Difference between revisions of "Pz.35(t)"

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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_pzkpfw_35t}}
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{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=germ_pzkpfw_35t
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.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.-->
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<!-- ''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]]
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The '''Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)''', also known as ''LT vz.35'', was a Czechoslovakian light tank designed in 1935 by engineers at Škoda. The LT vz.35 was the most numerous tank in the Czechoslovakian army; during its serial production until 1939, 434 units were manufactured. After the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939, these tanks were taken into service by the Wehrmacht, where they received the designation Pz.35(t) (''Tschecherei'': "Czech"). They formed the core of the German 1st Light Division and, after its reorganisation, the 6th Tank Division. The tanks were actively used by the Wehrmacht during the invasion of Poland, France, and the USSR in 1939-41. In smaller numbers, they were also used by the armies of Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Hungary, to which they were exported from Germany.
{{break}}
+
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German light tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]].
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Introduced in [[Update 1.51 "Cold Steel"]], the Pz.35(t) represents an average but versatile vehicle, which copes well with a wide range of tasks on the battlefield. On the other hand, it does not excel in anything: in mobility, the Pz.35(t) is inferior to many other light tanks, and its armour and survivability are generally mediocre. However, the decent 37 mm gun and good frontal armour allow the vehicle to successfully perform the role of a "second line" machine.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
<!--Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
+
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
 
 
 
The Pz.35(t) has a key advantage over most low battle rated tanks which is found also on French tanks - it has 25 mm front armour on the hull and turret which makes it immune to 12.7 mm machine guns that are commonplace at its tier, however, the sides can be penetrated with such weapons. It has four crew with decent spacing between them, but a far cry from the Panzer III/IV, so while it can save you sometimes, don't rely on it, especially if a Russian APBC or British 2-pdr is coming your way.
 
  
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
Line 21: Line 21:
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
!Armour
 
!Front (Slope angle)
 
!Sides
 
!Rear
 
!Roof
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Hull
+
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
|25 mm (18°) ''Front plate''
 
16 mm (80°) ''Front glacis''
 
25 mm (31°) ''Lower glacis''
 
|16 mm
 
|16 mm
 
|12 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Turret
+
|Hull || |25 mm (18°) ''Front plate'' <br> 16 mm (80°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 25 mm (31°) ''Lower glacis'' || 16 mm || 16 mm || 12 mm
|25 mm (10°)''Turret front''
+
|-
25 mm ''Gun mantlet''
+
|Turret || 25 mm (10°)''Turret front'' <br> 25 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 16 mm || 16 mm || 8 mm
|16 mm
+
|-
|16 mm
+
|Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 25 mm (cylindrical) || 25 mm (4°)
|8 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
|Cupola
 
|25 mm
 
|25 mm
 
|25mm
 
|25 mm
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 +
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick while and torsion bars are 8 mm thick.
 +
* The belly is 8 mm thick.
 +
* Mudguards and fuel cans are 4 mm thick.
 +
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} has a key advantage over most low battle rated tanks which is found also on French tanks - it has 25 mm front armour on the hull and turret which makes it immune to 12.7 mm machine guns that are commonplace at its tier, however, the sides can be penetrated with such weapons. It has four crew with decent spacing between them, but a far cry from the Panzer III/IV, so while it can save you sometimes, don't rely on it, especially if a Soviet APBC or British 2-pdr shell is coming your way.
  
 
=== 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= 186|rbMinHp= 106|<!--AoAweight=(optional) -->}}
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=186|rbMinHp=106}}
  
With a top speed of 33 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of 11.43 hp/ton in realistic and simulator battles, the {{PAGENAME}} has reasonably good mobility for a reserve tank. With a top speed almost 20 km/h faster than yours, Stuart and BT tanks are noticeable enemies as they will flank you quickly.
+
With a top speed of 33 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of 11.43 hp/ton in Realistic and Simulator battles, the {{PAGENAME}} has reasonably good mobility for a reserve tank. With a top speed almost 20 km/h faster than yours, Stuart and BT tanks are notable enemies as they will flank you quickly.
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
<!--Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.-->
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
{{main|KwK 34(t) (37 mm)}}
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<!-- ''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|KwK34(t) (37 mm)}}
  
The Pz.35(t) is armed with the 37 mm KwK 34(t), which has an APC-HE shell with 49 mm pen and a Tier 1 unlockable APCBC shell with 52 mm pen. It also possesses an 85 mm penetration APCR shell for more stubborn armoured targets such as B1 bis.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
+
|-
{| class="wikitable"
+
! colspan="5" | [[KwK34(t) (37 mm)|37 mm KwK34(t)]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
! colspan="5" |37 mm KwK 37(t)
+
|-
! colspan="5" |Turret rotation speed (°/s)
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
! colspan="4" |Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
!Mode
+
! ''Arcade''
!Capacity
+
| rowspan="2" | 72 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+25° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Vertical || 13.3 || 18.5 || 22.4 || 24.8 || 26.4 || rowspan="2" | 4.29 || rowspan="2" | 3.80 || rowspan="2" | 3.50 || rowspan="2" | 3.30
!Vertical
 
!Horizontal
 
!Stabilizer
 
!Stock
 
!Upgraded
 
!Full
 
!Expert
 
!Aced
 
!Stock
 
!Full
 
!Expert
 
!Aced
 
 
|-
 
|-
!''Arcade''
+
! ''Realistic''
| rowspan="2" |72
+
| 8.3 || 9.8 || 11.9 || 13.2 || 14.0
| rowspan="2" | -10°/+25°
 
| rowspan="2" |±180°
 
| rowspan="2" |Vertical
 
|13.33
 
|18.45
 
|22.4
 
|24.77
 
|26.35
 
| rowspan="2" |4.29
 
| rowspan="2" |3.8
 
| rowspan="2" |3.5
 
| rowspan="2" |3.3
 
 
|-
 
|-
!''Realistic''
 
|8.33
 
|9.8
 
|11.9
 
|13.16
 
|14.0
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} is armed with the 37 mm KwK 34(t), which has an APC shell with 55 mm pen and a Tier I unlockable APC shell with 53 mm pen, which is essentially worse in every aspect. It also possesses an 85 mm penetration APCR shell for more heavily armoured targets such as [[B1 bis]].
 +
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
{{:KwK34(t) (37 mm)/Ammunition|Pzgr. 34(t), PzGr. 40, Pzgr.(t) umg.}}
  
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
'''Note:''' The PzGr. 34(t) round has no tracer.
<!--[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|Ammo racks of the {{PAGENAME}}.]]-->
 
  
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
+
! Full<br>ammo
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
+
! 1st<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
+
! 2nd<br>rack empty
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
+
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
|| '''72''' || 37&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+71)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes
+
| '''72''' || 37&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+71)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
Notes:
 +
 +
* Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
 +
* To go into battle with the right flank empty of ammo, pack 37&nbsp;''(+35)'' shells (rack 1 emptied).
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
<!--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.-->
+
{{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.'' -->
 
{{main|MG37(t) (7.92 mm)}}
 
{{main|MG37(t) (7.92 mm)}}
  
The tank has a 7.92 mm MG37(t), which is a decent gun to hose down flak trucks but not good for much else.  
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[MG37(t) (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG37(t)]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 1,800 (200) || 768 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
The small calibre of the MG37(t) machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
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* [[B1 bis]]: If it is not possible to avoid fighting this tank, then the best solution is to try and flank it. Hitting the side armour and knocking out its crew is the best way. In a face to face combat, load the APCR and aim for the near-vertical driver's compartment. The B1's driver and commander (also the gunner for the turret) are lined up so a penetration is likely to kill both of them, disabling its mobility and turret for 10 seconds or so. Also don't forget to avoid the hull-mounted 75 mm gun.
 
* [[B1 bis]]: If it is not possible to avoid fighting this tank, then the best solution is to try and flank it. Hitting the side armour and knocking out its crew is the best way. In a face to face combat, load the APCR and aim for the near-vertical driver's compartment. The B1's driver and commander (also the gunner for the turret) are lined up so a penetration is likely to kill both of them, disabling its mobility and turret for 10 seconds or so. Also don't forget to avoid the hull-mounted 75 mm gun.
  
=== Modules ===
+
=== 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".'' -->
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
! Protection
 
! colspan="3" | Firepower
 
|-
 
| I
 
| Tracks
 
|
 
| Parts
 
| Horizontal Drive
 
| Pzgr.(t) umg.
 
|-
 
| II
 
| Suspension
 
| Brake System
 
| FPE
 
| Adjustment of Fire
 
| PzGr. 40
 
|-
 
| III
 
| Filters
 
|
 
| Crew Replenishment
 
| Elevation Mechanism
 
|
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| Transmission
 
| Engine
 
|
 
| Artillery Support
 
|
 
|-
 
|}
 
  
=== 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:'''
  
* Gun is decent for tier penetration wise
+
* Gun depression of -10° is great for combating across any terrain
* Stock and unlockable ammunition has HE filler for better reliability to destroy tanks in one shot
+
* Stock and unlockable ammo with explosive filler have decent penetration and good post-penetration damage
 
* Mobility and acceleration are decent for the tier
 
* Mobility and acceleration are decent for the tier
* Frontally immune to 12.7 mm guns, unusual for a reserve tank
+
* Frontally immune to 12.7 mm machine guns, useful against foes like [[M13 MGMC]]
* Reserve tank status means it receives infinite free repairs
+
* Reverse speed of -34 km/h is excellent at pulling the tank out of danger
 +
* Has a shoulder stabiliser, useful for close-quarters combat and shoot-n-scoot
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* Many other tanks are faster than it
+
* Many other tanks are faster than it, like [[BT-5]], [[A13 (Family)|A13]], [[M3 Stuart (Family)|M3]]
* Gun is inadequate against even basic enemies and is woefully inadequate in an up-tier
+
* Gun is inadequate against higher tier tanks like [[T-70]], [[T-28 (Family)|T-28]]
* Armour won't stop anything bigger than a .50 cal
+
* Poor survivability and armour against anything stronger than machine guns
* Survivability, when penetrated, is not great, when compared to the Pz III/IV
+
* Low agility: sluggish hull traverse and slow turret rotation
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's devblog entry (if applicable) and the ingame encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 +
[[File:LT vz. 35 (1939).jpg|right|thumb|Czechoslovak LT vz. 35 ready for transfer to Panzertruppe in March 1939. The fate of this particular tank is unknown.]]
 +
 
 +
The Czechoslovakian LT vz. 35 was their main tank prior to the German occupation. with a total of 398 units built between 1936 and 1939, it was the main tank used by the German 6th Panzer division during the Battle of France and Operation Barbarossa before being phased out in favour of more modern German designs.
 +
 
 +
=== Development ===
 +
The tank was a result of a competition between Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk and Škoda, the first one presented a variant of the LT vz. 34 coming at 8.5 while the second presented a new 10.5 ton model with more armour. Skoda's design was chosen and production was divided between the two manufacturers.
 +
 
 +
Early in the development the tank saw plenty of factory issues and reliability problems due to the rushed development and production, making it so that many units had to return to the factory for repairs involving mainly the electrical system.
 +
 
 +
The tank saw the interest of various countries, with Romania asking for 126 units, Afghanistan asking for 10 that where later sold to Bulgaria instead, and many others given to minor nations such as Hungary by Germany after the occupation.
 +
 
 +
=== Operational History ===
 +
Czechoslovakian forces used the tank to supress protest and risings by the German Party of the Sudetes, and also to defend Slovakia from raids and incursions from Hungarian and Polish troops. After the German occupation they where used by Czech paramilitary groups armed and instructed by the German SS.
 +
 
 +
After the German Occupation, the tank was widely used by the 6th ''Panzer-Divisionen'' (6th Panzer Division) and where used on the Battle of France where they suffered moderate casualties.
 +
 
 +
During the Invasion of the Soviet Union the tank also participated but problems quickly rose up, the poor reliability and the inability of the tank to operate on very low temperatures quickly became a problem. Many where lost in combat and the tank proved ineffective even against soviet light tanks and specially against the T-34. Due to this poor performance Germany phased out the tank in 1942 and the remaining units where redistributed between Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary.
 +
 
 +
Bulgaria employed 26 units, some being the T-11 variant with a more powerful gun that where used in the 1st Tank Brigade until the arrival of Panzer IV tanks.
 +
 
 +
Slovakia used 52 units seized after their declaration of independence that where used for the suppression of anti-axis uprisings but 30 participated in the Invasion of the Soviet Union, most of which where destroyed or abandoned because of mechanical fails. The tanks where soon replaced by more modern units in 1943 being relegated to suppression of civic movements or training.
 +
 
 +
Hungary was impressed with the LT vz. 35 after capturing one during a conflict with Slovakia, and it was a great inspiration in the construction of the 40M Turan I developed by Skoda.
 +
 
 +
Romania was the 2nd largest user of the LT vz. 35 after buying 126 from Czechoslovakia, they where assigned to the 1st Armoured Regiment, participating in Operation Barbarossa an even in the Battle of Stalingrad covering the flanks of the Germany Army. In this last battle the unit lost 77 tanks with two thirds being lost to mechanical failures or abandoned. The tanks also participated in combat after the Romanian addition to the Allies, but the units where divided and some remained with the Axis while some remained went to the Allies.{{break}}
 +
{{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}}
 +
The Škoda LT vz.35 light tank was developed between 1935 and 1936. This tank was put into service in 1936, and by 1937 it had become the primary tank of the Czechoslovakian army. Between 1935 and 1940, 424 LT vz.35 tanks were produced. 218 tanks of this model were accepted into service in Wehrmacht and used until 1942. The tank was inferior to the Pz.38(t) in many ways, and its crews were not sorry to see it go.
 +
 
 +
The tank was equipped with a pneumatic servomotor that made it easier to control the transmission and brakes. However, in winter condition on the Eastern Front it would freeze, and the tank would have to be warmed up. While in Wehrmacht service the tank's crew was also increased to four from the original three. The crew included a commander, a gunner, and a loader, who combined the duties of a radio operator and a mechanic/driver. The tank's power train was redesigned and made highly reliable. For example, the tracks could go for 8,000 km (almost 5,000 miles) before wearing out.
  
The Czechoslovakian main battle tank prior to German occupation, 398 were built between 1936 and 1939. They called it the Light Tank vz (model) 35. Another 126 were exported to Romania in 1936, where they were called the R-2. The Germans seized 219 35 models, with another 79 kept by Slovakia. The 6th Pz Bde used the 35 in the invasion of Poland. In France and Russia, the 6th Panzer Division used it. It was no longer in service, at least as a tank, after 1941. The Romanian ground forces used the Pz.35(t) tank until the end of the war.
+
These tanks were used in combat operations in Poland, France, and the USSR. But while the Pz. 35(t) was effective in Poland and France, in the USSR it was, more often than not, helpless.
 +
{{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.'' -->
  
{| class="catlist" frame="box" style="background: #efefef;" align="center"
+
;Images
|<span style="white-space:nowrap;">[[File:GEN_LIVE_WT_1_HPL.jpg|510px|link=https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=germany&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=light_tank&vehicle=germ_pzkpfw_35t|]]</span> ||
+
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
|-
+
File:ArtImage Pz.35(t).png|<small>A Pz.35(t) in [[Eastern Europe]]</small>
|}
+
</gallery>
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_pzkpfw_35t Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|Yq5v19OwjYM|'''The Shooting Range #274''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 04:16 discusses Czechoslovakian tank-building.}}
  
 
== 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
  
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
* [[Pz.38(t) A]] / [[Pz.38(t) F]] - similar Czech-designed light tank, the successor to the {{PAGENAME}} in the German tech tree.
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
* [[T-26 (Family)]]
 +
* [[A13 Mk I]]
 +
* [[I-Go Ko]]
 +
* [[M13/40 (Family)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 +
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
+
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/797|[Development] Pz-35t & T-26-4]]
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
+
* [[wikipedia:Panzer_35(t)|[Wikipedia] Panzer 35(t)]]
* ''other literature.''
+
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/nazi_germany/panzer-35t <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)]
 +
* [https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=272 <nowiki>[Military Factory]</nowiki> LT vz. 35 / PzKpfW 35(t)]
  
 
{{Germany light tanks}}
 
{{Germany light tanks}}

Latest revision as of 13:40, 24 November 2024

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
Pz.35(t)
germ_pzkpfw_35t.png
GarageImage Pz.35(t).jpg
ArtImage2 Pz.35(t).png
Pz.35(t)
AB RB SB
1.0 1.0 1.0
Class:
Research:Free
Purchase:Free
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Description

The Panzerkampfwagen 35(t), also known as LT vz.35, was a Czechoslovakian light tank designed in 1935 by engineers at Škoda. The LT vz.35 was the most numerous tank in the Czechoslovakian army; during its serial production until 1939, 434 units were manufactured. After the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939, these tanks were taken into service by the Wehrmacht, where they received the designation Pz.35(t) (Tschecherei: "Czech"). They formed the core of the German 1st Light Division and, after its reorganisation, the 6th Tank Division. The tanks were actively used by the Wehrmacht during the invasion of Poland, France, and the USSR in 1939-41. In smaller numbers, they were also used by the armies of Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Hungary, to which they were exported from Germany.

Introduced in Update 1.51 "Cold Steel", the Pz.35(t) represents an average but versatile vehicle, which copes well with a wide range of tasks on the battlefield. On the other hand, it does not excel in anything: in mobility, the Pz.35(t) is inferior to many other light tanks, and its armour and survivability are generally mediocre. However, the decent 37 mm gun and good frontal armour allow the vehicle to successfully perform the role of a "second line" machine.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull25 / 16 / 16
Turret25 / 16 / 16
Crew4 people
Visibility75 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Cupola)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 25 mm (18°) Front plate
16 mm (80°) Front glacis
25 mm (31°) Lower glacis
16 mm 16 mm 12 mm
Turret 25 mm (10°)Turret front
25 mm Gun mantlet
16 mm 16 mm 8 mm
Cupola 25 mm (cylindrical) 25 mm (4°)

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick while and torsion bars are 8 mm thick.
  • The belly is 8 mm thick.
  • Mudguards and fuel cans are 4 mm thick.

The Pz.35(t) has a key advantage over most low battle rated tanks which is found also on French tanks - it has 25 mm front armour on the hull and turret which makes it immune to 12.7 mm machine guns that are commonplace at its tier, however, the sides can be penetrated with such weapons. It has four crew with decent spacing between them, but a far cry from the Panzer III/IV, so while it can save you sometimes, don't rely on it, especially if a Soviet APBC or British 2-pdr shell is coming your way.

Mobility

Reverse gearbox
Forward and backward movement is possible at the same maximum speed
Speedforward / back
AB38 / 38 km/h
RB and SB34 / 34 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
6 back
Weight10.5 t
Engine power
AB229 hp
RB and SB120 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB21.8 hp/t
RB and SB11.4 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 38 38 10.5 186 229 17.71 21.81
Realistic 34 34 106 120 10.1 11.43

With a top speed of 33 km/h and a power-to-weight ratio of 11.43 hp/ton in Realistic and Simulator battles, the Pz.35(t) has reasonably good mobility for a reserve tank. With a top speed almost 20 km/h faster than yours, Stuart and BT tanks are notable enemies as they will flank you quickly.

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
ABfree
RBfree
SBfree
Total cost of modifications3 870 Rp icon.png
179 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost190 Ge icon.png
Crew trainingfree
Experts1 000 Sl icon.png
Aces10 Ge icon.png
Research Aces80 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
10 / 10 / 10 % Sl icon.png
100 / 100 / 100 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 Sl icon.png
35 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
720 Rp icon.png
Cost:
35 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
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
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
37mm_kwk_38_t_APCBC_ammo_pack
Research:
330 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 Sl icon.png
40 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 Sl icon.png
35 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
37mm_kwk_36_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
13 Sl icon.png
35 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
540 Rp icon.png
Cost:
25 Sl icon.png
60 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
720 Rp icon.png
Cost:
35 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

Shoulder stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in one plane while moving
Ammunition72 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
4.3 → 3.3 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 25°
Main article: KwK34(t) (37 mm)
37 mm KwK34(t) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 72 -10°/+25° ±180° Vertical 13.3 18.5 22.4 24.8 26.4 4.29 3.80 3.50 3.30
Realistic 8.3 9.8 11.9 13.2 14.0

The Pz.35(t) is armed with the 37 mm KwK 34(t), which has an APC shell with 55 mm pen and a Tier I unlockable APC shell with 53 mm pen, which is essentially worse in every aspect. It also possesses an 85 mm penetration APCR shell for more heavily armoured targets such as B1 bis.

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Pzgr. 34(t) APC 55 51 39 28 20 15
PzGr. 40 APCR 81 73 45 24 13 7
Pzgr.(t) umg. APC 53 50 37 26 19 13
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Pzgr. 34(t) APC 675 0.85 1.2 9 22.1 48° 63° 71°
PzGr. 40 APCR 980 0.37 - - - 66° 70° 72°
Pzgr.(t) umg. APC 675 0.82 1.2 9 22.1 48° 63° 71°

Note: The PzGr. 34(t) round has no tracer.

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Pz.35(t)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
72 37 (+35) (+71) No

Notes:

  • Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
  • To go into battle with the right flank empty of ammo, pack 37 (+35) shells (rack 1 emptied).

Machine guns

Ammunition1 800 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate769 shots/min
Main article: MG37(t) (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm MG37(t)
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 1,800 (200) 768 N/A N/A

The small calibre of the MG37(t) machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

Usage in battles

The tank is average in most aspects, aside from frontal immunity to .50 cals. Since your common enemies (eg. BT-5s) are faster than you, it is advisable to use this tank as a mid-range support vehicle. At the start of the match, avoid getting surrounded by enemies by not rushing to the frontline straight away, because its hull and turret traverse are all quite bad, making it vulnerable to surprise flanks. Find hilly terrain and utilise your 10 degrees gun depression to poke out, get a shot, then get back into cover before the enemies notice you.

At the middle stages of the match, only go to the frontline when you really need to, because, again, the traverse speed is low and the manoeuvrability isn't great. However the player can now use the tank's small profile to ambush enemies near a friendly point. With their decent penetration up close and the 22 g TNT, the APC rounds can quickly finish off anyone trying to de-cap the point.

Note that the default shell Pzgr. 34(t) has no tracer component, and the player can use this to their advantage. If the player misses the shot, the enemy will not see the trajectory of the shell thus will take longer to locate the shooter.

Enemies worth noting:

  • BT-5, BT-7, M2, M3 Stuarts: If those tanks survive the first few minutes of point-capping, then they can silently appear pretty much anywhere on the map, including your side. To avoid being flanked / circled, do not put yourself at the frontline, as previously suggested. If you see / hear one of them sneaking up around you, turn your hull and turret together to double the traverse speed so it's quicker to get the guns on them.
  • B1 bis: If it is not possible to avoid fighting this tank, then the best solution is to try and flank it. Hitting the side armour and knocking out its crew is the best way. In a face to face combat, load the APCR and aim for the near-vertical driver's compartment. The B1's driver and commander (also the gunner for the turret) are lined up so a penetration is likely to kill both of them, disabling its mobility and turret for 10 seconds or so. Also don't forget to avoid the hull-mounted 75 mm gun.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Gun depression of -10° is great for combating across any terrain
  • Stock and unlockable ammo with explosive filler have decent penetration and good post-penetration damage
  • Mobility and acceleration are decent for the tier
  • Frontally immune to 12.7 mm machine guns, useful against foes like M13 MGMC
  • Reverse speed of -34 km/h is excellent at pulling the tank out of danger
  • Has a shoulder stabiliser, useful for close-quarters combat and shoot-n-scoot

Cons:

  • Many other tanks are faster than it, like BT-5, A13, M3
  • Gun is inadequate against higher tier tanks like T-70, T-28
  • Poor survivability and armour against anything stronger than machine guns
  • Low agility: sluggish hull traverse and slow turret rotation

History

Czechoslovak LT vz. 35 ready for transfer to Panzertruppe in March 1939. The fate of this particular tank is unknown.

The Czechoslovakian LT vz. 35 was their main tank prior to the German occupation. with a total of 398 units built between 1936 and 1939, it was the main tank used by the German 6th Panzer division during the Battle of France and Operation Barbarossa before being phased out in favour of more modern German designs.

Development

The tank was a result of a competition between Českomoravská Kolben-Daněk and Škoda, the first one presented a variant of the LT vz. 34 coming at 8.5 while the second presented a new 10.5 ton model with more armour. Skoda's design was chosen and production was divided between the two manufacturers.

Early in the development the tank saw plenty of factory issues and reliability problems due to the rushed development and production, making it so that many units had to return to the factory for repairs involving mainly the electrical system.

The tank saw the interest of various countries, with Romania asking for 126 units, Afghanistan asking for 10 that where later sold to Bulgaria instead, and many others given to minor nations such as Hungary by Germany after the occupation.

Operational History

Czechoslovakian forces used the tank to supress protest and risings by the German Party of the Sudetes, and also to defend Slovakia from raids and incursions from Hungarian and Polish troops. After the German occupation they where used by Czech paramilitary groups armed and instructed by the German SS.

After the German Occupation, the tank was widely used by the 6th Panzer-Divisionen (6th Panzer Division) and where used on the Battle of France where they suffered moderate casualties.

During the Invasion of the Soviet Union the tank also participated but problems quickly rose up, the poor reliability and the inability of the tank to operate on very low temperatures quickly became a problem. Many where lost in combat and the tank proved ineffective even against soviet light tanks and specially against the T-34. Due to this poor performance Germany phased out the tank in 1942 and the remaining units where redistributed between Bulgaria, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary.

Bulgaria employed 26 units, some being the T-11 variant with a more powerful gun that where used in the 1st Tank Brigade until the arrival of Panzer IV tanks.

Slovakia used 52 units seized after their declaration of independence that where used for the suppression of anti-axis uprisings but 30 participated in the Invasion of the Soviet Union, most of which where destroyed or abandoned because of mechanical fails. The tanks where soon replaced by more modern units in 1943 being relegated to suppression of civic movements or training.

Hungary was impressed with the LT vz. 35 after capturing one during a conflict with Slovakia, and it was a great inspiration in the construction of the 40M Turan I developed by Skoda.

Romania was the 2nd largest user of the LT vz. 35 after buying 126 from Czechoslovakia, they where assigned to the 1st Armoured Regiment, participating in Operation Barbarossa an even in the Battle of Stalingrad covering the flanks of the Germany Army. In this last battle the unit lost 77 tanks with two thirds being lost to mechanical failures or abandoned. The tanks also participated in combat after the Romanian addition to the Allies, but the units where divided and some remained with the Axis while some remained went to the Allies.

Archive of the in-game description

The Škoda LT vz.35 light tank was developed between 1935 and 1936. This tank was put into service in 1936, and by 1937 it had become the primary tank of the Czechoslovakian army. Between 1935 and 1940, 424 LT vz.35 tanks were produced. 218 tanks of this model were accepted into service in Wehrmacht and used until 1942. The tank was inferior to the Pz.38(t) in many ways, and its crews were not sorry to see it go.

The tank was equipped with a pneumatic servomotor that made it easier to control the transmission and brakes. However, in winter condition on the Eastern Front it would freeze, and the tank would have to be warmed up. While in Wehrmacht service the tank's crew was also increased to four from the original three. The crew included a commander, a gunner, and a loader, who combined the duties of a radio operator and a mechanic/driver. The tank's power train was redesigned and made highly reliable. For example, the tracks could go for 8,000 km (almost 5,000 miles) before wearing out.

These tanks were used in combat operations in Poland, France, and the USSR. But while the Pz. 35(t) was effective in Poland and France, in the USSR it was, more often than not, helpless.


Media

Images
Skins
Videos

See also

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


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