Difference between revisions of "SAu 40"

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{{Specs-Card|code=fr_somua_sau40}}
+
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=fr_somua_sau40
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to 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 the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it 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.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was developed by SOMUA between 1935 and 1937 alongside the S.35 tank for French cavalry. It featured a redesigned hull to house a 75 mm cannon and a new commander's cupola with a machine gun. The prototype was finished in 1939 after delays in acquiring the cannon. It is uncertain if more vehicles were produced or if it saw combat action. Doctrinally, the vehicle was relegated to a support role, intended to provide cover for heavier tanks like the Char B1.
−
{{break}}
 
−
The '''{{specs|name}}''' (DE 75 mm Self-Propelled Gun SAu 40) is a Rank {{specs|rank}} French tank destroyer {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. It distinguish itself by its very tall cupola and thick gun barrel. This tank is equipped with APHE rounds, a rare feature in the French tech tree.
 
  
−
As it was developped from the French [[S.35]], this tank shares many of its characteristics such as ~40 mm cast hull bolted onto the chassis, which is barely a widened version of its original. The track system is mostly the same as on the [[S.35]], with 25 mm plates covering the roller wheels. As for the hull, its two 8 mm ''grilles'' over the engine compartment and doors on the side reinforces the impression that it's just a widened [[S.35]] hull.
+
It was introduced in [[Update 1.75 "La Résistance"]]. It distinguishes itself by its very tall cupola and thick gun barrel. This tank is equipped with APHE rounds, a rare feature in the French tech tree. As it was developed from the French [[S.35]], this tank shares many of its characteristics such as the ~40 mm thick cast hull bolted onto the chassis, which is barely a widened version of its original. The track system is mostly the same as on the [[S.35]], with 25 mm plates covering the roller wheels. As for the hull, it's a widened variant of the [[S.35]]'s hull with two 8 mm grilles over the engine compartment and doors on the side. The tank features an APHE shell, this increases the chances of one-shots at enemy tanks.  In terms of mobility, it is a pretty slow tank, and it's not very survivable either, it has a very large profile and the commander's cupola is a big weak point that can be exploited by other vehicles.
  
−
As this tank is based off the [[S.35]], it shares many of its attributes when it comes to armour. A slight angle can defeat most shots this tank will take at this BR, this is useful to know when getting into position: from a distance and not showing neither side nor front to the enemy, you should be safe. As for frontal armour, its 40 mm overall thickness is not strong enough to withstand anything bigger than AA fire. But, a thing to consider with this weird pattern is its "bouncy" behaviour, principally around the gun mantlet: complex angles may just bounce some shots, making them loose some energy before hitting the main armour, this feature is peculiarly distinctive at gun's height.  
+
== 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.'' -->
 +
As this tank is based off the [[S.35]], it shares many of its attributes when it comes to armour. A slight angle can defeat most shots this tank will take at this BR, this is useful to know when getting into position: from a distance and not showing neither side nor front to the enemy, you should be safe. As for frontal armour, its 40 mm overall thickness is not strong enough to withstand anything bigger than AA fire. But, a thing to consider with this weird pattern is its "bouncy" behaviour, principally around the gun mantlet: complex angles may just bounce some shots, making them lose some energy before hitting the main armour, this feature is peculiarly distinctive at gun's height.
  
−
The main weakness of this tank is its ''very tall'' commander's cupola, which makes it quite easy to spot and destroy, as it is thinner than the main armour. Any APHE penetrating this area will kill the tank's commander, thus disabling its only MG and some shrapnels may even damage or kill the driver, disabling this tank for good. A way to avoid getting spotted too easily is buying camouflage for the front cupola area, making it look more like a bush popping out a hill than a tank's turret. Try to hide the tank's lower hull part as it is only 35 mm thick.
+
The main weakness of this tank is its very tall MG turret, which makes it quite easy to spot and destroy, as it is thinner than the main armour. Any APHE penetrating this area will knock out the tank's commander, thus disabling its only MG and some shrapnels may even damage or incapacitate the driver, disabling this tank for good. A way to avoid getting spotted too easily is buying camouflage for the front cupola area, making it look more like a bush popping out a hill than a tank's turret. Try to hide the tank's lower hull part as it is only 34 mm thick.
  
−
While being mounted on a widened [[S.35]] hull, this heavier tank has about 70 HP less than its predecessor, making it quite slow and unwieldy. In order to fulfill the task of getting into position, one should choose its route wisely and avoid risky spots as this tank's ''awful'' reverse speed and hull turning rate makes it quite bad at hasty retreats. Mobility with the Somua 40 is an issue. It is arguably what makes this tank hard to master as it does not allow for good map placement.
+
'''Armour type:'''
  
−
As any casemate SPG, this tank's main feature is its main gun...kind of. With average penetration rates for this BR with a maximum of 73 mm at point-blank ranges (comparably, the Russian [[SU-76M]] penetrates 80 mm with its basic APHE shell and up to 135 mm with APCR shots). While being one of the rare French tank shooting APHE shells, increasing its one-shot potential, this round noticeably fails to explode when flanking enemies as this round takes 25 mm of steel to detonate. Another concern being its slow horizontal traverse, which makes it hard to react to fast-paced situations. This gun placement makes this tank quite vulnerable: being low, it exposes the SOMUA 40 to enemy fire when popping up a hill.
+
* Cast homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (side skirts, engine vents, exhaust pipes)
  
−
As for the turreted MAC 31 MG, it does not helps at anything more than taking down truck-mounted guns. This turret is slow, which negates the possibility of chasing planes with it. It also has poor rate of fire and is low calibre, so even if you manage to hit a plane, it will not do much to it.
 
−
 
−
== General info ==
 
−
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
−
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
 
−
 
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 
−
'''Armour type:'''
 
−
* Cast homogeneous armour
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Hull || 40 mm (0-73°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 34 mm (1-54°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 60 mm (0-53°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 40 mm (0-24°), 34 mm (43-63°) ''Top'' <br> 40 (1-3°) + 25 mm (0-89°) ''Bottom'' || 34 mm (20-49°) ''Top'' <br> 34 mm (4-71°) ''Bottom'' || 20 mm <br> 8 mm ''Engine grille''
+
| Hull || 40 mm (0-73°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 34 mm (1-54°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 60 mm (spherical) ''Gun mantlet'' <br> 34 mm (cylindrical) ''Top - Turret base'' || 40 mm (20-46°) ''Top - Front'' <br> 34 mm (43-63°) ''Top - Roof junction'' <br> 34 mm (cylindrical) ''Top - Turret base'' <br> 40 mm ''Top - Centre and rear'' <br> 40 + 25 mm ''Bottom'' || 34 mm (26°) ''Upper plate'' <br> 34 mm (4) ''Centre plate'' <br> 34 mm (29-33°) ''Lower plate'' || 20 mm (9-15°) <br> 8 mm (14°) ''Engine vents''
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Turret || 38 mm (5-48°) <br> 25 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 38 mm (16-38°) || 38 mm (11-38°) || 20 mm <br> 34 mm ''Dome''
+
| MG turret || 38 mm (15-38°) ''Turret front'' <br> 38.5 mm (5°) + 25 mm ''Machine gun mantlet'' || 38 mm (16-38°) || 38 mm (23-32°) || 20 mm (8-17°)
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 34 mm (spherical) || 34 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
 
* Turret underside is 20 mm thick.
 
* Turret underside is 20 mm thick.
 
* Turret ring is 30 mm thick.
 
* Turret ring is 30 mm thick.
−
* Turret base is 34 mm thick.
+
* Hull underside above the tracks is 12.7 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
−
|-
+
 
−
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=270|rbMinHp=168}}
−
|-
+
 
−
! Weight (tons)
+
While being mounted on a widened [[S.35]] hull, the heavier {{PAGENAME}} has the same engine as its predecessor, making it quite slow and unwieldy, with a very low power-to-weight ratio. In order to fulfill the task of getting into position, one should choose their route wisely and avoid risky spots as this SPG's terrible reverse speed makes it quite bad at hasty retreats. Mobility with the {{PAGENAME}} is an issue. It is arguably what makes this tank hard to master as it does not allow for good map placement. One positive of this tank's mobility, however, is that it has a decent hull traverse because of the ability to use both tracks when turning in place.
−
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
+
 
−
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
+
=== Modifications and economy ===
−
|-
+
{{Specs-Economy}}
−
|rowspan="2" | 24.0 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 40 (AB)
 
−
|-
 
−
|37 (RB/SB)
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="1" | Mode
 
−
!Stock
 
−
!Upgraded
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Arcade''
 
−
|270
 
−
|___
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
−
|168
 
−
|190
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 
−
|-
 
−
!colspan="1" | Mode
 
−
!Stock
 
−
!Upgraded
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Arcade''
 
−
|11.25
 
−
|__.__
 
−
|-
 
−
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 
−
|7.00
 
−
|7.92
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|APX (75 mm)}}
 
{{main|APX (75 mm)}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
As any casemate SPG, this tank's main feature is its main gun, it is also one of the rare French tanks firing APHE shells. However, the cannon has an average penetration power for its BR. And the APHE round fails to explode when targeting enemies' sides, as the round has a rather high fuse sensitivity. Another concern is its slow horizontal traverse, which makes it hard to react to fast-paced combat situations. The gun placement makes this tank quite vulnerable: being low, it exposes the SAu 40 to enemy fire when popping up a hill.
−
|-
+
 
−
! colspan="6" | [[APX (75 mm)|75 mm APX]]
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
−
|-
 
−
| colspan="3" | 102 || -10°/+30° || -7°/+7.6° || N/A
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! style="width:4em" |Mode
+
! colspan="5" | [[APX (75 mm)|75 mm APX]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
−
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Arcade'' || 3.6 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Realistic'' || 3.6 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 101 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+30° || rowspan="2" | ±7° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 5.3 || 7.3 || 8.9 || 9.8 || 10.4 || rowspan="2" | 7.15 || rowspan="2" | 6.33 || rowspan="2" | 5.83 || rowspan="2" | 5.50
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! ''Realistic''
−
|-
+
| 3.6 || 4.2 || 5.1 || 5.6 || 6.0
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 7.2 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Ammunition ====
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:APX (75 mm)/Ammunition|Mle1910M, Mle1917}}
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
+
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.1.0.94''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
! Full<br>ammo
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
! 1st<br>rack empty
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
+
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 10m
+
| '''101''' || 84&nbsp;''(+17)'' || 66&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+59)'' || 18&nbsp;''(+83)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+100)'' || No
−
! 100m
 
−
! 500m
 
−
! 1000m
 
−
! 1500m
 
−
! 2000m
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Mle1910M || APHE || 73 || 71 || 61 || 50 || 43 || 36
 
−
|-
 
−
| Mle1917 || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
−
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 
−
''in m:''
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 
−
''in mm:''
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 
−
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 
−
|-
 
−
! 0%
 
−
! 50%
 
−
! 100%
 
−
|-
 
−
| Mle1910M || APHE || 570 || 6.4 || 1.2 || 25 || 90 || ° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 
−
|-
 
−
| Mle1917 || HE || 577 || 6.1 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 675 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
  
−
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
* As they are modeled by sets of 3 or 4, shells disappear from the rack only after you've fired all shells in the set.
−
[[File:Ammoracks {{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}.]]
+
* Flank racks empty: 18&nbsp;(+83) shells.
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
−
|-
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br />  rack empty
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
 
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
−
|-
 
−
|| '''102''' || 84&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 66&nbsp;''(+36)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+60)'' || 18&nbsp;''(+84)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+83)'' || style="text-align:left" | Floor only: 18&nbsp;(+83) || style="text-align:left" | no
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
<!--''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''-->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}
 
{{main|MAC 31 (7.5 mm)}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC-31]]
+
! colspan="5" | [[MAC 31 (7.5 mm)|7.5 mm MAC 31]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
+
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
+
| MG turret || 3,300 (150) || 551 || -9°/+20° || ±180°
−
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
−
|-
 
−
| colspan="4" | 3,250 (150) || 1,350 || N/A || N/A
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight. The turret is slow, which also negates the possibility of tracking low-flying aircraft with it.
  
−
== Usage in the 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 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).'' -->
−
The Somua 40 behaves as a classical casemate SPG as it should provide its teammates with superior firepower from medium to far distance, behind the frontlines where it will be harder to flank. As this is its purposed role, this tank has some issues accomplishing it. The first being its relatively low penetration and shell velocity, which makes long range engagements (>750 m)a bit hard to manage. The second being bad mobility, which complicates the task of positioning.
+
The {{PAGENAME}} behaves as a classical casemate SPG as it should provide its teammates with superior firepower from medium to far distance, behind the frontlines where it will be harder to flank. As this is its purposed role, this tank has some issues accomplishing it. The first being its relatively low penetration and shell velocity, which makes long range engagements (>750 m)a bit hard to manage. The second being bad mobility, which complicates the task of positioning.
  
 
Act as a classical SPG while keeping in mind your slow pace. There is nothing very much interesting nor special you can do with this tank.
 
Act as a classical SPG while keeping in mind your slow pace. There is nothing very much interesting nor special you can do with this tank.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "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:'''
−
* Firepower
+
 
−
:* Decent 75mm cannon with explosive filler gives it good one-shot potential.
+
* 75 mm APHE shell gives it good single-shot knock-out potential
−
:* "Terrific" MAC 31 gun mounted in cupola.
+
* Competitive reload time
−
:* Competitive reload time
+
* Strong armour on gun mantlet
−
:* Good HE shells for dealing with SPAAs at the BR.
+
 
−
:* Depression and elevation angles are acceptable.
 
−
* Armour is quite thick on all sides.
 
−
* Gun mantlet area is strong
 
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
* Commander's cupola is badly designed.
+
 
−
:* Tall commander’s cupola.
+
* Commander's turret is poorly armoured and a shot trap  
−
:* Turret-mounted 7.5 mm MG does not allow for shooting down planes.
+
* Machine gun placement makes AA use difficult
−
:* Weak, unslopped armour makes it a shot trap
+
* Poor mobility due to underpowered engine
−
:* Makes it easy to spot while bringing no tactical advantage.
+
* Slow gun traverse
−
* Slow in all domains.
+
* Frontal armour has many weak spots due to bad sloping
−
:* Engine is underpowered
+
* Only three crew members decreases survivability
−
:* Turret is slow
+
* Large ammo rack near gunner makes easy target for ammo rack detonations
−
:* Guns feels "lazy"
 
−
* Rather weak frontal armour due to bad sloping
 
−
* Three crew members can quickly lead to combat efficiency loss.
 
−
* Huge ammo rack near gunner makes it easy to one-shot.
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
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<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
The SAu 40 self-propelled gun was developed by the SOMUA company between 1935 and 1937 as part of the same order the French cavalry placed for the S.35 tank.
 +
 
 +
The two tanks combined were intended to equip light mechanized divisions of the French army and support the larger "battle tanks" (chars de bataille). The vehicle inherited the S.35's characteristic chassis with a redesigned front section of the hull to accommodate the 75 mm APX cannon. In addition, the rotating turret on top of the fighting compartment was redesigned to a commander's cupola and moved to the side of the vehicle, but the turret's 47 mm cannon was replaced with a single 7.5 mm machine gun.
 +
 
 +
The body of the SAu 40 was ready by 1937, but it couldn't be immediately completed. Because the cannon was not yet ready to be installed on the chassis, SOMUA engineers had to wait nearly 2 years before the cannon was finally made available. It wasn't until 1939 that the fully assembled prototype was completed, and orders for mass production were received in October of the same year.
 +
 
 +
Whether or not any additional vehicles other than the prototype were built or if the vehicle took part in active fighting is unknown.
 +
 
 +
''-From [[wt:en/news/5169-development-sau-40-the-ugly-duckling-en|Devblog]]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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;Skins
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=fr_somua_sau40 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
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 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|gch68D19_C4|'''SAu 40, French, Tier-2, Tank Destroyer''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''|uhgodizubC4|'''The Shooting Range #77''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 00:31 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:''
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* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with a similar chassis
 +
 
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* [[S.35]]
 +
 
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;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
  
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== Read also ==
+
* [[Sav m/43 (1944)]]
−
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5169-development-sau-40-the-ugly-duckling-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> SAu 40 - The Ugly Duckling]
 
  
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== Sources ==
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== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* ''other literature.''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
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 +
* [[wt:en/news/5169-development-sau-40-the-ugly-duckling-en|[Devblog] SAu 40 - The Ugly Duckling]]
 +
* [[wikipedia:SOMUA_S35#Projects|[Wikipedia] SOMUA S35 - Projects]]
  
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{{French tank destroyers}}
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{{TankManufacturer SOMUA}}
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{{France tank destroyers}}

Latest revision as of 20:12, 26 February 2024

SAu 40
fr_somua_sau40.png
GarageImage SAu 40.jpg
ArtImage SAu 40.png
SAu 40
France flag.png France
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.7 1.7 1.7
Class:
Research:5 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Canon Automoteur DE 75 mm SAu 40 was developed by SOMUA between 1935 and 1937 alongside the S.35 tank for French cavalry. It featured a redesigned hull to house a 75 mm cannon and a new commander's cupola with a machine gun. The prototype was finished in 1939 after delays in acquiring the cannon. It is uncertain if more vehicles were produced or if it saw combat action. Doctrinally, the vehicle was relegated to a support role, intended to provide cover for heavier tanks like the Char B1.

It was introduced in Update 1.75 "La Résistance". It distinguishes itself by its very tall cupola and thick gun barrel. This tank is equipped with APHE rounds, a rare feature in the French tech tree. As it was developed from the French S.35, this tank shares many of its characteristics such as the ~40 mm thick cast hull bolted onto the chassis, which is barely a widened version of its original. The track system is mostly the same as on the S.35, with 25 mm plates covering the roller wheels. As for the hull, it's a widened variant of the S.35's hull with two 8 mm grilles over the engine compartment and doors on the side. The tank features an APHE shell, this increases the chances of one-shots at enemy tanks. In terms of mobility, it is a pretty slow tank, and it's not very survivable either, it has a very large profile and the commander's cupola is a big weak point that can be exploited by other vehicles.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull40 / 40 / 34
Turret38 / 38 / 38
Crew3 people
Visibility99 %

As this tank is based off the S.35, it shares many of its attributes when it comes to armour. A slight angle can defeat most shots this tank will take at this BR, this is useful to know when getting into position: from a distance and not showing neither side nor front to the enemy, you should be safe. As for frontal armour, its 40 mm overall thickness is not strong enough to withstand anything bigger than AA fire. But, a thing to consider with this weird pattern is its "bouncy" behaviour, principally around the gun mantlet: complex angles may just bounce some shots, making them lose some energy before hitting the main armour, this feature is peculiarly distinctive at gun's height.

The main weakness of this tank is its very tall MG turret, which makes it quite easy to spot and destroy, as it is thinner than the main armour. Any APHE penetrating this area will knock out the tank's commander, thus disabling its only MG and some shrapnels may even damage or incapacitate the driver, disabling this tank for good. A way to avoid getting spotted too easily is buying camouflage for the front cupola area, making it look more like a bush popping out a hill than a tank's turret. Try to hide the tank's lower hull part as it is only 34 mm thick.

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (side skirts, engine vents, exhaust pipes)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 40 mm (0-73°) Front glacis
34 mm (1-54°) Lower glacis
60 mm (spherical) Gun mantlet
34 mm (cylindrical) Top - Turret base 		40 mm (20-46°) Top - Front
34 mm (43-63°) Top - Roof junction
34 mm (cylindrical) Top - Turret base
40 mm Top - Centre and rear
40 + 25 mm Bottom 		34 mm (26°) Upper plate
34 mm (4) Centre plate
34 mm (29-33°) Lower plate 		20 mm (9-15°)
8 mm (14°) Engine vents
MG turret 38 mm (15-38°) Turret front
38.5 mm (5°) + 25 mm Machine gun mantlet 		38 mm (16-38°) 38 mm (23-32°) 20 mm (8-17°)
Cupola 34 mm (spherical) 34 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Turret underside is 20 mm thick.
  • Turret ring is 30 mm thick.
  • Hull underside above the tracks is 12.7 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB41 / 6 km/h
RB and SB37 / 5 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight24.0 t
Engine power
AB363 hp
RB and SB190 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB15.1 hp/t
RB and SB7.9 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 41 6 24 270 363 11.25 15.13
Realistic 37 5 168 190 7 7.92

While being mounted on a widened S.35 hull, the heavier SAu 40 has the same engine as its predecessor, making it quite slow and unwieldy, with a very low power-to-weight ratio. In order to fulfill the task of getting into position, one should choose their route wisely and avoid risky spots as this SPG's terrible reverse speed makes it quite bad at hasty retreats. Mobility with the SAu 40 is an issue. It is arguably what makes this tank hard to master as it does not allow for good map placement. One positive of this tank's mobility, however, is that it has a decent hull traverse because of the ability to use both tracks when turning in place.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB298 → 368 Sl icon.png
RB332 → 410 Sl icon.png
SB400 → 494 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications5 960 Rp icon.png
4 500 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost410 Ge icon.png
Crew training1 800 Sl icon.png
Experts6 300 Sl icon.png
Aces75 Ge icon.png
Research Aces135 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 30 / 40 % Sl icon.png
106 / 106 / 106 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
970 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
970 Rp icon.png
Cost:
730 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement fr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
300 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
250 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
380 Sl icon.png
75 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm APX cannon
Ammunition101 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.2 → 5.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 30°
Horizontal guidance-7° / 7°
Main article: APX (75 mm)

As any casemate SPG, this tank's main feature is its main gun, it is also one of the rare French tanks firing APHE shells. However, the cannon has an average penetration power for its BR. And the APHE round fails to explode when targeting enemies' sides, as the round has a rather high fuse sensitivity. Another concern is its slow horizontal traverse, which makes it hard to react to fast-paced combat situations. The gun placement makes this tank quite vulnerable: being low, it exposes the SAu 40 to enemy fire when popping up a hill.

75 mm APX Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 101 -10°/+30° ±7° N/A 5.3 7.3 8.9 9.8 10.4 7.15 6.33 5.83 5.50
Realistic 3.6 4.2 5.1 5.6 6.0

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
Mle1910M APHE 77 75 66 57 49 42
Mle1917 HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Mle1910M APHE 570 6.4 1.2 14 90 47° 60° 65°
Mle1917 HE 577 6.13 0 0.1 675 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the SAu 40
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
101 84 (+17) 66 (+35) 42 (+59) 18 (+83) 1 (+100) No

Notes:

  • As they are modeled by sets of 3 or 4, shells disappear from the rack only after you've fired all shells in the set.
  • Flank racks empty: 18 (+83) shells.

Machine guns

7.5 mm MAC 31 machine gun
Ammunition3 300 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Fire rate551 shots/min
Main article: MAC 31 (7.5 mm)
7.5 mm MAC 31
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
MG turret 3,300 (150) 551 -9°/+20° ±180°

The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight. The turret is slow, which also negates the possibility of tracking low-flying aircraft with it.

Usage in battles

The SAu 40 behaves as a classical casemate SPG as it should provide its teammates with superior firepower from medium to far distance, behind the frontlines where it will be harder to flank. As this is its purposed role, this tank has some issues accomplishing it. The first being its relatively low penetration and shell velocity, which makes long range engagements (>750 m)a bit hard to manage. The second being bad mobility, which complicates the task of positioning.

Act as a classical SPG while keeping in mind your slow pace. There is nothing very much interesting nor special you can do with this tank.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 75 mm APHE shell gives it good single-shot knock-out potential
  • Competitive reload time
  • Strong armour on gun mantlet

Cons:

  • Commander's turret is poorly armoured and a shot trap
  • Machine gun placement makes AA use difficult
  • Poor mobility due to underpowered engine
  • Slow gun traverse
  • Frontal armour has many weak spots due to bad sloping
  • Only three crew members decreases survivability
  • Large ammo rack near gunner makes easy target for ammo rack detonations

History

The SAu 40 self-propelled gun was developed by the SOMUA company between 1935 and 1937 as part of the same order the French cavalry placed for the S.35 tank.

The two tanks combined were intended to equip light mechanized divisions of the French army and support the larger "battle tanks" (chars de bataille). The vehicle inherited the S.35's characteristic chassis with a redesigned front section of the hull to accommodate the 75 mm APX cannon. In addition, the rotating turret on top of the fighting compartment was redesigned to a commander's cupola and moved to the side of the vehicle, but the turret's 47 mm cannon was replaced with a single 7.5 mm machine gun.

The body of the SAu 40 was ready by 1937, but it couldn't be immediately completed. Because the cannon was not yet ready to be installed on the chassis, SOMUA engineers had to wait nearly 2 years before the cannon was finally made available. It wasn't until 1939 that the fully assembled prototype was completed, and orders for mass production were received in October of the same year.

Whether or not any additional vehicles other than the prototype were built or if the vehicle took part in active fighting is unknown.

-From Devblog

Media

Skins
Videos
SAu 40, French, Tier-2, Tank Destroyer - Angry Nerd Gaming
The Shooting Range #77 - Pages of History section at 00:31 discusses the SAu 40.

See also

Vehicles equipped with a similar chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Société d'Outillage Mécanique et d'Usinage d'Artillerie (SOMUA)
Tanks 
Medium tanks  S.35
Heavy tanks  Somua SM
Tank destroyers  SAu 40

France tank destroyers
Lorraine 40t derivatives  CA Lorraine · Lorraine 155 Mle.50
ATGM  MEPHISTO · AMX-10M
Other  AMR.35 ZT3 · Lorraine 37L · SAu 40 · ARL-44 · ELC bis · AMX-50 Foch · AuF1
USA  ▄M10 GMC · ▄M36B2

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