Z43

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Rank VI USA | Premium | Golden Eagles
A-10A Thunderbolt (Early)
germ_destroyer_class1936b.png
GarageImage Z43.jpg
Z43
AB RB SB
4.7 4.7 4.7
Class:
Research:11 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:22 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Type 1936B, Z43, 1944 is a rank II German destroyer with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.93 "Shark Attack".

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Main fire tower8 / 8 / 0 mm
Hull16 mm (steel)
Superstructure8 mm (steel)
Number of section7
Displacement3 542 t
Crew320 people

The Z43 has very little armour on top of its 8 mm and 16 mm of structural steel on the superstructure and hull, respectively. This is typical of destroyers of all nations, save for certain American destroyers with additional hull antifragmentation plating. The gunshields for the main armament of 12.8 cm cannons as well as for the 2cm anti-aircraft autocannons are 8 mm. This gun armour is only capable of stopping .50 cal/12.7 mm AP rounds, or up to 30 mm HE rounds. However, against other destroyers there is effectively no armour protection on the Z43 that can stop incoming fire; common destroyer shells like 127 mm HE are capable of penetrating hull armor and damaging internal components, and SAP shells face no resistance from the 16 mm of structural steel.

Overall, the survivability of the Z43 is moderate, though there are some particularly worrisome areas. The boilers and propulsion stretches the entirety of the midships, and enemy fire that strikes this wide area will quickly reduce the Z43's crew count as well as slow the ship down. Additionally, most of the ammunition stowage is nominally under the waterline, but the farthest forward magazine does protrude above the waterline. This makes the fore of the Z43 more vulnerable to ammunition detonation.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB85 / 31 km/h
RB69 / 25 km/h
Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode Upgrade Status Maximum Speed (km/h) Turn Time (s) Turn Radius (m)
Forward Reverse
AB Stock 62 23 ~135.9 ~264.36
Upgraded 85 31 ___ ___
RB/SB Stock ___ ___ ___ ___
Upgraded 69 25 ___ ___

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 539 → 2 000 Sl icon.png
RB2 441 → 3 173 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications10 450 Rp icon.png
13 850 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost750 Ge icon.png
Crew training6 300 Sl icon.png
Experts22 000 Sl icon.png
Aces250 Ge icon.png
Research Aces220 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
140 / 330 / 100 % Sl icon.png
124 / 124 / 124 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
560 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
900 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
560 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods ship anti fragmentation protection.png
Shrapnel Protection
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods ship venting.png
Ventilation
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
900 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods ship ammo wetting.png
Ammo Wetting
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
900 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag base fuse tank.png
128mm_ger_HE_naval_base_fuze_ammo_pack
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
560 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods new aa caliber turrets.png
Anti-Air Armament Targeting
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
560 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
37 mm Spgr Lh 37
Research:
420 Rp icon.png
Cost:
560 Sl icon.png
95 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag dist fuse ship.png
128mm_ger_he_naval_dist_fuze_ammo_pack
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
470 Rp icon.png
Cost:
620 Sl icon.png
110 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
520 Rp icon.png
Cost:
690 Sl icon.png
120 Ge icon.png
Mods torpedo.png
Torpedo Mode
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
900 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png
Mods ship mortar.png
Bomb mortar
Research:
680 Rp icon.png
Cost:
900 Sl icon.png
160 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

5 х Turret12.8 cm/45 SK C/34 naval gun
Ammunition120 rounds
Vertical guidance-10° / 30°

The Z43's primary armament consists of five 12.8 cm SK C/34 cannons in an identical configuration to the preceeding Z22 Anton Schmitt (as well as Z12 Erich Giese). These 12.8 cm guns have a fire rate of 18 rounds per minute while drawing from the first-stage ammunition racks, but quickly slow to 16 rounds per minute once the 10 ready rack shells have been depleted. The rotation speeds of the turrets aren't particularly quick, at 6.8 degrees per second for horizontal and vertical traverse, and the maximum elevation angle of 30 degrees limits the ability of the Z43 to combat aerial threats with its main armament. That being said, the gun angles when engaging surface targets aren't comprimised, and the Z43 only requires moderate angle to bring all five guns to bear on an enemy ship.

The Z43 has access to three types of ammunition for its 128 mm SK C/34 guns, similarly to all other German destroyers with those guns. The first shell is the Sprgr. Kpf.Z high explosive shell. The shell has 1.905 kg of TNT equivalent and a muzzle velocity of 830 m/s; while the explosive filler of this HE is less than other nations' equivalent HE shells (such as the American and Japanese 5"), the muzzle velocity of the Sprgr. Kpf.Z is decent and makes aiming easier than slower shells. It is most effective against small motor boats rather than destroyers, as it can hull-break coastal vessels and instantly sink boats. The second shell is the Sprgr. Bd.Z, which has a base-fuze and increased penetration at the expense of the shell's explosive mass, which decreases to 1.4 kg of TNT equivalent. That being said, the ability to penetrate lightly-armored targets and deal internal damage makes the Sprgr. Bd.Z better suited to deal with destroyers than the basic HE shell. The last shell is the Sprgr. Zt.Z, which is identical to the basic HE shell except for a time fuze. The time fuze would theoretically allow the Z43 to better combat planes, but the traverse limits and speeds reduce this capability to the point where it can reasonably be ignored.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
1,000 m 2,500 m 5,000 m 7,500 m 10,000 m 15,000 m
Sprgr. L/4.4 Kpf.Z HE 24 24 24 24 24 24
Sprgr. L/4.4 Bd.Z HE 59 50 38 30 24 18
Sprgr. L/4.4 Zt.Z HE-TF 24 24 24 24 24 24
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(s)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (kg)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Sprgr. L/4.4 Kpf.Z HE 830 28 0 0.1 1.91 79° 80° 81°
Sprgr. L/4.4 Bd.Z HE 830 28 0.015 5 1.4 79° 80° 81°
Sprgr. L/4.4 Zt.Z HE-TF 830 28 0 0.1 1.91 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

2 х Turret2 x 3.7 cm SK C/30 mounting
Ammunition4000 rounds
Main article: SK C/30 (37 mm)

The secondary armament of the Z43 consists of two dual 3.7 cm SK C/30 cannons, to the port and starboard sides of the aft-most funnel. These guns are manually loaded, and suffer from an anaemic fire rate of 30 rounds per minute. This, in addition to a lack of timed-fuze ammunition and unimpressive traverse speed, makes the 37 mm guns unable to reliably combat air targets. Though these guns fare marginally better against surface targets, the 37 mm shells are still largely impotent against destroyers or even large coastal vessels.

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
Spgr L/4.1 Lh 37 HE 2 2 2 2 2 2
Psgr L'spur Zerl APCBC 87 84 71 58 48 39
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%
Spgr L/4.1 Lh 37 HE 1,000 0.75 0 0.1 27.4 79° 80° 81°
Psgr L'spur Zerl APCBC 1,000 0.82 1.3 15 37.4 48° 63° 71°

Anti-aircraft armament

3 х Turret4 x 2 cm/65 Flakvierling 38 automatic cannon
Ammunition8000 rounds
Belt capacity40 rounds
Fire rate480 shots/min
2 х Turret2 cm/65 C/38 automatic cannon
Ammunition2000 rounds
Belt capacity40 rounds
Fire rate480 shots/min

The dedicated anti-aircraft suite of the Z43 consists of a total of fourteen 20 mm/65 automatic cannons, divided into three quadruple mounts and two single mounts. This armament is somewhat impacted by the placement of the quadruple mounts, which generally only allow two out of three mounts to fire at a single target at a time, though the armament is still generally sufficient to deter unmanoeuvrable aircraft. More agile aircraft or high-altitude bombers will be able to avoid this relatively low-calibre air defense, though, and pose a greater threat to the Z43.

Additional armament

Setup 18 x 533 mm G7a torpedo
Setup 24 x WBG depth charge
Setup 38 x 533 mm G7a torpedo
4 x WBG depth charge

The Z43 is capable of carrying eight G7a torpedoes and four WBG depth charges launched out of a bomb mortar. The G7a torpedoes are satisfactory, with a good explosive filler of more than 350 kg of TNT equivalent, as well as a good top speed of 80 km/h and manageable range of 6 km without the "Torpedo Mode" modification. These torpedoes are most effective against other destroyers in their base form, as longer range but slower torpedoes are more unwieldy against destroyers. That being said, the range of 6 km is not particularly impressive, so the G7a torpedoes should be treated as a close-range weapon rather than long-range screening tools in order to get the most out of their characteristics.

The WBG depth charges are less impressive, with an explosive filler of 100 kg of TNT equivalency and practically zero range. Against surface targets, these depth charges will be ineffective since it is exceedingly unlikely for any engagement to get close enough to be able to use the depth charges.

Usage in battles

The Z43 works best as a mid-range engagement destroyer. Its main battery of five 12.8 cm guns are effective at engaging enemy ships from 4 to 6 kilometers away, as their quick reload and decent muzzle velocity allow for accurate fire at these distances. In battle, the Z43 captain can use the ship's competent top speed to engage enemies, softening them up with accurate main battery salvos while closing the distance. Once within effective torpedo range of 6km, deadly spreads from its eight 53.3cm torpedoes can be launched to quickly finish off damaged foes. However, its light armor and lack of mid-range AA means that solo brawler gameplay should be avoided if possible, as its relatively light shells may not be able to defeat opposing destroyers before receiving damaging blows in return, and being seperated from the team's AA screen makes the Z43 much more vulnerable to air assaults.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Competent main battery can cripple enemies from medium ranges
  • Good torpedo explosive filler and speed

Cons:

  • Mediocre turret traverse hinders defense against nimble targets
  • Light AA is ineffective against determined bomber attacks at altitude
  • Torpedo usage limited to either close quarters combat or long range zoning, but not both

History

The Z43 was a Type 1936B destroyer built for the Kriegsmarine during World War 2. As a Type 1936B, Z43 possessed specifications commonly seen in German destroyers of her class from this period, including an armament of five 12.8 cm main guns supported by lighter anti-aircraft weapons. She was completed in mid-1944 at the AG Weser shipyard in Bremen. During the war, Z43 spent her time operating in the Baltic Sea. Her duties included escorting German ships, laying defensive minefields, and providing artillery support by shelling Soviet forces ashore. In December 1944, Z43 participated in a minelaying operation with her sister ships Z35 and Z36. This mission resulted in a disaster when Z35 and Z36 accidentally sailed into a German minefield and were both sunk.

Z43 suffered damage herself on April 10, 1945 when she struck a mine, which blasted a large hole in her hull. Despite temporary repairs, she was deemed beyond saving. On May 3rd, with Allied forces closing in, Z43 was scuttled near Flensburg to prevent her from being seized by the advancing Allies. In her final months, Z43 provided fire support during evacuations from coastal cities like Kolberg and Danzig Bay. Badly damaged by the mine hit in April, Z43 expended her last ammunition before scuttling to avoid capture just two weeks later, bringing her war service to an end.

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau Aktiengesellschaft
Destroyers 
Type 1934A  Kleber**
Type 1936  Z20 Karl Galster · Z22 Anton Schmitt
Type 1936A  Z25 · Marceau*** · Z32
Type 1936B  Z43
Type 1936C  Z46 · Z47
Battleships 
Nassau-class  SMS Westfalen*
  *Previously Aktien-Gesellschaft „Weser"
  **Z6 Theodor Riedel before war reparation to France
  ***Z31 before war reparation to France

Germany destroyers
  Torpedo boats
Type 1924  Jaguar · Leopard · Luchs
Type 1939  T22 · T31
  Destoyers
Type 1934A  Z12 Erich Giese · Z15 Erich Steinbrinck
Type 1936  Z20 Karl Galster · Z22 Anton Schmitt
Type 1936A  Z25 · Z32
Type 1936B  Z43
Type 1936C  Z46 · Z47