Difference between revisions of "Panzer IV/70(V)"

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m (Changes to armor information and additionally classified the M36 as an enemy worth noting, primarily due to the 90 mm M3.)
 
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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_pz_IV_L70}}
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{{About
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| about = German tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = the other version
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| link = Panzer IV/70(A)
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=germ_pz_IV_L70
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_Panzer_IV-70(V).jpg|ArtImage_Panzer_IV-70(V).png|ArtImage2_Panzer_IV-70(V).png}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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''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.''
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<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
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The '''Panzer IV/70(V)''' ([[Abbreviations#.28DE.29 Sd.Kfz. Index|Sd.Kfz. Index:]] '''Sd.Kfz. 162/1''') is the third variant of the Panzer IV medium tank-based tank destroyer family. The initial (V) represents the designer, Vomag. Approximately 930 to 940 units of this variant were built between August 1944 and April 1945, making it the most produced variant. The Panzer IV/70(V) was a formidable opponent, armed with the powerful, long-range 75 mm Panzerjägerkanone 42 L/70 tank gun that could outrange most opposing Allied tank guns.
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Introduced in the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41, the Panzer IV/70(V) offers much better protection than its rival design, the [[Panzer IV/70(A)]]. However, it should only be used in defensive roles. Even with the 42 L/70 tank gun and 75 mm Panzerjägerkanone mounted on it, it was still a casemate tank destroyer. Maintain a safe distance from the adversary and utilize its powerful penetration and muzzle velocity to take out targets at a distance. Avoid direct engagements and let the other players take care of the fighting so the player can decide when and how to engage.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
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''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?''
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
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 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, casemate)
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* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, shrapnel shield)
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 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
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|-
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| Hull || 80 mm (47°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 50 mm (55°) ''Lower glacis'' || 30 mm ''Bottom'' <br> 30 mm + 5 mm (29°) ''Engine deck skirts'' || 22 mm (5°) || 20 mm (6°) ''Front'' <br> 20 mm (2°) ''Engine compartment''
 +
|-
 +
|Superstructure || 80 mm (50°) ''Turret Front''<br> 75 mm (conical) ''Shrapnel shield'' <br> 75 mm (spherical) ''Gun mantlet'' || 40 mm (29°) || 30 mm (31°) || 20 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
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'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick, and torsion bars are 15 mm thick.
 +
* Mudguards are 4 mm thick.
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* Tracks (20 mm thick) are used as add-on armour on the casemate.
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 +
Befitting of the German casemate destroyer line, the frontal armour on the {{PAGENAME}} is one to be feared. It features a mighty frontal plate of 80 mm sloped at 50° compared to the Panther's 55º. This results in a slight reduction of useful armor, and is especially prominent against certain shells fired by the Soviet 85 mm gun that can be commonly found at this BR. The gun mantlet is also very well protected due to its volumetric armor. However, the bottom of the mantlet creates a shot trap that may destroy your vehicle. The armour is improved even further when the player unlocks the "Add-on Armour" modification, applying tracks to the front and sides of the tank, and results in over 185 mm of protection in the critical region where 3 of 4 crew members sit in a row, which helps significantly against BR-365 fired by the Soviet 85 mm gun.. Even with this amazing armour, it is best to use the {{PAGENAME}} at longer ranges, as this allows you to make use of the Panzer IV/70's high velocity gun and turns you from a difficult target to a nigh impenetrable one.
  
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''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
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However, the side armour is very weak and is able to be penetrated by most things at your BR, so the player should be careful and look out for flankers. It should also be noted that in an uptier, it is common to face the American 90 mm or Soviet 122 mm guns, which will make short work of the vehicle frontally.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
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<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
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{{tankMobility|abMinHp=426|rbMinHp=265|AoAweight=0.4}}
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Being based on the chassis of the Panzer IV, the all-round mobility is very solid. The tank is able to reach 43 km/h (27 mph) and hold itself there over most terrains and has very good hull traverse, allowing for quick turns. However the reverse speed is only 7.5 km/h. Not being able to reverse fast enough will sometimes put the player in a very dangerous situation.
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 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
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{{Specs-Economy}}
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== Armaments ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
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=== Main armament ===
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
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<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
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{{main|PaK42 (75 mm)}}
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The Panzer IV/70(V) bears the 75 mm PaK42 cannon with a rate of fire below average. With the maximum penetration of 192 mm for the stock AP, this gun can frontally penetrate most opponents it will face. With its explosive filler, it can one shot almost all tanks upon penetration. The 935 m/s muzzle velocity allows easy targeting when aiming at moving targets. The gun traverse is average, but the depression of 7 degrees is very good given its small profile, allowing it to go into hull-down position at some place. The gun also comes with a researchable APCR round which has a maximum penetration of a whopping 228 mm, and great velocity of over 1,100 m/s. Note that just like every other APCR shot, it is not good at piercing sloped armour, and its damage is inadequate to take out the opponent with a single shot.
  
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== Weaponry ==
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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=== Main weaponry ===
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|-
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''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the 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.''
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! colspan="5" | [[PaK42 (75 mm)|75 mm PaK42]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
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|-
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! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
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! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
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|-
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! ''Arcade''
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| rowspan="2" | 55 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+15° || rowspan="2" | ±12° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 7.04 || 9.75 || 11.84 || 13.09 || 13.93 || rowspan="2" | 9.62 || rowspan="2" | 8.51 || rowspan="2" | 7.84 || rowspan="2" | 7.40
 +
|-
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! ''Realistic''
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| 4.76 || 5.60 || 6.80 || 7.52 || 8.00
 +
|-
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|}
  
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=== Additional weaponry ===
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==== Ammunition ====
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''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.''
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{{:KwK42 (75 mm)/Ammunition|PzGr 39/42, Sprgr. 42, PzGr 40/42}}
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 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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[[File:Ammoracks_Panzer_IV-70(V).png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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<!-- '''Last updated: 2.23.0.42''' -->
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|-
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! Full<br>ammo
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! 1st<br>rack empty
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! 2nd<br>rack empty
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! 3rd<br>rack empty
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! 4th<br>rack empty
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! 5th<br>rack empty
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! 6th<br>rack empty
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! 7th<br>rack empty
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! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
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| '''55''' || 46&nbsp;''(+9)'' || 36&nbsp;''(+19)'' || 26 ''(+29)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+39)'' || 8&nbsp;''(+47)'' || 4&nbsp;''(+51)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+54)'' || No
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|-
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|}
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'''Notes''':
 +
 
 +
* Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
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* Packing 16&nbsp;''(+39)'' shells will keep the sides of the casemate empty.
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
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''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.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
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<!-- ''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.'' -->
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{{main|MG42 (7.92 mm)}}
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The tank has a MG42 bow machine gun with a high fire rate. It is able to quickly finish off the exposed crews of some vehicles. However, its traverse angles are very limited meaning a lot of the time the whole tank has to be moved to get the MG on target. Also the maximum penetration of 13 mm makes it useless against those not-so-lightly-armoured vehicles, like the [[BTR-152A]], the [[M18 GMC]], etc.
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 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[MG42 (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm MG42]]
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|-
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
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|-
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| Hull || 600 (150) || 1,200 || -6°/+15° || ±5°
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|-
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|}
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== 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).'' -->This vehicle is very much a defensive weapon that should only be on the offensive if the situation is desperate. The gun is powerful at this rank. In terms of penetration and muzzle velocity, it will make short work of all but the toughest tanks. When taking fire, however, the Pz IV/70(V)'s protection is inconsistent at best. Shots that strike the sloped upper superstructure are likely to bounce, but anywhere else and the shell will almost certainly penetrate at closer ranges. It is best to avoid confrontation if possible and let the other members of the team take the damage to allow the player to pick and choose the engagement. Ideally, the enemy won't have a chance to return fire. Allow room between the Panzer IV/70(V) and the enemy, and avoid traversing high-traffic areas; instead, keep an eye on them from a distance and let the enemy come towards the Panzer IV/70(V).
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 +
Urban areas should be avoided if possible. Entering such an area is an invitation for the enemy to flank, and the closeness of the engagements negates the main advantage of this tank: the gun. Engaging the enemy at close range doesn't utilize the L/70's excellent penetration at range.
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 +
=== Arcade battles ===
 +
In Arcade battles, with the shot indicator showing the player where shots will land, the high-velocity L/70 can accurately hit targets at long ranges, and targets on the move as the shells arrive quickly at the target. The penetration indicator, which changes colour based on the chance of successful penetration, is a problem for the IV/70 (V). It highlights the weak areas of the tank to enemy players, making the weak spots obvious.
 +
 
 +
Arcade tends to be faster-paced than Realistic and Simulator, so the lack of a turret may be a large detriment as being flanked is quite common in this mode.
 +
 
 +
=== Realistic/Simulator battles ===
 +
With a lack of markers above tanks and larger combat zones, Realistic and Simulator suit this vehicle well. Taking up a concealed firing position and engaging enemies from a distance is what this tank excels at. Be mindful of flanking attacks though, if consideration of exposed flanks and careful checking of these areas is not performed, it will likely be too late to respond to an enemy on a flank or behind. Keeping with the 'anti-tank gun with treads' analogy, zooming across the map and looking for enemies is not how this tank should be played. Let the enemy do the work because this tank is very poorly suited to assaulting. Usage of the binoculars is highly advised as they allow a zoomed-in 360-degree view without having to move the vehicle.
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 +
At the start of the match, the Panzer IV/70(V) is best used as a sniper for most of the times. The player can adapt their tactics from the StuG IIIs and the Jgdpz. 38t. A good way to get kills is to find a spot that:
 +
 
 +
* provides hard cover
 +
* overlooks a key street / passage way
 +
* has bushes to hide in
 +
* is not too close to the frontline
 +
 
 +
This way the player can use the bushes to hide the Pz IV/70. If any opponent appears in the sight, the player can kill it easily with the great penetration, velocity and damage of the main cannon. If the enemy notices the player, either go back in cover until they are distracted, or utilize the sturdy frontal armour and be a "heavy tank". It can bounce quite some shells, given that the enemy's guns aren't strong enough.
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 +
As the match progresses, the player can use the Pz IV/70 as a medium tank since it has good top speed and traverse. Go cap some points and help the teammates to push. With its low profile, the Pz IV/70 can find a comfortable corner around a point and ambush any point-cappers. Now the situational awareness comes into place, as this vehicle lacks a turret, meaning it cannot respond quickly to close-quarter sudden encounters. Also note that the side armour is extremely thin, so even if the player thinks they're just angling a little bit, shells like the Soviet 85 mm / 122 mm will still penetrate with ease.
 +
 
 +
'''Enemies worth noting:'''
  
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== Usage in the battles ==
+
* [[IS-2]], [[ISU-122]], [[SU-152]]/[[ISU-152]]: The Pz IV/70 relies on its frontal armour a lot to survive, so the biggest threats are generally the vehicles with high penetration. These machines with high-calibre guns pose the biggest threat, as their APHEBC shells will slice through the Pz IV/70's frontal armour like butter, and their damage is more than enough to kill all the crew inside. Try and finish them off first before they see you. If they do, quickly go to a nearby cover and either call for help, or wait until they fire / are distracted.
−
''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).''
+
* [[ARL-44]]: the ARL 44's 90 mm SA45 gun can cut through the Pz IV/70's armour with no effort from almost any practical combat range. Its upper frontal plate is completely immune to your shells, and its lower plate also has a habit of causing ricochets. Fortunately, its turret armour is easily penetrated by your gun, resulting in most or all of the turret crew being knocked out or even the ammunition at the back of the turret being detonated.
 +
* [[M36B1]]: The M36 can be found on many nations in the game and is one of the earliest vehicles to utilize the 90 mm M3 gun, which fires the M82 APCBC shot capable of penetrating the sloped frontal armor of the Pz IV/70 with ease. The M82 is an incredible shell with excellent angled performance and high explosive filler content, which, combined with the limited space inside of the Pz IV hull, will often incapacitate your crew in a single shot. Thus, it is of utmost importance to destroy these vehicles if spotted.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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''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".''
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<!-- ''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:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Excellent firepower: decent rate of fire and good accuracy for the main gun
 +
* Stock shell has great penetration and damage, and can easily penetrate and take out most opponents like the [[T-34-85]], [[M4A2 (76) W]]/[[M4A3 (76) W|A3 (76) W]] , [[IS-1]], etc. with a single shot
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* Low profile provides excellent concealment
 +
* Sloped 80 mm frontal armour provides good protection against most of the opponents, and is especially boosted with add-on armour. It is frontally immune to 76 mm Shermans, the T-34-85 and the M18 GMC
 +
* Decent acceleration and excellent cross country performance
 +
* Adequate gun depression of 7 degrees for a compact hull
 +
* Superb zoom, up to x9.2 magnification, allowing for extreme range kills
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* Lacks a turret which limits its combat potential and makes it vulnerable to flankers
−
''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.''
+
* Closely packed crew meaning a penetration from any angle will likely to destroy the tank
 +
* Poor side armour, extremely weak against most guns found at the BR
 +
* The downward side of the gun mantlet is prone to shot traps (shell ricocheting down into the hull roof) which is lethal
 +
* Although frontal armour is thick, it can still get knocked out with a single shot by the [[IS-2 (Family)|IS-2]] regardless the angle and distance
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{break}}
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{{Navigation-Start|{{Annotation|Archive of the in-game description|An archive of the historical description of the vehicle that was presented in-game prior to Update 1.55 'Royal Armour'}}|expand=true}}
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{{Navigation-First-Simple-Line}}
 +
This variant of the anti-tank gun was developed in two different versions by the companies Vomag AG and Alkett. Though similar in combat power and armour protection, these machines were significantly different in appearance.
 +
 
 +
In August 1944, Vomag began producing its own Panzer IV/70 (V) variant with a 75 mm gun. The gun itself was positioned slightly to the right of the tank's longitudinal axis to allow better use of the vehicle's internal space. Due to the great length of the guns, they were held with a special bracket during non-combat movement. The destroyer's weight was increased to 26 tons. The great length of the barrel and the forward-weighted armour (80 mm) made the vehicle unbalanced, giving it low cross-country ability. Because of this, it was nicknamed "Guderian's duck" by the troops. The front pair of road wheels were made entirely of metal. This tank destroyer had "Schürzen" side skirts which protected the lower sides of the tank from anti-tank and hollow-charge projectiles. Vomag made a total of 930 of these tank destroyers.
 +
 
 +
The Panzer IV, Panzer IV/70 (A), and Panzer IV/70 (V) also had a commander's version produced, with a crew of five men, reduced ammunition, and an additional radio station.
 +
 
 +
The powerful armament of these vehicles made them quite popular with the Wehrmacht's anti-tank divisions. These self-propelled guns were widely used in combat operations during the final part of the war, including: the battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge as well as on the Eastern Front. It was very successful as a tank destroyer due to its low profile, accurate gun and good armour protection, but performed poorly when used out of role as a substitute for tanks or assault guns to support infantry. This was increasingly necessary in the later stages of the war from late 1944 to 1945, because there was often nothing else available to the badly depleted German armoured units.
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
  
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== Read also ==
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;Skins
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_pz_IV_L70 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|z-TzXyvePmc|'''Panzer IV/70(V) - A Desireable Experience''' - ''Napalmratte''|xF4-TcnyWw0|'''Best tank destroyers''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 7:10 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|yHuUGzezChI|'''Best after-party picks''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:09 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
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 +
== See also ==
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<!-- ''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.''
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
+
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
 +
 
 +
* [[Jagdpanzer IV]]
  
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== Sources ==
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;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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 +
* [[SU-85M]]
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== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wikipedia:Jagdpanzer_IV|[Wikipedia] Jagdpanzer IV]]
 +
* [https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-germany-panzer-iv-70-v/ <nowiki>[Tanks Encyclopedia]</nowiki> Panzer IV/70 (V)]
 +
 
 +
{{Germany tank destroyers}}

Latest revision as of 15:44, 27 July 2024

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the German tank destroyer Panzer IV/70(V). For the other version, see Panzer IV/70(A).
Panzer IV/70(V)
germ_pz_iv_l70.png
GarageImage Panzer IV-70(V).jpg
ArtImage Panzer IV-70(V).png
ArtImage2 Panzer IV-70(V).png
Panzer IV/70(V)
Germany flag.png Germany
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.3 5.7 5.7
Class:
Research:33 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:105 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Panzer IV/70(V) (Sd.Kfz. Index: Sd.Kfz. 162/1) is the third variant of the Panzer IV medium tank-based tank destroyer family. The initial (V) represents the designer, Vomag. Approximately 930 to 940 units of this variant were built between August 1944 and April 1945, making it the most produced variant. The Panzer IV/70(V) was a formidable opponent, armed with the powerful, long-range 75 mm Panzerjägerkanone 42 L/70 tank gun that could outrange most opposing Allied tank guns.

Introduced in the Closed Beta Test for Ground Forces before Update 1.41, the Panzer IV/70(V) offers much better protection than its rival design, the Panzer IV/70(A). However, it should only be used in defensive roles. Even with the 42 L/70 tank gun and 75 mm Panzerjägerkanone mounted on it, it was still a casemate tank destroyer. Maintain a safe distance from the adversary and utilize its powerful penetration and muzzle velocity to take out targets at a distance. Avoid direct engagements and let the other players take care of the fighting so the player can decide when and how to engage.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull80 / 30 / 22
Turret80 / 40 / 22
Crew4 people
Visibility64 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, casemate)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet, shrapnel shield)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 80 mm (47°) Upper glacis
50 mm (55°) Lower glacis 		30 mm Bottom
30 mm + 5 mm (29°) Engine deck skirts 		22 mm (5°) 20 mm (6°) Front
20 mm (2°) Engine compartment
Superstructure 80 mm (50°) Turret Front
75 mm (conical) Shrapnel shield
75 mm (spherical) Gun mantlet 		40 mm (29°) 30 mm (31°) 20 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick, and torsion bars are 15 mm thick.
  • Mudguards are 4 mm thick.
  • Tracks (20 mm thick) are used as add-on armour on the casemate.

Befitting of the German casemate destroyer line, the frontal armour on the Panzer IV/70(V) is one to be feared. It features a mighty frontal plate of 80 mm sloped at 50° compared to the Panther's 55º. This results in a slight reduction of useful armor, and is especially prominent against certain shells fired by the Soviet 85 mm gun that can be commonly found at this BR. The gun mantlet is also very well protected due to its volumetric armor. However, the bottom of the mantlet creates a shot trap that may destroy your vehicle. The armour is improved even further when the player unlocks the "Add-on Armour" modification, applying tracks to the front and sides of the tank, and results in over 185 mm of protection in the critical region where 3 of 4 crew members sit in a row, which helps significantly against BR-365 fired by the Soviet 85 mm gun.. Even with this amazing armour, it is best to use the Panzer IV/70(V) at longer ranges, as this allows you to make use of the Panzer IV/70's high velocity gun and turns you from a difficult target to a nigh impenetrable one.

However, the side armour is very weak and is able to be penetrated by most things at your BR, so the player should be careful and look out for flankers. It should also be noted that in an uptier, it is common to face the American 90 mm or Soviet 122 mm guns, which will make short work of the vehicle frontally.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB38 / 9 km/h
RB and SB35 / 8 km/h
Number of gears6 forward
1 back
Weight26.2 t
Engine power
AB572 hp
RB and SB300 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB21.8 hp/t
RB and SB11.5 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock AoA Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 38 9 25.8 0.4 426 572 16.51 21.83
Realistic 35 8 265 300 10.27 11.45

Being based on the chassis of the Panzer IV, the all-round mobility is very solid. The tank is able to reach 43 km/h (27 mph) and hold itself there over most terrains and has very good hull traverse, allowing for quick turns. However the reverse speed is only 7.5 km/h. Not being able to reverse fast enough will sometimes put the player in a very dangerous situation.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 267 → 1 795 Sl icon.png
RB1 485 → 2 104 Sl icon.png
SB2 076 → 2 941 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications29 800 Rp icon.png
58 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost1 200 Ge icon.png
Crew training30 000 Sl icon.png
Experts105 000 Sl icon.png
Aces470 Ge icon.png
Research Aces360 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 140 / 170 % Sl icon.png
148 / 148 / 148 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank traks.png
Ostketten
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods tank additional armor.png
Add-on Armor
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 900 Sl icon.png
115 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 300 Sl icon.png
130 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
2 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
4 900 Sl icon.png
195 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_kwk_42_APCR_ammo_pack
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
1 900 Rp icon.png
Cost:
3 700 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm PaK42 cannon
Ammunition55 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
9.6 → 7.4 s
Vertical guidance-7° / 15°
Horizontal guidance-12° / 12°
Main article: PaK42 (75 mm)

The Panzer IV/70(V) bears the 75 mm PaK42 cannon with a rate of fire below average. With the maximum penetration of 192 mm for the stock AP, this gun can frontally penetrate most opponents it will face. With its explosive filler, it can one shot almost all tanks upon penetration. The 935 m/s muzzle velocity allows easy targeting when aiming at moving targets. The gun traverse is average, but the depression of 7 degrees is very good given its small profile, allowing it to go into hull-down position at some place. The gun also comes with a researchable APCR round which has a maximum penetration of a whopping 228 mm, and great velocity of over 1,100 m/s. Note that just like every other APCR shot, it is not good at piercing sloped armour, and its damage is inadequate to take out the opponent with a single shot.

75 mm PaK42 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 55 -7°/+15° ±12° N/A 7.04 9.75 11.84 13.09 13.93 9.62 8.51 7.84 7.40
Realistic 4.76 5.60 6.80 7.52 8.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
PzGr 39/42 APCBC 192 188 173 156 140 126
Sprgr. 42 HE 13 12 11 11 11 11
PzGr 40/42 APCR 228 224 204 182 162 145
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
PzGr 39/42 APCBC 935 6.8 1.2 14 28.9 48° 63° 71°
Sprgr. 42 HE 700 5.74 0.2 0.1 725 79° 80° 81°
PzGr 40/42 APCR 1,120 4.75 - - - 66° 70° 72°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Panzer IV/70(V)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
55 46 (+9) 36 (+19) 26 (+29) 16 (+39) 8 (+47) 4 (+51) 1 (+54) No

Notes:

  • Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
  • Packing 16 (+39) shells will keep the sides of the casemate empty.

Machine guns

7.92 mm MG42 machine gun
Ammunition600 rounds
Belt capacity150 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate1 200 shots/min
Main article: MG42 (7.92 mm)

The tank has a MG42 bow machine gun with a high fire rate. It is able to quickly finish off the exposed crews of some vehicles. However, its traverse angles are very limited meaning a lot of the time the whole tank has to be moved to get the MG on target. Also the maximum penetration of 13 mm makes it useless against those not-so-lightly-armoured vehicles, like the BTR-152A, the M18 GMC, etc.

7.92 mm MG42
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Hull 600 (150) 1,200 -6°/+15° ±5°

Usage in battles

This vehicle is very much a defensive weapon that should only be on the offensive if the situation is desperate. The gun is powerful at this rank. In terms of penetration and muzzle velocity, it will make short work of all but the toughest tanks. When taking fire, however, the Pz IV/70(V)'s protection is inconsistent at best. Shots that strike the sloped upper superstructure are likely to bounce, but anywhere else and the shell will almost certainly penetrate at closer ranges. It is best to avoid confrontation if possible and let the other members of the team take the damage to allow the player to pick and choose the engagement. Ideally, the enemy won't have a chance to return fire. Allow room between the Panzer IV/70(V) and the enemy, and avoid traversing high-traffic areas; instead, keep an eye on them from a distance and let the enemy come towards the Panzer IV/70(V).

Urban areas should be avoided if possible. Entering such an area is an invitation for the enemy to flank, and the closeness of the engagements negates the main advantage of this tank: the gun. Engaging the enemy at close range doesn't utilize the L/70's excellent penetration at range.

Arcade battles

In Arcade battles, with the shot indicator showing the player where shots will land, the high-velocity L/70 can accurately hit targets at long ranges, and targets on the move as the shells arrive quickly at the target. The penetration indicator, which changes colour based on the chance of successful penetration, is a problem for the IV/70 (V). It highlights the weak areas of the tank to enemy players, making the weak spots obvious.

Arcade tends to be faster-paced than Realistic and Simulator, so the lack of a turret may be a large detriment as being flanked is quite common in this mode.

Realistic/Simulator battles

With a lack of markers above tanks and larger combat zones, Realistic and Simulator suit this vehicle well. Taking up a concealed firing position and engaging enemies from a distance is what this tank excels at. Be mindful of flanking attacks though, if consideration of exposed flanks and careful checking of these areas is not performed, it will likely be too late to respond to an enemy on a flank or behind. Keeping with the 'anti-tank gun with treads' analogy, zooming across the map and looking for enemies is not how this tank should be played. Let the enemy do the work because this tank is very poorly suited to assaulting. Usage of the binoculars is highly advised as they allow a zoomed-in 360-degree view without having to move the vehicle.

At the start of the match, the Panzer IV/70(V) is best used as a sniper for most of the times. The player can adapt their tactics from the StuG IIIs and the Jgdpz. 38t. A good way to get kills is to find a spot that:

  • provides hard cover
  • overlooks a key street / passage way
  • has bushes to hide in
  • is not too close to the frontline

This way the player can use the bushes to hide the Pz IV/70. If any opponent appears in the sight, the player can kill it easily with the great penetration, velocity and damage of the main cannon. If the enemy notices the player, either go back in cover until they are distracted, or utilize the sturdy frontal armour and be a "heavy tank". It can bounce quite some shells, given that the enemy's guns aren't strong enough.

As the match progresses, the player can use the Pz IV/70 as a medium tank since it has good top speed and traverse. Go cap some points and help the teammates to push. With its low profile, the Pz IV/70 can find a comfortable corner around a point and ambush any point-cappers. Now the situational awareness comes into place, as this vehicle lacks a turret, meaning it cannot respond quickly to close-quarter sudden encounters. Also note that the side armour is extremely thin, so even if the player thinks they're just angling a little bit, shells like the Soviet 85 mm / 122 mm will still penetrate with ease.

Enemies worth noting:

  • IS-2, ISU-122, SU-152/ISU-152: The Pz IV/70 relies on its frontal armour a lot to survive, so the biggest threats are generally the vehicles with high penetration. These machines with high-calibre guns pose the biggest threat, as their APHEBC shells will slice through the Pz IV/70's frontal armour like butter, and their damage is more than enough to kill all the crew inside. Try and finish them off first before they see you. If they do, quickly go to a nearby cover and either call for help, or wait until they fire / are distracted.
  • ARL-44: the ARL 44's 90 mm SA45 gun can cut through the Pz IV/70's armour with no effort from almost any practical combat range. Its upper frontal plate is completely immune to your shells, and its lower plate also has a habit of causing ricochets. Fortunately, its turret armour is easily penetrated by your gun, resulting in most or all of the turret crew being knocked out or even the ammunition at the back of the turret being detonated.
  • M36B1: The M36 can be found on many nations in the game and is one of the earliest vehicles to utilize the 90 mm M3 gun, which fires the M82 APCBC shot capable of penetrating the sloped frontal armor of the Pz IV/70 with ease. The M82 is an incredible shell with excellent angled performance and high explosive filler content, which, combined with the limited space inside of the Pz IV hull, will often incapacitate your crew in a single shot. Thus, it is of utmost importance to destroy these vehicles if spotted.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent firepower: decent rate of fire and good accuracy for the main gun
  • Stock shell has great penetration and damage, and can easily penetrate and take out most opponents like the T-34-85, M4A2 (76) W/A3 (76) W , IS-1, etc. with a single shot
  • Low profile provides excellent concealment
  • Sloped 80 mm frontal armour provides good protection against most of the opponents, and is especially boosted with add-on armour. It is frontally immune to 76 mm Shermans, the T-34-85 and the M18 GMC
  • Decent acceleration and excellent cross country performance
  • Adequate gun depression of 7 degrees for a compact hull
  • Superb zoom, up to x9.2 magnification, allowing for extreme range kills

Cons:

  • Lacks a turret which limits its combat potential and makes it vulnerable to flankers
  • Closely packed crew meaning a penetration from any angle will likely to destroy the tank
  • Poor side armour, extremely weak against most guns found at the BR
  • The downward side of the gun mantlet is prone to shot traps (shell ricocheting down into the hull roof) which is lethal
  • Although frontal armour is thick, it can still get knocked out with a single shot by the IS-2 regardless the angle and distance

History


Archive of the in-game description

This variant of the anti-tank gun was developed in two different versions by the companies Vomag AG and Alkett. Though similar in combat power and armour protection, these machines were significantly different in appearance.

In August 1944, Vomag began producing its own Panzer IV/70 (V) variant with a 75 mm gun. The gun itself was positioned slightly to the right of the tank's longitudinal axis to allow better use of the vehicle's internal space. Due to the great length of the guns, they were held with a special bracket during non-combat movement. The destroyer's weight was increased to 26 tons. The great length of the barrel and the forward-weighted armour (80 mm) made the vehicle unbalanced, giving it low cross-country ability. Because of this, it was nicknamed "Guderian's duck" by the troops. The front pair of road wheels were made entirely of metal. This tank destroyer had "Schürzen" side skirts which protected the lower sides of the tank from anti-tank and hollow-charge projectiles. Vomag made a total of 930 of these tank destroyers.

The Panzer IV, Panzer IV/70 (A), and Panzer IV/70 (V) also had a commander's version produced, with a crew of five men, reduced ammunition, and an additional radio station.

The powerful armament of these vehicles made them quite popular with the Wehrmacht's anti-tank divisions. These self-propelled guns were widely used in combat operations during the final part of the war, including: the battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge as well as on the Eastern Front. It was very successful as a tank destroyer due to its low profile, accurate gun and good armour protection, but performed poorly when used out of role as a substitute for tanks or assault guns to support infantry. This was increasingly necessary in the later stages of the war from late 1944 to 1945, because there was often nothing else available to the badly depleted German armoured units.


Media

Skins
Videos
Panzer IV/70(V) - A Desireable Experience - Napalmratte
Best tank destroyers discusses the Panzer IV/70(V) at 7:10 - War Thunder Official Channel
Best after-party picks discusses the Panzer IV/70(V) at 4:09 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Germany tank destroyers
Pz. I Derivatives  Panzerjäger I
Pz. II Derivatives  15cm sIG 33 B Sfl
Pz. 38(t) Derivatives  Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Pz. III Derivatives  StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G
Pz. IV Derivatives  Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(A) · Panzer IV/70(V) · Dicker Max · Nashorn · Brummbär · VFW
Pz. V Derivatives  Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Pz. VI Derivatives  Sturer Emil · Elefant · Ferdinand · 38 cm Sturmmörser · Jagdtiger
Wheeled/Half-track  8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
ATGM Carrier  RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) · Wiesel 1A2
Other  Waffenträger · M109G · JPz 4-5 · Raketenautomat · VT1-2

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