Difference between revisions of "Churchill AVRE Petard"

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{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=uk_churchill_avre
 
|code=uk_churchill_avre
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
|market=id50272_churchill_avre_petard_great_britain
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The {{Specs|name}}, officially the "Mortar, Recoiling, Spigot, 29mm, Mk I", was the first vehicle to bear the name "AVRE" (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineer) as a breakthrough tank for the British Army's Royal Engineers. The 1942 Dieppe Raid revealed a dire need for a vehicle that could assist in breaching extensive bunker/pillbox defences, particularly when attempting to break through enemy lines from new beachheads. This vehicle would serve as a mobile cover for Royal Engineers while operating in the battlefield. After evaluations of several tanks, the Churchill infantry tank became the chosen vehicle for this mission. Aside from some components being replaced by engineering supplies and having larger side doors for infantry operation, a new 290 mm [[Mortars|spigot mortar]], dubbed the "flying dustbin", was also installed in the turret to launch ranged demolition charges without having to leave the vehicle during crossfire. After trials in 1943, the new vehicle, now known as the Churchill AVRE, was ready for service and proved very successful during the breakthrough stage in the Normandy Landings in June 1944. The 79th Armoured Division, with their "Hobart's Funnies" vehicles, successfully provided reliable support for the first wave of assault groups. The AVRE name would also be retained for all new vehicles designed for these purposes, including the [[Centurion Mk.5 AVRE]] which was still in service during the Gulf War of the 1990s.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' , officially the "'''Mortar, Recoiling, Spigot, 29mm, Mk I'''", was the first vehicle to bear the name "AVRE" ('''A'''rmored '''V'''ehicle '''R'''oyal '''E'''ngineer) as a breakthrough tank for British Army's Royal Engineers. By 1942, after the dreadful Dieppe raid at very high man cost due to the lack of means for beachhead breakthrough, especially beachheads with extensive bunker/pillbox and during explosive works on breaching obstacles. This led to a program to develop a vehicle specifically for this purpose and serving as a mobile cover for royal engineers while operating in the battlefield; after the evaluations done on different tanks, the Churchill infantry tank became the chosen vehicle for this mission. Aside from some components were replaced by engineering supplies and having larger side doors for infantry operation, a new 290 mm spigot motor dubbed "flying dustbin" was also installed in the turret as the ranged demolition charge without having to leave the vehicle during crossfire. After trials in 1943, the new vehicle now known as the AVRE was ready for service and proved very successful during the breakthrough stage on the Normandy Landings on June 1944, where the 79th Armored Division with their "Hobart's Funnies" vehicles successfully provided reliable support for the first wave of assault groups. The AVRE name would also be retained for all new vehicles designed for these purposes, including the [[Centurion Mk.5 AVRE]] which was still in service in Gulf War of 1990s.
  
Introduced during [[Update "Alpha Strike"]] as a reward for the [[wt:en/news/8912-event-earn-the-churchill-avre-in-the-operation-overlord-event-en|2024 Operation Overlord event]], the Churchill AVRE plays similarly to the German [[38 cm Sturmmörser|Sturmtiger]], as instead of a cannon it has a 230 mm Petard mortar, which launches huge 18 kg projectiles. However, such a weapon requires special skill: aiming is not easy due to the low initial velocity of the projectile. For the same reason, the effective range of the mortar's flight does not exceed 100 metres, so the Churchill AVRE is effective only at short combat distances, such as in urban areas. The outstanding protection of the Churchill will be very useful to get close enough to enemy vehicles, allowing it to survive several hits. However, it should be noted that the gun has a long reload time, and the loaded shell in the barrel can be easily detonated with even machine gun fire.
+
Introduced during [[Update "Alpha Strike"]] as a reward for the [[wt:en/news/8912-event-earn-the-churchill-avre-in-the-operation-overlord-event-en|2024 Operation Overlord event]], the vehicle retains most features from a conventional Churchill Mk.III tank with sufficient protection, but when players see the oddly short yet high caliber spigot motor at very close range, the "flying dustbin" will be the very last thing they ever see before the vehicle is blasted into pieces.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{Specs-Tank-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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
The Churchill AVRE's protection is identical to that of a baseline [[Churchill III]]. For its rank, the Churchill has relatively reliable protection thanks to its true identity - a heavy tank (although officially an infantry tank). However, remember that "reliable" does not equate to "invincible"; there are still some cannons that can penetrate the III series, for example, the Soviet F-34 and German Kwk 42, as well as US 3-inch guns. In most cases, if their shot lands on sloped parts of the hull, the AVRE will very unlikely be harmed at all. Be sure to keep the flanks clear, even if this means being less aggressive than one would normally indulge with the Churchill series to avoid being overwhelmed while reloading.
+
To conclude the protection of AVRE in one simple sentence: identical to a baseline Churchill III. By its tier, Churchill has a relatively reliable protection thanks to its true identity - a heavy tank (although officially an infantry tank); before jumping straight into a game, the "reliable" protection is not equal to invincible as there are still some cannons that can penetrate the III series i.e Soviet F-34 and German Kwk 42, as well as US 3 inch guns. In most cases, if their shot falls onto sloped parts of the hull, AVRE will very unlikely be harmed at all; be sure to keep the flanks clear and not as aggressive as on standard Churchill series since it takes more than 15 seconds to reload the petard, any missed shot is the worst decision players can ever made.
  
As for the crew and internal compartments, the overall layout is mostly identical to a Churchill III, but the major difference lies in the remaining demolition charges stored inside the vehicle. While the sufficiently spacious interior might mitigate some damage, a direct hit on those charges will certainly blow the turret to the height of Big Ben. Therefore, pointing the hull at oncoming fire is essential for the Churchill AVRE's service.
+
As for the crew and internal compartments, the overall layout is mostly identical to a III, but the major difference goes to the remaining demolition charges stored inside the vehicle, while the sufficiently spacious interior might migrate some damage, a direct hit on those charges will certainly blow the turret into the height of Big Ben. So pointing the hull at oncoming fire is very essential for the service of Churchill AVRE.
  
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
|Hull||89 mm ''Front plate'' <br> 89 + 89 mm ''Front plate (MG Port)'' <br> 38 mm (63°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 76.2 mm (19°) ''Lower glacis''
+
|Hull||89 mm ''Front plate''
|63.5 mm ''Overall side armour'' <br> 76.2 mm ''Side hatch'' <br> 38.1 mm ''Side edge''
+
89 + 89 mm ''Front plate (MG Port)''
|50.8 mm <br> 25.4 mm (60-69°) ''Bottom''
+
38 mm (63°) ''Front glacis''
|19.05 mm ''Front'' <br> 15.87 mm ''Rear''
+
76.2 mm (19°) ''Lower glacis''
 +
|63.5 mm ''Overall side armour''
 +
76.2 mm ''Side hatch''
 +
 
 +
38.1 mm ''Side edge''
 +
|50.8 mm
 +
25.4 mm (60-69°) ''Bottom''
 +
|19.05 mm ''Front''
 +
15.87 mm ''Rear''
 
|-
 
|-
|Turret||89 mm (0-49°) ''Turret front'' <br> 89 mm (0-30°) ''Gun mantlet'' <br>19.05 mm (77°) ''Roof area''
+
|Turret||89 mm (0-49°) ''Turret front''
 +
89 mm (0-30°) ''Gun mantlet''
 +
 
 +
19.05 mm (77°) ''Roof area''
 
|76.2 mm (0-47°)||76.2 + 7 mm||19.05 mm
 
|76.2 mm (0-47°)||76.2 + 7 mm||19.05 mm
 
|-
 
|-
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
The Churchill III uses the same engine as any previous or later production of the Churchill series, namely the Belford "Flat Twelve" 12-cylinder, horizontal petrol engine. Although it can drive the vehicle, it will never be the first to hit the frontline due to its rather slow acceleration and a top speed of 24 km/h.
+
Churchill Mk.III uses identical engine to any previous or later production of Churchill series, namely the Belford "Flat Twelve" 12 cylinder, horizontal petrol engine; maxed at 350 hp, although it can drive the vehicle, but this also means it would never be the first to hit the frontline due to its rather slow acceleration and topped at 24 km/h.
  
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=452|rbMinHp=310}}
+
{{tankMobility}}
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
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{{main|Petard (230 mm)}}
 
{{main|Petard (230 mm)}}
  
The 29 mm of the tank's designation refers to the spigot (the tube that the ammunition is inserted onto); the ammunition itself is 230 mm and known as the "Petard", or commonly as the "flying dustbin" referring to its dustbin-like appearance. With around 17.8 kg of TNT explosive charge, a single hit can demolish most, if not all, targets the AVRE will face at its tier. Be careful of its rather long reload time (reloaded by the driver from an overhead hatch into the barrel) and damage to the ammunition itself, even from machine gun fire.
+
Players might have some confusion with the official name of the tank and its true caliber; the 29 mm is in fact referring to the spigot (the tube that the ammunition inserted onto), the ammunition itself is 230 mm and known as the Petard or commonly as the "flying dustbin" referring to its dustbin like appearance. With around 17.8 kg TNTe of demolition charge, a single hit can literary demolish most, if not all targets AVRE will face at its tier; be careful of its rather long reload time (reloaded by driver from a overhead hatch into the barrel) and damages to the ammunition itself even from machine gun fire.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 16 || rowspan="2" | -3°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 19.4 || 26.9 || 32.6 || 36.1 || 38.4 || rowspan="2" | 26.00 || rowspan="2" | 23.00 || rowspan="2" | 21.20 || rowspan="2" | 20.00
+
| rowspan="2" | 16 || rowspan="2" | -3°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
| 14.3 || 16.8 || 20.4 || 22.6 || 24.0
+
| __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{{main|BESA (7.92 mm)}}
 
{{main|BESA (7.92 mm)}}
  
All British-built tanks in WWII mount a .303 BESA machine gun; in this case, the machine gun is mounted in the turret for taking out exposed crews of enemy vehicles.
+
All British-built tanks in WWII retains a .303 BESA machine gun; in this case, the machine gun is retained in the turret for taking out exposed crews of enemy vehicles.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
| Coaxial || 9,450 (225) || 600 || - || -
+
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
Unlike common Churchill series with 75 mm gun, AVRE is equipped with a "29 mm Spigot" instead for breaching defense lines; the caliber itself is indeed harmless at first glance, but do remember spigot means the base tube of the weapon - the diameter of the projectile itself is 230 mm, second largest to Sturmtiger's 38 cm rocket in ground battle. To say at least, at its tier, nothing can survive a direct hit from that demolition charge. While the charge sounds invincible against any targets, if players underestimate any potential enemies, they can often find ways to sent the AVRE to its kingdom come. Thus it has to use with caution while holding devastating power.
+
''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).''
 
 
A thumb rule for any petard mortars is - it will never fly straight. For players who might have experiences or knowledge on such type of weapon, it can be said as an oversized PIAT anti-tank launcher. Due to the supersize of the demolition charge and method of launching, even with the propellent charges ignited, the 40 lbs (or, 18.2 kg) charge can only fly at most 150 meters; in reality during WWII, the vehicle was usually used for breaching enemy fortifications or fortified buildings at very close range without risking the lives of Royal Engineers, which also means the vehicle is designed for scenario with very few or none AT weapon from the enemy. In most cases in game, around the tier of AVRE, most tanks with low caliber guns or short barrel are powerless against the AVRE; this do applies to tanks with only full-caliber kinetic shells, sometimes players might run into tank destroyers with long-barrel gun or tanks with HEAT and even APDS shells (exclusive to Swedish tanks). Churchill III (its chassis) by itself is certainly durable by this tier with 89 mm of armor up front, this time even with spare tracks as applique armor; do remember that is perpendicular to the ground, thus enemy guns just only need to get in range with sufficient penetration to hit the tank, those aforementioned guns will not have problem doing so given the tank is not angled at all; angling on a Churchill is quite an experience due to the tank design - since the tank has a somewhat complicated side layout and the tracks are covered by steel plates, by just angling the tank by some extent, the ballistics of enemy shells will become very complicated upon penetration, thus bouncing the shell or not having enough penetration to harm the combat compartment. As long as players can keep the vehicle operational and reach firing radius, aiming for the closest enemy is a good idea to earn income as it doesn't require gun sight adjustments before firing, due to the rather curve ballistics and extremely slow velocity, the demolition charge can only travel up to 150 m at most; this is also risky without any support from friendly vehicles to defend against flanking or eliminating high-threat targets with high-penetration gun, any misses on enemy also leads to a up-to 26 second reload - more than enough for any tanks at its tier to fire 4 times. For most targets, landing the charge on them is already a certain death sentence to them or at least disable them enough for another shot, hitting heavy targets i.e KVs or StuGs needs the player to aim for their top plates as close as possible to overpressure them for good.
 
 
 
The AVRE is a quite unique experience for a combat vehicle at its tier: while it has the most devastating firepower, the ballistics become a major drawback of the vehicle. But when players can advance the vehicle with caution for flanking enemies and only advances to vantage points with sufficient cover for retreat, enemy will have very hard time dealing with the "flying dustbin" and its demolition charge. Plan wisely for advance while being a spearhead to break through enemy lines.  
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->'''Pros:'''
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
  
 
* Huge explosive filler in mortar shell can obliterate anything it touches, even above its BR
 
* Huge explosive filler in mortar shell can obliterate anything it touches, even above its BR
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* Extremely terrible shell velocity; cannot shoot further than 10 meters in a straight line, and has a maximum range of only 150 meters
 
* Extremely terrible shell velocity; cannot shoot further than 10 meters in a straight line, and has a maximum range of only 150 meters
* Being a mortar shell, the shell takes very long time to lob and descend onto the target if shooting at range, making it very difficult to hit moving targets
+
* Being a mortar shell, the shell takes very long time to lob and descend onto the target if shooting at range, making it nearly impossible to hit moving targets
* Due to very limited range of the mortar, the tank struggle to perform in open terrain where virtually all enemies can outrange it
+
* Due to very limited range of the mortar, the tank struggle to perform in open terrain where virtually all of the enemy can outrange it
 
* Mortar shell can be detonated inside the barrel, potentially causing lethal damage
 
* Mortar shell can be detonated inside the barrel, potentially causing lethal damage
 
* Very poor top speed and mobility, highly vulnerable to airstrike
 
* Very poor top speed and mobility, highly vulnerable to airstrike
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* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
* [[Mortars]]
+
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
* [[Matilda Hedgehog]]
+
 
* [[38 cm Sturmmörser]]
+
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Revision as of 18:55, 3 July 2024

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This page is about the British heavy tank Churchill AVRE Petard. For other variants, see Churchill (Family).
Churchill AVRE Petard
uk_churchill_avre.png
GarageImage Churchill AVRE Petard.jpg
Churchill AVRE Petard

Description

The Churchill Mk.III AVRE Petard , officially the "Mortar, Recoiling, Spigot, 29mm, Mk I", was the first vehicle to bear the name "AVRE" (Armored Vehicle Royal Engineer) as a breakthrough tank for British Army's Royal Engineers. By 1942, after the dreadful Dieppe raid at very high man cost due to the lack of means for beachhead breakthrough, especially beachheads with extensive bunker/pillbox and during explosive works on breaching obstacles. This led to a program to develop a vehicle specifically for this purpose and serving as a mobile cover for royal engineers while operating in the battlefield; after the evaluations done on different tanks, the Churchill infantry tank became the chosen vehicle for this mission. Aside from some components were replaced by engineering supplies and having larger side doors for infantry operation, a new 290 mm spigot motor dubbed "flying dustbin" was also installed in the turret as the ranged demolition charge without having to leave the vehicle during crossfire. After trials in 1943, the new vehicle now known as the AVRE was ready for service and proved very successful during the breakthrough stage on the Normandy Landings on June 1944, where the 79th Armored Division with their "Hobart's Funnies" vehicles successfully provided reliable support for the first wave of assault groups. The AVRE name would also be retained for all new vehicles designed for these purposes, including the Centurion Mk.5 AVRE which was still in service in Gulf War of 1990s.

Introduced during Update "Alpha Strike" as a reward for the 2024 Operation Overlord event, the vehicle retains most features from a conventional Churchill Mk.III tank with sufficient protection, but when players see the oddly short yet high caliber spigot motor at very close range, the "flying dustbin" will be the very last thing they ever see before the vehicle is blasted into pieces.

General info

Survivability and armour

To conclude the protection of AVRE in one simple sentence: identical to a baseline Churchill III. By its tier, Churchill has a relatively reliable protection thanks to its true identity - a heavy tank (although officially an infantry tank); before jumping straight into a game, the "reliable" protection is not equal to invincible as there are still some cannons that can penetrate the III series i.e Soviet F-34 and German Kwk 42, as well as US 3 inch guns. In most cases, if their shot falls onto sloped parts of the hull, AVRE will very unlikely be harmed at all; be sure to keep the flanks clear and not as aggressive as on standard Churchill series since it takes more than 15 seconds to reload the petard, any missed shot is the worst decision players can ever made.

As for the crew and internal compartments, the overall layout is mostly identical to a III, but the major difference goes to the remaining demolition charges stored inside the vehicle, while the sufficiently spacious interior might migrate some damage, a direct hit on those charges will certainly blow the turret into the height of Big Ben. So pointing the hull at oncoming fire is very essential for the service of Churchill AVRE.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 89 mm Front plate

89 + 89 mm Front plate (MG Port) 38 mm (63°) Front glacis 76.2 mm (19°) Lower glacis

63.5 mm Overall side armour

76.2 mm Side hatch

38.1 mm Side edge

50.8 mm

25.4 mm (60-69°) Bottom

19.05 mm Front

15.87 mm Rear

Turret 89 mm (0-49°) Turret front

89 mm (0-30°) Gun mantlet

19.05 mm (77°) Roof area

76.2 mm (0-47°) 76.2 + 7 mm 19.05 mm

Notes:

Mobility

Churchill Mk.III uses identical engine to any previous or later production of Churchill series, namely the Belford "Flat Twelve" 12 cylinder, horizontal petrol engine; maxed at 350 hp, although it can drive the vehicle, but this also means it would never be the first to hit the frontline due to its rather slow acceleration and topped at 24 km/h.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade Expression error: Unexpected * operator. _,___ __.__ __.__
Realistic _,___ __.__ __.__

Modifications and economy

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: Petard (230 mm)

Players might have some confusion with the official name of the tank and its true caliber; the 29 mm is in fact referring to the spigot (the tube that the ammunition inserted onto), the ammunition itself is 230 mm and known as the Petard or commonly as the "flying dustbin" referring to its dustbin like appearance. With around 17.8 kg TNTe of demolition charge, a single hit can literary demolish most, if not all targets AVRE will face at its tier; be careful of its rather long reload time (reloaded by driver from a overhead hatch into the barrel) and damages to the ammunition itself even from machine gun fire.

230 mm Petard Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 16 -3°/+15° ±180° - __._ __._ __._ __._ __._ _.__ _.__ _.__ _.__
Realistic __._ __._ __._ __._ __._

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
No.1 Demolition Bomb Rocket 64 64 64 64 64 64
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
No.1 Demolition Bomb Rocket 50 18.14 0 0.1 17.73 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
16 __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __ (+__) __

Machine guns

Main article: BESA (7.92 mm)

All British-built tanks in WWII retains a .303 BESA machine gun; in this case, the machine gun is retained in the turret for taking out exposed crews of enemy vehicles.

7.92 mm BESA
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:

  • Huge explosive filler in mortar shell can obliterate anything it touches, even above its BR
  • Due to curved arc of the mortar, it can be easily lobbed over obstacles or terrain to hit target hiding behind them
  • Extremely thick armour, especially for its BR

Cons:

  • Extremely terrible shell velocity; cannot shoot further than 10 meters in a straight line, and has a maximum range of only 150 meters
  • Being a mortar shell, the shell takes very long time to lob and descend onto the target if shooting at range, making it nearly impossible to hit moving targets
  • Due to very limited range of the mortar, the tank struggle to perform in open terrain where virtually all of the enemy can outrange it
  • Mortar shell can be detonated inside the barrel, potentially causing lethal damage
  • Very poor top speed and mobility, highly vulnerable to airstrike

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: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

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

See also

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

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

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Britain heavy tanks
Matilda  Matilda III · Matilda Hedgehog
Churchill  Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile · Churchill NA75 · Black Prince
Post-war  Caernarvon · Conqueror
Other  Independent · Excelsior · TOG II

Britain premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105
Medium tanks  A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
  Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X
  Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES
Heavy tanks  Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince
Tank destroyers  Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram