Difference between revisions of "Conqueror"

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{{Specs-Card
+
{{Specs-Card|code=uk_conqueror_mk_2}}
|code=uk_conqueror_mk_2
 
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}_AddArmour.jpg|ArtImage4_{{PAGENAME}}.png|ArtImage3_{{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.'' -->
+
<!--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.-->
Following the reveal of the [[IS-3]] during the 1945 Victory Parade through Berlin, the British realised the need for a new heavily armed and heavily armoured tank. Plans were drawn to create a "Universal Tank" hull, which would then be able to mount a variety of different armaments to suit a range of roles. The heaviest of this set of planned vehicles was the '''Conqueror''', armed with a 120 mm gun inspired by and developed alongside that of the American [[M103]], designed to be able to face down any Soviet threats and provide long-range anti-tank support for the existing [[Centurion (Family)|Centurion]].
 
  
By 1950, the new hull and chassis were nearing completion, while the gun and turret were still under development. Thus, a project to mount the turret of the [[Centurion Mk 3]] was spawned, in order to ease the development process and train crews on the new hull, resulting in the [[Caernarvon]]. 1951 saw completion of the new gun and its acceptance into service, while the turret was still being finalised; plans for a stop-gap carriage for the new gun resulted in the Centurion hull-based [[Conway]]. Prototypes were complete by 1952, and the tank itself finally entered service in 1955, being sent immediately to armoured regiments stationed in West Germany. Both the Conqueror and Centurion were ultimately replaced by the [[Chieftain (Family)|Chieftain]] in 1966.
+
[[File:GarageImage_Conqueror.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} British heavy tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was released along with the initial British tree line in [[Update_1.55_"Royal_Armour"|Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]]. Meant to defeat the Soviet [[IS-3]], the Conqueror gives the British tree line an emphasis in armour and firepower, with a [[M58 (120 mm)|120 mm gun]] able to contest the Rank V competitors.
  
Introduced in [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"]] along with the initial British ground tree, the Conqueror deviates from most earlier British designs, favouring firepower and armour. With an extremely powerful main cannon, solid armour protection, and surprising (but still rather lacking) manoeuvrability for such a heavy vehicle, the Conqueror proves to be a highly effective sniper and support tank, able to crack open heavily armoured targets from long ranges. Making use of its strong armour and gun stabiliser allows it to also be put to good use in close-range brawls, although the subpar mobility and long reload can limit the vehicle in this aspect.
+
The Conqueror shares the same hull as the [[Caernarvon]], but features a completely new turret armed with the Ordnance QF 120 mm L1A1 gun.  
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and 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?
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
[[File:Conqueror trapshot mantlet .png|thumb|400x400px|A basic weak spot of the Conqueror; the gun mantlet. The area is hit because of Conqueror's poor depression. It can be targeted by large-calibre HE, APDS and Sabot shells. - The shown camouflage is known as 'Phalanx', part of the "Night Vision" chest.]]
 
The Conqueror Mark 2 utilizes a modified version of Caernarvon's hull, with respectable frontal armour capable of shrugging off rounds from many adversaries. Unfortunately, this hull suffers from similarly weak side and rear armour - and as such angling, the vehicle can prove extremely dangerous if it exposes the side too much. The Conqueror replaces the Caernarvon's Centurion-based turret with a fresh design, providing much better crew spacing and protection. The turret is not without its weaknesses, however; the commander's cupola protrudes quite significantly and APHE or HESH shells may disable internal turret components or crew members. There is also a weak section directly behind the mantlet at the top of the turret, penetration of which will disable crew or the breech/horizontal turret drive.
 
Trap shots are possible, it is likely to get shot with a high-calibre HE, capable of damaging the tank by hitting the base of the turret and exploding into the driver and/or ammo rack just below it. Unlike with similar tank [[M103]] though, for most heavy tanks HE can only penetrate the driver hatch, taking them out, and damage the gun breech on a good hit. SPG calibre HE (like 152 mm of [[Object 268]]) will definitely destroy the roof armour and ammo rack, resulting in a knock-out, unless only a few shells are being carried (which is highly impractical). Non-HE shells are less likely to ricochet and do significant internal damage like this, but it is still possible to push them into the tank.
 
  
The frontal track guards are also very vulnerable at particular angles and can be exploited even when sides are not exposed to instantly destroy the tank using nearly any gun, like with [[Churchill Mk VII]]. The more realistic scenario, however, is high-calibre HESH hitting the ground next to them and setting the tank on fire or outright destroying it. Fortunately, most tanks which are capable of this and are going out of their way to use HESH instead of HEAT are British and can only be your opponent in AB, in RB the likelihood of receiving such hit is greatly reduced.
+
If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
  
The Conqueror has a researchable add-on armour package which improves the vehicle's survivability to HEAT rounds and by a small amount to kinetic rounds.<ref name="dtic" /> The Conqueror is relatively resistant to HEAT ammunition, smaller HEAT ammunition may have issue harming the Conqueror when hull-down.
+
The turret is significantly better armoured than the Centurion turret used by the Caernarvon. In a hull-down position where the weak lower front plate is hidden, it can be a very difficult vehicle to destroy from the front. Unfortunately, the side and rear hull armour is very weak, although it is covered by a lot of spaced armour. Flanking the Conqueror usually results in its swift destruction.
  
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
  
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 
* Rolled homogeneous armour
* Cast homogeneous armour (turret)
+
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)
 
* Structural steel (Side skirts)
 
* Structural steel (Side skirts)
  
Line 34: Line 28:
 
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || 130 + 20 mm (59°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 76 mm (44°) ''Lower glacis'' || 51 + 6 mm || 38 mm ''Top'' <br> 20 mm (60°) ''Bottom'' || 44 mm ''Front'' <br> 17 mm ''Crew hatch'' <br> 17 mm ''Rear''
+
| Hull || 130 + 20 mm (59°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 76 mm (44°) ''Lower glacis'' || 51 + 6 mm || 38 mm ''Top'' <br> 20 mm (60°) ''Bottom'' || 44 mm ''Front'' <br> 17 mm ''Crew hatch'' <br /> 17 mm ''Rear''  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Turret || 152-313 mm (0-68°) ''Turret front'' <br> 89-200 mm (0-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 89-233 mm (1-48°) || 50 mm (1-34°) || 51 mm <br> 31 mm ''Square area near gun'' <br> 17 mm ''Crew hatches''
 
| Turret || 152-313 mm (0-68°) ''Turret front'' <br> 89-200 mm (0-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 89-233 mm (1-48°) || 50 mm (1-34°) || 51 mm <br> 31 mm ''Square area near gun'' <br> 17 mm ''Crew hatches''
 
|-
 
|-
! Armour !! Front !! Rear !! Roof
+
! Armour !! Front !! Rear !! Roof  
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Cupola || 203 mm (0-17°) || 70 mm (12-14°) || 51 mm <br> 17 mm ''Crew hatch''
 
| Cupola || 203 mm (0-17°) || 70 mm (12-14°) || 51 mm <br> 17 mm ''Crew hatch''
Line 50: Line 44:
  
 
=== 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=1,046|rbMinHp=716|AoAweight=1.1}}
+
The mobility of the Conqueror is fair enough for a 65 ton heavy tank, and is actually comparable to the Centurion.
  
The {{PAGENAME}} has reasonable mobility, despite its weight, thanks to a powerful engine and favourable gearbox ratios. It does suffer from a somewhat limited top speed of 34 km/h, however it reaches this speed fairly easily on-road and on smooth off-road surfaces. The vehicle has surprisingly responsive hull traverse due to the engine power and neutral steering capability. The {{PAGENAME}} has a reasonable reverse speed for a British vehicle, however it shouldn't be relied on too heavily.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
+
|-
When the add-on armour package is researched and equipped, the vehicle's weight will increase by 1.1 tonnes, resulting in a minor decrease in mobility.
+
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 
+
|-
=== Modifications and economy ===
+
! Weight (tons)
{{Specs-Economy}}
+
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
 +
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | 64.9 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | 1.1 || colspan="1" | 37 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|34 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|1,046
 +
|____
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|716
 +
|810
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|16.12
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|11.03
 +
|12.48
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== 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|L1A2 (120 mm)}}
{{main|Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2 (120 mm)}}
 
  
The 120 mm L1A2 is a powerful gun, derived from the M58 mounted on the M103 heavy tank. Unlike the M103's selection of HEAT or AP, the Conqueror instead utilises HESH and APDS ammunition, and again unlike the M103, mounts a two-plane stabiliser. The L1A2 exhibits excellent accuracy and long-range performance, although due to the sub-par post-penetration effects of APDS in some cases multiple rounds are required to secure a knock-out, particularly at range where critical components or ammunition is less reliably hit.
+
The 120 mm gun used by the Conqueror is essentially a version of the American 120 mm Gun M58 used by the M103 heavy tank. Unfortunately, the British version does not have access to the extremely lethal American solid shot AP or HEAT ammunition. The Conqueror is thus forced to choose between the anaemic APDS or unreliable HESH ammunition, while also sharing the same long reload as the American gun.  
  
Despite this, the Conqueror performs admirably as a sniper, covering capture points or thoroughfares, and should primarily rely on APDS with careful thought as to placement. HESH may prove useful against lighter vehicles or in cases where a target's side armour is exposed, but otherwise should not be relied on for anything besides pure luck. It's important to remember that the Conqueror has a reasonably long reload of 19.4 seconds at base; and as such careful consideration should be made as to what to prioritise disabling first.
+
In general, the APDS is quite accurate at long ranges thanks to its high velocity, and the high penetration usually means it will not have too many problems penetrating most things the Conqueror will encounter. However, the post-penetration effects of APDS tend to be very poor compared to full-bore AP, and it is very rare to one-shot opponents. This problem is further exacerbated by the Conqueror's long reload, which is longer than the time it takes to replace a crewmember if facing a opponent with good crew skills. The HESH round will do a lot of damage ''if'' it hits and penetrates, but is easily frustrated by spaced armour and external components like tracks or suspension elements. It also has a relatively low velocity and is harder to use at long ranges.
  
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[L1A2 (120 mm)|120 mm L1A2]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 35 || -7°/+15° || ±180° || Two-plane
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | [[Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2 (120 mm)|120 mm Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
|-
 
|-
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
+
| ''Arcade'' || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
 
|-
 
|-
! ''Arcade''
+
| ''Realistic'' || 9.7 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
| rowspan="2" | 35 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 13.2 || 18.3 || 22.2 || 24.5 || 26.1 || rowspan="2" | 19.37 || rowspan="2" | 17.14 || rowspan="2" | 15.80 || rowspan="2" | 14.90
 
 
|-
 
|-
! ''Realistic''
+
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
| 9.7 || 11.4 || 13.9 || 15.3 || 16.3
+
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 19.4 || 17.13 || __.__ || __.__
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
==== Ammunition ====
+
===== Ammunition =====
{{:Ordnance QF Tk. L1A2 (120 mm)/Ammunition|Shot L1G, Shell L1TK}}
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| Shot L1G || APDS || 362 || 361 || 359 || 354 || 339 || 321
 +
|-
 +
| Shell L1TK || HESH || 152 || 152 || 152 || 152 || 152 || 152
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| Shot L1G || APDS || 1493 || 7.6 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 75° || 78° || 80°
 +
|-
 +
| Shell L1TK || HESH || 792 || 16 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 3,100 || +0° || 73° || 77° || 80°
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
+
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
<!-- '''Last updated: 2.19.0.76''' -->
+
[[File:Ammoracks_Conqueror.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the Conqueror Mk.2.]]
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
! Full<br>ammo
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
! Ammo<br>type
+
! 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" |3rd<br /> rack empty
! 3rd<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty
! 4th<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br /> rack empty
! 5th<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br /> rack empty
! 6th<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" width="10%" |Recommendations
! 7th<br>rack empty
+
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
! 8th<br>rack empty
 
! 9th<br>rack empty
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
 
|-
 
|-
| rowspan="2" | '''35''' || Projectiles || 34&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 31&nbsp;''(+4)'' || 29&nbsp;''(+6)'' || 27&nbsp;''(+8)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+12)'' || 22&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 17&nbsp;''(+18)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+26)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+34)'' || rowspan="2" | No
+
|| '''35''' || 31&nbsp;''(+4)'' || 21&nbsp;''(+14)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+19)'' || 11&nbsp;''(+24)'' || 6&nbsp;''(+29)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+34)'' || style="text-align:left" | No  
|-
 
| Propellants || 35&nbsp;''(+0)'' || 34&nbsp;''(+1)'' || 33&nbsp;''(+2)'' || 32&nbsp;''(+3)'' || 23&nbsp;''(+12)'' || 9&nbsp;''(+26)'' || 1&nbsp;(''+34)'' || N/A || N/A
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
'''Notes''':
 
  
* The first propellant rack contains only a single charge of propellant, so even when bringing a full load of 35 rounds this rack will always be empty as the first round loaded into the gun upon spawn.
+
Keep ammo at around 16&nbsp;''(+19)'' or 11&nbsp;''(+24)''
* It is advised to take 22 rounds into combat if you wish to maximise available shots but remove the propellant charges racked just beside the driver if considering the weak spot that is the lower front plate of the Conqueror.
 
* The propellant portion of the ready rack is comprised of a single charge rack and a seven-charge rack. As these spaces make up the 8 round ready rack ammo count they are considered as a single rack for the purposes of deciding how much ammo to take. However if a player were to take only 7 rounds the single rack to the left of the loader would be empty of a charge.
 
  
 
=== 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.-->
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
+
 
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
 
{{main|L3A1 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|L3A1 (7.62 mm)}}
  
The Conqueror sports two machine guns, one of which is pintle-mounted and may prove itself a deterrent to some close air support. The machine guns may on occasion prove useful for destroying incoming ATGMs, given a bit of luck.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
+
|-
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
+
! colspan="7" | [[L3A1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm L3A1]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | ''Coaxial mount''
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
|-
! colspan="5" | [[L3A1 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm L3A1]]
+
| colspan="4" | 3,750 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
 
|-
 
|-
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
+
! colspan="7" | ''Pintle mount''
 
|-
 
|-
| Coaxial || 3,750 (250) || 500 || N/A || N/A
+
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity (Belt capacity)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Fire rate <br> (shots/minute)
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
|-
 
|-
| Pintle || 3,750 (250) || 500 || -10°/+30° || ±180°
+
| colspan="4" | 3,750 (250) || 500 || -10°/+30° || ±90°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
+
<!--Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).-->
 
 
The Conqueror can be effectively played as a sniper, or a steady breakthrough tank, providing the vehicle's slow reload and weak lower front plate are considered. This heavy tank should not be played in a brawling role. It will easily be flanked and disposed by the side armour plates. Commanders are advised to remain on some of these roles:
 
 
 
'''Sniper Role'''
 
 
 
When used in a sniper role, the Conqueror should utilise extreme ranges with some form of cover available, in case the situation goes awry. Ensure awareness is maintained for light flanking vehicles or enemy sniping vehicles on off-angles that may be able to disable the Conqueror through side armour. Play conservatively, avoiding wasting shots, having to wait for the long reload time, and avoid exposing the hull where possible.
 
 
 
Remember the rangefinder and if possible find locations that cover the hull of the Conqueror.
 
  
'''Breakthrough Role'''
+
The Conqueror performs best at longer ranges as a support tank where it can make the best use of its accurate, high-penetration 120 mm gun as well as its and heavy frontal armour, especially in terrain that allows it to go hull-down.
  
The Conqueror may be utilised in a breakthrough role, although it should be played conservatively with allies and with a level of map awareness at all times. The stabilised gun allows the conqueror to comfortably fire on the move - a rare piece of equipment at the rank - this gives it a distinct advantage over most targets it will face at close range, with the ability to reliably hit targets without waiting for the suspension sway to subside. However, the vehicle's slow reload means that calculated shots are a requirement, and wasting any round may have dire results.
+
===Modules===
 +
As per usual,"Parts" and "FPE" should be the focus first for modifications to increase combat survivability. Everything else is fair game after those two.
  
As usual, keep in mind that the vehicle's sides and lower front plate are particularly vulnerable and exposing either to enemy fire will often result in the Conqueror's destruction. If the advance seems to be failing, or the Conqueror is on risk to be flanked. Remember the good reverse speed, this along smoke cover will grant second chances.
+
It is then recommended to head for the "Additional Ballistic Protection Package" in order to increase the armour of the Conqueror to stand up to more lethal rounds.
  
 
=== 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".'' -->
+
<!--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:'''
  
* APDS round is extremely powerful and accurate
+
* 361 mm close-range penetration with the high-velocity APDS stock ammunition
* HESH ammo may have surprising results, and can prove particularly effective against light or side armour
+
* HESH ammunition with good explosive filler for chemical effect
* The L1A2 cannon is fully two-plane stabilised, allowing it to be fired accurately on the move
+
* Both APDS and HESH ammunition from 120 mm rarely ricochet off tanks
* Coaxial machine gun has ballistic performance similar to the HESH round and may be used for ranging
+
* The gun is fully stabilised, enabling easier reaction shots and hill peaking
* Turret and upper front plate are very sloped and armoured, with few weak points
+
* The coaxial MG can be used as a ranging gun, its bullets land where the HESH shell will approximately hit
* Add-on armour offers more protection in the form of spaced armour to the turret cheeks and upper plate
+
* Turret is well armoured and well shaped to deflect rounds
* Well-spaced crew make the vehicle unlikely to be affected by crew knock-out in a single hit
+
* Extremely sloped and well-armoured upper glacis
* Reasonably good mobility despite weight and huge gun
+
* Can mount add-on armour which offers more protection in the form of spaced armour to the turret cheeks and upper plate
* Optical rangefinder allows for accurate distance measuring
+
* Large volume within tank mean all crew may not be knocked out in one hit
* Reasonable reverse speed allows the Conqueror to peek shots effectively
 
* Conqueror has commander override: a knocked out gunner will not prevent the player from firing
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
* HESH is not reliable against any vehicle with semi-decent armour; requires high skills and knowledge of the enemy
+
* Poor lethality with APDS
* The APDS penetration at angles above 45 degrees is significantly reduced
+
* Unreliable HESH ammunition that is harder to aim due to lower velocity
* Long reload time (19.4 second base) for British standards, although relatively standard for the calibre
+
* Long reload time (14.9s - 19.7s), though appropriate for the calibre
* Only rifle-calibre machine guns
+
* Possesses only 7.62 mm machine guns to handle other threats
* Particularly weak side armour and lower front plate; will be commonly targeted areas
+
* Weak lower glacis plate
* Only 17 mm of protection on the wide engine deck will be targeted by planes
+
* Very weak side hull armour of 51 mm with a minimal 6 mm side skirt
* Top speed is limited at only 34 km/h; it faces really mobile enemies such as the [[Leopard 1 (Family)|Leopard Is]]
+
* Very weak engine deck armour of only 17 mm makes it extremely vulnerable to aircraft cannon fire
* Large cupola can be exploited by APHE ammunition
+
* Top speed is sub-par (33 km/h) with poor acceleration
 +
* Ammunition rack is strewn all over turret
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
<!--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 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></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).-->
  
 
===Development===
 
===Development===
 
In 1944, General Staff started a project called ''A45 Infantry Support Tank'', which started around the same time as the development of the [[Centurion Mk 1|A41 Centurion]] cruiser tank. This project, after the war, was redesignated from a typical "Infantry Tank" and instead focused on a new role of a "Universal Tank" design in the form of the FV 200 series. The "Universal Tank" concept was to design a vehicle that would have a mobility comparable to that of cruiser tanks, but with the armour and firepower of heavy tanks. The FV 200 series designation was adopted and was to serve as a line of vehicles that used the same hull and chassis in different roles like armour recovery vehicles and self-propelled guns. The first tank of this series was to be the FV 201, which would be 55 tons and use the 20-pounder gun.
 
In 1944, General Staff started a project called ''A45 Infantry Support Tank'', which started around the same time as the development of the [[Centurion Mk 1|A41 Centurion]] cruiser tank. This project, after the war, was redesignated from a typical "Infantry Tank" and instead focused on a new role of a "Universal Tank" design in the form of the FV 200 series. The "Universal Tank" concept was to design a vehicle that would have a mobility comparable to that of cruiser tanks, but with the armour and firepower of heavy tanks. The FV 200 series designation was adopted and was to serve as a line of vehicles that used the same hull and chassis in different roles like armour recovery vehicles and self-propelled guns. The first tank of this series was to be the FV 201, which would be 55 tons and use the 20-pounder gun.
  
In 1949, a new requirement for the project called for the use of a 120 mm gun, possibly in response to the reveal of the Soviet [[IS-3]] heavy tank in the Berlin Victory Parade in 1945. This new requirement would delay the initial deadlines for the tank as no gun of that calibre had been developed yet. As a interim development before such a gun could be made, the FV 201 hull was mounted with a turret from the Centurion tank and this created the FV 221 [[Caernarvon]], with Mark I for a 17-pounder armament and a Mark II for a 20-pounder armament. However, the success of the lighter Centurion tank made the Caernarvon unsuitable in a "Main Battle Tank" role. Further development on the Caernarvon, with emphasis on the armour and armament, would develop the '''FV 214 Conqueror''' tanks, some were straight up conversions of Caernarvon Mark IIs. About 185 Conquerors were produced in Mk.1 and Mk.2 variants from 1955 to 1959.
+
In 1949, a new requirement for the project called for the use of a 120 mm gun, possibly in response to the reveal of the Soviet [[IS-3]] heavy tank in the Berlin Victory Parade in 1945. This new requirement would delay the initial deadlines for the tank as no gun of that caliber had been developed yet. As a interim development before such a gun could be made, the FV 201 hull was mounted with a turret from the Centurion tank and this created the ''[[Caernarvon|FV 221 Caernarvon]]'', with ''Mark I'' for a 17-pounder armament and a ''Mark II'' for a 20-pounder armament. However, the success of the lighter Centurion tank made the Caernarvon unsuitable in a "Main Battle Tank" role. Further development on the Caernarvon, with emphasis on the armour and armament, would develop the '''FV 214 Conqueror''' tanks, some were straight up conversions of Caernarvon Mark II's. About 185 Conquerors were produced in Mk.1 and Mk.2 variants from 1955 to 1959.
  
 
===Design===
 
===Design===
 
The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as the "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror", was intended to provide a mobile, long-range anti-tank support for the lighter and more numerous Centurion tanks stationed in Germany. As a response to the heavy [[IS-3]] tank in Soviet service, the tank's armament and armour is taken up and beyond extreme to typical NATO armour development. The armour, with a frontal plate of about seven inches (178 mm), made the tank one of the most protected tanks stationed in West Germany. The abundance of armour made the tank heavy, weighing 64 tons, and this impeded the tank's top speed and made it mechanically unreliable. However, the tank was very mobile in cross-country terrain, seen as equal as the lighter and faster Centurion tank.
 
The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as the "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror", was intended to provide a mobile, long-range anti-tank support for the lighter and more numerous Centurion tanks stationed in Germany. As a response to the heavy [[IS-3]] tank in Soviet service, the tank's armament and armour is taken up and beyond extreme to typical NATO armour development. The armour, with a frontal plate of about seven inches (178 mm), made the tank one of the most protected tanks stationed in West Germany. The abundance of armour made the tank heavy, weighing 64 tons, and this impeded the tank's top speed and made it mechanically unreliable. However, the tank was very mobile in cross-country terrain, seen as equal as the lighter and faster Centurion tank.
  
The gun was the very large 120 mm cannon, the largest calibre tank gun available when it was introduced. The gun was American-developed, the same 120 mm cannon that would arm the [[M103|M103]] heavy tank. The gun uses a two-piece ammunition and the tank allowed for a ammo stowage of 35 rounds. Another notable feature of the Conqueror aside from its large cannon and thick armour was the unique and rotatable commander's cupola. In the cupola was the Conqueror's fire control system and had many features that made it ahead of its time. Being able to be rotated independent from the turret, plus with a coincidence rangefinder, the commander could align the cupola to a target, measure its range, and direct the gunner to the designated target. While the gunner located and engage the target, the commander could go and find a different target to designate and range.
+
The gun was the very large 120 mm cannon, the largest caliber tank gun available when it was introduced. The gun was American-developed, the same 120 mm cannon that would arm the [[M103|M103]] heavy tank. The gun uses a two-piece ammunition and the tank allowed for a ammo stowage of 35 rounds. Another notable feature of the Conqueror aside from its large cannon and thick armour was the unique and rotatable commander's cupola. In the cupola was the Conqueror's fire control system and had many features that made it ahead of its time. Being able to be rotated independent from the turret, plus with a coincidence rangefinder, the commander could align the cupola to a target, measure its range, and direct the gunner to the designated target. While the gunner located and engage the target, the commander could go and find a different target to designate and range.
  
 
===Usage===
 
===Usage===
Line 203: Line 281:
  
 
== 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.''
  
;Images
+
== See also ==
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
+
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
File:ArtImage Conqueror.png
 
File:ArtImage2 Conqueror.png
 
</gallery>
 
 
 
;Skins
 
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_conqueror_mk_2 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 
 
 
;Videos
 
{{Youtube-gallery|gR3JPNt0iPw|'''Heavyweight brits''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 6:21 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|94S5XQwnX2I|'''The Shooting Range #108''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:28 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|JmaDhygkvDg|'''Tank Chats #145 <nowiki>| Conqueror |</nowiki> The Tank Museum''' - ''The Tank Museum''}}
 
  
== See also ==
 
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
 
;Related development
 
 
 
* [[Caernarvon]]
 
* [[Conway]]
 
 
 
;Shared operational history
 
 
 
* [[Centurion Mk 10]]
 
* [[Caernarvon]]
 
 
 
;Analogues of other nations
 
 
 
* [[IS-7]]
 
* [[IS-4M]]
 
* [[T-10M]]/[[T-10A]]
 
* [[M103]]
 
  
 
== 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;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.'' -->
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
+
* ''other literature.''-->
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/850/|[Devblog] Сenturion Mk III and Conqueror Mk II]]
 
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/870|[Devblog] Conqueror Armor Investigation]]
 
  
== References ==
+
* [https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/850/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Сenturion Mk III and Conqueror Mk II]
<references>
+
* [http://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/870 [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Conqueror Armor Investigation]
<ref name="dtic">[https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a474293.pdf Trials against Conqueror tanks with additional ballistic protection - Part 2 The use of large hollow charge warheads.pdf]</ref>
 
</references>
 
  
 
{{Britain heavy tanks}}
 
{{Britain heavy tanks}}

Revision as of 05:57, 9 July 2019

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
uk_conqueror_mk_2.png
Conqueror
AB RB SB
7.7 7.7 7.7
Class:
Research:48 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Conqueror.jpg


The Tank Heavy Gun Conqueror Mk 2 is a rank V British heavy tank with a battle rating of 7.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was released along with the initial British tree line in Update 1.55 "Royal Armour". Meant to defeat the Soviet IS-3, the Conqueror gives the British tree line an emphasis in armour and firepower, with a 120 mm gun able to contest the Rank V competitors.

The Conqueror shares the same hull as the Caernarvon, but features a completely new turret armed with the Ordnance QF 120 mm L1A1 gun.

General info

Survivability and armour

The turret is significantly better armoured than the Centurion turret used by the Caernarvon. In a hull-down position where the weak lower front plate is hidden, it can be a very difficult vehicle to destroy from the front. Unfortunately, the side and rear hull armour is very weak, although it is covered by a lot of spaced armour. Flanking the Conqueror usually results in its swift destruction.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret)
  • Structural steel (Side skirts)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 130 + 20 mm (59°) Front glacis
76 mm (44°) Lower glacis
51 + 6 mm 38 mm Top
20 mm (60°) Bottom
44 mm Front
17 mm Crew hatch
17 mm Rear
Turret 152-313 mm (0-68°) Turret front
89-200 mm (0-78°) Gun mantlet
89-233 mm (1-48°) 50 mm (1-34°) 51 mm
31 mm Square area near gun
17 mm Crew hatches
Armour Front Rear Roof
Cupola 203 mm (0-17°) 70 mm (12-14°) 51 mm
17 mm Crew hatch

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and bogies are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
  • Front of turret vary in armour thickness, from 152 mm to 313 mm, but it is all very sloped due to turret design.
  • The front of the turret roof has an additional armour plate of 31 mm in thickness.

Mobility

The mobility of the Conqueror is fair enough for a 65 ton heavy tank, and is actually comparable to the Centurion.

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armour
weight (tons)
Max speed (km/h)
64.9 1.1 37 (AB)
34 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 1,046 ____
Realistic/Simulator 716 810
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 16.12 __.__
Realistic/Simulator 11.03 12.48

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: L1A2 (120 mm)

The 120 mm gun used by the Conqueror is essentially a version of the American 120 mm Gun M58 used by the M103 heavy tank. Unfortunately, the British version does not have access to the extremely lethal American solid shot AP or HEAT ammunition. The Conqueror is thus forced to choose between the anaemic APDS or unreliable HESH ammunition, while also sharing the same long reload as the American gun.

In general, the APDS is quite accurate at long ranges thanks to its high velocity, and the high penetration usually means it will not have too many problems penetrating most things the Conqueror will encounter. However, the post-penetration effects of APDS tend to be very poor compared to full-bore AP, and it is very rare to one-shot opponents. This problem is further exacerbated by the Conqueror's long reload, which is longer than the time it takes to replace a crewmember if facing a opponent with good crew skills. The HESH round will do a lot of damage if it hits and penetrates, but is easily frustrated by spaced armour and external components like tracks or suspension elements. It also has a relatively low velocity and is harder to use at long ranges.

120 mm L1A2
Capacity Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
Stabilizer
35 -7°/+15° ±180° Two-plane
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Realistic 9.7 __.__ __.__ __.__ __.__
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
19.4 17.13 __.__ __.__
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
Shot L1G APDS 362 361 359 354 339 321
Shell L1TK HESH 152 152 152 152 152 152
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
in m/s
Projectile
Mass in kg
Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent):
Normalization At 30°
from horizontal:
Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
Shot L1G APDS 1493 7.6 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 75° 78° 80°
Shell L1TK HESH 792 16 0.4 0.1 3,100 +0° 73° 77° 80°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the Conqueror Mk.2.
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Recommendations Visual
discrepancy
35 31 (+4) 21 (+14) 16 (+19) 11 (+24) (+29) (+34) No

Keep ammo at around 16 (+19) or 11 (+24)

Machine guns

Main article: L3A1 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm L3A1
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
3,750 (250) 500 N/A N/A
Pintle mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute)
Vertical
guidance
Horizontal
guidance
3,750 (250) 500 -10°/+30° ±90°

Usage in battles

The Conqueror performs best at longer ranges as a support tank where it can make the best use of its accurate, high-penetration 120 mm gun as well as its and heavy frontal armour, especially in terrain that allows it to go hull-down.

Modules

As per usual,"Parts" and "FPE" should be the focus first for modifications to increase combat survivability. Everything else is fair game after those two.

It is then recommended to head for the "Additional Ballistic Protection Package" in order to increase the armour of the Conqueror to stand up to more lethal rounds.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • 361 mm close-range penetration with the high-velocity APDS stock ammunition
  • HESH ammunition with good explosive filler for chemical effect
  • Both APDS and HESH ammunition from 120 mm rarely ricochet off tanks
  • The gun is fully stabilised, enabling easier reaction shots and hill peaking
  • The coaxial MG can be used as a ranging gun, its bullets land where the HESH shell will approximately hit
  • Turret is well armoured and well shaped to deflect rounds
  • Extremely sloped and well-armoured upper glacis
  • Can mount add-on armour which offers more protection in the form of spaced armour to the turret cheeks and upper plate
  • Large volume within tank mean all crew may not be knocked out in one hit

Cons:

  • Poor lethality with APDS
  • Unreliable HESH ammunition that is harder to aim due to lower velocity
  • Long reload time (14.9s - 19.7s), though appropriate for the calibre
  • Possesses only 7.62 mm machine guns to handle other threats
  • Weak lower glacis plate
  • Very weak side hull armour of 51 mm with a minimal 6 mm side skirt
  • Very weak engine deck armour of only 17 mm makes it extremely vulnerable to aircraft cannon fire
  • Top speed is sub-par (33 km/h) with poor acceleration
  • Ammunition rack is strewn all over turret

History

Development

In 1944, General Staff started a project called A45 Infantry Support Tank, which started around the same time as the development of the A41 Centurion cruiser tank. This project, after the war, was redesignated from a typical "Infantry Tank" and instead focused on a new role of a "Universal Tank" design in the form of the FV 200 series. The "Universal Tank" concept was to design a vehicle that would have a mobility comparable to that of cruiser tanks, but with the armour and firepower of heavy tanks. The FV 200 series designation was adopted and was to serve as a line of vehicles that used the same hull and chassis in different roles like armour recovery vehicles and self-propelled guns. The first tank of this series was to be the FV 201, which would be 55 tons and use the 20-pounder gun.

In 1949, a new requirement for the project called for the use of a 120 mm gun, possibly in response to the reveal of the Soviet IS-3 heavy tank in the Berlin Victory Parade in 1945. This new requirement would delay the initial deadlines for the tank as no gun of that caliber had been developed yet. As a interim development before such a gun could be made, the FV 201 hull was mounted with a turret from the Centurion tank and this created the FV 221 Caernarvon, with Mark I for a 17-pounder armament and a Mark II for a 20-pounder armament. However, the success of the lighter Centurion tank made the Caernarvon unsuitable in a "Main Battle Tank" role. Further development on the Caernarvon, with emphasis on the armour and armament, would develop the FV 214 Conqueror tanks, some were straight up conversions of Caernarvon Mark II's. About 185 Conquerors were produced in Mk.1 and Mk.2 variants from 1955 to 1959.

Design

The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as the "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror", was intended to provide a mobile, long-range anti-tank support for the lighter and more numerous Centurion tanks stationed in Germany. As a response to the heavy IS-3 tank in Soviet service, the tank's armament and armour is taken up and beyond extreme to typical NATO armour development. The armour, with a frontal plate of about seven inches (178 mm), made the tank one of the most protected tanks stationed in West Germany. The abundance of armour made the tank heavy, weighing 64 tons, and this impeded the tank's top speed and made it mechanically unreliable. However, the tank was very mobile in cross-country terrain, seen as equal as the lighter and faster Centurion tank.

The gun was the very large 120 mm cannon, the largest caliber tank gun available when it was introduced. The gun was American-developed, the same 120 mm cannon that would arm the M103 heavy tank. The gun uses a two-piece ammunition and the tank allowed for a ammo stowage of 35 rounds. Another notable feature of the Conqueror aside from its large cannon and thick armour was the unique and rotatable commander's cupola. In the cupola was the Conqueror's fire control system and had many features that made it ahead of its time. Being able to be rotated independent from the turret, plus with a coincidence rangefinder, the commander could align the cupola to a target, measure its range, and direct the gunner to the designated target. While the gunner located and engage the target, the commander could go and find a different target to designate and range.

Usage

The Conqueror were all stationed in West German in the armoured regiments stationed there. Each regiment received 9 Conquerors and were organized in groups of three as tank troops to support the Centurions in any conflict that arise from the tense situation of the Cold War. As history played out, the Cold War never became "hot" and no hostile conflicts arise in the borders of Germany, thus the Conquerors never saw any use aside from training as they were all exclusively stationed on the German borders. The Conqueror's intention to provide a long-range anti-tank capability for the Centurions, became less significant when the Centurions began to arm themselves with the more powerful 105 mm L7 gun, such as the Centurion Mk 10. The lower tactical value of the Conqueror and further development on heavy tanks in Britain had the Conquerors replaced in 1966 with the much more powerful and armoured, yet lighter, FV 4201 Chieftain tank.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

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

External links


Britain heavy tanks
Matilda  Matilda III · Matilda Hedgehog
Churchill  Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile · Churchill NA75 · Black Prince
Post-war  Caernarvon · Conqueror
Other  Independent · Excelsior · TOG II