Difference between revisions of "KwK38 (20 mm)"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.''
+
<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
  
−
The '''KwK38 (20 mm)''' was an improved version of the [[KwK30 (20 mm)|KwK30 (20mm)]], having almost double the fire rate than its predecessor. It is used on the later version of the Panzer II - the [[Pz.II F|Pz.IIF]].
+
The '''KwK38 (20 mm)''' was an improved version of the [[KwK30 (20 mm)]], having almost double the fire rate than its predecessor. It is used on the later version of the Panzer II - the [[Pz.II F]].
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
The KwK38 (20mm) has an extremely high rate of fire - 450 rounds per minute. It also has very good penetration, up to 64mm at point-blank. However, the penetration rate falls drastically at 500m.
+
<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.'' -->
 +
The KwK38 has an extremely high rate of fire - 450 rounds per minute. It also has very good penetration, up to 64 mm at point-blank range. However, the penetration rate falls drastically at 500 m.
  
 
=== Available ammunition ===
 
=== Available ammunition ===
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
+
<!-- ''Describe the shells that are available for the weapon and their features and purpose. If it concerns autocannons or machine guns, write about different ammo belts and what is inside (which types of shells).'' -->
−
! colspan="8" |Penetration statistics
+
* '''Default:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}} - Half of the shells (HEFI-T) are useless against tanks while the other 50% (API-T) is useless against planes. However, this belt is reliable against open-topped or lightly armored vehicles like SPAA vehicles.
−
|-
+
* '''Sprgr.:''' {{Annotation|HEFI-T|High-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer}}
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! rowspan="2" |Ammunition
+
* '''PzGr:''' {{Annotation|API-T|Armour-piercing incendiary tracer}} - This belt offers a good transition from the ''Default'' to the ''PzGr 40'' APCR belt. The round offers decent use and damage against lightly armored tanks, especially at close range. Due to lack of high-explosive filler however, it is better to focus on the ''PzGr 40'' belt to maximize penetration power.
−
! rowspan="2" |Type of
+
* '''PzGr 40:''' {{Annotation|HVAP-T|High-velocity armour-piercing tracer}} - This belt is best for fighting tanks. While the damage effects post-penetration are quite poor, the rapid-fire from the autocannon will wreck most tanks at this BR. In close combat, these shells should be used against modules and crew members to make the most of each shell. Against angled armor, however, the APCR ammo may not be very effective, just like any other APCR shell.
−
warhead
+
 
−
! colspan="6" |Penetration in mm @ 90°
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
−
|-
+
! colspan="7" | Penetration statistics
−
!10m
 
−
!100m
 
−
!500m
 
−
!1000m
 
−
!1500m
 
−
!2000m
 
−
|-
 
−
|PzGr
 
−
|API-T
 
−
|35
 
−
|33
 
−
|26
 
−
|18
 
−
|13
 
−
|9
 
−
|-
 
−
|PzGr 40
 
−
|HVAP-T
 
−
|64
 
−
|63
 
−
|26
 
−
|8
 
−
|3
 
−
|1
 
−
|-
 
−
|Sprgr.
 
−
|HEFI-T*
 
−
|2
 
−
|2
 
−
|2
 
−
|2
 
−
|2
 
−
|2
 
−
|}
 
−
{| class="wikitable sortable"
 
−
! colspan="11" |Shell details
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" |Ammunition
+
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
−
! rowspan="2" |Type of
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! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
−
warhead
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Velocity
 
−
in m/s
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Projectile
 
−
Mass in kg
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Fuse delay
 
−
in m:
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Fuse sensitivity
 
−
in mm:
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Explosive Mass in g
 
−
(TNT equivalent):
 
−
! rowspan="2" |Normalization At 30°
 
−
from horizontal:
 
−
! colspan="3" |Ricochet:
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
!0%
+
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
−
!50%
 
−
!100%
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|PzGr
+
| Default || 36 || 34 || 26 || 19 || 14 || 10
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|API-T
 
−
|780
 
−
|0.15
 
−
|N/A
 
−
|N/A
 
−
|N/A
 
−
| -1°
 
−
|47°
 
−
|60°
 
−
|65°
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|PzGr 40
+
| Sprgr. || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2
−
|HVAP-T
 
−
|1,050
 
−
|0.1
 
−
|N/A
 
−
|N/A
 
−
|N/A
 
−
| +1.5°
 
−
|66°
 
−
|70°
 
−
|72°
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|Sprgr.
+
| PzGr || 36 || 34 || 26 || 19 || 14 || 10
−
|HEFI-T*
 
−
|900
 
−
|0.11
 
−
|0.3
 
−
|0.1
 
−
|10.2
 
−
| +0°
 
−
|79°
 
−
|80°
 
−
|81°
 
−
|} 
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
!Belts
 
−
!Shell composition
 
−
!Combat usage
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
!Default
+
| PzGr 40 || 64 || 63 || 26 || 8 || 3 || 1
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|API-T · HEFI-T
 
−
|Half of the shells (HEFI-T) are useless against tanks while the other 50% (API-T) is useless against planes. However, this belt is reliable against open-topped or lightly armored vehicles like SPAA vehicles.
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
!PzGr
 
−
|API-T
 
−
|This belt offers a good transition from the ''Default'' to the ''PzGr 40'' APCR belt. The round offers decent use and damage against lightly armored tanks, especially at close range. Due to lack of high-explosive filler however, it is better to focus on the ''PzGr 40'' belt to maximize penetration power.
 
−
|-
 
−
!PzGr 40
 
−
|HVAP-T
 
−
|This belt is best for fighting tanks. While the damage effects post-penetration are quite poor, the rapid-fire from the autocannon will wreck most tanks at this BR. In close combat, these shells should be used against modules and crew members to make the most of each shell. Against angled armor, however, the APCR ammo may not be very effective, just like any other APCR shell.
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
The extremely high fire rate and excellent penetration of the KwK38 allows enemy tanks to be killed quickly. Try not to "spray-n-pray", as you will quickly use up all your ammo, and allow enemies to fire back and destroy you during your long reload time. After shooting at enemies, take cover to reload. Try to avoid long-range engagements, as the penetration rate drops off rapidly at around 500 m.  
+
<!-- ''Describe the cannon/machine gun in the game - its distinctive features, tactics of usage against notable opponents. Please don't write a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought.'' -->
 +
The extremely high fire rate and excellent penetration of the KwK38 allows enemy tanks to be killed quickly. Try not to "spray-n-pray", as you will quickly use up all your ammo, and allow enemies to fire back and destroy you during your long reload time. After shooting at enemies, take cover to reload. Try to avoid long-range engagements, as the penetration rate drops off rapidly at around 500 m.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 +
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
 +
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
 
 
* Extremely high fire rate
 
* Extremely high fire rate
 
* High penetration at close/medium ranges when using PzGr 40 belt with HVAP-T
 
* High penetration at close/medium ranges when using PzGr 40 belt with HVAP-T
 
* Better fire rate and penetration when compared to other 20mm cannons at its rank
 
* Better fire rate and penetration when compared to other 20mm cannons at its rank
−
 
−
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
 
 
* Relatively long reload of 7.8 seconds when stock
 
* Relatively long reload of 7.8 seconds when stock
 
* Small magazine, only has 10 shells
 
* Small magazine, only has 10 shells
 
* Because of the high fire rate and small magazine, it is easy to waste all your ammo in a few seconds.
 
* Because of the high fire rate and small magazine, it is easy to waste all your ammo in a few seconds.
 
* Penetration rates drop off sharply around 500m
 
* Penetration rates drop off sharply around 500m
−
 
−
*
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 167: Line 69:
 
== 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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;''
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
Line 173: Line 74:
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
−
 
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''

Revision as of 19:21, 21 April 2020

Description

The KwK38 (20 mm) was an improved version of the KwK30 (20 mm), having almost double the fire rate than its predecessor. It is used on the later version of the Panzer II - the Pz.II F.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

The KwK38 has an extremely high rate of fire - 450 rounds per minute. It also has very good penetration, up to 64 mm at point-blank range. However, the penetration rate falls drastically at 500 m.

Available ammunition

  • Default: API-T · HEFI-T - Half of the shells (HEFI-T) are useless against tanks while the other 50% (API-T) is useless against planes. However, this belt is reliable against open-topped or lightly armored vehicles like SPAA vehicles.
  • Sprgr.: HEFI-T
  • PzGr: API-T - This belt offers a good transition from the Default to the PzGr 40 APCR belt. The round offers decent use and damage against lightly armored tanks, especially at close range. Due to lack of high-explosive filler however, it is better to focus on the PzGr 40 belt to maximize penetration power.
  • PzGr 40: HVAP-T - This belt is best for fighting tanks. While the damage effects post-penetration are quite poor, the rapid-fire from the autocannon will wreck most tanks at this BR. In close combat, these shells should be used against modules and crew members to make the most of each shell. Against angled armor, however, the APCR ammo may not be very effective, just like any other APCR shell.
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Default 36 34 26 19 14 10
Sprgr. 2 2 2 2 2 2
PzGr 36 34 26 19 14 10
PzGr 40 64 63 26 8 3 1

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.

Usage in battles

The extremely high fire rate and excellent penetration of the KwK38 allows enemy tanks to be killed quickly. Try not to "spray-n-pray", as you will quickly use up all your ammo, and allow enemies to fire back and destroy you during your long reload time. After shooting at enemies, take cover to reload. Try to avoid long-range engagements, as the penetration rate drops off rapidly at around 500 m.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Extremely high fire rate
  • High penetration at close/medium ranges when using PzGr 40 belt with HVAP-T
  • Better fire rate and penetration when compared to other 20mm cannons at its rank

Cons:

  • Relatively long reload of 7.8 seconds when stock
  • Small magazine, only has 10 shells
  • Because of the high fire rate and small magazine, it is easy to waste all your ammo in a few seconds.
  • Penetration rates drop off sharply around 500m

History

Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon 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 weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />.

Media

An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

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 article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
  • references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the weapon;
  • other literature.


Germany tank cannons
20 mm  KwK30 · KwK38 · Rh202
28/20 mm  s.Pz.B.41
30 mm  MK 30-2/ABM
37 mm  KwK34(t) · KwK36 · KwK38(t) · PaK L/45
47 mm  Pak.(t)(Sf.)
50 mm  KwK39 · KwK L/42 · PaK38
57 mm  Bofors L/70 Mk.1
75 mm  K51 L/24 · KwK37 · KwK40 L43 · KwK40 L48 · KwK42 · KwK44 · KwK44 L/36.5 · PaK39 L48 · PaK40/3 L46 · PaK42 · StuK37 · StuK40 L43 · StuK40 L48
76 mm  PaK36 (r)
88 mm  Flak.37 · Flak 41 · KwK36 · KwK43 · PaK43
90 mm  BK90
105 mm  CN105-57 · Cockerill HP · FMK.4 Modelo 1L · K.18 · KwK L/68 · L7A3 · PzK M57 · StuH42
120 mm  Rh120 L/44 · Rh120 L/55 · Rh120 L/55 A1
128 mm  K.40 · KwK44 · PaK44
150 mm  s.I.G.33 · Stu.H 43 L/12
380 mm  RW61
  Foreign:
30 mm  Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 (USA) · HSS 831L (Britain)
57 mm  6pdr OQF Mk.V (Britain)
73 mm  2A28 (USSR)
75 mm  M3 (USA)
76 mm  F-32 (USSR) · F-34 (USSR) · M32 (USA)
90 mm  M36 (USA) · M41 (USA)
105 mm  GT-3 (South Africa)
125 mm  2A46 (USSR)
152 mm  M-10T (USSR) · XM150E5 (USA)
155 mm  M126 (USA)

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