Difference between revisions of "Nashorn"

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(New Description Project - Germany Priority: Tanks - 88 mm Panzerabwehrkanone 43/1 Ausführung Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III und IV (Nashorn))
 
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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_panzerjager_nashorn}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=germ_panzerjager_nashorn
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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}}
  
 
== 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.'' -->
 +
The '''88 mm Panzerabwehrkanone 43/1 Ausführung Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III und IV (Nashorn)''' is a German heavy self-propelled anti-tank gun. The Nashorn's story began in June 1942, when Hitler ordered the development of a new anti-tank gun based on the 88 mm Flugabwehrkanone 41. Krupp and Rheinmetall, two well-known German weapon manufacturers, were tasked with developing it. The research and production of 300 to 500 anti-guns were expected to be completed by mid-1943. As a result, it was planned to also create various towed carriages and self-propelled designs to speed up the process. It was quickly realised during the design phase that the new Selbstfahrlafette (self-propelled chassis) could not be finished by the time the new 88 mm Pak. 43/1 gun was needed for test trials, necessitating an alternate approach to transporting the new armament. On July 28, 1943, it was determined at the Wa Pruef conference to accelerate the project by taking advantage of already existing production capacities. An order was placed with Alkett-Borsigwalde's manufacturer to create and build a self-propelled chassis consisting of various [[Pz.III (Family)|Panzer IIIs]] and [[Pz.IV (Family)|Panzer IVs]] components. In early October 1942, a soft steel metal prototype was quickly created and demonstrated to Hitler. The new chassis was designed to be used in two separate armaments, one with an 88 mm Pak. 43/1 anti-tank gun and the other with a 150 mm schwere Feldhaubitze 43 long-range artillery gun. Both designs impressed Hitler, who ordered a total of 200 vehicles (100 of each).
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]], the Nashorn was one of the most versatile self-propelled anti-tank guns in the German Army during World War II. Armed with the devastating 88 mm Pak. 43/1 anti-tank gun, it served as the foundation for the armament of World War II's most feared heavy tanks, the Königstigers, also known as Tiger IIs. Nashorn is a long-range self-propelled anti-tank gun capable of engaging adversaries far behind the front lines. It can completely penetrate any opponent it encounters, thanks to the precise and powerful 88 mm Pak. 43/1 anti-tank gun. However, all German self-propelled guns share a common flaw: a lack of armour. Furthermore, given that Nashorn's hull was not its initial design, it has very poor gun depression, making fighting on a mountainous battlefield incredibly difficult.
  
 
== 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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{{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.'' -->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, gun shield, superstructure)
 +
* Structural steel (gun breech, mudguards)
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
The Nashorn's armor is paper thin; it will not protect you from even heavy-caliber machine gun fire and can be hull-broken from large caliber HE rounds.
+
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 15 mm (72°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 30 mm (27°) ''Driver port - front'' <br> 30 mm (21°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 20 mm (21°) ''Add-on tracks over lower glacis'' || 20 mm <br> 10 mm (33°) ''Driver port - side'' || 20 mm (10°) <br> 15 mm (9°) ''Add-on wheels'' || 15 mm (18°) ''Front glacis from above''
 +
|-
 +
| Superstructure || 15 mm (28°) ''Conical gun shield'' <br> 10 mm (35°) ''Outer panels'' <br> 10 mm (41°) ''Inner panels connecting with the gun shield'' || 10 mm (15°) || 10 mm (13°) || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
−
The Nashorn also lacks a roof, making it a very desirable target for strafing runs by fighters, as well as rocket attacks by attack aircraft.  
+
* Suspension wheels and torsion bars are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
 +
* The bottom of the hull is 15 mm thick and mudguards are 4 mm thick.
  
−
One interesting (and somewhat comical) note to the Nashorn's armor that it is so thin, shells may pass through it without exploding due to the fuse passing through enough material to set it off and detonate.
+
The {{PAGENAME}}'s armour is paper-thin; it will not protect the crew or internal modules even from heavy-calibre machine gun fire. And, the vehicle can be knocked out with overpressure from high-calibre HE rounds. The {{PAGENAME}} also lacks roof protection, making it a very desirable target for enemy fighters and attackers. Stay behind cover to avoid strafing runs or rocket attacks. One interesting (and somewhat comical) note on the {{PAGENAME}}'s armour is that being so thin, high-penetration shells may pass through it without detonating at all.
  
 
=== 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.''
+
{{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.'' -->
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 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=426|rbMinHp=265}}
 +
 
 +
Being based on the chassis of the Panzer IV, the {{PAGENAME}} benefits from the same all-round mobility: the tank accelerates and brakes quickly and is able to reach its max speed of 43 km/h in a dozen of seconds. While there is no neutral steering, turning on the spot is still easily done as it is a light vehicle. The reverse speed is average and won't let you back quickly from a dangerous situation. If you need to quickly turn your hull on the spot towards flanking enemies, privilege the reverse gear as it has more torque. The offroad mobility is good: the {{PAGENAME}} can reach 12 km/h when climbing uphill from idling and 15 km/h when fording. The "Ostketten" wide tracks for snowy terrain also offer an improved offroad handling. Only big obstacles will hinder your mobility (large trees, concrete blocks, parked vehicles). In short, the {{PAGENAME}}'s mobility is good enough for the role it fulfills.
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-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.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''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|PaK43 (88 mm)}}
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 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[PaK43 (88 mm)|88 mm PaK43]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 40 || rowspan="2" | -5°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±15° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 10.6 || 14.6 || 17.8 || 19.6 || 20.9 || rowspan="2" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 7.1 || 8.4 || 10.2 || 11.3 || 12.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The 88 mm PaK 43 gun has great penetration characteristics at all ranges and angles with an average reload time. Due to the vehicle's design, the gun should be used to snipe enemy targets from long ranges. Most enemy tanks will be crippled or destroyed if a shot connects.
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
The available ammunition allows for engaging all types of targets:
 +
 
 +
* '''PzGr 39/43''': APCBC; an armour-piercing shell with a high penetration power and an explosive filler that will destroy any tank that it penetrates.
 +
* '''PzGr 40/43''': APCR; a composite round with the best penetration but no explosive filler and will only penetrate flat vertical surfaces.
 +
* '''Hl.Gr 39''': HEAT; a shaped charge with average penetration but without penetration loss over distance. Only penetrates flat vertical surfaces but the post-penetration damage is very effective on open and lightly armoured vehicles. Very slow shell travelling at circa half the speed of your fastest projectiles.
 +
* '''Sprgr.43''': HE; useful for destroying aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Slow shell travelling at circa 3/4 of the speed of your fastest projectiles.
 +
 
 +
{{:PaK43 (88 mm)/Ammunition|PzGr 39/43, PzGr 40/43, Hl.Gr 39, Sprgr.43}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
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! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''40''' || 33&nbsp;''(+7)'' || 25&nbsp;''(+15)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+19)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+39)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
 +
 
 +
* Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
 +
* To go into battle with the flanks empty of ammo, pack 25&nbsp;''(+15)'' shells (racks 1 and 2 empty).
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
The Nashorn has two [[MG 34 (7.92 mm)]] aimed towards the vehicle's sides. Since they are the vehicles secondary weapon, you can't switch between different belts. Furthermore, they have various blind spots, e.g. the space behind or in front of the tank as well as the area above the vehicle since the machine guns have an elevation of only around +20°, making the tank very vulnerable against diving fighters or bombers   ''.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
 +
<!-- ''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.'' The text within these arrows are not to be deleted -->
 +
{{main|MG34 (7.92 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[MG34 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG34]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount
 +
! Capacity (Belt)
 +
! Fire rate
 +
! Vertical
 +
! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle - left side || 2,550 (150) || 900 || -5°/+15° || -125°/-5°
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle - right side || 2,550 (150) || 900 || -5°/+15° || +5°/+120°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} has two [[MG34 (7.92 mm)]] machine guns covering the vehicle's flanks. Since they are secondary weapons, there are no ammunition belt options. Furthermore, they have various blind spots (e.g. the rear and the front of the tank and the area above the vehicle). The machine guns have an elevation of only +15°, rendering them useless against diving fighters or bombers.
  
 
== 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
The Nashorn is a classic German tank destroyer, and its greatest selling point is its armament. The 88 mm PaK 43 gun has great penetration an great destructive power. It can destroy most opponents in one shot, and is an all-around great gun. Reload times are average. The best way to use this gun is in a sniping position, firing from behind a ridgeline or from behind cover. However, the Nashorn has bad gun depression, which can make ridgeline firing sometimes dangerous.
 +
 
 +
At close ranges, the Nashorn loses much of its effectiveness since it lacks a traversable turret and has poor survivability.
 +
 
 +
Speaking of, this vehicle's armour is very thin. It will not protect internal components from heavy-calibre machine gun fire, and it certainly can't defend against full-calibre tank shells. Sometimes, high-penetration shells will overpenetrate and pass through the vehicle without detonating, but this should not be counted on. Most of the time, any hit that connects will do great damage to the tank. Additionally, this vehicle has a large silhouette and can be destroyed by large-calibre HE rounds. Even worse, the Nashorn is open-topped, which means that artillery is a significant threat. Enemy planes will also see the Nashorn as a highly desirable target, since strafing runs can cripple or destroy the vehicle. The Nashorn has no way of defending against this. It is equipped with machine guns, but they do not have enough elevation to fire at planes. To avoid artillery and fire from planes, stay behind cover: shrubbery and buildings work well for this.
 +
 
 +
As a sniping-based tank destroyer, the Nashorn's mobility is not its most important feature. Still, it's nice that the vehicle has good mobility all around. The tank accelerates and brakes quickly and is able to reach its max speed of 43 km/h in normal gameplay. While there is no neutral steering, turning on the spot is still easily done as it is a light vehicle. (Even so, the lack of a turret means that flankers are still very deadly. Watch out for them.) The reverse speed is average and won't let you back quickly from a dangerous situation. (This is important to note when peeking out from behind cover to take a shot.) Thanks to its good mobility, the Nashorn is able to reach sniping positions in a reasonable amount of time or to relocate mid-game if necessary.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''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".''
+
<!-- ''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:'''
  
−
*
+
* The powerful 88 mm PaK 43 cannon can destroy most, if not all, opponents in one shot
 +
* The thin armour may cause some shells to overpenetrate (pass through the tank without detonating)
 +
* Two machine guns to deal with lightly armoured targets
 +
* Reload times are faster than those of the [[Tiger (Germany)]] tanks.
 +
* The mobility of a [[Panzer IV]]
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
*
+
* Has next to no armour and can be penetrated by .50 cal machine guns
 +
* Crew are vulnerable to overpressure (artillery, HE, rockets) and strafing aircraft
 +
* Ammo racks are exposed on the sides of the crew compartment
 +
* Horrible gun depression
 +
* Very tall silhouette
  
 
== 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 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).''
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the 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></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
===Design===
 +
In 1942, the German tank destroyers equipped with 75 mm guns (Marder & StuG IIIs) became ineffective following the arrival of uparmoured Soviet KV heavy tanks on the Eastern front. To quickly answer that situation, the German command mandated an interim vehicle to be proposed before the arrival of a properly designed heavy Panzerjäger. The interim solution was to rely upon the newly developed anti-tank cannons whose calibre had proven very effective even against heavily armoured targets.
 +
 
 +
===Development===
 +
The firm Alkett in charge of producing Pz.III and StuG III quickly proposed the Nashorn, born of the assembly of an anti-tank gun and a turretless tank chassis. An anti-tank 88 mm PaK 43 cannon was installed on a Panzer IV chassis and a superstructure built around the rear of the vehicle to provide a protected crew compartment. The engine was then moved from the rear to the central section of the chassis: the drive train of a Panzer III was used to achieve the result. The newly created Panzerjäger provided the devastating firepower of an anti-tank gun with the good mobility of a medium tank. The protection was however lacking, as it was a stop-gap vehicle. Parallel to the Nashorn equipped with an AT gun, the firm Alkett proposed the Hummel on the same chassis but equipped with a 150 mm howitzer.
 +
The Nashorn was approved by the German command and entered production in 1943. 494 vehicles in total were built from 1943 to 1945.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The Nashorn first saw combat at the battle of Kursk in 1943.
 +
It served mainly on the Eastern front in heavy tank destroyer battalions ("Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilungen") and proved deadly in the Eastern flat steppes. It was also used in Italy to a lesser extent but did not achieve the same combat performance due to the relief and lack of visibility.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_panzerjager_nashorn Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== 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;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[Pz.IV_(Family)|Pz.IV]]
  
 
== 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;''
 +
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
−
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/877|[Devblog] Nashorn: the German 'Rhinoceros']]
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
+
* [[wikipedia:Nashorn|[Wikipedia] Nashorn]]
−
* ''other literature.''
+
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/Sd-Kfz-164_Nashorn.php <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> 8.8 cm PaK 43/1 auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw III und IV (Sf) Sd.Kfz. 164 "Nashorn"]
  
 
{{Germany tank destroyers}}
 
{{Germany tank destroyers}}

Latest revision as of 11:28, 21 September 2023

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
Nashorn
germ_panzerjager_nashorn.png
GarageImage Nashorn.jpg
ArtImage Nashorn.png
Nashorn
Germany flag.png Germany
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.3 5.3 5.3
Class:
Research:33 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:105 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The 88 mm Panzerabwehrkanone 43/1 Ausführung Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III und IV (Nashorn) is a German heavy self-propelled anti-tank gun. The Nashorn's story began in June 1942, when Hitler ordered the development of a new anti-tank gun based on the 88 mm Flugabwehrkanone 41. Krupp and Rheinmetall, two well-known German weapon manufacturers, were tasked with developing it. The research and production of 300 to 500 anti-guns were expected to be completed by mid-1943. As a result, it was planned to also create various towed carriages and self-propelled designs to speed up the process. It was quickly realised during the design phase that the new Selbstfahrlafette (self-propelled chassis) could not be finished by the time the new 88 mm Pak. 43/1 gun was needed for test trials, necessitating an alternate approach to transporting the new armament. On July 28, 1943, it was determined at the Wa Pruef conference to accelerate the project by taking advantage of already existing production capacities. An order was placed with Alkett-Borsigwalde's manufacturer to create and build a self-propelled chassis consisting of various Panzer IIIs and Panzer IVs components. In early October 1942, a soft steel metal prototype was quickly created and demonstrated to Hitler. The new chassis was designed to be used in two separate armaments, one with an 88 mm Pak. 43/1 anti-tank gun and the other with a 150 mm schwere Feldhaubitze 43 long-range artillery gun. Both designs impressed Hitler, who ordered a total of 200 vehicles (100 of each).

Introduced in Update 1.57 "Battle March", the Nashorn was one of the most versatile self-propelled anti-tank guns in the German Army during World War II. Armed with the devastating 88 mm Pak. 43/1 anti-tank gun, it served as the foundation for the armament of World War II's most feared heavy tanks, the Königstigers, also known as Tiger IIs. Nashorn is a long-range self-propelled anti-tank gun capable of engaging adversaries far behind the front lines. It can completely penetrate any opponent it encounters, thanks to the precise and powerful 88 mm Pak. 43/1 anti-tank gun. However, all German self-propelled guns share a common flaw: a lack of armour. Furthermore, given that Nashorn's hull was not its initial design, it has very poor gun depression, making fighting on a mountainous battlefield incredibly difficult.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull30 / 20 / 20
Turret10 / 10 / 10
Crew5 people
Visibility119 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, gun shield, superstructure)
  • Structural steel (gun breech, mudguards)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 15 mm (72°) Front glacis
30 mm (27°) Driver port - front
30 mm (21°) Lower glacis
20 mm (21°) Add-on tracks over lower glacis 		20 mm
10 mm (33°) Driver port - side 		20 mm (10°)
15 mm (9°) Add-on wheels 		15 mm (18°) Front glacis from above
Superstructure 15 mm (28°) Conical gun shield
10 mm (35°) Outer panels
10 mm (41°) Inner panels connecting with the gun shield 		10 mm (15°) 10 mm (13°) N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and torsion bars are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • The bottom of the hull is 15 mm thick and mudguards are 4 mm thick.

The Nashorn's armour is paper-thin; it will not protect the crew or internal modules even from heavy-calibre machine gun fire. And, the vehicle can be knocked out with overpressure from high-calibre HE rounds. The Nashorn also lacks roof protection, making it a very desirable target for enemy fighters and attackers. Stay behind cover to avoid strafing runs or rocket attacks. One interesting (and somewhat comical) note on the Nashorn's armour is that being so thin, high-penetration shells may pass through it without detonating at all.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB44 / 9 km/h
RB and SB40 / 8 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
1 back
Weight24.3 t
Engine power
AB572 hp
RB and SB300 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB23.5 hp/t
RB and SB12.3 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 44 9 24.3 426 572 17.53 23.54
Realistic 40 8 265 300 10.91 12.35

Being based on the chassis of the Panzer IV, the Nashorn benefits from the same all-round mobility: the tank accelerates and brakes quickly and is able to reach its max speed of 43 km/h in a dozen of seconds. While there is no neutral steering, turning on the spot is still easily done as it is a light vehicle. The reverse speed is average and won't let you back quickly from a dangerous situation. If you need to quickly turn your hull on the spot towards flanking enemies, privilege the reverse gear as it has more torque. The offroad mobility is good: the Nashorn can reach 12 km/h when climbing uphill from idling and 15 km/h when fording. The "Ostketten" wide tracks for snowy terrain also offer an improved offroad handling. Only big obstacles will hinder your mobility (large trees, concrete blocks, parked vehicles). In short, the Nashorn's mobility is good enough for the role it fulfills.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 443 → 1 796 Sl icon.png
RB1 692 → 2 106 Sl icon.png
SB2 364 → 2 943 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications29 600 Rp icon.png
57 700 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training30 000 Sl icon.png
Experts105 000 Sl icon.png
Aces470 Ge icon.png
Research Aces360 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 140 / 170 % Sl icon.png
148 / 148 / 148 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank traks.png
Ostketten
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
88mm_kwk_36_43_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 500 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
88mm_kwk_36_43_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 300 Sl icon.png
230 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

88 mm PaK43 cannon
Ammunition40 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.7 → 6.7 s
Vertical guidance-5° / 20°
Horizontal guidance-15° / 15°
Main article: PaK43 (88 mm)
88 mm PaK43 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 40 -5°/+20° ±15° N/A 10.6 14.6 17.8 19.6 20.9 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 7.1 8.4 10.2 11.3 12.0

The 88 mm PaK 43 gun has great penetration characteristics at all ranges and angles with an average reload time. Due to the vehicle's design, the gun should be used to snipe enemy targets from long ranges. Most enemy tanks will be crippled or destroyed if a shot connects.

Ammunition

The available ammunition allows for engaging all types of targets:

  • PzGr 39/43: APCBC; an armour-piercing shell with a high penetration power and an explosive filler that will destroy any tank that it penetrates.
  • PzGr 40/43: APCR; a composite round with the best penetration but no explosive filler and will only penetrate flat vertical surfaces.
  • Hl.Gr 39: HEAT; a shaped charge with average penetration but without penetration loss over distance. Only penetrates flat vertical surfaces but the post-penetration damage is very effective on open and lightly armoured vehicles. Very slow shell travelling at circa half the speed of your fastest projectiles.
  • Sprgr.43: HE; useful for destroying aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles. Slow shell travelling at circa 3/4 of the speed of your fastest projectiles.

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
PzGr 39/43 APCBC 237 234 222 207 193 180
PzGr 40/43 APCR 279 273 252 227 205 185
Hl.Gr 39 HEAT 110 110 110 110 110 110
Sprgr.43 HE 19 19 17 16 14 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%
PzGr 39/43 APCBC 1,000 10.16 1.2 14 108.8 48° 63° 71°
PzGr 40/43 APCR 1,130 7.3 - - - 66° 70° 72°
Hl.Gr 39 HEAT 600 7.64 0 0.3 1,100 62° 69° 73°
Sprgr.43 HE 820 9.4 0.2 0.1 1,000 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Nashorn
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
40 33 (+7) 25 (+15) 21 (+19) 1 (+39) No

Notes:

  • Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
  • To go into battle with the flanks empty of ammo, pack 25 (+15) shells (racks 1 and 2 empty).

Machine guns

2 x 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun
Ammunition5 100 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate900 shots/min
Main article: MG34 (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG34
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle - left side 2,550 (150) 900 -5°/+15° -125°/-5°
Pintle - right side 2,550 (150) 900 -5°/+15° +5°/+120°

The Nashorn has two MG34 (7.92 mm) machine guns covering the vehicle's flanks. Since they are secondary weapons, there are no ammunition belt options. Furthermore, they have various blind spots (e.g. the rear and the front of the tank and the area above the vehicle). The machine guns have an elevation of only +15°, rendering them useless against diving fighters or bombers.

Usage in battles

The Nashorn is a classic German tank destroyer, and its greatest selling point is its armament. The 88 mm PaK 43 gun has great penetration an great destructive power. It can destroy most opponents in one shot, and is an all-around great gun. Reload times are average. The best way to use this gun is in a sniping position, firing from behind a ridgeline or from behind cover. However, the Nashorn has bad gun depression, which can make ridgeline firing sometimes dangerous.

At close ranges, the Nashorn loses much of its effectiveness since it lacks a traversable turret and has poor survivability.

Speaking of, this vehicle's armour is very thin. It will not protect internal components from heavy-calibre machine gun fire, and it certainly can't defend against full-calibre tank shells. Sometimes, high-penetration shells will overpenetrate and pass through the vehicle without detonating, but this should not be counted on. Most of the time, any hit that connects will do great damage to the tank. Additionally, this vehicle has a large silhouette and can be destroyed by large-calibre HE rounds. Even worse, the Nashorn is open-topped, which means that artillery is a significant threat. Enemy planes will also see the Nashorn as a highly desirable target, since strafing runs can cripple or destroy the vehicle. The Nashorn has no way of defending against this. It is equipped with machine guns, but they do not have enough elevation to fire at planes. To avoid artillery and fire from planes, stay behind cover: shrubbery and buildings work well for this.

As a sniping-based tank destroyer, the Nashorn's mobility is not its most important feature. Still, it's nice that the vehicle has good mobility all around. The tank accelerates and brakes quickly and is able to reach its max speed of 43 km/h in normal gameplay. While there is no neutral steering, turning on the spot is still easily done as it is a light vehicle. (Even so, the lack of a turret means that flankers are still very deadly. Watch out for them.) The reverse speed is average and won't let you back quickly from a dangerous situation. (This is important to note when peeking out from behind cover to take a shot.) Thanks to its good mobility, the Nashorn is able to reach sniping positions in a reasonable amount of time or to relocate mid-game if necessary.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • The powerful 88 mm PaK 43 cannon can destroy most, if not all, opponents in one shot
  • The thin armour may cause some shells to overpenetrate (pass through the tank without detonating)
  • Two machine guns to deal with lightly armoured targets
  • Reload times are faster than those of the Tiger (Germany) tanks.
  • The mobility of a Panzer IV

Cons:

  • Has next to no armour and can be penetrated by .50 cal machine guns
  • Crew are vulnerable to overpressure (artillery, HE, rockets) and strafing aircraft
  • Ammo racks are exposed on the sides of the crew compartment
  • Horrible gun depression
  • Very tall silhouette

History

Design

In 1942, the German tank destroyers equipped with 75 mm guns (Marder & StuG IIIs) became ineffective following the arrival of uparmoured Soviet KV heavy tanks on the Eastern front. To quickly answer that situation, the German command mandated an interim vehicle to be proposed before the arrival of a properly designed heavy Panzerjäger. The interim solution was to rely upon the newly developed anti-tank cannons whose calibre had proven very effective even against heavily armoured targets.

Development

The firm Alkett in charge of producing Pz.III and StuG III quickly proposed the Nashorn, born of the assembly of an anti-tank gun and a turretless tank chassis. An anti-tank 88 mm PaK 43 cannon was installed on a Panzer IV chassis and a superstructure built around the rear of the vehicle to provide a protected crew compartment. The engine was then moved from the rear to the central section of the chassis: the drive train of a Panzer III was used to achieve the result. The newly created Panzerjäger provided the devastating firepower of an anti-tank gun with the good mobility of a medium tank. The protection was however lacking, as it was a stop-gap vehicle. Parallel to the Nashorn equipped with an AT gun, the firm Alkett proposed the Hummel on the same chassis but equipped with a 150 mm howitzer. The Nashorn was approved by the German command and entered production in 1943. 494 vehicles in total were built from 1943 to 1945.

Combat usage

The Nashorn first saw combat at the battle of Kursk in 1943. It served mainly on the Eastern front in heavy tank destroyer battalions ("Schwere Panzerjäger-Abteilungen") and proved deadly in the Eastern flat steppes. It was also used in Italy to a lesser extent but did not achieve the same combat performance due to the relief and lack of visibility.

Media

Skins

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

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

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