Difference between revisions of "Pz.IV (Sweden)"
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+ | {{About | ||
+ | | about = medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}''' | ||
+ | | usage = other versions | ||
+ | | link = Pz.IV (Family) | ||
+ | }} | ||
{{Specs-Card | {{Specs-Card | ||
|code=sw_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_J | |code=sw_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_J | ||
Line 6: | Line 11: | ||
== 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.'' --> | ||
− | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]]. | + | The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Fire and Ice"]]. This Panzer IV is a Ausf. J variant. The biggest difference with the German [[Pz.IV J]] is the lack of a pintle-mounted MG over the turret, the lack of Ostketten for a better mobility in the snow, and the lack of add-on armour. |
== General info == | == General info == | ||
Line 12: | Line 17: | ||
{{Specs-Tank-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? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | ||
− | + | ||
+ | If you stay mobile and far from adversaries, or stay in a hulldown position for sniping, the Pz IV is survivable. In urban and CQC situations, unless in a downtier, survivability is lower than other medium tanks at the battle rating. | ||
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> | '''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | * Rolled homogeneous armour | |
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
Line 22: | Line 28: | ||
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Hull || | + | | Hull || 80 mm || 30 mm || 20 mm || 12 - 16 mm |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Turret || | + | | Turret || 50 mm ''Turret front'' <br> 50 mm ''Gun mantlet'' || 30 mm || 30 mm || 16 - 25 mm |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Cupola || | + | | Cupola || 50 mm || 50 mm || 50 mm || 8 mm |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 36: | Line 42: | ||
{{Specs-Tank-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.'' --> | ||
− | + | The mobility of this tank is another flaw (being the heaviest of the entire Panzer 4 series). Although it can achieve a decent speed, it will take time for it to accelerate to top speed. Engine is under powered and the tracks are narrow, which results in poorer cross-country performance than many heavier tanks. | |
− | {{tankMobility}} | + | {{tankMobility|abMinHp=465|rbMinHp=265}} |
=== Modifications and economy === | === Modifications and economy === | ||
Line 49: | Line 55: | ||
<!-- ''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|KwK40 L48 (75 mm)}} | {{main|KwK40 L48 (75 mm)}} | ||
− | + | The turret traverse speed is slow since it is rotated manually. | |
− | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%" | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! ''Arcade'' | ! ''Arcade'' | ||
− | | rowspan="2" | 87 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | | + | | rowspan="2" | 87 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | - || 9.5 || 13.2 || 16.0 || 17.7 || 18.8 || rowspan="2" | 7.67 || rowspan="2" | 6.79 || rowspan="2" | 6.25 || rowspan="2" | 5.90 |
|- | |- | ||
! ''Realistic'' | ! ''Realistic'' | ||
− | | | + | | 5.9 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0 |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
==== Ammunition ==== | ==== Ammunition ==== | ||
− | + | ||
− | + | * '''PzGr 39'''; APCBC shell - This is the main ammo type, and can confidently penetrate enemy armour due to the explosive filler. This should be the main ammo that your crew carries even as you unlock the other two shell types. | |
− | + | * '''Hl.Gr 38B'''; HEAT shell - it is recommended to completely avoid this kind of shell as its performance is vastly inferior in all aspects compared to APCBC or APCR ammo used by this tank. | |
− | + | * '''PzGr 40'''; APCR shell - This type of ammo should be used only if there is trouble penetrating the opponent, or trying to hit a fast moving tank at some distance. However, its damaging potential is much lower because it has no explosive filler to further enhance damage after the penetration. | |
− | + | * '''Sprgr. 34'''; HE shell - Carry only very few of these. They are useless against anything other than unarmoured AA vehicles, to which it is lethal. | |
− | + | * '''K.Gr.Rot Nb.''' - Smoke shells are useful to blind enemy vehicles that block your advance while being being too remote for you to disable. | |
− | + | ||
− | + | {{:KwK40 L48 (75 mm)/Ammunition|PzGr 39, Hl.Gr 38B, PzGr 40, Sprgr. 34, K.Gr.Rot Nb.}} | |
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− | | PzGr 39 | ||
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ==== [[Ammo racks]] ==== | ||
− | + | [[File:Ammoracks_Pz.IV_H.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the Pz.IV H (identical)]] | |
− | <!-- '''Last updated:''' --> | + | <!-- '''Last updated: 2.23.0.51''' --> |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 137: | Line 95: | ||
! 5th<br>rack empty | ! 5th<br>rack empty | ||
! 6th<br>rack empty | ! 6th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | '''87''' || 84 ''(+3)'' || 82 ''(+5)'' || 80 ''(+7)'' || 72 ''(+15)'' || 63 ''(+24)'' || 54 ''(+33)'' | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | ! 7th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 8th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 9th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 10th<br>rack empty | ||
+ | ! 11th<br>rack empty | ||
! Visual<br>discrepancy | ! Visual<br>discrepancy | ||
+ | ! | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | 46 ''(+41)'' || 38 ''(+49)'' || 30 ''(+57)'' || 24 ''(+63)'' || 1 ''(+86)'' || No |
+ | ! | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | '''Notes:''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Racks are modeled by sets of 2 shells and disappear after both shells in the set have been shot or loaded. | ||
+ | * Racks 5 and 6 have a shell set in common. | ||
+ | * Sides empty: 30 ''(+57)'' shells. | ||
=== Machine guns === | === Machine guns === | ||
Line 148: | Line 121: | ||
{{main|MG34 (7.92 mm)}} | {{main|MG34 (7.92 mm)}} | ||
− | + | The MG34 can deal with open-topped vehicles, it can also be used to assist in marking targets for friendly forces. As there is no external MG, it has a very limited use when dealing with hostile aircraft. | |
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%" | ||
Line 156: | Line 129: | ||
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | || | + | | Coaxial || 3,150 (150) || 900 || - || - |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 162: | Line 135: | ||
== 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 Pz.IV suffers from its slow, manual turret traverse rate. This causes the Panzer IV to lose flexibility in reacting to close encounters without turning the entire hull around. As such, it is recommended not to use the Panzer IV as a front-line assaulter in combat. | |
+ | |||
+ | While its KwK40 L48 main gun is quite powerful for its BR, it has obvious weaknesses in its armour and should not be used as a main line tank or you will quickly be back to the hangar screen. Tactics-wise, the Panzer IV is perfect for sniping and ambushes, where the slower turret traverse rate affects its combat performance less. Attack from a distance, especially while that enemy is focused on other allies in the team. Ambushes can also work in close-range events when watching corners, street intersections, and choke points, but be wary of any enemies trying to outmanoeuvre the Panzer IV as it would require drastic action with the slow turret rate. Try not to engage the enemy in a straight-up front confrontation as most enemies would be able to easily cleave through the front armour and knock out your vehicle. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Although any tank of Rank III can destroy the Panzer IV pretty quickly, the tanks that mostly need to avoided in open combat are [[IS-2 (Family)|IS-2]], [[KV-2 (Family)|KV-2]], [[SU-152]], [[Tiger H1]] and [[Panther D|Panther]] tanks. Most of the [[:Category:Heavy tanks|heavy tanks]] that it will face include Tigers, the last of [[KV-85|KV series]], [[IS-1|IS-1s]], and even some [[IS-2|IS-2s]]. Particularly, IS-2s will be the toughest opponent and can take out the Panzer IV with one hit. Avoid frontal confrontation at all cost. Instead try to be sneaky and attack them from the sides where they become vulnerable. | ||
=== 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:''' |
− | + | * 75 mm APCBC shell has high penetration and great post-penetration, can knock out all common foes with a single shot | |
− | * | + | * -10° gun depression is very handy when fighting among hills |
+ | * Satisfactory speed (~35 km/h on average) allows it to keep up with most teammates | ||
+ | * Smoke grenades help to conceal the tank when needed | ||
+ | * 80 mm frontal hull armour may deflect some shells when angled properly | ||
+ | * 5 mm turret side skirt protects it from tanks using HEAT/HE shells | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
− | * | + | |
+ | * Extremely poor turret traverse, targeting process is slow and dangerous | ||
+ | * Weak survivability: cramped crew, thin frontal turret & side hull armour. Usually gets frontally penetrated easily | ||
+ | * Sluggish acceleration | ||
+ | * Large transmission at the front often gets broken by frontal hits, immobilising the whole tank | ||
+ | * APCBC struggles to penetrate well-armoured tanks at long range (>800 m) | ||
+ | * Low reverse speed of -8 km/h may put the player in a fatal situation | ||
== 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 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).'' --> | ||
− | '' | + | The Finnish bought 15 '''''Panzerkampfwagen'' IV''' ('''Pz.Kpfw. IV''') in 1944, and another 40 Pz IV and StuG III, but only the first 15 arrived. Unfortunately they arrived too late to combat the soviets, but they were used against the Nazi during the Lapland retreat. After the war the Pz Iv (or as known to the Finns, Pzkw IV Ausf. J) was used in movies and as training vehicles. |
== 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.'' --> | ||
− | + | ||
+ | ;Skins | ||
+ | |||
+ | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=sw_pzkpfw_IV_ausf_J Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
Line 187: | Line 177: | ||
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> | * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' --> | ||
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' | ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:'' | ||
+ | |||
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;'' | * ''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.'' | ||
Line 195: | Line 186: | ||
* ''other literature.'' --> | * ''other literature.'' --> | ||
''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.'' | * ''other literature.'' | ||
{{Sweden medium tanks}} | {{Sweden medium tanks}} |
Latest revision as of 16:56, 11 December 2023
This page is about the medium tank Pz.IV (Sweden). For other versions, see Pz.IV (Family). |
Contents
Description
The ▄Pz.IV is a rank III Swedish medium tank with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB) and 3.7 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Fire and Ice". This Panzer IV is a Ausf. J variant. The biggest difference with the German Pz.IV J is the lack of a pintle-mounted MG over the turret, the lack of Ostketten for a better mobility in the snow, and the lack of add-on armour.
General info
Survivability and armour
If you stay mobile and far from adversaries, or stay in a hulldown position for sniping, the Pz IV is survivable. In urban and CQC situations, unless in a downtier, survivability is lower than other medium tanks at the battle rating.
Armour type:
- Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | 80 mm | 30 mm | 20 mm | 12 - 16 mm |
Turret | 50 mm Turret front 50 mm Gun mantlet |
30 mm | 30 mm | 16 - 25 mm |
Cupola | 50 mm | 50 mm | 50 mm | 8 mm |
Notes:
Mobility
The mobility of this tank is another flaw (being the heaviest of the entire Panzer 4 series). Although it can achieve a decent speed, it will take time for it to accelerate to top speed. Engine is under powered and the tracks are narrow, which results in poorer cross-country performance than many heavier tanks.
Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
Arcade | 43 | 9 | 25 | 465 | 572 | 18.6 | 22.88 |
Realistic | 39 | 8 | 265 | 300 | 10.6 | 12 |
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Main armament
The turret traverse speed is slow since it is rotated manually.
75 mm KwK40 L48 | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mode | Capacity | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
Arcade | 87 | -10°/+20° | ±180° | - | 9.5 | 13.2 | 16.0 | 17.7 | 18.8 | 7.67 | 6.79 | 6.25 | 5.90 |
Realistic | 5.9 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 9.4 | 10.0 |
Ammunition
- PzGr 39; APCBC shell - This is the main ammo type, and can confidently penetrate enemy armour due to the explosive filler. This should be the main ammo that your crew carries even as you unlock the other two shell types.
- Hl.Gr 38B; HEAT shell - it is recommended to completely avoid this kind of shell as its performance is vastly inferior in all aspects compared to APCBC or APCR ammo used by this tank.
- PzGr 40; APCR shell - This type of ammo should be used only if there is trouble penetrating the opponent, or trying to hit a fast moving tank at some distance. However, its damaging potential is much lower because it has no explosive filler to further enhance damage after the penetration.
- Sprgr. 34; HE shell - Carry only very few of these. They are useless against anything other than unarmoured AA vehicles, to which it is lethal.
- K.Gr.Rot Nb. - Smoke shells are useful to blind enemy vehicles that block your advance while being being too remote for you to disable.
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 | APCBC | 145 | 143 | 130 | 116 | 104 | 93 |
Hl.Gr 38B | HEAT | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 | 80 |
PzGr 40 | APCR | 182 | 177 | 159 | 140 | 122 | 107 |
Sprgr. 34 | HE | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
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 | APCBC | 770 | 6.8 | 1.2 | 14 | 28.9 | 48° | 63° | 71° | |||
Hl.Gr 38B | HEAT | 450 | 4.4 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 872.1 | 62° | 69° | 73° | |||
PzGr 40 | APCR | 990 | 4.1 | - | - | - | 66° | 70° | 72° | |||
Sprgr. 34 | HE | 550 | 5.74 | 0 | 0.1 | 686 | 79° | 80° | 81° |
Smoke shell characteristics | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Screen radius (m) |
Screen deploy time (s) |
Screen hold time (s) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
K.Gr.Rot Nb. | 540 | 6.2 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 50 |
Ammo racks
Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
87 | 84 (+3) | 82 (+5) | 80 (+7) | 72 (+15) | 63 (+24) | 54 (+33) |
7th rack empty |
8th rack empty |
9th rack empty |
10th rack empty |
11th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|
46 (+41) | 38 (+49) | 30 (+57) | 24 (+63) | 1 (+86) | No |
Notes:
- Racks are modeled by sets of 2 shells and disappear after both shells in the set have been shot or loaded.
- Racks 5 and 6 have a shell set in common.
- Sides empty: 30 (+57) shells.
Machine guns
The MG34 can deal with open-topped vehicles, it can also be used to assist in marking targets for friendly forces. As there is no external MG, it has a very limited use when dealing with hostile aircraft.
7.92 mm MG34 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
Coaxial | 3,150 (150) | 900 | - | - |
Usage in battles
The Pz.IV suffers from its slow, manual turret traverse rate. This causes the Panzer IV to lose flexibility in reacting to close encounters without turning the entire hull around. As such, it is recommended not to use the Panzer IV as a front-line assaulter in combat.
While its KwK40 L48 main gun is quite powerful for its BR, it has obvious weaknesses in its armour and should not be used as a main line tank or you will quickly be back to the hangar screen. Tactics-wise, the Panzer IV is perfect for sniping and ambushes, where the slower turret traverse rate affects its combat performance less. Attack from a distance, especially while that enemy is focused on other allies in the team. Ambushes can also work in close-range events when watching corners, street intersections, and choke points, but be wary of any enemies trying to outmanoeuvre the Panzer IV as it would require drastic action with the slow turret rate. Try not to engage the enemy in a straight-up front confrontation as most enemies would be able to easily cleave through the front armour and knock out your vehicle.
Although any tank of Rank III can destroy the Panzer IV pretty quickly, the tanks that mostly need to avoided in open combat are IS-2, KV-2, SU-152, Tiger H1 and Panther tanks. Most of the heavy tanks that it will face include Tigers, the last of KV series, IS-1s, and even some IS-2s. Particularly, IS-2s will be the toughest opponent and can take out the Panzer IV with one hit. Avoid frontal confrontation at all cost. Instead try to be sneaky and attack them from the sides where they become vulnerable.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 75 mm APCBC shell has high penetration and great post-penetration, can knock out all common foes with a single shot
- -10° gun depression is very handy when fighting among hills
- Satisfactory speed (~35 km/h on average) allows it to keep up with most teammates
- Smoke grenades help to conceal the tank when needed
- 80 mm frontal hull armour may deflect some shells when angled properly
- 5 mm turret side skirt protects it from tanks using HEAT/HE shells
Cons:
- Extremely poor turret traverse, targeting process is slow and dangerous
- Weak survivability: cramped crew, thin frontal turret & side hull armour. Usually gets frontally penetrated easily
- Sluggish acceleration
- Large transmission at the front often gets broken by frontal hits, immobilising the whole tank
- APCBC struggles to penetrate well-armoured tanks at long range (>800 m)
- Low reverse speed of -8 km/h may put the player in a fatal situation
History
The Finnish bought 15 Panzerkampfwagen IV (Pz.Kpfw. IV) in 1944, and another 40 Pz IV and StuG III, but only the first 15 arrived. Unfortunately they arrived too late to combat the soviets, but they were used against the Nazi during the Lapland retreat. After the war the Pz Iv (or as known to the Finns, Pzkw IV Ausf. J) was used in movies and as training vehicles.
Media
- Skins
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;
- other literature.
Sweden medium tanks | |
---|---|
Strv m/42 | Lago I · Strv m/42 EH · Ikv 73 · Strv m/42 DT · Pvkv IV |
Centurion derivatives | Strv 81 · Strv 81 (RB 52) · Strv 101 · Strv 104 · Strv 105 |
Strv 103 | Strv 103-0 · Strv 103A · Strv 103С |
Strv 121/122 | Strv 121 · Christian II · Strv 122A · Strv 122B PLSS · Strv 122B+ |
Other | Sherman III/IV · T 80 U |
Finland | |
WWII | ▄T-28 · ▄T-34 · ▄Pz.IV · ▄T-34-85 |
Post War | ▄Comet I · ▄Charioteer Mk VII · ▄T-54 · ▄T-55M · ▄T-72M1 · ▄Leopard 2A4 · ▄Leopard 2A6 |
Norway | Leopard 1A5NO2 |