Type 62 (USSR)

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This page is about the light tank Type 62 (USSR). For the Chinese version, see Type 62.
▂Type 62
ussr_type_62.png
GarageImage Type 62 (USSR).jpg
▂Type 62
AB RB SB
6.7 6.7 6.7
Class:
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The ▂Type 62 is a gift rank IV Soviet light tank with a battle rating of 6.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai" as a reward vehicle for the 2016 "Winter Holiday" event.

While playing the Type 62, it is important to stay hidden from your enemy at all times and avoid going head-to-head with enemies that have noticed your presence and are focusing on eliminating you. The paper-thin armour on the Type 62 cannot effectively stop any shell, and, unless you're facing the British, a hit will likely result in the HE filler of the shell knocking out most of your crew / detonating your ammo racks. So it is recommended to use flanking tactics on larger maps, while staying hidden behind terrain features such as hills, trees, even in ditches, while on smaller city maps it's recommended to stay behind piles of rubble, houses, even your teammates, to avoid the enemy seeing the Type 62 before it has the opportunity to disable their gun or destroy them.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull35 / 25 / 15
Turret50 / 35 / 32
Crew4 people
Visibility83 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 35 mm (57°) Front glacis
25 mm (50°) Lower glacis
25 mm 15 mm (7-52°) 20 mm Front
15 mm Engine deck
5 mm Engine grille
Turret 50 mm (9-59°) Turret front
50 mm (2-66°) Gun mantlet
35 mm (11-44°) 32 mm (11-46°) 20 mm
Cupola 30 mm 30 mm 30 mm 20 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB67 / 10 km/h
RB and SB60 / 9 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight21.0 t
Engine power
AB820 hp
RB and SB430 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB39.0 hp/t
RB and SB20.5 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 67 10 21 666 820 31.71 39.05
Realistic 60 9 380 430 18.1 20.48

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 066 → 4 405 Sl icon.png
RB3 732 → 5 362 Sl icon.png
SB4 999 → 7 183 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications80 000 Rp icon.png
127 300 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training78 000 Sl icon.png
Experts270 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces670 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
120 / 160 / 210 % Sl icon.png
190 / 190 / 190 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
85mm_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
85mm_HVAP_ammo_pack
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
85mm_HEAT_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
3 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 800 Sl icon.png
155 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
210 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
6 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
10 000 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Ammunition47 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.6 → 7.4 s
Vertical guidance-5° / 22°
Main article: Type-62-85-TC (85 mm)
85 mm Type-62-85-TC Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 47 -5°/+22° ±180° N/A 9.5 13.2 16.0 17.7 18.8 9.62 8.51 7.84 7.40
Realistic 5.9 7.0 8.5 9.4 10.0

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
Type 56 APBC APHEBC 135 133 124 113 104 95
Type 56 APCBC APCBC 164 162 154 143 134 125
Type 56 HVAP APCR 208 201 176 148 125 106
Type 56 HEAT-FS HEATFS 300 300 300 300 300 300
Type 56 HE HE 19 18 17 16 15 14
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%
Type 56 APBC APHEBC 792 9.2 1.2 14 164 48° 63° 71°
Type 56 APCBC APCBC 792 9.2 1.2 14 77 48° 63° 71°
Type 56 HVAP APCR 1,020 5.3 - - - 66° 70° 72°
Type 56 HEAT-FS HEATFS 845 7 0.05 0.1 822.8 65° 72° 77°
Type 56 HE HE 785 9.54 0.2 0.1 741 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Type 62 (USSR)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
47 45 (+2) 37 (+10) 31 (+16) 23 (+24) 21 (+26) (+46) No

Note:

  • Turret empty: 37 (+10) shells.

Machine guns

12.7 mm Type 54 machine gun
Ammunition500 rounds
Belt capacity50 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Vertical guidance-4° / 82°
7.62 mm Type 59 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
12.7 mm Type 54
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 500 (50) 600 -4°/+82° ±180°
7.62 mm Type 59
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 2,000 (250) 600 - -

Usage in battles

With its excellent mobility, the Type 62 is great for getting from point to point and setting up ambushes. However, the reload rate is around the same or even slower than most enemy tanks, so making your first shot count is always going to determine whether you survive the engagement or not. Aiming for the turret or ammo racks of the enemy are great options, as they usually ensure ammo rack detonations or that the enemy won't be able to fire back at you if not.

Also note that going on rough terrain and over piles of rubble is not recommended while at risk to be shot at by the enemy, as the gun takes a very long time to adjust in the vertical. With the HEATFS shell, staying at range is also possible, as it is much easier for you to hide your tank from the enemy while not losing accuracy and penetration of the HEATFS shell.

When facing heavy and medium tanks of the enemy, try to knock out their gun to allow you to get a clear shot of their side, as the stock shells for the 85 mm gun on the Type 62 can't reliably penetrate tanks such as the T29 and Tiger II (H) up front. However, with the HEATFS and APCR shells unlocked you'll be able to deal with heavily armoured tanks easier, so getting those early on is a must.

The hardest tanks to destroy in the Type 62 will be the T29 and Tiger II (H), as APHEBC and APCBC shells cannot penetrate these tanks from the front. When facing against these tanks, your best option is to get their ammo racks or turret crew from the side while they're busy dealing with your teammates, or, if they see you, relocating without them seeing you and getting them unawares. With the HEATFS shell it is possible to even penetrate the King Tiger's upper front plate if they underestimate you and don't angle their hull.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good acceleration, can reach fast travel speed quickly
  • Small profile, smaller than the T-44
  • 85 mm is similar to the one on T-44, with access to superior shells
  • Access to Type 56 HEAT-FS round, capable of penetrating 300 mm of armour
  • Pintle-mounted 12.7 mm MG can provide AA defences
  • Decent ammo reserve for its size, 47 shells
  • Looks like a T-54, may cause opponents in RB and SB to take a pause to figure out what you really are
  • Gun doesn't rock around a lot, can do a decent job at firing on the move

Cons:

  • Very thin armour - 35 mm hull in front, 50 mm turret front armour
  • Slow turret traverse
  • Rather long reload
  • Cramped crew and scattered ammo all over ensures easy knock-outs if penetrated
  • Gun depression is -5°
  • Gun is difficult to use in uneven terrain, as it takes a long time to depress / elevate the gun
  • Will rarely reach more than 50 km/h off-road

History

Development

After World War II, China stayed in a state of conflict as part of the Chinese Civil War, pitting the Chinese Nationalists against the Communists. The Communist Party were victorious and they established the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 01 October 1949. In 14 February 1950, the Chinese signed an alliance treaty with the Soviet Union, which allowed the Soviet Union to support China economically and militarily, leading to many money loans and arms trade. One of the weapons given in arms trade was the Soviet's new main battle tank, the T-54. The tank became the basis of the Soviet's aid in building up China's tank manufacturing facility in 1956, starting with Soviet-made parts before transitioning to Chinese parts. The T-54 tank design was then accepted into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 1959 as the Type 59.

While accepted as the main tank of the PLA, the Type 59 was deemed too heavy for some of the terrain and infrastructure on China. A light tank design was requested in the late 1950s, leading to the formal development process in 1958. The first prototype was produced in 1960 as the Type 59-16, which was essentially a down-scaled Type 59 with an 85 mm armament, thinner armour, and smaller profile. Trials commenced until December 1962, when it was accepted as the Type 62, production name WZ 131. It was then put into production in 1963 with roughly 1,393 tank units produced until 1989.

Combat usage

The Type 62 light tank was primarily stationed with military units in Southern China where the infrastructure is not as sophisticated. However, the Type 62 would not see its first usage in Chinese hands. A number of them was supplied to the North Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War, which they used against America and South Vietnam until the end of the war in 1975. The Type 62 then saw use again in 1979 in Vietnam, but mostly in Chinese hands in the Sino-Vietnamese War. However, the Type 62 suffered due to anti-tank weapons such as the ubiquitous rocket launchers penetrating right through the thin armour. The overall consensus of their experiences in Vietnam was that the Type 62 not suitable to act around as a normal tank due to its light armour and armament, and was relegated to recon and fire support.

An upgrade program commenced on the Type 62 led to the Type 62-I variant. The program was based on the experiences in Vietnam, leading to many upgrades such as a laser range finder, a shield for the exterior-mounted 12.7 mm machine gun, and protection against HEAT rounds. The second modernization program began in 2000 to upgrade the Type 62-I into Type 62G which improved the armour layout and turret design of the tank, as well as adding smoke dischargers and a new 105 mm main armament with a modern stabilizer and fire-control system. The Type 62 stayed in the Chinese service up until early 2013.

The Type 62 also saw exportation to many countries, ranging from Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Congo, Mali, Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, North Korea, and Zaire. In some cases, such as in North Korea, this led to confusions between the Soviet's T-62 main battle tank due to the labeling of the Type 62 as simply "T-62". Information of the Type 62 in these countries are rather limited or unknown, though most of them seem to still have them in reserves today.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

External links


China North Industries Corporation - NORINCO 中国兵器工业集团有限公司
Light Tanks/IFV 
WZ501  ZBD86
WZ131  ▂Type 62 · Type 62
WZ211  Type 63 · ZTS63
WZ502  ZBD04A
Main Battle Tanks 
WZ120  Type 59 · ZTZ59A · ZTZ59D1
WZ121  Type 69 · Type 69-IIa** · T-69 II G**
WZ122  ZTZ88B · ZTZ88A · ZTZ96 · ZTZ96A · ZTZ96A (P)
WZ123  ZTZ99-II · ZTZ99-III
WZ1001  WZ1001(E) LCT · ZTZ99A
Export MBT  MBT2000** · VT-4A1**
Tank Destroyers  AFT09 · PTL02 · WMA301** · PTZ89 · ZLT11
SPH  PLZ83
SPAA  ZSD63/PG87* · WZ305** · PGZ09 · PGZ04A
  *Field modifications
  **Export vehicles

USSR light tanks
T-26  T-26 · T-26 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-26-4 · T-26E
BT  BT-5 · RBT-5 · BT-7 · BT-7 TD · BT-7M · BT-7A (F-32)
T-50  T-126 · T-50
T-70  T-70 · T-80
PT-76  PT-76B · PT-76-57 · Object 906
BMP  BMP-1 · BMP-2 · BMP-2M · BMP-3
BMD  BMD-4
2S25  2S25 · 2S25M
Wheeled  BA-11 · BTR-80A
Other  T-60 · Object 685 · 2S38
China  ▂Type 62

Winter events
2022  Winter Quest
Pilot stars  Late 298D · ◄Tornado IDS MFG
Tanker stars  T-80UM2
Sailor stars  USS Newport News
2021  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  C. 202D · ◊MiG-23MF
Tanker stars  A.C.I · AGS
Sailor stars  IJN Hayanami · MPK Pr.201K
2020  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  Ro.57 Quadriarma · MiG-21PFM
Tanker stars  E.B.R. (1954) · Class 3 (P)
Sailor stars  Type K-8 No.13 · USS Baltimore
2019  Operation F.R.O.S.T.
Pilot stars  TIS MA · J6K1
Tanker stars  QF 3.7 Ram · ▃Merkava Mk.2B
Sailor stars  PT-811 · Jaguar
2018  Festive Quest
Pilot stars  M.B.152C1 · Fw 190 C
Tanker stars  SU-85A · T30
Christmas Lights  P-43A-1 · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
2017  Festive Quest
Pilot christmas toys  P-40C · NC.900
Tanker christmas toys  AEC Mk II · Ersatz M10
Christmas Lights  Fw 189 A-1 · KV-2 (1940)
2016  Winter Holiday
Pilot stages  Ki-21-I hei · Me 262 A-2a
Tanker stages  ▃LVT(A)(4) (ZIS-2) · ▂Type 62
2015  War Thunder Fulfills Your Wishes!
Pilot reward  ▂P-63C-5
Tanker reward  VK 45.01 (P)
2014  Holiday War Thunder Marathon!
Pilot reward  I-301
Tanker reward  M8A1 GMC