscent of the Type 62's oval shape turret, but the Object 211's is even smaller: enemy tanks very unlikely to find the 211 while hiding in vegetation. The size and function also means that the protection will not be anywhere near normal non-amphibious light tanks: the overall protection is only rated for .50 calibre at most, skirt heated frontlines and avoid any vehicles with autocannons at all costs as the 211 will meet its end rather quickly. Be sure to keep the crew alive as much as possible, since it has a 3 men crew rather than 4 in Type 62 or 63; although it is more likely that the Object will be knocked out by enemy shells right away, any reduction on crew also further lowers its combat capability. The major problem goes to the turret traverse, this turret with a 85 mm cannon turns extremely slowly, so be prepared to turn the turret beforehand for maximum reaction time.

Once players have clear information on these flaws, they can now utilize the tank like most other light tanks around its tier: be sneaky and hit enemies from the sides. While the tank doesn't have the highest depression angle among light tanks, it has an ace up its sleeve - its 85 mm gun. While it doesn't have access to BR-365P, BR-367 has even higher penetration at 164 mm point-blank; sharing the same ballistic performance to the T-34 S-53, players using PLAGF tanks will soon get on hand with the cannon. In most cases, the explosive content is more than enough to disable even the most heavy tanks at its tier, if not knocking them out right away. Since the gun itself doesn't have the highest penetration and lacks the capability to face enemies up front, taking the sides is always a good idea to at least harass the enemies if not bringing devastation from the flanks. Use the terrain to compensate for the lack of depression angle if needed as it has only -4°. If sometimes the map doesn't have the required room for manoeuvre or enemies have already taken vantage points while there are some water bodies, the Object 211 has another card on hand: being amphibious. Be sure to learn the map beforehand and find any possible points to go back onto land. Due to the lack of a stabilizer, it is not a good idea taking it as a gunboat on water as the gun will vibrate. If it happens that another PT-76B is taking the same route, the 211 will have a hard time fight back, using the high on-water speed is the key to navigate in water bodies as fast as possible.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Devastating 85 mm cannon with high-end 85 mm APCBC
* Low profile
* Faster than most tracked light tanks at its tier
* Rather versatile optic magnification at 4x-12x
* Amphibious with high on-water speed at 11 km/h

'''Cons:'''

* Thin overall protection is not ideal, only rated to .50 machine guns
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Crew of 3 gives less flexibility if any of the crew is knocked-down
* Lacks APCR/HEAT for well-protected targets
* Relatively low reload time
* Rather low depression angle

== 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 ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_object_211 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] - The inspiration to Object 211 and future ZTS63 series
* ZTS63 family
** [[Type 63-I]] - The first variant of the family with revised turret design from prototype
** [[ZTS63]] - Post-1980 upgrade with LRF and access to APFSDS

== External links ==

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

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

{{China light tanks}}

Type 63

2023-11-24T02:00:37Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_63_I
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 63 amphibious tank (63式水陆坦克)''', the first variant of the Type 63 amphibious tank family, was China's first generation of amphibious tanks, based on the Soviet [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] and developed and built by China North Industries Corporation. In 1950, China purchased some PT-76 amphibious tanks from the Soviet Union. Using the PT-76 as a guide, China began the development of its own amphibious tank. In 1959, factories code-named 201 and 617 developed initial prototypes that replicated the PT-76, and a small number of prototypes were delivered to the Chinese People's Liberation Army for trial in 1960. Improvements were made in response to problems discovered during trial production and testing, and the design was finalized in March 1963. It was given the designation Type 63 amphibious tank and went into full production. The Type 63 amphibious tank first saw service in 1964 and was sent to North Vietnam for deployment throughout the Vietnam War. It also saw limited action in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 63 is the first domestic Chinese amphibious tank based on the Soviet-produced PT-76 amphibious light tank. The Type 63, which uses the same turret as the [[Type 62]], possesses significantly greater firepower than its Soviet counterpart. Despite its lack of armour, the Type 63 amphibious tank is equipped with HEAT-FS, which can penetrate 300 mm of armour. However, it lacks the two-plane stabilizer featured in later PT-76 variants, making accurate fire while moving difficult.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret front/sides, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 11 mm (82°) ''Upper glacis'' 14 mm (42°) ''Lower glacis'' || 13 mm ''Top'' 10 mm ''Bottom'' || 10 mm (1°) ''Top'' 10 mm (62°) ''Bottom'' || 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 11 mm (15-58°) ''Turret front'' 15 mm (10-69°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 11 mm (17-58°) || 11 mm (10-48°) || 10 mm
|-
| Cupola || 10 mm || 10 mm || 10 mm || 10 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick.
* Tracks are 15 mm thick.

The Type 63's armour is no better than the PT-76 and should not be relied upon against any incoming fire. Even heavy machine guns and autocannons pose a serious threat to this vehicle; the turret has only 11 mm of cast steel for example and can be penetrated by the M2 Browning commonly mounted on US tanks. SPAAs and aircraft will rip the tank to shreds. In general, avoid being spotted and stay close to cover. Placing bushes on the front and top of the tank to delay recognition by enemies, even for a second or two, can help considerably.

The Type 63 is vulnerable to overpressure damage. Chemical shells (HEAT, HEAT-FS, HE) of at least decent size will trigger it consistently. Kinetic shells tend to be less threatening; generally speaking, APHE rounds will only fuse if fired through the lower glacis, which has exactly enough armour to trigger the common 14 mm fuse sensitivity. The thinly armoured turret will not fuse most APHE rounds and it is possible for a [[Tiger II (P)]]'s fearsome PzGr 39/42 to pass through a turret cheek and only take one to two crew members with it.

The crew of 4 is better than the 3 in the PT-76, but the additional crew member resides in the crowded turret and the benefits to survivability are marginal.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

The {{PAGENAME}} sees a decent improvement in mobility compared to the preceding [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]], thus making this tank more attractive for flanking, or early game rushing. The {{PAGENAME}} is also good for hill-climbing and can reach some nifty positions on some maps. The mobility lags slightly behind some contemporary tanks like the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]] and wheeled Italian vehicles are much faster on roads. It will still handily outrun medium and heavy tanks. The reverse speed of about 8 km/h is a slight improvement over the T-34-85 but by no means lightning-quick. If using shoot-and-scoot tactics, start backing into cover as soon as possible after firing a shot.

As an amphibious vehicle, the Type 63 will not drown in water and can swim across rivers or lakes at 11.7 km/h. However, the lack of a gun stabilizer makes firing while on water very difficult. Avoid driving on water for more than short crossings if enemies are likely to see you, as it will be nearly impossible to defend yourself.

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

The Type 63's stock grind is less painful than the PT-76 since it has a decent gun with usable ammunition from the start. But the tank does not have much going for it over a T-34-85 until the Type 56 HEAT-FS, a Tier IV modification, is researched. Try focusing on the firepower modifications after Parts are unlocked, as the vehicle's stock mobility is not bad. Adjustment of Fire is very important since the Type 63's long reload does not give it much leeway if one's shot misses. Once the HEAT-FS is unlocked, the grind becomes significantly easier since the tank is now capable of harming enemies frontally from any distance, making assists much easier to come by and reducing its reliance on flanking.

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type-62-85-TC cannon is also used by the Type 62. This means that it has the same sluggish reload as the PT-76 despite having a dedicated loader. The gun handling is poor all-round, with the gun rotation, elevation, and depression speeds all being lower than the PT-76. This can be a pain when using the Type 63 aggressively; it is unfortunate that the gun handling cannot keep up with the good mobility.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.10 || rowspan="2" | 8.05 || rowspan="2" | 7.42 || rowspan="2" | 7.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
Two APHE shells are available. The stock Type 56 APBC round has rather low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The Type 56 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the Type 56 APBC round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 56 HVAP shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It is best used as an interim shell before the HEAT-FS is unlocked; in emergency situations it can penetrate the turret face of the [[Tiger II (H)]] at close range.

The Type 56 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 63 and is very strong for its rank. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. The main rival at the battle rating of 6.3 is the [[ST-A1]]'s 90 mm HEAT-FS with 305 mm of flat penetration. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the common [[M18 GMC|M18 Hellcat]] that are vulnerable to overpressure. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The Type 56 HE shell is very weak and should be avoided, because the HEAT-FS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 36 ''(+11)'' || 30 ''(+17)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 15 ''(+32)'' || 11 ''(+36)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || Yes
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Ammo rack #1 is in the back of the turret basket and will rotate with the turret.

The poor protection of the Type 63 means that taking less ammunition will not improve post-penetration survivability by much. Taking 30 rounds or less will empty the ammo racks in the back of the fighting compartment and turret basket, so solid projectiles entering the front right of the vehicle might pass through and hit only the loader. This is mildly helpful against British tanks and M41s. In the event that 30 rounds is not enough, a rare occurrence, it's fine to take more.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The Type 63 has a coaxial 7.62 SGMT machine gun. It is useful for spotting targets on the map but little else. The SGMT does enjoy a much larger magazine and better rate of fire than the typical WWII-era DT machine gun, which helps to clear fences and bushes that might prematurely detonate the HEAT-FS round. The lack of a pintle mounted heavy machine gun makes it difficult to ward off aircraft or gun down light vehicles like armoured cars.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The Type 63 is best used in a way that avoids direct exposure to enemy fire and gives you time to set up shots and ambushes. Running straight into battle or rushing cap points may not end well. Flanking is definitely a recommended method as this gives you the time you desperately need due to slow turret rotation and reload. It also gives you chances to shoot at enemy side armour, which is the only way to penetrate heavier enemies if you use the conventional shells. When flanking, avoid driving in the open if possible and keep an eye out for other light vehicles. Some of them, like armoured cars and Hellcats, can be overpressured by the HEAT-FS round on occasion, while others like the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]] used by several nations cannot and are best dispatched with the APHE rounds. Once a good position is reached, stay close to cover and be sure to hide when reloading.

The long reload makes selecting the right ammunition type for the situation very important. Otherwise, switching to the correct round could take up to 11 seconds, enough for an enemy to retreat or return fire. It is better to keep HEAT-FS loaded when entering an engagement if enemy types are unknown; any target that the HEAT-FS cannot overpressure can still be disabled with a careful shot to the gunner/driver/gun breech, and APHE can be used to finish crippled targets off. On the other hand, the first speedy enemies to appear at the start of a match are probably soft enough to destroy with APHE. Try to reload while in cover.

Like many domestic PRC tanks, the Type 63's gun handling is quite awful, so predict where enemies are likely to appear and always be on the lookout for potential ambushes or flankers. If your aim must be shifted rapidly, turn the hull as well as the turret. Though it lacks neutral steering, the hull traverse is quite good. Avoid trying to take down or harass aircraft unless they are bold enough to fly directly at you and escaping to cover is impossible.

Ground targets to watch out for include the infamous [[R3 T20 FA-HS]], whose extreme mobility and rapid-fire autocannon are the bane of the Type 63's bad gun handling and armour, and the [[Ru 251]], which also has incredible speed and can overpressure the Type 63 with its chemical rounds.

Besides flanking, another tactic is to use the HEAT-FS shells for long range sniping. The HEAT-FS does not lose accuracy nor penetration at range, giving you the full 300 mm penetration on each hit. Shooting and relocating is advisable due to the fact that if an enemy manages to be within range of you, they will only need one shot to take you out. Stay hidden or retreat if an enemy is looking in your direction and ready to fire, as the Type 63 does not have the gun handling or armour necessary to peek effectively. Keep an eye on the sky and switch positions after a few kills, as it is very likely that planes and artillery will be on their way to seek revenge. Virtually any aircraft can dispatch the Type 63, even those lacking bombs or rockets.

Remember to constantly mark enemies with scouting. Besides helping your team and gaining assists for yourself, it allows teammates to mop up targets that you have crippled but are unwilling or unable to finish off. The reduction in aircraft spawn cost is also valuable due to the Type 63's fragility. If a good early-game run with the tank is terminated, it should be easy to pull out a suitable CAS aircraft like the [[Tu-2S-44 (China)|Tu-2]] or counter-CAS aircraft like the [[La-9 (China)|La-9]] to exact revenge while leaving points in reserve for later spawns.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Same 85 mm gun as the [[Type 62]], more powerful and much less frustrating to use than the preceding [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]]
* HEAT-FS penetrates up to 300 mm of armour, excellent for the battle rating
* Good gun optics 3.5-7x
* 4 crew members
* Improved mobility from the PT-76
* Can scout and assist with repairs
* Amphibious

'''Cons:'''

* No stabilizer, firing on the move or on water is difficult
* Very thin armour, vulnerable to overpressure damage
* Poor gun handling
* Slow turret traverse
* Slow reload, especially for a light tank
* No night vision devices
* No sources of smoke
* Larger profile than the PT-76

== History ==


The Soviet Union delivered [[PT-76 (China) |PT-76]] tanks to the People's Republic of China in the 1950s. Their lightweight and amphibious capability were appreciated by the PLA, and in 1958 an order was placed for the development of an indigenous vehicle in the same vein. Initially a copy of the PT-76 called the Type 60 was made, but unsatisfactory performance and reliability issues prompted a redesign. The new design was finalized in 1963 and entered service as the Type 63 light tank, not to be confused with the Type 63 armoured personnel carrier that served as a basis for the [[ZSD63]]. While resembling the PT-76, the Type 63 tanks featured notable differences, such as a new engine, a relocated driver's station, and a new turret with an 85 mm gun. Overall dimensions were slightly enlarged for extra flotation. The Type 63 was intended for use in the wet and muddy terrain of southern China and also for seaborne assaults - many were stationed in the southern coast, across the strait from Taiwan.

'''Type 63''' has a V12 12150-L2 engine developing about 400 hp. Additional upgrades were developed over the years. The later Type 63 variant from the 1970s added laser rangefinder and night vision equipment. The 63HG variant from the 1990s had a boat-like hull with a rounded nose and a modified turret with a 105 mm gun. In the late 1990s, the ultimate Type 63A variant entered service. It featured a new welded turret with improved protection, a 105 mm gun, modern fire control systems, and a further redesigned hull.

The Type 63 was exported to several countries, including Myanmar, Albania, and Vietnam. It remains in use with several of them today. The Type 63A, which is a modification of the Type 63 with 105mm gun and improved armour, still serves with the PLA today, however it is being gradually replaced by the larger and more advanced ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_63_I Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76B]]
* [[PT-76 (China)]]

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62 (USSR)

2023-11-24T01:59:18Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Chinese version
| link = Type 62
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=ussr_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|market=Type-62
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai"]] as a reward vehicle for the [[wt:en/news/4416-special-war-thunder-winter-holiday-en|2016 "Winter Holiday"]] event.

While playing the Type 62, it is important to stay hidden from your enemy at all times and avoid going head-to-head with enemies that have noticed your presence and are focusing on eliminating you. The paper-thin armour on the Type 62 cannot effectively stop any shell, and, unless you're facing the British, a hit will likely result in the HE filler of the shell knocking out most of your crew / detonating your ammo racks. So it is recommended to use flanking tactics on larger maps, while staying hidden behind terrain features such as hills, trees, even in ditches, while on smaller city maps it's recommended to stay behind piles of rubble, houses, even your teammates, to avoid the enemy seeing the Type 62 before it has the opportunity to disable their gun or destroy them.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
[[File:Ammoracks_Type_62.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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. However, the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell.

When facing heavy and medium tanks of the enemy, try to knock out their gun to allow you to get a clear shot of their side, as the stock shells for the 85 mm gun on the Type 62 can't reliably penetrate tanks such as the [[T29]] and [[Tiger II (H)]] up front. However, with the HEATFS and APCR shells unlocked you'll be able to deal with heavily armoured tanks easier, so getting those early on is a must.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 will be the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, relocating without them seeing you and getting them unawares. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, smaller than the [[T-44]]
* 85 mm is similar to the one on T-44, with access to superior shells
* Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round, capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can provide AA defences
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Looks like a [[T-54 (1951)|T-54]], may cause opponents in RB and SB to take a pause to figure out what you really are
* Gun doesn't rock around a lot, can do a decent job at firing on the move

'''Cons:'''

* Very thin armour - 35 mm hull in front, 50 mm turret front armour
* Slow turret traverse
* Rather long reload
* Cramped crew and scattered ammo all over ensures easy knock-outs if penetrated
* Gun depression is -5°
* Gun is difficult to use in uneven terrain, as it takes a long time to depress / elevate the gun
* Will rarely reach more than 50 km/h off-road

== History ==


===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the [[T-54 (1951)|T-54]]. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the ''Type 59''.

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the ''Type 59-16'', which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the '''Type 62''', production name ''WZ 131''. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the ''Type 62-I'' variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's [[T-62]] main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=ussr_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|9vNN4XEnm7M|'''My Favourite Rank 4 USSR Tank - Type 62 (RB Gameplay)''' - ''CyberDeath Gaming''|4IT29C1LK30|'''Type 62 (USSR) - The First Seconds''' - ''Napalmratte''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{USSR light tanks}}
{{Winter Event}}

Type 63

2023-11-24T01:56:07Z

U41531792: /* Ammunition */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_63_I
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 63 amphibious tank (63式水陆坦克)''', the first variant of the Type 63 amphibious tank family, was China's first generation of amphibious tanks, based on the Soviet [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] and developed and built by China North Industries Corporation. In 1950, China purchased some PT-76 amphibious tanks from the Soviet Union. Using the PT-76 as a guide, China began the development of its own amphibious tank. In 1959, factories code-named 201 and 617 developed initial prototypes that replicated the PT-76, and a small number of prototypes were delivered to the Chinese People's Liberation Army for trial in 1960. Improvements were made in response to problems discovered during trial production and testing, and the design was finalized in March 1963. It was given the designation Type 63 amphibious tank and went into full production. The Type 63 amphibious tank first saw service in 1964 and was sent to North Vietnam for deployment throughout the Vietnam War. It also saw limited action in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 63 is the first domestic Chinese amphibious tank based on the Soviet-produced PT-76 amphibious light tank. The Type 63, which uses the same turret as the [[Type 62]], possesses significantly greater firepower than its Soviet counterpart. Despite its lack of armour, the Type 63 amphibious tank is equipped with HEAT-FS, which can penetrate 300 mm of armour. However, it lacks the two-plane stabilizer featured in later PT-76 variants, making accurate fire while moving difficult.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret front/sides, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 11 mm (82°) ''Upper glacis'' 14 mm (42°) ''Lower glacis'' || 13 mm ''Top'' 10 mm ''Bottom'' || 10 mm (1°) ''Top'' 10 mm (62°) ''Bottom'' || 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 11 mm (15-58°) ''Turret front'' 15 mm (10-69°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 11 mm (17-58°) || 11 mm (10-48°) || 10 mm
|-
| Cupola || 10 mm || 10 mm || 10 mm || 10 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick.
* Tracks are 15 mm thick.

The Type 63's armour is no better than the PT-76 and should not be relied upon against any incoming fire. Even heavy machine guns and autocannons pose a serious threat to this vehicle; the turret has only 11 mm of cast steel for example and can be penetrated by the M2 Browning commonly mounted on US tanks. SPAAs and aircraft will rip the tank to shreds. In general, avoid being spotted and stay close to cover. Placing bushes on the front and top of the tank to delay recognition by enemies, even for a second or two, can help considerably.

The Type 63 is vulnerable to overpressure damage. Chemical shells (HEAT, HEAT-FS, HE) of at least decent size will trigger it consistently. Kinetic shells tend to be less threatening; generally speaking, APHE rounds will only fuse if fired through the lower glacis, which has exactly enough armour to trigger the common 14 mm fuse sensitivity. The thinly armoured turret will not fuse most APHE rounds and it is possible for a [[Tiger II (P)]]'s fearsome PzGr 39/42 to pass through a turret cheek and only take one to two crew members with it.

The crew of 4 is better than the 3 in the PT-76, but the additional crew member resides in the crowded turret and the benefits to survivability are marginal.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

The {{PAGENAME}} sees a decent improvement in mobility compared to the preceding [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]], thus making this tank more attractive for flanking, or early game rushing. The {{PAGENAME}} is also good for hill-climbing and can reach some nifty positions on some maps. The mobility lags slightly behind some contemporary tanks like the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]] and wheeled Italian vehicles are much faster on roads. It will still handily outrun medium and heavy tanks. The reverse speed of about 8 km/h is a slight improvement over the T-34-85 but by no means lightning-quick. If using shoot-and-scoot tactics, start backing into cover as soon as possible after firing a shot.

As an amphibious vehicle, the Type 63 will not drown in water and can swim across rivers or lakes at 11.7 km/h. However, the lack of a gun stabilizer makes firing while on water very difficult. Avoid driving on water for more than short crossings if enemies are likely to see you, as it will be nearly impossible to defend yourself.

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

The Type 63's stock grind is less painful than the PT-76 since it has a decent gun with usable ammunition from the start. But the tank does not have much going for it over a T-34-85 until the Type 56 HEAT-FS, a Tier IV modification, is researched. Try focusing on the firepower modifications after Parts are unlocked, as the vehicle's stock mobility is not bad. Adjustment of Fire is very important since the Type 63's long reload does not give it much leeway if one's shot misses. Once the HEAT-FS is unlocked, the grind becomes significantly easier since the tank is now capable of harming enemies frontally from any distance, making assists much easier to come by and reducing its reliance on flanking.

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type-62-85-TC cannon is also used by the Type 62. This means that it has the same sluggish reload as the PT-76 despite having a dedicated loader. The gun handling is poor all-round, with the gun rotation, elevation, and depression speeds all being lower than the PT-76. This can be a pain when using the Type 63 aggressively; it is unfortunate that the gun handling cannot keep up with the good mobility.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.10 || rowspan="2" | 8.05 || rowspan="2" | 7.42 || rowspan="2" | 7.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
Two APHE shells are available. The stock Type 56 APBC round has rather low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The Type 56 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the Type 56 APBC round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 56 HVAP shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It is best used as an interim shell before the HEAT-FS is unlocked; in emergency situations it can penetrate the turret face of the [[Tiger II (H)]] at close range.

The Type 56 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 63 and is very strong for its rank. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. The main rival at the battle rating of 6.3 is the [[ST-A1]]'s 90 mm HEAT-FS with 305 mm of flat penetration. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the common [[M18 GMC|M18 Hellcat]] that are vulnerable to overpressure. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The Type 56 HE shell is very weak and should be avoided, because the HEAT-FS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 36 ''(+11)'' || 30 ''(+17)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 15 ''(+32)'' || 11 ''(+36)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || Yes
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Ammo rack #1 is in the back of the turret basket and will rotate with the turret.

The poor protection of the Type 63 means that taking less ammunition will not improve post-penetration survivability by much. Taking 30 rounds or less will empty the ammo racks in the back of the fighting compartment and turret basket, so solid projectiles entering the front right of the vehicle might pass through and hit only the loader. This is mildly helpful against British tanks and M41s. In the event that 30 rounds is not enough, a rare occurrence, it's fine to take more.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The Type 63 has a coaxial 7.62 SGMT machine gun. It is useful for spotting targets on the map but little else. The SGMT does enjoy a much larger magazine and better rate of fire than the typical WWII-era DT machine gun, which helps to clear fences and bushes that might prematurely detonate the HEAT-FS round. The lack of a pintle mounted heavy machine gun makes it difficult to ward off aircraft or gun down light vehicles like armoured cars.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The Type 63 is best used in a way that avoids direct exposure to enemy fire and gives you time to set up shots and ambushes. Running straight into battle or rushing cap points may not end well. Flanking is definitely a recommended method as this gives you the time you desperately need due to slow turret rotation and reload. It also gives you chances to shoot at enemy side armour, which is the only way to penetrate heavier enemies if you use the conventional shells. When flanking, avoid driving in the open if possible and keep an eye out for other light vehicles. Some of them, like armoured cars and Hellcats, can be overpressured by the HEAT-FS round on occasion, while others like the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]] used by several nations cannot and are best dispatched with the APHE rounds. Once a good position is reached, stay close to cover and be sure to hide when reloading.

The long reload makes selecting the right ammunition type for the situation very important. Otherwise, switching to the correct round could take up to 11 seconds, enough for an enemy to retreat or return fire. It is better to keep HEAT-FS loaded when entering an engagement if enemy types are unknown; any target that the HEAT-FS cannot overpressure can still be disabled with a careful shot to the gunner/driver/gun breech, and APHE can be used to finish crippled targets off. On the other hand, the first speedy enemies to appear at the start of a match are probably soft enough to destroy with APHE. Try to reload while in cover.

Like many domestic PRC tanks, the Type 63's gun handling is quite awful, so predict where enemies are likely to appear and always be on the lookout for potential ambushes or flankers. If your aim must be shifted rapidly, turn the hull as well as the turret. Though it lacks neutral steering, the hull traverse is quite good. Avoid trying to take down or harass aircraft unless they are bold enough to fly directly at you and escaping to cover is impossible.

Ground targets to watch out for include the infamous [[R3 T20 FA-HS]], whose extreme mobility and rapid-fire autocannon are the bane of the Type 63's bad gun handling and armour, and the [[Ru 251]], which also has incredible speed and can overpressure the Type 63 with its chemical rounds.

Besides flanking, another tactic is to use the HEAT-FS shells for long range sniping. The HEAT-FS does not lose accuracy nor penetration at range, giving you the full 300 mm penetration on each hit. Shooting and relocating is advisable due to the fact that if an enemy manages to be within range of you, they will only need one shot to take you out. Stay hidden or retreat if an enemy is looking in your direction and ready to fire, as the Type 63 does not have the gun handling or armour necessary to peek effectively. Keep an eye on the sky and switch positions after a few kills, as it is very likely that planes and artillery will be on their way to seek revenge. Virtually any aircraft can dispatch the Type 63, even those lacking bombs or rockets.

Remember to constantly mark enemies with scouting. Besides helping your team and gaining assists for yourself, it allows teammates to mop up targets that you have crippled but are unwilling or unable to finish off. The reduction in aircraft spawn cost is also valuable due to the Type 63's fragility. If a good early-game run with the tank is terminated, it should be easy to pull out a suitable CAS aircraft like the [[Tu-2S-44 (China)|Tu-2]] or counter-CAS aircraft like the [[La-9 (China)|La-9]] to exact revenge while leaving points in reserve for later spawns.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Same 85 mm gun as the [[Type 62]], more powerful and much less frustrating to use than the preceding [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]]
* HEAT-FS penetrates up to 300 mm of armour, excellent for the battle rating
* 4 crew members
* Improved mobility from the PT-76
* Can scout and assist with repairs
* Amphibious

'''Cons:'''

* No stabilizer, firing on the move or on water is difficult
* Very thin armour, vulnerable to overpressure damage
* Poor gun handling
* Slow turret traverse
* Slow reload, especially for a light tank
* No night vision devices
* No sources of smoke
* Larger profile than the PT-76

== History ==


The Soviet Union delivered [[PT-76 (China) |PT-76]] tanks to the People's Republic of China in the 1950s. Their lightweight and amphibious capability were appreciated by the PLA, and in 1958 an order was placed for the development of an indigenous vehicle in the same vein. Initially a copy of the PT-76 called the Type 60 was made, but unsatisfactory performance and reliability issues prompted a redesign. The new design was finalized in 1963 and entered service as the Type 63 light tank, not to be confused with the Type 63 armoured personnel carrier that served as a basis for the [[ZSD63]]. While resembling the PT-76, the Type 63 tanks featured notable differences, such as a new engine, a relocated driver's station, and a new turret with an 85 mm gun. Overall dimensions were slightly enlarged for extra flotation. The Type 63 was intended for use in the wet and muddy terrain of southern China and also for seaborne assaults - many were stationed in the southern coast, across the strait from Taiwan.

'''Type 63''' has a V12 12150-L2 engine developing about 400 hp. Additional upgrades were developed over the years. The later Type 63 variant from the 1970s added laser rangefinder and night vision equipment. The 63HG variant from the 1990s had a boat-like hull with a rounded nose and a modified turret with a 105 mm gun. In the late 1990s, the ultimate Type 63A variant entered service. It featured a new welded turret with improved protection, a 105 mm gun, modern fire control systems, and a further redesigned hull.

The Type 63 was exported to several countries, including Myanmar, Albania, and Vietnam. It remains in use with several of them today. The Type 63A, which is a modification of the Type 63 with 105mm gun and improved armour, still serves with the PLA today, however it is being gradually replaced by the larger and more advanced ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_63_I Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76B]]
* [[PT-76 (China)]]

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 63

2023-11-24T01:55:45Z

U41531792: /* Modifications and economy */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_63_I
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 63 amphibious tank (63式水陆坦克)''', the first variant of the Type 63 amphibious tank family, was China's first generation of amphibious tanks, based on the Soviet [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]] and developed and built by China North Industries Corporation. In 1950, China purchased some PT-76 amphibious tanks from the Soviet Union. Using the PT-76 as a guide, China began the development of its own amphibious tank. In 1959, factories code-named 201 and 617 developed initial prototypes that replicated the PT-76, and a small number of prototypes were delivered to the Chinese People's Liberation Army for trial in 1960. Improvements were made in response to problems discovered during trial production and testing, and the design was finalized in March 1963. It was given the designation Type 63 amphibious tank and went into full production. The Type 63 amphibious tank first saw service in 1964 and was sent to North Vietnam for deployment throughout the Vietnam War. It also saw limited action in the 1979 Sino-Vietnamese War.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 63 is the first domestic Chinese amphibious tank based on the Soviet-produced PT-76 amphibious light tank. The Type 63, which uses the same turret as the [[Type 62]], possesses significantly greater firepower than its Soviet counterpart. Despite its lack of armour, the Type 63 amphibious tank is equipped with HEAT-FS, which can penetrate 300 mm of armour. However, it lacks the two-plane stabilizer featured in later PT-76 variants, making accurate fire while moving difficult.

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


'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret front/sides, Gun mantlet)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 11 mm (82°) ''Upper glacis'' 14 mm (42°) ''Lower glacis'' || 13 mm ''Top'' 10 mm ''Bottom'' || 10 mm (1°) ''Top'' 10 mm (62°) ''Bottom'' || 10 mm
|-
| Turret || 11 mm (15-58°) ''Turret front'' 15 mm (10-69°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 11 mm (17-58°) || 11 mm (10-48°) || 10 mm
|-
| Cupola || 10 mm || 10 mm || 10 mm || 10 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick.
* Tracks are 15 mm thick.

The Type 63's armour is no better than the PT-76 and should not be relied upon against any incoming fire. Even heavy machine guns and autocannons pose a serious threat to this vehicle; the turret has only 11 mm of cast steel for example and can be penetrated by the M2 Browning commonly mounted on US tanks. SPAAs and aircraft will rip the tank to shreds. In general, avoid being spotted and stay close to cover. Placing bushes on the front and top of the tank to delay recognition by enemies, even for a second or two, can help considerably.

The Type 63 is vulnerable to overpressure damage. Chemical shells (HEAT, HEAT-FS, HE) of at least decent size will trigger it consistently. Kinetic shells tend to be less threatening; generally speaking, APHE rounds will only fuse if fired through the lower glacis, which has exactly enough armour to trigger the common 14 mm fuse sensitivity. The thinly armoured turret will not fuse most APHE rounds and it is possible for a [[Tiger II (P)]]'s fearsome PzGr 39/42 to pass through a turret cheek and only take one to two crew members with it.

The crew of 4 is better than the 3 in the PT-76, but the additional crew member resides in the crowded turret and the benefits to survivability are marginal.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

The {{PAGENAME}} sees a decent improvement in mobility compared to the preceding [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]], thus making this tank more attractive for flanking, or early game rushing. The {{PAGENAME}} is also good for hill-climbing and can reach some nifty positions on some maps. The mobility lags slightly behind some contemporary tanks like the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]] and wheeled Italian vehicles are much faster on roads. It will still handily outrun medium and heavy tanks. The reverse speed of about 8 km/h is a slight improvement over the T-34-85 but by no means lightning-quick. If using shoot-and-scoot tactics, start backing into cover as soon as possible after firing a shot.

As an amphibious vehicle, the Type 63 will not drown in water and can swim across rivers or lakes at 11.7 km/h. However, the lack of a gun stabilizer makes firing while on water very difficult. Avoid driving on water for more than short crossings if enemies are likely to see you, as it will be nearly impossible to defend yourself.

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

The Type 63's stock grind is less painful than the PT-76 since it has a decent gun with usable ammunition from the start. But the tank does not have much going for it over a T-34-85 until the Type 56 HEAT-FS, a Tier IV modification, is researched. Try focusing on the firepower modifications after Parts are unlocked, as the vehicle's stock mobility is not bad. Adjustment of Fire is very important since the Type 63's long reload does not give it much leeway if one's shot misses. Once the HEAT-FS is unlocked, the grind becomes significantly easier since the tank is now capable of harming enemies frontally from any distance, making assists much easier to come by and reducing its reliance on flanking.

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type-62-85-TC cannon is also used by the Type 62. This means that it has the same sluggish reload as the PT-76 despite having a dedicated loader. The gun handling is poor all-round, with the gun rotation, elevation, and depression speeds all being lower than the PT-76. This can be a pain when using the Type 63 aggressively; it is unfortunate that the gun handling cannot keep up with the good mobility.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.10 || rowspan="2" | 8.05 || rowspan="2" | 7.42 || rowspan="2" | 7.00
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
Two APHE shells are available. The stock Type 56 APBC round has rather low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The Type 56 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the Type 56 APBC round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 56 HVAP shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It is best used as an interim shell before the HEAT-FS is unlocked; in emergency situations it can penetrate the turret face of the [[Tiger II (H)]] at close range.

The Type 1956 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 63 and is very strong for its rank. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. The main rival at the battle rating of 6.3 is the [[ST-A1]]'s 90 mm HEAT-FS with 305 mm of flat penetration. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the common [[M18 GMC|M18 Hellcat]] that are vulnerable to overpressure. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The Type 56 HE shell is very weak and should be avoided, because the HEAT-FS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! 7th rack empty
! 8th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 36 ''(+11)'' || 30 ''(+17)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 15 ''(+32)'' || 11 ''(+36)'' || 7 ''(+40)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || Yes
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Ammo rack #1 is in the back of the turret basket and will rotate with the turret.

The poor protection of the Type 63 means that taking less ammunition will not improve post-penetration survivability by much. Taking 30 rounds or less will empty the ammo racks in the back of the fighting compartment and turret basket, so solid projectiles entering the front right of the vehicle might pass through and hit only the loader. This is mildly helpful against British tanks and M41s. In the event that 30 rounds is not enough, a rare occurrence, it's fine to take more.

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

{{main|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The Type 63 has a coaxial 7.62 SGMT machine gun. It is useful for spotting targets on the map but little else. The SGMT does enjoy a much larger magazine and better rate of fire than the typical WWII-era DT machine gun, which helps to clear fences and bushes that might prematurely detonate the HEAT-FS round. The lack of a pintle mounted heavy machine gun makes it difficult to ward off aircraft or gun down light vehicles like armoured cars.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==


The Type 63 is best used in a way that avoids direct exposure to enemy fire and gives you time to set up shots and ambushes. Running straight into battle or rushing cap points may not end well. Flanking is definitely a recommended method as this gives you the time you desperately need due to slow turret rotation and reload. It also gives you chances to shoot at enemy side armour, which is the only way to penetrate heavier enemies if you use the conventional shells. When flanking, avoid driving in the open if possible and keep an eye out for other light vehicles. Some of them, like armoured cars and Hellcats, can be overpressured by the HEAT-FS round on occasion, while others like the [[M41A1|M41 Walker Bulldog]] used by several nations cannot and are best dispatched with the APHE rounds. Once a good position is reached, stay close to cover and be sure to hide when reloading.

The long reload makes selecting the right ammunition type for the situation very important. Otherwise, switching to the correct round could take up to 11 seconds, enough for an enemy to retreat or return fire. It is better to keep HEAT-FS loaded when entering an engagement if enemy types are unknown; any target that the HEAT-FS cannot overpressure can still be disabled with a careful shot to the gunner/driver/gun breech, and APHE can be used to finish crippled targets off. On the other hand, the first speedy enemies to appear at the start of a match are probably soft enough to destroy with APHE. Try to reload while in cover.

Like many domestic PRC tanks, the Type 63's gun handling is quite awful, so predict where enemies are likely to appear and always be on the lookout for potential ambushes or flankers. If your aim must be shifted rapidly, turn the hull as well as the turret. Though it lacks neutral steering, the hull traverse is quite good. Avoid trying to take down or harass aircraft unless they are bold enough to fly directly at you and escaping to cover is impossible.

Ground targets to watch out for include the infamous [[R3 T20 FA-HS]], whose extreme mobility and rapid-fire autocannon are the bane of the Type 63's bad gun handling and armour, and the [[Ru 251]], which also has incredible speed and can overpressure the Type 63 with its chemical rounds.

Besides flanking, another tactic is to use the HEAT-FS shells for long range sniping. The HEAT-FS does not lose accuracy nor penetration at range, giving you the full 300 mm penetration on each hit. Shooting and relocating is advisable due to the fact that if an enemy manages to be within range of you, they will only need one shot to take you out. Stay hidden or retreat if an enemy is looking in your direction and ready to fire, as the Type 63 does not have the gun handling or armour necessary to peek effectively. Keep an eye on the sky and switch positions after a few kills, as it is very likely that planes and artillery will be on their way to seek revenge. Virtually any aircraft can dispatch the Type 63, even those lacking bombs or rockets.

Remember to constantly mark enemies with scouting. Besides helping your team and gaining assists for yourself, it allows teammates to mop up targets that you have crippled but are unwilling or unable to finish off. The reduction in aircraft spawn cost is also valuable due to the Type 63's fragility. If a good early-game run with the tank is terminated, it should be easy to pull out a suitable CAS aircraft like the [[Tu-2S-44 (China)|Tu-2]] or counter-CAS aircraft like the [[La-9 (China)|La-9]] to exact revenge while leaving points in reserve for later spawns.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Same 85 mm gun as the [[Type 62]], more powerful and much less frustrating to use than the preceding [[PT-76 (China)|PT-76]]
* HEAT-FS penetrates up to 300 mm of armour, excellent for the battle rating
* 4 crew members
* Improved mobility from the PT-76
* Can scout and assist with repairs
* Amphibious

'''Cons:'''

* No stabilizer, firing on the move or on water is difficult
* Very thin armour, vulnerable to overpressure damage
* Poor gun handling
* Slow turret traverse
* Slow reload, especially for a light tank
* No night vision devices
* No sources of smoke
* Larger profile than the PT-76

== History ==


The Soviet Union delivered [[PT-76 (China) |PT-76]] tanks to the People's Republic of China in the 1950s. Their lightweight and amphibious capability were appreciated by the PLA, and in 1958 an order was placed for the development of an indigenous vehicle in the same vein. Initially a copy of the PT-76 called the Type 60 was made, but unsatisfactory performance and reliability issues prompted a redesign. The new design was finalized in 1963 and entered service as the Type 63 light tank, not to be confused with the Type 63 armoured personnel carrier that served as a basis for the [[ZSD63]]. While resembling the PT-76, the Type 63 tanks featured notable differences, such as a new engine, a relocated driver's station, and a new turret with an 85 mm gun. Overall dimensions were slightly enlarged for extra flotation. The Type 63 was intended for use in the wet and muddy terrain of southern China and also for seaborne assaults - many were stationed in the southern coast, across the strait from Taiwan.

'''Type 63''' has a V12 12150-L2 engine developing about 400 hp. Additional upgrades were developed over the years. The later Type 63 variant from the 1970s added laser rangefinder and night vision equipment. The 63HG variant from the 1990s had a boat-like hull with a rounded nose and a modified turret with a 105 mm gun. In the late 1990s, the ultimate Type 63A variant entered service. It featured a new welded turret with improved protection, a 105 mm gun, modern fire control systems, and a further redesigned hull.

The Type 63 was exported to several countries, including Myanmar, Albania, and Vietnam. It remains in use with several of them today. The Type 63A, which is a modification of the Type 63 with 105mm gun and improved armour, still serves with the PLA today, however it is being gradually replaced by the larger and more advanced ZTD-05 amphibious assault vehicle.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_63_I Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[PT-76B]]
* [[PT-76 (China)]]

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

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

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:53:59Z

U41531792: /* Usage in battles */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I|Type 63]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63 with good optics (3.5-7.0x zoom), but the gun depression is still poor, only -5 degree. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63. Two APHE shells are available. The stock Type 56 APBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The Type 56 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the Type 56 APBC round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 56 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The Type 56 HVAP shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock Type 56 HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the Type 56 APBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:52:34Z

U41531792: /* Ammunition */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I|Type 63]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63 with good optics (3.5-7.0x zoom), but the gun depression is still poor, only -5 degree. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63. Two APHE shells are available. The stock Type 56 APBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The Type 56 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the Type 56 APBC round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 56 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The Type 56 HVAP shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock Type 56 HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the BR-365A APHEBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:51:03Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I|Type 63]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63 with good optics (3.5-7.0x zoom), but the gun depression is still poor, only -5 degree. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63. Two APHE shells are available. The stock BR-365A APHEBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The BR-367 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the BR-365A round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 1956 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The BR-367P APCR shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock O-365K HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the BR-365A APHEBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:48:35Z

U41531792: /* Ammunition */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I|Type 63]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63-I but boasts a faster reload time, now identical to the [[T-34-85]]. It also has better optics (3.5-7.0x zoom) and one extra degree of gun depression for ease of use when sniping or fighting on hilly terrain. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63. Two APHE shells are available. The stock BR-365A APHEBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The BR-367 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the BR-365A round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 1956 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The BR-367P APCR shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock O-365K HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the BR-365A APHEBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:48:16Z

U41531792: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I|Type 63]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63-I but boasts a faster reload time, now identical to the [[T-34-85]]. It also has better optics (3.5-7.0x zoom) and one extra degree of gun depression for ease of use when sniping or fighting on hilly terrain. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63-I. Two APHE shells are available. The stock BR-365A APHEBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The BR-367 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the BR-365A round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 1956 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The BR-367P APCR shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock O-365K HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the BR-365A APHEBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:47:22Z

U41531792: /* Survivability and armour */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I|Type 63]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63-I but boasts a faster reload time, now identical to the [[T-34-85]]. It also has better optics (3.5-7.0x zoom) and one extra degree of gun depression for ease of use when sniping or fighting on hilly terrain. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63-I. Two APHE shells are available. The stock BR-365A APHEBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The BR-367 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the BR-365A round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 1956 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The BR-367P APCR shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock O-365K HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the BR-365A APHEBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63-I.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63-I, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 1956 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

Type 62

2023-11-24T01:46:59Z

U41531792: /* Mobility */

{{About
| about = Chinese light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = the Soviet version
| link = Type 62 (USSR)
}}
{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_type_62
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''Type 62 light tank (62式轻坦)''', developed and produced by China North Industries Corporation, is a Chinese light tank developed in the early 1960s that is based on the Chinese [[Type 59|Type 59 medium tank]] with a reduced main gun calibre, lighter armour, and a smaller suite of electronics and other equipment designed to reduce weight. The Chinese Type 62 tank was conceptualized in 1958, finalized in 1962, and put into production and service in 1963. It is primarily utilized by armoured divisions in China's southern region, where the environment is rocky and mountainous. The Type 63 light tank is mainly used for critical tasks such as reconnaissance, infantry support, and combat against enemy lightly armoured vehicles. The Type 62 light tank has a total combat weight of 21 tons and can withstand most machine guns and close-blast shell fragments. A total of around 1,500 tanks had been constructed by the time production ceased in 1989.

Introduced in [[Update 1.91 "Night Vision"]], the Type 62 light tank is the downsized version of the heavier Type 59 medium tank. The Type 62 light tank, armed with the 85 mm Type-62-85-TC tank gun and an extensive inventory of ammunition, can easily engage any enemy vehicle from any distance. The Type 62 light tank is low-profile and nimble, making it ideal for maps with dense vegetation and rugged terrain. This allows the player to get into areas that are not normally expected by the opposing side and prepare a dedicated ambush.

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


The Type 62's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Frontal protection is generally sufficient to resist heavy machine guns and possibly smaller autocannons that would have destroyed the previous [[Type 63-I]], but this is not quite the case for the side, rear, and roof armour. Any actual tank cannon will pass right through and the armour is thick enough to trigger the fuses of APHE rounds. The Type 62's best defense is not being seen. That said, enemy aircraft armed with machine guns or cannons will have to put some work into destroying it from above, so compared to other light tanks it is quite decent.

The crew layout is essentially the same as the Type 59/T-54, but the tank is so cramped that any penetrating shot is very likely to knock out multiple crew members or potentially the entire tank.

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 35 mm (57°) ''Front glacis'' 25 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 15 mm (7-52°) || 20 mm ''Front'' 15 mm ''Engine deck'' 5 mm ''Engine grille''
|-
| Turret || 50 mm (9-59°) ''Turret front'' 50 mm (2-66°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 35 mm (11-44°) || 32 mm (11-46°) || 20 mm
|-
| Cupola || 30 mm || 30 mm || 30 mm || 20 mmm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

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


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=666|rbMinHp=380}}

The Type 62's mobility is fairly good. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, allowing it to accelerate quickly. The reverse speed of -8 km/h in Realistic Battles is worse than some other light tanks like the [[M41A1]] or especially the [[Ru 251]], but it is good by Soviet/Chinese standards. It lacks neutral steering and the hull traverse is not decent.

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

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

{{main|Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)}}

The Type 62 uses the same cannon as the Type 63-I but boasts a faster reload time, now identical to the [[T-34-85]]. It also has better optics (3.5-7.0x zoom) and one extra degree of gun depression for ease of use when sniping or fighting on hilly terrain. The elephant in the room is the very poor turret rotation speed, which unfortunately has not been improved. Be sure to keep the turret pointed towards likely enemy locations and use the hull traverse when needed.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)|85 mm Type-62-85-TC]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 9.52 || 13.18 || 16.00 || 17.69 || 18.82 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.95 || 7.00 || 8.50 || 9.40 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
The Type 62 has the same ammunition selection as the Type 63-I. Two APHE shells are available. The stock BR-365A APHEBC round has low penetration for its rank, but this is compensated by its excellent slope modifiers and high explosive mass. It penetrates other light tanks easily and is the best round to use when flanking. The BR-367 APCBC round has about 30 mm of extra penetration with less than half the TNT equivalent; while this is not a bad tradeoff, in practice it does not frontally penetrate many vehicles that the BR-365A round cannot, and when flanking the lower post-penetration damage is a big drawback. Using one or the other is mostly up to personal taste, though it does not hurt to bring some of both.

The Type 1956 HEAT-FS shell is the most powerful option available to the Type 62, and thankfully it can be unlocked as a Tier 2 modification. 300 mm of flat penetration at any distance with good velocity and angled performance is no joke, capable of nullifying the armour of many heavy tanks. It boasts more TNT equivalent than the HE shell, making it dangerous to lightly armoured targets like the [[Ru 251]] or the [[T92]]. The main drawbacks are the mediocre post-penetration damage and the tendency to bounce against heavily sloped armour, so aim carefully for important crew members, modules, and ammo racks.

The BR-367P APCR shell has high velocity and better flat penetration than the APHE rounds, but as with other shells of its class, the angled performance and post-penetration damage are awful. It does not have much utility on the Type 62 since both it and the HEATFS are Tier 2 modifications; since the HEATFS is superior for all practical purposes, it makes sense to grind that out first, at which point the APCR is obsolete.

The stock O-365K HE shell is very weak and should be avoided. It is not even strong enough to damage light vehicles reliably and the HEATFS is better in all aspects.

{{:Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)/Ammunition|BR-365A, BR-367, BR-367P, Type 1956 HEAT-FS, O-365K}}

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 45 ''(+2)'' || 37 ''(+10)'' || 31 ''(+16)'' || 23 ''(+24)'' || 21 ''(+26)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Note''':

* Turret empty: 37 ''(+10)'' shells

The Type 62 has poor enough survivability that taking a significant ammo load does not have many negative effects. Emptying out the turret by taking 37 rounds or fewer may increase survivability slightly against targets using APDS or solid shot rounds since it is less likely that a turret penetration will knock out more than 1-2 crew members.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

The pintle-mounted Type 54 is a nifty tool for mowing down lightly armoured vehicles, destroying fences and bushes that get in the way of HEATFS rounds, and discouraging enemy fighters that may try to strafe the Type 62. Remember that it has a limited belt capacity of only 50 rounds and the depression is very poor. It is controlled by the loader as opposed to the commander, so it remains operational even if one crew member is lost.

== Usage in battles ==


With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. Avoid getting seen and stick close to concealment and cover. However it is important to note that the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not. Always have a backup plan in case your shot does not disable the enemy in one hit, which will typically mean moving to cover immediately and waiting for the target to be distracted. If you need to retreat, the Type 62 now has access to barrel-type smoke grenades seen on the [[ZTZ59A]] and a number of Soviet tanks, which should allow you to safely turn around and leave the area.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell. The good optics are helpful for this HEAT-slinging strategy, but be wary of sniper duels with other light tanks. The Type 62 does not have high-velocity APDS and a quick reload like the [[T92]] and the [[Ru 251]] boasts superior optics and a better muzzle velocity for its own HEATFS. These two targets are vulnerable to HEAT rounds and a single successful hit can put them out of commission. The M41 Walker Bulldog used by the [[M41A1|USA]], [[M41A1 (Japan)|Japan]], and [[LeKPz M41|Germany]] has excellent optics, APDS, and quick reloading, but suffers from a large profile and a bouncy suspension. Using the BR-365A APHEBC round against it usually results in an easy one-shot kill.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 are large heavy tanks like the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, quietly relocating and catching them unaware. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull. Remember that these tanks tend to have their crew members and modules spaced out and it is very important to aim carefully with the HEATFS. A tank that has only suffered minor damage with full knowledge of the Type 62's location is very dangerous.

The Type 62 works best on large, fairly open maps where there are good sightlines. Enemies can be identified from a safe distance, there are often ridgelines or other gentle forms of cover that offer concealment and scouting opportunities, and it is less likely that an enemy will appear suddenly with little time to react. Small, cluttered maps can be painful since urban combat tends to involve enemies suddenly appearing on flanks or around corners, and the Type 62's bad gun handling makes surprise encounters difficult.

The Type 62 has a notable learning curve and it may take a while to adjust to both using the gun and figuring out the best combat tactics. It requires good map knowledge and situational awareness to spot enemies ahead of time and find good hiding and ambush spots. Good shot placement is required with the HEATFS rounds and it will take some practice to grow accustomed to the higher zoom and learn the location of ammo racks and other critical modules for enemy tanks. Once mastered, the Type 62 can offer valuable scouting information to teammates and take out targets opportunistically, either up close or from across the map.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
* Small profile, easier to hide compared to the Type 63-I.
* Commonly mistaken for more heavily armoured tanks such as the T-54 or the Type 59
* Better frontal protection than the Type 63-I, cannot be machine-gunned to death from the front
* Access to Type 1956 HEAT-FS round capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour, lethal against even heavy tanks
* APHEBC shells are great for side shots, can one-shot most tanks at its rank
* Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can be used for fending off aircraft or light vehicles
* Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
* Good optics, up to 7.0x zoom
* Earliest PRC tank with smoke grenades

'''Cons:'''

* Poor gun handling, turret rotation and elevation speeds are sluggish
* Thin armour, low crew survivability
* Somewhat slow reload
* Bad gun depression
* Reverse speed could be better

== History ==

===Development===
After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the [[Type 59]].

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

===Combat Usage===
The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Banglades, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_type_62 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|x9j_vkktERY|'''The {{PAGENAME}} Is Hard - First Impression''' - ''RedFang''}}

== See also ==


;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

* [[Type 62 (USSR)]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Type_62|[Wikipedia] Type 62]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

ZTS63

2023-11-24T01:43:59Z

U41531792: /* Ammunition */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zts_63_1980
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''ZTS63''' (Chinese: ZTS63式水陆两栖坦克, industry code WZ211; known as Type 63 before 1987 nomenclature revision), originally certified in 1963 as the amphibious tank for PLANMC or PLAGF units with the need to cross the water bodies abundant in Asia, received some of the technologies used on ZTZ59A and ZTQ62 that had already been installed successfully since 1980; in the ZTS63's case, it received a laser rangefinder and better fire control system for long-range fire support. These tanks served during the Sino-Vietnamese War in the early 1980s as a supporter to troops against Vietnamese troops and militia with very few tanks in service; although having insufficient protection against cannons and RPGs, these vehicles were kept in service until the later ZTS63A and eventually ZLT05 or newer IFVs replaced its role as an amphibious tank, marking the end of the prefix ZTS in PLA service.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], players of the [[Type 62]] or [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] will soon find themselves at home thanks to its identical handling and overall design. Some welcome upgrades including better FCS and the installation of a Type 54 DShK machine gun also make it a more versatile alternative to its predecessors. With both APFSDS and a laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic solutions, not only does this greatly extend the combat distance of the tank, it also greatly increases its odds to survive as this feature is extremely rare at its tier. However, players will still have to beware of its below-average protection against even HMGs and rather slow turret traverse speed, these could be fatal if players run into heated fights without the situational awareness needed.

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

One thing to note is that the name of ZTS63 is interchangeable with Type 63, other than the name change after 1980, HMG on turret and a LRF on the mantlet by the centerline, the overall design of these two tanks are totally identical. For the needs of amphibious operations, the protection is reduced to the bare minimum to stop rifle calibre bullets and shrapnel; other than the mantlet at 50 mm, the whole vehicle has only up to 20 mm of armour: autocannons and HMGs will tear down the vehicle with ease. So it's better to keep the vehicle from the heated battlefield and act as a supporter of the team to deliver possible final blow to enemy vehicles or disabling enemies as much as possible.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) UFP
15 mm (54°) LFP
| 10 mm ''Top'' 8 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" |20 mm (Volumetric)
| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTS63 didn't receive any upgrades in terms of powerplant and transmission, so it shares the same 12150L-2 diesel engine found previously on Type 63; the very slight or even no weight change on the tank also means it can retain a sufficiently high power-to-weight ratio at around 20 hp/t. If players ever have the need to flank enemies by taking detours on water, it could also travel on water at 11 km/h, one of the fastest speed among other amphibious vehicle in game.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type 63 (85 mm)}}

Still sharing the same gun as the Type 62 and 63, the Type 63 85 mm rifled cannon still handles totally identically to the Type 63 with some changes on the ammunition available. Players will find the same exact advantages and flaws from previous vehicles - while the calibre is larger than most light tanks of its tier with a variety of ammunition and now APFSDS among them, players need extra situational awareness to use the gun as it has much slower reaction time than most light tanks at its tier as well; plan ahead and turn the turret before any close-quarter assaults.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 63 (85 mm)|85 mm Type 63]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 63 (85 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1956 HEAT-FS, Type 56 HE, Type 56 AP, DJW85}}

The ZTS63's rounds are somewhat different from the original Type 63. The Type 56 APBC (Aka BR365 APHEBC) shell, well known for its generous explosive content and slope modifiers, is not available anymore. The returning Type 56 HEAT-FS is now the stock shell, which gives the ZTS63 the ability to engage heavy tanks like the [[IS-3]] from the start. Compared to the [[ZBD86]]'s PG-9 rocket propelled grenade, the HEAT-FS has the same penetration and a better muzzle velocity, which is helpful at medium and long ranges.

The stock "Type 56 HE" shell is a renamed O-365K and should be completely ignored, because the HEAT-FS has a greater explosive mass.

The only APHE shell available is the unlockable "Type 56 APCBC", a renamed BR-367 APCBC. Although it is not as efficient for one-shotting light targets or scoring sideshots as BR-365, it still gets the job done with some careful aim and the enhanced flat penetration is nice to have. Enemy IFVs can be dispatched easily with a single AP shell, even from across the map, due to their thin armour and typically large profiles.

The top round is the DJW85 APFSDS, something completely new to the 85 mm caliber. Although Chinese tankers may be apprehensive about early domestic APFSDS rounds, DJW85 actually has better performance than the [[Type 69]]'s Type 71 AFPSDS despite being a significantly smaller round. Although it has a a lower muzzle velocity, it does not lose as much penetration over distances. The 2.1 kg projectile mass is not able to create much spalling, but it is a useful tool for disabling shots and targeting ammo racks in long range combat.

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 18 ''(+29)'' || 10 ''(+37)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* It is recommended to take 42 ''(+5)'' shells to clear the turret of ammunition.
* Taking 18 ''(+29)'' shells clears the right hull of ammunition.
* Taking 10 ''(+37)'' shells clears both hull sides of ammunition.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The previous Type 63 has no HMG installed on top; in ZTS63's case, it has a pintle Type 54 DShK installed on the commander side of turret, giving it the chance to unleash 12.7 mm bullets against light targets or aircraft/helicopters that came too close.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

At first glance, ZTS63 looks exactly like its pre-1980 cousin Type 63; this is indeed true as they are the same vehicle plus new FCS and a HMG mounted on the former, players from Type 63 will get their hands on the tank rather quickly thanks to their totally identical handling in terms of mobility and tactical flexibility to flank enemies. Do remember that ZTS63 is still a light tank with minimal protection due to its amphibious capability (for buoyancy reasons at complicated waters), while the turret might look very similar to T-54/ Type 59's, but the thickness is at most rated for HMG fire at longer distance; anything with a caliber of over 20 mm with have no problem tearing down the tank with ease, let alone the chassis with even less protection. The design of ZTS63 is relatively large to LTs at its tier, therefore it is extremely essential to conceal the vehicle from enemy sights, going frontline means a quick death sentence to the tank as well; thus, the lightweight of the vehicle could be put into use by flanking enemies by taking detours to enemies' flanks, alternatively utilize the river network on some maps to launch sudden attacks from the rear (its 11 km/h on-water speed thanks to the water jet propulsion system certainly helps a lot). Another uncommon feature of ZTS63 from most LTs of its tier is its LRF and automatic ballistic solution, the tank might have insufficient magnification for long-range engagements, but the two aforementioned equipment will certainly helps taking out enemies showing their sides from afar; its stock HEATFS shell also helps as most LTs would have to either have to rely on APCR with subpar damage or lacking a rangefinder for long-range engagements. If HEATFS is not your cup of tea, its researchable, conventional APHE and the only 85 mm APFSDS in game will certainly give players more option to take down various enemies- APHE for hitting enemies from the sides and blowing them out with its explosive fillers, while APFSDS ensures flat trajectory and penetration to take out heavy targets up-front or at long range. Although messing with aircrafts or rotorcrafts on a ZTS63 is a rather unrecommended move, if there's one flying straight at the player, they might have to reconsider as the Type 54 DShK will give ZTS63 a chance to earn a surprise kill on aircrafts; 12.7x108 mm bullets can certainly do extensive damage to enemies.

Overall, ZTS63 is a welcomed addition to PLAGF line-up thanks to its better FCS and various ammunition options; but do remember to plan your assaults ahead or turn the turret beforehand for incoming, unaware enemies, sudden strikes from unexpected places is the key to support the team to advance for victory.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amphibious, allowing the use of surprise tactics involving rivers
* Fast and nimble enough to get into vantage points
* Laser rangefinder and automatic ballistic solution for long-range engagement
* Access to HMG for self-defense against planes
* APFSDS with ~220 mm penetration is effective against weakly armoured tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30]]
* Varieties of ammunition for different scenario

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: unprotected with its paper-thin armour, and large size
* Cannon struggles against late war heavy tanks like [[Maus]], [[IS-4M|IS-4]]
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Relatively slow reload speed
* Still lacks NVD for night battles
* No smoke grenades

== History ==

As the previous Type 63 (ZTS63 after 1987) was commissioned by 1965, there were some flaws suggested by the PLA units that received the tank, thus the need for an upgrade on ZTS63 arose. There were a few major modifications for the tank including single transmission control stick, HMG gun mantle, safety locks for hatches, revised seats, new suspension springs and etc. Among these modifications, some parts from late-production ZTQ62 including its fire control system and laser rangefinder were also introduced to the ZTS63 revision by the late 1970s. These tanks rolled off the production line by the same time and likely have join the Sino-Vietnamese War where its FCS and amphibious capabilities would shine due to the rivery terrain of Vietnam, where they were sometimes used as makeshift SPGs to strike fortifications or suppressing waves of infantry.

Some of these tanks were then modified to ZTS63A in the late 1990s with upgraded firepower in view for the possible landing operations. Although the landing didn't happen, the ZTS63A also set the footsteps for the later ZLT05 assault gun which is also currently the fastest amphibious armoured vehicle in commission.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_zts_63_1980 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Type 63-I|Type 63]]: the base model

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8092-development-zts63-1980-nimble-sniper-en|[Devblog] ZTS63 (1980): Nimble Sniper]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

ZTS63

2023-11-24T01:42:03Z

U41531792: /* Machine guns */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zts_63_1980
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''ZTS63''' (Chinese: ZTS63式水陆两栖坦克, industry code WZ211; known as Type 63 before 1987 nomenclature revision), originally certified in 1963 as the amphibious tank for PLANMC or PLAGF units with the need to cross the water bodies abundant in Asia, received some of the technologies used on ZTZ59A and ZTQ62 that had already been installed successfully since 1980; in the ZTS63's case, it received a laser rangefinder and better fire control system for long-range fire support. These tanks served during the Sino-Vietnamese War in the early 1980s as a supporter to troops against Vietnamese troops and militia with very few tanks in service; although having insufficient protection against cannons and RPGs, these vehicles were kept in service until the later ZTS63A and eventually ZLT05 or newer IFVs replaced its role as an amphibious tank, marking the end of the prefix ZTS in PLA service.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], players of the [[Type 62]] or [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] will soon find themselves at home thanks to its identical handling and overall design. Some welcome upgrades including better FCS and the installation of a Type 54 DShK machine gun also make it a more versatile alternative to its predecessors. With both APFSDS and a laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic solutions, not only does this greatly extend the combat distance of the tank, it also greatly increases its odds to survive as this feature is extremely rare at its tier. However, players will still have to beware of its below-average protection against even HMGs and rather slow turret traverse speed, these could be fatal if players run into heated fights without the situational awareness needed.

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

One thing to note is that the name of ZTS63 is interchangeable with Type 63, other than the name change after 1980, HMG on turret and a LRF on the mantlet by the centerline, the overall design of these two tanks are totally identical. For the needs of amphibious operations, the protection is reduced to the bare minimum to stop rifle calibre bullets and shrapnel; other than the mantlet at 50 mm, the whole vehicle has only up to 20 mm of armour: autocannons and HMGs will tear down the vehicle with ease. So it's better to keep the vehicle from the heated battlefield and act as a supporter of the team to deliver possible final blow to enemy vehicles or disabling enemies as much as possible.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) UFP
15 mm (54°) LFP
| 10 mm ''Top'' 8 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" |20 mm (Volumetric)
| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTS63 didn't receive any upgrades in terms of powerplant and transmission, so it shares the same 12150L-2 diesel engine found previously on Type 63; the very slight or even no weight change on the tank also means it can retain a sufficiently high power-to-weight ratio at around 20 hp/t. If players ever have the need to flank enemies by taking detours on water, it could also travel on water at 11 km/h, one of the fastest speed among other amphibious vehicle in game.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type 63 (85 mm)}}

Still sharing the same gun as the Type 62 and 63, the Type 63 85 mm rifled cannon still handles totally identically to the Type 63 with some changes on the ammunition available. Players will find the same exact advantages and flaws from previous vehicles - while the calibre is larger than most light tanks of its tier with a variety of ammunition and now APFSDS among them, players need extra situational awareness to use the gun as it has much slower reaction time than most light tanks at its tier as well; plan ahead and turn the turret before any close-quarter assaults.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 63 (85 mm)|85 mm Type 63]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 63 (85 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1956 HEAT-FS, Type 56 HE, Type 56 AP, DJW85}}

The ZTS63's rounds are somewhat different from the original Type 63. The BR-365A APHEBC shell, well known for its generous explosive content and slope modifiers, is not available anymore. The returning Type 1956 HEAT-FS is now the stock shell, which gives the ZTS63 the ability to engage heavy tanks like the [[IS-3]] from the start. Compared to the [[ZBD86]]'s PG-9 rocket propelled grenade, the HEAT-FS has the same penetration and a better muzzle velocity, which is helpful at medium and long ranges.

The stock "Type 56 HE" shell is a renamed O-365K and should be completely ignored, because the HEAT-FS has a greater explosive mass.

The only APHE shell available is the unlockable "Type 56 AP", a renamed BR-367 APCBC. Although it is not as efficient for one-shotting light targets or scoring sideshots as BR-365A, it still gets the job done with some careful aim and the enhanced flat penetration is nice to have. Enemy IFVs can be dispatched easily with a single AP shell, even from across the map, due to their thin armour and typically large profiles.

The top round is the DJW85 APFSDS, something completely new to the 85 mm caliber. Although Chinese tankers may be apprehensive about early domestic APFSDS rounds, DJW85 actually has better performance than the [[Type 69]]'s Type 71 AFPSDS despite being a significantly smaller round. Although it has a a lower muzzle velocity, it does not lose as much penetration over distances. The 2.1 kg projectile mass is not able to create much spalling, but it is a useful tool for disabling shots and targeting ammo racks in long range combat.

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 18 ''(+29)'' || 10 ''(+37)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* It is recommended to take 42 ''(+5)'' shells to clear the turret of ammunition.
* Taking 18 ''(+29)'' shells clears the right hull of ammunition.
* Taking 10 ''(+37)'' shells clears both hull sides of ammunition.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The previous Type 63 has no HMG installed on top; in ZTS63's case, it has a pintle Type 54 DShK installed on the commander side of turret, giving it the chance to unleash 12.7 mm bullets against light targets or aircraft/helicopters that came too close.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

At first glance, ZTS63 looks exactly like its pre-1980 cousin Type 63; this is indeed true as they are the same vehicle plus new FCS and a HMG mounted on the former, players from Type 63 will get their hands on the tank rather quickly thanks to their totally identical handling in terms of mobility and tactical flexibility to flank enemies. Do remember that ZTS63 is still a light tank with minimal protection due to its amphibious capability (for buoyancy reasons at complicated waters), while the turret might look very similar to T-54/ Type 59's, but the thickness is at most rated for HMG fire at longer distance; anything with a caliber of over 20 mm with have no problem tearing down the tank with ease, let alone the chassis with even less protection. The design of ZTS63 is relatively large to LTs at its tier, therefore it is extremely essential to conceal the vehicle from enemy sights, going frontline means a quick death sentence to the tank as well; thus, the lightweight of the vehicle could be put into use by flanking enemies by taking detours to enemies' flanks, alternatively utilize the river network on some maps to launch sudden attacks from the rear (its 11 km/h on-water speed thanks to the water jet propulsion system certainly helps a lot). Another uncommon feature of ZTS63 from most LTs of its tier is its LRF and automatic ballistic solution, the tank might have insufficient magnification for long-range engagements, but the two aforementioned equipment will certainly helps taking out enemies showing their sides from afar; its stock HEATFS shell also helps as most LTs would have to either have to rely on APCR with subpar damage or lacking a rangefinder for long-range engagements. If HEATFS is not your cup of tea, its researchable, conventional APHE and the only 85 mm APFSDS in game will certainly give players more option to take down various enemies- APHE for hitting enemies from the sides and blowing them out with its explosive fillers, while APFSDS ensures flat trajectory and penetration to take out heavy targets up-front or at long range. Although messing with aircrafts or rotorcrafts on a ZTS63 is a rather unrecommended move, if there's one flying straight at the player, they might have to reconsider as the Type 54 DShK will give ZTS63 a chance to earn a surprise kill on aircrafts; 12.7x108 mm bullets can certainly do extensive damage to enemies.

Overall, ZTS63 is a welcomed addition to PLAGF line-up thanks to its better FCS and various ammunition options; but do remember to plan your assaults ahead or turn the turret beforehand for incoming, unaware enemies, sudden strikes from unexpected places is the key to support the team to advance for victory.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amphibious, allowing the use of surprise tactics involving rivers
* Fast and nimble enough to get into vantage points
* Laser rangefinder and automatic ballistic solution for long-range engagement
* Access to HMG for self-defense against planes
* APFSDS with ~220 mm penetration is effective against weakly armoured tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30]]
* Varieties of ammunition for different scenario

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: unprotected with its paper-thin armour, and large size
* Cannon struggles against late war heavy tanks like [[Maus]], [[IS-4M|IS-4]]
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Relatively slow reload speed
* Still lacks NVD for night battles
* No smoke grenades

== History ==

As the previous Type 63 (ZTS63 after 1987) was commissioned by 1965, there were some flaws suggested by the PLA units that received the tank, thus the need for an upgrade on ZTS63 arose. There were a few major modifications for the tank including single transmission control stick, HMG gun mantle, safety locks for hatches, revised seats, new suspension springs and etc. Among these modifications, some parts from late-production ZTQ62 including its fire control system and laser rangefinder were also introduced to the ZTS63 revision by the late 1970s. These tanks rolled off the production line by the same time and likely have join the Sino-Vietnamese War where its FCS and amphibious capabilities would shine due to the rivery terrain of Vietnam, where they were sometimes used as makeshift SPGs to strike fortifications or suppressing waves of infantry.

Some of these tanks were then modified to ZTS63A in the late 1990s with upgraded firepower in view for the possible landing operations. Although the landing didn't happen, the ZTS63A also set the footsteps for the later ZLT05 assault gun which is also currently the fastest amphibious armoured vehicle in commission.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_zts_63_1980 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Type 63-I|Type 63]]: the base model

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8092-development-zts63-1980-nimble-sniper-en|[Devblog] ZTS63 (1980): Nimble Sniper]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

ZTS63

2023-11-24T01:41:45Z

U41531792: /* Usage in battles */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zts_63_1980
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''ZTS63''' (Chinese: ZTS63式水陆两栖坦克, industry code WZ211; known as Type 63 before 1987 nomenclature revision), originally certified in 1963 as the amphibious tank for PLANMC or PLAGF units with the need to cross the water bodies abundant in Asia, received some of the technologies used on ZTZ59A and ZTQ62 that had already been installed successfully since 1980; in the ZTS63's case, it received a laser rangefinder and better fire control system for long-range fire support. These tanks served during the Sino-Vietnamese War in the early 1980s as a supporter to troops against Vietnamese troops and militia with very few tanks in service; although having insufficient protection against cannons and RPGs, these vehicles were kept in service until the later ZTS63A and eventually ZLT05 or newer IFVs replaced its role as an amphibious tank, marking the end of the prefix ZTS in PLA service.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], players of the [[Type 62]] or [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] will soon find themselves at home thanks to its identical handling and overall design. Some welcome upgrades including better FCS and the installation of a Type 54 DShK machine gun also make it a more versatile alternative to its predecessors. With both APFSDS and a laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic solutions, not only does this greatly extend the combat distance of the tank, it also greatly increases its odds to survive as this feature is extremely rare at its tier. However, players will still have to beware of its below-average protection against even HMGs and rather slow turret traverse speed, these could be fatal if players run into heated fights without the situational awareness needed.

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

One thing to note is that the name of ZTS63 is interchangeable with Type 63, other than the name change after 1980, HMG on turret and a LRF on the mantlet by the centerline, the overall design of these two tanks are totally identical. For the needs of amphibious operations, the protection is reduced to the bare minimum to stop rifle calibre bullets and shrapnel; other than the mantlet at 50 mm, the whole vehicle has only up to 20 mm of armour: autocannons and HMGs will tear down the vehicle with ease. So it's better to keep the vehicle from the heated battlefield and act as a supporter of the team to deliver possible final blow to enemy vehicles or disabling enemies as much as possible.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) UFP
15 mm (54°) LFP
| 10 mm ''Top'' 8 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" |20 mm (Volumetric)
| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTS63 didn't receive any upgrades in terms of powerplant and transmission, so it shares the same 12150L-2 diesel engine found previously on Type 63; the very slight or even no weight change on the tank also means it can retain a sufficiently high power-to-weight ratio at around 20 hp/t. If players ever have the need to flank enemies by taking detours on water, it could also travel on water at 11 km/h, one of the fastest speed among other amphibious vehicle in game.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type 63 (85 mm)}}

Still sharing the same gun as the Type 62 and 63, the Type 63 85 mm rifled cannon still handles totally identically to the Type 63 with some changes on the ammunition available. Players will find the same exact advantages and flaws from previous vehicles - while the calibre is larger than most light tanks of its tier with a variety of ammunition and now APFSDS among them, players need extra situational awareness to use the gun as it has much slower reaction time than most light tanks at its tier as well; plan ahead and turn the turret before any close-quarter assaults.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 63 (85 mm)|85 mm Type 63]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 63 (85 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1956 HEAT-FS, Type 56 HE, Type 56 AP, DJW85}}

The ZTS63's rounds are somewhat different from the original Type 63. The BR-365A APHEBC shell, well known for its generous explosive content and slope modifiers, is not available anymore. The returning Type 1956 HEAT-FS is now the stock shell, which gives the ZTS63 the ability to engage heavy tanks like the [[IS-3]] from the start. Compared to the [[ZBD86]]'s PG-9 rocket propelled grenade, the HEAT-FS has the same penetration and a better muzzle velocity, which is helpful at medium and long ranges.

The stock "Type 56 HE" shell is a renamed O-365K and should be completely ignored, because the HEAT-FS has a greater explosive mass.

The only APHE shell available is the unlockable "Type 56 AP", a renamed BR-367 APCBC. Although it is not as efficient for one-shotting light targets or scoring sideshots as BR-365A, it still gets the job done with some careful aim and the enhanced flat penetration is nice to have. Enemy IFVs can be dispatched easily with a single AP shell, even from across the map, due to their thin armour and typically large profiles.

The top round is the DJW85 APFSDS, something completely new to the 85 mm caliber. Although Chinese tankers may be apprehensive about early domestic APFSDS rounds, DJW85 actually has better performance than the [[Type 69]]'s Type 71 AFPSDS despite being a significantly smaller round. Although it has a a lower muzzle velocity, it does not lose as much penetration over distances. The 2.1 kg projectile mass is not able to create much spalling, but it is a useful tool for disabling shots and targeting ammo racks in long range combat.

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 18 ''(+29)'' || 10 ''(+37)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* It is recommended to take 42 ''(+5)'' shells to clear the turret of ammunition.
* Taking 18 ''(+29)'' shells clears the right hull of ammunition.
* Taking 10 ''(+37)'' shells clears both hull sides of ammunition.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The previous Type 63-I has no HMG installed on top; in ZTS63's case, it has a pintle Type 54 DShK installed on the commander side of turret, giving it the chance to unleash 12.7 mm bullets against light targets or aircraft/helicopters that came too close.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

At first glance, ZTS63 looks exactly like its pre-1980 cousin Type 63; this is indeed true as they are the same vehicle plus new FCS and a HMG mounted on the former, players from Type 63 will get their hands on the tank rather quickly thanks to their totally identical handling in terms of mobility and tactical flexibility to flank enemies. Do remember that ZTS63 is still a light tank with minimal protection due to its amphibious capability (for buoyancy reasons at complicated waters), while the turret might look very similar to T-54/ Type 59's, but the thickness is at most rated for HMG fire at longer distance; anything with a caliber of over 20 mm with have no problem tearing down the tank with ease, let alone the chassis with even less protection. The design of ZTS63 is relatively large to LTs at its tier, therefore it is extremely essential to conceal the vehicle from enemy sights, going frontline means a quick death sentence to the tank as well; thus, the lightweight of the vehicle could be put into use by flanking enemies by taking detours to enemies' flanks, alternatively utilize the river network on some maps to launch sudden attacks from the rear (its 11 km/h on-water speed thanks to the water jet propulsion system certainly helps a lot). Another uncommon feature of ZTS63 from most LTs of its tier is its LRF and automatic ballistic solution, the tank might have insufficient magnification for long-range engagements, but the two aforementioned equipment will certainly helps taking out enemies showing their sides from afar; its stock HEATFS shell also helps as most LTs would have to either have to rely on APCR with subpar damage or lacking a rangefinder for long-range engagements. If HEATFS is not your cup of tea, its researchable, conventional APHE and the only 85 mm APFSDS in game will certainly give players more option to take down various enemies- APHE for hitting enemies from the sides and blowing them out with its explosive fillers, while APFSDS ensures flat trajectory and penetration to take out heavy targets up-front or at long range. Although messing with aircrafts or rotorcrafts on a ZTS63 is a rather unrecommended move, if there's one flying straight at the player, they might have to reconsider as the Type 54 DShK will give ZTS63 a chance to earn a surprise kill on aircrafts; 12.7x108 mm bullets can certainly do extensive damage to enemies.

Overall, ZTS63 is a welcomed addition to PLAGF line-up thanks to its better FCS and various ammunition options; but do remember to plan your assaults ahead or turn the turret beforehand for incoming, unaware enemies, sudden strikes from unexpected places is the key to support the team to advance for victory.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amphibious, allowing the use of surprise tactics involving rivers
* Fast and nimble enough to get into vantage points
* Laser rangefinder and automatic ballistic solution for long-range engagement
* Access to HMG for self-defense against planes
* APFSDS with ~220 mm penetration is effective against weakly armoured tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30]]
* Varieties of ammunition for different scenario

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: unprotected with its paper-thin armour, and large size
* Cannon struggles against late war heavy tanks like [[Maus]], [[IS-4M|IS-4]]
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Relatively slow reload speed
* Still lacks NVD for night battles
* No smoke grenades

== History ==

As the previous Type 63 (ZTS63 after 1987) was commissioned by 1965, there were some flaws suggested by the PLA units that received the tank, thus the need for an upgrade on ZTS63 arose. There were a few major modifications for the tank including single transmission control stick, HMG gun mantle, safety locks for hatches, revised seats, new suspension springs and etc. Among these modifications, some parts from late-production ZTQ62 including its fire control system and laser rangefinder were also introduced to the ZTS63 revision by the late 1970s. These tanks rolled off the production line by the same time and likely have join the Sino-Vietnamese War where its FCS and amphibious capabilities would shine due to the rivery terrain of Vietnam, where they were sometimes used as makeshift SPGs to strike fortifications or suppressing waves of infantry.

Some of these tanks were then modified to ZTS63A in the late 1990s with upgraded firepower in view for the possible landing operations. Although the landing didn't happen, the ZTS63A also set the footsteps for the later ZLT05 assault gun which is also currently the fastest amphibious armoured vehicle in commission.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_zts_63_1980 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Type 63-I|Type 63]]: the base model

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8092-development-zts63-1980-nimble-sniper-en|[Devblog] ZTS63 (1980): Nimble Sniper]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

ZTS63

2023-11-24T01:41:24Z

U41531792: /* See also */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zts_63_1980
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''ZTS63''' (Chinese: ZTS63式水陆两栖坦克, industry code WZ211; known as Type 63 before 1987 nomenclature revision), originally certified in 1963 as the amphibious tank for PLANMC or PLAGF units with the need to cross the water bodies abundant in Asia, received some of the technologies used on ZTZ59A and ZTQ62 that had already been installed successfully since 1980; in the ZTS63's case, it received a laser rangefinder and better fire control system for long-range fire support. These tanks served during the Sino-Vietnamese War in the early 1980s as a supporter to troops against Vietnamese troops and militia with very few tanks in service; although having insufficient protection against cannons and RPGs, these vehicles were kept in service until the later ZTS63A and eventually ZLT05 or newer IFVs replaced its role as an amphibious tank, marking the end of the prefix ZTS in PLA service.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], players of the [[Type 62]] or [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] will soon find themselves at home thanks to its identical handling and overall design. Some welcome upgrades including better FCS and the installation of a Type 54 DShK machine gun also make it a more versatile alternative to its predecessors. With both APFSDS and a laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic solutions, not only does this greatly extend the combat distance of the tank, it also greatly increases its odds to survive as this feature is extremely rare at its tier. However, players will still have to beware of its below-average protection against even HMGs and rather slow turret traverse speed, these could be fatal if players run into heated fights without the situational awareness needed.

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

One thing to note is that the name of ZTS63 is interchangeable with Type 63, other than the name change after 1980, HMG on turret and a LRF on the mantlet by the centerline, the overall design of these two tanks are totally identical. For the needs of amphibious operations, the protection is reduced to the bare minimum to stop rifle calibre bullets and shrapnel; other than the mantlet at 50 mm, the whole vehicle has only up to 20 mm of armour: autocannons and HMGs will tear down the vehicle with ease. So it's better to keep the vehicle from the heated battlefield and act as a supporter of the team to deliver possible final blow to enemy vehicles or disabling enemies as much as possible.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) UFP
15 mm (54°) LFP
| 10 mm ''Top'' 8 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" |20 mm (Volumetric)
| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTS63 didn't receive any upgrades in terms of powerplant and transmission, so it shares the same 12150L-2 diesel engine found previously on Type 63; the very slight or even no weight change on the tank also means it can retain a sufficiently high power-to-weight ratio at around 20 hp/t. If players ever have the need to flank enemies by taking detours on water, it could also travel on water at 11 km/h, one of the fastest speed among other amphibious vehicle in game.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type 63 (85 mm)}}

Still sharing the same gun as the Type 62 and 63, the Type 63 85 mm rifled cannon still handles totally identically to the Type 63 with some changes on the ammunition available. Players will find the same exact advantages and flaws from previous vehicles - while the calibre is larger than most light tanks of its tier with a variety of ammunition and now APFSDS among them, players need extra situational awareness to use the gun as it has much slower reaction time than most light tanks at its tier as well; plan ahead and turn the turret before any close-quarter assaults.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 63 (85 mm)|85 mm Type 63]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 63 (85 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1956 HEAT-FS, Type 56 HE, Type 56 AP, DJW85}}

The ZTS63's rounds are somewhat different from the original Type 63. The BR-365A APHEBC shell, well known for its generous explosive content and slope modifiers, is not available anymore. The returning Type 1956 HEAT-FS is now the stock shell, which gives the ZTS63 the ability to engage heavy tanks like the [[IS-3]] from the start. Compared to the [[ZBD86]]'s PG-9 rocket propelled grenade, the HEAT-FS has the same penetration and a better muzzle velocity, which is helpful at medium and long ranges.

The stock "Type 56 HE" shell is a renamed O-365K and should be completely ignored, because the HEAT-FS has a greater explosive mass.

The only APHE shell available is the unlockable "Type 56 AP", a renamed BR-367 APCBC. Although it is not as efficient for one-shotting light targets or scoring sideshots as BR-365A, it still gets the job done with some careful aim and the enhanced flat penetration is nice to have. Enemy IFVs can be dispatched easily with a single AP shell, even from across the map, due to their thin armour and typically large profiles.

The top round is the DJW85 APFSDS, something completely new to the 85 mm caliber. Although Chinese tankers may be apprehensive about early domestic APFSDS rounds, DJW85 actually has better performance than the [[Type 69]]'s Type 71 AFPSDS despite being a significantly smaller round. Although it has a a lower muzzle velocity, it does not lose as much penetration over distances. The 2.1 kg projectile mass is not able to create much spalling, but it is a useful tool for disabling shots and targeting ammo racks in long range combat.

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 18 ''(+29)'' || 10 ''(+37)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* It is recommended to take 42 ''(+5)'' shells to clear the turret of ammunition.
* Taking 18 ''(+29)'' shells clears the right hull of ammunition.
* Taking 10 ''(+37)'' shells clears both hull sides of ammunition.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The previous Type 63-I has no HMG installed on top; in ZTS63's case, it has a pintle Type 54 DShK installed on the commander side of turret, giving it the chance to unleash 12.7 mm bullets against light targets or aircraft/helicopters that came too close.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

At first glance, ZTS63 looks exactly like its pre-1980 cousin Type 63-I; this is indeed true as they are the same vehicle plus new FCS and a HMG mounted on the former, players from Type 63-I will get their hands on the tank rather quickly thanks to their totally identical handling in terms of mobility and tactical flexibility to flank enemies. Do remember that ZTS63 is still a light tank with minimal protection due to its amphibious capability (for buoyancy reasons at complicated waters), while the turret might look very similar to T-54/ Type 59's, but the thickness is at most rated for HMG fire at longer distance; anything with a caliber of over 20 mm with have no problem tearing down the tank with ease, let alone the chassis with even less protection. The design of ZTS63 is relatively large to LTs at its tier, therefore it is extremely essential to conceal the vehicle from enemy sights, going frontline means a quick death sentence to the tank as well; thus, the lightweight of the vehicle could be put into use by flanking enemies by taking detours to enemies' flanks, alternatively utilize the river network on some maps to launch sudden attacks from the rear (its 11 km/h on-water speed thanks to the water jet propulsion system certainly helps a lot). Another uncommon feature of ZTS63 from most LTs of its tier is its LRF and automatic ballistic solution, the tank might have insufficient magnification for long-range engagements, but the two aforementioned equipment will certainly helps taking out enemies showing their sides from afar; its stock HEATFS shell also helps as most LTs would have to either have to rely on APCR with subpar damage or lacking a rangefinder for long-range engagements. If HEATFS is not your cup of tea, its researchable, conventional APHE and the only 85 mm APFSDS in game will certainly give players more option to take down various enemies- APHE for hitting enemies from the sides and blowing them out with its explosive fillers, while APFSDS ensures flat trajectory and penetration to take out heavy targets up-front or at long range. Although messing with aircrafts or rotorcrafts on a ZTS63 is a rather unrecommended move, if there's one flying straight at the player, they might have to reconsider as the Type 54 DShK will give ZTS63 a chance to earn a surprise kill on aircrafts; 12.7x108 mm bullets can certainly do extensive damage to enemies.

Overall, ZTS63 is a welcomed addition to PLAGF line-up thanks to its better FCS and various ammunition options; but do remember to plan your assaults ahead or turn the turret beforehand for incoming, unaware enemies, sudden strikes from unexpected places is the key to support the team to advance for victory.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amphibious, allowing the use of surprise tactics involving rivers
* Fast and nimble enough to get into vantage points
* Laser rangefinder and automatic ballistic solution for long-range engagement
* Access to HMG for self-defense against planes
* APFSDS with ~220 mm penetration is effective against weakly armoured tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30]]
* Varieties of ammunition for different scenario

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: unprotected with its paper-thin armour, and large size
* Cannon struggles against late war heavy tanks like [[Maus]], [[IS-4M|IS-4]]
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Relatively slow reload speed
* Still lacks NVD for night battles
* No smoke grenades

== History ==

As the previous Type 63 (ZTS63 after 1987) was commissioned by 1965, there were some flaws suggested by the PLA units that received the tank, thus the need for an upgrade on ZTS63 arose. There were a few major modifications for the tank including single transmission control stick, HMG gun mantle, safety locks for hatches, revised seats, new suspension springs and etc. Among these modifications, some parts from late-production ZTQ62 including its fire control system and laser rangefinder were also introduced to the ZTS63 revision by the late 1970s. These tanks rolled off the production line by the same time and likely have join the Sino-Vietnamese War where its FCS and amphibious capabilities would shine due to the rivery terrain of Vietnam, where they were sometimes used as makeshift SPGs to strike fortifications or suppressing waves of infantry.

Some of these tanks were then modified to ZTS63A in the late 1990s with upgraded firepower in view for the possible landing operations. Although the landing didn't happen, the ZTS63A also set the footsteps for the later ZLT05 assault gun which is also currently the fastest amphibious armoured vehicle in commission.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_zts_63_1980 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Type 63-I|Type 63]]: the base model

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8092-development-zts63-1980-nimble-sniper-en|[Devblog] ZTS63 (1980): Nimble Sniper]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}

ZTS63

2023-11-24T01:41:02Z

U41531792: /* Main armament */

{{Specs-Card
|code=cn_zts_63_1980
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''ZTS63''' (Chinese: ZTS63式水陆两栖坦克, industry code WZ211; known as Type 63 before 1987 nomenclature revision), originally certified in 1963 as the amphibious tank for PLANMC or PLAGF units with the need to cross the water bodies abundant in Asia, received some of the technologies used on ZTZ59A and ZTQ62 that had already been installed successfully since 1980; in the ZTS63's case, it received a laser rangefinder and better fire control system for long-range fire support. These tanks served during the Sino-Vietnamese War in the early 1980s as a supporter to troops against Vietnamese troops and militia with very few tanks in service; although having insufficient protection against cannons and RPGs, these vehicles were kept in service until the later ZTS63A and eventually ZLT05 or newer IFVs replaced its role as an amphibious tank, marking the end of the prefix ZTS in PLA service.

Introduced in [[Update "Sky Guardians"]], players of the [[Type 62]] or [[Type 63-I|Type 63]] will soon find themselves at home thanks to its identical handling and overall design. Some welcome upgrades including better FCS and the installation of a Type 54 DShK machine gun also make it a more versatile alternative to its predecessors. With both APFSDS and a laser rangefinder with automatic ballistic solutions, not only does this greatly extend the combat distance of the tank, it also greatly increases its odds to survive as this feature is extremely rare at its tier. However, players will still have to beware of its below-average protection against even HMGs and rather slow turret traverse speed, these could be fatal if players run into heated fights without the situational awareness needed.

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

One thing to note is that the name of ZTS63 is interchangeable with Type 63, other than the name change after 1980, HMG on turret and a LRF on the mantlet by the centerline, the overall design of these two tanks are totally identical. For the needs of amphibious operations, the protection is reduced to the bare minimum to stop rifle calibre bullets and shrapnel; other than the mantlet at 50 mm, the whole vehicle has only up to 20 mm of armour: autocannons and HMGs will tear down the vehicle with ease. So it's better to keep the vehicle from the heated battlefield and act as a supporter of the team to deliver possible final blow to enemy vehicles or disabling enemies as much as possible.

'''Armour type:''' 


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 10 mm (82°) UFP
15 mm (54°) LFP
| 10 mm ''Top'' 8 mm ''Bottom'' || 8 mm || 8 mm
|-
| Turret || 20 mm ''Turret front'' (Volumetric) 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || colspan="2" |20 mm (Volumetric)
| 8 mm
|-
| Cupola || colspan="4" | 8 mm
|-
|}

'''Notes:''' 


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

The ZTS63 didn't receive any upgrades in terms of powerplant and transmission, so it shares the same 12150L-2 diesel engine found previously on Type 63; the very slight or even no weight change on the tank also means it can retain a sufficiently high power-to-weight ratio at around 20 hp/t. If players ever have the need to flank enemies by taking detours on water, it could also travel on water at 11 km/h, one of the fastest speed among other amphibious vehicle in game.

{{tankMobility|abMinHp=620|rbMinHp=354}}

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

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

{{main|Type 63 (85 mm)}}

Still sharing the same gun as the Type 62 and 63, the Type 63 85 mm rifled cannon still handles totally identically to the Type 63 with some changes on the ammunition available. Players will find the same exact advantages and flaws from previous vehicles - while the calibre is larger than most light tanks of its tier with a variety of ammunition and now APFSDS among them, players need extra situational awareness to use the gun as it has much slower reaction time than most light tanks at its tier as well; plan ahead and turn the turret before any close-quarter assaults.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 63 (85 mm)|85 mm Type 63]] || 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" | 47 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+22° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====
{{:Type 63 (85 mm)/Ammunition|Type 1956 HEAT-FS, Type 56 HE, Type 56 AP, DJW85}}

The ZTS63's rounds are somewhat different from the original Type 63. The BR-365A APHEBC shell, well known for its generous explosive content and slope modifiers, is not available anymore. The returning Type 1956 HEAT-FS is now the stock shell, which gives the ZTS63 the ability to engage heavy tanks like the [[IS-3]] from the start. Compared to the [[ZBD86]]'s PG-9 rocket propelled grenade, the HEAT-FS has the same penetration and a better muzzle velocity, which is helpful at medium and long ranges.

The stock "Type 56 HE" shell is a renamed O-365K and should be completely ignored, because the HEAT-FS has a greater explosive mass.

The only APHE shell available is the unlockable "Type 56 AP", a renamed BR-367 APCBC. Although it is not as efficient for one-shotting light targets or scoring sideshots as BR-365A, it still gets the job done with some careful aim and the enhanced flat penetration is nice to have. Enemy IFVs can be dispatched easily with a single AP shell, even from across the map, due to their thin armour and typically large profiles.

The top round is the DJW85 APFSDS, something completely new to the 85 mm caliber. Although Chinese tankers may be apprehensive about early domestic APFSDS rounds, DJW85 actually has better performance than the [[Type 69]]'s Type 71 AFPSDS despite being a significantly smaller round. Although it has a a lower muzzle velocity, it does not lose as much penetration over distances. The 2.1 kg projectile mass is not able to create much spalling, but it is a useful tool for disabling shots and targeting ammo racks in long range combat.

==== [[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
! 6th rack empty
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''47''' || 42 ''(+5)'' || 33 ''(+14)'' || 24 ''(+23)'' || 18 ''(+29)'' || 10 ''(+37)'' || 1 ''(+46)'' || No
|-
|}
'''Notes''':

* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
* It is recommended to take 42 ''(+5)'' shells to clear the turret of ammunition.
* Taking 18 ''(+29)'' shells clears the right hull of ammunition.
* Taking 10 ''(+37)'' shells clears both hull sides of ammunition.

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

{{main|Type 54 (12.7 mm)|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}

The previous Type 63-I has no HMG installed on top; in ZTS63's case, it has a pintle Type 54 DShK installed on the commander side of turret, giving it the chance to unleash 12.7 mm bullets against light targets or aircraft/helicopters that came too close.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Type 54 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Type 54]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Pintle || 500 (50) || 600 || -4°/+82° || ±180°
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
|-
| Coaxial || 2,000 (250) || 600 || - || -
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

At first glance, ZTS63 looks exactly like its pre-1980 cousin Type 63-I; this is indeed true as they are the same vehicle plus new FCS and a HMG mounted on the former, players from Type 63-I will get their hands on the tank rather quickly thanks to their totally identical handling in terms of mobility and tactical flexibility to flank enemies. Do remember that ZTS63 is still a light tank with minimal protection due to its amphibious capability (for buoyancy reasons at complicated waters), while the turret might look very similar to T-54/ Type 59's, but the thickness is at most rated for HMG fire at longer distance; anything with a caliber of over 20 mm with have no problem tearing down the tank with ease, let alone the chassis with even less protection. The design of ZTS63 is relatively large to LTs at its tier, therefore it is extremely essential to conceal the vehicle from enemy sights, going frontline means a quick death sentence to the tank as well; thus, the lightweight of the vehicle could be put into use by flanking enemies by taking detours to enemies' flanks, alternatively utilize the river network on some maps to launch sudden attacks from the rear (its 11 km/h on-water speed thanks to the water jet propulsion system certainly helps a lot). Another uncommon feature of ZTS63 from most LTs of its tier is its LRF and automatic ballistic solution, the tank might have insufficient magnification for long-range engagements, but the two aforementioned equipment will certainly helps taking out enemies showing their sides from afar; its stock HEATFS shell also helps as most LTs would have to either have to rely on APCR with subpar damage or lacking a rangefinder for long-range engagements. If HEATFS is not your cup of tea, its researchable, conventional APHE and the only 85 mm APFSDS in game will certainly give players more option to take down various enemies- APHE for hitting enemies from the sides and blowing them out with its explosive fillers, while APFSDS ensures flat trajectory and penetration to take out heavy targets up-front or at long range. Although messing with aircrafts or rotorcrafts on a ZTS63 is a rather unrecommended move, if there's one flying straight at the player, they might have to reconsider as the Type 54 DShK will give ZTS63 a chance to earn a surprise kill on aircrafts; 12.7x108 mm bullets can certainly do extensive damage to enemies.

Overall, ZTS63 is a welcomed addition to PLAGF line-up thanks to its better FCS and various ammunition options; but do remember to plan your assaults ahead or turn the turret beforehand for incoming, unaware enemies, sudden strikes from unexpected places is the key to support the team to advance for victory.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Amphibious, allowing the use of surprise tactics involving rivers
* Fast and nimble enough to get into vantage points
* Laser rangefinder and automatic ballistic solution for long-range engagement
* Access to HMG for self-defense against planes
* APFSDS with ~220 mm penetration is effective against weakly armoured tanks like [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard 1]], [[AMX-30]]
* Varieties of ammunition for different scenario

'''Cons:'''

* Low survivability: unprotected with its paper-thin armour, and large size
* Cannon struggles against late war heavy tanks like [[Maus]], [[IS-4M|IS-4]]
* Slow turret traverse speed
* Relatively slow reload speed
* Still lacks NVD for night battles
* No smoke grenades

== History ==

As the previous Type 63 (ZTS63 after 1987) was commissioned by 1965, there were some flaws suggested by the PLA units that received the tank, thus the need for an upgrade on ZTS63 arose. There were a few major modifications for the tank including single transmission control stick, HMG gun mantle, safety locks for hatches, revised seats, new suspension springs and etc. Among these modifications, some parts from late-production ZTQ62 including its fire control system and laser rangefinder were also introduced to the ZTS63 revision by the late 1970s. These tanks rolled off the production line by the same time and likely have join the Sino-Vietnamese War where its FCS and amphibious capabilities would shine due to the rivery terrain of Vietnam, where they were sometimes used as makeshift SPGs to strike fortifications or suppressing waves of infantry.

Some of these tanks were then modified to ZTS63A in the late 1990s with upgraded firepower in view for the possible landing operations. Although the landing didn't happen, the ZTS63A also set the footsteps for the later ZLT05 assault gun which is also currently the fastest amphibious armoured vehicle in commission.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=cn_zts_63_1980 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

== See also ==


* [[Type 63-I]]: the base model

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/8092-development-zts63-1980-nimble-sniper-en|[Devblog] ZTS63 (1980): Nimble Sniper]]

{{TankManufacturer Norinco}}
{{China light tanks}}