Difference between revisions of "GAZ-AAA (DShK)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=ussr_gaz_dshk}}
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{{About
 +
|about= Soviet SPAA '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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|usage= the version equipped with 7.62 mm Maxim's
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|link= GAZ-AAA (4M)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=ussr_gaz_dshk
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to 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 the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it 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 '''GAZ-AAA (DShK)''' is the second variant of the GAZ-AAA-based self-propelled anti-aircraft gun family. In contrast to the first variant, the [[GAZ-AAA (4M)]], the main armament is a 12.7 mm DShK heavy machine gun. This slightly increases its firepower against aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles.
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update 1.63 "Desert Hunters"]], the GAZ-AAA (DShK) retains the same unprotected but agile platform as its predecessor. However, the change in armament allows it to do more damage per shot against aircraft opponents while also killing lightly armoured vehicles, which are common at its rank. While the GAZ-AAA (DShK) can penetrate some enemy ground targets, it is not advised to rush into battle due to the vehicle's lack of protection and mediocre penetration. The vehicle is better suited for surprise ambushes and hit-and-run tactics.
  
 
== 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 helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
{{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.'' -->
 +
This vehicle lacks any form of armour. Any light machine gun can penetrate the vehicle and knock out the crew (the gunner is completely exposed). Artillery strikes, bombs and rockets can cause critical damage even if they land far away from the vehicle.
 +
 
 +
The only benefit of being so light is that enemies using APHE rounds will often overpenetrate and not detonate. However, it is very easy to destroy this vehicle with high-explosive shells through the overpressure mechanic (and at this BR, many guns are equipped with such shells).
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Structural steel (truck chassis, driver's cabin, engine hood)
 +
* Wood (truck bed floor)
 +
* Wheel (tires)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Driver's cabin || 1 mm || 1 mm || 1 mm || 15 + 1 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Truck bed || 15 mm
 +
!
 +
!
 +
!
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
* The truck bed floor is 15 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{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=71|rbMinHp=44}}
 +
 
 +
The mobility of the GAZ-AAA (DShK) is mediocre at best. Similar to the preceding GAZ-AAA (4M), the GAZ-AAA (DShK) does reach an impressive ~40 km/h on hard surfaces (e.g. grass, dirt, concrete, etc), and is quite agile in turning. The acceleration on these surfaces is average. These pros, however, are outweighed by cons such as the poor brakes. It takes around a whopping 4 seconds to reach a complete stop which is a disadvantage in cramped conditions like urban environments, causing it to drive over desired cover or to bump into walls/teammates. It also has very poor reverse speed of only -5 km/h, putting the player at great risk when needing to retreat back to safety. Due to the low engine power, it is hard or impossible to crush obstacles like stone fences or light poles which further limits its mobility in an urban battlefield. Finally, just like most other wheeled vehicles, it shares the poor mobility on soft terrain like mud and sand, especially when accelerating, making itself an easy target for strafing aircraft.
 +
 
 +
=== 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 flexibilty 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.''
+
{{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|DShK (12.7 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
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! colspan="6" | [[DShK (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm DShK]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 1,000 (50) || rowspan="2" | 600 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+45° || rowspan="2" | ±110° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 30.8 || 42.7 || 51.8 || 57.3 || 60.9 || rowspan="2" | 10.40 || rowspan="2" | 9.20 || rowspan="2" | 8.48 || rowspan="2" | 8.00
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 20.8 || 24.5 || 29.8 || 32.9 || 35.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
 
 +
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}}{{-}}{{Annotation|T|Tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|IAI|Immediate-action incendiary}} - The belt consists of 3 different type of ammunition. {{Annotation|AP-I|Armour-piercing incendiary}} ammunition is useful to put enemy planes on fire. {{Annotation|T|Tracer}} helps lead your shots while the {{Annotation|IAI|Immediate-action incendiary}} can be useful against less armoured aircraft. The lack of {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} found on other belts, limits its effectiveness against ground targets, reducing it to mostly vehicles with exposed crew.
 +
* '''API:''' {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - Unlike the default belt, the API belt consists of 2 types of bullets. {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} can penetrate most opponents frontally due to how unarmoured vehicles are at such Battle Rating. {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} on the other hand, sacrifices penetration in favor of having an incendiary and a tracer component. This can prove to be very useful when engaging enemy aircraft as it can easily set them on fire. The belt's composition of 50% {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} and 50% {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} allows the vehicle to engage air vehicles as effectively as ground ones.
 +
* '''AP:''' {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - While the AP belt shares the same bullet types as the API and API-T belts, the bullet ratio of 2/3 {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} and 1/3 {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} is better suited to engage ground vehicles. That said the belt's {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} gives it enough flexibility to engage air targets.
 +
* '''API-T:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} - The API-T belt on the other hand, while sharing the same bullet types as the API and AP belts, has an inverted bullet than that of AP: 2/3 {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} and 1/3 {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} - While such belt composition is better suited to engage air vehicles, the inclusion of {{Annotation|AP-I(c)|Armour-piercing incendiary (cermet core)}} allows the player to easily defend themselves against enemy tanks.
 +
 
 +
{{:DShK (12.7 mm)/Ammunition|AP-I, T, IAI, API-T, AP-I(c)}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[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
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''20''' || 1&nbsp;''(+19)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Combat tactics
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
Potentially the most challenging SPAA to use in the game, due to the machine gun's low rate of fire making it relatively ineffective against aircraft, however, it can work in part as a basic tank destroyer and support vehicle.
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
−
=== Machine guns ===
+
For anti-air duties, the GAZ-AAA (DShK) is harder to use than the previous SPAA despite having a more powerful gun. The 12.7 mm MG traverses very slowly for an SPAA, has a limited elevation angle and cannot aim backwards. These limitations severely impact the anti-air capability since the player have to constantly adjust the hull position just to get the gun on target. The best way to use this SPAA is to lure enemy planes into head-ons since little to no lead is required, compensating your low fire density and fire rate. First find yourself a solid cover, hide the driving compartment behind it and expose only the gunner. As an enemy plane nears, fire single shots towards it to draw its attention. If it starts to dive on you, open fire immediately, aim slightly up between the top of its fuselage and the tip of the vertical stabiliser. If the gunner is not knocked out, unload the entire box of ammo to the target. As you reload it might just be turning back for another pass, try crippling it more with another box of bullets. A few hits from the DShK should badly damage a fighter (e.g. [[He 112 (Family)|He 112]]) around this BR, however a bomber/attacker (e.g. [[Do 17 Z-7|Do 17 Z]], [[Ju 87 (Family)|Ju 87]]) is generally more durable and can take more hits. If you see or hear a bomb falling from the plane, immediately hide behind cover, as even the smallest fragment can easily kill your poorly protected crew, or damage your tires or your engine.
−
''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.''
 
  
−
== Usage in the battles ==
+
For anti-tank duties, the key will be to stick to your team and take out the crew of an enemy tank and then let the dedicated tanks finish them off with their harder-hitting rounds. It is best to use the API or AP belts since they contain the highest percentage of armour-piercing cermet core bullets. The 29 mm penetration of these bullets at point blank range is enough to pierce through the front/sides of common tanks such as [[Pz.II (Disambiguation)|Pz.II]], [[Pz.IV C]], [[LVT(A)(1)|LVT(A)]], etc. Note that you cannot spray bullets, because one magazine only holds 50 rounds which is not a lot, so aim carefully and shoot 1-3 round bursts for taking out crew members. Just remember this only works on all but the most lightly armoured targets, such as other SPAA, early German tanks and the side of some American tanks, this works best when your vehicle is down-tiered and not the other way around.
−
''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 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).''
+
 
 +
;Enemies worth noting
 +
 
 +
* [[Ju 87 B-2|Ju 87 B2]]: this early Stuka is able to carry some very threatening bombs of up to 500kg. With the bombs it can easily destroy a GAZ-AAA (DShK) even if the bomb lands far away, due to the very thin armour protection of the SPAA. Its 2 x 7.92 mm MG, although weak, are still more than enough to knock out the completely exposed and not protected gunner, making the GAZ defenceless. It is best to target the Stuka's nose, where the engine and cooling systems are located. With an overheating/damaged engine, a Stuka will experience significantly worse flight performance which makes it easy for you or a friendly plane to destroy it.
 +
* [[M13 MGMC]]: this SPAA can wipe out the GAZ within a second as it has a pair of fast-firing and heavy-punching .50 cals. Fortunately your DShK is also able to penetrate through its armour with ease. In an encounter with an M13, try your best to get your shots off first. Aim for its gun mount and disable its ability to fire, then go for the driver compartment to destroy it.
  
 
=== 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. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "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:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Weapon has increased penetration and damage output compared to the preceding GAZ-AAA (4M)
 +
* Quite fast on hard roads, topping at ~45 km/h
 +
* Small profile from all angle, hard to get spotted
 +
* Thin armour will not trigger most fused shells, causing over-penetration and thus little damage
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Vehicle armament consists of only a single 600 RPM machine gun
−
''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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* Limited magazine of 50 rounds means the armament has to reload frequently
 +
* Gunner can't swivel around 360 degrees horizontally
 +
* Limited vertical traverse
 +
* Will struggle to eliminate passing aircraft due to a low volume of fire
 +
* No armour, can easily be destroyed even by .30 cal machine guns
 +
* Subject to overpressure damage from HE shells
 +
 
 +
== History ==
 +
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
Around the late 1920s, the Soviet Union was undergoing a mechanization revolution and realized that no purpose-built motor vehicles were available for them to help move cargo and materiel back and forth. The result was the GAZ-AAA truck, which was a truck based on the Ford Model AAA 6 x 4 truck. These trucks entered production in 1932 and were used in multiple roles in the civilian world and in the military.
 +
 
 +
In the military, the GAZ trucks were used as tractors for gun systems, fuel tankers, radio systems, and even armoured cars. By 1931, an anti-aircraft version was created as well, in order to give the Soviet Union a mobile anti-aircraft system to work with. The design had one DShK heavy machine gun installed on a mount on the truck. This configuration was called the '''DShK GAZ-AAA''' and served as a low-altitude air defence system.
 +
 
 +
Old and reliable .50 cal proved to be good at harassing low flying planes, infantry, and German APCs, but it became apparent that a more powerful gun was needed.
 +
 
 +
DShK proved its worthiness on many occasions, but a new anti-aircraft system had to be devised for the role of a mobile anti-aircraft system. This led to the development of the [[GAZ-MM (72-K)]], which while still truck-mounted weaponry, had a noticeable increase in firepower with a 25 mm autocannon.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as 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=ussr_gaz_dshk Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Images
 +
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="150">
 +
Image:DShK GAZ AAA in winter camo.jpg|<small>The {{PAGENAME}} in winter camouflage<ref>http://www.wio.ru/galgrnd/flak/spflak.htm</ref></small>
 +
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|xcCWpVBf6Fk|'''The Second most sophisticated Weapon System In Game''' - ''PhlyDaily''}}
 +
 
 +
== See also ==
 +
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
  
−
== Read also ==
 
−
''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;''
 
* ''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.''
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== 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;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [http://wio.ru/galgrnd/flak/spflak.htm <nowiki>[War Is Over]</nowiki> Great Patriotic War: Soviet Anti-Aircraft Mobile Guns]
 +
 
 +
=== References ===
 +
<references />
 +
 
 +
{{TankManufacturer GAZ}}
 +
{{USSR anti-aircraft vehicles}}
 +
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 16:06, 20 November 2023

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the Soviet SPAA GAZ-AAA (DShK). For the version equipped with 7.62 mm Maxim's, see GAZ-AAA (4M).
GAZ-AAA (DShK)
ussr_gaz_dshk.png
GarageImage GAZ-AAA (DShK).jpg
ArtImage GAZ-AAA (DShK).png
GAZ-AAA (DShK)
USSR flag.png USSR
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.0 1.0 1.0
Class:
Research:4 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:2 100 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The GAZ-AAA (DShK) is the second variant of the GAZ-AAA-based self-propelled anti-aircraft gun family. In contrast to the first variant, the GAZ-AAA (4M), the main armament is a 12.7 mm DShK heavy machine gun. This slightly increases its firepower against aircraft and lightly armoured vehicles.

Introduced in Update 1.63 "Desert Hunters", the GAZ-AAA (DShK) retains the same unprotected but agile platform as its predecessor. However, the change in armament allows it to do more damage per shot against aircraft opponents while also killing lightly armoured vehicles, which are common at its rank. While the GAZ-AAA (DShK) can penetrate some enemy ground targets, it is not advised to rush into battle due to the vehicle's lack of protection and mediocre penetration. The vehicle is better suited for surprise ambushes and hit-and-run tactics.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull0 / 0 / 0
Turret0 / 0 / 0
Crew3 people
Visibility75 %

This vehicle lacks any form of armour. Any light machine gun can penetrate the vehicle and knock out the crew (the gunner is completely exposed). Artillery strikes, bombs and rockets can cause critical damage even if they land far away from the vehicle.

The only benefit of being so light is that enemies using APHE rounds will often overpenetrate and not detonate. However, it is very easy to destroy this vehicle with high-explosive shells through the overpressure mechanic (and at this BR, many guns are equipped with such shells).

Armour type:

  • Structural steel (truck chassis, driver's cabin, engine hood)
  • Wood (truck bed floor)
  • Wheel (tires)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Driver's cabin 1 mm 1 mm 1 mm 15 + 1 mm
Truck bed 15 mm

Notes:

  • The truck bed floor is 15 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB71 / 10 km/h
RB and SB65 / 9 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
1 back
Weight3.0 t
Engine power
AB95 hp
RB and SB50 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB31.7 hp/t
RB and SB16.7 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 71 10 3 71 95 23.67 31.67
Realistic 65 9 44 50 14.67 16.67

The mobility of the GAZ-AAA (DShK) is mediocre at best. Similar to the preceding GAZ-AAA (4M), the GAZ-AAA (DShK) does reach an impressive ~40 km/h on hard surfaces (e.g. grass, dirt, concrete, etc), and is quite agile in turning. The acceleration on these surfaces is average. These pros, however, are outweighed by cons such as the poor brakes. It takes around a whopping 4 seconds to reach a complete stop which is a disadvantage in cramped conditions like urban environments, causing it to drive over desired cover or to bump into walls/teammates. It also has very poor reverse speed of only -5 km/h, putting the player at great risk when needing to retreat back to safety. Due to the low engine power, it is hard or impossible to crush obstacles like stone fences or light poles which further limits its mobility in an urban battlefield. Finally, just like most other wheeled vehicles, it shares the poor mobility on soft terrain like mud and sand, especially when accelerating, making itself an easy target for strafing aircraft.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB198 → 256 Sl icon.png
RB179 → 232 Sl icon.png
SB261 → 338 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications4 440 Rp icon.png
2 690 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost300 Ge icon.png
Crew training600 Sl icon.png
Experts2 100 Sl icon.png
Aces45 Ge icon.png
Research Aces110 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 20 / 20 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
135 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
120 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
120 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
170 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
290 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
290 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
135 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
120 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
170 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
12mm_ussr_dshk_API_ammo_pack
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
135 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
220 Rp icon.png
Cost:
135 Sl icon.png
50 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
12mm_ussr_dshk_AP_ammo_pack
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
120 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods aa cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
120 Sl icon.png
45 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
12mm_ussr_dshk_APIT_ammo_pack
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
170 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
280 Rp icon.png
Cost:
170 Sl icon.png
65 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
480 Rp icon.png
Cost:
290 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

12.7 mm DShK machine gun
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity50 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Vertical guidance-4° / 45°
Horizontal guidance-110° / 110°
Main article: DShK (12.7 mm)
12.7 mm DShK 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 1,000 (50) 600 -4°/+45° ±110° N/A 30.8 42.7 51.8 57.3 60.9 10.40 9.20 8.48 8.00
Realistic 20.8 24.5 29.8 32.9 35.0

Ammunition

  • Default: AP-I · T · IAI - The belt consists of 3 different type of ammunition. AP-I ammunition is useful to put enemy planes on fire. T helps lead your shots while the IAI can be useful against less armoured aircraft. The lack of AP-I(c) found on other belts, limits its effectiveness against ground targets, reducing it to mostly vehicles with exposed crew.
  • API: AP-I(c) · API-T · AP-I(c) · API-T - Unlike the default belt, the API belt consists of 2 types of bullets. AP-I(c) can penetrate most opponents frontally due to how unarmoured vehicles are at such Battle Rating. API-T on the other hand, sacrifices penetration in favor of having an incendiary and a tracer component. This can prove to be very useful when engaging enemy aircraft as it can easily set them on fire. The belt's composition of 50% AP-I(c) and 50% API-T allows the vehicle to engage air vehicles as effectively as ground ones.
  • AP: AP-I(c) · AP-I(c) · API-T - While the AP belt shares the same bullet types as the API and API-T belts, the bullet ratio of 2/3 AP-I(c) and 1/3 API-T is better suited to engage ground vehicles. That said the belt's API-T gives it enough flexibility to engage air targets.
  • API-T: API-T · API-T · AP-I(c) - The API-T belt on the other hand, while sharing the same bullet types as the API and AP belts, has an inverted bullet than that of AP: 2/3 API-T and 1/3 AP-I(c) - While such belt composition is better suited to engage air vehicles, the inclusion of AP-I(c) allows the player to easily defend themselves against enemy tanks.

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-I 29 27 20 14 9 6
T 10 8 7 6 0 0
IAI 3 3 3 3 2 2
API-T 29 27 20 13 9 6
AP-I(c) 34 32 24 17 12 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%
AP-I 820 0.05 - - - 47° 56° 65°
T 865 0.04 - - - 47° 56° 65°
IAI 860 0.04 0 0.25 3.23 47° 56° 65°
API-T 865 0.05 - - - 47° 56° 65°
AP-I(c) 850 0.05 - - - 47° 56° 65°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the GAZ-AAA (DShK)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
20 1 (+19) No

Usage in battles

Combat tactics

Potentially the most challenging SPAA to use in the game, due to the machine gun's low rate of fire making it relatively ineffective against aircraft, however, it can work in part as a basic tank destroyer and support vehicle.

For anti-air duties, the GAZ-AAA (DShK) is harder to use than the previous SPAA despite having a more powerful gun. The 12.7 mm MG traverses very slowly for an SPAA, has a limited elevation angle and cannot aim backwards. These limitations severely impact the anti-air capability since the player have to constantly adjust the hull position just to get the gun on target. The best way to use this SPAA is to lure enemy planes into head-ons since little to no lead is required, compensating your low fire density and fire rate. First find yourself a solid cover, hide the driving compartment behind it and expose only the gunner. As an enemy plane nears, fire single shots towards it to draw its attention. If it starts to dive on you, open fire immediately, aim slightly up between the top of its fuselage and the tip of the vertical stabiliser. If the gunner is not knocked out, unload the entire box of ammo to the target. As you reload it might just be turning back for another pass, try crippling it more with another box of bullets. A few hits from the DShK should badly damage a fighter (e.g. He 112) around this BR, however a bomber/attacker (e.g. Do 17 Z, Ju 87) is generally more durable and can take more hits. If you see or hear a bomb falling from the plane, immediately hide behind cover, as even the smallest fragment can easily kill your poorly protected crew, or damage your tires or your engine.

For anti-tank duties, the key will be to stick to your team and take out the crew of an enemy tank and then let the dedicated tanks finish them off with their harder-hitting rounds. It is best to use the API or AP belts since they contain the highest percentage of armour-piercing cermet core bullets. The 29 mm penetration of these bullets at point blank range is enough to pierce through the front/sides of common tanks such as Pz.II, Pz.IV C, LVT(A), etc. Note that you cannot spray bullets, because one magazine only holds 50 rounds which is not a lot, so aim carefully and shoot 1-3 round bursts for taking out crew members. Just remember this only works on all but the most lightly armoured targets, such as other SPAA, early German tanks and the side of some American tanks, this works best when your vehicle is down-tiered and not the other way around.

Enemies worth noting
  • Ju 87 B2: this early Stuka is able to carry some very threatening bombs of up to 500kg. With the bombs it can easily destroy a GAZ-AAA (DShK) even if the bomb lands far away, due to the very thin armour protection of the SPAA. Its 2 x 7.92 mm MG, although weak, are still more than enough to knock out the completely exposed and not protected gunner, making the GAZ defenceless. It is best to target the Stuka's nose, where the engine and cooling systems are located. With an overheating/damaged engine, a Stuka will experience significantly worse flight performance which makes it easy for you or a friendly plane to destroy it.
  • M13 MGMC: this SPAA can wipe out the GAZ within a second as it has a pair of fast-firing and heavy-punching .50 cals. Fortunately your DShK is also able to penetrate through its armour with ease. In an encounter with an M13, try your best to get your shots off first. Aim for its gun mount and disable its ability to fire, then go for the driver compartment to destroy it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Weapon has increased penetration and damage output compared to the preceding GAZ-AAA (4M)
  • Quite fast on hard roads, topping at ~45 km/h
  • Small profile from all angle, hard to get spotted
  • Thin armour will not trigger most fused shells, causing over-penetration and thus little damage

Cons:

  • Vehicle armament consists of only a single 600 RPM machine gun
  • Limited magazine of 50 rounds means the armament has to reload frequently
  • Gunner can't swivel around 360 degrees horizontally
  • Limited vertical traverse
  • Will struggle to eliminate passing aircraft due to a low volume of fire
  • No armour, can easily be destroyed even by .30 cal machine guns
  • Subject to overpressure damage from HE shells

History

Around the late 1920s, the Soviet Union was undergoing a mechanization revolution and realized that no purpose-built motor vehicles were available for them to help move cargo and materiel back and forth. The result was the GAZ-AAA truck, which was a truck based on the Ford Model AAA 6 x 4 truck. These trucks entered production in 1932 and were used in multiple roles in the civilian world and in the military.

In the military, the GAZ trucks were used as tractors for gun systems, fuel tankers, radio systems, and even armoured cars. By 1931, an anti-aircraft version was created as well, in order to give the Soviet Union a mobile anti-aircraft system to work with. The design had one DShK heavy machine gun installed on a mount on the truck. This configuration was called the DShK GAZ-AAA and served as a low-altitude air defence system.

Old and reliable .50 cal proved to be good at harassing low flying planes, infantry, and German APCs, but it became apparent that a more powerful gun was needed.

DShK proved its worthiness on many occasions, but a new anti-aircraft system had to be devised for the role of a mobile anti-aircraft system. This led to the development of the GAZ-MM (72-K), which while still truck-mounted weaponry, had a noticeable increase in firepower with a 25 mm autocannon.

Media

Skins
Images

  • The GAZ-AAA (DShK) in winter camouflage[1]

Videos
The Second most sophisticated Weapon System In Game - PhlyDaily

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 series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

References

  1. ↑ http://www.wio.ru/galgrnd/flak/spflak.htm


Gorky Automobile Plant (Го́рьковский автомоби́льный заво́д)
SPAA  GAZ-AAA (4M) · GAZ-AAA (DShK) · GAZ-MM (72-K)
  ZUT-37 · ZSU-37
Light Tank  T-60 · T-70 · T-80
Tank Destoyer  SU-76M · SU-76M (5th Gv.Kav.Corps) · SU-85A
  ZiS-30
Rocket  BM-8-24

USSR anti-aircraft vehicles
GAZ-AAA  GAZ-AAA (4M) · GAZ-AAA (DShK)
BTR-152  BTR-152A · BTR-152D
Wheeled/Half-tracked  GAZ-MM (72-K) · ZiS-12 (94-KM) · ZiS-43
Radar SPAAG  ZSU-23-4 · ZSU-37-2
SAM  ZSU-23-4M4 · Strela-10M2 · 2S6 · Pantsir-S1
Other  ZSU-23-4M2 · ZUT-37 · ZSU-37 · BTR-ZD · ZSU-57-2
Czechoslovakia  M53/59
North Vietnam  ▂Phòng không T-34

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