Difference between revisions of "Charioteer Mk VII (Sweden)"

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(History: Added in basic history of the tank and primary source references.)
 
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== 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, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]].
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]]. The Charioteer takes the hull of a [[Cromwell V|Cromwell]] and replaces the turret with a larger one mounting the heavy-hitting [[Ordnance QF 20-pounder Mk.I (84 mm)|84 mm 20-pdr]] cannon, which can deal with the enemies it faces at Rank IV.
  
 
== 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.'' -->
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
 
  
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
+
'''Armour type:'''
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
+
 
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
+
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, driver port joint, obturated MG port)
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
| Hull || 63.5 mm ''Upper plate'' <br> 63.5 mm (spherical) ''Driver port'' <br> 32 mm ''obturated MG port'' <br> 30 mm (70°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 57 (19°) ''Lower glacis - Top'' <br> 25.4 mm (65°) ''Lower glacis - Bottom'' || 44 mm ''Top - Front half'' <br> 38 mm + 32 mm (30°) ''Top - Rear half'' <br> 32 mm ''Bottom - Front half'' <br> 25.4 mm ''Bottom - Rear half'' || 32 mm ''Rear plate'' <br> 20 mm (58°) ''Lower glacis'' || 30 mm (20°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 20 mm ''Centre'' <br> 14 mm ''Rear''
 
|-
 
|-
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
| Turret || 30 mm (8-18°) ''Turret front'' <br> 20 mm (cylindrical) ''Gun mantlet'' <br> 14 mm ''Turret ring'' || 30 mm (1-18°) <br> 14 mm ''Turret ring'' || 30 mm <br> 14 mm ''Turret ring'' <br> 14 mm (69-75°)''Turret underside'' || 14 mm (0-7°)
|-
 
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 +
*Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
 +
*The area where the machine gun port would be has an additional 63 mm of armour placed on it.
 +
* 3 internal structural plates of 5 mm thickness separate:
 +
**  the driver compartment in two,
 +
** the driver compartment from the crew compartment,
 +
** the crew compartment from the engine bay.
 +
* These plates have large openings at some places, as visible in X-ray mode.
 +
 +
"Lacking" is the term that comes to mind when thinking about the Charioteer's armour. 63.5 mm of non slopped frontal armour is not enough and the turret armour is only 30 mm thick all around. The turret ring technically can be penetrated by 12.7 mm HMG fire, but not many people will go for that. However, it's best to not get flanked by autocannon-armed tanks (SPAA, late light tanks, etc.).
 +
 +
With only 3 crew members inside, any APHE shot to the turret means instant elimination (RB) or entering crew replenishment mode (AB).
  
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
+
The few advantages of this vehicle are: internal shields (to ensure that at least one crew member survives) and its low ammo load (there are no huge ammo racks everywhere like with the Centurion). Another positive aspect is the presence of improved smoke launchers, equipped with 12 grenades shot in 2 salvos (one forward, one to the sides). They can create a smoke wall in seconds, hiding the Charioteer in an arc of about 200°. These smoke launchers are also found on later British tanks.
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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|20pdr OQF Mk.I (84 mm)}}
 
{{main|20pdr OQF Mk.I (84 mm)}}
 +
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} carries an 84 mm 20pdr gun in a lightly armoured turret protected only with 30 mm RHA box. As the gun is very consequent, the turret traverse is quite slow so one should have to preventively aim towards a corner before going around it. The high penetration power of the gun compensates the poor slewing rate. Plus, even the stock shells has as much penetration as the [[QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|76 mm QF 17pdr]]'s APDS shell found on other Rank III tanks, this only gets better with the upgraded APDS shot, which can pierce up to 363 mm of armour at 500 m distance (or a [[Tiger II (H)]]'s UFP at point-blank range).
 +
 +
The tank commander has the ability to control the weapon if the gunner is knocked out, which is very unusual at the rank and might allow to aggressively trade shots, or even straight up rush some tanks in AB.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
| rowspan="2" | 25 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+10° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 17.1 || 23.7 || 28.8 || 31.9 || 33.9 || rowspan="2" | 8.19 || rowspan="2" | 7.25 || rowspan="2" | 6.68 || rowspan="2" | 6.30
+
| rowspan="2" | 25 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+10° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 19.0 || 26.4 || 32.0 || 35.4 || 37.6 || rowspan="2" | 8.19 || rowspan="2" | 7.25 || rowspan="2" | 6.68 || rowspan="2" | 6.30
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
| 10.7 || 12.6 || 15.3 || 16.9 || 18.0
+
| 11.9 || 14.0 || 17.0 || 18.8 || 20.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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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).'' -->
''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 Charioteer, as with most western tank destroyer, is fitted with a very powerful gun, has good mobility, but is very lightly armoured. As such, it is best to play with its mobility to evade the enemy until the opportune moment. As it uses the same hull as a Cromwell, the reverse speed is atrocious that can make any withdrawal very hard once discovered by the enemy. It is recommended that the Charioteer be used with the forward movement more often, and back up by rotating the entire vehicle before whistling away since the armour back and front is inadequate to deal with any of the tanks you face at its battle rating.
 +
 
 +
'''Flanking'''
 +
 
 +
This is a classical sniper/flanker tank: fast, a good gun but no armour. One should never engage in front line fights since most tanks at the rank use APHE and will just blast the Charioteer away. The best way to play this tank is to use range and/or speed as armour, only stopping to take a shot and speed up again. Do not worry about sniping, this cannon has been made for that: shells have a very low ballistic trajectory, and keep good penetration values even at distances. When fired at, move into safety while blasting out these smoke cannisters on the move, creating a large smoke wall for the enemy, leaving some space for your allies to manoeuvre without being noticed.
 +
 
 +
In urban maps, pre-aim before getting around corners since turret slewing rate is slow. One could also use its engine/transmission as an armour when ambushed: quick reaction shots will often "only" ignite the tank without damaging the crew too much, plus, if the shot is missed, you are already in a position to escape swiftly since frontwards speed is good. When zipping past an alley, blast a smoke screen to cover allies from enemy fire while shooting a hasty shot in the general direction of the enemy. Some enemies will turn their turret in order to protect themselves from flanking only to get shot by allied tanks. Your best weapons in close-range fights are both surprise and speed.
  
 
=== 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".'' -->
''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:'''
*
+
 
 +
* Good reload speed without an autoloader
 +
* 20-pdr has access to powerful rounds - AP which can destroy [[Panther D|Panther]] in a single hit and APDS with extreme muzzle velocity and even more penetration, can potentially be played in higher BR games
 +
* Has no ammo in the turret, and commander can use the gun instead of gunner, meaning that even if intercepted, the Charioteer still has an extremely high chance of taking down enemy tanks with itself (even more likely in AB)
 +
* Decent gun optics for the rank, but difficult to use with APDS
 +
* Very speedy tank due to Cromwell chassis, can fill a role of a medium support tank for rushing capture points
 +
* Arguably the best turreted tank destroyer at Rank IV, with benefits of a medium tank (can call artillery)
 +
* Good smoke screen system with a useful spreading angle; great for retreats
 +
* Very low risk of fire due to rear mounted transmission and no fuel tanks on the front of the tank.
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
*
+
 
 +
* As with all Cromwell chassis, reverse speed is awful
 +
* Extremely vulnerable to APHE, even the angled roof top which is supposed to bounce shots will not stop it
 +
* Only 3 crew members, easy crew knock out in RB
 +
* Low post-penetration damage with APDS due to punctual damage
 +
* Poor gun depression and elevation (-5­° to 10°)
 +
* Unstable gun platform; must short-stop or slow down before firing precisely
 +
* Very poor ammo capacity; on the co-op Tank Assault mode, this forces to stay close to repair bonuses, which can eventually backfire
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
''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 Finnish Army bought 38 Charioteers; 3 in 1958 and a further 35 in 1960. They were removed from frontline service in 1972 but remained in use as training vehicles until 1980<ref>https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/172850/Ylijohdon_reservi-Petteri-Jouko.pdf</ref>. 15 were kept in storage until they were auctioned off in 2007.<ref>https://www.mtvuutiset.fi/artikkeli/vanhaa-panssarikalustoa-myyntiin/2002044#gs.891lka</ref>  
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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;Skins
 
;Skins
 +
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=sw_charioteer_mk_7 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=sw_charioteer_mk_7 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|zB_2MdK3aIg|'''War Thunder First 10: Charioteer Mk VII (Finland)''' - ''Orangefan''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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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.'' -->
''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;''
+
;British variant of the same vehicle
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[Charioteer Mk VII]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
Line 139: Line 178:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [[wikipedia:Charioteer_(tank)|[Wikipedia] Charioteer (tank)]]
* ''other literature.''
+
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/UK/FV-4101_charioteer_tank_destroyer.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Fv 401 Charioteer]
  
 
{{Sweden medium tanks}}
 
{{Sweden medium tanks}}

Latest revision as of 22:40, 20 April 2024

Rank VI | Premium | Golden Eagles
Chinese A-5C Pack
This page is about the medium tank Charioteer Mk VII (Sweden). For the British version, see Charioteer Mk VII.
▄Charioteer Mk VII
sw_charioteer_mk_7.png
GarageImage Charioteer Mk VII (Sweden).jpg
▄Charioteer Mk VII
AB RB SB
6.0 6.3 6.0
Class:
Research:71 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:210 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The ▄Tank Medium Gun Charioteer Mk VII is a rank IV Swedish medium tank with a battle rating of 6.0 (AB/SB) and 6.3 (RB). It was introduced in Update "Fire and Ice". The Charioteer takes the hull of a Cromwell and replaces the turret with a larger one mounting the heavy-hitting 84 mm 20-pdr cannon, which can deal with the enemies it faces at Rank IV.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull64 / 46 / 32
Turret30 / 30 / 30
Crew3 people
Visibility89 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, driver port joint, obturated MG port)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 63.5 mm Upper plate
63.5 mm (spherical) Driver port
32 mm obturated MG port
30 mm (70°) Upper glacis
57 (19°) Lower glacis - Top
25.4 mm (65°) Lower glacis - Bottom
44 mm Top - Front half
38 mm + 32 mm (30°) Top - Rear half
32 mm Bottom - Front half
25.4 mm Bottom - Rear half
32 mm Rear plate
20 mm (58°) Lower glacis
30 mm (20°) Front glacis
20 mm Centre
14 mm Rear
Turret 30 mm (8-18°) Turret front
20 mm (cylindrical) Gun mantlet
14 mm Turret ring
30 mm (1-18°)
14 mm Turret ring
30 mm
14 mm Turret ring
14 mm (69-75°)Turret underside
14 mm (0-7°)

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • The area where the machine gun port would be has an additional 63 mm of armour placed on it.
  • 3 internal structural plates of 5 mm thickness separate:
    • the driver compartment in two,
    • the driver compartment from the crew compartment,
    • the crew compartment from the engine bay.
  • These plates have large openings at some places, as visible in X-ray mode.

"Lacking" is the term that comes to mind when thinking about the Charioteer's armour. 63.5 mm of non slopped frontal armour is not enough and the turret armour is only 30 mm thick all around. The turret ring technically can be penetrated by 12.7 mm HMG fire, but not many people will go for that. However, it's best to not get flanked by autocannon-armed tanks (SPAA, late light tanks, etc.).

With only 3 crew members inside, any APHE shot to the turret means instant elimination (RB) or entering crew replenishment mode (AB).

The few advantages of this vehicle are: internal shields (to ensure that at least one crew member survives) and its low ammo load (there are no huge ammo racks everywhere like with the Centurion). Another positive aspect is the presence of improved smoke launchers, equipped with 12 grenades shot in 2 salvos (one forward, one to the sides). They can create a smoke wall in seconds, hiding the Charioteer in an arc of about 200°. These smoke launchers are also found on later British tanks.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB63 / 4 km/h
RB and SB57 / 4 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight30.0 t
Engine power
AB1 145 hp
RB and SB600 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB38.2 hp/t
RB and SB20.0 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 63 4 30 930 1,145 31 38.17
Realistic 57 4 531 600 17.7 20

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 208 → 4 340 Sl icon.png
RB3 966 → 5 365 Sl icon.png
SB5 005 → 6 771 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications61 500 Rp icon.png
102 300 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 800 Ge icon.png
Crew training61 000 Sl icon.png
Experts210 000 Sl icon.png
Aces890 Ge icon.png
Research Aces570 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
120 / 180 / 220 % Sl icon.png
178 / 178 / 178 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 800 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
2 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
2 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 300 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 300 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 800 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement sw.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
4 100 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 800 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
2 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
84mm_britain_20pdr_APDS_ammo_pack
Research:
2 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 700 Sl icon.png
145 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
3 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 300 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
84mm_britain_Smoke_ammo_pack
Research:
5 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
8 300 Sl icon.png
260 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition25 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.1 → 6.3 s
Vertical guidance-5° / 10°

The Charioteer Mk VII (Sweden) carries an 84 mm 20pdr gun in a lightly armoured turret protected only with 30 mm RHA box. As the gun is very consequent, the turret traverse is quite slow so one should have to preventively aim towards a corner before going around it. The high penetration power of the gun compensates the poor slewing rate. Plus, even the stock shells has as much penetration as the 76 mm QF 17pdr's APDS shell found on other Rank III tanks, this only gets better with the upgraded APDS shot, which can pierce up to 363 mm of armour at 500 m distance (or a Tiger II (H)'s UFP at point-blank range).

The tank commander has the ability to control the weapon if the gunner is knocked out, which is very unusual at the rank and might allow to aggressively trade shots, or even straight up rush some tanks in AB.

84 mm 20pdr OQF Mk.I Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 25 -5°/+10° ±180° - 19.0 26.4 32.0 35.4 37.6 8.19 7.25 6.68 6.30
Realistic 11.9 14.0 17.0 18.8 20.0

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
Shot Mk.1 APCBC 232 229 216 201 187 173
Shot Mk.3 APDS 384 380 363 343 324 306
Shell Mk.1 HE 15 15 15 15 15 15
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%
Shot Mk.1 APCBC 1,000 9.1 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.3 APDS 1,430 3.22 - - - 75° 78° 80°
Shell Mk.1 HE 600 7.5 0.2 0.1 1.13 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy
time (s)
Screen hold
time (s)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
20pdr Shell SS Mk.1 250 9.3 9 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Charioteer Mk VII (Sweden)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
25 21 (+4) 11 (+14) (+24) No

Machine guns

Ammunition5 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
Main article: L3A1 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm L3A1
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 5,000 (250) 500 - -

Usage in battles

The Charioteer, as with most western tank destroyer, is fitted with a very powerful gun, has good mobility, but is very lightly armoured. As such, it is best to play with its mobility to evade the enemy until the opportune moment. As it uses the same hull as a Cromwell, the reverse speed is atrocious that can make any withdrawal very hard once discovered by the enemy. It is recommended that the Charioteer be used with the forward movement more often, and back up by rotating the entire vehicle before whistling away since the armour back and front is inadequate to deal with any of the tanks you face at its battle rating.

Flanking

This is a classical sniper/flanker tank: fast, a good gun but no armour. One should never engage in front line fights since most tanks at the rank use APHE and will just blast the Charioteer away. The best way to play this tank is to use range and/or speed as armour, only stopping to take a shot and speed up again. Do not worry about sniping, this cannon has been made for that: shells have a very low ballistic trajectory, and keep good penetration values even at distances. When fired at, move into safety while blasting out these smoke cannisters on the move, creating a large smoke wall for the enemy, leaving some space for your allies to manoeuvre without being noticed.

In urban maps, pre-aim before getting around corners since turret slewing rate is slow. One could also use its engine/transmission as an armour when ambushed: quick reaction shots will often "only" ignite the tank without damaging the crew too much, plus, if the shot is missed, you are already in a position to escape swiftly since frontwards speed is good. When zipping past an alley, blast a smoke screen to cover allies from enemy fire while shooting a hasty shot in the general direction of the enemy. Some enemies will turn their turret in order to protect themselves from flanking only to get shot by allied tanks. Your best weapons in close-range fights are both surprise and speed.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good reload speed without an autoloader
  • 20-pdr has access to powerful rounds - AP which can destroy Panther in a single hit and APDS with extreme muzzle velocity and even more penetration, can potentially be played in higher BR games
  • Has no ammo in the turret, and commander can use the gun instead of gunner, meaning that even if intercepted, the Charioteer still has an extremely high chance of taking down enemy tanks with itself (even more likely in AB)
  • Decent gun optics for the rank, but difficult to use with APDS
  • Very speedy tank due to Cromwell chassis, can fill a role of a medium support tank for rushing capture points
  • Arguably the best turreted tank destroyer at Rank IV, with benefits of a medium tank (can call artillery)
  • Good smoke screen system with a useful spreading angle; great for retreats
  • Very low risk of fire due to rear mounted transmission and no fuel tanks on the front of the tank.

Cons:

  • As with all Cromwell chassis, reverse speed is awful
  • Extremely vulnerable to APHE, even the angled roof top which is supposed to bounce shots will not stop it
  • Only 3 crew members, easy crew knock out in RB
  • Low post-penetration damage with APDS due to punctual damage
  • Poor gun depression and elevation (-5­° to 10°)
  • Unstable gun platform; must short-stop or slow down before firing precisely
  • Very poor ammo capacity; on the co-op Tank Assault mode, this forces to stay close to repair bonuses, which can eventually backfire

History

The Finnish Army bought 38 Charioteers; 3 in 1958 and a further 35 in 1960. They were removed from frontline service in 1972 but remained in use as training vehicles until 1980[1]. 15 were kept in storage until they were auctioned off in 2007.[2]

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

British variant of the same vehicle

External links


Sweden medium tanks
Strv m/42  Lago I · Strv m/42 EH · Ikv 73 · Strv m/42 DT · Pvkv IV
Centurion derivatives  Strv 81 · Strv 81 (RB 52) · Strv 101 · Strv 104 · Strv 105
Strv 103  Strv 103-0 · Strv 103A · Strv 103С
Strv 121/122  Strv 121 · Christian II · Strv 122A · Strv 122B PLSS · Strv 122B+
Other  Sherman III/IV · T 80 U
Finland 
WWII  ▄T-28 · ▄T-34 · ▄Pz.IV · ▄T-34-85
Post War  ▄Comet I · ▄Charioteer Mk VII · ▄T-54 · ▄T-55M · ▄T-72M1 · ▄Leopard 2A4 · ▄Leopard 2A6
Norway  Leopard 1A5NO2