KwK38 (20 mm)
Contents
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 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Belt | Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | |
Default | 37 | 34 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
Sprgr. | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
PzGr | 37 | 34 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 6 |
PzGr 40 | 48 | 45 | 31 | 20 | 13 | 8 |
Comparison with analogues
- Germany - KwK30 (20mm)
- Great Britain - Oerlikon Mk.II (20 mm)
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
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Media
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See also
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- reference to the article about the variant of the cannon/machine gun;
- references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.
External links
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- 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 · 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) |