Black Prince
Contents
Description
The A43 Black Prince was an experimental development of the Churchill VII fitted with the ubiquitous Ordnance QF 17-pounder tank cannon. It was designed as an interim for the specification of a "universal tank" (eventually resulting in the Centurion) that could replace both well-armoured infantry tanks such as the Churchill as well as powerfully armed cruiser tanks such as the Crusader and Cromwell. The large gun required a larger turret, resulting in a widening of the hull. The increase in weight had to be compensated by modification of the suspension system and wider tracks. Plans for other modifications such as a more powerful engine or installation of the Centurion's turret never came into fruition. The first of the six prototypes was completed in May 1945; by this time, similarly armed and significantly more mobile tanks such as the Sherman Firefly, Comet I, and Centurion were beginning to be or had already been introduced into service, and so the project was cancelled soon after. Only one example still exists, the fourth prototype, which is displayed in the Bovington Tank Museum.
The Black Prince was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm" and was one of the first British tanks to be introduced into the game. The Black Prince offers a powerful gun, able to be equipped with APDS, capable of destroying Ferdinands, IS-2s, and other tanks from over 1 km away. The reload time is great for its rank, at a mere 7.6 s and when coupled with the tank's heavy armour, can stand as quite a lethal opponent. However, the armour, while still effective, is not as reliable as the Churchill's was at lower battle ratings when facing increasingly powerful armaments. Additionally, the extra 8.5 tons of weight compared to the already sluggish Churchill makes it extremely slow with a top speed of 17 km/h (10 mph) and only -2 km/h (-1 mph) reverse speed.
The Black Prince was initially available as a pre-order pack from the Gaijin store, but was discontinued after the 2017 Winter sales. It has since been made available in the store periodically for "Black Friday" sales in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
General info
Survivability and armour
The A43 Black Prince has one of the thickest armour installations of any tanks. The front is able to be continuously hit by larger and more powerful calibre tanks at close range without taking much, if any damage. However, if you come up against a tank shooting HEAT or HE rounds they will likely penetrate the armour with ease. Do not expose the sides to the enemy player, as it is one of the weakest parts of the tank, seconded only to the central portion of the turret's mantlet. Not only that, the sides contain the location of the ammunition; If it is hit, it is likely to detonate. If the ammunition does not detonate, the vehicle's crew will be incapacitated.
It lacks a top-mounted machine gun, which is normally a deterrent against low flying aircraft, making the vehicle more vulnerable to be attacks by a planes, and an easy target for bombers. The turret's slow traverse speed also makes the use of the internal machine gun useless against aircraft attacks.
Due to the low profile of this tank, being hit in the lower front turret is a rare occurrence. You still need to be careful of HEAT and HE rounds, as the low profile design will allow the enemy rounds to enter the turret's machine gun port and either knock out the loader: if using an APCR or solid shot round, OR, if using other rounds such as APCBC, APBC and HEAT, it is very likely that all the turret crew will be eliminated.
The Black Prince is vulnerable to large-calibre HE rounds, which will often bounce and enter through the roof. The ammunition is located along the sides of the vehicle, making these a primary weak spot for enemy players to target.
Armour type:
- Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull)
- Cast homogeneous armour (Turret front, Turret sides, Cupola)
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 152 mm Front plate 57 mm (70°) Front glacis 139 mm (20-60°) Lower glacis |
82 mm Top 95 mm Bottom |
51 mm (20°) Top 25 mm (60°) Bottom |
25 mm Front 18 mm Engine deck |
| Turret | 152 mm (6-83°) Turret front 152 mm (0-25°) Gun mantlet |
95 mm | 101 + 4 mm | 38 mm (73°) Front 18 mm Bottom |
| Cupola | 100 mm | 38 mm | ||
Notes:
- Suspension wheels and chassis construction are 20 mm thick while tracks are 30 mm thick.
- Belly armour is 18-25 mm thick.
- There is a 19 mm thick plate separating the engine compartment to the crew's.
- A 50 mm turret ring shield is present on the front of the turret.
Mobility
When playing the Black Prince you will immediately notice the speed and length: it is not a fast tank. You will also notice that it can sometimes struggle to get up hills and small embankments. It is recommended to stay on flat terrain and to make small sharp turns. This will keep more momentum than a single big turn which will lose most of your much needed momentum.
The A43 is a rather long tank making it almost impossible to get wedged between ditches, but the vehicle lacks sufficient engine power required to pull itself over the obstacles and often gets stuck when climbing over them.
| Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
| Arcade | 20 | 8 | 50 | 452 | 668 | 9.04 | 13.36 |
| Realistic | 18 | 8 | 310 | 350 | 6.2 | 7 | |
Modifications and economy
2 × 120 / 190 / 220 % 2 × 178 / 178 / 178 % | Mobility | Protection | Firepower | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Armaments
Main armament
However, the A43 Black Prince does have one of the most powerful cannons in the game, and is capable of destroying tiger tanks and other heavily armoured vehicles from short to long distances, and is equipped with many different ammunition types which are viable for different situations. The APDS is the recommended choice for giving the gun the full potential of being capable of destroying more heavily armoured targets at longer ranges.
| 76 mm QF 17-pounder | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode | Capacity | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
| Arcade | 89 | -10°/+20° | ±180° | N/A | 13.8 | 19.0 | 23.1 | 25.6 | 27.2 | 7.15 | 6.33 | 5.83 | 5.50 |
| Realistic | 10.1 | 11.9 | 14.4 | 16.0 | 17.0 | ||||||||
Ammunition
The Black Prince is equipped with some of the most lethal ammunition types in the game. It can carry a combination of different type or just a single type of projectiles.
- Shot Mk.6 - AP - Standard round/low shrapnel: use against medium or light tanks
- Shell Mk.1 - HE - Ideal for destroying SPAA and lightly armoured tanks
- Shot Mk.4 - APC - Standard round/medium shrapnel: use against medium tanks
- Shot Mk.8 - APCBC - Deadliest round/high shrapnel damage: use against most opponents
- Shot SV Mk.1 - APDS - Most penetrative round but less damage than APCBC (low spalling): good to use against post-WW2 era opponents or heavily-armoured tanks
| 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 | ||
| Shot Mk.6 | AP | 171 | 168 | 155 | 139 | 126 | 113 |
| Shell Mk.1 | HE | 20 | 20 | 18 | 16 | 15 | 13 |
| Shot Mk.4 | APC | 171 | 168 | 155 | 139 | 126 | 113 |
| Shot Mk.8 | APCBC | 190 | 187 | 172 | 155 | 140 | 126 |
| Shot SV Mk.1 | APDS | 269 | 264 | 246 | 226 | 207 | 189 |
| 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% | ||||||||||
| Shot Mk.6 | AP | 883 | 7.71 | - | - | - | 47° | 60° | 65° | |||
| Shell Mk.1 | HE | 883 | 6.98 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 580 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |||
| Shot Mk.4 | APC | 883 | 7.71 | - | - | - | 48° | 63° | 71° | |||
| Shot Mk.8 | APCBC | 883 | 7.71 | - | - | - | 48° | 63° | 71° | |||
| Shot SV Mk.1 | APDS | 1,204 | 2.48 | - | - | - | 75° | 78° | 80° | |||
| Smoke shell characteristics | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ammunition | Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Screen radius (m) |
Screen deploy time (s) |
Screen hold time (s) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g) |
| 17pdr Shell SS Mk.1 | 229 | 8.44 | 13 | 5 | 20 | 50 |
Ammo racks
| Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
5th rack empty |
6th rack empty |
7th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89 | 76 (+13) | 62 (+27) | 48 (+41) | 34 (+55) | 25 (+64) | 16 (+73) | 1 (+88) | No |
Note:
- Rack 7 is a first-stage ammo rack.
Optics
| Black Prince Optics | ||
|---|---|---|
| Default magnification | Maximum magnification | |
| Main Gun optics | x1.8 | x3.5 |
| Comparable optics | Churchill Mk I | |
This tank uses an outdated x3.5 scope like early British tanks, attempts to outsnipe SPG of rank IV with the mobility of Black Prince will likely end in disaster.
Use APDS or smoke shells to make tanks 800+ m away leave it alone, as discerning enemy tank weak spots and targeting them using normal AP from that far away with this sight becomes a problem. When choosing directions, go with ones which are not easy to exploit by hostile sniper tanks.
Machine guns
| 7.92 mm BESA | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Coaxial | 8,100 (225) | 600 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in battles
When engaged in combat with heavier and more lethal vehicles, using the APDS rounds will allow you to cause major damage. In order to get the most protection for the tank and crew, do not expose the sides or allow enemies to get to the rear of the vehicle. Instead, turn the front of tank towards the enemy player but give it a slight angle. The enemy rounds will have a higher chance of ricocheting off of the frontal plate, however if the enemy tank uses HE ammunition, there is a high chance that the round may bounce and enter the vehicle's roof.
If engaged in close quarters combat, do not allow the other tank to circle and flank you, instead aim for the vehicle's tracks and destroy them and move away, then finish it off. Most importantly, do not allow them to get the rear of the tank, as you will be unable to effectively hit the enemy due to the twin radiators on the back of the vehicle, and the turret's slow traverse.
In terms of tactics:
Offensive
Keep your distance from enemy tanks, as the cannon is capable of destroying most tanks from long distances with relative ease. Combined with the slow speed of the vehicle, you'll find yourself being capable of firing on the move despite the lack of a stabiliser. The tank's low profile makes it difficult to see over terrain and obstacles, so it is often best to remain on level ground.
Avoid letting the enemy flank you at all costs, as the sides of the Black Prince are the softest weak points, containing the ammunition storage. If the sides of the vehicle are penetrated by enemy rounds, the ammunition will likely detonate, or the crew will be knocked out/critically injured, making you an easy target.
It's best to avoid letting enemy players flank you from behind, as the turret's traverse will prevent you from being able to hit them quick enough, and the twin radiators on the back of the vehicle will prevent the turret from rotating all the way.
Defensive
When playing the Black Prince, it is often best to find a well-protected and concealed place, I.E. an ally tank, dense woodland or between rubble. Make sure the front of the tank is facing the enemy with a slight angle in order to get the most out of the vehicle's armour, whilst the cannon will allow you to destroy the enemy tanks from long distances. However don't expose the sides or the rear due to weakness and some vulnerability in the design of the tank.
Enemies worth noting:
- IS-2: the Soviet heavy tank carries a very deadly cannon that can take out literally anything in a single shot, including the Black Prince. Its 122 mm shells can easily go through your frontal hull and turret, subsequently knocking out everyone inside. The best way to avoid that is to angle your hull so that your long, large tracks cover up the frontal hull, exposing your angled side and luring the IS-2 into firing at your side armour. The side armour of the Black Prince resembles the Churchills' which are quite complex, with some complex internal structures soaking up lots of shells, increasing your survivability. Against an IS-2 1943, aim at the hull armour that curves and blends into the side, or the turret cheeks. Its crew are closely packed and even the British solid shells can knock them all out at once. Against a 1944 model, only shoot at its turret as the hull is quite strong.
- Tiger II: treat these tanks as a top priority as the APCBC shells fired by Tiger IIs typically punch straight through your turret pasting the turret crew and sometimes the driver/machine gunner. Your APDS will go through their mantlet easily and take out the breech and/or the gunner. Shoot first as the Black Prince's mobility is poor and you won't be able to outpace the Tiger II's turret traverse.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Great armour
- The lower front of the turret has an additional 50 mm of armour
- APDS is able to penetrate and cause major damage to enemies from long distances, and is capable of destroying most tanks in a single shot at close ranges (as long as you know where to hit)
- Effective at long ranges
- Good reload time of 7.6s with stock crew
- Ammunition is not stored in the turret
Cons:
- The vehicle's side armour is weak and ammunition is stored in the sides of the tank
- It struggles to climb hills without losing significant speed
- Max speed of 18 km/h (12 mph) and max reverse speed of -7.3 km/h (-4.5 mph)
- The vehicle cannot climb steep hills
- The turret traverse is slow compared to others at only 10.5/s
- Lacks any form of top-mounted anti-aircraft weaponry
History
Development
The Black Prince is an experimental design that was to use the British Infantry tank, the Churchill, as the basis with much more armour and a better gun. The name originates from Edward of Woodstock, otherwise known as the "Black Prince", a 14th century military leader. The Churchill and its branch of infantry tanks, in the course of World War II, was becoming slightly obsolete in the highly mobile style of warfare the cruiser tanks proved much better at. The infantry tanks were originally made for heavy, breakthrough style of warfare with infantry, so they were kept around in a style of "heavy tanks", but the Axis' gradually increasing anti-tank capacity caused the armour of the infantry tanks to be considered insufficient.
To keep the infantry tanks relevant in the course of World War II, the Churchill was upgraded in armour and armament to better compete against the changing anti-tank warfare, starting in 1943. The original Churchill tank in the latter part of World War II had the QF 75 mm cannon (British-produced 75 mm from the Americans) and about 102 mm of armour on average and weighed about 38 tons. The Black Prince upgraded the armour to 152 mm thick, widened the tracks by 10 inches, and modified the suspensions for the new weight. The 75 mm gun was instead replaced by the QF 17-pounder cannon, which was one of the best Allied anti-tank guns in service. The larger gun required a larger turret and a larger turret ring on the hull. All these modifications increased the tank weight by ten tons but kept the engine used in the regular Churchill, so the tank was considered underpowered, only able to reach up to 10 mph on roads and this limited the tank's operational radius. The tank was designated the Tank, Infantry, Black Prince (A43) and the A43 model was for a Staff Specification number issued in 1943 for an interim tank that could be made until the development of a "Universal Tank".
Deployment
However, by the time the Black Prince was ready in May 1945; it was too late for it to see service in World War II. Even if it had, many more tank designs such as the Sherman Firefly and the Comet are much more mobile and effective, yet have the same 17-pounder gun available. Also, a new tank about to be introduced, the Centurion, has the same protection level as the Black Prince, yet with the same gun and is way more mobile than the Black Prince. This caused the Black Prince to fall into obsolescence and the project, along with the entire line of the infantry tank concept in British tank doctrine, was abandoned in favour of a concept of more mobile tanks with great firepower and protection, which would eventually form the idea of the main battle tanks.
Media
- Skins
- Images
Black Prince with destroyed Tiger H1
- Videos
See also
- Vehicles equipped with the same chassis
- Vehicles equipped with the same gun and ammunition
External links
| Vauxhall Motors Limited | |
|---|---|
| Infantry Tanks | |
| Tank, Infantry, Mk IV, Churchill (A22) | Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile |
| Tank, Infantry, Black Prince (A43) | Black Prince |
| Tank Destroyers | Gun Carrier (3-in) |
| Captured | ▀Pz.Kpfw. Churchill |
| Britain heavy tanks | |
|---|---|
| Matilda | Matilda III · Matilda Hedgehog |
| Churchill | Churchill I · Churchill III · Churchill VII · Churchill Crocodile · Churchill NA75 · Black Prince |
| Post-war | Caernarvon · Conqueror |
| Other | Independent · Excelsior · TOG II |
| Britain premium ground vehicles | |
|---|---|
| Light tanks | A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105 |
| Medium tanks | A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV" |
| Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X | |
| Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES | |
| Heavy tanks | Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince |
| Tank destroyers | Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram |
