War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

BB-1

2020-10-19T01:56:48Z

U92960113: I changed some minor spelling mistakes, added some battle tips.

{{Specs-Card
|code=bb-1
|cockpit=cockpit_bb-1.jpg
}}
{{About
| about = Russian attacker '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other uses
| link = Su-2 (Family)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet attacker {{Battle-rating}}. It has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27.

In the mid-1930s, tensions were rising in Europe and the Soviet Union. Taking a look at the Soviet air forces of the time, it was determined that there was a need for a multi-purpose combat aircraft, which would not specialize in a role, but could be utilized as a bomber, attacker and even as a combat fighter if needed, however, its main job would be as a reconnaissance aircraft which would then attack targets it came across. Joseph Stalin personally issued the requirement for this aircraft and the project was code-named ''Ivanov''. P.O. Sukhoi became the chief designer of this proposed aircraft while working at the Tupolev experimental design bureau and designed what initially was known as the ANT-51 first flying in 1937. Though a disappointment due to being outfitted with an 820 hp Shvetsov M-62 engine, the aircraft was outfitted with a Tumansky M-87 engine and now began production as the {{PAGENAME}} (Blizhniy Bombardirovschik; Russian: Ближний Бомбардировщик — "short-range bomber").

[[File:BB-1 an trn 26 004.png|350px|thumb|left|Even small attacker aircraft can dominate the sky.]]

The {{PAGENAME}} is a very forgiving aircraft, especially to those who are new to attack aircraft. While not a fast aircraft, it does allow pilots to buzz tree-tops and follow the terrain on the way to the targets. Though not an aircraft which is adequate to bomb bases, it does have a keen ability to ''hover'' slowly weaving around a battlefield where light trucks, anti-aircraft artillery and light tanks will be about. The bomb options and the machine gun load-outs allow for this attacker to drop bombs on ground targets along with strafing them with machine guns. Once passed the targets, the {{PAGENAME}} can easily manoeuvre around and begin the attack run again. Enemy attackers and fighters which come along will attempt to eliminate the {{PAGENAME}}, but will quickly realize there is a rear-facing dorsal turret which a gunner mans a 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun which are relatively fast firing and can be quite effective at times hitting, damaging and disabling aircraft which choose to sit on the {{PAGENAME}}'s tail. Though not a strong suit of the attacker, it can if need be, engage as a fighter. This attacker will not win any speed records when dogfighting, though, with its large wings and rudder, it does have the ability to turn remarkably fast making it difficult for an enemy fighter to get a firing solution.

Many War Thunder matches have been won with the {{PAGENAME}} or its younger siblings ([[Su-2 (Family)|Su-2s]]) loading up with the smaller 50 kg bombs and methodically bombing key ground vehicles while the fighters continue to chase each other around. Don't let a lone {{PAGENAME}} fooling you into thinking it won't do much damage, it is better to eliminate these aircraft first before brawling in dog fights with other fighters.

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===

The BB-1 has relatively good top speed and maneuverable for its battle rating. It can outrun most things it fights, and handles like a fighter without any bombs, albeit climbing isn't its strong suit. You shouldn't have to worry about rip speed or compression; being an attacker it should never reach a speed where that will become an issue.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" |
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 6,600 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
| 449 || 435 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 23.9 || 24.7 || 7.5 || 7.5 || rowspan="2" | 420
|-
! Upgraded
| 490 || 467 || 22.1 || 23.0 || 15.2 || 9.8
|-
|}
[[File:BB-1 an trn 26 003.png|450px|thumb|right|A [[BB-1]] watching a [[Do 17 Z-7]] go down in flames.]]

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="5" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
|-
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || 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 !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 520 || 520 || 320 || ~8 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 350 || < 380 || < 420 || > 280
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===


* No armour plating
* No armour glazing
* Critical components located at the front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
* More fuel tanks located in wings near the fuselage

The {{PAGENAME}} was meant to be a light-weight attacker/bomber which could be produced rather quickly. To perform its mission adequately with the engines which were slated to be used, this aircraft needed to remain as light as possible, but still be able to carry an effective load of bombs. To eliminate weight where possible included not installing any protective armour or bulletproof windshields. Crazy as it sounds, another weight-saving method was to utilize wood panelling which is poor protection even against smaller 7 mm machine gun rounds. Though three fuel tanks are found in the aircraft (one in the fuselage in front of the cockpit and one in each wing), an ingenious solution of the time aided in the prevention of fuel tank fires and that was due to the aircraft having the ability to vent exhaust into the fuel tanks, preventing the burning of the fuel if the tank becomes ruptured. In-game, the BB-1 can tank a fair few hits from rifle-calibre MGs, but anything armed with 12.7 mms or larger will tear it apart.

== Armaments ==
[[File:BB-1 an trn 26 001.png|450px|thumb|right|Two BB-1s on their way to bomb a column of tanks.]]
=== Offensive armament ===

{{main|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}}

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

* 4 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns, wing-mounted (850 rpm = 3,400 total)

=== Suspended armament ===

{{main|FAB-50 (50 kg)|FAB-100 (100 kg)|FAB-250M43 (250 kg)}}

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

* Without load
* 4 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (200 kg total)
* 4 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (400 kg total)
* 12 x 50 kg FAB-50 bombs (600 kg total)
* 6 x 100 kg FAB-100 bombs (600 kg total)
* 2 x 250 kg FAB-250M43 bombs (500 kg total)

=== Defensive armament ===

{{main|ShKAS (7.62 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is defended by:

* 1 x 7.62 mm ShKAS machine gun, dorsal turret (900 rpg)

== Usage in battles ==

[[File:BB-1 an trn 26 002.jpg|450px|thumb|right|The [[BB-1]]'s defensive gunner firing away with his [[ShKAS (7.62 mm)|ShKAS]] machine gun.]]
The BB-1 is one of the best low-BR ground attackers available, and is potent in every game mode. In Air Battles, it's advisable to take the 12 x 50 kg loadout, as it will allow you to do a bit of base-bombing. In Mixed battles, the most potent loadout is the 2 x 250 kg option, which will destroy or critically damage most tanks around this BR, even if you don't get a precise hit. It is recommended to set a 1.5s fuse for low-altitude attacks. After you are out of bombs, you can engage other fighters/attackers or strafe out AAA, light tanks and open topped vehicles (these are plentiful in low tier ground battles).

=== Manual Engine Control ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
|-
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
! colspan="3" | Radiator
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
|-
! Oil !! Water !! Type
|-
| Controllable || Controllable Not auto controlled || Controllable Auto control available || Controllable Auto control available || Separate || Controllable 2 gears || Not controllable
|-
|}

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
! Survivability
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
|-
| I
| Fuselage repair
| Radiator
|
| Offensive 7 mm
| KD-2
|-
| II
|
| Compressor
| Airframe
| New 7 mm MGs
|
|-
| III
| Wings repair
| Engine
|
| Turret 7 mm
| Der-19
|-
| IV
|
| Engine injection
| Cover
| New 7 mm MGs (turret)
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent ground attacker, decent dogfighter
* Very effective offensive guns for ground strafing
* Large bomb load, several size options for different targets
* Bomb bay holds most smaller bombs which reduces drag
* Decent performance
* Has bombsight for accurate bombing
* Good maneuverability and responsive controls

'''Cons:'''

* No armour
* Defensive turret only has one 7.62 mm machine gun
* Limited to bombing light vehicles, anti-aircraft artillery and aircraft parked on the runway
* Works best at low altitudes, typically where fighters are hunting
* No dive flaps/brakes
* Relatively slow turn rate when damaged

== History ==
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft 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).''

=== In-game description ===
OKB Sukhoi BB-1 (Su-2) "Ivanov" Short-Range Bomber with M-87 engine

A single-engine, mixed-construction monoplane light bomber with retractable landing gear and tail wheel.

This project was developed as an entry in the 1936 competition for the best high-speed long-range ground-attack reconnaissance plane, to be known as the "Ivanov". The design and construction were completed in a record time of 6 months. The first flight of the SZ-1 (SZ: "Stalin's Mission"), with an M-62 engine, was made on August 25, 1937.

The prototype selected for mass production was the SZ-3, equipped with an M-87 engine. In March of 1939, even before government tests were completed, the "Ivanov" airplane (with the M-87A engine) was accepted by the Red Army Air Force. It entered mass production under the designation BB-1 (short-range bomber one).

Unlike the prototypes, the production model had a mixed construction. The fuselage was a wooden monocoque with plywood paneling, and the wings and stabilizer were metal. This choice was made because, due to the many all-metal aircraft in the USSR at the time, metal was in short supply.

The first production aircraft were fitted with air-cooled radial 14-cylinder OKB Tumansky M-87 engines, rated at 950 hp.

The aircraft's armament included a battery of 4 fixed ShKAS 7.62mm machine guns with 850 rounds each, mounted in pairs on each wing. To protect the aircraft's rear, the navigator had a rotating MB-5 turret with another 7.62mm machine gun with 900 rounds of ammunition.

The prototypes had a ventral MB-2 turret with a ShKAS machine gun, but this was removed as it seemed unlikely that any enemy fighter attacks would come from below when the plane was flying at a low altitude. However, it was soon shown that this was a poor decision, as such attacks were frequent in actual combat.

The plane's usual bomb load, when flying at its maximum range, was 400 kilograms. Overweight capacity was up to 600 kilograms. The maximum bomb load was 1200 kilograms. Bombs of up to 100 kilograms could be placed both in the internal bomb bay and suspended under the outer wings. KD-1 or KD-2 bomb racks were used to carry and drop these bombs. Rockets were not carried.

== Media ==


;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|UDvzWT2BSg4|'''The Shooting Range #28''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 03:22 discusses the Sukhoi BB-1.|eUOU21CeoSU|'''Sukhoi BB-1, Tier-1 / Rank-1 Review''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|wSgG8sjEah0|'''BB-1 "The Farmer"''' - ''the European Canadian''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* Sukhoi [[Su-2 (Family)|Su-2]]
* Sukhoi [[Su-6 (AM-42)|Su-6]]

;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

* Douglas [[SBD-3]] Dauntless
* Ilyushin [[IL-2 (Family)|IL-2]]
* Junkers [[Ju 87 D-3|Ju 87D]]
* Kawasaki [[Ki-32]]

== External links ==


* [[wikipedia:Sukhoi_Su-2|[Wikipedia] Sukhoi Su-2]]
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=753 [Militaryfactory website<nowiki>]</nowiki> Sukhoi Su-2 - Light bomber / Close support / High-speed attack / Reconnisance aircraft]
* [https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/ussr/vvs/su-2/ [Worldwarphotos website<nowiki>]</nowiki> Photo gallery of Su-2 aircraft from World War II]

{{AirManufacturer Sukhoi}}
{{USSR attackers}}

T-34 (1940)

2020-10-19T01:50:32Z

U92960113: /* Description */

{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_t_34_1941_l_11}}
{{About
| about = Soviet medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = T-34 (Disambiguation)
}}

== Description ==

[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before [[Update 1.41]]. The first public iteration of the T-34 series, the T-34 1940 shows most of the early Soviet weaponry but provides a demonstration of its famous sloped armor and mobility.

The T-34 mod. 1940, like all the other T-34s, is fairly quick and maneuverable, decently armed, and decently armored. It is the first researchable T-34 and the "oldest" (worst) model, aside from the [[T-34 (Prototype)|T-34 prototype]]. It is notable for its distinct appearance, with its broad, sloped front, large road wheels, and comparatively narrow turret. It is distinguished from all other T-34/76 models in that it has the [[L-11 (76 mm)|L-11 gun]] which is the same gun on the kv-1, as opposed to the more powerful [[F-34 (76 mm)|F-34]]. It is identified by its low-slung barrel, with a recuperator creating a bulge above it. The vehicle's speed allows it to be a versatile flanker, but it's armor keeps it competitive enough to be a brawler. It will also bounce somewhat frequently so angling the armor, as with any T-34, is helpful. The gun is decent for its rank but will struggle to penetrate other T-34s, [[KV-1 (L-11)|KV tanks]], [[M4|M4 Shermans]], and similar vehicles from the front.

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

'''Armour type:'''

* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Driver's hatch, Machine gun port)

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides (Slope angle) !! Rear !! Roof
|-
| Hull || 45 mm (60°) ''Front Glacis'' 45 mm (53°) ''Lower Glacis'' 45 mm (61°) ''Driver's Port'' 45 mm (28-77°) ''Machine Gun Port'' || 40 mm (40°) ''Top Hull'' 45 mm (0°) ''Lower hull'' || 40 mm (47°) ''Top'' 40 mm (46°) ''Bottom'' || 20 mm
|-
| Turret || 45 mm (8-81°) ''Turret front'' 45 mm (3-74°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 45 mm (30-31°) || 45 mm (30°) || 15 mm
|-
|}
'''Notes:'''

* Suspensions wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.

The T-34 1940 can pose a formidable enemy at its BR (3.3) and one might find it a resilient and stubborn foe. If your vehicle can reliably penetrate 90mm (more if the vehicle is angled) of armour at medium to long-range, you should try to eliminate the T-34 at the longest possible range, where the L-11 gun will perform poorly. If your weapon cannot reliably penetrate 90mm of armour and you are forced to close the distance, be wary of your foes mobility. Brawling with a T-34 1940 is not recommended, the mobility and armour of the vehicle combined with a quick turret rotation speed may prove fatal. However, the T-34 is not an invincible foe. The T-34 1940 has a weak turret, which even some rank 1 guns can penetrate! It is recommended to aim for the turret ring, as the cramped crew compartment will result in an easy crew kill. Another weakspot of the T-34 is the turret cheeks - there are some flat spots that are 45mm, disabling the turret crew and the gun. A shot may ricochet off the turret cheeks into the crew compartment.

=== Mobility ===


{{tankMobility|abMinHp=775|rbMinHp=442}}

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

{{main|L-11 (76 mm)}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
|-
! colspan="5" | [[L-11 (76 mm)|76 mm L-11]] || 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" | 77 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 23.80 || 32.94 || 40.00 || 44.24 || 47.06 || rowspan="2" | 9.23 || rowspan="2" | 8.17 || rowspan="2" | 7.53 || rowspan="2" | 7.10
|-
! ''Realistic''
| 14.88 || 17.50 || 21.25 || 23.50 || 25.00
|-
|}

==== Ammunition ====

* '''BR-350A''': Most versatile of all the ammo types, with a decent penetration of ~80 mm and with an explosive filler for maximum damage. If a shot penetrates an enemy tank, the 150 g of explosives will decimate the crew.
* '''BR-350SP''': More penetration than 350A with about 76 mm of penetration at 100 meters, but no explosive filler for more internal damages.
* '''OF-350M''': Standard high-explosive shell for use against unarmoured targets.
* '''Sh-354T''': Shrapnel shell with nearly same damage potential as high-explosive, but has some penetration capabilities that allows the round to do maximum damage at light armour vehicles by exploding inside the tank.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
|-
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
|-
| BR-350A (MD-5 fuze) || APHEBC || 78 || 76 || 69 || 61 || 53 || 47
|-
| BR-350SP || APBC || 93 || 91 || 83 || 74 || 66 || 58
|-
| OF-350M || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
|-
| Sh-354T || Shrapnel || 37 || 35 || 29 || 25 || 20 || 17
|-
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
! colspan="10" | Shell details
|-
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
! rowspan="2" | Type of warhead
! rowspan="2" | Velocity (m/s)
! rowspan="2" | Projectile Mass (kg)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay (m)
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity (mm)
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
|-
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
|-
| BR-350A (MD-5 fuze) || APHEBC || 615 || 6.3 || 1.2 || 14 || 150 || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| BR-350SP || APBC || 615 || 6.78 || N/A || N/A || N/A || 48° || 63° || 71°
|-
| OF-350M || HE || 615 || 6.2 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 621 || 79° || 80° || 81°
|-
| Sh-354T || Shrapnel || 615 || 6.2 || 0.5 || 8 || 85 || 62° || 69° || 73°
|-
|}

==== [[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
! Visual discrepancy
|-
| '''77''' || 75 ''(+2)'' || 72 ''(+5)'' || 69 ''(+8)'' || 1 ''(+76)'' || No
|-
|}

Turret empty: 69 (+8)

=== Machine guns ===

{{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
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

This is the first non-premium model of the T-34 series. It's a powerful breakthrough tank in the right hands due to its battle rating, good armour and powerful gun but is prone to get heavily damaged or destroyed from shots to the turret ring or cheeks. Keep moving, using its high speed and manoeuvrability, and get close to guaranteeing a penetration and angle the armour to easily bounce shells from enemy tanks.

The T-34 features great speed and agility, together with a good turret traverse and reload speed. It is best used in groups employing flanking manoeuvres and focusing on the impressive speed of the vehicle to catch players off-guard. The armour is also thick and sloped, allowing it to bounce the shots from the short 75mm's and the high-velocity 50mm's on German tanks although the [[Pz.IV F2|Panzer. IV Ausf. F2]]'s gun will easily go through the sides or UFP even with moderate angling.

At 3.3 the T-34 1940 faces a lot of German and Japanese armour. These Axis tanks tend to have very flat and thin armour which make the 76mm APHE shell extremely effective. The high HE filler makes one-shotting Panzers, Chi-Ha's, etc., very easy. At range, however, Axis long-guns excel - get up close and personal to your opponents.

'''Common opponents''':

* '''[[M4|Medium Tank M4]], [[M4A2]] (American):''' The T-34's 76 mm gun cannot penetrate the welded hull M4/M4A2 reliably from the front, while the 75 mm gun on the M4/M4A2 can penetrate the T-34's turret and disable or cripple it. They do have very weak lower side hull armour (only 38 mm) that can be overmatched by the 76 mm APHEBC round if exposed, and the flat areas on the turret can also be penetrated fairly reliably if they can be hit. Generally avoid head-on engagements, especially if the M4 is hull-down.
* '''[[M4A1|Medium Tank M4A1]], [[Sherman II]] (American/French, British):''' Similar to the M4/M4A2, except that the cast hull is weaker than the welded hull on the M4/M4A2, and can be penetrated frontally. Otherwise, the same advice applies.
* '''[[Pz.IV F2|Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. F2]], [[Pz.IV G|G]], [[Pz.IV H|H]], [[Pz.IV J|J]] (German):''' The Ausf. F2 variant is the first Panzer IV to mount a long-barreled 75 mm gun. This gun is one of the most lethal mounted on any tank within the T-34's BR range, and it is easily capable of penetrating the T-34 at most ranges. The Ausf. F2 has very weak armour, however, and is something of a glass cannon. The Ausf. G, H, and J have up-armoured hulls that are quite difficult to penetrate, but their turrets are as weak as the one on the F2. The Ausf. J, in particular, has manual turret traverse and is very vulnerable to being flanked. Avoid long-range duels with them.
* '''[[Chi-Nu II]] (Japanese):''' Essentially the Japanese counterpart to the German Panzer IV Ausf. F2.
* '''[[Churchill Mk III|Churchill III]], [[Pz.Kpfw. Churchill (Germany)|Churchill(e)]] (British, German):''' The 6-pounder gun on the Churchill will be hard-pressed to penetrate the sloped T-34 hull, but it can easily penetrate the turret and disable the turret crew. It is difficult to penetrate the frontal armour of the Churchill at long ranges. However, it is a slow, cumbersome heavy tank, and is easy to outflank and dispatch with shots to the side armour.

[[File:CHARTWTTEMPLATE3.png|thumb|T-34 1940 abilities chart]]

=== Modules ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Tier
! colspan="2" | Mobility
! Protection
! colspan="2" | Firepower
|-
| I
| Tracks
|
| Parts
| Horizontal Drive
|
|-
| II
| Suspension
| Brake System
| FPE
| Adjustment of Fire
| BR-350SP
|-
| III
| Filters
|
| Crew Replenishment
| Elevation Mechanism
|
|-
| IV
| Transmission
| Engine
|
| Artillery Support
|
|-
|}

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Excellent post-penetration effect with the BR-350B, easily one-shotting most tanks it sees, for example [[Pz.IV F2]], [[M4]], [[Chi-Nu]]
* Sloped hull armour provides good protection against small calibre / low-penetration shells (eg. 75mm KwK37, 50mm KwK39), and even large calibre guns when angled correctly
* 49 km/h top speed allows it to change position quickly and outrun lots of other medium tanks
* Nearly impossible to damage the transmission and immobilize it from the front
* Very fast turret traverse, good for urban combat

'''Cons:'''

* The 4 crew members are very close together making it easily one-shotted by common foes like [[Pz.IV F2]], [[M24 (Family)|M24]], [[StuG III F]], [[M4]], etc when penetrated from the front / side hull, or even the turret.
* -5 degrees gun depression is below average, making it ineffective to combat in hills comparing to the [[M4]] with -10 degrees depression
* Rather long reload time means the player must carefully aim each shot
* Large fuel tanks scattered at the sides of the hull, tend to catch fire if being hit
* Despite not having APCR, the AP all lack the penetration against more heavily armoured foes like the [[StuH 42 G]]

== History ==

===Development===
By 1939, the most numerous tank models in the Red Army were the [[T-26|T-26]] and the [[BT-7|BT-series]] light tanks. Though adequate on the days they were introduced, they are now outdated by this time due to the changing technology in anti-tank warfare. Back in 1937, a new tank project was already taking place under engineer Mikhail Koshkin, who was assigned to lead a design team at the Kharkiv Locomotive Factory (KhPZ) for a replacement for the BT light tanks as a new "cavalry tank" to engage in manoeuvre warfare. The first prototype was designated the ''A-20'' with 20 mm of armour, a 45 mm gun, and a diesel engine in a V-12 configuration. The Christie suspension is taken from the BT, even the conversion to drive track-less on roads. But gradually, the new track designs available made this conversion redundant and was excluded in further models. The A-20 also showed the effective research done into sloping armour on previous prototype designs, utilizing an all-round sloping armour on the design.

It was during this design process that the Russo-Japanese border wars took place and showed the deficiency of the T-26 and BT models. Koshkin then appealed for the initiation of a much better tank concept, the "universal tank" to completely replace the T-26 and BT tanks. The second prototype was the ''A-32'' and has an increased 32 mm of frontal armour with a 76.2 mm L-10 gun. The heavier prototype was still just as mobile as the A-20, and further development into the design increased the frontal armour thickness to 45 mm thick and a newer 76.2 mm L-11 gun attached instead. This model was approved for production and designated the '''T-34''' after the year 1934 when Koshkin believed was when he formulated the idea for the T-34. Koshkin, however, never saw his tanks in action as he succumbed to pneumonia in September 1940 after trials with the T-34 in the cold winter. Thus, the drivetrain developer Alexander Morozov was appointed as the next Chief Designer. The T-34 tank would go on to become the most produced World War II tank, with 84,070 tanks produced in the production span between 1940 to 1958.

===Design===
The T-34 took all of the Soviet's experiences with tanks and incorporated into the design. The tank had great sloping armour, a powerful engine, wide tracks, and a large gun. At its introduction, the armour of the T-34 was one of the best in the world, by sloping the 45 mm thick armour plate by 60 degrees, the effective thickness was now 90 mm thick. The armour was welded into place instead of riveted as rivets tend to "spall" and cause damage inside the tank even if the armour was not penetrated. The 76.2 mm gun was a major advantage compared to those on its adversaries, as it could be used as a multi-purpose weapon against infantry and tanks, unlike the Germans who had tanks split for two different roles such as the [[Pz.III E|Panzer III for anti-tank]] and the [[Pz.IV F1|Panzer IV for infantry support]]. The engine, a Model V-2-34 V12 diesel engine, was adequately powerful for the Christie suspension tank design and allowed the T-34 to reach a maximum of 53 km/h (33 mph). The powerful engine, added with the wide tracks that gave it lower ground pressure, allowed the T-34 to travel across cross-country terrain with relative freedom without risk of bogging down.

However, the T-34 is not without its fault and its quality is very questionable in some cases. Two [[T-34 (1941)]] models were sent to the United States in late 1942 for evaluations. The evaluations found the armour quality to be rather insufficient, with improper welding in places that can allow leaks and improper alloys that made armour weaker in some places than others, the T-34 cast turret was even found to use softer armour than the hull that render it vulnerable to even 37 mm shells. The gun sights for the 76.2 mm cannon was also quite poor in comparison to the Axis and other Allies. The tank reliability was also troubled by various mechanical issues, especially in the earlier models. Low-quality air filters and insufficient airflow could impede the engine capabilities and the turret drive had poor reliability that could easily jam up. The vision devices were also poor, the crew are unable to see outside the tank with enough situational awareness, even the tank commander couldn't see well out of the tank. Also, the lack of radios on the first few years of T-34s forced the tank commanders to communicate via flags, with only company commanders tanks fitted with the radios. Ergonomics inside the tanks was unsatisfactory and was very cramped inside, with no turret basket the loader has to struggle when the turret rotates and accessing ammunition on the floor boxes makes it a hard and dangerous job for the loader. The commander's hatch on the turret was also one-piece, making even a "heads-up" view for the commander impossible on these large one-piece hatches. Finally, the two-person turret suffered from not only a very cramped compartment but an overworked commander who has to act as a gunner as well.

===T-34 Mod. 1940===
The '''T-34 Mod. 1940''' was the initial production variant of the T-34 and the first of the T-34/76 series. In its initial stages, it ran into political trouble from the conservative side, who wanted to keep the T-26 and BTs in production, that or keep the T-34 out of production as the more advanced T-34M completes its development to take over the tank role more effectively. However, these concerns were dissipated with the Winter War against Finland and the German Blitzkrieg tactics across Poland and France, which then advocated for the mass-production of the T-34 to compete against the Germans and improve the Soviet armoured forces.

The production for the T-34 started in September 1940 and completely overtook the production of the T-26, BTs, and even the [[T-28]] at the KhPZ plant. However, the new design features on the T-34 plus the heavier weight on the tank compared to its predecessors posed a problem to the Soviet industry due to insufficient toolings and machinery available in the majority of the Soviet manufacturing plants, thus defects in armour plates were present in the early models.

The T-34 Mod. 1940 never saw wide use as the design was improved with better gun and layout. The L-11 76.2 mm gun was found to be insufficient in performance, so it was replaced by the newly designed F-34 gun, which was much better than its predecessors. The interior of the tank was also fitted with a 9-RS radio set (when available) and thicker, better quality armour on the tank. This new tank design would be the [[T-34 (1941)|T-34 Mod. 1941]] and this replaced the 1940 model, of which only 400 units were produced before it was phased out, in comparison to the 35,120 T-34/76 models produced in the war.

=== In-game description ===
The most prolific and most popular soviet tank of World War II. It was developed in factory No. 183's design bureau for deployment in 1939. Around 100 of them were made by the end of 1940.

The T-34 Mod. 1940 had a hull and turret made of rolled armour plates set at a slope. Cast steel turrets were installed on some of the tanks. The vehicle was armed with a short-barrelled 76.2 mm L-11 Mod. 1938 cannon with a 30.5 calibre barrel length, and two DT machine guns, one paired with the cannon and the other a bow machine gun set in the frontal armour plate. Its designers used the Christie suspension with five large steel road wheels paired at each side and a large area of clearance between the second and third pairs. The T-34 Mod. 1940 became the standard model for all the tank's alternate designs. They had interchangeable parts, including the engine, armament, transmission and periscopes.

The T-34 had an unusually high power-to-weight ratio thanks to the new economic B-2 diesel engine. The tank enjoyed absolute superiority over other tanks of a comparable class in its mobility, manoeuvrability and moveability. The vehicle had a high weight limit, allowing for modernisation based on the results of combat deployment.

When it was put into service, all the T-34's primary tactical and technical characteristics surpassed those of all the Wehrmacht's tanks. The flaws of the first series of this tank were its low motor operating time, unreliable gearbox, the incomplete design of its observation instruments, its crowded fighting compartment and its poorly placed ammunition complement.

Because of the poor development of relevant tactics, the deployment of these tanks at the beginning of the war was extremely unsuccessful. The crews were completely untrained, the tactical use of these tanks was poor, and their deficit of armour-piercing shells and lack of repair and evacuation equipment also had a negative effect. Practically all tanks of this type produced in 1940 were lost in the first two months of the war.

== Media ==


;Skins

* [http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23t34_1940 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|XorVHprN6f8|'''The T-34 Family''' - ''War Thunder Official Channel'' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 00:39.|z5QXB5Nx99o|'''T-34 1940 Tank Review''' - ''NUSensei''}}

== See also ==


* [[T-34 (Family)]]

== External links ==


* [[wt:en/news/2622--en|[Vehicle Profile] The T-34 mod. 1940]]

{{USSR medium tanks}}