Difference between revisions of "Sd.Kfz.251/21"
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− | {{Specs-Card|code=germ_sdkfz_251_21}} | + | {{About |
+ | | about = German SPAA '''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
+ | | usage = other versions | ||
+ | | link = Sd.Kfz.251 (Family) | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | {{Specs-Card | ||
+ | |code=germ_sdkfz_251_21 | ||
+ | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_Sd.Kfz.251-21.jpg|ArtImage_Sd.Kfz.251-21.png}} | ||
+ | }} | ||
== 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, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> | ||
− | |||
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German SPAA {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Hot Tracks"]]. | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German SPAA {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Hot Tracks"]]. | ||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
=== Survivability and armour === | === Survivability and 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.'' --> | ||
− | + | Armour is practically nonexistent with this vehicle at only 14 mm maximum. Notable weak spots are between the gunner and driver section, where the ammunition is stored. Four crew members are used with operating this vehicle, a driver, commander, loader, and gunner. It is typical for such a lightly armoured vehicle as this to stay behind in the spawn area, keeping an eye out for planes. Planes are usually an easy target to take down with your rapid firing 15 mm machine guns, so long as you don't use H-Pzgr, which will most often over-penetrate and cause less damage. | |
− | '''Armour type:''' | + | '''Armour type:''' |
− | + | ||
− | * | + | * Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, gun shield) |
+ | * Wheel (front tires) | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Hull || | + | | Hull || 14.5 mm (20°) ''Engine compartment'' <br> 14.5 mm (29°) ''Driver cabin'' <br> 8 mm (30°) ''Roof panel'' <br> 8 mm (41°) ''Lower glacis'' || 8 mm (41°) ''Top - Engine'' <br> 8 mm (35°) ''Top - Crew compartment'' <br> 8 mm (30°) ''Top - Roof panel'' <br> 8 mm (19°) ''Bottom - Engine'' <br> 8 mm (34°) ''Bottom - Crew compartment'' <br> 8 mm + 8 mm (34°) ''Storage bins'' <br> 8 mm ''Bottom - Undercarriage'' || 8 mm (30°) <br> 5.5 mm (41°) ''Lower glacis'' || 8 mm (8°) ''Engine compartment'' <br> 5.5 mm ''Driver compartment'' |
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|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Gun shield || 14.5 mm (33°) || 14.5 mm (13°) || colspan="2" style="text-align:center" | N/A |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | '''Notes:''' | ||
− | + | * Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick while torsion bars are 10 mm thick. | |
− | + | * Wheels are 10 mm thick and mudguards are 5 mm thick. | |
+ | * The belly armour is 5.5 mm thick. | ||
=== 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.'' -->{{tankMobility|abMinHp=142|rbMinHp=88}} | + | {{Specs-Tank-Mobility}} |
+ | <!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' --> | ||
+ | |||
+ | {{tankMobility|abMinHp=142|rbMinHp=88}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Modifications and economy === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Economy}} | ||
== Armaments == | == Armaments == | ||
+ | {{Specs-Tank-Armaments}} | ||
=== Main armament === | === Main armament === | ||
+ | {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}} | ||
+ | {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}} | ||
<!-- ''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|MG 151 (15 mm)}} | {{main|MG 151 (15 mm)}} | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! ''Arcade'' | ! ''Arcade'' | ||
− | | rowspan="2" | | + | | rowspan="2" | 1 x 1,000 (500) <br> 2 x 1,000 (250) || rowspan="2" | 700 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+49° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 52.8 || 73.1 || 88.8 || 98.2 || 104.5 || rowspan="2" | 18.20 || rowspan="2" | 16.10 || rowspan="2" | 14.84 || rowspan="2" | 14.00 |
|- | |- | ||
! ''Realistic'' | ! ''Realistic'' | ||
− | | | + | | 35.7 || 42.0 || 51.0 || 56.4 || 60.0 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==== Ammunition ==== | ==== Ammunition ==== | ||
+ | * '''Pzgr. L'spur:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}} | ||
+ | * '''Brsprgr. L'spur:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}} | ||
+ | * '''Pzbrgr.:''' {{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} | ||
+ | * '''H-Pzgr.:''' {{Annotation|HVAP|High-velocity armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}} | ||
− | + | {{:MG151 (15 mm)/Ammunition|AP-T, HEF-T, HEFI-T, AP-I, HVAP}} | |
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ||
− | + | [[File:Ammoracks Sd.Kfz.251-21.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] | |
− | <!-- '''Last updated:''' --> | + | <!-- '''Last updated: 2.7.0.173''' --> |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
! Full<br>ammo | ! Full<br>ammo | ||
+ | ! Ammo<br>type | ||
! 1st<br>rack empty | ! 1st<br>rack empty | ||
! 2nd<br>rack empty | ! 2nd<br>rack empty | ||
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! Visual<br>discrepancy | ! Visual<br>discrepancy | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | ''' | + | | '''8''' <br> '''3,000''' || ''Magazines'' <br> ''Rounds'' || 2 ''(+6)'' <br> 1,000 || 2 ''(+6)'' <br> 1,000 || Yes |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | '''Notes''': | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Ammunition is divided into 8 magazines. | ||
+ | * The visual discrepancy concerns the number of magazines: 8 magazines can be fired but only 6 are modeled. | ||
== 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).'' --> | ||
− | ' | + | Because the Sd.Kfz.251/21 lacks any sort of effective armour, it is highly recommended that you stay behind at spawn point, keeping an eye out for aircraft. It is ill-advised to try to engage ground vehicles as long as you haven't researched the H-Pzgr modification. This belt can penetrate 51 mm of armour at 10 m, so it is better to flank and shoot for lower side armour if possible. Beware of heavy tanks such as the KV-1: their minimum armour thickness is 75 mm, so that renders this heavy tank immune to your shots. Avoid if at all possible, but if you can't avoid, damage the cannon barrel and the tracks to give you time to escape. |
+ | |||
+ | In terms of engaging air, one should attempt to understand the importance of these principles; "Distance, lead, fire and hide". The Sd.Kfz.251/21 is such an under-armoured anti-air vehicle that it is recommended to only engage aircraft you are sure will be quickly dealt with, or incredibly close to you. Distance should be a large factor of how you pick targets, if you are not able to see the aircraft in full flying over a point or even your mini-map, do not engage at all. If the aircraft is near, continue on to the next step, leading the target. Leading is a vital learning curve of all beginning anti-air players and can often be quite difficult. The calibre of your main armament is a huge factor, as some former anti-air in the German tree are cannons that require more or less lead time. The Sd.Kfz.251/21 is one of the best vehicles to help teach how to lead aircraft, and it does not require excellent aim either, just aim for the important parts of an aircraft and spray and pray, but be conservative with your ammo and be sure not to jam your guns. Hiding after engaging is very important on the Sd.Kfz.251/21, as even a small spray of fire from an aircraft will render you useless. Hiding behind tall buildings and under tree cover is excellent after engaging, but be sure that you are not running into an enemy tank. | ||
− | + | While playing with this vehicle, it is recommended to hide behind cover (a building, a cliff, or a rock formation) and always find the location of enemy aircraft by sound. When the enemy plane is in a dive, pull out of cover and hit your enemy with a fatal blow. The high muzzle velocity is helpful for predicting shots. At the same time, due to the limited elevation angle, it is recommended to find a place with a slope. A smart enemy will destroy you through a vertical dive, and the slope will supplement your elevation angle to help you destroy the target. | |
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=== 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".'' --> | ||
− | |||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
* Fast rate of fire | * Fast rate of fire | ||
− | * Has an dedicated anti tank belt, the H-Pzgr., which can go | + | * Three machine guns can make accurate aiming less important because of the large volume of fire |
− | * Good top speed | + | * Has an dedicated anti tank belt, the H-Pzgr., which can go through most tanks from the side |
− | * Very fast turret traverse | + | * Good top speed |
− | * Crew members are quite spread out, difficult to | + | * Very fast turret traverse allows easy target acquisition on any target |
− | + | * Crew members are quite spread out, difficult for enemies to knock you out in a single shot without a chemical shell | |
− | * | + | * Large amount of ammunition |
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | * Armour is extremely poor, can be penetrated by heavy machine guns and can be easily destroyed by | + | * Armour is extremely poor, can be penetrated by heavy machine guns and can be easily destroyed by overpressure |
− | * Open topped, | + | * Open topped, strafing planes can be devastating |
− | * Near non | + | * Near non-existent gun depression |
− | * Gun elevation is quite poor for an anti air vehicle | + | * Gun elevation is quite poor for an anti-air vehicle |
− | |||
* Reload time stock of 18.2 seconds can be dangerous | * Reload time stock of 18.2 seconds can be dangerous | ||
* Acceleration is mediocre at best | * Acceleration is mediocre at best | ||
− | + | * Heavy calibre machine guns lack stopping power compared to the previous 20 mm and 37 mm cannons | |
− | * | + | * Large ammo cans can cause ammo racking to be very common from ground targets |
== History == | == History == | ||
Line 170: | Line 136: | ||
By 1942, German engineers recognized the need of the Wehrmacht for a light SPAAG to provide cover for frontline troops against low flying aircraft and set about developing a suitable vehicle on the chassis of available halftrack designs. In 1943, this need became even more emphasized with limited German production capacities being unable to produce the required number of Flakpanzers that the Wehrmacht had been requesting. | By 1942, German engineers recognized the need of the Wehrmacht for a light SPAAG to provide cover for frontline troops against low flying aircraft and set about developing a suitable vehicle on the chassis of available halftrack designs. In 1943, this need became even more emphasized with limited German production capacities being unable to produce the required number of Flakpanzers that the Wehrmacht had been requesting. | ||
− | Subsequently, German engineers decided to outfit the widely used Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack with a three-barrel AA mount, initially equipped with 15 mm, later with 20 mm cannons, in order to meet the | + | Subsequently, German engineers decided to outfit the widely used Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack with a three-barrel AA mount, initially equipped with 15 mm, later with 20 mm cannons, in order to meet the Wehrmacht's demand. The new modification became known as the Sd.Kfz 251/21 and went into production in 1944. |
+ | |||
+ | By the time the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 entered service, troops more widely used it as a support vehicle in the late stages of the war, with the vehicle performing well in this role. Nonetheless, over 380 units of the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 were produced until the end of the war, many of which through conversion of older modifications. | ||
− | |||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
− | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --><gallery mode="packed" caption="Sd.Kfz. 251/21 Devblog Images" heights="150"> | + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> |
+ | |||
+ | ;Skins | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_sdkfz_251_21 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
+ | |||
+ | ;Images | ||
+ | <gallery mode="packed" caption="Sd.Kfz. 251/21 Devblog Images" heights="150"> | ||
File:Sd.Kfz. 251-21 WTWallpaper 001.jpg| | File:Sd.Kfz. 251-21 WTWallpaper 001.jpg| | ||
File:Sd.Kfz. 251-21 WTWallpaper 002.jpg| | File:Sd.Kfz. 251-21 WTWallpaper 002.jpg| | ||
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File:Sd.Kfz. 251-21 WTWallpaper 006.jpg| | File:Sd.Kfz. 251-21 WTWallpaper 006.jpg| | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
+ | |||
+ | ;Videos | ||
+ | {{Youtube-gallery|KWLXIN7mIGc|'''Germany suffers and needed this - Sd.Kfz.251/21 15mm''' - ''PhlyDaily'' (Review starts at 3:11)}} | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Line 187: | Line 164: | ||
* ''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.'' --> | ||
− | |||
− | * | + | ;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role |
− | * | + | |
+ | * [[M16 MGMC]] | ||
+ | * [[BTR-152A]] | ||
+ | * [[CCKW 353 (M45)]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
Line 198: | Line 177: | ||
* [[wt:en/news/6991-development-sd-kfz-251-21-deadly-triplets-en|[Devblog] Sd.Kfz. 251/21: Deadly Triplets]] | * [[wt:en/news/6991-development-sd-kfz-251-21-deadly-triplets-en|[Devblog] Sd.Kfz. 251/21: Deadly Triplets]] | ||
+ | * [[wikipedia:Sd.Kfz._251|[Wikipedia] Sd.Kfz. 251]] | ||
+ | * [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/sdkfz-251_hanomag.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Sd.Kfz.251] | ||
+ | {{TankManufacturer Hanomag}} | ||
{{Germany anti-aircraft vehicles}} | {{Germany anti-aircraft vehicles}} | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Category:Half-tracks]] |
Latest revision as of 16:22, 4 February 2023
This page is about the German SPAA Sd.Kfz.251/21. For other versions, see Sd.Kfz.251 (Family). |
Contents
Description
The m.Schütz.Pz.Wg. (Sd.Kfz.251/21) is a rank II German SPAA with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Hot Tracks".
General info
Survivability and armour
Armour is practically nonexistent with this vehicle at only 14 mm maximum. Notable weak spots are between the gunner and driver section, where the ammunition is stored. Four crew members are used with operating this vehicle, a driver, commander, loader, and gunner. It is typical for such a lightly armoured vehicle as this to stay behind in the spawn area, keeping an eye out for planes. Planes are usually an easy target to take down with your rapid firing 15 mm machine guns, so long as you don't use H-Pzgr, which will most often over-penetrate and cause less damage.
Armour type:
- Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, gun shield)
- Wheel (front tires)
Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | 14.5 mm (20°) Engine compartment 14.5 mm (29°) Driver cabin 8 mm (30°) Roof panel 8 mm (41°) Lower glacis |
8 mm (41°) Top - Engine 8 mm (35°) Top - Crew compartment 8 mm (30°) Top - Roof panel 8 mm (19°) Bottom - Engine 8 mm (34°) Bottom - Crew compartment 8 mm + 8 mm (34°) Storage bins 8 mm Bottom - Undercarriage |
8 mm (30°) 5.5 mm (41°) Lower glacis |
8 mm (8°) Engine compartment 5.5 mm Driver compartment |
Gun shield | 14.5 mm (33°) | 14.5 mm (13°) | N/A |
Notes:
- Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick while torsion bars are 10 mm thick.
- Wheels are 10 mm thick and mudguards are 5 mm thick.
- The belly armour is 5.5 mm thick.
Mobility
Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
Arcade | 57 | 12 | 8 | 142 | 191 | 17.75 | 23.88 |
Realistic | 53 | 11 | 88 | 100 | 11 | 12.5 |
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Main armament
15 mm MG 151 (x3) | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mode | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
Arcade | 1 x 1,000 (500) 2 x 1,000 (250) |
700 | -5°/+49° | ±180° | N/A | 52.8 | 73.1 | 88.8 | 98.2 | 104.5 | 18.20 | 16.10 | 14.84 | 14.00 |
Realistic | 35.7 | 42.0 | 51.0 | 56.4 | 60.0 |
Ammunition
- Pzgr. L'spur: AP-T · HEF-T
- Brsprgr. L'spur: HEFI-T · HEFI-T · HEFI-T · AP-I
- Pzbrgr.: AP-I · AP-I · AP-I · HEFI-T
- H-Pzgr.: HVAP · AP-I · AP-I · AP-T
Penetration statistics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
AP-T | 33 | 30 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 5 | |
HEF-T | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
HEFI-T | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
AP-I | 34 | 30 | 17 | 8 | 4 | 2 | |
HVAP | 51 | 46 | 30 | 18 | 11 | 6 |
Shell details | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
AP-T | 850 | 0.07 | - | - | - | 47° | 56° | 65° | ||||
HEF-T | 960 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 47° | 56° | 65° | ||||
HEFI-T | 960 | 0.06 | 0 | 0.1 | 3.23 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
AP-I | 960 | 0.06 | - | - | - | 47° | 56° | 65° | ||||
HVAP | 1,030 | 0.05 | - | - | - | 66° | 70° | 72° |
Ammo racks
Full ammo |
Ammo type |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
---|---|---|---|---|
8 3,000 |
Magazines Rounds |
2 (+6) 1,000 |
2 (+6) 1,000 |
Yes |
Notes:
- Ammunition is divided into 8 magazines.
- The visual discrepancy concerns the number of magazines: 8 magazines can be fired but only 6 are modeled.
Usage in battles
Because the Sd.Kfz.251/21 lacks any sort of effective armour, it is highly recommended that you stay behind at spawn point, keeping an eye out for aircraft. It is ill-advised to try to engage ground vehicles as long as you haven't researched the H-Pzgr modification. This belt can penetrate 51 mm of armour at 10 m, so it is better to flank and shoot for lower side armour if possible. Beware of heavy tanks such as the KV-1: their minimum armour thickness is 75 mm, so that renders this heavy tank immune to your shots. Avoid if at all possible, but if you can't avoid, damage the cannon barrel and the tracks to give you time to escape.
In terms of engaging air, one should attempt to understand the importance of these principles; "Distance, lead, fire and hide". The Sd.Kfz.251/21 is such an under-armoured anti-air vehicle that it is recommended to only engage aircraft you are sure will be quickly dealt with, or incredibly close to you. Distance should be a large factor of how you pick targets, if you are not able to see the aircraft in full flying over a point or even your mini-map, do not engage at all. If the aircraft is near, continue on to the next step, leading the target. Leading is a vital learning curve of all beginning anti-air players and can often be quite difficult. The calibre of your main armament is a huge factor, as some former anti-air in the German tree are cannons that require more or less lead time. The Sd.Kfz.251/21 is one of the best vehicles to help teach how to lead aircraft, and it does not require excellent aim either, just aim for the important parts of an aircraft and spray and pray, but be conservative with your ammo and be sure not to jam your guns. Hiding after engaging is very important on the Sd.Kfz.251/21, as even a small spray of fire from an aircraft will render you useless. Hiding behind tall buildings and under tree cover is excellent after engaging, but be sure that you are not running into an enemy tank.
While playing with this vehicle, it is recommended to hide behind cover (a building, a cliff, or a rock formation) and always find the location of enemy aircraft by sound. When the enemy plane is in a dive, pull out of cover and hit your enemy with a fatal blow. The high muzzle velocity is helpful for predicting shots. At the same time, due to the limited elevation angle, it is recommended to find a place with a slope. A smart enemy will destroy you through a vertical dive, and the slope will supplement your elevation angle to help you destroy the target.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast rate of fire
- Three machine guns can make accurate aiming less important because of the large volume of fire
- Has an dedicated anti tank belt, the H-Pzgr., which can go through most tanks from the side
- Good top speed
- Very fast turret traverse allows easy target acquisition on any target
- Crew members are quite spread out, difficult for enemies to knock you out in a single shot without a chemical shell
- Large amount of ammunition
Cons:
- Armour is extremely poor, can be penetrated by heavy machine guns and can be easily destroyed by overpressure
- Open topped, strafing planes can be devastating
- Near non-existent gun depression
- Gun elevation is quite poor for an anti-air vehicle
- Reload time stock of 18.2 seconds can be dangerous
- Acceleration is mediocre at best
- Heavy calibre machine guns lack stopping power compared to the previous 20 mm and 37 mm cannons
- Large ammo cans can cause ammo racking to be very common from ground targets
History
Devblog
By 1942, German engineers recognized the need of the Wehrmacht for a light SPAAG to provide cover for frontline troops against low flying aircraft and set about developing a suitable vehicle on the chassis of available halftrack designs. In 1943, this need became even more emphasized with limited German production capacities being unable to produce the required number of Flakpanzers that the Wehrmacht had been requesting.
Subsequently, German engineers decided to outfit the widely used Sd.Kfz. 251 halftrack with a three-barrel AA mount, initially equipped with 15 mm, later with 20 mm cannons, in order to meet the Wehrmacht's demand. The new modification became known as the Sd.Kfz 251/21 and went into production in 1944.
By the time the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 entered service, troops more widely used it as a support vehicle in the late stages of the war, with the vehicle performing well in this role. Nonetheless, over 380 units of the Sd.Kfz. 251/21 were produced until the end of the war, many of which through conversion of older modifications.
Media
- Skins
- Images
- Videos
See also
- Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
External links
Hannoversche Maschinenbau AG (Hanomag) | |
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Sd.Kfz.251 | Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/21 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 |
Germany anti-aircraft vehicles | |
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Wheeled | Sd.Kfz.222 |
Half-track | Sd.Kfz.251/21 · Sd.Kfz. 6/2 |
Flakpanzer IV | Wirbelwind · Ostwind · Ostwind II · Kugelblitz · Zerstörer 45 |
Other Flakpanzers | Flakpanzer I · Flakpanzer 38 · Flakpanzer 341 |
Wiesel AWC | Wiesel 1A4 · Ozelot |
Radar SPAAG | Gepard · Gepard 1A2 |
Missile SPAA | FlaRakPz 1 · FlaRakRad |