Difference between revisions of "P40"

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{{Specs-Card|code=it_p_40}}
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{{About
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|about=Italian medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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|other
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|usage-1 = other uses
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|link-1 = P40 (Disambiguation)
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|usage-2 = the premium version
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|link-2 = P40 "G.C. Leoncello"
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}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=it_p_40
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.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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[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
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During the war in Africa, the Italians found that their medium and light tanks had a lack of armour and insufficient firepower against the Allied tanks. At the beginning of 1940, they began work on a project for a heavy infantry support tank, which was to fight alongside the medium tanks. The project was initially designated as the P75 for its 75/18 mm cannon, which was later changed to a longer 75/32 gun and finally a 75/34 cannon with better anti-tank capabilities. The initial design derived from the contemporary M13/40 tank, but was later revised with sloped armour plate<ref>"I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, pp 84-88</ref><ref>"Atlante mondiale dei mezzi corazzati, I carri dell'Asse", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1983, p 64</ref>; eventually the vehicle that came out was the P26/40, a heavy tank by Italian army guidelines due to its weight of 26 tons, and the number 40 for the year of design. The vehicle would only see the battlefield in 1943, of which only 5 would be produced before the armistice and in turn would be captured by the Germans, who would produce a hundred more tanks, many of which were used as fixed emplacements without engine.
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{{break}}
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The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Italian medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].
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Introduced along with the initial Italian ground tree in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]], the P40 proves to be a balanced vehicle between armament, armour, and mobility: between the APCBC and HEAT shells, it is able to penetrate almost every tank it will meet; the mobility is neither too good nor too bad; and the vehicle can take some damage without problems.
  
 
== 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 helpful for survival in combat?''
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
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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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<!-- ''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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'''Adequate'''. This is the word that comes to mind when thinking of the P40's armour. Its protection is enough for most medium-ranged engagements but is able to be easily penetrated by most guns at close range. The front plate is a 50 mm plate sloped at 45° allowing for 65-67 mm of total protection, and the drivers hatch on the left side is 76 mm also sloped at 45° allowing for nearly 100 mm of protection. Most shots to the upper glacis won't penetrate thanks to the radical sloping angle of the plate offering 95 mm of armour, but it is possible for it to deflect a shot into the UFP. The gun mantlet is very well protected, with two rounded plates, which each offer roughly 50 mm of protection, stacked on top of each other allowing for a total of 100 mm. Be wary that the turret is a very vulnerable spot due to the nearly flat plate that only has 50 mm of armour.
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'''Armour type:'''
  
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=== Mobility ===
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* Rolled homogeneous armour
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<!-- Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability as well as the maximum speed forward and backwards. -->
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* Structural steel
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
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! rowspan="2" | Game Mode
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{| class="wikitable"
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! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristics
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|-
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! colspan="2" | Engine power (horsepower)
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
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! colspan="2" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 
 
|-
 
|-
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! {{Annotation|Max Speed|Maximum Speed (km/h)}}
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| Hull || 50 mm (45°), 30 mm (78°), 45 mm (45°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 50 mm (38°) ''Lower glacis'' <br> 74 mm (45°) ''Driver's hatch'' || 45 mm (35°) ''Top'' <br> 40 mm ''Bottom'' || 40 mm ''Fighting compartment rear'' <br> 40 mm (10-40°) || 45 mm ''Front'' <br> 15 mm ''Rear''
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! {{Annotation|Weight|Vehicle Weight (tons)}}
 
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! {{Annotation|AoA Weight|Add on Armour Weight (tons)}}
 
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! Stock
 
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! Upgraded
 
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! Stock
 
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! Upgraded
 
 
|-
 
|-
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! Arcade
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| Turret || 50 mm (20°) ''Turret front'' <br> 48 + 48 mm (1-78°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 45 mm (25-26°) || 45 mm ''Top'' <br> 23 + 50 + 45 mm ''Turret bustle'' || 20 mm
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| 45 || rowspan="2" | 26.0 || rowspan="2" | N/A || 511 || 630 || 19.65 || 24.23
 
 
|-
 
|-
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! {{Annotation|Realistic|Simulator uses Realistic FMs}}
 
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| 40 || 292 || 330 || 11.23 || 12.69
 
 
|}
 
|}
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Mobility is below average for the rank but is faster than some common tanks like the early Sherman's and Chi-Nu. However, almost every other tank in the rank will easily outrun the P40 (Such as the early T-34's, [[Cromwell (Family)|Cromwell's]], [[Pz.III M|Pz.III]] and the [[Pz.IV F2]]). The tank's offroad speed is quite good, able to reach 43 kmh/27 mph on dirt and get to that speed quite quickly. The hull traverse is also very good and the tank is very responsive while in motion, allowing for a very mobile playstyle.
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'''Notes:'''
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* Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
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* 4 mm side skirts line up parts of the bottom side hull.
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* Belly armour is 14 mm thick.
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Its protection is enough for most medium-ranged engagements but is able to be easily penetrated by most guns at close range. The front plate is a 50 mm plate sloped at 45° allowing for 65-67 mm of total protection, and the drivers hatch on the left side is 76 mm also sloped at 45° allowing for nearly 100 mm of protection. Most shots to the upper glacis won't penetrate thanks to the radical sloping angle of the plate offering 95 mm of armour, but it is possible for it to deflect a shot into the UFP. The gun mantlet is very well protected, with two rounded plates, which each offer roughly 50 mm of protection, stacked on top of each other allowing for a total of 100 mm. Be wary that the turret is a very vulnerable spot due to the nearly flat plate that only has 50 mm of armour.
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=== Mobility ===
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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=511|rbMinHp=292}}
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Mobility is below average for the rank but is faster than some common tanks like the early Sherman's and Chi-Nu. However, almost every other tank in the rank will easily outrun the {{PAGENAME}} (such as the early T-34s, [[Cromwell (Family)|Cromwells]], [[Pz.III M|Pz.III]] and the [[Pz.IV F2]]). The tank's off road speed is quite good, able to reach 43 km/h (27 mph) on dirt and get to that speed quite quickly. The hull traverse is also very good and the tank is very responsive while in motion, allowing for a very mobile playstyle.
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=== Modifications and economy ===
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{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
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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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{{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.'' -->
 
{{main|Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)}}
 
{{main|Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)}}
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The {{Specs|name}} is armed with a [[Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)]], able to hold a total of 63 shells.
 
  
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The 75 mm Ansaldo 75 L/34 cannon mounted on the P40 is appropriate armament for its rnk, combining a decent reload with flexible munitions. The P40 has access to a 75 mm APHE round with 79 mm of penetration and a HEAT round with 100 mm of penetration. It is worth noting, either ammunition is usable, but a mix is preferable. Most enemies will easily fall prey to the APHE round, but T-34's, M4 Sherman's, KV1's, are all enemies that require heavier hitting rounds, like the HEAT round. Note turret rotation is mediocre, and traversing the hull is necessary during close range engagements. The average round velocity will make longer-range combat difficult and the penetration drop off of the APHE round becomes quite noticeable.
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The P40 is armed with a Ansaldo 75 L/34, able to carry a total of 63 shells. combining a decent reload with flexible munitions. The P40 has access to a 75 mm APHE round with 79 mm of penetration and a HEAT round with 100 mm of penetration. It is worth noting, either ammunition is usable, but a mix is preferable. Most enemies will easily fall prey to the APHE round, but T-34s, M4 Shermans, and KV-1s, are all enemies that require heavier hitting rounds, like the HEAT round. Note turret rotation is mediocre, and traversing the hull is necessary during close range engagements. The average round velocity will make longer-range combat difficult and the penetration drop off of the APHE round becomes quite noticeable.
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)|75 mm Ansaldo 75 L/34]] || 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" | 63 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+23° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 13.3 || 18.4 || 22.4 || 24.8 || 26.4 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
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|-
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! ''Realistic''
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| 8.3 || 9.8 || 11.9 || 13.2 || 14.0
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|-
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|}
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==== Ammunition ====
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{{:Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)/Ammunition|Granata Perforante 75/32, EPS M42, Granata 75/32}}
  
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===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
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==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
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{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
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[[File:Ammoracks P40 "G.C. Leoncello".png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
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<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
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! Full<br>ammo
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
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! 1st<br>rack empty
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
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! 2nd<br>rack empty
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty
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! 3rd<br>rack empty
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty
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! 4th<br>rack empty
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |5th<br /> rack empty
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! 5th<br>rack empty
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |6th<br />  rack empty
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! Visual<br>discrepancy
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! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 
 
|-
 
|-
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|| '''63''' || 58&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 53&nbsp;''(+10)'' || 48&nbsp;''(+15)'' || 43&nbsp;''(+20)'' || 22&nbsp;''(+41)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+62)'' || style="text-align:center" | No
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| '''63''' || 58&nbsp;''(+5)'' || 53&nbsp;''(+10)'' || 48&nbsp;''(+15)'' || 42&nbsp;''(+21)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+62)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
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Recommendations: Sponsons empty: 43 ''(+20)''
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Sponsons empty: 42&nbsp;''(+21)''
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Rack 5 is a massive ammo rack in the hull containing 42 shells. Carrying 21 (+42) effectively reduces its size by half.
  
 
=== 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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{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|3}}
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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.'' -->
 
{{main|Breda Mod. 38 (8 mm)}}
 
{{main|Breda Mod. 38 (8 mm)}}
  
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* [[Breda Mod. 38 (8 mm)]] x 2 (One pintle-mounted and one mounted co-axially, 576 rounds total)
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
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|-
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! colspan="5" | [[Breda Mod. 38 (8 mm)|8 mm Breda Mod. 38]]
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|-
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
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|-
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| Pintle || 288 (24) || 600 || -10°/+20° || N/A
 +
|-
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| Coaxial || 288 (24) || 600 || N/A || N/A
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|-
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|}
  
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== Usage in the battles ==
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== Usage in battles ==
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<!-- 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). -->
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<!-- ''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).'' -->
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The P40 is a tank that excels in medium-ranged engagements thanks to its decent armour and adequate gun. Due to the relatively small size and good mobility, it can, however, be played as an ambush tank that can sneak around and plant a shot in the enemy's sides, allowing for an easy elimination because of the large explosive filler in the APCBC shell. Be wary that while the tank's armour may protect against many lower-rank cannons, cannons at equivalent BR (Namely the Pz.IV's long-barrelled cannon) are easily capable of destroying the tank.  
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The P40 is a tank that excels in medium-ranged engagements thanks to its decent armour and adequate gun. Due to the relatively small size and good mobility, it can, however, be played as an ambush tank that can sneak around and plant a shot in the enemy's sides, allowing for an easy elimination because of the large explosive filler in the APCBC shell. Be wary that while the tank's armour may protect against many lower-rank cannons, cannons at equivalent BR (Namely the Pz.IV's long-barrelled cannon) are easily capable of destroying the tank.
  
 
Players in the P40 should always be with teammates, as the P40 is easy prey when separated from its team. Stick with the heavier tanks such as the KV-1's, Churchill's and Matilda's, as they can soak up shots and draw attention away from the weak little P40, allowing the player to sneak around and hit a few tanks. If there are no heavy tanks, the P40's best bet is to support a Sherman or Pz.IV, as both of them can deal with enemies that the P40 can't.
 
Players in the P40 should always be with teammates, as the P40 is easy prey when separated from its team. Stick with the heavier tanks such as the KV-1's, Churchill's and Matilda's, as they can soak up shots and draw attention away from the weak little P40, allowing the player to sneak around and hit a few tanks. If there are no heavy tanks, the P40's best bet is to support a Sherman or Pz.IV, as both of them can deal with enemies that the P40 can't.
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=== Specific enemies worth noting: ===
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* [[KV-1 (L-11)]]/[[KV-1S]]. These Russian heavy beasts are incredibly difficult for the P40 to deal with, as their armour is able to shrug off even the EPS M42 HEAT round and they mount guns able to punch through it frontally. Your best bet to destroy them solo is by taking out their guns and burn them out by shooting their engine, but if the P40 is accompanied by a tank with a stronger gun such as the long-barrelled [[Pz.IV]]'s, the engagement will become significantly easier. When accompanied by teammates, take out their gun and tracks in order to ensure a teammate secures the kill.
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* [[Matilda III]]. The British Matilda tank is the most common enemy the P40 will face, and boasts excellent all-around protection comparable to the previously mentioned KV-1's and an excellent crew layout. It's worth mentioning that its complex side armour is able to thwart the EPS round when not aimed carefully, and has a habit of absorbing shells in general. It is however not without its downfalls, as its main gun has very low penetration across all of its shell selections, with the highest penetrating shell still being unable to penetrate a well-angled P40 at 300 meters out, and it being incredibly slow. Your EPS shell can penetrate the turret sides at most ranges and will take out all 3 crew members in the turret when aimed carefully.
  
 
=== 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".'' -->
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[[File:Radar chart P40.png|thumb|P40's medium tank abilities chart]]
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
Line 85: Line 145:
 
* Relatively small for a medium tank
 
* Relatively small for a medium tank
 
* Very good in medium-ranged performance
 
* Very good in medium-ranged performance
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* Relatively consistent armour protection all around the tank ~ good for angling
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
Line 94: Line 155:
 
* Lower than the average speed
 
* Lower than the average speed
 
* Mediocre turret traverse
 
* Mediocre turret traverse
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* Smoke shells deploy behind the tank
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
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<!-- 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 main template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article. -->
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<!-- ''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).'' -->
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[[File:P40 at Army parade.jpg|thumb|P26/40 at an Italian Army parade in 2011]]
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The Carro Pesante P26/40 was Italy's heaviest and most modern tank that saw service in WWII. Despite only weighing 26 tonnes, which is significantly less than almost every other country's medium tanks, it was classed as a heavy tank due to Italy's tank design doctrine.
  
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The Carro Pesante P26/40 was Italy's best tank that saw service in the war. Despite only weighing 29 tonnes, which is significantly less than almost every other country's heavy tanks, it was classed as a heavy tank due to Italy's tank design doctrine. In early 1940, the Italians started working on a 25 tonne "heavy" infantry support tank that was intended to fight alongside the "M" class medium tanks. The recent Africa campaign showed the massive problems the Italian tanks in production had, namely a lack of armour and insufficient firepower, prompting the army to make some changes. Initially designated as "P75" due to the 75 mm short-barrelled 75/32 mm cannon that was changed to a longer barrelled 75/34 with higher potency. The initial prototype was powered by a 330 hp diesel engine but was changed to a traditional petrol-fueled engine due to the unimpressive performance of the diesel engine, which forced the Ansaldo engineers to delay the program until the necessary modifications to the chassis and body could be made to fit the petrol engine. This eventually produced a petrol engine titled "V-12 SPA 342" delivering 420 hp. The vehicle was adopted and was named "P26/40", 26 for the weight and 40 for the year it was designed.  
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In early 1940, the Italians started working on a 25 tonne "heavy" infantry support tank that was intended to fight alongside the "M" class medium tanks.<ref>"I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, pp 84-85</ref> The recent Africa campaign showed the massive problems the Italian tanks in production had, namely a lack of armour and insufficient firepower, prompting the army to make some changes. The initial design of 1941 was based around the same scheme of the M13/40 medium tank and saw the use of a short barrelled 75/18 howitzer in turret, two machine guns in the hull, and the use of vertical armour plates. With the capture of an early T-34/76, displayed by the Germans, the P26/40 was completely revised with sloped plates and a longer 75/34 gun.<ref>"I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, pp 86</ref> The vehicle was adopted in late 1942 and was named "P26/40", 26 for the weight and 40 for the year it was designed, later simplified to P40 following a new designation policy after August 1942.<ref>"Atlante mondiale dei mezzi corazzati, I carri dell'Asse", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1983, p 10</ref>
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While surely better than previous Italian tanks, the P40 was only comparable to mid-war Allied and Soviet medium tanks, such as M4s, Cromwells or T-34/76s, and was still outdated regarding its mobility, the riveted armour and the use of a smaller two-men turret.<ref>"Corazzati 1939/1945", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1974, pp 91-92</ref><ref>"Carri armati nel deserto", Valerio Naglieri, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1972, p 125</ref> The Italian Army considered the use of the heavier, but never realized, P43 and P43 bis, or the license-production of the German Panther even before the service of the P26/40.<ref>"Atlante mondiale dei mezzi corazzati, I carri dell'Asse", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1983, p 66</ref>
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Before the Italian Armistice of the 8 September 1943, the Carro Pesante P26/40 was produced in only a few units, between 1 and 5 pre-production vehicles, that were taken by the Wehrmacht when the Italian Army surrendered. The Germans continued production and built around a hundred tanks but due to the low rate of production of the engines and overall modest features of the P40, 38 were used without engine as static emplacements.<ref>"I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, p 65</ref> Today, two Carro Pesante P26/40s still exist: one of them is in the Museo della Motorizzazione in Rome, while the other one is on display near the Italian Army barracks in Lecce.
  
 
== 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,''
 
  
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* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=it_p_40 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
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;Videos
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* Videos for the {{PAGENAME}} "G.C. Leoncello" also apply to the {{PAGENAME}}.
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{{Youtube-gallery|tYfOlnMdCLE|'''{{PAGENAME}} "Leoncello" - Tank Review - Special Italian Flavour''' - ''Napalmratte''|N-EazLEFaFg|'''The Shooting Range #71''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 08:17 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.|GfrV4tR0HGo|'''Fiat-Ansaldo P 26/40, Italian, Tier-2, Medium Tank''' - ''Angry Nerd Gaming''}}
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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;''
 
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{{TankManufacturer FIAT-Ansaldo}}
 
{{Italy medium tanks}}
 
{{Italy medium tanks}}
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Latest revision as of 18:05, 27 June 2024

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
This page is about the Italian medium tank P40. For other uses, see P40 (Disambiguation). For the premium version, see P40 "G.C. Leoncello".
P40
it_p_40.png
GarageImage P40.jpg
ArtImage P40.png
P40
Italy flag.png Italy
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
3.3 3.3 3.3
Class:
Research:14 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:32 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

During the war in Africa, the Italians found that their medium and light tanks had a lack of armour and insufficient firepower against the Allied tanks. At the beginning of 1940, they began work on a project for a heavy infantry support tank, which was to fight alongside the medium tanks. The project was initially designated as the P75 for its 75/18 mm cannon, which was later changed to a longer 75/32 gun and finally a 75/34 cannon with better anti-tank capabilities. The initial design derived from the contemporary M13/40 tank, but was later revised with sloped armour plate[1][2]; eventually the vehicle that came out was the P26/40, a heavy tank by Italian army guidelines due to its weight of 26 tons, and the number 40 for the year of design. The vehicle would only see the battlefield in 1943, of which only 5 would be produced before the armistice and in turn would be captured by the Germans, who would produce a hundred more tanks, many of which were used as fixed emplacements without engine.

Introduced along with the initial Italian ground tree in Update 1.85 "Supersonic", the P40 proves to be a balanced vehicle between armament, armour, and mobility: between the APCBC and HEAT shells, it is able to penetrate almost every tank it will meet; the mobility is neither too good nor too bad; and the vehicle can take some damage without problems.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull50 / 45 / 40
Turret50 / 45 / 45
Crew4 people
Visibility88 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Structural steel
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 50 mm (45°), 30 mm (78°), 45 mm (45°) Front glacis
50 mm (38°) Lower glacis
74 mm (45°) Driver's hatch 		45 mm (35°) Top
40 mm Bottom 		40 mm Fighting compartment rear
40 mm (10-40°) 		45 mm Front
15 mm Rear
Turret 50 mm (20°) Turret front
48 + 48 mm (1-78°) Gun mantlet 		45 mm (25-26°) 45 mm Top
23 + 50 + 45 mm Turret bustle 		20 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick.
  • 4 mm side skirts line up parts of the bottom side hull.
  • Belly armour is 14 mm thick.

Its protection is enough for most medium-ranged engagements but is able to be easily penetrated by most guns at close range. The front plate is a 50 mm plate sloped at 45° allowing for 65-67 mm of total protection, and the drivers hatch on the left side is 76 mm also sloped at 45° allowing for nearly 100 mm of protection. Most shots to the upper glacis won't penetrate thanks to the radical sloping angle of the plate offering 95 mm of armour, but it is possible for it to deflect a shot into the UFP. The gun mantlet is very well protected, with two rounded plates, which each offer roughly 50 mm of protection, stacked on top of each other allowing for a total of 100 mm. Be wary that the turret is a very vulnerable spot due to the nearly flat plate that only has 50 mm of armour.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB45 / 5 km/h
RB and SB41 / 5 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight26.0 t
Engine power
AB630 hp
RB and SB330 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB24.2 hp/t
RB and SB12.7 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 45 5 26 511 630 19.65 24.23
Realistic 41 5 292 330 11.23 12.69

Mobility is below average for the rank but is faster than some common tanks like the early Sherman's and Chi-Nu. However, almost every other tank in the rank will easily outrun the P40 (such as the early T-34s, Cromwells, Pz.III and the Pz.IV F2). The tank's off road speed is quite good, able to reach 43 km/h (27 mph) on dirt and get to that speed quite quickly. The hull traverse is also very good and the tank is very responsive while in motion, allowing for a very mobile playstyle.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB830 → 1 122 Sl icon.png
RB954 → 1 290 Sl icon.png
SB1 186 → 1 604 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications13 860 Rp icon.png
20 200 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost860 Ge icon.png
Crew training9 200 Sl icon.png
Experts32 000 Sl icon.png
Aces270 Ge icon.png
Research Aces250 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
50 / 80 / 90 % Sl icon.png
130 / 130 / 130 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement it.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
75mm_M42_EPS_HEAT_ammo_pack
Research:
690 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 000 Sl icon.png
85 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
780 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 100 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
870 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 300 Sl icon.png
105 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
1 500 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 200 Sl icon.png
185 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

75 mm Ansaldo 75 L/34 cannon
Ammunition63 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
6.5 → 5.0 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 23°
Main article: Ansaldo 75 L/34 (75 mm)

The P40 is armed with a Ansaldo 75 L/34, able to carry a total of 63 shells. combining a decent reload with flexible munitions. The P40 has access to a 75 mm APHE round with 79 mm of penetration and a HEAT round with 100 mm of penetration. It is worth noting, either ammunition is usable, but a mix is preferable. Most enemies will easily fall prey to the APHE round, but T-34s, M4 Shermans, and KV-1s, are all enemies that require heavier hitting rounds, like the HEAT round. Note turret rotation is mediocre, and traversing the hull is necessary during close range engagements. The average round velocity will make longer-range combat difficult and the penetration drop off of the APHE round becomes quite noticeable.

75 mm Ansaldo 75 L/34 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 63 -10°/+23° ±180° N/A 13.3 18.4 22.4 24.8 26.4 6.50 5.75 5.30 5.00
Realistic 8.3 9.8 11.9 13.2 14.0

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
Granata Perforante 75/32 APCBC 79 78 71 64 58 52
EPS M42 HEAT 100 100 100 100 100 100
Granata 75/32 HE 10 10 9 9 9 9
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 75/32 APCBC 637 6.35 1.2 14 270 48° 63° 71°
EPS M42 HEAT 552 5.3 0.05 0.1 656.64 62° 69° 73°
Granata 75/32 HE 552 6.35 0.2 0.1 600 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the P40
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
63 58 (+5) 53 (+10) 48 (+15) 42 (+21) 1 (+62) No

Sponsons empty: 42 (+21)

Rack 5 is a massive ammo rack in the hull containing 42 shells. Carrying 21 (+42) effectively reduces its size by half.

Machine guns

8 mm Breda Mod. 38 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition288 rounds
Belt capacity24 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
8 mm Breda Mod. 38 machine gun
Ammunition288 rounds
Belt capacity24 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: Breda Mod. 38 (8 mm)
8 mm Breda Mod. 38
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 288 (24) 600 -10°/+20° N/A
Coaxial 288 (24) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

The P40 is a tank that excels in medium-ranged engagements thanks to its decent armour and adequate gun. Due to the relatively small size and good mobility, it can, however, be played as an ambush tank that can sneak around and plant a shot in the enemy's sides, allowing for an easy elimination because of the large explosive filler in the APCBC shell. Be wary that while the tank's armour may protect against many lower-rank cannons, cannons at equivalent BR (Namely the Pz.IV's long-barrelled cannon) are easily capable of destroying the tank.

Players in the P40 should always be with teammates, as the P40 is easy prey when separated from its team. Stick with the heavier tanks such as the KV-1's, Churchill's and Matilda's, as they can soak up shots and draw attention away from the weak little P40, allowing the player to sneak around and hit a few tanks. If there are no heavy tanks, the P40's best bet is to support a Sherman or Pz.IV, as both of them can deal with enemies that the P40 can't.

Specific enemies worth noting:

  • KV-1 (L-11)/KV-1S. These Russian heavy beasts are incredibly difficult for the P40 to deal with, as their armour is able to shrug off even the EPS M42 HEAT round and they mount guns able to punch through it frontally. Your best bet to destroy them solo is by taking out their guns and burn them out by shooting their engine, but if the P40 is accompanied by a tank with a stronger gun such as the long-barrelled Pz.IV's, the engagement will become significantly easier. When accompanied by teammates, take out their gun and tracks in order to ensure a teammate secures the kill.
  • Matilda III. The British Matilda tank is the most common enemy the P40 will face, and boasts excellent all-around protection comparable to the previously mentioned KV-1's and an excellent crew layout. It's worth mentioning that its complex side armour is able to thwart the EPS round when not aimed carefully, and has a habit of absorbing shells in general. It is however not without its downfalls, as its main gun has very low penetration across all of its shell selections, with the highest penetrating shell still being unable to penetrate a well-angled P40 at 300 meters out, and it being incredibly slow. Your EPS shell can penetrate the turret sides at most ranges and will take out all 3 crew members in the turret when aimed carefully.

Pros and cons

P40's medium tank abilities chart

Pros:

  • Decent frontal armour
  • The gun possesses satisfactory performance at its rank
  • Has access to HEAT shells with 100 mm of penetration
  • Stock shell has a lot of explosive filler, making one-shot very common
  • Relatively small for a medium tank
  • Very good in medium-ranged performance
  • Relatively consistent armour protection all around the tank ~ good for angling

Cons:

  • Overall penetration is not that great
  • Pitifully low ammo count for each machine gun belt
  • Armour can still be penetrated by a few enemies of rank II, most notably by the long-barreled Panzer IVs
  • Breda Mod. 38's have a very low magazine count
  • Lower than the average speed
  • Mediocre turret traverse
  • Smoke shells deploy behind the tank

History

P26/40 at an Italian Army parade in 2011

The Carro Pesante P26/40 was Italy's heaviest and most modern tank that saw service in WWII. Despite only weighing 26 tonnes, which is significantly less than almost every other country's medium tanks, it was classed as a heavy tank due to Italy's tank design doctrine.

In early 1940, the Italians started working on a 25 tonne "heavy" infantry support tank that was intended to fight alongside the "M" class medium tanks.[3] The recent Africa campaign showed the massive problems the Italian tanks in production had, namely a lack of armour and insufficient firepower, prompting the army to make some changes. The initial design of 1941 was based around the same scheme of the M13/40 medium tank and saw the use of a short barrelled 75/18 howitzer in turret, two machine guns in the hull, and the use of vertical armour plates. With the capture of an early T-34/76, displayed by the Germans, the P26/40 was completely revised with sloped plates and a longer 75/34 gun.[4] The vehicle was adopted in late 1942 and was named "P26/40", 26 for the weight and 40 for the year it was designed, later simplified to P40 following a new designation policy after August 1942.[5]

While surely better than previous Italian tanks, the P40 was only comparable to mid-war Allied and Soviet medium tanks, such as M4s, Cromwells or T-34/76s, and was still outdated regarding its mobility, the riveted armour and the use of a smaller two-men turret.[6][7] The Italian Army considered the use of the heavier, but never realized, P43 and P43 bis, or the license-production of the German Panther even before the service of the P26/40.[8]

Before the Italian Armistice of the 8 September 1943, the Carro Pesante P26/40 was produced in only a few units, between 1 and 5 pre-production vehicles, that were taken by the Wehrmacht when the Italian Army surrendered. The Germans continued production and built around a hundred tanks but due to the low rate of production of the engines and overall modest features of the P40, 38 were used without engine as static emplacements.[9] Today, two Carro Pesante P26/40s still exist: one of them is in the Museo della Motorizzazione in Rome, while the other one is on display near the Italian Army barracks in Lecce.

Media

Skins
Videos
  • Videos for the P40 "G.C. Leoncello" also apply to the P40.
P40 "Leoncello" - Tank Review - Special Italian Flavour - Napalmratte
The Shooting Range #71 - Metal Beasts section at 08:17 discusses the P40.
Fiat-Ansaldo P 26/40, Italian, Tier-2, Medium Tank - Angry Nerd Gaming

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 medium tanks
  Italy
M13/40  M13/40 (I) · M13/40 (II) · M13/40 (III)
M14/41  M14/41 · M14/41 (47/40)
M15/42  M15/42
M16/43  Celere Sahariano
P26/40  P40 · P40 "G.C. Leoncello"
OF-40  OF-40 · OF-40 Mk.2A · OF-40 (MTCA)
Ariete  Ariete (P) · Ariete · Ariete PSO · Ariete AMV
Germany  ▄Pz.III N · ▄Pz.IV G · ▄Leopard 1A5
Allied powers  ▄Sherman I Composito · Sherman Ic · ▄Sherman Vc · ▄Sherman V · M26 "D.C.Ariete" · M26A1 · M47 (105/55) · M60A1 "D.C.Ariete"
  Hungary
Turán  Turan I · Turan II · Turan III
Germany  ◔Leopard 2A4 · Leopard 2A7HU
USSR  ◔T-72M1

  1. ↑ "I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, pp 84-88
  2. ↑ "Atlante mondiale dei mezzi corazzati, I carri dell'Asse", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1983, p 64
  3. ↑ "I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, pp 84-85
  4. ↑ "I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, pp 86
  5. ↑ "Atlante mondiale dei mezzi corazzati, I carri dell'Asse", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1983, p 10
  6. ↑ "Corazzati 1939/1945", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1974, pp 91-92
  7. ↑ "Carri armati nel deserto", Valerio Naglieri, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1972, p 125
  8. ↑ "Atlante mondiale dei mezzi corazzati, I carri dell'Asse", Nicola Pignato, Ermanno Albertelli Editore, Italy, 1983, p 66
  9. ↑ "I mezzi blindo-Corazzati Italiani 1923-1943", Nicola Pignato, Storia Militare, Albertelli Edizioni Speciali, Italy, 2007, p 65
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