Difference between revisions of "Black Prince"

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{{Specs-Card|code=uk_a_43_black_prince}}
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{{Specs-Card
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|code=uk_a_43_black_prince
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|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part 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 '''A43 Black Prince''' was an experimental development of the [[Churchill VII]] fitted with the ubiquitous Ordnance QF 17-pounder tank cannon. It was designed as an interim for the specification of a "universal tank" (eventually resulting in the [[Centurion (Family)|Centurion]]) that could replace both well-armoured infantry tanks such as the Churchill as well as powerfully armed cruiser tanks such as the [[Crusader (Family)|Crusader]] and [[Cromwell (Family)|Cromwell]]. The large gun required a larger turret, resulting in a widening of the hull. The increase in weight had to be compensated by modification of the suspension system and wider tracks. Plans for other modifications such as a more powerful engine or installation of the Centurion's turret never came into fruition. The first of the six prototypes was completed in May 1945; by this time, similarly armed and significantly more mobile tanks such as the [[Sherman Firefly]], [[Comet I]], and Centurion were beginning to be or had already been introduced into service, and so the project was cancelled soon after. Only one example still exists, the fourth prototype, which is displayed in the Bovington Tank Museum.
 +
 
 +
The Black Prince was introduced in [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]] and was one of the first British tanks to be introduced into the game. The Black Prince offers a powerful gun, able to be equipped with APDS, capable of destroying [[Ferdinand]]s, [[IS-2]]s, and other tanks from over 1 km away. The reload time is great for its rank, at a mere 7.6 s and when coupled with the tank's heavy armour, can stand as quite a lethal opponent. However, the armour, while still effective, is not as reliable as the Churchill's was at lower battle ratings when facing increasingly powerful armaments. Additionally, the extra 8.5 tons of weight compared to the already sluggish Churchill makes it extremely slow with a top speed of 17 km/h (10 mph) and only -2 km/h (-1 mph) reverse speed.
 +
 
 +
The Black Prince was initially available as a [[wt:en/news/3472--en|pre-order pack]] from the Gaijin store, but was discontinued after the [[wt:en/news/5232-shop-winter-sales-special-bundle-and-gift-certificates-en|2017 Winter sales]]. It has since been made available in the store periodically for "Black Friday" sales in [[wt:en/news/6488-shop-black-friday-sale-en|2019]], [[wt:en/news/6957-shop-black-friday-bundle-en|2020]], [[wt:en/news/7431-shop-black-friday-bundle-en|2021]], [[wt:en/news/7975-shop-black-friday-bundle-en|2022]], and [[wt:en/news/8599-shop-black-friday-bundle-en|2023]].
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
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{{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.'' -->
 +
The A43 Black Prince has one of the thickest armour installations of any tanks. The front is able to be continuously hit by larger and more powerful calibre tanks at close range without taking much, if any damage. However, if you come up against a tank shooting HEAT or HE rounds they will likely penetrate the armour with ease. Do not expose the sides to the enemy player, as it is one of the weakest parts of the tank, seconded only to the central portion of the turret's mantlet. Not only that, the sides contain the location of the ammunition; If it is hit, it is likely to detonate. If the ammunition does not detonate, the vehicle's crew will be incapacitated.
 +
 
 +
It lacks a top-mounted machine gun, which is normally a deterrent against low flying aircraft, making the vehicle more vulnerable to be attacks by a planes, and an easy target for bombers. The turret's slow traverse speed also makes the use of the internal machine gun useless against aircraft attacks.
 +
 
 +
Due to the low profile of this tank, being hit in the lower front turret is a rare occurrence. You still need to be careful of HEAT and HE rounds, as the low profile design will allow the enemy rounds to enter the turret's machine gun port and either knock out the loader: if using an APCR or solid shot round, OR, if using other rounds such as APCBC, APBC and HEAT, it is very likely that all the turret crew will be eliminated.
 +
 
 +
The Black Prince is vulnerable to large-calibre HE rounds, which will often bounce and enter through the roof. The ammunition is located along the sides of the vehicle, making these a primary weak spot for enemy players to target.
 +
 
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
 
 +
* Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret front, Turret sides, Cupola)
  
−
''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 || 152 mm ''Front plate'' <br> 57 mm (70°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 139 mm (20-60°) ''Lower glacis'' || 82 mm ''Top'' <br> 95 mm ''Bottom'' || 51 mm (20°) ''Top'' <br> 25 mm (60°) ''Bottom'' || 25 mm ''Front'' <br> 18 mm ''Engine deck''
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || 152 mm (6-83°) ''Turret front'' <br> 152 mm (0-25°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 95 mm || 101 + 4 mm || 38 mm (73°) ''Front'' <br> 18 mm ''Bottom''
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 100 mm || 38 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* Suspension wheels and chassis construction are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
 +
* Belly armour is 18-25 mm thick.
 +
* There is a 19 mm thick plate separating the engine compartment to the crew's.
 +
* A 50 mm turret ring shield is present on the front of the turret.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
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''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
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<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
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 +
When playing the {{PAGENAME}} you will immediately notice the speed and length: it is not a fast tank. You will also notice that it can sometimes struggle to get up hills and small embankments. It is recommended to stay on flat terrain and to make small sharp turns. This will keep more momentum than a single big turn which will lose most of your much needed momentum.
 +
 
 +
The A43 is a rather long tank making it almost impossible to get wedged between ditches, but the vehicle lacks sufficient engine power required to pull itself over the obstacles and often gets stuck when climbing over them.
 +
 
 +
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=452|rbMinHp=310}}
 +
 
 +
=== 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 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.''
+
{{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|QF 17-pounder (76 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
However, the A43 Black Prince does have one of the most powerful cannons in the game, and is capable of destroying tiger tanks and other heavily armoured vehicles from short to long distances, and is equipped with many different ammunition types which are viable for different situations. The APDS is the recommended choice for giving the gun the full potential of being capable of destroying more heavily armoured targets at longer ranges.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[QF 17-pounder (76 mm)|76 mm QF 17-pounder]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
|-
 +
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 89 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 13.8 || 19.0 || 23.1 || 25.6 || 27.2 || rowspan="2" | 7.15 || rowspan="2" | 6.33 || rowspan="2" | 5.83 || rowspan="2" | 5.50
 +
|-
 +
! ''Realistic''
 +
| 10.1 || 11.9 || 14.4 || 16.0 || 17.0
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Ammunition ====
 +
The Black Prince is equipped with some of the most lethal ammunition types in the game. It can carry a combination of different type or just a single type of projectiles.
 +
 
 +
* Shot Mk.6 - {{Annotation|AP|Armour-Piercing}} - Standard round/low shrapnel: use against medium or light tanks
 +
* Shell Mk.1 - {{Annotation|HE|High Explosive}} - Ideal for destroying SPAA and lightly armoured tanks
 +
* Shot Mk.4 - {{Annotation|APC|Armour-Piercing Capped}} - Standard round/medium shrapnel: use against medium tanks
 +
* Shot Mk.8 - {{Annotation|APCBC|Armour-Piercing Capped Ballistic Capped}} - Deadliest round/high shrapnel damage: use against most opponents
 +
* Shot SV Mk.1 - {{Annotation|APDS|Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot}} - Most penetrative round but less damage than APCBC (low spalling): good to use against post-WW2 era opponents or heavily-armoured tanks
 +
 
 +
{{:QF 17-pounder (76 mm)/Ammunition|Shot Mk.6, Shell Mk.1, Shot Mk.4, Shot Mk.8, Shot SV Mk.1, 17pdr Shell SS Mk.1}}
 +
 
 +
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.14''' -->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! Full<br>ammo
 +
! 1st<br>rack empty
 +
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 +
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 +
! 4th<br>rack empty
 +
! 5th<br>rack empty
 +
! 6th<br>rack empty
 +
! 7th<br>rack empty
 +
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
| '''89''' || 76&nbsp;''(+13)'' || 62&nbsp;''(+27)'' || 48&nbsp;''(+41)'' || 34&nbsp;''(+55)'' || 25&nbsp;''(+64)'' || 16&nbsp;''(+73)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+88)'' || No
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Note''':
 +
 
 +
* Rack 7 is a first-stage ammo rack.
 +
 
 +
==== [[Optics]] ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} Optics
 +
|-
 +
!
 +
! Default magnification
 +
! Maximum magnification
 +
|-
 +
! Main Gun optics
 +
| x1.8 || x3.5
 +
|-
 +
! Comparable optics
 +
| colspan="2" | [[Churchill Mk I]]
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
This tank uses an outdated x3.5 scope like early British tanks, attempts to outsnipe SPG of rank IV with the mobility of Black Prince will likely end in disaster.
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
Use APDS or smoke shells to make tanks 800+ m away leave it alone, as discerning enemy tank weak spots and targeting them using normal AP from that far away with this sight becomes a problem. When choosing directions, go with ones which are not easy to exploit by hostile sniper tanks.
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|2}}
 +
<!-- ''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|BESA (7.92 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[BESA (7.92 mm)|7.92 mm BESA]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 8,100 (225) || 600 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
== Usage in the 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).'' -->
 +
When engaged in combat with heavier and more lethal vehicles, using the APDS rounds will allow you to cause major damage. In order to get the most protection for the tank and crew, do not expose the sides or allow enemies to get to the rear of the vehicle. Instead, turn the front of tank towards the enemy player but give it a slight angle. The enemy rounds will have a higher chance of ricocheting off of the frontal plate, however if the enemy tank uses HE ammunition, there is a high chance that the round may bounce and enter the vehicle's roof.
 +
 
 +
If engaged in close quarters combat, do not allow the other tank to circle and flank you, instead aim for the vehicle's tracks and destroy them and move away, then finish it off. Most importantly, do not allow them to get the rear of the tank, as you will be unable to effectively hit the enemy due to the twin radiators on the back of the vehicle, and the turret's slow traverse.
 +
 
 +
In terms of tactics:
 +
 
 +
'''Offensive'''
 +
 
 +
Keep your distance from enemy tanks, as the cannon is capable of destroying most tanks from long distances with relative ease. Combined with the slow speed of the vehicle, you'll find yourself being capable of firing on the move despite the lack of a stabiliser. The tank's low profile makes it difficult to see over terrain and obstacles, so it is often best to remain on level ground.
 +
 
 +
Avoid letting the enemy flank you at all costs, as the sides of the Black Prince are the softest weak points, containing the ammunition storage. If the sides of the vehicle are penetrated by enemy rounds, the ammunition will likely detonate, or the crew will be knocked out/critically injured, making you an easy target.
 +
 
 +
It's best to avoid letting enemy players flank you from behind, as the turret's traverse will prevent you from being able to hit them quick enough, and the twin radiators on the back of the vehicle will prevent the turret from rotating all the way.
 +
 
 +
'''Defensive'''
 +
 
 +
When playing the Black Prince, it is often best to find a well-protected and concealed place, I.E. an ally tank, dense woodland or between rubble. Make sure the front of the tank is facing the enemy with a slight angle in order to get the most out of the vehicle's armour, whilst the cannon will allow you to destroy the enemy tanks from long distances. However don't expose the sides or the rear due to weakness and some vulnerability in the design of the tank.
 +
 
 +
'''Enemies worth noting:'''
 +
 
 +
* [[IS-2 (Family)|IS-2]]: the Soviet heavy tank carries a very deadly cannon that can take out literally anything in a single shot, including the Black Prince. Its 122 mm shells can easily go through your frontal hull and turret, subsequently knocking out everyone inside. The best way to avoid that is to angle your hull so that your long, large tracks cover up the frontal hull, exposing your angled side and luring the IS-2 into firing at your side armour. The side armour of the Black Prince resembles the Churchills' which are quite complex, with some complex internal structures soaking up lots of shells, increasing your survivability. Against an IS-2 1943, aim at the hull armour that curves and blends into the side, or the turret cheeks. Its crew are closely packed and even the British solid shells can knock them all out at once. Against a 1944 model, only shoot at its turret as the hull is quite strong.
 +
 
 +
* [[Tiger II (Family)|Tiger II]]: treat these tanks as a top priority as the APCBC shells fired by Tiger IIs typically punch straight through your turret pasting the turret crew and sometimes the driver/machine gunner. Your APDS will go through their mantlet easily and take out the breech and/or the gunner. Shoot first as the Black Prince's mobility is poor and you won't be able to outpace the Tiger II's turret traverse.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!-- ''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:'''
−
*
+
 
 +
* Great armour
 +
* The lower front of the turret has an additional 50 mm of armour
 +
* APDS is able to penetrate and cause major damage to enemies from long distances, and is capable of destroying most tanks in a single shot at close ranges (as long as you know where to hit)
 +
* Effective at long ranges
 +
* Good reload time of 7.6s with stock crew
 +
* Ammunition is not stored in the turret
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
 
  
−
== Historical part ==
+
* The vehicle's side armour is weak and ammunition is stored in the sides of the tank
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
* It struggles to climb hills without losing significant speed
 +
* Max speed of 18 km/h (12 mph) and max reverse speed of -7.3 km/h (-4.5 mph)
 +
* The vehicle cannot climb steep hills
 +
* The turret traverse is slow compared to others at only 10.5/s
 +
* Lacks any form of top-mounted anti-aircraft weaponry
 +
 
 +
== 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).'' -->
 +
===Development===
 +
The '''Black Prince''' is an experimental design that was to use the British Infantry tank, the [[Churchill Mk VII|Churchill]], as the basis with much more armour and a better gun. The name originates from Edward of Woodstock, otherwise known as the "Black Prince", a 14th century military leader. The Churchill and its branch of infantry tanks, in the course of World War II, was becoming slightly obsolete in the highly mobile style of warfare the cruiser tanks proved much better at. The infantry tanks were originally made for heavy, breakthrough style of warfare with infantry, so they were kept around in a style of "heavy tanks", but the Axis' gradually increasing anti-tank capacity caused the armour of the infantry tanks to be considered insufficient.
 +
 
 +
To keep the infantry tanks relevant in the course of World War II, the Churchill was upgraded in armour and armament to better compete against the changing anti-tank warfare, starting in 1943. The original Churchill tank in the latter part of World War II had the QF 75 mm cannon (British-produced 75 mm from the Americans) and about 102 mm of armour on average and weighed about 38 tons. The Black Prince upgraded the armour to 152 mm thick, widened the tracks by 10 inches, and modified the suspensions for the new weight. The 75 mm gun was instead replaced by the QF 17-pounder cannon, which was one of the best Allied anti-tank guns in service. The larger gun required a larger turret and a larger turret ring on the hull. All these modifications increased the tank weight by ten tons but kept the engine used in the regular Churchill, so the tank was considered underpowered, only able to reach up to 10 mph on roads and this limited the tank's operational radius. The tank was designated the '''Tank, Infantry, Black Prince (A43)''' and the A43 model was for a Staff Specification number issued in 1943 for an interim tank that could be made until the development of a "Universal Tank".
 +
 
 +
===Deployment===
 +
However, by the time the Black Prince was ready in May 1945; it was too late for it to see service in World War II. Even if it had, many more tank designs such as the [[Sherman Firefly]] and the [[Comet I|Comet]] are much more mobile and effective, yet have the same 17-pounder gun available. Also, a new tank about to be introduced, the [[Centurion Mk 1|Centurion]], has the same protection level as the Black Prince, yet with the same gun and is way more mobile than the Black Prince. This caused the Black Prince to fall into obsolescence and the project, along with the entire line of the infantry tank concept in British tank doctrine, was abandoned in favour of a concept of more mobile tanks with great firepower and protection, which would eventually form the idea of the main battle tanks.
  
 
== 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=uk_a_43_black_prince Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Images
 +
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200px">
 +
File:Prince of Destruction.png|Black Prince with destroyed Tiger H1
 +
</gallery>
  
−
== Read also ==
+
;Videos
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
{{Youtube-gallery|gR3JPNt0iPw|'''Heavyweight brits''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 4:37 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''|jAIrKnD83YY|'''Spotlight: A43 Black Prince Ep.1''' - ''Minoxen''|OPzYg0Ely_Y|'''Black Prince Gameplay & Review''' - ''DigitalDigging''}}
 +
 
 +
== 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;''
 
* ''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.'' -->
−
''ETC.''
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
;Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
 
 +
* [[Churchill (Family)]]
 +
 
 +
;Vehicles equipped with the same gun and ammunition
 +
 
 +
* [[Challenger]]
 +
* [[Centurion Mk 1]]
 +
* [[Sherman Vc (Italy)]]
 +
 
 +
== External links ==
 +
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''page on the Wikipedia;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [[wt:en/devblog/current/827/|[Devblog] Pioneering British Tanks in War Thunder with developer's answers]]
 +
 
 +
{{TankManufacturer Vauxhall}}
 +
{{Britain heavy tanks}}
 +
{{Britain premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 12:47, 9 June 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
Black Prince
uk_a_43_black_prince.png
GarageImage Black Prince.jpg
ArtImage Black Prince.png
Black Prince
Britain flag.png Britain
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
6.0 6.0 5.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
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Description

The A43 Black Prince was an experimental development of the Churchill VII fitted with the ubiquitous Ordnance QF 17-pounder tank cannon. It was designed as an interim for the specification of a "universal tank" (eventually resulting in the Centurion) that could replace both well-armoured infantry tanks such as the Churchill as well as powerfully armed cruiser tanks such as the Crusader and Cromwell. The large gun required a larger turret, resulting in a widening of the hull. The increase in weight had to be compensated by modification of the suspension system and wider tracks. Plans for other modifications such as a more powerful engine or installation of the Centurion's turret never came into fruition. The first of the six prototypes was completed in May 1945; by this time, similarly armed and significantly more mobile tanks such as the Sherman Firefly, Comet I, and Centurion were beginning to be or had already been introduced into service, and so the project was cancelled soon after. Only one example still exists, the fourth prototype, which is displayed in the Bovington Tank Museum.

The Black Prince was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm" and was one of the first British tanks to be introduced into the game. The Black Prince offers a powerful gun, able to be equipped with APDS, capable of destroying Ferdinands, IS-2s, and other tanks from over 1 km away. The reload time is great for its rank, at a mere 7.6 s and when coupled with the tank's heavy armour, can stand as quite a lethal opponent. However, the armour, while still effective, is not as reliable as the Churchill's was at lower battle ratings when facing increasingly powerful armaments. Additionally, the extra 8.5 tons of weight compared to the already sluggish Churchill makes it extremely slow with a top speed of 17 km/h (10 mph) and only -2 km/h (-1 mph) reverse speed.

The Black Prince was initially available as a pre-order pack from the Gaijin store, but was discontinued after the 2017 Winter sales. It has since been made available in the store periodically for "Black Friday" sales in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull152 / 95 / 51
Turret152 / 95 / 101
Crew5 people
Visibility103 %

The A43 Black Prince has one of the thickest armour installations of any tanks. The front is able to be continuously hit by larger and more powerful calibre tanks at close range without taking much, if any damage. However, if you come up against a tank shooting HEAT or HE rounds they will likely penetrate the armour with ease. Do not expose the sides to the enemy player, as it is one of the weakest parts of the tank, seconded only to the central portion of the turret's mantlet. Not only that, the sides contain the location of the ammunition; If it is hit, it is likely to detonate. If the ammunition does not detonate, the vehicle's crew will be incapacitated.

It lacks a top-mounted machine gun, which is normally a deterrent against low flying aircraft, making the vehicle more vulnerable to be attacks by a planes, and an easy target for bombers. The turret's slow traverse speed also makes the use of the internal machine gun useless against aircraft attacks.

Due to the low profile of this tank, being hit in the lower front turret is a rare occurrence. You still need to be careful of HEAT and HE rounds, as the low profile design will allow the enemy rounds to enter the turret's machine gun port and either knock out the loader: if using an APCR or solid shot round, OR, if using other rounds such as APCBC, APBC and HEAT, it is very likely that all the turret crew will be eliminated.

The Black Prince is vulnerable to large-calibre HE rounds, which will often bounce and enter through the roof. The ammunition is located along the sides of the vehicle, making these a primary weak spot for enemy players to target.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret front, Turret sides, Cupola)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 152 mm Front plate
57 mm (70°) Front glacis
139 mm (20-60°) Lower glacis 		82 mm Top
95 mm Bottom 		51 mm (20°) Top
25 mm (60°) Bottom 		25 mm Front
18 mm Engine deck
Turret 152 mm (6-83°) Turret front
152 mm (0-25°) Gun mantlet 		95 mm 101 + 4 mm 38 mm (73°) Front
18 mm Bottom
Cupola 100 mm 38 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels and chassis construction are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 18-25 mm thick.
  • There is a 19 mm thick plate separating the engine compartment to the crew's.
  • A 50 mm turret ring shield is present on the front of the turret.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB20 / 8 km/h
RB and SB18 / 8 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
2 back
Weight50.0 t
Engine power
AB668 hp
RB and SB350 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB13.4 hp/t
RB and SB7.0 hp/t

When playing the Black Prince you will immediately notice the speed and length: it is not a fast tank. You will also notice that it can sometimes struggle to get up hills and small embankments. It is recommended to stay on flat terrain and to make small sharp turns. This will keep more momentum than a single big turn which will lose most of your much needed momentum.

The A43 is a rather long tank making it almost impossible to get wedged between ditches, but the vehicle lacks sufficient engine power required to pull itself over the obstacles and often gets stuck when climbing over them.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 20 8 50 452 668 9.04 13.36
Realistic 18 8 310 350 6.2 7

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB2 629 Sl icon.png
RB2 925 Sl icon.png
SB3 891 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts340 000 Sl icon.png
Aces890 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 140 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 120 / 190 / 220 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 178 / 178 / 178 % 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 uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_britain_17pdr_APC_ammo_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_britain_17pdr_APCBC_ammo_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_britain_17pdr_APDS_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods tank ammo.png
76mm_britain_Smoke_ammo_pack
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade

Armaments

Main armament

76 mm QF 17-pounder cannon
Ammunition89 rounds
First-order15 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
7.1 → 5.5 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
Main article: QF 17-pounder (76 mm)

However, the A43 Black Prince does have one of the most powerful cannons in the game, and is capable of destroying tiger tanks and other heavily armoured vehicles from short to long distances, and is equipped with many different ammunition types which are viable for different situations. The APDS is the recommended choice for giving the gun the full potential of being capable of destroying more heavily armoured targets at longer ranges.

76 mm QF 17-pounder Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 89 -10°/+20° ±180° N/A 13.8 19.0 23.1 25.6 27.2 7.15 6.33 5.83 5.50
Realistic 10.1 11.9 14.4 16.0 17.0

Ammunition

The Black Prince is equipped with some of the most lethal ammunition types in the game. It can carry a combination of different type or just a single type of projectiles.

  • Shot Mk.6 - AP - Standard round/low shrapnel: use against medium or light tanks
  • Shell Mk.1 - HE - Ideal for destroying SPAA and lightly armoured tanks
  • Shot Mk.4 - APC - Standard round/medium shrapnel: use against medium tanks
  • Shot Mk.8 - APCBC - Deadliest round/high shrapnel damage: use against most opponents
  • Shot SV Mk.1 - APDS - Most penetrative round but less damage than APCBC (low spalling): good to use against post-WW2 era opponents or heavily-armoured tanks

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
Shot Mk.6 AP 171 168 155 139 126 113
Shell Mk.1 HE 20 20 18 16 15 13
Shot Mk.4 APC 171 168 155 139 126 113
Shot Mk.8 APCBC 190 187 172 155 140 126
Shot SV Mk.1 APDS 269 264 246 226 207 189
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%
Shot Mk.6 AP 883 7.71 - - - 47° 60° 65°
Shell Mk.1 HE 883 6.98 0.2 0.1 580 79° 80° 81°
Shot Mk.4 APC 883 7.71 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.8 APCBC 883 7.71 - - - 48° 63° 71°
Shot SV Mk.1 APDS 1,204 2.48 - - - 75° 78° 80°
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)
17pdr Shell SS Mk.1 229 8.44 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Black Prince
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		7th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
89 76 (+13) 62 (+27) 48 (+41) 34 (+55) 25 (+64) 16 (+73) 1 (+88) No

Note:

  • Rack 7 is a first-stage ammo rack.

Optics

Black Prince Optics
Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.8 x3.5
Comparable optics Churchill Mk I

This tank uses an outdated x3.5 scope like early British tanks, attempts to outsnipe SPG of rank IV with the mobility of Black Prince will likely end in disaster.

Use APDS or smoke shells to make tanks 800+ m away leave it alone, as discerning enemy tank weak spots and targeting them using normal AP from that far away with this sight becomes a problem. When choosing directions, go with ones which are not easy to exploit by hostile sniper tanks.

Machine guns

7.92 mm BESA machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition8 100 rounds
Belt capacity225 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main article: BESA (7.92 mm)
7.92 mm BESA
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 8,100 (225) 600 N/A N/A

Usage in battles

When engaged in combat with heavier and more lethal vehicles, using the APDS rounds will allow you to cause major damage. In order to get the most protection for the tank and crew, do not expose the sides or allow enemies to get to the rear of the vehicle. Instead, turn the front of tank towards the enemy player but give it a slight angle. The enemy rounds will have a higher chance of ricocheting off of the frontal plate, however if the enemy tank uses HE ammunition, there is a high chance that the round may bounce and enter the vehicle's roof.

If engaged in close quarters combat, do not allow the other tank to circle and flank you, instead aim for the vehicle's tracks and destroy them and move away, then finish it off. Most importantly, do not allow them to get the rear of the tank, as you will be unable to effectively hit the enemy due to the twin radiators on the back of the vehicle, and the turret's slow traverse.

In terms of tactics:

Offensive

Keep your distance from enemy tanks, as the cannon is capable of destroying most tanks from long distances with relative ease. Combined with the slow speed of the vehicle, you'll find yourself being capable of firing on the move despite the lack of a stabiliser. The tank's low profile makes it difficult to see over terrain and obstacles, so it is often best to remain on level ground.

Avoid letting the enemy flank you at all costs, as the sides of the Black Prince are the softest weak points, containing the ammunition storage. If the sides of the vehicle are penetrated by enemy rounds, the ammunition will likely detonate, or the crew will be knocked out/critically injured, making you an easy target.

It's best to avoid letting enemy players flank you from behind, as the turret's traverse will prevent you from being able to hit them quick enough, and the twin radiators on the back of the vehicle will prevent the turret from rotating all the way.

Defensive

When playing the Black Prince, it is often best to find a well-protected and concealed place, I.E. an ally tank, dense woodland or between rubble. Make sure the front of the tank is facing the enemy with a slight angle in order to get the most out of the vehicle's armour, whilst the cannon will allow you to destroy the enemy tanks from long distances. However don't expose the sides or the rear due to weakness and some vulnerability in the design of the tank.

Enemies worth noting:

  • IS-2: the Soviet heavy tank carries a very deadly cannon that can take out literally anything in a single shot, including the Black Prince. Its 122 mm shells can easily go through your frontal hull and turret, subsequently knocking out everyone inside. The best way to avoid that is to angle your hull so that your long, large tracks cover up the frontal hull, exposing your angled side and luring the IS-2 into firing at your side armour. The side armour of the Black Prince resembles the Churchills' which are quite complex, with some complex internal structures soaking up lots of shells, increasing your survivability. Against an IS-2 1943, aim at the hull armour that curves and blends into the side, or the turret cheeks. Its crew are closely packed and even the British solid shells can knock them all out at once. Against a 1944 model, only shoot at its turret as the hull is quite strong.
  • Tiger II: treat these tanks as a top priority as the APCBC shells fired by Tiger IIs typically punch straight through your turret pasting the turret crew and sometimes the driver/machine gunner. Your APDS will go through their mantlet easily and take out the breech and/or the gunner. Shoot first as the Black Prince's mobility is poor and you won't be able to outpace the Tiger II's turret traverse.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great armour
  • The lower front of the turret has an additional 50 mm of armour
  • APDS is able to penetrate and cause major damage to enemies from long distances, and is capable of destroying most tanks in a single shot at close ranges (as long as you know where to hit)
  • Effective at long ranges
  • Good reload time of 7.6s with stock crew
  • Ammunition is not stored in the turret

Cons:

  • The vehicle's side armour is weak and ammunition is stored in the sides of the tank
  • It struggles to climb hills without losing significant speed
  • Max speed of 18 km/h (12 mph) and max reverse speed of -7.3 km/h (-4.5 mph)
  • The vehicle cannot climb steep hills
  • The turret traverse is slow compared to others at only 10.5/s
  • Lacks any form of top-mounted anti-aircraft weaponry

History

Development

The Black Prince is an experimental design that was to use the British Infantry tank, the Churchill, as the basis with much more armour and a better gun. The name originates from Edward of Woodstock, otherwise known as the "Black Prince", a 14th century military leader. The Churchill and its branch of infantry tanks, in the course of World War II, was becoming slightly obsolete in the highly mobile style of warfare the cruiser tanks proved much better at. The infantry tanks were originally made for heavy, breakthrough style of warfare with infantry, so they were kept around in a style of "heavy tanks", but the Axis' gradually increasing anti-tank capacity caused the armour of the infantry tanks to be considered insufficient.

To keep the infantry tanks relevant in the course of World War II, the Churchill was upgraded in armour and armament to better compete against the changing anti-tank warfare, starting in 1943. The original Churchill tank in the latter part of World War II had the QF 75 mm cannon (British-produced 75 mm from the Americans) and about 102 mm of armour on average and weighed about 38 tons. The Black Prince upgraded the armour to 152 mm thick, widened the tracks by 10 inches, and modified the suspensions for the new weight. The 75 mm gun was instead replaced by the QF 17-pounder cannon, which was one of the best Allied anti-tank guns in service. The larger gun required a larger turret and a larger turret ring on the hull. All these modifications increased the tank weight by ten tons but kept the engine used in the regular Churchill, so the tank was considered underpowered, only able to reach up to 10 mph on roads and this limited the tank's operational radius. The tank was designated the Tank, Infantry, Black Prince (A43) and the A43 model was for a Staff Specification number issued in 1943 for an interim tank that could be made until the development of a "Universal Tank".

Deployment

However, by the time the Black Prince was ready in May 1945; it was too late for it to see service in World War II. Even if it had, many more tank designs such as the Sherman Firefly and the Comet are much more mobile and effective, yet have the same 17-pounder gun available. Also, a new tank about to be introduced, the Centurion, has the same protection level as the Black Prince, yet with the same gun and is way more mobile than the Black Prince. This caused the Black Prince to fall into obsolescence and the project, along with the entire line of the infantry tank concept in British tank doctrine, was abandoned in favour of a concept of more mobile tanks with great firepower and protection, which would eventually form the idea of the main battle tanks.

Media

Skins
Images

  • Black Prince with destroyed Tiger H1

Videos
Heavyweight brits discusses the Black Prince at 4:37 - War Thunder Official Channel
Spotlight: A43 Black Prince Ep.1 - Minoxen
Black Prince Gameplay & Review - DigitalDigging

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
Vehicles equipped with the same gun and ammunition

External links


Vauxhall Motors Limited
Infantry Tanks 
Tank, Infantry, Mk IV, Churchill (A22)  Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile
Tank, Infantry, Black Prince (A43)  Black Prince
Tank Destroyers  Gun Carrier (3-in)
Captured  ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill

Britain heavy tanks
Matilda  Matilda III · Matilda Hedgehog
Churchill  Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile · Churchill NA75 · Black Prince
Post-war  Caernarvon · Conqueror
Other  Independent · Excelsior · TOG II

Britain premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105
Medium tanks  A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
  Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X
  Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES
Heavy tanks  Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince
Tank destroyers  Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram

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