Difference between pages "Pz.Kpfw. Churchill (Germany)" and "Sd.Kfz.234/4"

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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_infanterie_kampfpanzer_churchill}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=germ_sdkfz_234_4
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|market=Sd.Kfz.234/4
 +
}}
  
 
== 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.-->
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<!--''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 '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} premium German heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. This vehicle was introduced in [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]].
+
[[File:GarageImage_Sd.Kfz.2344.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''S.Pz.Sp.Wg. (7,5 cm) Sd.Kfz.234/4 "Pakwagen"''' (Full name: ''Schwerer Panzerspähwagen 7.5 cm Sonderkraftfahrzeug 234/4 Panzerabwehrkanonenwagen'') is a gift Rank II German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 3.0. It was introduced during [[Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica"]] in the [[Operation_S.U.M.M.E.R.|"Operation S.U.M.M.E.R."]] event of 2017 that lasted from 28 July to 28 August, unlocked after obtaining 7 tanker Marks of Distinction.  
  
−
The Pz.Kpfw. Churchill is a German captured [[Churchill Mk III]] in the German tech tree, it has virtually no differences to its British tech-tree counterpart, other than being painted grey (with the same tone as the Panzer IV and Panzer III).
+
The Sd.Kfz.234/4 is easily picked out by its long gun and gun shield. If recognized, the enemies will see the vehicle as an easy target (in high BR's), but also as a deadly priority target!
  
−
The Pz.Kpfw. Churchill is one of the best heavy tanks in rank III, sporting heavy frontal armour, a 6 pounder gun that is suitable for its rank, and 30 smoke grenades that are fired separately from the roof, great for covering great areas with smoke. The Churchill also has great gun depression and turret traverse, meaning it can fire at different targets very efficiently.
+
This armoured car is a lot of fun to play. The long 75 mm gun and the 234 chassis work very well hand in hand. The best way to play this mini-beast is to get on the enemies flanks as fast as possible (terrain permitting) and hide in the bushes. Take shots with hit probabilities, but hold fire more uncertain hit chances. Remember that the 234/4 can be and will be torn up by 12.7 mm machine gun fire, assume the position has been spotted after firing and move out via reverse. Do not engage in a straight-up gun battle or the 234/4 becomes scrap metal.  
  
−
This vehicle has a few weaknesses which are important to be aware of before charging into battle. First is low acceleration with a maximum speed of only 24.9 km/h, so it’s merely jogging speed as opposed to charging. The tank is also very bulky, difficult to manoeuvre, and is also a large target.  Combine those weaknesses with thin roof armour and this tank becomes the perfect prey for fighter-bombers and rocket attacks. The side armour is not as strong as it’s frontal armour, meaning it is vulnerable to flanking.
+
The 75 mm gun is strong enough to destroy most tanks with one hit, meanwhile the 234/4 has a great speed of 30-40 km/h forwards and backwards to relocate. Because of this, it is possible (though not necessarily needed) to use the 75 mm and return fire while making haste. Terrain foliage such as bushes are great assets for concealment, shadows as well so use them and stay hidden.  
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== 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 helpful for survival in combat?
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<!--''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.-->
+
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
  
−
There are very few enemies which can successfully penetrate the Churchill, the [[M10 GMC|M10]] and the [[Achilles]] can quickly take care of this vehicle even at long ranges! Other tanks like the [[Jagdpanzer IV]], the [[Jagdpanzer 38(t)]], and the [[Dicker Max]] can also make quick work of the Churchill, but only in arcade battles, as in realistic battles, they all belong in the same tree.
+
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Vision ports)
 +
* Structural steel (Side skirts)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 30 mm (40°) ''Front plate'' <br> 15 mm (70°), 30 mm (55°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 30 mm (35°) ''Lower glacis'' || 8 mm (34-35°) ''Top'' <br> 8 (19-35°) + 4 mm  || 10 mm (21-46°) || 5 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Gun shield || 4 + 4 mm (18-29°) || N/A || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Wheels provide 10 mm of armour thickness.
 +
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
 +
* Can be hull broken.
 +
 
 +
The best way to deal with this tank is to catch it out of position and/or from behind. Because of its low armour values, it can be easily penetrated with 12.7 mm Mg fire or HE shells to the open roof. Most AP and APHE shots will simply over-penetrate the vehicle's front armour and will not do much to the crew compartment unless aimed at specific crew locations or it hull-breaks the Sd.Kfz.234/4. As such, explosive ammunition or machine gun fire are the more preferred methods of elimination.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== 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.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | 11.7 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 98 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|90 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|298
 +
|367
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|186
 +
|210
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|25.47
 +
|31.37
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|15.90
 +
|17.95
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== 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 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|PaK 40/3 (75 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[PaK 40/3 (75 mm)|75 mm PaK 40/3 L46]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 36 || -5°/+22° || ±20° || N/A
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! 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'' || 12.33 || 17.06 || 20.72 || 22.91 || 24.38
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 8.3 || 9.8 || 11.9 || 13.16 || 14.0
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! 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.
 +
|-
 +
| 7.67 || 6.78 || 6.25 || 5.9
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== Ammunition =====
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr 39 || APCBC || 147 || 146 || 133 || 118 || 105 || 93
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr 40 || APCR || 197 || 195 || 170 || 144 || 121 || 102
 +
|-
 +
| Hl.Gr 38B || HEAT || 80 || 80 || 80 || 80 || 80 || 80
 +
|-
 +
| Sprgr. 34 || 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%
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr 39 || APCBC || 792 || 6.8 || 1.3 || 15.0 || 28.9 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
| PzGr 40 || APCR || 990 || 4.2 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|-
 +
| Hl.Gr 38B || HEAT || 450 || 4.4 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 872.1 || +0° || 62° || 69° || 73°
 +
|-
 +
| Sprgr. 34 || HE || 570 || 5.7 || 0.1 || 0.1 ||686|| +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_Sd.Kfz.2344.png|right|thumbnail|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the Sd.Kfz.234/4]]
 +
{| 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" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
|| '''36''' || 31&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 13&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+35)'' || style="text-align:left" | No
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
Left empty: 31&nbsp;''(+5)''
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
 
=== 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.''
+
<!--''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|MG 34 (7.92 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[MG 34 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG 34]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 2,000 (150) || 1,200 || -20°/+50° || ±45°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== 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).''-->
−
Like it’s British counterpart, the Churchill can be used as a very efficient brawler with its excellent turret traverse and gun depression, combined with its heavy frontal armour. Though in urban environments, you should be careful in case someone tries to flank your weak side and rear armour.
+
Move fast and get into a spot that gives:
  
−
If you are not in an up-tiered situation, you can effectively enter a battle and absorb all the enemy rounds which could’ve been fired at your weaker teammates and either engage the enemy with your 57 mm cannon or let your teammates return fire. Companion vehicles such as the [[Pz.IV F2|Panzer IV F2]], "[[8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl.|Flakbus]]" and other German vehicles possess superior firepower compared to the other country vehicles in rank III (Except for other special TD’s, such as the American [[M10 GMC|M10]] and British [[Achilles]]) and can in most cases hold their own.
+
# Great cover, either hard cover or visual cover (so rocks and or bushes are great)
 +
# Great visibility
 +
# Ease of egress
 +
# The ability to get deadly side shots
  
 
=== 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".-->
+
<!--''Summarize 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:'''
  
−
* Long, tough hull is easily angled
+
* Premium bonus
−
* 90 mm turret armour is effective at medium & long range
+
* Adequate ammo supply for prolonged combat
−
* Large tracks can absorb shells fired at the side
+
* Can move forward and backwards with equal speed
−
* Fast turret traverse; easy to engage people without turning
+
* Lower profile than the [[Marder III H]]
−
* 57 mm gun reloads quickly with good penetration
+
* Essentially a Marder III H on wheels
−
* Premium tank earns more rewards after a match
+
* Eight-wheel drive gives it good surface traction and handling, much better manoeuvrability
−
* Fewer enemies that can kill you in RB and SB, as you are in the German tree
+
* Doesn't have the tendency to get flipped when turning like the Marder III H
−
* Slow speed makes it easy to hit enemies after a shortstop
 
−
* 30 individually fired smoke grenades, great for covering points and areas with smoke
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* Large target; easily spotted by bombers/fighter-bombers
+
* Very weak armour, can be penetrated by aircraft weapons and heavy machine guns
−
* Very poor speed, both forward and backward
+
* Open-topped, making it very vulnerable to attacks from the air or artillery
−
* Unangled armour fares poorly at close ranges
+
* Can be disabled by aircraft simply by ramming it
−
* Lack of camouflage; only Urban grey and Winter camo
+
* Limited gun traverse
−
* Machine gun port is only 50 mm
+
* Crew compartment is littered with ammo
−
* Roof armour is very thin
+
* Is longer than the Marder III H
−
* Engine mostly affected when hit from the side or turret
+
* Vehicle will be immobilized if one driver is knocked out despite having two drivers in its layout
−
* Large tracks are vulnerable to damage
+
* Unlike other German tanks, it has a very bad gun depression only -5
  
 
== 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 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. 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 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 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
The blitzkrieg tactics in Poland and France gave the Germans a new appreciation of mobile and lethal reconnaissance vehicles. The Germans especially valued the armoured cars due to their speed, firepower, and their pre-war build-up as they were not restricted by the Versailles Treaty. The Germans started with armoured cars like the Sd.Kfz.231 family, each with different armaments. However, these vehicles had its flaws and in August 1940, Germany sought a replacement following the conclusion of the Battle of France.
 +
 
 +
The new vehicle was built off an improved Sd.Kfz.232 chassis made in monocoque construction by Büssing-NAG, its armoured body was made by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, the turret by Daimler-Benz and Schichau, and air-cooled diesel engines by Ringhoffer-Tatra-Werke AG. The monocoque chassis design was built with an eight-wheel steering system, six forward and reverse gears, as well as having an additional driver seat in the rear for quick reversal get-aways. This construction led to '''Sd.Kfz.234''' family. Vehicle construction first started in 1943 as the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2|Sd.Kfz.234/2]], which had a turret originally intended for the VK 1602 Leopard mounting a [[KwK 39 (50 mm)|5 cm L/60]] gun, construction continued on this vehicle until mid-1944. The Sd.Kfz.234/2 earned the nickname "Puma" from the soldiers using it.
 +
 
 +
Production for Sd.Kfz.234/2 shifted towards other armaments in 1944 that replaced the original. This produced variants such as the Sd.Kfz. 234/1 which replaced the turret with an open-top one carrying a [[KwK 30 (20 mm)|2 cm KwK 38]], this was produced between mid-1944 to early 1945. Right besides that, the Sd.Kfz.234/3 was produced with an open-top structure to mount a [[KwK 37 (75 mm)|75 mm howitzer]], this was produced from mid-1944 until the end of 1944. At the Sd.Kfz.234/3's production end, it was replaced by the [[Sd.Kfz.234/4|Sd.Kfz.234/4]], also known as the "Pakwagen", that had the armament replaced by a [[KwK 40 (75 mm)|7.5 cm PaK 40]] anti-tank gun. This last variant was produced from the end of 1944 to the capitulation of Germany in World War II. A total of 478 Sd.Kfz.234 armoured cars were produced, 200 of the 234/1, 101 of the 234/2, 88 of the 234/3, and 89 of the 234/4.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The Sd.Kfz.234 cars were originally intended for the conflicts in North Africa. However, the engine development took abnormally long to complete and by the time it was ready, the North African theater had concluded. Nevertheless, they served in the Western and Eastern front with success, but was impeded by its low production count.
 +
 
 +
The Sd.Kfz. 234/2 variant was arguably the most popular, as the staple of the 234 family. The vehicle served in the Panzer Lehr Division, 1st and 2nd SS Panzer Division, 2nd, 7th, 13th, and 20th Panzer Division. The Sd.Kfz.234 in the recon companies were allocated in 19 or 25 vehicles per division, further split into platoons up to six vehicles and one as the headquarters. However, due to their low production numbers, this allocation was rarely kept in full strength in the war,
 +
 
 +
The Sd.Kfz.234 first saw combat in Normandy after D-Day in the stationed Panzer Lehr and 2nd Panzer Division in the Sd.Kfz.234/2 variant. The divisions used these vehicles in recon roles until their withdrawal behind the Seine River, with Panzer Lehr having 8 Sd.Kfz.234/2 of the original 26 it had. These divisions were rebuilt in the fall of 1944 with the Sd.Kfz.234/1 and Sd.Kfz.234/3 after the 234/2 ceased production.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 71: Line 270:
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''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;''
 
* ''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.''
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
 
 +
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/4862/current [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Sd.Kfz.234/4 Schwerer Panzerspähwagen]
  
−
{{Germany heavy tanks}}
+
{{Germany tank destroyers}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}

Revision as of 04:41, 5 July 2019

Sd.Kfz.234/4
germ_sdkfz_234_4.png
Sd.Kfz.234/4
Germany flag.png Germany
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.3 4.7 4.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
MARKET

Description

GarageImage Sd.Kfz.2344.jpg


The S.Pz.Sp.Wg. (7,5 cm) Sd.Kfz.234/4 "Pakwagen" (Full name: Schwerer Panzerspähwagen 7.5 cm Sonderkraftfahrzeug 234/4 Panzerabwehrkanonenwagen) is a gift Rank II German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 3.0. It was introduced during Update 1.69 "Regia Aeronautica" in the "Operation S.U.M.M.E.R." event of 2017 that lasted from 28 July to 28 August, unlocked after obtaining 7 tanker Marks of Distinction.

The Sd.Kfz.234/4 is easily picked out by its long gun and gun shield. If recognized, the enemies will see the vehicle as an easy target (in high BR's), but also as a deadly priority target!

This armoured car is a lot of fun to play. The long 75 mm gun and the 234 chassis work very well hand in hand. The best way to play this mini-beast is to get on the enemies flanks as fast as possible (terrain permitting) and hide in the bushes. Take shots with hit probabilities, but hold fire more uncertain hit chances. Remember that the 234/4 can be and will be torn up by 12.7 mm machine gun fire, assume the position has been spotted after firing and move out via reverse. Do not engage in a straight-up gun battle or the 234/4 becomes scrap metal.

The 75 mm gun is strong enough to destroy most tanks with one hit, meanwhile the 234/4 has a great speed of 30-40 km/h forwards and backwards to relocate. Because of this, it is possible (though not necessarily needed) to use the 75 mm and return fire while making haste. Terrain foliage such as bushes are great assets for concealment, shadows as well so use them and stay hidden.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Vision ports)
  • Structural steel (Side skirts)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 30 mm (40°) Front plate
15 mm (70°), 30 mm (55°) Front glacis
30 mm (35°) Lower glacis 		8 mm (34-35°) Top
8 (19-35°) + 4 mm 		10 mm (21-46°) 5 mm
Gun shield 4 + 4 mm (18-29°) N/A N/A N/A

Notes:

  • Wheels provide 10 mm of armour thickness.
  • Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
  • Can be hull broken.

The best way to deal with this tank is to catch it out of position and/or from behind. Because of its low armour values, it can be easily penetrated with 12.7 mm Mg fire or HE shells to the open roof. Most AP and APHE shots will simply over-penetrate the vehicle's front armour and will not do much to the crew compartment unless aimed at specific crew locations or it hull-breaks the Sd.Kfz.234/4. As such, explosive ammunition or machine gun fire are the more preferred methods of elimination.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
11.7 N/A 98 (AB)
90 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 298 367
Realistic/Simulator 186 210
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 25.47 31.37
Realistic/Simulator 15.90 17.95

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: PaK 40/3 (75 mm)
75 mm PaK 40/3 L46
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
36 -5°/+22° ±20° N/A
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 12.33 17.06 20.72 22.91 24.38
Realistic 8.3 9.8 11.9 13.16 14.0
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
7.67 6.78 6.25 5.9
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
PzGr 39 APCBC 147 146 133 118 105 93
PzGr 40 APCR 197 195 170 144 121 102
Hl.Gr 38B HEAT 80 80 80 80 80 80
Sprgr. 34 HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
PzGr 39 APCBC 792 6.8 1.3 15.0 28.9 +4° 48° 63° 71°
PzGr 40 APCR 990 4.2 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
Hl.Gr 38B HEAT 450 4.4 0.0 0.1 872.1 +0° 62° 69° 73°
Sprgr. 34 HE 570 5.7 0.1 0.1 686 +0° 79° 80° 81°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Sd.Kfz.234/4
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
36 31 (+5) 13 (+23) 1 (+35) No

Left empty: 31 (+5)

Machine guns

Main article: MG 34 (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG 34
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
2,000 (150) 1,200 -20°/+50° ±45°

Usage in battles

Move fast and get into a spot that gives:

  1. Great cover, either hard cover or visual cover (so rocks and or bushes are great)
  2. Great visibility
  3. Ease of egress
  4. The ability to get deadly side shots

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Premium bonus
  • Adequate ammo supply for prolonged combat
  • Can move forward and backwards with equal speed
  • Lower profile than the Marder III H
  • Essentially a Marder III H on wheels
  • Eight-wheel drive gives it good surface traction and handling, much better manoeuvrability
  • Doesn't have the tendency to get flipped when turning like the Marder III H

Cons:

  • Very weak armour, can be penetrated by aircraft weapons and heavy machine guns
  • Open-topped, making it very vulnerable to attacks from the air or artillery
  • Can be disabled by aircraft simply by ramming it
  • Limited gun traverse
  • Crew compartment is littered with ammo
  • Is longer than the Marder III H
  • Vehicle will be immobilized if one driver is knocked out despite having two drivers in its layout
  • Unlike other German tanks, it has a very bad gun depression only -5

History

Development

The blitzkrieg tactics in Poland and France gave the Germans a new appreciation of mobile and lethal reconnaissance vehicles. The Germans especially valued the armoured cars due to their speed, firepower, and their pre-war build-up as they were not restricted by the Versailles Treaty. The Germans started with armoured cars like the Sd.Kfz.231 family, each with different armaments. However, these vehicles had its flaws and in August 1940, Germany sought a replacement following the conclusion of the Battle of France.

The new vehicle was built off an improved Sd.Kfz.232 chassis made in monocoque construction by Büssing-NAG, its armoured body was made by Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, the turret by Daimler-Benz and Schichau, and air-cooled diesel engines by Ringhoffer-Tatra-Werke AG. The monocoque chassis design was built with an eight-wheel steering system, six forward and reverse gears, as well as having an additional driver seat in the rear for quick reversal get-aways. This construction led to Sd.Kfz.234 family. Vehicle construction first started in 1943 as the Sd.Kfz.234/2, which had a turret originally intended for the VK 1602 Leopard mounting a 5 cm L/60 gun, construction continued on this vehicle until mid-1944. The Sd.Kfz.234/2 earned the nickname "Puma" from the soldiers using it.

Production for Sd.Kfz.234/2 shifted towards other armaments in 1944 that replaced the original. This produced variants such as the Sd.Kfz. 234/1 which replaced the turret with an open-top one carrying a 2 cm KwK 38, this was produced between mid-1944 to early 1945. Right besides that, the Sd.Kfz.234/3 was produced with an open-top structure to mount a 75 mm howitzer, this was produced from mid-1944 until the end of 1944. At the Sd.Kfz.234/3's production end, it was replaced by the Sd.Kfz.234/4, also known as the "Pakwagen", that had the armament replaced by a 7.5 cm PaK 40 anti-tank gun. This last variant was produced from the end of 1944 to the capitulation of Germany in World War II. A total of 478 Sd.Kfz.234 armoured cars were produced, 200 of the 234/1, 101 of the 234/2, 88 of the 234/3, and 89 of the 234/4.

Combat usage

The Sd.Kfz.234 cars were originally intended for the conflicts in North Africa. However, the engine development took abnormally long to complete and by the time it was ready, the North African theater had concluded. Nevertheless, they served in the Western and Eastern front with success, but was impeded by its low production count.

The Sd.Kfz. 234/2 variant was arguably the most popular, as the staple of the 234 family. The vehicle served in the Panzer Lehr Division, 1st and 2nd SS Panzer Division, 2nd, 7th, 13th, and 20th Panzer Division. The Sd.Kfz.234 in the recon companies were allocated in 19 or 25 vehicles per division, further split into platoons up to six vehicles and one as the headquarters. However, due to their low production numbers, this allocation was rarely kept in full strength in the war,

The Sd.Kfz.234 first saw combat in Normandy after D-Day in the stationed Panzer Lehr and 2nd Panzer Division in the Sd.Kfz.234/2 variant. The divisions used these vehicles in recon roles until their withdrawal behind the Seine River, with Panzer Lehr having 8 Sd.Kfz.234/2 of the original 26 it had. These divisions were rebuilt in the fall of 1944 with the Sd.Kfz.234/1 and Sd.Kfz.234/3 after the 234/2 ceased production.

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


Germany tank destroyers
Pz. I Derivatives  Panzerjäger I
Pz. II Derivatives  15cm sIG 33 B Sfl
Pz. 38(t) Derivatives  Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Pz. III Derivatives  StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G
Pz. IV Derivatives  Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(A) · Panzer IV/70(V) · Dicker Max · Nashorn · Brummbär · VFW
Pz. V Derivatives  Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Pz. VI Derivatives  Sturer Emil · Elefant · Ferdinand · 38 cm Sturmmörser · Jagdtiger
Wheeled/Half-track  8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
ATGM Carrier  RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) · Wiesel 1A2
Other  Waffenträger · M109G · JPz 4-5 · Raketenautomat · VT1-2

Germany premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.Sfl.Ic · Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK · Sd.Kfz. 140/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS · TAM 2IP
Medium tanks  Nb.Fz. · Pz.III N · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) · Ersatz M10
  mKPz M47 G · Turm III · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123)
Heavy tanks  ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill · ▀KV-IB · ▀KW I C 756 (r) · ▀KW II 754 (r)
  VK 45.01 (P) · ␠Tiger · Pz.Bef.Wg.VI P · Tiger II (H) Sla.16
Tank destroyers  Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
  Brummbär · Panzer IV/70(A) · VFW · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1 · Elefant · 38 cm Sturmmörser

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