Difference between revisions of "FlaK38 (20 mm)"
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| + | [[File:Weapon FlaK38 (20 mm).png|thumb|right|x250px|The FlaK38 (20 mm) on the Sd.Kfz.234/3 gun mantlet.]] | ||
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' | + | <!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' --> |
| + | The '''20 mm FlaK38''' is a German anti-aircraft cannon. | ||
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon === | === Vehicles equipped with this weapon === | ||
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== General info == | == General info == | ||
<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.'' --> | <!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.'' --> | ||
| − | The | + | The 20 mm FlaK38 is a very impressive autocannon, having an extremely good fire rate, and a good selection of belt types. It can be used to fight both air and ground target. The HEFI-T rounds will take planes down with a few shots, while HVAP-T has high penetrating power, enough to deal with most tanks at its BR. Although the HVAP-T rounds' post-penetration damage is poor, it makes up for that with its amazing fire rate. |
=== Available ammunition === | === Available ammunition === | ||
<!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' --> | ||
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| − | {| | + | * '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}} - This mixed belt can be reliable against both aircraft and open-topped or lightly armoured vehicles like SPAA. |
| − | + | * '''Sprgr.:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}} - This belt is only useful for fighting planes or lightly armoured/open topped vehicles. | |
| − | |- | + | * '''PzGr.:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - This belt offers a good transition from the ''Default'' to the ''PzGr 40'' APCR belt. The round offers decent use and damage against lightly armoured tanks, especially at close range. Due to lack of high-explosive filler however, it is better to focus on the ''PzGr 40'' belt to maximize penetration power. |
| − | + | * '''PzGr.40:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - This belt is best for fighting tanks. While the damage effects post-penetration are quite poor, the rapid-fire from the autocannon will wreck most tanks at this BR. In close combat, these shells should be used against modules and crew members to make the most of each shell. Against angled armour however, the APCR ammo may not be very effective. | |
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| − | |- | + | {{:{{PAGENAME}}/Ammunition|HEFI-T*, API-T, HVAP-T}} |
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=== Comparison with analogues === | === Comparison with analogues === | ||
<!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' --> | <!-- ''Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' --> | ||
| + | |||
* [[KwK30 (20 mm)]] | * [[KwK30 (20 mm)]] | ||
* [[KwK38 (20 mm)]] | * [[KwK38 (20 mm)]] | ||
| − | * [[Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)]] | + | * [[20 mm/70 Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)]] |
== Usage in battles == | == Usage in battles == | ||
<!-- ''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.'' --> | ||
| − | The FlaK38 | + | The FlaK38 is a very versatile cannon. With its high fire rate and access to HEFI-T rounds, taking planes down will be an easy task. It can also be utilized to fight ground vehicles, as the HVAP-T can penetrate 48 mm of armour at point-blank range. Although the post-penetration damage is poor, the high fire rate makes up for this fault. |
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
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'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
| + | |||
* Very high fire rate, will take down planes very quickly | * Very high fire rate, will take down planes very quickly | ||
* Can fight ground vehicles | * Can fight ground vehicles | ||
| − | * | + | * 48 mm of penetration with the HVAP-T round |
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| + | |||
* Reloading rate is slow compared to other AA guns at its rank | * Reloading rate is slow compared to other AA guns at its rank | ||
* Magazine is emptied very fast when firing continuously | * Magazine is emptied very fast when firing continuously | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
| − | ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' | + | <!-- ''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.'' --> |
| + | The Treaty of Versailles after World War I prevented Germany from developing anti-aircraft guns. As a result, German companies such as Rheinmetall bought shares or set up subsidiaries in Sweden or other nations to get around the restriction. The FlaK38 is a product of exploiting this loophole. Beginning life as the Swiss Solothurn ST-5 which was adopted by the Kriegsmarine (Germany Navy) as the [[2 cm/65 C/30 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 C/30]], it was prone to jamming and had only 20 rounds in a magazine. The Heer (German Army) would also adopt the C/30 as the FlaK30 that could be dropped off a two-wheeled carriage and leveled with cranks to serve in combat as an anti-aircraft weapon. The Heer also adapted the gun for the [[Pz.II C]] as the [[KwK30 (20 mm)|KwK30]]. Due to the low rate of fire of 120 rpm, the design was upgraded by Rheinmetall in 1938 creating the FlaK38. This variant was lighter but also fired at a rate of 220 rpm. This new model was accepted into service in 1939 and soon followed by a mounted variant for the [[Pz.II F]] called the [[KwK38 (20 mm)|KwK38]]. The FlaK38 would be the Heer's main anti-aircraft gun for most of the war and after the Battle of France, where the Germans recognized the need for a self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle. They developed the [[Flakpanzer I]] and [[Flakpanzer 38]] by mounting the FlaK38 on the chassis of obsolete tank designs in the form of the Panzer I and [[Pz.38(t) A|Pz.38(t)]] along with more modern designs based on half-tracks and [[Pz.IV (Family)|Pz.IV]] designs such as the Modelwagen. One of the most unique variants of the FlaK38 called the Flakvierling was a quad-mount developed to counter the increasing speeds of enemy aircraft by volume of fire. Along with use on half-tracks and trucks and in the Kriegsmarine as the [[2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 (20 mm)|2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38]], it was the armament of the Panzer IV-based [[Wirbelwind]]. The Wirbelwind (German for Whirlwind) mounted the Flakvierling in an open-topped turret due to the gases produced by the guns. The Flakvierling 38 was also notably mounted on Hitler's private train. | ||
== Media == | == Media == | ||
| − | '' | + | <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' --> |
| + | |||
| + | ;Images | ||
| + | <gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="x250px"> | ||
| + | File:Weapon FlaK38 (20 mm) breech.png|<small>The FlaK38 (20 mm) breech in the Sd.Kfz.234/3.</small> | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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''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;'' | ||
| − | |||
* ''other literature.'' | * ''other literature.'' | ||
Latest revision as of 16:41, 14 June 2023
.png)
Contents
Description
The 20 mm FlaK38 is a German anti-aircraft cannon.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
The 20 mm FlaK38 is a very impressive autocannon, having an extremely good fire rate, and a good selection of belt types. It can be used to fight both air and ground target. The HEFI-T rounds will take planes down with a few shots, while HVAP-T has high penetrating power, enough to deal with most tanks at its BR. Although the HVAP-T rounds' post-penetration damage is poor, it makes up for that with its amazing fire rate.
Available ammunition
- Default: API-T · HEFI-T* · HEFI-T* · HEFI-T* - This mixed belt can be reliable against both aircraft and open-topped or lightly armoured vehicles like SPAA.
- Sprgr.: HEFI-T* - This belt is only useful for fighting planes or lightly armoured/open topped vehicles.
- PzGr.: API-T - This belt offers a good transition from the Default to the PzGr 40 APCR belt. The round offers decent use and damage against lightly armoured tanks, especially at close range. Due to lack of high-explosive filler however, it is better to focus on the PzGr 40 belt to maximize penetration power.
- PzGr.40: HVAP-T · API-T - This belt is best for fighting tanks. While the damage effects post-penetration are quite poor, the rapid-fire from the autocannon will wreck most tanks at this BR. In close combat, these shells should be used against modules and crew members to make the most of each shell. Against angled armour however, the APCR ammo may not be very effective.
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| HEFI-T* | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| API-T | 37 | 34 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 6 | |
| HVAP-T | 48 | 45 | 31 | 20 | 13 | 8 | |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| HEFI-T* | 900 | 0.12 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 10.2 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
| API-T | 800 | 0.15 | - | - | - | 47° | 60° | 65° | ||||
| HVAP-T | 1,050 | 0.1 | - | - | - | 66° | 70° | 72° | ||||
Comparison with analogues
Usage in battles
The FlaK38 is a very versatile cannon. With its high fire rate and access to HEFI-T rounds, taking planes down will be an easy task. It can also be utilized to fight ground vehicles, as the HVAP-T can penetrate 48 mm of armour at point-blank range. Although the post-penetration damage is poor, the high fire rate makes up for this fault.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Very high fire rate, will take down planes very quickly
- Can fight ground vehicles
- 48 mm of penetration with the HVAP-T round
Cons:
- Reloading rate is slow compared to other AA guns at its rank
- Magazine is emptied very fast when firing continuously
History
The Treaty of Versailles after World War I prevented Germany from developing anti-aircraft guns. As a result, German companies such as Rheinmetall bought shares or set up subsidiaries in Sweden or other nations to get around the restriction. The FlaK38 is a product of exploiting this loophole. Beginning life as the Swiss Solothurn ST-5 which was adopted by the Kriegsmarine (Germany Navy) as the 2 cm/65 C/30, it was prone to jamming and had only 20 rounds in a magazine. The Heer (German Army) would also adopt the C/30 as the FlaK30 that could be dropped off a two-wheeled carriage and leveled with cranks to serve in combat as an anti-aircraft weapon. The Heer also adapted the gun for the Pz.II C as the KwK30. Due to the low rate of fire of 120 rpm, the design was upgraded by Rheinmetall in 1938 creating the FlaK38. This variant was lighter but also fired at a rate of 220 rpm. This new model was accepted into service in 1939 and soon followed by a mounted variant for the Pz.II F called the KwK38. The FlaK38 would be the Heer's main anti-aircraft gun for most of the war and after the Battle of France, where the Germans recognized the need for a self-propelled anti-aircraft vehicle. They developed the Flakpanzer I and Flakpanzer 38 by mounting the FlaK38 on the chassis of obsolete tank designs in the form of the Panzer I and Pz.38(t) along with more modern designs based on half-tracks and Pz.IV designs such as the Modelwagen. One of the most unique variants of the FlaK38 called the Flakvierling was a quad-mount developed to counter the increasing speeds of enemy aircraft by volume of fire. Along with use on half-tracks and trucks and in the Kriegsmarine as the 2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38, it was the armament of the Panzer IV-based Wirbelwind. The Wirbelwind (German for Whirlwind) mounted the Flakvierling in an open-topped turret due to the gases produced by the guns. The Flakvierling 38 was also notably mounted on Hitler's private train.
Media
- Images
The FlaK38 (20 mm) breech in the Sd.Kfz.234/3.
_breech.png)
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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
- references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.
External links
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
| Germany anti-aircraft guns | |
|---|---|
| 15 mm | MG 151 |
| 20 mm | FlaK38 · Rh202 |
| 30 mm | MK103/38 |
| 37 mm | FlaK36 · FlaK43 · FlaK44 |
| Foreign: | |
| 35 mm | Oerlikon KDA (Swiss) |
