Difference between revisions of "PT-76B"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to 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 the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to 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 the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
[[File:GarageImage_PT-76B.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 +
{{break}}
 +
The '''PT-76B''' is a Rank IV Soviet light tank with a battle rating of 5.3. It is the first amphibious tank to be implemented in the game in [[Update 1.53 "Fire Storm"]] (although the amphibious feature was not implemented until [[Update 1.55 "Royal Armour"|1.55 "Royal Armour"]]). The PT-76B, as a light tank, has paper-thin armour, but has a powerful main gun that can engage most tanks at its battle rating.
  
 
== 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 helpfull 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 helpfull 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.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 10 mm (80°) ''Top'' <br/> 13 mm (44°) ''Bottom'' || 13 mm ''Top'' <br/> 10 mm ''Bottom'' || 6 mm (1°) ''Top'' <br> 6 mm (46°) ''Bottom'' || 6 mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 15 mm (32-35°) ''Turret front'' <br> 15 mm (19-32°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 15 mm (35°) || 15 mm (34-35°) || 6 mm
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Sides !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || 10 mm || 6 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
* Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
 +
 
 +
Pretty much every enemy tank in the game will be able to destroy the PT-76B with relative ease due to the ultra-thin armour of the tank. Especially avoid tanks with access to heavy machine guns on their turrets such as most American tanks, the [[IS-2 mod. 1944|IS-2 1944]], etc.
 +
 
 +
Also, keep well clear of enemy SPAA. 12.7mm guns and above will absolutely wreck this tank. In particular, the Wirbelwind is a big threat. It has good penetration at range and will literally saturate the vehicle with autocannon shells. Just a short burst from the quad 20mm guns will finish the PT-76 off.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 14.0 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 49 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|44 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|372
 +
|458
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|212
 +
|240
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|26.57
 +
|32.71
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|15.14
 +
|17.14
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== 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 flexibilty 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 flexibilty 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|D-56-TS (76 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[D-56-TS (76 mm)|76 mm D-56-TS]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 +
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="3" | 40 || -4°/+31° || ±180° || Two-plane
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! 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.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 11.9 || 16.5 || __._ || __._ || __._
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 11.9 || 14.0 || __._ || __._ || __._0
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! 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.
 +
|-
 +
| 11.1 || __._ || __._ || __._
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
===== Ammunition =====
−
''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 how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
{| 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
 +
|-
 +
| BR-354N || APCR || 147 || 146 || 127 || 110 || 93 || 76
 +
|- 
 +
| 53-BR-354 || APHE || 110 || 106 || 100 || 85 || 75 || 67
 +
|-
 +
| OF-350M ||  HE || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9 || 9
 +
|-
 +
| BK-354M || HEATFS || 200 || 200 || 200 || 200 || 200 || 200
 +
|- 
 +
|}
 +
{| 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%
 +
|-
 +
| BR-354N || APCR || 950 || 3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 +
|- 
 +
| 53-BR-354 || APHE || 665 || 6.3 || 1.2 || 20 || 54.4 || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| OF-350M || HE || 680 || 6.2 || 0.05 || 0.1 || 621 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-
 +
| BK-354M || HEATFS || 700 || 7 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 1,260 || +0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
 +
|- 
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks PT-76B.png|right|thumbnail|x250px|[[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] of the PT-76B.]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
|| '''40''' || 15&nbsp;''(+25)'' || 3&nbsp;''(+37)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+39)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== 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.''
+
<!--''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|SGMT (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | [[SGMT (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm SGMT]]
 +
|-
 +
! 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="4" | 1,000 (250) || 600 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the 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 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 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).''-->
 +
As the PT-76 doesn't have much armour, avoid directly confronting enemy tanks. In order to defeat heavy/medium tanks, watch them and fire when they are not aiming or focusing on the PT-76. Use the light tank's maneuverability and fire rate to deliver pin-point hits onto the enemy's flanks, then retreating before they can get a fix on the firing location. The PT-76 is also helpful in scouting enemy positions for its allies so they could bring in more firepower. The PT-76B does not have the armour nor the crew to take on enemies, so try to remain stealthy. It is great as a scout tank in [[Simulator Battles]].
 +
 
 +
While the PT-76 has amphibious capabilities, it is not necessary use them all the time. Keep in mind that the PT-76 can only go about 10 km/h in the water, so utilize the ability to travel on land as well. Instead, use the water to make an escape or take a shortcut. As an example, drive into the water if an enemy has spotted the PT-76 and take cover behind an off-shore rock. Driving through a river to flank the enemy is also possible if a bridge is not nearby. Take caution that reversing in the water in slow if not nonexistent, which may get the PT-76 stuck if driven into an obstacle. Also make sure to check the map, as some maps like ''Eastern Europe'' have rivers with no way to get back onto land, or at least not many. Otherwise, avoid directly confronting an enemy. Instead, take cover and scout. Another good tactic to use is watching the enemy- Find a spot where they can't engage and watch them. Wait for the right moment- when the enemy is reloading, aiming somewhere else, not noticing the PT-76, is attacking an ally, etc- quickly check to make sure no other enemy can target the PT-76 when it exposes itself to attack the enemy! Try to snipe at the enemy, But make sure to avoid '''all''' enemy fire as all tanks can penetrate the PT-76's armour. (Even the [[4M GAZ-AAA]] technically has enough penetration to get through the tank's rear armour!) The amphibious capabilities are a huge helper to the vehicle, allowing it to reach unusual sniper areas that vehicles without said capabilities could not reach (e.g. hiding behind the rocks near the jetty on Normandy). The incredible stabiliser also allows the PT-76 to simply sit in the water and blast away at enemies without them even realizing where you are. Make sure to relocate after killing enemies or being spotted, however, as they will know your location, and likely broadcast it to other players, most often resulting in your ship being sunk. The HEAT-FS shell is powerful in terms of penetration, but the post-penetration damage is lacking compared to other Soviet shells. Not to say that the BK-350M is weak (It's actually quite amazing for a HEAT shell), but often, 2 or more shots will be needed to destroy an enemy, particularly the more spacey vehicles like the Tiger 1 and Panther. It would be wise, therefore, to look up crew and module locations on enemy vehicles so that you know how to disable them.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
*Access to HEAT-FS shells with excellent penetration at 5.3.
−
 
+
*Great maneuverability.
 +
*Has a two-plane [[Gun Stabilizer|gun stabilizer]] (the only non-Rank V USSR tank with it!).
 +
*Stabilizer works while shooting on water.
 +
*Is amphibious.
 +
*Excellent [[Scouting|scout tank]] to spot targets for allies.
 +
*Low profile.
 +
*Fast turret rotation.
 +
*Lack of turret rotational inertia.
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
*Very thin armour all-around, even heavy machine guns can pen through the front.
 +
*Stock round is APCR, requires aiming of weak points until better rounds are unlocked.
 +
*Inadequate reload speed.
 +
*Efficiency will be greatly reduced with a loss crew member.
 +
*Shooting from water will shake the whole vehicle, but not the aim.
 +
*Performs rather poorly in AB due to inability to hide nametag.
 +
*Prone to [[hull break]].
 +
*Driving on water is quite slow, forwards at 10 km/h and reverse at -7 km/h.
 +
*Relatively slow reverse rate on land and on water.
 +
*Vulnerable to aircraft strafes.
  
 
== 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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
The purpose of light tanks fell into disuse in the course of World War II. The light tanks of every nation found themselves to be too lightly armoured and under-gunned to be of any use in the battlefield. Their mobility, which they once held with utility, was overtaken by the advancing mechanics of tanks that allow the heavier tanks to reach speed and mobility that light tanks used to monopolize. The utility of light tanks fell to specialized roles, mostly as a reconnaissance vehicle. The Soviet Union developed a light-weight vehicle for this role, with an additional requirement that the vehicle also be amphibious in operation. The amphibious operation would grant the tank a greater degree of movement over different terrain.
 +
 
 +
Prototypes of the tank started in late 1940s, one was ''Object 740'' developed by N. Shashmurin at the VNII-100 research institute of the Chelyabinsk Tank Factory in Leningrad. The vehicle was more successful than the others for using a simple design and good cross-country travel. The amphibious operation, the water-jet propulsion, was considered a breakthrough at the time. Prototype of this vehicle began to be built in 1950 at the Kirov Plant, and adopted in August 6, 1951 after trials. This vehicle became designated as the ''PT-76'' and production began at the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. An upgrade was made in 1957 that replaced the initial D-56T gun with a D-56TM with a muzzle brake and fume extractor, as well as new observations and radios for the expense of a taller profile. Another upgrade in 1959 was made that added the D-56TS gun with stabilization and NBC protecton capabilities on the '''PT-76B'''. Production lasted from 1951 to 1969 for a total of about 12,000 PT-76 built.
 +
 
 +
===Combat usage===
 +
The PT-76 saw use in Soviet Union, who used it as their standard reconnaissance tank and in naval operations. The PT-76 stayed stationed at various of bases during the Cold War, but did not see much combat with the Soviet Union, staying until it was replaced by the infantry fighting vehicle BMP-1. Despite its replacement, the PT-76 stayed in reconnaissance companies and battalions and in the naval infantry units, as well as having a much better gun than the BMP-1. The PT-76 may still be in Russian service today in reserves as some have been reported to been used during the war in Chechnya. The PT-76 also served in a various of specialized roles such as an anti-aircraft mount.
 +
 
 +
The PT-76 was exported in large numbers to up to 25 different countries allied with the Soviet Union. Of these, Vietnam has the best combat record due to the Vietnam War, the PT-76 was a large part of the North Vietnamese Army's armoured force during the conflict. The PT-76 first successful action in Vietnam was in the Battle of Lang Vei in February 1968, where 13 PT-76s of the NVA 202nd Armoured Regiment fought against up to 500 defenders of the camp. The PT-76s were able to overrun the camp despite the defender's use of M40 recoilless rifles and M72 rocket launchers, which accounted for three PT-76 kills. Another combat engagement was in the Battle of Ben Het when the NVA 202nd Armoured Regiment was ordered to attack the base there. The PT-76 detonated a mine on the border of the camp, alerting to their presence. Several M48 Pattons of the 1/69th armour battalion was sent to engage the tanks, but one got hit by a PT-76 round and had two crewmen killed. By dawn after sporadic firefights between the Pattons and NVA tanks, the scene revealed two knocked out PT-76s and a BTR-50 APC. It was in 1972 where the PT-76 served as the test bed of an important American weapons development. Two helicopters in May 9 were scouring the country side for enemy targets for its new armaments, it was at this time that the NVA attacked a camp at Ben Het. The helicopters responded, firing the experimental XM26 launchers at PT-76s and accounted for three PT-76 destroyed. This was the first combat usage of what would be the TOW anti-tank missile.
 +
 
 +
Aside from Vietnam, the PT-76 also served in the Indian forces during the Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War on both sides, the Angolan Civil War in Cuban and MPLA service, in the Iran-Iraq War in Iraqi service, and the Yugoslav wars.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 42: Line 253:
  
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
[https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/843/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> PT-76 - with developer's answers]<br/>
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
−
''ETC.''
 
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 51: Line 259:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{USSR light tanks}}

Revision as of 22:35, 14 November 2018

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
PT-76B
ussr_pt_76b.png
PT-76B
USSR flag.png USSR
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.0 5.3 5.3
Class:
Research:40 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:135 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage PT-76B.jpg


The PT-76B is a Rank IV Soviet light tank with a battle rating of 5.3. It is the first amphibious tank to be implemented in the game in Update 1.53 "Fire Storm" (although the amphibious feature was not implemented until 1.55 "Royal Armour"). The PT-76B, as a light tank, has paper-thin armour, but has a powerful main gun that can engage most tanks at its battle rating.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Gun mantlet)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 10 mm (80°) Top
13 mm (44°) Bottom 		13 mm Top
10 mm Bottom 		6 mm (1°) Top
6 mm (46°) Bottom 		6 mm
Turret 15 mm (32-35°) Turret front
15 mm (19-32°) Gun mantlet 		15 mm (35°) 15 mm (34-35°) 6 mm
Armour Sides Roof
Cupola 10 mm 6 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 10 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.

Pretty much every enemy tank in the game will be able to destroy the PT-76B with relative ease due to the ultra-thin armour of the tank. Especially avoid tanks with access to heavy machine guns on their turrets such as most American tanks, the IS-2 1944, etc.

Also, keep well clear of enemy SPAA. 12.7mm guns and above will absolutely wreck this tank. In particular, the Wirbelwind is a big threat. It has good penetration at range and will literally saturate the vehicle with autocannon shells. Just a short burst from the quad 20mm guns will finish the PT-76 off.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
14.0 N/A 49 (AB)
44 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 372 458
Realistic/Simulator 212 240
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 26.57 32.71
Realistic/Simulator 15.14 17.14

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: D-56-TS (76 mm)
76 mm D-56-TS
Capacity Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance 		Stabilizer
40 -4°/+31° ±180° Two-plane
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade 11.9 16.5 __._ __._ __._
Realistic 11.9 14.0 __._ __._ __._0
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert qualif. Prior + Ace qualif.
11.1 __._ __._ __._
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
BR-354N APCR 147 146 127 110 93 76
53-BR-354 APHE 110 106 100 85 75 67
OF-350M HE 9 9 9 9 9 9
BK-354M HEATFS 200 200 200 200 200 200
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%
BR-354N APCR 950 3 N/A N/A N/A +1.5° 66° 70° 72°
53-BR-354 APHE 665 6.3 1.2 20 54.4 -1° 47° 60° 65°
OF-350M HE 680 6.2 0.05 0.1 621 +0° 79° 80° 81°
BK-354M HEATFS 700 7 0.0 0.1 1,260 +0° 65° 72° 75°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the PT-76B.
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
40 15 (+25) 3 (+37) 1 (+39) Yes

Machine guns

Main article: SGMT (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm SGMT
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity) Fire rate
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
1,000 (250) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in the battles

As the PT-76 doesn't have much armour, avoid directly confronting enemy tanks. In order to defeat heavy/medium tanks, watch them and fire when they are not aiming or focusing on the PT-76. Use the light tank's maneuverability and fire rate to deliver pin-point hits onto the enemy's flanks, then retreating before they can get a fix on the firing location. The PT-76 is also helpful in scouting enemy positions for its allies so they could bring in more firepower. The PT-76B does not have the armour nor the crew to take on enemies, so try to remain stealthy. It is great as a scout tank in Simulator Battles.

While the PT-76 has amphibious capabilities, it is not necessary use them all the time. Keep in mind that the PT-76 can only go about 10 km/h in the water, so utilize the ability to travel on land as well. Instead, use the water to make an escape or take a shortcut. As an example, drive into the water if an enemy has spotted the PT-76 and take cover behind an off-shore rock. Driving through a river to flank the enemy is also possible if a bridge is not nearby. Take caution that reversing in the water in slow if not nonexistent, which may get the PT-76 stuck if driven into an obstacle. Also make sure to check the map, as some maps like Eastern Europe have rivers with no way to get back onto land, or at least not many. Otherwise, avoid directly confronting an enemy. Instead, take cover and scout. Another good tactic to use is watching the enemy- Find a spot where they can't engage and watch them. Wait for the right moment- when the enemy is reloading, aiming somewhere else, not noticing the PT-76, is attacking an ally, etc- quickly check to make sure no other enemy can target the PT-76 when it exposes itself to attack the enemy! Try to snipe at the enemy, But make sure to avoid all enemy fire as all tanks can penetrate the PT-76's armour. (Even the 4M GAZ-AAA technically has enough penetration to get through the tank's rear armour!) The amphibious capabilities are a huge helper to the vehicle, allowing it to reach unusual sniper areas that vehicles without said capabilities could not reach (e.g. hiding behind the rocks near the jetty on Normandy). The incredible stabiliser also allows the PT-76 to simply sit in the water and blast away at enemies without them even realizing where you are. Make sure to relocate after killing enemies or being spotted, however, as they will know your location, and likely broadcast it to other players, most often resulting in your ship being sunk. The HEAT-FS shell is powerful in terms of penetration, but the post-penetration damage is lacking compared to other Soviet shells. Not to say that the BK-350M is weak (It's actually quite amazing for a HEAT shell), but often, 2 or more shots will be needed to destroy an enemy, particularly the more spacey vehicles like the Tiger 1 and Panther. It would be wise, therefore, to look up crew and module locations on enemy vehicles so that you know how to disable them.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Access to HEAT-FS shells with excellent penetration at 5.3.
  • Great maneuverability.
  • Has a two-plane gun stabilizer (the only non-Rank V USSR tank with it!).
  • Stabilizer works while shooting on water.
  • Is amphibious.
  • Excellent scout tank to spot targets for allies.
  • Low profile.
  • Fast turret rotation.
  • Lack of turret rotational inertia.

Cons:

  • Very thin armour all-around, even heavy machine guns can pen through the front.
  • Stock round is APCR, requires aiming of weak points until better rounds are unlocked.
  • Inadequate reload speed.
  • Efficiency will be greatly reduced with a loss crew member.
  • Shooting from water will shake the whole vehicle, but not the aim.
  • Performs rather poorly in AB due to inability to hide nametag.
  • Prone to hull break.
  • Driving on water is quite slow, forwards at 10 km/h and reverse at -7 km/h.
  • Relatively slow reverse rate on land and on water.
  • Vulnerable to aircraft strafes.

History

Development

The purpose of light tanks fell into disuse in the course of World War II. The light tanks of every nation found themselves to be too lightly armoured and under-gunned to be of any use in the battlefield. Their mobility, which they once held with utility, was overtaken by the advancing mechanics of tanks that allow the heavier tanks to reach speed and mobility that light tanks used to monopolize. The utility of light tanks fell to specialized roles, mostly as a reconnaissance vehicle. The Soviet Union developed a light-weight vehicle for this role, with an additional requirement that the vehicle also be amphibious in operation. The amphibious operation would grant the tank a greater degree of movement over different terrain.

Prototypes of the tank started in late 1940s, one was Object 740 developed by N. Shashmurin at the VNII-100 research institute of the Chelyabinsk Tank Factory in Leningrad. The vehicle was more successful than the others for using a simple design and good cross-country travel. The amphibious operation, the water-jet propulsion, was considered a breakthrough at the time. Prototype of this vehicle began to be built in 1950 at the Kirov Plant, and adopted in August 6, 1951 after trials. This vehicle became designated as the PT-76 and production began at the Stalingrad Tractor Factory. An upgrade was made in 1957 that replaced the initial D-56T gun with a D-56TM with a muzzle brake and fume extractor, as well as new observations and radios for the expense of a taller profile. Another upgrade in 1959 was made that added the D-56TS gun with stabilization and NBC protecton capabilities on the PT-76B. Production lasted from 1951 to 1969 for a total of about 12,000 PT-76 built.

Combat usage

The PT-76 saw use in Soviet Union, who used it as their standard reconnaissance tank and in naval operations. The PT-76 stayed stationed at various of bases during the Cold War, but did not see much combat with the Soviet Union, staying until it was replaced by the infantry fighting vehicle BMP-1. Despite its replacement, the PT-76 stayed in reconnaissance companies and battalions and in the naval infantry units, as well as having a much better gun than the BMP-1. The PT-76 may still be in Russian service today in reserves as some have been reported to been used during the war in Chechnya. The PT-76 also served in a various of specialized roles such as an anti-aircraft mount.

The PT-76 was exported in large numbers to up to 25 different countries allied with the Soviet Union. Of these, Vietnam has the best combat record due to the Vietnam War, the PT-76 was a large part of the North Vietnamese Army's armoured force during the conflict. The PT-76 first successful action in Vietnam was in the Battle of Lang Vei in February 1968, where 13 PT-76s of the NVA 202nd Armoured Regiment fought against up to 500 defenders of the camp. The PT-76s were able to overrun the camp despite the defender's use of M40 recoilless rifles and M72 rocket launchers, which accounted for three PT-76 kills. Another combat engagement was in the Battle of Ben Het when the NVA 202nd Armoured Regiment was ordered to attack the base there. The PT-76 detonated a mine on the border of the camp, alerting to their presence. Several M48 Pattons of the 1/69th armour battalion was sent to engage the tanks, but one got hit by a PT-76 round and had two crewmen killed. By dawn after sporadic firefights between the Pattons and NVA tanks, the scene revealed two knocked out PT-76s and a BTR-50 APC. It was in 1972 where the PT-76 served as the test bed of an important American weapons development. Two helicopters in May 9 were scouring the country side for enemy targets for its new armaments, it was at this time that the NVA attacked a camp at Ben Het. The helicopters responded, firing the experimental XM26 launchers at PT-76s and accounted for three PT-76 destroyed. This was the first combat usage of what would be the TOW anti-tank missile.

Aside from Vietnam, the PT-76 also served in the Indian forces during the Indo-Pakistani Wars, the Six Day War and Yom Kippur War on both sides, the Angolan Civil War in Cuban and MPLA service, in the Iran-Iraq War in Iraqi service, and the Yugoslav wars.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

[Devblog] PT-76 - with developer's answers

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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


USSR light tanks
T-26  T-26 · T-26 (1st Gv.T.Br.) · T-26-4 · T-26E
BT  BT-5 · RBT-5 · BT-7 · BT-7 TD · BT-7M · BT-7A (F-32)
T-50  T-126 · T-50
T-70  T-70 · T-80
PT-76  PT-76B · PT-76-57 · Object 906
BMP  BMP-1 · BMP-2 · BMP-2M · BMP-3
BMD  BMD-4
2S25  2S25 · 2S25M
Wheeled  BA-11 · BTR-80A
Other  T-60 · Object 685 · 2S38
China  ▂Type 62

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