STB-2
Contents
Description
The STB-2 is a Rank V Japanese medium tank
with a battle rating of 8.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced along with the entire Japanese Ground Forces tree in Update 1.65 "Way of the Samurai". The prototype of the Type 74, the STB-1 presents many features that would be in the final design.
The STB-1 is the first researchable tank in Japan's Ground Forces Rank V. Despite having considerable more armour than its comparable counterparts the Leopard 1 and Leopard A1A1, as well as comparable mobility, it is not recommended as a front-line tank like the 'Allied' counterparts. Instead, a cautious hit-and-run tactic like the Leopards should always be employed. Using the tank's hydropneumatic suspension correctly can help with the tank's depression, and in some cases, aid in survivability. Do note that the L7 on this tank reloads significantly longer than other L7-equipped tanks.
The STB-1 is unique among being one of the only Japanese tanks that can take a hit, like the Type 4 Chi-To Late and Type 5 Ho-Ri Production. It has thick frontal hull armour that can bounce shots effectively, but should not be relied on. The tank is quite fast and is further aided by the Hydropneumatic suspension, which allows this tank to manoeuvre the battlefield much like a Leopard, however the abundance of larger, more open maps at higher ranks means that getting from point A to B - and not getting shot - is not a simple as it sounds.
General info
Survivability and armour
Armour | Front | Sides | Rear | Roof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | 40-80 mm (64-73°) Front glacis 100 (26°), 80 mm (58-66°)Lower glacis |
35-40 mm (44°) Top 40 mm (0-55°) Bottom |
25 mm (1-46°) | 20 mm |
Turret | 132 mm (12-66°) Turret front 100-200 mm (1-66°) Gun mantlet |
132 mm (1-54°) 75 mm (26-61°) Rear |
40 mm (1-64°) 40 mm (36-82°) Turret underside |
67 mm Front 20 mm Rear |
Armour | Sides | Roof | ||
Cupola | 30 mm | 30 mm |
Notes:
- Suspension wheels and tracks are 20 mm thick.
- Driver's vision port on the front glacis are only 50 mm thick.
- Hull roof is rated to be 54 mm effective against HE.
Mobility
Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
Arcade | 59 | 9 | 37.8 | 1162 | 1,660 | 30.74 | 43.92 |
Realistic | 54 | 8 | 663 | 870 | 17.54 | 23.02 |
Armaments
Main armament
105 mm L7A3 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capacity | Vertical guidance |
Horizontal guidance |
Stabilizer | ||
50 | -6°/+9° | ±180° | Two-plane | ||
Turret rotation speed (°/s) | |||||
Mode | Stock | Upgraded | Prior + Full crew | Prior + Expert qualif. | Prior + Ace qualif. |
Arcade | 22.85 | 37.9 | 38.4 | 42.5 | __.__ |
Realistic | 14.28 | 16.8 | 20.4 | 22.6 | __.__ |
Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||
Stock | Prior + Full crew | Prior + Expert qualif. | Prior + Ace qualif. | ||
10.8 | 9.6 | 8.8 | __.__ |
Ammunition
Penetration statistics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration in mm @ 90° | |||||
10m | 100m | 500m | 1000m | 1500m | 2000m | ||
M392A2 | APDS | 303 | 302 | 296 | 277 | 257 | 252 |
M393 | HESH | 127 | 127 | 127 | 127 | 127 | 127 |
M456 | HEATFS | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 | 400 |
Shell details | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity in m/s |
Projectile Mass in kg |
Fuse delay
in m: |
Fuse sensitivity
in mm: |
Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent): |
Normalization At 30° from horizontal: |
Ricochet: | ||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||
M392A2 | APDS | 1,478 | 5.8 | N/A | N/A | N/A | +1.5° | 75° | 78° | 80° |
M393 | HESH | 730 | 15 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 4,310 | +0° | 73° | 77° | 80° |
M456 | HEATFS | 1,173 | 11 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1,270 | +0° | 65° | 72° | 75° |
Ammo racks
Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
50 | 44 (+6) | 16 (+34) | 10 (+40) | 1 (+49) | No |
Hull floor empty: 44 (+6)
Machine guns
12.7 mm M2HB | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pintle mount | ||||||
Capacity (Belt capacity) | Fire rate (shots/minute) |
Vertical guidance |
Horizontal guidance | |||
660 (200) | 577 | -10°/+40° | ±180° |
7.62 mm M1919A4 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Coaxial mount | ||||||
Capacity (Belt capacity) | Fire rate (shots/minute) |
Vertical guidance |
Horizontal guidance | |||
4,500 (250) | 500 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in the battles
The ST-B1 can be compared to the the Leopard 1 or even a stock Leopard A1A1, but has in its own rights its own capabilities. The ST-B1 allows for both a more held down playstyle or aggressive playstyle versus the Leopard 1 due to its hydropneumatic suspension and 2-plane stabilizer. Together with the power of the engine outfitted on the ST-B1, allows it for a speedy move to a nice sniper spot or hull down position and fire at targets before they realize a tank could be there.
As the ST-B1 possess over a pretty nice angled upper front plate, but do keep in mind that the ST-B1 wasn't designed to take a punch, only to deal a punch, so even though the good angle, you shouldn't rely too heavily on it, as shells can penetrate it and not always bounce off. Do keep this fully in mind especially when taking more shells with the vehicle, as the fuel tank next to the driver will be filled with extra shells, which can blow up the whole tank if a shell does eventually penetrate.
With the addition of a 12.7 mm machine gun, the ST-B1 can make short work of ZSU's or light tanks alike if the heat of the battle doesn't allow for the main gun or in-case of more important targets requiring the main gun's firepower.
The main choice of ammo would usually be HEAT-FS when unlocked, with the occasional APDS for longer range sniping and try not to bring more ammo than required, filling the racks will only hurt the more once it blows up.
Modules
Tier | Mobility | Protection | Firepower | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
I | Tracks | Parts | Horizontal Drive | |||
II | Suspension | Brake System | FPE | Adjustment of Fire | M393A2 | |
III | Filters | Crew Replenishment | Elevation Mechanism | M416 | Smoke grenade | |
IV | Transmission | Engine | Artillery Support | M456 | Rangefinder |
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Highly mobile, comparable to the German Leopard I.
- More armour than the German Leopard (around 100m hull and turret).
- 105 mm L7 cannon found on other NATO tanks.
- May bounce APHE shells.
- Low profile.
- Utilization of hydropneumatic suspension allows for various offensive and defensive options.
- 12.7 mm Browning Machine Gun.
- 2-plane stabilizer that allows it to fire on the move
Cons:
- Other areas are lightly armoured, vulnerable to high penetrating SPAA.
- Reload and top speed slower than Leopard.
- Small gun elevation angle.
- Engine vulnerable to some aircraft with powerful guns.
History
The prototype for the Type 74. Known in Japanese as 74式戦車の試作車STB-1 (ななよんしきせんしゃのしさくしゃSTB-1). Created in September 1969 along with STB-2 in the STT program. Due to issues with cost effectiveness these two prototypes were not considered for the replacement of the Type 61. In a bid to reduce costs STB-3, STB-4, STB-5 and STB-6 were produced between April 1970 to December 1971. The final judgement for the STT program was held in November 1973 which lead the line to be completed in 1974. And, production started the following year in 1975 for the Type 74.
Media
- Videos
Read also
Sources
Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
- topic on the official game forum;
- other literature.
Japan medium tanks | |
---|---|
Type 97 | Chi-Ha · Chi-Ha Kai · Chi-Ha Kai TD · Chi-Ha Short Gun |
Type 1 | Chi-He · Chi-He (5th Regiment) · Ho-I |
Type 3 | Chi-Nu · Chi-Nu II |
Type 4 | Chi-To · Chi-To Late |
Type 5 | Chi-Ri II |
Type 61 MBT | ST-A1* · ST-A2* · ST-A3* · Type 61 |
Type 74 MBT | ST-B2* · Type 74 (C) · Type 74 (E) · Type 74 (F) · Type 74 (G) |
Type 90 MBT | Type 90 · Type 90 (B) · Type 90 (B) "Fuji" |
Type 10 MBT | TKX (P)* · TKX* · Type 10 |
Other | Ka-Chi |
USA | ▅M4A3 (76) W · ▅M47 |
*Prototype |