Difference between revisions of "Sd.Kfz. 6/2"
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| − | {{Specs-Card|code=germ_sdkfz_6_2_flak36}} | + | {{Specs-Card |
| + | |code=germ_sdkfz_6_2_flak36 | ||
| + | |images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_Sd.Kfz.62.jpg|ArtImage_Sd.Kfz. 6-2.png}} | ||
| + | }} | ||
== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | <!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.--> | + | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> |
| − | + | The '''3.7 cm Flak 36 auf Selbstfahrlafette''' or simply '''Sd.Kfz. 6/2''' was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the half-track chassis Sd.Kfz. 6, armed with a 3.7 cm FlaK 36 L/98 anti-aircraft gun. This SPAA was developed to counter Allied and Soviet airpower, as well as protect Luftwaffe airfields from aerial attacks. As the truck's platform was occupied by the anti-aircraft mount, a single-axle trailer was attached for carrying ammunition. Initially, there was no armour shield for the gun, and it was only added in later production series modifications. Most Sd.Kfz. 6/2 were deployed with Luftwaffe air defence units, but some SPAAs also served with Wehrmacht and SS troops. The Sd.Kfz. 6/2 was first tested on the Eastern Front in 1941, but subsequently saw widespread use. It was manufactured by companies Büssing-NAG, Daimler Benz, BMM, Praga from 1941 to 1943, with a total of 339 Sd.Kfz. 6/2 assembled. | |
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| − | + | The '''Sd.Kfz. 6/2''' was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces prior to Update 1.41. In terms of its mobility characteristics, the SPAA is comparable to most medium tanks, allowing it to keep pace with allies while covering them from aerial attacks. The main advantage of the SPAA is its 37 mm gun with instant reloading and impressive rate of fire, which provides dense fire and can deal with not only any aircraft but also some tanks. However, one should not be caught in the enemy's sights too often: apart from the gun shield, the Sd.Kfz. 6/2 has no armour and can be easily destroyed even by machine gun fire. The same applies to aircraft - while the armour shield may protect the gun crew during a head-on attack, a side or rear approach by an aircraft can be fatal for the vehicle. | |
== 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? | + | {{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:''' | |
| − | '''Armour type:''' | ||
*Structural Steel | *Structural Steel | ||
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'''Notes:''' | '''Notes:''' | ||
| − | * There is | + | * There is practically no armour on this vehicle aside from the gun shield which can protect from some light machine gun fire and shrapnel from nearby explosions |
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=== 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.'' --> | ||
| − | {{tankMobility|abMinHp= 163|rbMinHp= 102 | + | {{tankMobility|abMinHp=163|rbMinHp=102}} |
| + | |||
| + | === 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.--> | + | {{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}} |
| − | {{main| | + | <!-- ''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|FlaK36 (37 mm)}} | ||
| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center | + | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" |
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|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | ! colspan="6" | [[FlaK36 (37 mm)|37 mm FlaK36]] || 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" | 318 (6) || rowspan="2" | 160 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+85° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 30.82 || 42.66 || 51.80 || 57.28 || 60.94 || rowspan="2" | 0.49 || rowspan="2" | 0.43 || rowspan="2" | 0.40 || rowspan="2" | 0.38 | |
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|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | ! ''Realistic'' |
| + | | 20.83 || 24.50 || 29.75 || 32.90 || 35.00 | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | === Ammunition === | + | The driving compartment at the front of the vehicle creates a dead zone for the gun, that means that when an enemy is straight ahead you'll have to manoeuvre to get the gun on target. Take this into account when positioning your vehicle. |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ==== Ammunition ==== | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * '''Default:''' {{Annotation|APHE|Armour-piercing high-explosive}}{{-}}{{Annotation|FI-T|Fragmentation incendiary tracer}} - This belt can fulfill both roles (anti-aircraft and anti-tank) only at the cost of a halved rate of fire for effective shells against a specific target (especially for the anti-tank role) until dedicated belts are available. | |
| − | + | * '''Sprgr. 18:''' {{Annotation|FI-T|Fragmentation incendiary tracer}} - This belt is adapted to the anti-air role as it contains only incendiary rounds. It will deal good damage to aircraft but will deal next to no damage to ground vehicles. | |
| − | + | * '''PzGr:''' {{Annotation|APHE|Armour-piercing high-explosive}} - This belt deals decent damage against lightly armoured vehicles and planes but excels against tanks. When targeting ground vehicles, aim for weak spots. | |
| − | + | * '''M.Gr.18:''' {{Annotation|HEI-T|High-explosive incendiary tracer}} - This belt excels in the anti-air role: with an increased muzzle velocity and a larger explosive filler, it deals heavier damage to airplanes than the "Sprgr. 18" belt. It will deal next to no damage to ground vehicles. | |
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| − | + | {{:FlaK36 (37 mm)/Ammunition|FI-T, APHE, HEI-T}} | |
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| − | === | + | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== |
| − | + | [[File:Ammoracks_Sd.Kfz.62.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 | ||
| + | ! 4th<br>rack empty | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | | '''53''' || 50 ''(+3)'' || 46 ''(+7)'' || 43 ''(+10)'' || 39 ''(+14)'' | |
|- | |- | ||
| − | + | ! 5th<br>rack empty | |
| + | ! 6th<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 7th<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! 8th<br>rack empty | ||
| + | ! Visual<br>discrepancy | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | | + | | 36 ''(+17)'' || 29 ''(+24)'' || 18 ''(+35)'' || 0 ''(+53)''|| Yes |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
| − | + | There are 15 ammunition boxes strung about the bed of the truck. Two under the loader, three sitting on the tailgate, and the rest under the benches behind the driver. Most tankers won't bother trying to ammo rack you thanks to your exposed crew members, so bring as much as you want. However, near misses from aircraft and tanks alike could set off a box since they are kind of everywhere if you do take a full load, so follow alternate recommendation if one has concerns for this. | |
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| − | + | '''Notes''': | |
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| − | * | + | * Take a full loadout (53 clips of 6 rounds) if the battle might last. |
| − | * | + | * Alternately, pack only 36 clips in order to keep all ammo boxes under the bed bench for shorter battles like AB. |
== 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).'' --> |
| − | To use this machine to its fullest capabilities | + | To use this machine to its fullest capabilities, stay away from areas of heavy combat, as you can be taken out very easily, especially by machine gun fire and HE shells. You should always stay behind friendly troops, but don't stay at spawn as it is most likely the first place enemy planes will go to drop bombs. |
| − | If you want to fight with the tanks, you'll definitely need to research APHE-only belts. However, the APHE's lacklustre penetration means this option is extremely limited and highly discouraged for a Sd.Kfz. 6/2 user. This is a tactic that should only be used as a last-stand measure against a flanking enemy that is unaware of the Sd.Kfz. 6/2's position. Avoid any open terrain, watch the battlefield situation carefully and wait, or use your speed to get out of any unfavourable battle condition. When the suitable target is spotted and in-range, it is a good idea is to reverse around the corner turned sideways, with your gun aiming at the expected enemy direction. This manoeuvre exposes only half of your turret and makes it possible to very quickly hide again behind the corner when needed. Your driver, engine and more than half of the vehicle remain hidden the whole time, meaning the | + | If you want to fight with the tanks, you'll definitely need to research APHE-only belts. However, the APHE's lacklustre penetration means this option is extremely limited and highly discouraged for a Sd.Kfz. 6/2 user. This is a tactic that should only be used as a last-stand measure against a flanking enemy that is unaware of the Sd.Kfz. 6/2's position. Avoid any open terrain, watch the battlefield situation carefully and wait, or use your speed to get out of any unfavourable battle condition. When the suitable target is spotted and in-range, it is a good idea is to reverse around the corner turned sideways, with your gun aiming at the expected enemy direction. This manoeuvre exposes only half of your turret and makes it possible to very quickly hide again behind the corner when needed. Your driver, engine and more than half of the vehicle remain hidden the whole time, meaning the damage from kinetic shell would be reduced, but chemical shells would still finish off the tank upon contact. This kind of positioning also significantly shortening the exposure time and lowering the chance of being immobilised. When targeting tanks, aim at side armour of the hull and/or turret, or just hit any weak spots. Make sure the enemy is close by, generally less than 400 m, as the aim dispersion and massive recoil of the gun can cause the shells to spray everywhere, a bad idea if wanting to take out the enemy as quick and precise as possible. |
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
| − | <!-- | + | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> |
| + | |||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
* 37 mm capable of dealing heavy damage to planes upon contact | * 37 mm capable of dealing heavy damage to planes upon contact | ||
| − | * Deadly against light tanks and | + | * Deadly against light tanks and lightly-armoured tank destroyers |
* Decently fast (50 km/h top speed) | * Decently fast (50 km/h top speed) | ||
| − | * | + | * Very short reloading time |
| − | * Losing 1 or 2 crew members have no noticeable effect on vehicle performance ( | + | * Losing 1 or 2 crew members have no noticeable effect on vehicle performance (apart from temporary immobilisation for example) |
* Having no armour is also an advantage - AP/APCR Rounds that most players use often just harmlessly pass through the vehicle without doing any damage | * Having no armour is also an advantage - AP/APCR Rounds that most players use often just harmlessly pass through the vehicle without doing any damage | ||
* Difficult to destroy in one shot unless using pure HE rounds as APHE rounds will often just pass through without detonation | * Difficult to destroy in one shot unless using pure HE rounds as APHE rounds will often just pass through without detonation | ||
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'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
| + | * No armour - single HE shell from anything will usually knock out the vehicle | ||
| + | * Very vulnerable to damage from overpressure: artillery strikes, even being 20 m away from you, will destroy the vehicle | ||
| + | * Entire crew vulnerable to being strafed by planes and tank machine gun fire | ||
* Slow rate of fire can make shooting down faster planes difficult | * Slow rate of fire can make shooting down faster planes difficult | ||
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* Gun goes up when it is traversing over the driver, preventing you from firing ahead of your vehicle | * Gun goes up when it is traversing over the driver, preventing you from firing ahead of your vehicle | ||
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* Ammo can run out if not careful | * Ammo can run out if not careful | ||
* Gun recoil is ridiculous, making continuous fire useless against any decently armoured target | * Gun recoil is ridiculous, making continuous fire useless against any decently armoured target | ||
| − | * Knocked out easily if rammed by an | + | * Knocked out easily if rammed by an airplane (RB) |
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== History == | == History == | ||
| − | <!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the | + | <!-- ''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).'' --> |
===The gun=== | ===The gun=== | ||
The 3.7 cm FlaK cannon was an anti-aircraft gun capable of fully automatic fire at a rate of 150 rounds per minute and is able to fire onto Allied aircraft up to four kilometres away. Multiple variants were made for the FlaK cannon from the 3.7 cm FlaK 18/36/37/43. The FlaK 18 was the initial variant with a dual-axle mount. The Flak 36 was a simplified variant with a lighter single-axle mount, the FlaK 37 has a simplified sighting system, and the FlaK 42 was the variant made for the German Kriegsmarine for their surface ships and U-boats. Of the variants, the FlaK 36 and 37 were the most produced guns | The 3.7 cm FlaK cannon was an anti-aircraft gun capable of fully automatic fire at a rate of 150 rounds per minute and is able to fire onto Allied aircraft up to four kilometres away. Multiple variants were made for the FlaK cannon from the 3.7 cm FlaK 18/36/37/43. The FlaK 18 was the initial variant with a dual-axle mount. The Flak 36 was a simplified variant with a lighter single-axle mount, the FlaK 37 has a simplified sighting system, and the FlaK 42 was the variant made for the German Kriegsmarine for their surface ships and U-boats. Of the variants, the FlaK 36 and 37 were the most produced guns | ||
===The vehicle=== | ===The vehicle=== | ||
| − | The | + | The Sd.Kfz.6 was a half-track designed in 1934 for the purpose of towing the 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer or 11 men in the back of the half-track, which could be covered by a canvas structure to protect the crew from the elements of nature. The vehicle was powered by a Maybach HL 54TUKRM 6-cylinder engine with 115 hp. Along with its use as a tractor for the 10.5 leFH 18 howitzer and other artillery pieces, the vehicle was to be used to tow heavy equipment for engineer units. Production was carried out by both Büssing-NAG and Daimler-Benz corporations. About 750 units were made during its production life until 1942. |
===Anti-aircraft mount=== | ===Anti-aircraft mount=== | ||
| − | As World War II progressed, the need for a mobile air defence capable of engaging low flying targets became urgent. German engineers attempted to fill this need by modifying vehicles to fit an anti-aircraft gun. The | + | As World War II progressed, the need for a mobile air defence capable of engaging low flying targets became urgent. German engineers attempted to fill this need by modifying vehicles to fit an anti-aircraft gun. The Sd.kfz.6 half-track was modified with a new superstructure on the back, removing the backseats where the passengers would be. The superstructure allows the installation of a traversable anti-aircraft gun. The gun of choice for the Sd.kfz.6 was the 3.7 cm FlaK 36, the conversion for the vehicle was designated the 3.7 cm Flak 36 auf Selbstfahrlafette Sd.Kfz.6/2. |
| − | The | + | The Sd.Kfz.6/2 has the FlaK cannon mounted on the back, however, there is no gun shield for the crew to provide small arms protection from the ground. Thus, the ground support role for the vehicle was not a recommended role and is more best against flying targets. However, a modification on the vehicle by the crew to give protection against small arms and shrapnel. Ammunition for the gun was towed on a separate trailer towed by the half-track. |
| − | Modifications on the | + | Modifications on the Sd.Kfz.6 into the Sd.Kfz.6/2 was carried out from 1941 to 1943, whereof the 750 of the Sd.Kfz.6, 339 were converted into the anti-aircraft variant. As the war progressed, the Sd.Kfz.6/2 were supplemented with the more numerous Sd.Kfz.7 half-track. |
| − | + | {{break}} | |
| − | To fight against enemy aircraft, German designers developed a new AA gun based on the 5-ton Sd.Kfz. 6 produced by the company Bussing-NAG. The new AA vehicle had a 37 mm 3,7 cm FlaK 36 L/98 anti-aircraft gun with a 98- | + | {{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}}} |
| + | {{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}} | ||
| + | To fight against enemy aircraft, German designers developed a new AA gun based on the 5-ton Sd.Kfz. 6 produced by the company Bussing-NAG. The new AA vehicle had a 37 mm 3,7 cm FlaK 36 L/98 anti-aircraft gun with a 98-calibre long barrel placed on a rotating carriage. The vehicle carried 120 shells, towed by a Sonderanhänger Sd.Ah. 57 trailer. The anti-aircraft gun traveled with spare barrels. The 10.4 ton setup supported a crew of 5 to calculate the gun's trajectory. | ||
| − | The anti-aircraft gun's effective rate of fire was 120 rounds per minute. The gun could fire at targets up to an altitude of 4,800 | + | The anti-aircraft gun's effective rate of fire was 120 rounds per minute. The gun could fire at targets up to an altitude of 4,800 m. In stowed position, the sides of the towing vehicle were raised, and in combat situations they were reclined to facilitate a circular range of fire. The vehicle could reach a speed of 50 km/h and had a maximum range of 317 km. |
The AA vehicle was produced by the companies Bussing-Nag, Daimler Benz, Böhmisch-Mährischen Maschinenfabrik, and Praga from 1941 to 1943. A total of 339 were built. During production, the gun was fitted with a shield to protect those performing the calculations from bullets and shrapnel. Shield construction varied. | The AA vehicle was produced by the companies Bussing-Nag, Daimler Benz, Böhmisch-Mährischen Maschinenfabrik, and Praga from 1941 to 1943. A total of 339 were built. During production, the gun was fitted with a shield to protect those performing the calculations from bullets and shrapnel. Shield construction varied. | ||
At least 200 Sd.Kfz. 6/2 anti-aircraft guns entered the service of the Luftwaffe, and the rest joined the Wehrmacht's anti-aircraft divisions. An anti-aircraft division consisted of 9 AA vehicles. This vehicle was used in combat on all fronts. | At least 200 Sd.Kfz. 6/2 anti-aircraft guns entered the service of the Luftwaffe, and the rest joined the Wehrmacht's anti-aircraft divisions. An anti-aircraft division consisted of 9 AA vehicles. This vehicle was used in combat on all fronts. | ||
| + | {{Navigation-End}} | ||
== 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.'' --> |
| − | {{Youtube-gallery| | + | |
| + | ;Skins | ||
| + | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_sdkfz_6_2_flak36 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ;Videos | ||
| + | {{Youtube-gallery|naeDoEwZ5Pg|'''German SPAAs''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:45 - ''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.''--> | ||
| − | * | + | ;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role |
| − | * | + | |
| + | * [[ZiS-43]] | ||
| + | * [[CCKW 353 AA]] | ||
| + | * [[Lvtdgb m/40]] | ||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
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* ''topic on the official game forum;'' | * ''topic on the official game forum;'' | ||
| − | |||
* ''other literature.'' | * ''other literature.'' | ||
{{Germany anti-aircraft vehicles}} | {{Germany anti-aircraft vehicles}} | ||
| + | [[Category:Half-tracks]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:33, 17 August 2024
Contents
Description
The 3.7 cm Flak 36 auf Selbstfahrlafette or simply Sd.Kfz. 6/2 was a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the half-track chassis Sd.Kfz. 6, armed with a 3.7 cm FlaK 36 L/98 anti-aircraft gun. This SPAA was developed to counter Allied and Soviet airpower, as well as protect Luftwaffe airfields from aerial attacks. As the truck's platform was occupied by the anti-aircraft mount, a single-axle trailer was attached for carrying ammunition. Initially, there was no armour shield for the gun, and it was only added in later production series modifications. Most Sd.Kfz. 6/2 were deployed with Luftwaffe air defence units, but some SPAAs also served with Wehrmacht and SS troops. The Sd.Kfz. 6/2 was first tested on the Eastern Front in 1941, but subsequently saw widespread use. It was manufactured by companies Büssing-NAG, Daimler Benz, BMM, Praga from 1941 to 1943, with a total of 339 Sd.Kfz. 6/2 assembled.
The Sd.Kfz. 6/2 was introduced during the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces prior to Update 1.41. In terms of its mobility characteristics, the SPAA is comparable to most medium tanks, allowing it to keep pace with allies while covering them from aerial attacks. The main advantage of the SPAA is its 37 mm gun with instant reloading and impressive rate of fire, which provides dense fire and can deal with not only any aircraft but also some tanks. However, one should not be caught in the enemy's sights too often: apart from the gun shield, the Sd.Kfz. 6/2 has no armour and can be easily destroyed even by machine gun fire. The same applies to aircraft - while the armour shield may protect the gun crew during a head-on attack, a side or rear approach by an aircraft can be fatal for the vehicle.
General info
Survivability and armour
Armourfront / side / back
Hull0 / 0 / 0
Turret7 / 0 / 0
Crew4 people
Visibility107 %
Armour type:
- Structural Steel
- Rolled homogeneous armour (Gun shield)
| Armour | Front | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 3 mm (3-9°) Grille 3 mm (83-84°) Front hood |
3 mm | 3 mm | 3 mm |
| Gun Shield | 7 mm (25-33°) | 10 mm | N/A | N/A |
Notes:
- There is practically no armour on this vehicle aside from the gun shield which can protect from some light machine gun fire and shrapnel from nearby explosions
Mobility
Speedforward / back
AB55 / 10 km/h
RB and SB50 / 9 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
1 back
Weight10.4 t
Engine power
AB248 hp
RB and SB130 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB23.8 hp/t
RB and SB12.5 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 | 55 | 10 | 10.4 | 163 | 248 | 15.67 | 23.85 |
| Realistic | 50 | 9 | 102 | 130 | 9.81 | 12.5 | |
Modifications and economy
Repair costBasic → Reference
AB337 → 433 
RB274 → 352
SB391 → 503
Total cost of modifications5 950 
4 480
Talisman cost410 
Crew training1 800
Experts6 300
Aces75
Research Aces135 000
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
20 / 30 / 30 %
106 / 106 / 106 %
| Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Armaments
Main armament
37 mm FlaK36 cannon
Ammunition318 rounds
Belt capacity6 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
0.5 → 0.4 s
Fire rate160 shots/min
Vertical guidance-8° / 85°
| 37 mm FlaK36 | 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 | 318 (6) | 160 | -8°/+85° | ±180° | N/A | 30.82 | 42.66 | 51.80 | 57.28 | 60.94 | 0.49 | 0.43 | 0.40 | 0.38 |
| Realistic | 20.83 | 24.50 | 29.75 | 32.90 | 35.00 | |||||||||
The driving compartment at the front of the vehicle creates a dead zone for the gun, that means that when an enemy is straight ahead you'll have to manoeuvre to get the gun on target. Take this into account when positioning your vehicle.
Ammunition
- Default: APHE · FI-T - This belt can fulfill both roles (anti-aircraft and anti-tank) only at the cost of a halved rate of fire for effective shells against a specific target (especially for the anti-tank role) until dedicated belts are available.
- Sprgr. 18: FI-T - This belt is adapted to the anti-air role as it contains only incendiary rounds. It will deal good damage to aircraft but will deal next to no damage to ground vehicles.
- PzGr: APHE - This belt deals decent damage against lightly armoured vehicles and planes but excels against tanks. When targeting ground vehicles, aim for weak spots.
- M.Gr.18: HEI-T - This belt excels in the anti-air role: with an increased muzzle velocity and a larger explosive filler, it deals heavier damage to airplanes than the "Sprgr. 18" belt. It will deal next to no damage to ground vehicles.
| Penetration statistics | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | ||||||
| 10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
| FI-T | 7 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | |
| APHE | 49 | 46 | 33 | 22 | 14 | 10 | |
| HEI-T | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | |
| Shell details | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
Ricochet | ||||||
| 0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
| FI-T | 820 | 0.62 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 49.3 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
| APHE | 770 | 0.69 | 1.2 | 9 | 22.1 | 47° | 60° | 65° | ||||
| HEI-T | 914 | 0.55 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 108 | 79° | 80° | 81° | ||||
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Sd.Kfz. 6/2
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | 50 (+3) | 46 (+7) | 43 (+10) | 39 (+14) |
| 5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
7th rack empty |
8th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
| 36 (+17) | 29 (+24) | 18 (+35) | 0 (+53) | Yes |
There are 15 ammunition boxes strung about the bed of the truck. Two under the loader, three sitting on the tailgate, and the rest under the benches behind the driver. Most tankers won't bother trying to ammo rack you thanks to your exposed crew members, so bring as much as you want. However, near misses from aircraft and tanks alike could set off a box since they are kind of everywhere if you do take a full load, so follow alternate recommendation if one has concerns for this.
Notes:
- Take a full loadout (53 clips of 6 rounds) if the battle might last.
- Alternately, pack only 36 clips in order to keep all ammo boxes under the bed bench for shorter battles like AB.
Usage in battles
To use this machine to its fullest capabilities, stay away from areas of heavy combat, as you can be taken out very easily, especially by machine gun fire and HE shells. You should always stay behind friendly troops, but don't stay at spawn as it is most likely the first place enemy planes will go to drop bombs.
If you want to fight with the tanks, you'll definitely need to research APHE-only belts. However, the APHE's lacklustre penetration means this option is extremely limited and highly discouraged for a Sd.Kfz. 6/2 user. This is a tactic that should only be used as a last-stand measure against a flanking enemy that is unaware of the Sd.Kfz. 6/2's position. Avoid any open terrain, watch the battlefield situation carefully and wait, or use your speed to get out of any unfavourable battle condition. When the suitable target is spotted and in-range, it is a good idea is to reverse around the corner turned sideways, with your gun aiming at the expected enemy direction. This manoeuvre exposes only half of your turret and makes it possible to very quickly hide again behind the corner when needed. Your driver, engine and more than half of the vehicle remain hidden the whole time, meaning the damage from kinetic shell would be reduced, but chemical shells would still finish off the tank upon contact. This kind of positioning also significantly shortening the exposure time and lowering the chance of being immobilised. When targeting tanks, aim at side armour of the hull and/or turret, or just hit any weak spots. Make sure the enemy is close by, generally less than 400 m, as the aim dispersion and massive recoil of the gun can cause the shells to spray everywhere, a bad idea if wanting to take out the enemy as quick and precise as possible.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 37 mm capable of dealing heavy damage to planes upon contact
- Deadly against light tanks and lightly-armoured tank destroyers
- Decently fast (50 km/h top speed)
- Very short reloading time
- Losing 1 or 2 crew members have no noticeable effect on vehicle performance (apart from temporary immobilisation for example)
- Having no armour is also an advantage - AP/APCR Rounds that most players use often just harmlessly pass through the vehicle without doing any damage
- Difficult to destroy in one shot unless using pure HE rounds as APHE rounds will often just pass through without detonation
- Some players don't recognize this vehicle as any kind of threat, and carelessly show their sides that just might be able to be penetrated with the 37 mm AP
- Friendly tanks around you often have higher priority for all enemies, meaning you can often escape from combat unharmed, or surprise unsuspecting enemies
Cons:
- No armour - single HE shell from anything will usually knock out the vehicle
- Very vulnerable to damage from overpressure: artillery strikes, even being 20 m away from you, will destroy the vehicle
- Entire crew vulnerable to being strafed by planes and tank machine gun fire
- Slow rate of fire can make shooting down faster planes difficult
- Gun goes up when it is traversing over the driver, preventing you from firing ahead of your vehicle
- Ammo can run out if not careful
- Gun recoil is ridiculous, making continuous fire useless against any decently armoured target
- Knocked out easily if rammed by an airplane (RB)
History
The gun
The 3.7 cm FlaK cannon was an anti-aircraft gun capable of fully automatic fire at a rate of 150 rounds per minute and is able to fire onto Allied aircraft up to four kilometres away. Multiple variants were made for the FlaK cannon from the 3.7 cm FlaK 18/36/37/43. The FlaK 18 was the initial variant with a dual-axle mount. The Flak 36 was a simplified variant with a lighter single-axle mount, the FlaK 37 has a simplified sighting system, and the FlaK 42 was the variant made for the German Kriegsmarine for their surface ships and U-boats. Of the variants, the FlaK 36 and 37 were the most produced guns
The vehicle
The Sd.Kfz.6 was a half-track designed in 1934 for the purpose of towing the 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer or 11 men in the back of the half-track, which could be covered by a canvas structure to protect the crew from the elements of nature. The vehicle was powered by a Maybach HL 54TUKRM 6-cylinder engine with 115 hp. Along with its use as a tractor for the 10.5 leFH 18 howitzer and other artillery pieces, the vehicle was to be used to tow heavy equipment for engineer units. Production was carried out by both Büssing-NAG and Daimler-Benz corporations. About 750 units were made during its production life until 1942.
Anti-aircraft mount
As World War II progressed, the need for a mobile air defence capable of engaging low flying targets became urgent. German engineers attempted to fill this need by modifying vehicles to fit an anti-aircraft gun. The Sd.kfz.6 half-track was modified with a new superstructure on the back, removing the backseats where the passengers would be. The superstructure allows the installation of a traversable anti-aircraft gun. The gun of choice for the Sd.kfz.6 was the 3.7 cm FlaK 36, the conversion for the vehicle was designated the 3.7 cm Flak 36 auf Selbstfahrlafette Sd.Kfz.6/2.
The Sd.Kfz.6/2 has the FlaK cannon mounted on the back, however, there is no gun shield for the crew to provide small arms protection from the ground. Thus, the ground support role for the vehicle was not a recommended role and is more best against flying targets. However, a modification on the vehicle by the crew to give protection against small arms and shrapnel. Ammunition for the gun was towed on a separate trailer towed by the half-track.
Modifications on the Sd.Kfz.6 into the Sd.Kfz.6/2 was carried out from 1941 to 1943, whereof the 750 of the Sd.Kfz.6, 339 were converted into the anti-aircraft variant. As the war progressed, the Sd.Kfz.6/2 were supplemented with the more numerous Sd.Kfz.7 half-track.
| Archive of the in-game description | |
|---|---|
|
To fight against enemy aircraft, German designers developed a new AA gun based on the 5-ton Sd.Kfz. 6 produced by the company Bussing-NAG. The new AA vehicle had a 37 mm 3,7 cm FlaK 36 L/98 anti-aircraft gun with a 98-calibre long barrel placed on a rotating carriage. The vehicle carried 120 shells, towed by a Sonderanhänger Sd.Ah. 57 trailer. The anti-aircraft gun traveled with spare barrels. The 10.4 ton setup supported a crew of 5 to calculate the gun's trajectory. The anti-aircraft gun's effective rate of fire was 120 rounds per minute. The gun could fire at targets up to an altitude of 4,800 m. In stowed position, the sides of the towing vehicle were raised, and in combat situations they were reclined to facilitate a circular range of fire. The vehicle could reach a speed of 50 km/h and had a maximum range of 317 km. The AA vehicle was produced by the companies Bussing-Nag, Daimler Benz, Böhmisch-Mährischen Maschinenfabrik, and Praga from 1941 to 1943. A total of 339 were built. During production, the gun was fitted with a shield to protect those performing the calculations from bullets and shrapnel. Shield construction varied. At least 200 Sd.Kfz. 6/2 anti-aircraft guns entered the service of the Luftwaffe, and the rest joined the Wehrmacht's anti-aircraft divisions. An anti-aircraft division consisted of 9 AA vehicles. This vehicle was used in combat on all fronts. | |
Media
- Skins
- Videos
German SPAAs discusses the Sd.Kfz. 6/2 at 1:45 - War Thunder Official Channel
See also
- 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 anti-aircraft vehicles | |
|---|---|
| Wheeled | Sd.Kfz.222 |
| Half-track | Sd.Kfz.251/21 · Sd.Kfz. 6/2 |
| Flakpanzer IV | Wirbelwind · Ostwind · Ostwind II · Kugelblitz · Zerstörer 45 |
| Other Flakpanzers | Flakpanzer I · Flakpanzer 38 · Flakpanzer 341 |
| Wiesel AWC | Wiesel 1A4 · Ozelot |
| Radar SPAAG | Gepard · Gepard 1A2 |
| Missile SPAA | FlaRakPz 1 · FlaRakRad |
