Difference between revisions of "VFW"

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{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=germ_vsw_flak_41
 
|code=germ_vsw_flak_41
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|ArtImage_{{PAGENAME}}.png|ArtImage2_{{PAGENAME}}.png}}
 
|market=VFW (Germany)
 
|market=VFW (Germany)
 
}}
 
}}
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]] as a reward in the [[wt:en/news/6145-special-battlefield-engineer-en|"Battlefield Engineer"]] event.
−
{{break}}
 
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German tank destroyer {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]] as a reward in the [[wt:en/news/6145-special-battlefield-engineer-en|"Battlefield Engineer"]] event.
 
  
−
Also known as the [[wikipedia:Grille_10|Grille 10]], the 8.8 cm Flak 37 auf Sonderfahrgestell (German: 8.8 cm Flak 37 on special chassis), or the abbreviated technical name Sfl.IVc ('''S'''elbst'''f'''ahr'''l'''afette: self-propelled gun mount IVc), was originally developed as a mobile gun platform using 8.8 cm Flak guns.
+
Also known as the [[wikipedia:Grille_10|Grille 10]], the 8.8 cm Flak 37 auf Sonderfahrgestell (German: 8.8 cm Flak 37 on special chassis), or the abbreviated technical name Sfl.IVc (Selbstfahrlafette: self-propelled gun mount IVc), was originally developed as a mobile gun platform using 8.8 cm Flak guns.
  
 
Designed by the Krupp corporation originally as an anti-tank vehicle in 1941, it was realized that by using 8.8 cm Flak cannons, it could achieve not only an anti-tank role but also an anti-aircraft one as well. Because of this, this vehicle was given the 8.8 cm Flak 41 as its main and only armament.
 
Designed by the Krupp corporation originally as an anti-tank vehicle in 1941, it was realized that by using 8.8 cm Flak cannons, it could achieve not only an anti-tank role but also an anti-aircraft one as well. Because of this, this vehicle was given the 8.8 cm Flak 41 as its main and only armament.
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
−
The {{Specs|pseudonym}} has decently high survivability in battle, utilizing its thin armour to great effect. After all,''"no armour is the best armour".''  The vehicle is effective both with side skirts up and down and out of the way. The Versuchsflakwagen does have hull-break, so you have to worry about high caliber HE shells triggering instant destruction of the vehicle.
+
The {{Specs|pseudonym}} has decently high survivability in battle, utilizing its thin armour to great effect. After all,"no armour is the best armour". The vehicle is effective both with side skirts up and down and out of the way. The Versuchsflakwagen does have hull-break, so you have to worry about high caliber HE shells triggering instant destruction of the vehicle.
  
 
When the side skirts are in the up position, they will cover the sides of the exposed crew and gun, offering two layers of 5 mm armour, adding up to a total of 10 mm of armour which can protect you from oncoming machine gun fire. They may also prevent damage by shrapnel from artillery barrages that land near, though not directly on your vehicle. However, they will not hold up to a round fired from the main gun of a tank. Fortunately, due to the thin armour, enemy shells may simply pass through without detonating, only doing minor damage depending on where they hit. Its armour is not enough to protect it from high caliber machine guns and autocannons.
 
When the side skirts are in the up position, they will cover the sides of the exposed crew and gun, offering two layers of 5 mm armour, adding up to a total of 10 mm of armour which can protect you from oncoming machine gun fire. They may also prevent damage by shrapnel from artillery barrages that land near, though not directly on your vehicle. However, they will not hold up to a round fired from the main gun of a tank. Fortunately, due to the thin armour, enemy shells may simply pass through without detonating, only doing minor damage depending on where they hit. Its armour is not enough to protect it from high caliber machine guns and autocannons.
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In both configurations, the crew is very spaced out, and separated by armour into three groups, greatly enhancing its suitability. It is near impossible for an enemy tank to take out all its crew members in a single shot. The loader, gunner, and commander can be killed by a shot to the left of the turret, but both crew members in the driving compartment and the second loader will likely survive so you can escape. The only real danger of the VFW being destroyed in one hit would either be from an ammo rack detonation, which is unlikely as all the ammunition is safely stored in the hull, or from a bomb or artillery landing too close. Beware that its survivability depends solely on crew count and placement rather than armour. In other words, you can easily take one or two hits, but ultimately there is a limited number of shots you can tank before you are sent back to the hangar.
 
In both configurations, the crew is very spaced out, and separated by armour into three groups, greatly enhancing its suitability. It is near impossible for an enemy tank to take out all its crew members in a single shot. The loader, gunner, and commander can be killed by a shot to the left of the turret, but both crew members in the driving compartment and the second loader will likely survive so you can escape. The only real danger of the VFW being destroyed in one hit would either be from an ammo rack detonation, which is unlikely as all the ammunition is safely stored in the hull, or from a bomb or artillery landing too close. Beware that its survivability depends solely on crew count and placement rather than armour. In other words, you can easily take one or two hits, but ultimately there is a limited number of shots you can tank before you are sent back to the hangar.
 +
 +
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 +
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof)
 +
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) -->
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
 +
|-
 +
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
 +
|-
 +
| Cupola || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 +
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
 +
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
  
−
{{tankMobility|abMinHp= 511|rbMinHp= 318|<!--AoAweight=(optional) -->}}
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=511|rbMinHp=318}}
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Tank-Armaments}}
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Advise about how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
+
{{Specs-Tank-Weapon|1}}
−
{{main|FlaK 41 (88 mm)}}
+
<!-- ''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|Flak 41 (88 mm)}}
  
−
The VFW is armed with the Flak 41 cannon allowing it to disable or destroy a majority of its intended targets within its battle rating range. The reload speed of the gun is around 5 seconds which allows for quick and consistent firing upon targets. Do note that folding the sides skirts up will slow its reload speed down by approximately 2 seconds which can detract from this advantage.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
 
 
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="6" | [[FlaK 41 (88 mm)|88 mm FlaK 41]]
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Capacity
 
−
! Vertical<br>guidance
 
−
! Horizontal<br>guidance
 
−
! Stabilizer
 
−
|-
 
−
| colspan="3" | 48 || -3°/+90° || ±180° || N/A
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Mode
+
! colspan="5" | [[Flak 41 (88 mm)|88 mm Flak 41]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)*
−
! Stock
 
−
! Upgraded
 
−
! Prior +<br>Full crew
 
−
! Prior +<br>Expert qualif.
 
−
! Prior +<br>Ace qualif.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Arcade'' || 10.4 || 14.4 || ??.?? || ??.?? || ??.??
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
 +
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 +
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ''Realistic'' || 7.0 || 8.3 || ??.?? || ??.?? || ??.??
+
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 48 || rowspan="2" | -3°/+90° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | N/A || 8.8 || 12.2 || 14.8 || 16.4 || 17.4 || rowspan="2" | 5.20 || rowspan="2" | 4.60 || rowspan="2" | 4.24 || rowspan="2" | 4.00
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Reloading rate (seconds)
+
! ''Realistic''
−
|-
+
| 6.0 || 7.0 || 8.5 || 9.4 || 10.0
−
! Side skirt<br>configuration
 
−
! Stock
 
−
! Prior +<br>Full crew
 
−
! Prior +<br>Expert qualif.
 
−
! Prior +<br>Ace qualif.
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''Down'' ||5.2 || 4.72 || 4.36 || ??.??
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''Up'' || 7.3 || ??.?? || ??.?? || ??.??
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
Notes:
 +
 +
* The reloading rate on the following table corresponds to when the {{PAGENAME}}'s "''Side skirts up''" modification is '''uninstalled'''. When it is installed, the reload goes up by 2.1 seconds.
 +
 +
The {{PAGENAME}} is armed with the 88 mm Flak 41 cannon allowing it to disable or destroy a majority of its intended targets at its battle rating. The reload speed of the gun is around 5 seconds which allows for quick and consistent fire upon targets.
  
 
==== Ammunition ====
 
==== Ammunition ====
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
+
{{:Flak 41 (88 mm)/Ammunition|PzGr 39/43, Sprgr. Flak 41, PzGr 40/43}}
−
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 
−
|-
 
−
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
−
|-
 
−
| PzGr 39/43 || APCBC || 230 || 228 || 216 || 201 || 188 || 176
 
−
|-
 
−
| PzGr 40/43 || APCR || 277 || 272 || 250 || 226 || 204 || 184
 
−
|-
 
−
| Sprgr. Flak 41 || HE || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
−
! colspan="11" | Shell details
 
−
|-
 
−
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Normalisation at 30°<br>from horizontal
 
−
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
 
−
|-
 
−
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
−
|-
 
−
| PzGr 39/43 || APCBC || 980 || 10.16 || 1.2 || 14.0 || 108.8 || +4.0° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 
−
|-
 
−
| PzGr 40/43 || APCR || 1,125 || 7.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 66° || 70° || 72°
 
−
|-
 
−
| Sprgr. Flak 41 || HE || 1,000 || 9.4 || 0.1 || 0.5 || 1000 || +0.0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
−
'''Last updated: 1.101.1.16'''
+
<!-- '''Last updated: 1.101.1.16''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
−
Notes:
+
'''Note''':
 +
 
 
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear from the rack after having been shot or loaded.
 
* Shells are modeled individually and disappear from the rack after having been shot or loaded.
−
 
−
==== [[Optics]] ====
 
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
−
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} Optics
 
−
|-
 
−
!
 
−
! Default magnification
 
−
! Maximum magnification
 
−
|-
 
−
! Main Gun optics
 
−
| X5.6 || X6.0
 
−
|-
 
−
! Comparable optics
 
−
| colspan="2" | ???
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
  
−
Because of its great cannon and non existent armour, the VFW is best used as a glass cannon for long range engagements. Find a spot on a hill or slope and wait for targets. If use in urban area is unavoidable, choose the "side skirts down" mode. This makes the cannon more flexible and gives you a quicker reload time. Make sure to stay in cover, since with your side skirts down, you will be an easy target for planes and artillery.
+
Because of its great cannon and non-existent armour, the VFW is best used as a glass cannon for long range engagements. Find a spot on a hill or slope and wait for targets. If use in urban area is unavoidable, choose the "side skirts down" mode. This makes the cannon more flexible and gives you a quicker reload time. Make sure to stay in cover, since with your side skirts down, you will be an easy target for planes and artillery.
−
 
 
−
=== Modules ===
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
! Tier
 
−
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
−
! colspan="2" | Protection
 
−
! colspan="2" | Firepower
 
−
|-
 
−
| I
 
−
| Tracks
 
−
|
 
−
| Parts
 
−
| Side skirts up
 
−
| Horizontal Drive
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| II
 
−
| Suspension
 
−
| Brake System
 
−
| FPE
 
−
|
 
−
| Adjustment of Fire
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| III
 
−
| Filters
 
−
|
 
−
| Crew Replenishment
 
−
|
 
−
| Elevation Mechanism
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| IV
 
−
| Transmission
 
−
| Engine
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
| Rangefinder
 
−
| PzGr 40/43
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="7" |This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* A very fast reload on a ''very'' powerful gun
+
* A very fast reload on a very powerful gun
 
* Surprising durability, very difficult to one-shot
 
* Surprising durability, very difficult to one-shot
 
* Large crew allows for fast reloading
 
* Large crew allows for fast reloading
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* Very thin armour, exposed crew and wide vehicle profile (large target)
 
* Very thin armour, exposed crew and wide vehicle profile (large target)
 
* Extremely vulnerable to virtually any form of enemy aircraft or artillery fire
 
* Extremely vulnerable to virtually any form of enemy aircraft or artillery fire
−
* Raised side-skirts to restrict turret movement, an immobilized VFW can only fire at vehicles directly in front of it
+
* If side-skirts are raised, turret movement is restricted; an immobilized VFW can only fire at vehicles directly in front of it
 
* Side-skirts can only be raised or lowered before the start of the game
 
* Side-skirts can only be raised or lowered before the start of the game
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
The VFW was the first of several projects of the Krupp company to mount a heavy anti-air gun on a mobile armored chassis. This initially developed version, which mounts the 8.8cm FlaK 41 cannon onto a heavily modified Panzer IV chassis, was created in 1944.
+
The VFW was the first of several projects of the Krupp company to mount a heavy anti-air gun on a mobile armoured chassis. This initially developed version, which mounts the 8.8cm FlaK 41 cannon onto a heavily modified Panzer IV chassis, was created in 1944.
  
 
Initial tests of the vehicle were performed throughout 1944. However, apart from tests producing mixed results, it was lacking interest that eventually led to the project's ultimate cancellation later that year. As a result, the VFW never left prototype stage and only a single experimental vehicle was ever produced.
 
Initial tests of the vehicle were performed throughout 1944. However, apart from tests producing mixed results, it was lacking interest that eventually led to the project's ultimate cancellation later that year. As a result, the VFW never left prototype stage and only a single experimental vehicle was ever produced.
  
−
''- From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6144-development-vfw-german-ballista-en Devblog]''
+
''- From [[wt:en/news/6144-development-vfw-german-ballista-en|Devblog]]''
  
−
* Due to its box-like shape, the player base gave this vehicle the nickname "''Flaktoaster''" or just "''Toaster''"
+
* Due to its box-like shape, the player base gave this vehicle the nickname "Flaktoaster" or just "Toaster"
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
Line 232: Line 142:
  
 
;Skins
 
;Skins
−
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicleCountry=germany&vehicleType=tank&vehicleClass=tank_destroyer&vehicle=germ_vsw_flak_41 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
+
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_vsw_flak_41 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
;Images
 
;Images
−
<div><ul>
+
<gallery mode="packed-hover"  heights="200">
−
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:VFW Open.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Image of the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' with its side-skirts open.]] </li>
+
File:VFW Open.jpg|Image of the VFW with its side-panels lowered.
−
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:VFW1.jpg|thumb|none|350px|]] </li><!--
+
File:VFW WTWallpaper001.jpg
−
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:File.jpg|thumb|none|Info)]] </li>
+
File:VFW WTWallpaper002.jpg
−
<li style="display: inline-block;"> [[File:File.jpg|thumb|none|Info)]] </li>-->
+
File:VFW WTWallpaper003.jpg
−
</ul></div>
+
File:VFW WTWallpaper004.jpg
 +
File:VFW WTWallpaper005.jpg
 +
File:VFW WTWallpaper006.jpg
 +
File:VFW WTWallpaper007.jpg
 +
File:VFW1.jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
 
;Videos
 
;Videos
Line 247: Line 162:
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
−
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
Line 254: Line 168:
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
  
−
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6144-development-vfw-german-ballista-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> VFW: German Ballista]
+
* [[wt:en/news/6144-development-vfw-german-ballista-en|[Devblog] VFW: German Ballista]]
−
* [[Wikipedia:Grille_10|[Wikipedia<nowiki>]</nowiki> Grille 10, AKA {{PAGENAME}}]]
+
* [[Wikipedia:Grille_10|[Wikipedia] Grille 10, AKA {{PAGENAME}}]]
  
 
{{Germany tank destroyers}}
 
{{Germany tank destroyers}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}
 
{{Germany premium ground vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 16:25, 4 February 2023

RANK 5 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
VFW
germ_vsw_flak_41.png
GarageImage VFW.jpg
ArtImage VFW.png
ArtImage2 VFW.png
VFW
Germany flag.png Germany
III Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.7 5.7 5.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The Versuchsflakwagen is a premium gift rank III German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 5.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.87 "Locked On" as a reward in the "Battlefield Engineer" event.

Also known as the Grille 10, the 8.8 cm Flak 37 auf Sonderfahrgestell (German: 8.8 cm Flak 37 on special chassis), or the abbreviated technical name Sfl.IVc (Selbstfahrlafette: self-propelled gun mount IVc), was originally developed as a mobile gun platform using 8.8 cm Flak guns.

Designed by the Krupp corporation originally as an anti-tank vehicle in 1941, it was realized that by using 8.8 cm Flak cannons, it could achieve not only an anti-tank role but also an anti-aircraft one as well. Because of this, this vehicle was given the 8.8 cm Flak 41 as its main and only armament.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull20 / 14 / 14
Turret12 / 0 / 0
Crew6 people
Visibility101 %

The VFW has decently high survivability in battle, utilizing its thin armour to great effect. After all,"no armour is the best armour". The vehicle is effective both with side skirts up and down and out of the way. The Versuchsflakwagen does have hull-break, so you have to worry about high caliber HE shells triggering instant destruction of the vehicle.

When the side skirts are in the up position, they will cover the sides of the exposed crew and gun, offering two layers of 5 mm armour, adding up to a total of 10 mm of armour which can protect you from oncoming machine gun fire. They may also prevent damage by shrapnel from artillery barrages that land near, though not directly on your vehicle. However, they will not hold up to a round fired from the main gun of a tank. Fortunately, due to the thin armour, enemy shells may simply pass through without detonating, only doing minor damage depending on where they hit. Its armour is not enough to protect it from high caliber machine guns and autocannons.

With the skirts down, the tank destroyer can easily be disabled due to the exposure of the four crew members to the elements, or the gun being taken out of commission. On the other hand, if the tank, gun, or both are still in action, the front panels of the Flak 41 can be used to block machine gun fire, effectively protecting any crew still remaining to operate the gun. Folding the side skirts down also allows the turret to rotate 360 degrees horizontally.

In both configurations, the crew is very spaced out, and separated by armour into three groups, greatly enhancing its suitability. It is near impossible for an enemy tank to take out all its crew members in a single shot. The loader, gunner, and commander can be killed by a shot to the left of the turret, but both crew members in the driving compartment and the second loader will likely survive so you can escape. The only real danger of the VFW being destroyed in one hit would either be from an ammo rack detonation, which is unlikely as all the ammunition is safely stored in the hull, or from a bomb or artillery landing too close. Beware that its survivability depends solely on crew count and placement rather than armour. In other words, you can easily take one or two hits, but ultimately there is a limited number of shots you can tank before you are sent back to the hangar.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull ___ mm ___ mm Top
___ mm Bottom 		___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Turret ___ - ___ mm Turret front
___ mm Gun mantlet 		___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm ___ - ___ mm
Cupola ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm ___ mm

Notes:

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB66 / 6 km/h
RB and SB60 / 5 km/h
Number of gears7 forward
1 back
Weight26.0 t
Engine power
AB687 hp
RB and SB360 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB26.4 hp/t
RB and SB13.8 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 66 6 26 511 687 19.65 26.42
Realistic 60 5 318 360 12.23 13.85

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 725 Sl icon.png
RB2 104 Sl icon.png
SB2 820 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts290 000 Sl icon.png
Aces710 Ge icon.png
Research Aces960 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 110 / 180 / 230 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 166 / 166 / 166 % 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 tank additional armor.png
Side skirts up
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods tank rangefinder.png
Rangefinder
Mods tank ammo.png
88mm_kwk_36_43_APCR_ammo_pack

Armaments

Rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Main armament

88 mm Flak 41 cannon
Ammunition48 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
5.2 → 4.0 s
Vertical guidance-3° / 90°
Main article: Flak 41 (88 mm)
88 mm Flak 41 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)*
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 48 -3°/+90° ±180° N/A 8.8 12.2 14.8 16.4 17.4 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 6.0 7.0 8.5 9.4 10.0

Notes:

  • The reloading rate on the following table corresponds to when the VFW's "Side skirts up" modification is uninstalled. When it is installed, the reload goes up by 2.1 seconds.

The VFW is armed with the 88 mm Flak 41 cannon allowing it to disable or destroy a majority of its intended targets at its battle rating. The reload speed of the gun is around 5 seconds which allows for quick and consistent fire upon targets.

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
PzGr 39/43 APCBC 230 228 215 201 188 175
Sprgr. Flak 41 HE-TF* 25 25 24 22 20 19
PzGr 40/43 APCR 277 272 250 226 204 184
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
PzGr 39/43 APCBC 980 10.16 1.2 14 108.8 48° 63° 71°
Sprgr. Flak 41 HE-TF* 1,000 9.4 0.05 0.1 1,000 79° 80° 81°
PzGr 40/43 APCR 1,125 7.3 - - - 66° 70° 72°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the VFW
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
48 37 (+11) 25 (+23) 13 (+35) 1 (+47) No

Note:

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

Usage in battles

Because of its great cannon and non-existent armour, the VFW is best used as a glass cannon for long range engagements. Find a spot on a hill or slope and wait for targets. If use in urban area is unavoidable, choose the "side skirts down" mode. This makes the cannon more flexible and gives you a quicker reload time. Make sure to stay in cover, since with your side skirts down, you will be an easy target for planes and artillery.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • A very fast reload on a very powerful gun
  • Surprising durability, very difficult to one-shot
  • Large crew allows for fast reloading
  • Reasonable transverse allows for quick escape when in a tight spot
  • Side-skirts can be raised for added protection from machine guns
  • Side-skirts can be lowered for a greater range of turret movement

Cons:

  • Virtually nonexistent gun depression
  • Very thin armour, exposed crew and wide vehicle profile (large target)
  • Extremely vulnerable to virtually any form of enemy aircraft or artillery fire
  • If side-skirts are raised, turret movement is restricted; an immobilized VFW can only fire at vehicles directly in front of it
  • Side-skirts can only be raised or lowered before the start of the game

History

The VFW was the first of several projects of the Krupp company to mount a heavy anti-air gun on a mobile armoured chassis. This initially developed version, which mounts the 8.8cm FlaK 41 cannon onto a heavily modified Panzer IV chassis, was created in 1944.

Initial tests of the vehicle were performed throughout 1944. However, apart from tests producing mixed results, it was lacking interest that eventually led to the project's ultimate cancellation later that year. As a result, the VFW never left prototype stage and only a single experimental vehicle was ever produced.

- From Devblog

  • Due to its box-like shape, the player base gave this vehicle the nickname "Flaktoaster" or just "Toaster"

Media

Skins
Images

  • Image of the VFW with its side-panels lowered.

  • VFW WTWallpaper001.jpg
  • VFW WTWallpaper002.jpg
  • VFW WTWallpaper003.jpg
  • VFW WTWallpaper004.jpg
  • VFW WTWallpaper005.jpg
  • VFW WTWallpaper006.jpg
  • VFW WTWallpaper007.jpg
  • VFW1.jpg
Videos
Battlefield Engineer: all new vehicles discusses the VFW at 2:25 - War Thunder Official Channel
VFW - Tank Review - 4.0 sec reload + 'long 88' at BR 5.7 - Napalmratte

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


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

Germany premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  Pz.II C (DAK) · Pz.Sfl.Ic · Pz.Sp.Wg.P204(f) KwK · Sd.Kfz. 140/1 · Sd.Kfz.234/1 · Ru 251 · SPz 12-3 LGS · TAM 2IP
Medium tanks  Nb.Fz. · Pz.III N · Pz.Bef.Wg.IV J · ▀M4 748 (a) · ▀T 34 747 (r) · Ersatz M10
  mKPz M47 G · Turm III · Leopard A1A1 (L/44) · Leopard 2 (PzBtl 123) · Leopard 2A4M
Heavy tanks  ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill · ▀KV-IB · ▀KW I C 756 (r) · ▀KW II 754 (r)
  VK 45.01 (P) · ␠Tiger · Pz.Bef.Wg.VI P · Tiger II (H) Sla.16
Tank destroyers  Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
  Brummbär · Panzer IV/70(A) · VFW · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1 · Elefant · 38 cm Sturmmörser

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