Type 63

Type 63

␗M18 GMC

Type 62

Type 63

␗M18 GMC

Type 62

China

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
6.3	6.3	6.3

Class:

Light tank

Research:63 000

Purchase:200 000

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Description

The Type 63 is a rank IV Chinese light tank with a battle rating of 6.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.91 "Night Vision". While very similar to the PT-76 , the Type 63-I is updated with the same turret seen on the Type 62 and with an upgraded engine.

General info

Survivability and armour

The Type 63-I's armour is very light for its rank and should not be relied upon against any serious anti-tank fire. Even heavy-machinegun fire and autocannons pose a serious threat to this vehicle. Your best chance of survival is to play hide n' seek with your enemies, only to poke out when shooting.

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	72	9	18.4	620	763	33.7	41.47
Realistic	65	9		354	400	19.24	21.74

The Type 63 sees a decent improvement in mobility compared to the preceding PT-76, thus making this tank more attractive for flanking, or early game rushing. The Type 63 is also good for hillclimbing and can reach some nifty positions on some maps.

Armaments

Additional armament

Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.

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.

Usage in battles

The Type 63-I is best used in a way that avoids direct exposure to enemy fire and gives you time to set up shots and ambushes. Flanking is definitely a recommended method as this gives you the time you desperately need due to slow turret rotation and reload. Flanking also gives you chances to shoot at enemy side-armour, which is the only way to penetrate heavier enemies if you use the conventional shells.

Another method requires the HEAT-FS shells, and that method involves hiding far away from the enemies and engaging in long-range sniper operations. The HEAT-FS does not lose accuracy nor penetration at the range, giving you the full 300 mm penetration on each hit. A tactic involving shooting and relocating is advisable due to the fact that if an enemy manages to be within range of you, they will only need one shot to take you out.

If facing head-on with an enemy tank, a good option is to first knock out the gunner or to disable the main weapon of the enemy. This allows for time to either retreat, flank or to carefully select your next shot. Note that if you use the HEAT-FS you will be able to penetrate even the front plate of most heavy tanks if they are not angled.

This tank is also well used as a support/scout tank.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Same 85 mm gun as the Type 62, more powerful and less frustrating to use than that of the preceding PT-76
• Has access to 300 mm penetration HEAT-FS, excellent for the battle rating
• 4 crew members
• Improved mobility from the PT-76
• Can scout and assist with repairs

Cons:

• No stabilizer, firing on the move or on the water is difficult
• Very thin armour, turret armour is even worse than the PT-76
• Slow turret traverse and elevation/depression speeds
• Slow reload
• No night vision devices
• May be confused for the PT-76 at a glance

History

The Soviet Union delivered PT-76 tanks to the People's Republic of China in the 1950s. Their lightweight and amphibious capability were appreciated by the PLA, and in 1958 an order was placed for the development of an indigenous vehicle in the same vein. While resembling the PT-76, the Type 63 tanks featured notable differences, such as a new engine, a relocated driver's station, and a new turret with an 85 mm gun. Overall dimensions were slightly enlarged for extra flotation.

The improved Type 63-I variant boasted a more powerful engine. Additional upgrades were developed over the years, and in the late 1990s, the ultimate Type 63A variant entered service, featuring a new turret, a 105 mm gun, and modern fire control systems.

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

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on the tank;
• other literature.