Difference between revisions of "M43 "G.C.Leoncello""

From War Thunder Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Visual (beta)Wikitext
(Updated template w/ new design)
(Undo revision 161913 by U79619148 (talk))
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
{{About
 +
| about = Italian tank destroyer '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = regular version
 +
| link = 105/25 M43
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=it_semovente_m43_105_leoncello
 
|code=it_semovente_m43_105_leoncello
−
|store=6553
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== 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 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.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage_105 25 M43 G.C.Leoncello.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced as a [[wt:en/news/5894-development-semovente-105-25-m43-low-profile-high-power-en|premium pack]] in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]], and was discontinued after the [[wt:en/news/6263-shop-war-thunder-summer-sale-en|2019 Summer sales]]. It was made available briefly for purchase with Golden Eagles {{ge}} during the [[wt:en/news/7955-special-italian-national-unity-and-armed-forces-day-en|2022 "Italian National Unity and Armed Forces Day"]] mini-event.
−
{{break}}
 
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} Italy tank destroyer {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].  
 
  
 
== 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 helpful for survival in combat?''
+
{{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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, casemate)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet)
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 25 mm (78°) ''Upper glacis'' <br> 50 mm (40°) ''Lower glacis - top'' <br> 30 mm (50°) ''Lower glacis - bottom'' || 40 mm  <br> 40 + 4 mm ''Side skirts area'' || 25 mm ''Upper part'' <br> 25 mm (15°) ''Lower part'' || 25 mm (12°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 10-15 mm (12°) ''Rear - Engine hood'' <br> 5-15 mm (5°) ''Rear - Radiator vents''
 +
|-
 +
| Casemate || 75 mm (5°) ''Casemate front plate'' <br> 90 mm (5°) ''Driver port'' <br> 60 + 30 mm (spherical) ''Gun mantlet'' || 45 mm (7-9°) || 45 mm || 15 mm (0-4°) ''Centre'' <br> 15 mm (18°) ''Sides''
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick and bogies 10 mm thick.
 +
* The belly is 15 mm thick.
 +
* Mudguards are 4 mm thick.
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} got rid of the biggest vulnerabilities of the previous Semoventi: the vertical armour front plate is now much thicker, the sides were reinforced and the crew is less cramped thanks to the widened hull. However, the poor roof armour and a crew of only 3 are still weak points. Your front plate is also now wider and easier to target. With the BR increase, foes are also better armoured, which slightly tones down the benefit brought by your armour increase.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
{{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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=263|rbMinHp=164}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-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 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.''-->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
 +
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 (105 mm)}}
 
{{main|Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 (105 mm)}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="6" | [[Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 (105 mm)|105 mm Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
 
−
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
−
|-
 
−
| colspan="3" | 48 || -10°/+16° || ±18° || N/A
 
−
|-
 
−
! 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'' || 12.3 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Realistic'' || 8.3 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
! colspan="5" | [[Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 (105 mm)|105 mm Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
+
! ''Arcade''
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
+
| rowspan="2" | 48 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+16° || rowspan="2" | ±18° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 12.3 || 17.1 || 20.7 || 22.9 || 24.4 || rowspan="2" | 13.00 || rowspan="2" | 11.50 || rowspan="2" | 10.60 || rowspan="2" | 10.00
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 13.0 || __.__ || __.__ || __.__
+
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 8.3 || 9.8 || 11.9 || 13.2 || 14.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Ammunition ====
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
The ammunition choice for the {{PAGENAME}} is focused on the anti-tank role:
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
+
 
−
|-
+
* '''Granata Perforante da 105''': a capped armour-piercing shell with explosive filler that has a good penetration power and whose explosive filler offers a good single-shot knock-out capability.
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
+
* '''Effetto Pronto mod.43''': a shaped charge with high penetration power that does not diminish over distance. This type of shell is very effective on open and lightly armoured vehicles. It will also penetrate thicker armour, provided it is not sloped  and will in most cases require a second shot to finish the enemy vehicle. The long reload time of the gun will be a clear handicap in such cases as the enemy will have time to return fire. Always pack a few HEAT shells as you lack HE shells and a machine gun to deal with lightly armoured vehicles.
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
 
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
+
Both shells have slow muzzle velocity and will have a curved trajectory. Use this to hit enemies hiding behind a ridge.
−
|-
+
 
−
! 10m
+
{{:Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 (105 mm)/Ammunition|Granata Perforante da 105, Effetto Pronto mod.43}}
−
! 100m
+
 
−
! 500m
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
−
! 1000m
+
[[File:Ammoracks 105-25 M43.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the 105/25 M43 (identical)]]
−
! 1500m
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.16''' -->
−
! 2000m
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
|-
 
−
| Granata Perforante da 105 || APC || 90 || 88 || 80 || 71 || 63 || 56
 
−
|-
 
−
| Effeto Pronto mod.43 || HEAT || 120 || 120 || 120 || 120 || 120 || 120
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
{| 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%
+
! Full<br>ammo
−
! 50%
+
! 1st<br>rack empty
−
! 100%
+
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Granata Perforante da 105 || APC || 500 || 16 || 0.8 || 28 || 275 || ° || 48° || 63° || 71°
+
| '''48''' || 25&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 13&nbsp;''(+35)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+47)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Effeto Pronto mod.43 || HEAT || 510 || 14 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 1.8 || ° || 62° || 69° || 73°
 
−
|-
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
Notes:
  
−
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
−
{| 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
 
−
|-
 
−
|| '''XX''' || XX&nbsp;''(+XX)'' || XX&nbsp;''(+XX)'' || XX&nbsp;''(+XX)'' || style="text-align:center" | No
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
== 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 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).'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Combat tactics
 +
 
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} is best when used as a tank destroyer thanks to its good frontal armour and the good penetration of its rounds, provided you stay at a distance guaranteeing your survivability (800-1,000 m). Although the Leoncello lacks any kind of turret, there are benefits and also some disavantages. At a distance, the Semovente's limited traverse is less a handicap and makes it harder for the weak spots of the vehicle to be hit. The vehicle's primary advantages include its low profile and powerful gun which can easily defeat most enemies it will encounter at range while remaining a relatively obscured target With a maximum penetration of 72 mm at 1,000 m for the APC round and 120 mm for the HEAT shell, the vehicle will have no problem penetrating the armour of most enemy vehicles at the BR. However, the low-velocity 105 mm howitzer makes it difficult to target and hit reliably enemies at long range and the long reload time prevents you from coming quickly with another shot. If you play too close to the frontline, most tanks will be capable of disabling you. Your weak sides will be exposed if you are taken in a pincer move and your long reload time will give enemies the opportunity to get to a better shooting spot or to close the gap between their location and yours. So it is overall vital that you do not get flanked and you always have friendly tanks to aid you whenever you are in trouble.
 +
 
 +
;Notable enemies include;
 +
 
 +
* Tank destroyers with long guns that can penetrate from long range like the Marder III, the Marder III H, the Gun Carrier (3-in), the Archer, the StuG III F, the SU-57B, the YaG-10 (29-K), the Chi-Ha LG or the Na-To,
 +
* Tanks with powerful HEAT shells like the M4A3 (105), the Pz.III N, the StuH 42 G, the M4A3 (105) (France) or the Sav m/43 (1946),
 +
* Tanks with APDS shells like the Swedish 37mm gun tanks,
 +
* Frontline tanks with sloped armour like the M4A1, the T-50, the T-126 or the T-34 (1940) or the M4A1 (France),
 +
* Fast and agile light tanks such as the M24, the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 or the Crusader III that can easily flank the Semovente undetected are dangerous threats. Their speed and small size make them difficult to target for the Semovente's howitzer and they can disable you easily at close range, and the Crusader with Shot Mk.9 can easily penetrate the M43 at longer ranges.
 +
 
 +
;How to defeat a {{PAGENAME}}
 +
 
 +
* Avoid any frontal encounter. Flank it and aim for the sides of the casemate.
 +
* Wait for it to have shot and be reloading (it gives you at least 10 seconds to act).
 +
* If you're forced to engage the Semovente frontally, be as close as possible to increase your chances to penetrate.
 +
* If you can't disable it in one shot, immobilizing the {{PAGENAME}} buys you time to finish it off. Either shoot the transmission, the driver or the engine to do so. Stay out or get out of its line of fire once it is immobilized.
 +
* When flying an aircraft, target the crew compartment to knock the crew out or the engine bay to immobilize it.
  
 
=== 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. Try not to 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".''-->
+
 
 +
* <!-- ''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:'''
  
−
* Powerful 105mm gun that can fire HEAT rounds.
+
* Powerful 105 mm gun that can fire HEAT rounds
−
* Low profile can make it difficult to spot in RB/SB.
+
 
−
* Reasonably fast.
+
*Small frontal profile makes the tank easy to conceal and difficult to hit
−
* Good gun depression.
+
*High gun depression, can be used to crest over hills while only exposing the more heavily armoured superstructure
 +
*Decent mobility and good hull traverse
 +
*Overpressures most opponents easily with APC
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* The mantlet armor can be penetrated by the majority of the guns at its Rank.
+
* The mantlet armour can be penetrated by the majority of the guns at its rank
−
* No turret.
+
* 75 mm of armour has to be angled to to block shots from most American and British tanks.
 +
 
 +
* No turret
 +
* Confined interior
  
 
== 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 "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 +
In mid-1942, the Italian Army put out a set of requirements for a new vehicle that could double up as both an infantry support vehicle as well as a tank destroyer, depending on the situation. In response to this, Fiat-Ansaldo and OTO both began developing prototypes around these requirements in parallel.
 +
 
 +
The two competing designs primarily differed in the chassis choice. OTO picked the newer chassis of the P40 heavy tank whilst Fiat-Ansaldo chose to opt for a newer and larger version of the chassis already in production for their Semovente M42.
 +
 
 +
This decision allowed Fiat-Ansaldo to complete their prototype much sooner. In February 1943, the Semovente 105/25 M43 was presented to military officials and was soon afterwards ordered into production, following successful trials.
 +
 
 +
Production began in April 1943, with a planned production run of over 800 vehicles. However, with Italy's industry at this late stage of the war being severely crippled, production was slow and reaching such high production goals was more than unlikely.
 +
 
 +
Just prior to the signing of the armistice in September, the 30th vehicle rolled off the assembly line. The Semovente 105/25 M43 proved itself in combat during the defence of Rome, where the SPGs successfully engaged German forces trying to retake the city.
 +
 
 +
After the occupation of northern Italy by German forces, the Fiat-Ansaldo company restarted production of the Semovente 105/25, this time however, for the Germans. Germany only used a limited number of these vehicles under the designation Sturmgeschütz M43 mit 105/25 853(i), of which most were no longer in use by late 1944.
 +
 
 +
Around 120 Semovente 105/25 M43s were built by 1944, primarily serving with Italian or German forces. By the late stages of the war, only a limited number was still in service and after the end of WW2, the vehicle was retired from service.
 +
 
 +
''- From [[wt:en/news/5894-development-semovente-105-25-m43-low-profile-high-power-en|Devblog]]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as 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=it_semovente_m43_105_leoncello Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|ubnagVhmmIY|'''Premium Vehicles: Semovente 105/25 M43''' - ''War Thunder Wiki''|gq8xrhp2MDs|'''The Shooting Range #127''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:32 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|E36dhUguPuI|'''The Shooting Range #125''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 05:10 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
''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.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
 +
 
 +
* [[75/34 M43]]
 +
* [[105/25 M43]]
 +
* [[75/46 M43]]
 +
 
 +
;Other vehicles of similar configuration and role
 +
 
 +
* [[StuH 42 G]]
 +
* [[Sav m/43 (1946)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''encyclopedia page on tank;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/news/5894-development-semovente-105-25-m43-low-profile-high-power-en|[Devblog] Semovente 105/25 M43: Low Profile, High Power]]
 +
* [[Wikipedia:Semovente_da_105/25|[Wikipedia] Semovente da 105/25]]
  
 +
{{TankManufacturer FIAT-Ansaldo}}
 
{{Italy tank destroyers}}
 
{{Italy tank destroyers}}
 
{{Italy premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{Italy premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 14:37, 6 May 2023

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the Italian tank destroyer M43 "G.C.Leoncello". For regular version, see 105/25 M43.
M43 "G.C.Leoncello"
it_semovente_m43_105_leoncello.png
GarageImage M43 "G.C.Leoncello".jpg
M43 "G.C.Leoncello"
Italy flag.png Italy
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 3.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

The Semovente 105/25 M43 G.C."Leoncello" is a premium gift rank III Italian tank destroyer with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced as a premium pack in Update 1.85 "Supersonic", and was discontinued after the 2019 Summer sales. It was made available briefly for purchase with Golden Eagles Ge icon.png during the 2022 "Italian National Unity and Armed Forces Day" mini-event.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull50 / 40 / 25
Turret75 / 45 / 45
Crew3 people
Visibility61 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, casemate)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (gun mantlet)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 25 mm (78°) Upper glacis
50 mm (40°) Lower glacis - top
30 mm (50°) Lower glacis - bottom 		40 mm
40 + 4 mm Side skirts area 		25 mm Upper part
25 mm (15°) Lower part 		25 mm (12°) Front glacis
10-15 mm (12°) Rear - Engine hood
5-15 mm (5°) Rear - Radiator vents
Casemate 75 mm (5°) Casemate front plate
90 mm (5°) Driver port
60 + 30 mm (spherical) Gun mantlet 		45 mm (7-9°) 45 mm 15 mm (0-4°) Centre
15 mm (18°) Sides

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick while tracks are 20 mm thick and bogies 10 mm thick.
  • The belly is 15 mm thick.
  • Mudguards are 4 mm thick.

The M43 "G.C.Leoncello" got rid of the biggest vulnerabilities of the previous Semoventi: the vertical armour front plate is now much thicker, the sides were reinforced and the crew is less cramped thanks to the widened hull. However, the poor roof armour and a crew of only 3 are still weak points. Your front plate is also now wider and easier to target. With the BR increase, foes are also better armoured, which slightly tones down the benefit brought by your armour increase.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB42 / 4 km/h
RB and SB39 / 4 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight15.7 t
Engine power
AB353 hp
RB and SB185 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB22.5 hp/t
RB and SB11.8 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 42 4 15.7 263 353 16.75 22.48
Realistic 39 4 164 185 10.45 11.78

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB736 Sl icon.png
RB881 Sl icon.png
SB1 779 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts67 000 Sl icon.png
Aces330 Ge icon.png
Research Aces570 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 70 / 110 / 160 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement it.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_ep_m43_HEAT_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade

Armaments

Main armament

105 mm Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 cannon
Ammunition48 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
13.0 → 10.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 16°
Horizontal guidance-18° / 18°
Main article: Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 (105 mm)
105 mm Cannone Ansaldo da 105/25 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 48 -10°/+16° ±18° N/A 12.3 17.1 20.7 22.9 24.4 13.00 11.50 10.60 10.00
Realistic 8.3 9.8 11.9 13.2 14.0

Ammunition

The ammunition choice for the M43 "G.C.Leoncello" is focused on the anti-tank role:

  • Granata Perforante da 105: a capped armour-piercing shell with explosive filler that has a good penetration power and whose explosive filler offers a good single-shot knock-out capability.
  • Effetto Pronto mod.43: a shaped charge with high penetration power that does not diminish over distance. This type of shell is very effective on open and lightly armoured vehicles. It will also penetrate thicker armour, provided it is not sloped and will in most cases require a second shot to finish the enemy vehicle. The long reload time of the gun will be a clear handicap in such cases as the enemy will have time to return fire. Always pack a few HEAT shells as you lack HE shells and a machine gun to deal with lightly armoured vehicles.

Both shells have slow muzzle velocity and will have a curved trajectory. Use this to hit enemies hiding behind a ridge.

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
Granata Perforante da 105 APC 91 89 81 72 64 57
Effetto Pronto mod.43 HEAT 120 120 120 120 120 120
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%
Granata Perforante da 105 APC 500 15.65 1.2 19 275 48° 63° 71°
Effetto Pronto mod.43 HEAT 510 14 0.05 0.1 2,300 62° 69° 73°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the 105/25 M43 (identical)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
48 25 (+23) 13 (+35) 1 (+47) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.

Usage in battles

Combat tactics

The M43 "G.C.Leoncello" is best when used as a tank destroyer thanks to its good frontal armour and the good penetration of its rounds, provided you stay at a distance guaranteeing your survivability (800-1,000 m). Although the Leoncello lacks any kind of turret, there are benefits and also some disavantages. At a distance, the Semovente's limited traverse is less a handicap and makes it harder for the weak spots of the vehicle to be hit. The vehicle's primary advantages include its low profile and powerful gun which can easily defeat most enemies it will encounter at range while remaining a relatively obscured target With a maximum penetration of 72 mm at 1,000 m for the APC round and 120 mm for the HEAT shell, the vehicle will have no problem penetrating the armour of most enemy vehicles at the BR. However, the low-velocity 105 mm howitzer makes it difficult to target and hit reliably enemies at long range and the long reload time prevents you from coming quickly with another shot. If you play too close to the frontline, most tanks will be capable of disabling you. Your weak sides will be exposed if you are taken in a pincer move and your long reload time will give enemies the opportunity to get to a better shooting spot or to close the gap between their location and yours. So it is overall vital that you do not get flanked and you always have friendly tanks to aid you whenever you are in trouble.

Notable enemies include;
  • Tank destroyers with long guns that can penetrate from long range like the Marder III, the Marder III H, the Gun Carrier (3-in), the Archer, the StuG III F, the SU-57B, the YaG-10 (29-K), the Chi-Ha LG or the Na-To,
  • Tanks with powerful HEAT shells like the M4A3 (105), the Pz.III N, the StuH 42 G, the M4A3 (105) (France) or the Sav m/43 (1946),
  • Tanks with APDS shells like the Swedish 37mm gun tanks,
  • Frontline tanks with sloped armour like the M4A1, the T-50, the T-126 or the T-34 (1940) or the M4A1 (France),
  • Fast and agile light tanks such as the M24, the Sd.Kfz. 234/2 or the Crusader III that can easily flank the Semovente undetected are dangerous threats. Their speed and small size make them difficult to target for the Semovente's howitzer and they can disable you easily at close range, and the Crusader with Shot Mk.9 can easily penetrate the M43 at longer ranges.
How to defeat a M43 "G.C.Leoncello"
  • Avoid any frontal encounter. Flank it and aim for the sides of the casemate.
  • Wait for it to have shot and be reloading (it gives you at least 10 seconds to act).
  • If you're forced to engage the Semovente frontally, be as close as possible to increase your chances to penetrate.
  • If you can't disable it in one shot, immobilizing the M43 "G.C.Leoncello" buys you time to finish it off. Either shoot the transmission, the driver or the engine to do so. Stay out or get out of its line of fire once it is immobilized.
  • When flying an aircraft, target the crew compartment to knock the crew out or the engine bay to immobilize it.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 105 mm gun that can fire HEAT rounds
  • Small frontal profile makes the tank easy to conceal and difficult to hit
  • High gun depression, can be used to crest over hills while only exposing the more heavily armoured superstructure
  • Decent mobility and good hull traverse
  • Overpressures most opponents easily with APC

Cons:

  • The mantlet armour can be penetrated by the majority of the guns at its rank
  • 75 mm of armour has to be angled to to block shots from most American and British tanks.
  • No turret
  • Confined interior

History

In mid-1942, the Italian Army put out a set of requirements for a new vehicle that could double up as both an infantry support vehicle as well as a tank destroyer, depending on the situation. In response to this, Fiat-Ansaldo and OTO both began developing prototypes around these requirements in parallel.

The two competing designs primarily differed in the chassis choice. OTO picked the newer chassis of the P40 heavy tank whilst Fiat-Ansaldo chose to opt for a newer and larger version of the chassis already in production for their Semovente M42.

This decision allowed Fiat-Ansaldo to complete their prototype much sooner. In February 1943, the Semovente 105/25 M43 was presented to military officials and was soon afterwards ordered into production, following successful trials.

Production began in April 1943, with a planned production run of over 800 vehicles. However, with Italy's industry at this late stage of the war being severely crippled, production was slow and reaching such high production goals was more than unlikely.

Just prior to the signing of the armistice in September, the 30th vehicle rolled off the assembly line. The Semovente 105/25 M43 proved itself in combat during the defence of Rome, where the SPGs successfully engaged German forces trying to retake the city.

After the occupation of northern Italy by German forces, the Fiat-Ansaldo company restarted production of the Semovente 105/25, this time however, for the Germans. Germany only used a limited number of these vehicles under the designation Sturmgeschütz M43 mit 105/25 853(i), of which most were no longer in use by late 1944.

Around 120 Semovente 105/25 M43s were built by 1944, primarily serving with Italian or German forces. By the late stages of the war, only a limited number was still in service and after the end of WW2, the vehicle was retired from service.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins
Videos
Premium Vehicles: Semovente 105/25 M43 - War Thunder Wiki
The Shooting Range #127 - Metal Beasts section at 00:32 discusses the M43 "G.C.Leoncello".
The Shooting Range #125 - Pages of History section at 05:10 discusses the M43 "G.C.Leoncello".

See also

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

External links


FIAT-Ansaldo
Autoblindo  AB 41 · AB 43
Light Tanks  L6/40 · L6/40 (31 Rgt.)
Medium Tanks  Celere Sahariano
M11/39  M11/39
M13/40  M13/40 (I) · M13/40 (II) · M13/40 (III)
M14/41  M14/41 · M14/41 (47/40)
M15/42  M15/42
P40  P40 · P40 "G.C. Leoncello"
Tank Destroyers 
L3/33  L3/33 CC
Semovente L40  47/32 L40
Semovente M41  75/18 M41 · 75/32 M41 · 90/53 M41M
Semovente M42  75/34 M42
Semovente M43  105/25 M43 · M43 "G.C.Leoncello" · 75/34 M43 · 75/46 M43
SPAAs  M42 Contraereo

Italy tank destroyers
  Italy
M41  75/18 M41 · 75/32 M41 · 90/53 M41M
M42  75/34 M42
M43  105/25 M43 · M43 "G.C.Leoncello" · 75/34 M43 · 75/46 M43
Wheeled  Lancia 3Ro (100/17) · AS 42/47 · Breda 90/53 · Breda 501
Other  L3/33 CC · 47/32 L40
Germany  ▄StuG III G
USA  M36B1 · ▄M109G · M113A1 (TOW)
  Hungary
Zrínyi  Zrinyi I · Zrinyi II
USSR  ◔2S1

Italy premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  L6/40 (31 Rgt.) · Toldi IIA · AUBL/74 HVG · VRCC · Centauro RGO
Medium tanks  M13/40 (II) · Turan II · M14/41 (47/40) · Celere Sahariano · P40 "G.C. Leoncello" · ▄Sherman I Composito · ▄Pz.IV G
  M26 "D.C.Ariete" · M60A1 "D.C.Ariete" · OF-40 (MTCA)
Heavy tanks  Tigris
Tank destroyers  Breda 90/53 · M43 "G.C.Leoncello" · Zrinyi I

Retrieved from "https://wiki.warthunder.com/index.php?title=M43_%22G.C.Leoncello%22&oldid=161915"