Strv m/31

Strv m/31

BT-42

Strv m/31

BT-42

Sweden

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.0	1.0	1.0

Class:

Light tank

Research:Free

Purchase:Free

Description

The Stridsvagn m/31 is a rank I Swedish light tank with a battle rating of 1.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury".

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Hull24 / 24 / 20

Turret24 / 24 / 24

Crew4 people

Visibility76 %

The armour of the Strv m/31 is thin and should not be relied on. The frontal hull armour tops at 24 mm and is poorly angled, meaning that almost any tank can penetrate it (eg. BT-5, M2, Pz.II), even the .50 cal! The hull side is 24mm thick which can also be penetrated with ease, but sometimes if the enemy messes up their aim, an angled 24mm side may bounce one or two shots.

The turret front is weak against high-penetrating tanks like M3 GMC and Panzerjager I, as it is still 24mm thick and not angled. But against weaker small-caliber rounds it may be effective to some extent. The gun mantlet is full of 'obstacles' like the armoured housings for the coaxial MG, the cannon barrels and its hydraulic recoil cylinders which, with the implementation of volumetric shells, became fairly good at catching shells and making them lose penetration. Thus the parts where shells can actually go through without being interferred are very small and hard to target. Other than the gun mantlet, the rest of the turret when viewed from the front are of extreme angles which will certainly ricochet any shells. However when shot from other directions the turret is still poorly armoured and is very unlikely to stop any shell.

The post-penetration survivability is very low since the 3 crew are seated closely to each other. An explosive-packed shot would usually knock all of them out. Even a solid shot/autocannon shells might easily knock out 2 crew, destroying the tank.

The only positive side is perhaps that the transmission is not located near the front so the Strv m/31 will not be immobolised if it gets frontally penetrated.

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	14 mm (59°) Upper Glacis 24 mm (31°) Lower Glacis 24 mm (1°) Machine Gun Port and Upper Hull Front 14 mm (35°-46°) Driver's Hatch 14 mm (39°) Machine Gunner's Hatch	24 mm	8 mm Upper 20 mm Lower	8 mm Front and Rear 5 mm Middle
Turret	24 mm (14°-15°) Turret front 24 mm (1°) Gun mantlet	24 mm	24 mm	8 mm

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB47 / 21 km/h

RB and SB43 / 19 km/h

Number of gears4 forward

3 back

Weight11.5 t

Engine power

AB286 hp

RB and SB150 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB24.9 hp/t

RB and SB13.0 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	47	21	11.5	310	286	26.96	24.87
Realistic	43	19		177	150	15.39	13.04

The mobility of the Strv m/31 is in the top range. Though not as fast as tanks like BT-5, this tank is still able to lead the charge with its great speed (both on and off road). On average the Strv m/31 can cruise at around 42 km/h, allowing it to get to any location on time. The reverse speed is also great, topping at 19 km/h meaning the player can usually retreat from danger without turning around, increasing survivability. This also gives it more agility to conduct short range tactical maneuvers. The hull traverse is slightly worse, often needing a forward/backward acceleration before turning. Overall, the Strv m/31 is fast and agile.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

ABfree

RBfree

SBfree

Total cost of modifications3 440

154

Talisman cost190

Crew trainingfree

Experts1 000

Aces10

Research Aces80 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

10 / 10 / 10 %

100 / 100 / 100 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 440 Cost: 19 50 Suspension Brake System Research: 380 Cost: 17 45 Filters Transmission Engine	Improved Parts Improved FPE Crew Replenishment	Horizontal Drive Research: 440 Cost: 19 50 Adjustment of Fire Research: 380 Cost: 17 45 Elevation Mechanism Research: 540 Cost: 25 60 Artillery Support Research: 420 Cost: 19 50 37mm_sw_m39_APHE_ammo_pack Research: 420 Cost: 19 50 37mm_sw_kan_APDS_ammo_pack Research: 420 Cost: 19 50

Armaments

Main armament

37 mm kan m/38 cannon

Ammunition127 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

4.1 → 3.1 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 25°

The Strv m/31 is equipped with a 37mm kan m/38 cannon, a good gun for a tank its rank. The cannon has adequate accuracy which allows engagement of distant targets to some extent; a rather fast reload time of ~3.5 seconds ensuring quick follow-up shots if failed to one-shot; and an impressive -10° gun depression meaning the tank can comfortably fight among hills.

The default slpprj m/38 round is very average, with around 50mm of penetration which is usually enough to penetrate most tanks, such as T-26, M3A1, Chi-Ha, etc. The post penetration effect is quite poor, but this is to be expected for a solid APBC shell. Good news is, the fast reload allows you to quickly pinpoint crews untouched by eariler shots.

The unlockable slpgr m/39 shell comes with a 15g explosive filler which can be very helpful given that most early-war tanks are cramped with small number of crew. This will result in the Strv m/31 easily one-shotting cramped tanks like BT-5/7, Pz.II, Ke-Ni, etc. However this shell does have a slightly worse penetration than the default APBC, so it will struggle more against better armoured tanks such as an angling M13/40.

The slpprj m/49 APDS will be a nasty surprise should the m/31 fights in an uptier. This shell has a formidable penetration of 105mm max, allowing the m/31 to penetrate tough tanks such as B1 bis/ter, Matilda, or Valentine. Its velocity of more than 1000m/s is very fast, meaning sniping moving targets is easier. Such velocity leads to a noticeably flattened trajectory, further easing the task of sniping. However, just like the default APBC, this shell has poor post-penetration damage, so be sure to aim for critical spots and use your fast reload well.

37 mm kan m/38					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	127	-10°/+20°	±180°	N/A	15.20	21.08	25.60	28.31	30.12	4.06	3.57	3.29	3.10
Realistic					9.50	11.20	13.60	15.04	16.00

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
3,7 cm slpprj m/49	APDS	105	103	97	89	82	75
slpgr m/39	APBC	55	51	37	26	17	12
slpprj m/38	APBC	59	55	41	28	19	13

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%
3,7 cm slpprj m/49	APDS	1,150	0.71	N/A	N/A	N/A	75°	78°	80°
slpgr m/39	APBC	800	0.74	1.2	9.0	15	47°	60°	65°
slpprj m/38	APBC	785	0.74	N/A	N/A	N/A	47°	60°	65°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
127	111 (+16)	67 (+60)	45 (+82)	1 (+126)	1 (+126)	Yes

Machine guns

6.5 mm ksp m/14-29 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition4 000 rounds

Belt capacity250 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

3.9 → 3.0 s

Fire rate499 shots/min

The Strv m/31 is equipped with a 6.5 mm machine gun, nothing out of the ordinary. It is useful for attacking AA vehicles or more lightly armoured foes.

6.5 mm ksp m/14-29
Mount	Capacity (Belt capacity)	Rate of fire (shots/minute)	Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance
Coaxial	4,000 (250)	498	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The Strv m/31 is a light tank with poor armour. It shouldn't be used to rush into the heat of the battle or you will get knocked out very quickly. Its armour is inadequate, it can't even stop 12.7 mm HMG fire. Instead, it should be used to flank other enemy tanks, using your excellent speed to your advantage. The Strv m/31 has an unconventional armour layout. Its frontal area (eg.upper hull, glacis area) armour is very weak while the rear is really strong. This tank also has pretty good speed in reverse, so you can drive into battle facing backwards using your rear armour and engine to soak up damage.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Access to APDS ammunition that can penetrate up to 105 mm
• APDS has high velocity, making it easy to aim at longer distances
• Very good reverse speed, it will save you in many situations
• Can bounce shots if angled properly

Cons:

• APDS has no explosive filler, multiple shots will be needed to finish off a tank
• Very weak stock shell (low penetration and post-pen damage)
• Armor is poor, even for a rank one reserve vehicle
• Acceleration and top speed is quite poor, will find itself getting outrun by most vehicles.

History

The Strv m/31 was designed during the 1930s as a continuation development of tanks German designer Joseph Vollmer had designed. When the Germans took over AB Landsverk in 1920 they had the idea of a tracked and wheeled armoured vehicle, which during that time was not allowed to be developed under the Treaty of Versailles. From the design and idea Joseph Vollmer had in Berlin, this idea would continue to be developed in Sweden using AB Landsverk. The tank would be designated L-30 by Landsverk and, along with the development of the L-30 which had both wheels and tracks, there was a purely tracked model of the tank which would be designated L-10.

AB Landsverk got an order from KAF in Autumn 1931 to build one L-30 and three L-10 for trials after an in-depth analysis of the vehicles where the L-30 and L-10 would get extensive trials. L-10 would be designated Strv m/31 while L-30, which shared the same construction, would be designated Strv fm/31. After many delays, the L-30 was finally ready from the AB Landsverk, but was deemed to be too outdated and all the advanced technology that had been put into it would make it too vulnerable, as in the meantime tracks had become stronger and suspension systems a lot more comfortable in tanks, favouring the L-10 instead.

When the L-10 was delivered from the factory, it could showcase the construction with new modern ideas being presented. Instead of the usually riveted armour, the tanks were welded, which improved the survivability since riveted tanks could eject rivets from enemy shell hits and become projectiles in the crew compartment. Along with the new armour, it also used a prism periscope in glass which would improve the view for the driver and not use the slits tanks used which, though they could be closed to protect from enemy fire, in doing so would turn the driver blind which would be inefficient to have.

L-10, designated Strv m/31 by the army, had adequate armour for the time with a total of 24 mm at the front. Also like the other tanks during this period, they were equipped with a 37 mm Bofors gun and two machine guns, one in the turret and one in the hull. They were also equipped with radio equipment and a strong 150 hp Maybach engine. However, Strv m/31 would come with a lot of problems, it was considered a good vehicle on terrain but the tracks would break a lot and would have a lot of problems with the transmission.

Strv m/31 saw very little use in service and was proposed to be dug down on Gotland as a static defence. They were also proposed as command tanks. The tank will always be an important part of tank history, leading the way for how the tanks would be constructed being the most advanced tank of the time during its early days.

Devblog

Swedish tanks aren't very well known even by many enthusiastic historians or fans of military vehicles. However, many of the design and technological solutions conceived by Swedish tank designers were unique and rather practical. Sweden's armoured vehicles are truly fascinating, and the Swedish ground vehicle line in War Thunder will present to you some highly original tanks with one-of-a-kind features and gameplay finer points. We'll start our overview of the Swedish tech tree by looking at the first tank starting the progress of all the Swedish ground vehicles. Meet the reserve Strv m/31 (from "Stridsvagn", Swedish for "tank"), a 1935 light tank. According to some experts, this little tank came close to being the most high-tech tank of its time!

In 1930, the Swedish firm Landsverk developed two tank designs – one fully tracked and the other with a wheel/track arrangement – differing in their chassis construction and armour. In the autumn of 1931, the Swedish government ordered four experimental prototypes – one wheel-and-track and the other three fully tracked. The versatile tank could switch from tracks to wheels in an incredible 30 seconds flat and reach speeds of up to 80 km/h in such a configuration! However, the wheels were unable to bear the weight of substantial armour, so it was limited to 14 mm for this modification. The fully tracked version could cope with armour up to 24mm thick, which is pretty respectable for a pre-war vehicle. Moreover, the designers took a risk by choosing welded armour plating over the more common riveted design, this also had its advantages. Even more interesting is that they set the angle of the frontal armour plate in order to increase the chance of enemy shells ricocheting. Put into service under the designation Strv m/31, the new tank was given the Maybach petrol engine, which was able to provide a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 17-18 horsepower per ton. The tank's armament comprised a 37mm cannon with 122 rounds. All of the prototypes were put into service, though they required certain improvements. The vehicles' weak point was their unreliable and difficult-to-maintain suspension, as well as the tanks' overreliance on foreign-made components. The tanks were used as training vehicles.

Media

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The Shooting Range #191 - Metal Beasts section at 00:50 discusses the Strv m/31.

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

• [Devblog] Stridsvagn m/31