Difference between revisions of "Sd.Kfz.234/1"

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 +
{{About
 +
| about = German light tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Sd.Kfz.234 (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=germ_sdkfz_234_1
 
|code=germ_sdkfz_234_1
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_Sd.Kfz.234-1.jpg}}
 
|market=Sd.Kfz.234/1 (Germany)
 
|market=Sd.Kfz.234/1 (Germany)
 
}}
 
}}
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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.'' -->
−
<!-- [[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was the second production model of the [[Sd.Kfz.234 (Family)|Sd.Kfz.234]], following the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]]. It was a heavily armoured reconnaissance vehicle with a simple open-top turret housing a 20 mm autocannon alongside an MG42 machine gun, designed to combat infantry and light combat vehicles. From mid-1944 to early 1945, about 230 vehicles of this modification were produced, which went into service with reconnaissance battalions.
−
{{Break}} -->
+
 
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]] as a reward for the [[wt:en/news/6669-special-space-race-en|"Space Race" event]].
+
Introduced during [[Update 1.97 "Viking Fury"]] as a reward for the [[wt:en/news/6669-special-space-race-en|"Space Race" event]], the Sd.Kfz.234/1 combines the familiar chassis of the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]] with the turret of the [[Sd.Kfz. 140/1]]. While not as heavily armoured as the latter, the mobility offered by the former's chassis grants the Sd.Kfz.234/1 excellent map manoeuvrability, allowing it to utilise its 20 mm autocannon against unsuspecting opponents.
  
 
== 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? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Vision ports)
 +
* Structural steel (Side skirts)
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 30 mm (40°) ''Front plate'' <br> 15 mm (70°), 30 mm (55°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 30 mm (35°) ''Lower glacis'' || 8 mm (34-35°) ''Top'' <br> 8 (19-35°) + 4 mm || 10 mm (21-46°) || 5 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 30 mm (33-37°) ''Turret front'' <br> 8 mm (0-8°) ''Gun shield'' || 8 mm (26-27°) || 8 mm (34-37°) || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Wheels provide 10 mm thick protection.
 +
* Vision ports on car body are 10 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
 +
{{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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
  
Line 20: Line 49:
  
 
The Sd.Kfz.234/1 has the same manoeuvrability as the rest of its Puma brethren. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h, both forward and reverse in Arcade and 90 km/h forward and reverse in Realistic.
 
The Sd.Kfz.234/1 has the same manoeuvrability as the rest of its Puma brethren. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h, both forward and reverse in Arcade and 90 km/h forward and reverse in Realistic.
 +
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
 +
{{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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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|KwK38 (20 mm)}}
 
{{main|KwK38 (20 mm)}}
Line 35: Line 69:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
−
| rowspan="2" | 250 (10) || rowspan="2" | 450 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+70° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 14.3 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || rowspan="2" | 7.8 || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
+
| rowspan="2" | 250 (10) || rowspan="2" | 450 || rowspan="2" | -4°/+70° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 38.1 || 52.7 || 64 || 70.8 || 75.3 || rowspan="2" | 7.80 || rowspan="2" | 6.90 || rowspan="2" | 6.36 || rowspan="2" | 6.00
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
−
| 8.9 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
| 23.8 || 28 || 34 || 37.6 || 40
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
  
−
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}
+
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
−
* '''Sprgr.:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}
+
* '''Sprgr.:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T*|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (self-destroying)}}
 
* '''PzGr:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
 
* '''PzGr:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}
 
* '''PzGr 40:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}
 
* '''PzGr 40:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:KwK38 (20 mm)/Ammunition|HEFI-T*, API-T, HVAP-T}}
−
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 
−
|-
 
−
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
−
|-
 
−
| Default || 36 || 34 || 26 || 19 || 14 || 10
 
−
|-
 
−
| Sprgr. || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
 
−
|-
 
−
| PzGr || 36 || 34 || 26 || 19 || 14 || 10
 
−
|-
 
−
| PzGr 40 || 64 || 63 || 26 || 8 || 3 || 1
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
−
<!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] -->
+
[[File:Ammoracks_Sd.Kfz.234-1.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 
! 3rd<br>rack empty
−
! 4th<br>rack empty
 
−
! 5th<br>rack empty
 
−
! 6th<br>rack empty
 
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| '''250''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __
+
| '''25''' || 17&nbsp;''(+8)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+16)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+24)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
'''Notes''':
 +
 +
* Ammunition is modelled as 25 clips of 10 shells.
 +
* Racks disappear after you've fired all clips in the rack.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
{{main|MG42 (7.92 mm)}}
 
{{main|MG42 (7.92 mm)}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | [[MG42 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG42]]
 
! colspan="5" | [[MG42 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG42]]
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Mount
+
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
−
! Capacity<br>(Belt capacity)
 
−
! Rate of fire<br>(shots/minute)
 
−
! Vertical<br>guidance
 
−
! Horizontal<br>guidance
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Coaxial || 1,800 (150) || 1,200 || N/A || N/A
 
| Coaxial || 1,800 (150) || 1,200 || N/A || N/A
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<!-- ''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).'' -->
  
−
Even though the armour of the Sd.Kfz.234/1 is lacking, if played to its advantages it can become a vital part of achieving victory over the other team. This armoured car has 3 main things going for it. It has excellent mobility (with max speeds of 90 km/h RB, 100 km/h AB), it has a very effective and fast-firing autocannon that can decimate enemies at close to medium range.  
+
Even though the armour of the Sd.Kfz.234/1 is lacking, it can still bounce a hit or two from low-calibre guns from the front if lucky and when played to its advantages it can become a vital part of achieving victory over the other team. This armoured car has two main things going for it: excellent mobility (with max speeds of 90 km/h RB, 100 km/h AB) and a very effective, fast-firing autocannon with Pzgr 40 rounds that have exceptional armour penetration, where it can decimate enemies at both close and medium ranges.
  
−
With these advantages in mind, there are several playstyles for this vehicle. The first of these is to play a harasser role. Using the excellent mobility, the Sd.Kfz.234/1 can get to the best positions on the map early and lie in ambush for enemy vehicles. Once you have struck and taken them out, use the mobility to get yourself to a new position and repeat the process.
+
With these advantages in mind, there are several playstyles for this vehicle. The first of these is to play a harasser role. Using the excellent mobility, the Sd.Kfz.234/1 can get to the best positions on the map early and lie in ambush for enemy vehicles. Once you have struck and eliminated an enemy, use the vehicle's mobility to get yourself to a new position and repeat the process.
  
−
A second option is to play it so as to get to cap zones before the other teams do, and afterward use your vehicle as a support tank along with your teammates tanks taking up a position behind them.
+
A second option is to play it so as to get to cap zones before the other teams do, and afterwards use your vehicle as a support tank along with your teammates' tanks taking up a position behind them.
  
−
Third option, if playing in a squad (2 or more) you can also use this vehicle for flanking operations.
+
The third option, if playing in a squad (two or more) you can also use this vehicle for flanking operations.
  
 
'''Notable opponents''':
 
'''Notable opponents''':
Line 120: Line 137:
  
 
To conclude, this armoured car is very useful when used in a harasser role, and in the other roles stated above. To make it even more useful, check the specs of other tanks & vehicles of the same BR to get a better idea on what vehicles you can pen and what you can't.
 
To conclude, this armoured car is very useful when used in a harasser role, and in the other roles stated above. To make it even more useful, check the specs of other tanks & vehicles of the same BR to get a better idea on what vehicles you can pen and what you can't.
−
 
−
=== Modules ===
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
! Tier
 
−
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
−
! Protection
 
−
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 
−
|-
 
−
| I
 
−
| Tires
 
−
|
 
−
| Parts
 
−
| Horizontal Drive
 
−
| Sprgr.
 
−
|-
 
−
| II
 
−
| Suspension
 
−
| Brake System
 
−
| FPE
 
−
| Adjustment of Fire
 
−
| PzGr
 
−
|-
 
−
| III
 
−
| Filters
 
−
|
 
−
| Crew Replenishment
 
−
| Elevation Mechanism
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| IV
 
−
| Transmission
 
−
| Engine
 
−
|
 
−
| Artillery Support
 
−
| PzGr 40
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
Line 163: Line 143:
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* HVAP belts has a full composition of HVAP rounds with rounds able to penetrate most light tanks and side armour of medium tanks easily
+
* HVAP belts has a full composition of HVAP, able to penetrate most light tanks (e.g. [[T-26]], [[M3A1 Stuart|M3A1]], [[BT-5|BT-5,]] [[A13 (Family)|A13]]) and side armour of heavier targets (e.g. [[B1 bis|B1]]) easily
−
* Relatively fast reload at around 7 seconds
 
 
* The KwK38 is coupled with an MG42 with a blistering fire rate which allows quite effective suppressive fire capability on light-skinned vehicles
 
* The KwK38 is coupled with an MG42 with a blistering fire rate which allows quite effective suppressive fire capability on light-skinned vehicles
 
* The 20 mm cannon can shoot down aircraft due to a very high elevation angle which means it can, in a pinch, act as a pseudo-SPAA
 
* The 20 mm cannon can shoot down aircraft due to a very high elevation angle which means it can, in a pinch, act as a pseudo-SPAA
−
* The quick speed (100 km/h in AB, 90 km/h in RB) allows the {{PAGENAME}} to be one of, if not the first vehicles, to both make contact with the enemy team and capture zones
+
* The quick speed (100 km/h in AB, 90 km/h in RB) allows the Sd.Kfz.234/1 to be one of, if not the first vehicle, to both, make contact with the enemy team and capture zones
 
* Very fast acceleration both forward and reverse, getting out of a sticky situation is very easily if your driver is alive
 
* Very fast acceleration both forward and reverse, getting out of a sticky situation is very easily if your driver is alive
 
* It can average around 40 km/h off-road, which is quite fast for a wheeled vehicle
 
* It can average around 40 km/h off-road, which is quite fast for a wheeled vehicle
 
* The front hull and turret have 30 mm of armour which is sloped to increase the thickness
 
* The front hull and turret have 30 mm of armour which is sloped to increase the thickness
−
* The thin armour on the sides and rear mean that most solid shot rounds will go right through without causing much damage
+
* The thin armour on the sides and rear mean that most solid shot rounds will go right through without causing much damage, which is useful against tanks with only solid shells, like all the [[M3 Stuart (Family)|M3]]/[[M5 Stuart (Family)|M5]] Stuarts
−
* It
 
−
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* The 20 mm cannon's belt consists of only 10 rounds and it gets exhausted very quickly, this means that reloads are very frequent
+
* The 20 mm cannon belt consists of only 10 rounds and it gets exhausted very quickly, so reloads are very frequent
−
* Weak armour from the sides and rear can be penetrated by lighter weapons like autocannons and machine guns
+
* Weak armour from the sides and rear can be penetrated by lighter weapons like autocannons and machine guns (e.g. [[M13 MGMC]], [[GAZ-AAA (DShK)]])
−
* Can be hull broken
+
* Can be destroyed with overpressure by HEAT projectiles like the [[M8 General Scott (Family)|M8 Scott]]
−
* Tall wire mesh fencing on the turret sides can give it away if attempting to hide or play stealthily, while providing no armour benefits
+
* Poor damage of 20 mm shells means that it can be difficult effectively destroy spacious tanks like the [[LVT(A)(1)]]
 +
* Tall wire mesh fencing on the turret sides can give it away if attempting to hide or play stealthily while providing no armour benefits
 
* The wheeled suspension makes controlling the vehicle in turns very hard as it has a tendency to drift
 
* The wheeled suspension makes controlling the vehicle in turns very hard as it has a tendency to drift
−
* It is a wheeled vehicle so, while being race car-like on hard surfaces, mud, water, snow and sand really slow it down (to around 20-30 km/h)
+
* It is a wheeled vehicle so, while being racecar-like on hard surfaces, mud, water, snow and sand really slow it down (to around 20-30 km/h)
−
* It is open topped so artillery is deadly and aircraft ramming the vehicle can knock it out
+
* It is open-topped so artillery is deadly and aircraft ramming the vehicle can knock it out
 
* Turret traverse speed is average, this, coupled with its tendency to drift in turns makes taking out a target after turning quite the chore
 
* Turret traverse speed is average, this, coupled with its tendency to drift in turns makes taking out a target after turning quite the chore
−
* Unlike the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]], the Sd.Kfz.234/1 does not have access to smoke grenades
+
* Unlike the [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]], the Sd.Kfz.234/1 does not have access to smoke grenades, thus cannot safely retreat from danger
 
* Ammunition detonations are very frequent
 
* Ammunition detonations are very frequent
  
Line 192: Line 170:
  
 
== 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_sdkfz_234_1 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|RGeu2yLGeTU|'''Best armored cars''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:03 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
  
 
== 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.''
+
 
 +
* [[Sd.Kfz.234/2]], equipped with a turreted [[KwK39 (50 mm)|50 mm KwK39]] gun.
 +
* [[Sd.Kfz.234/3]], tank destroyer version of the Sd.Kfz.234, with a [[K51 L/24 (75 mm)|75 mm K51]] howitzer.
 +
* [[Sd.Kfz.234/4]], tank destroyer version equipped with the longer [[PaK40/3 L46 (75 mm)|75 mm PaK40/3]] gun.
 +
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
 
 +
* [[Sd.Kfz.222]]
 +
* [[Sd.Kfz.222 (China)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
Line 204: Line 199:
  
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
  
 
{{Germany light tanks}}
 
{{Germany light tanks}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}
 +
[[Category:Wheeled ground vehicles]]

Latest revision as of 18:09, 17 August 2024

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the German light tank Sd.Kfz.234/1. For other versions, see Sd.Kfz.234 (Family).
Sd.Kfz.234/1
germ_sdkfz_234_1.png
GarageImage Sd.Kfz.234-1.jpg
Sd.Kfz.234/1
Germany flag.png Germany
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.0 2.0 2.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The s.Pz.Sp.Wg. (2 cm KwK 30 L/55) Sd.Kfz. 234/1 was the second production model of the Sd.Kfz.234, following the Sd.Kfz.234/2. It was a heavily armoured reconnaissance vehicle with a simple open-top turret housing a 20 mm autocannon alongside an MG42 machine gun, designed to combat infantry and light combat vehicles. From mid-1944 to early 1945, about 230 vehicles of this modification were produced, which went into service with reconnaissance battalions.

Introduced during Update 1.97 "Viking Fury" as a reward for the "Space Race" event, the Sd.Kfz.234/1 combines the familiar chassis of the Sd.Kfz.234/2 with the turret of the Sd.Kfz. 140/1. While not as heavily armoured as the latter, the mobility offered by the former's chassis grants the Sd.Kfz.234/1 excellent map manoeuvrability, allowing it to utilise its 20 mm autocannon against unsuspecting opponents.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull30 / 8 / 10
Turret30 / 14 / 14
Crew4 people
Visibility84 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet, Vision ports)
  • Structural steel (Side skirts)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 30 mm (40°) Front plate
15 mm (70°), 30 mm (55°) Front glacis
30 mm (35°) Lower glacis 		8 mm (34-35°) Top
8 (19-35°) + 4 mm 		10 mm (21-46°) 5 mm
Turret 30 mm (33-37°) Turret front
8 mm (0-8°) Gun shield 		8 mm (26-27°) 8 mm (34-37°) N/A

Notes:

  • Wheels provide 10 mm thick protection.
  • Vision ports on car body are 10 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 12.7 mm thick.

Mobility

Reverse gearbox
Forward and backward movement is possible at the same maximum speed
Speedforward / back
AB100 / 100 km/h
RB and SB90 / 90 km/h
Number of gears7 forward
7 back
Weight11.5 t
Engine power
AB401 hp
RB and SB210 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB34.9 hp/t
RB and SB18.3 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 100 100 11.5 325 401 28.26 34.87
Realistic 90 90 186 210 16.17 18.26

The Sd.Kfz.234/1 has the same manoeuvrability as the rest of its Puma brethren. It has a maximum speed of 100 km/h, both forward and reverse in Arcade and 90 km/h forward and reverse in Realistic.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB438 Sl icon.png
RB300 Sl icon.png
SB299 Sl icon.png
Crew training450 Sl icon.png
Experts3 000 Sl icon.png
Aces45 Ge icon.png
Research Aces220 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 20 / 20 / 20 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
20mm_kwk_30_HE_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
20mm_kwk_30_AP_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Mods tank ammo.png
20mm_kwk_30_APCR_ammo_pack

Armaments

Main armament

20 mm KwK38 cannon
Ammunition250 rounds
Belt capacity10 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.8 → 6.0 s
Fire rate450 shots/min
Vertical guidance-4° / 70°
Main article: KwK38 (20 mm)
20 mm KwK38 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 250 (10) 450 -4°/+70° ±180° N/A 38.1 52.7 64 70.8 75.3 7.80 6.90 6.36 6.00
Realistic 23.8 28 34 37.6 40

Ammunition

  • Default: API-T · HEFI-T*
  • Sprgr.: HEFI-T*
  • PzGr: API-T
  • PzGr 40: HVAP-T

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
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°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Sd.Kfz.234/1
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
25 17 (+8) 9 (+16) 1 (+24) No

Notes:

  • Ammunition is modelled as 25 clips of 10 shells.
  • Racks disappear after you've fired all clips in the rack.

Machine guns

7.92 mm MG42 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition1 800 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Main article: MG42 (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG42
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 1,800 (150) 1,200 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

Even though the armour of the Sd.Kfz.234/1 is lacking, it can still bounce a hit or two from low-calibre guns from the front if lucky and when played to its advantages it can become a vital part of achieving victory over the other team. This armoured car has two main things going for it: excellent mobility (with max speeds of 90 km/h RB, 100 km/h AB) and a very effective, fast-firing autocannon with Pzgr 40 rounds that have exceptional armour penetration, where it can decimate enemies at both close and medium ranges.

With these advantages in mind, there are several playstyles for this vehicle. The first of these is to play a harasser role. Using the excellent mobility, the Sd.Kfz.234/1 can get to the best positions on the map early and lie in ambush for enemy vehicles. Once you have struck and eliminated an enemy, use the vehicle's mobility to get yourself to a new position and repeat the process.

A second option is to play it so as to get to cap zones before the other teams do, and afterwards use your vehicle as a support tank along with your teammates' tanks taking up a position behind them.

The third option, if playing in a squad (two or more) you can also use this vehicle for flanking operations.

Notable opponents:

  • KV-1's - Very well armoured for its BR and can be very dangerous (avoid if possible)
  • T-70 / T-80 - Strong frontal armour that will be hard to penetrate (but thinner side and rear armour), if you find yourself fighting one of these try to flank its position and catch it off guard.
  • USA - Most tanks of this tier can be penetrated easily by your autocannon, but be careful as some of these tanks especially BR 3.0 and up will carry .50 cal machine guns which can penetrate your armour so be careful when engaging them. Other nations tanks are relatively similar in their potency, so the same rules should be applied when engaging them.

To conclude, this armoured car is very useful when used in a harasser role, and in the other roles stated above. To make it even more useful, check the specs of other tanks & vehicles of the same BR to get a better idea on what vehicles you can pen and what you can't.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • HVAP belts has a full composition of HVAP, able to penetrate most light tanks (e.g. T-26, M3A1, BT-5, A13) and side armour of heavier targets (e.g. B1) easily
  • The KwK38 is coupled with an MG42 with a blistering fire rate which allows quite effective suppressive fire capability on light-skinned vehicles
  • The 20 mm cannon can shoot down aircraft due to a very high elevation angle which means it can, in a pinch, act as a pseudo-SPAA
  • The quick speed (100 km/h in AB, 90 km/h in RB) allows the Sd.Kfz.234/1 to be one of, if not the first vehicle, to both, make contact with the enemy team and capture zones
  • Very fast acceleration both forward and reverse, getting out of a sticky situation is very easily if your driver is alive
  • It can average around 40 km/h off-road, which is quite fast for a wheeled vehicle
  • The front hull and turret have 30 mm of armour which is sloped to increase the thickness
  • The thin armour on the sides and rear mean that most solid shot rounds will go right through without causing much damage, which is useful against tanks with only solid shells, like all the M3/M5 Stuarts

Cons:

  • The 20 mm cannon belt consists of only 10 rounds and it gets exhausted very quickly, so reloads are very frequent
  • Weak armour from the sides and rear can be penetrated by lighter weapons like autocannons and machine guns (e.g. M13 MGMC, GAZ-AAA (DShK))
  • Can be destroyed with overpressure by HEAT projectiles like the M8 Scott
  • Poor damage of 20 mm shells means that it can be difficult effectively destroy spacious tanks like the LVT(A)(1)
  • Tall wire mesh fencing on the turret sides can give it away if attempting to hide or play stealthily while providing no armour benefits
  • The wheeled suspension makes controlling the vehicle in turns very hard as it has a tendency to drift
  • It is a wheeled vehicle so, while being racecar-like on hard surfaces, mud, water, snow and sand really slow it down (to around 20-30 km/h)
  • It is open-topped so artillery is deadly and aircraft ramming the vehicle can knock it out
  • Turret traverse speed is average, this, coupled with its tendency to drift in turns makes taking out a target after turning quite the chore
  • Unlike the Sd.Kfz.234/2, the Sd.Kfz.234/1 does not have access to smoke grenades, thus cannot safely retreat from danger
  • Ammunition detonations are very frequent

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: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===, also if applicable).

Media

Skins
Videos
Best armored cars discusses the Sd.Kfz.234/1 at 1:03 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Germany light tanks
Pz.II  Pz.II C · Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.II C TD · Pz.II F · Pz.Sfl.Ic
Sd.Kfz.234  Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/2 · Sd.Kfz.234/2 TD
Marder  Marder A1- · Marder 1A3 · Begleitpanzer 57 · DF105
SPz PUMA  PUMA · PUMA VJTF
Wheeled  Sd.Kfz.221 (s.Pz.B.41) · Class 3 (P) · Radkampfwagen 90 · Boxer MGS
Other  Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS
Argentina  TAM · TAM 2C · TAM 2IP · JaPz.K A2
Czechoslovakia  Pz.35(t) · Pz.38(t) A · Pz.38(t) F · Pz.38(t) n.A. · Sd.Kfz. 140/1
France  Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK
Lithuania  Vilkas
USA  leKPz M41
USSR  SPz BMP-1

Germany premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.Sfl.Ic · Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK · Sd.Kfz. 140/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS · TAM 2IP
Medium tanks  Nb.Fz. · Pz.III N · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) · Ersatz M10
  mKPz M47 G · Turm III · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M
Heavy tanks  ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill · ▀KV-IB · ▀KW I C 756 (r) · ▀KW II 754 (r)
  VK 45.01 (P) · ␠Tiger · Pz.Bef.Wg.VI P · Tiger II (H) Sla.16
Tank destroyers  Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
  Brummbär · Panzer IV/70(A) · VFW · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1 · Elefant · 38 cm Sturmmörser

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