Difference between revisions of "Char 25t"

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(Ammo racks: Added "Last updated" note)
(Survivability and armour: Updated and completed)
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?''
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<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
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The {{PAGENAME}} has more armour than other French light tanks, at steeper angles. With distance, it may be able to bounce the 40 mm Bofors, though it will be rare. The top of the tank is well armoured and will easily defeat .50 cal (12.7 mm) rounds from airborne enemies though anything bigger will go through. The sides and rear are nonexistent comparatively and anything "antitank" will go through with ease. Most APHE shells fired at thinner parts of the tank may fail to detonate inside, it may save your life once or twice but don't rely on it. The driver has a 50 mm plate in front of him so that will help once or twice.
The Char 25t has more armour than its French cousins, at steeper angles. With distance, it may be able to bounce the 40 mm Bofors, though it will be rare. The top of the tank is well armoured and will easily defeat .50 cal (12.7 mm) rounds from airborne enemies though anything bigger will go through. The sides and rear are nonexistent comparatively and anything "antitank" will go through with ease. Most APHE shells fired at thinner parts of the tank may fail to detonate inside, it may save your life once or twice but don't rely on it. The driver has a 50 mm plate in front of him so that will help once or twice.
 
  
 
'''Armour type:'''
 
'''Armour type:'''
  
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret base, Turret besides roof, Hull cheeks)
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* Cast homogeneous armour (hull cheeks, turret base, turret, cupola)
* Structural steel (Over tracks, around chassis)
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* Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret roof, cupola roof)
* Rolled homogeneous armour
 
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || 30 mm (64°) ''Front glacis left'' <br> 50 mm (64°) ''Front glacis right'' <br> 50 mm (36°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 30 mm ''Top'' (53°) <br> 20 mm ''Fuel Cover'' <br> 30 mm ''Bottom'' (24°) || 20 mm <br> 15 mm ''Driver's hatch''
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| Hull || 30 mm (64°) ''Front glacis - Left'' <br> 50 mm (64°) ''Front glacis - Right'' <br> 50 mm (36°) ''Lower glacis'' || 25 mm || 30 mm ''Top'' (53°) <br> 20 mm ''Fuel Cover'' <br> 30 mm ''Bottom'' (24°) || 30-50 mm (26°) ''Front glacis'' <br> 20 mm ''Centre and rear'' <br> 15 mm ''Driver's hatch''
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Turret || 50 mm (53-56°) ''Turret front'' <br> 30 mm (20-59°) ''Turret base'' <br> 50 mm ''Barrel shroud'' || 25 mm ''Turret'' <br> 30 mm (0-22°) ''Turret base'' || 20 mm ''Turret bustle'' <br> 20 mm (11-21°) ''Pivot ball'' <br> 15 mm ''Turret underside'' || 20 mm
 
| Turret || 50 mm (53-56°) ''Turret front'' <br> 30 mm (20-59°) ''Turret base'' <br> 50 mm ''Barrel shroud'' || 25 mm ''Turret'' <br> 30 mm (0-22°) ''Turret base'' || 20 mm ''Turret bustle'' <br> 20 mm (11-21°) ''Pivot ball'' <br> 15 mm ''Turret underside'' || 20 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
|-
 
|-
| Cupola || 20 mm || 20 mm || 20 mm || 20 mm
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| Cupola || colspan="3" style="text-align:center" | 20 mm (conical) || 20 mm (conical) ''Outer ring'' <br> 20 mm ''Centre''
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
'''Notes:'''
 
'''Notes:'''
  
* Suspension wheels and tracks are 15 mm thick.
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* Suspension wheels, tracks and torsion bars are 15 mm thick.
 
* Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
 
* Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
* 8 mm Structural steel firewall hopefully separates the driver from the engine.
+
* 8 mm Structural steel firewall separates the driver from the engine.
* 15 mm Structural steel found around various parts of tank (tow eyes, suspension, etc)
 
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===

Revision as of 16:19, 21 December 2020

RANK 4 FRANCE
Somua SM PACK
fr_bat_chat_25t.png
Char 25t
AB RB SB
8.0 8.0 8.0
Class:
Research:53 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:300 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

GarageImage Char 25t.jpg


The Batignolles-Chatillon Char de 25 tonnes (shortened as Char 25t) is a Rank V French light tank with a battle rating of 8.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.81 "The Valkyries".

The Char 25t is similar to other French light tanks in that it is a small, closed tank with a compact autoloader turret in the rear of the tank. It is a bit wider than traditional French lights, but not by much. Its armour design is more akin to the AMX-50 or the Panther with a flat front and angled cheeks on the chassis. On the top of the turret is an oddity for cold war French designs, a machine gun. Though only a 7.5 mm machine gun that can be used for spotting targets or to deter some planes along with the coaxial.

General info

Survivability and armour

The Char 25t has more armour than other French light tanks, at steeper angles. With distance, it may be able to bounce the 40 mm Bofors, though it will be rare. The top of the tank is well armoured and will easily defeat .50 cal (12.7 mm) rounds from airborne enemies though anything bigger will go through. The sides and rear are nonexistent comparatively and anything "antitank" will go through with ease. Most APHE shells fired at thinner parts of the tank may fail to detonate inside, it may save your life once or twice but don't rely on it. The driver has a 50 mm plate in front of him so that will help once or twice.

Armour type:

  • Cast homogeneous armour (hull cheeks, turret base, turret, cupola)
  • Rolled homogeneous armour (hull, turret roof, cupola roof)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 30 mm (64°) Front glacis - Left
50 mm (64°) Front glacis - Right
50 mm (36°) Lower glacis
25 mm 30 mm Top (53°)
20 mm Fuel Cover
30 mm Bottom (24°)
30-50 mm (26°) Front glacis
20 mm Centre and rear
15 mm Driver's hatch
Turret 50 mm (53-56°) Turret front
30 mm (20-59°) Turret base
50 mm Barrel shroud
25 mm Turret
30 mm (0-22°) Turret base
20 mm Turret bustle
20 mm (11-21°) Pivot ball
15 mm Turret underside
20 mm
Cupola 20 mm (conical) 20 mm (conical) Outer ring
20 mm Centre

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels, tracks and torsion bars are 15 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 20 mm thick.
  • 8 mm Structural steel firewall separates the driver from the engine.

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 73 73 25.4 775 954 30.51 37.56
Realistic 66 66 442 500 17.4 19.69

The Char 25t is very fast, both in top speed (even in reverse) and acceleration. With a top speed of 65 km/h and great hp/ton, it will take you anywhere you want to go. The wide tracks compared to its low weight are just another cherry on top. The transmission has 12 gears, 6 forward and 6 backward, and then a neutral. The reverse gears are identical to the forward gears, so driving in reverse is no problem (except for the more exposed crew). Also, the Char 25t can neutral steer quickly.

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: SA45 (90 mm)
90 mm SA45 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)*
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 52 -6°/+11° ±180° N/A 22.9 31.6 38.4 42.5 45.2 6.70 6.70 6.70 6.70
Realistic 14.3 16.8 20.4 22.6 24.0

Note:

  • The main armament is reloaded by an autoloader, therefore the loader's weapon reloading skill doesn't change the reloading rate of the vehicle.

The gun is decent for its BR and role. Although it lacks a HEAT-FS shell like its nearby cousin the AMX-13-90, it still boasts the 90 mm SA45 cannon used on the AMX M4 with the same ammunition. It carries only APC, which can easily take out multiple crew if aimed correctly, though can be a tough one to master if new to solid shot. The HE shell is mostly useless though it can be useful if used against really light vehicles. 1 kg of TNT isn't nothing to scoff at.

The reload time is short, 6.7 seconds between shots (even with a knocked out loader)! It carries 7 shots in the drum, like the AMX M4, allowing for a sustained fire at multiple enemies. Make your shots count though! The solid shot will not be very forgiving to players who do not target crew positions or modules on enemy vehicles.

Ammunition
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
90 mm Obus de rupture APC 215 212 201 188 175 164
90 mm Obus explosif HE 13 13 13 13 13 13
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%
90 mm Obus de rupture APC 1,000 10.6 N/A N/A N/A 48° 63° 71°
90 mm Obus explosif HE 700 11.3 0.1 0.5 945 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Char 25t
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
52 44 (+8) 35 (+17) 26 (+26) 17 (+35) (+44) (+51) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Rack 6 (autoloader magazine) is a first stage ammo rack. It totals 7 shells.
  • This racks get filled first when loading up the tank and is also emptied first.
  • As it is equipped with an autoloader, manual reloading of the gun is not possible.
  • Once the autoloader magazine has been depleted, you can't shoot until the loader has restocked the autoloader. The restocking time is longer than the normal reload time of the gun. Take this into account when playing.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1 to 5 into rack 6. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.
  • The depletion order at full capacity is: 6 - 1 - 2 up to 5.

Machine guns

Main article: MAC 31 (7.5 mm)
7.5 mm MAC 31
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 4,950 (150) 1,350 N/A N/A
Pintle 1,200 (150) 1,350 -10°/+80° ±180°

The small calibre of the MAC 31 machine guns makes them largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. They still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

Usage in battles

The Char 25t is a very fast flanking tank that can take on multiple foes if it has to. Engaging other tanks frontally is not advised as the main shell has a maximum pen of 193 mm, and even then there is no explosive filler, so hitting obscure weakpoints may not even disable heavier tanks. Against lighter tanks, be sure to avoid relying on armour as it only protects from some autocannon fire.

The following tactics could be used proficiently with the Char 25t:

Long range sniper/flanker: Start off the match by heading for one of the flanks. If it's an open map, hide behind hills and passively scout as you drive or head for the outermost capture point. Be wary of the speedy M18 tank destroyers, any of the Sd.Kfz. 234 series, or any other quick tanks that may be trying the same thing as you. Once in a nice position (shadow cover, somewhere to retreat, nice sight lanes), sit and wait for someone to pass by. Don't stay tunnel visioned! Slower tanks may be approaching and they will be able to instantly destroy the Char 25t if it gets the chance. If you notice enemies at a far distance, first scout them using the scout key so your team knows where they are in case you miss or are destroyed. Next, either range-find, or just go for the shot if they are close enough. Neutralize the target, and either change position and then rinse and repeat.

Brawler: Surprisingly, this tank makes a decent brawler with its compact size, incredible speed, and great reload rate. Keep near the outer flanks of any main road or capture point, and drive around looking to shoot out engines/turrets. Try not to engage any heavier tank frontally, as you will be wiped out quite quickly, and you will rarely penetrate through their frontal armour. If you manage to get the first shot, you will have the superior reload for the follow-up shot, especially if their gunner is knocked out from the first shot. Be wary though, and assume the enemy always has a shot loaded, so either be prepared to go back into cover if they're gunner gets replaced.

Support: Due to the new repair mechanics, light tanks can help repair teammates if a friendly repair has been initiated. Stick near teammates, especially heavier ones like the T95 or Maus which may occasionally meet. When they engage in a firefight, either flank around the enemy to disable their gun/movement, or if your teammate already finished off the enemy(s) and is repairing, help them. Go around and help your teammates repair and disable/destroy enemies.

Mixed: Mix and match the tactics above and of other French lights. Try to flank and don't get destroyed. The roof machine gun can allow the Char 25t to harrass planes trying for a ground strike at the team, so there's always a role that the Char 25t can play as.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive
II Suspension Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire Airstrike
III Filters Crew Replenishment Elevation Mechanism Smoke grenade
IV Transmission Engine Artillery Support Improved optics

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Can reach its top speed quite fast.
  • Awesome reload rate: 1 shot every 6.7 seconds.
  • Gun performance is comparable to the British QF 17-pounder's solid shots, if not better.
  • 7 rounds in autoloader mechanism.
  • Has smoke launchers (high arc of fire).
  • Fast turret rotation.
  • Thin armour will sometimes cause APHE to penetrate straight through without detonating.
  • Low profile.
  • High gun placement make hull-down positions very efficient.
  • As fast in reverse as forward.

Cons:

  • Gun penetration rates are often subpar: relies heavily on flanking maneuvers.
  • Thin sides will get shredded easily by nearby SPAAs.
  • Poor gun elevation value of 11 degrees.
  • Bad at stop-and-shoot due to oscillating turret design.
  • Ammo is stored everywhere, a single penetrating shot can easily cause an ammo detonation.

History

Design

The Batignolles-Châtillon 25t or project Super AMX-13 was designed in the 1950s for a weight class twice bigger than the AMX-13. It reused many parts from the AMX-13 like the oscillating turret and the autoloader. Its primary armament was a 90mm cannon capable of shooting the same ammunition as US M47 and M48 tanks. It was equipped with a 500 HP engine and could reach 65 km/h. It was operated by 4 crew members.

Development

Two prototypes were made in 1954 before the project was abandoned. The hurdles of the concept were the impossibility to guarantee NBC protection on the oscillating turret, the external reload of the autoloader exposing the crew during combat, an unreliable hydraulic suspension and external shot traps on the turret. Proofs of concept and technologies developed in this program were however later reused on other French tank projects, especially the AMX-30 (transmission).

Combat usage

It never saw service or combat action in the French Army.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same gun
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


France light tanks
AMC.34/35  AMC.34 YR · AMC.35 (ACG.1)
H.35/39  H.35 · H.39 · H.39 "Cambronne"
AMX-13  AMX-13 (FL11) · AMX-13-M24 · AMX-13 · AMX-13 (SS.11) · AMX-13-90 · AMX-13 (HOT)
Wheeled  AML-90 · AMX-10RC
AMD.35  AMD.35 · AMD.35 (SA35)
E.B.R.  E.B.R. (1951) · E.B.R. (1954) · E.B.R. (1963)
Other  FCM.36 · R.35 (SA38) · Char 25t · MARS 15 · VBCI-2 (MCT30)
Austria  SK-105A2
Great Britain  ▄Crusader Mk.II
USA  LVT-4/40 · ▄M3A3 Stuart