Begleitpanzer 57

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Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
Begleitpanzer 57
germ_begleitpanzer_57.png
GarageImage Begleitpanzer 57.jpg
ArtImage Begleitpanzer 57.png
Begleitpanzer 57
AB RB SB
9.7 9.3 9.3
Class:
Research:190 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:520 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Begleitpanzer 57 is a rank VI German light tank with a battle rating of 9.7 (AB) and 9.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France".

At first glance, the Begleitpanzer 57 may be confused for a SPAA due to the light armoured chassis and the rapid-firing 57 mm autocannon. On the turret is also a TOW launcher with SACLOS guidance, meaning it will automatically align itself with where the crosshair is pointing.

As it shares the same chassis, the Begleitpanzer 57's construction is similar to that of the Marder A1-, with light armour all around and sides that heavy machine guns can penetrate. The main cannon's exterior mounting also means it can be disabled by machine guns and shrapnel.

As a light tank, the Begleitpanzer 57 carries great firepower and high mobility. The 57 mm autocannon has a penetration power close to that of the ZSU-57-2's, but the addition of a TOW launcher system makes this vehicle able to engage heavier targets.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull32 / 15 / 11
Turret25 / 15 / 15
Crew3 people
Visibility89 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 11 mm (76°), 32 mm (32°) Front glacis
32 mm (31-61°) Lower glacis
15 mm (30°) Top
15 mm
11 mm (24°) Top
11 mm (26°)
11 mm
Turret 25 mm (39°) Turret front
25 mm (0-9°) Gun mantlet
15 mm (12-16°) Left side
15 mm Right side
15 mm (39°) 11 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 11 mm thick.

Mobility

Reverse gearbox
Forward and backward movement is possible at the same maximum speed
Speedforward / back
AB84 / 84 km/h
RB and SB76 / 76 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
8 back
Weight28.5 t
Engine power
AB1 145 hp
RB and SB600 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB40.2 hp/t
RB and SB21.1 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 84 84 28.5 1,116 1,145 39.16 40.18
Realistic 76 76 637 600 22.35 21.05

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 550 → 5 580 Sl icon.png
RB3 396 → 5 338 Sl icon.png
SB4 351 → 6 839 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications159 200 Rp icon.png
264 400 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 600 Ge icon.png
Crew training150 000 Sl icon.png
Experts520 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces950 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 160 / 210 % Sl icon.png
220 / 220 / 220 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
6 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 900 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
6 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 900 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 900 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_germ_Bofors_SAP_ammo_pack
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods scout streak.png
Scout UAV
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
6 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 900 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
6 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 900 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
127mm_us_itow_ammo_pack
Research:
6 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
9 900 Sl icon.png
290 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
57mm_germ_Bofors_HE_VT_ammo_pack
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods thermal sight.png
NVD
Research:
8 400 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 000 Sl icon.png
390 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
510 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.
Thermal imager
Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Autoloader
Automatically feeds projectiles into the breech. The speed does not depend on the skills of the loader
Ammunition148 rounds
First-order48 rounds
Reload0.3 s
Vertical guidance-8° / 45°
57 mm Bofors L/70 Mk.1 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Autoloader
Arcade 148 200 -8°/+45° ±180° Two-plane 52.4 72.5 88.0 97.3 103.5 0.30
Realistic 32.7 38.5 46.8 51.7 55.0

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
57x438 AP-T APCBC 137 133 119 102 89 77
57x438 SAP-T SAPHEI 47 46 41 35 31 26
57x438 HE-T HE* 16 15 13 11 11 11
57x438 HE-VT HE-VT* 16 15 13 11 11 11
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%
57x438 AP-T APCBC 950 2.7 - - - 48° 63° 71°
57x438 SAP-T SAPHEI 950 2.7 1.2 9 510 79° 80° 81°
57x438 HE-T HE* 1,020 2.4 0.4 0.1 765 79° 80° 81°
Proximity-fused shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Arming
distance (m)
Trigger
radius (m)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
57x438 HE-VT HE-VT* 1,020 2.4 0.2 0.1 500 6 765 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Begleitpanzer 57
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
148 48 (+100) 24 (+124) (+148) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Racks 2 and 3 are first stage ammo racks. They total 48 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
  • As the Begleitpanzer 57 is equipped with mechanized magazines, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
  • Once racks 2 and 3 have been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the mechanized magazines. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun. Take this into account when playing.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 into rack 3 then 2. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
  • The depletion order at full capacity is: 2 - 3 - 1.

Additional armament

BGM-71 TOW ATGM
Autoloader
Automatically feeds projectiles into the breech. The speed does not depend on the skills of the loader
Ammunition6 rounds
First-order5 rounds
Belt capacity1 rounds
Fire rate7 shots/min
Vertical guidance-6° / 20°
Fire on the moveup to 5 km/h
Main article: BGM-71 TOW
BGM-71 TOW ATGM Reloading rate (seconds)
Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Autoloader
6 -6°/+20° - - 10.00

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
TOW ATGM 430 430 430 430 430 430
I-TOW ATGM 630 630 630 630 630 630
Missile details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Range
(m)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
TOW ATGM 299 3,000 18.82 0.05 0.1 3.75 80° 82° 90°
I-TOW ATGM 296 3,750 19.05 0.05 0.1 2.88 80° 82° 90°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Begleitpanzer 57
Full
ammo
Visual
discrepancy
6 No

Machine guns

Ammunition5 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reload8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Main article: MG3A1 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm MG3A1
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 5,000 (200) 1,200 - -

Usage in battles

The Begleitpanzer 57 is a very capable light tank and support vehicle. With proximity fuse HE shells in its 57 mm cannon, it can effectively engage air targets, and can destroy enemy IFVs and even MBTs with its high-penetration rounds. However, when shooting at enemy planes, it is best to wait until they are close before firing, since the vehicle does not have a very high ammo count. Alternatively, the vehicle carries missiles which can be used very effectively to destroy both helicopters and tanks at long ranges. The missile's travel time must be taken in to consideration, but it is nice to have when the enemy is too far away to engage with the 57 mm cannon.

The Begleitpanzer's main cannon can sometimes destroy MBTs from the front, but does damage much more consistently when shooting the enemy's weaker armoured side. For this reason, it is often wise to adopt an ambushing or flanking playstyle. This is helped by the vehicle's small profile and good mobility. It is easy to reach good firing positions and manoeuvre around the enemy quickly and without being seen. (And since the vehicle has poor armour, avoiding being seen will be very important for survival).

While the cannon shares its calibre with the Soviet 57 mm S-68 cannon, it is quite different in performance with a slower rate of fire and a lesser accuracy. The penetration power is considerably inferior compared to the APCBC belt of the S-68 at 1 km distance. The HE round can be completely ignored as it can not reliably go through the side armour of most MBTs it faces. All of this means that long range firepower relies mainly on your ATGM, of which you only have 6. Upgrading to the better ATGM is highly encouraged due to its increased penetration.

At the end of the day, the Begleitpanzer can be played as a light tank scout. It can't engage the enemy front-on, but it can be a valuable asset to the team and is lethal when played in the correct positions. Be sure to use the scouting ability to help friendly players locate enemy tanks. During night battles, the NVD modification will make scouting both easier to do and even more helpful to the team.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Effective against tanks and aircraft/helicopters
  • Has ability to utilise scouting mechanic
  • Lethal when shooting enemies from the side
  • 1st generation gunner thermals
  • Proximity HE shells are very good against helicopters (proxy fuse is only active after 500 m)
  • Has access to a laser rangefinder

Cons:

  • Limited gun elevation (45°) to deal with enemy planes
  • Cannot destroy many enemies frontally
  • Fairly low ammunition count
  • Gun breech is easily destroyed
  • Must stop to fire AGTMs
  • Loses accuracy when firing continuously

History

Devblog

The armoured fire-support vehicle Begleitpanzer 57 is a combined project from the Thyssen-Henschel and Bofors companies, developed for scouting and destroying lightly armoured Soviet APCs and IFVs without needing tank divisions for support. To achieve this, the engineers chose the chassis of the German Marder infantry fighting vehicle and installed an adapted version of an automatic 57mm ship cannon on it. Moreover, for fighting with enemy tanks, the Begleitpanzer was equipped with American TOW guided anti-tank rockets and a reloading system for the rocket launcher was developed and placed inside the vehicle's hull.

The result was a fast and light infantry fighting machine capable of destroying enemy tanks and armoured personnel carriers at impressive ranges. At the same time, it could also land a small group of 3 infantry scouts. Sounds like a great idea! But it was the very universality of the Begleitpanzer 57 that prevented the vehicle from going into series production. The Begleitpanzer 57 turned out to be too lightly armoured for an infantry fighting machine, and too heavily armoured for a scout tank, plus it was not adapted for overcoming significant water obstacles. The military commission rejected the experimental prototype and the project was closed.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Light tanks based on the same chassis

External links


Germany light tanks
Pz.II  Pz.II C · Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.II C TD · Pz.II F · Pz.Sfl.Ic
Sd.Kfz.234  Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/2 · Sd.Kfz.234/2 TD
Marder  Marder A1- · Marder 1A3 · Begleitpanzer 57 · DF105
  PUMA
Wheeled  Sd.Kfz.221 (s.Pz.B.41) · Class 3 (P) · Radkampfwagen 90
Other  Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS
Argentina  TAM · TAM 2C · TAM 2IP · JaPz.K A2
Czechoslovakia  Pz.35(t) · Pz.38(t) A · Pz.38(t) F · Pz.38(t) n.A. · Sd.Kfz. 140/1
France  Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK
Lithuania  Vilkas
USA  leKPz M41
USSR  SPz BMP-1