Class 3 (P)

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Class 3 (P)
germ_th_800_bismark.png
GarageImage Class 3 (P).jpg
Class 3 (P)
AB RB SB
9.0 9.0 9.0
Class:
Show in game
MARKET

Description

The TH800 is a gift rank VI German tank destroyer with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update "Hot Tracks" as a reward for the 2020 Operation W.I.N.T.E.R. event.

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull67 / 20 / 20
Turret122 / 50 / 20
Crew4 people
Visibility136 %
As seen here, the frontal plate has double spall shields divided by a 200 mm air spacing.
File:Class 3 inner turrer spall shields.png
As seen here, the turret mantlet, front and sides all have double spall shields separated by an 80 mm air spacing

Due to the massive size of the Class 3, it is able to withstand high calibre ammunitions due to the poor armour as it will not create enough spalling when penetrated. The crew spacing as well as the interior spacing makes it one of the hardest wheeled vehicles to destroy in the game with only kinetic energy (KE) penetrators (APDS, APFSDS, etc etc). Centre of mass shots from the front with KE shells will often take the driver and set the engine on fire, but due to the turret crew being elevated, they are most likely to survive, meaning the turret is operational ready to engage any enemy threats. Chemical energy (CE) penetrators are a tricky topic when it comes to the frontal armour. Depending on the ammunition used an the impact angle, the Class 3 will be able to withstand the impact or not. CE rounds are most likely to penetrate and be partially or fully stopped thanks to the inner spall shields at a perpendicular angle but will knock out the driver and disable or damage engine as well as igniting the ammo rack. This changes when ATGMs take a play in engagements, they will often create much more spalling than tank-fired HEAT rounds as the calibre is higher (meaning a greater explosive mass) and will cause hullbreak if hit from the sides or if the ATGM spall goes all the way from the front to the back while penetrating the sides. For this same reason it is recommended to only carry ~24-26 rounds in the vehicle as it will empty most of the hull ammo racks but still keep the ready racks full in the turret. The armour is not to be relied on unless there are specific enemies (T-54's for example) as most of them will always penetrate your hull. The Class 3 is immune to autocannon fire from the front and hull upper half sides and turret sides due to the spaced armour. This is an advantage compared to the rest of wheeled light armoured vehicles in which 20 mm and 30 mm autocannons often penetrate and knock out crew and inner components.

Having spall shields bring multiple benefits against both CE and KE.

Against KE:

The air gap between plates not only reduces and scatters the shrapnel in a flatter surface so that the penetrating remains are less but they also reduce the speed and penetration of small calibre fire (below 40 mm), meaning they will not penetrate the second plate (below 30 mm) or will reduce the amount of shrapnel generated (above 30 mm). They also prematurely detonate APCBC shells and reduce the shrapnel generated. Due to this, all APCBC and APHE fuses will be activated which can be lethal in calibres higher than 76 mm even with the spall shields depending on where the round hits at.

Against CE:

Any part of the vehicle is susceptible to hull break if hit in the correct way, but often players will fire at centre of mass in which hull break is almost nullified. When a round is fired at the centre of mass frontally, the double plate armour will not only reduce the shrapnel but it is able to fully stop it, specially if said threat has a relative low explosive mass despite the armour penetration (PG-9 for example found on the BMP-1). When fired at the turret it may vary as it totally depends on the firing angle. A perpendicular hit to the turret will be lethal but an angled hit will often deviate the shrapnel which may damage or destroy modules but will keep the vehicle operational. Due to its huge height, the enemies that fire at turret will have a more angled hit, meaning that most of the shrapnel will be launched towards the roof and not to the crew compartment, this can take one or two crew members depending on the hit.

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • High hardness rolled armour

Super structure armour

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 30 mm glacis (76°)

29 mm lower frontal plate (20°)

20 mm Top
20 mm Bottom
20 mm 10 mm
Turret 38 mm Turret front
80 mm Gun mantlet
16 mm 20 mm 10 mm
Cupola 10 mm 10 mm 10 mm 10 mm

Inner spall shields

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear
Hull 200 mm air

38 mm second lower frontal plate (20°)

10 mm air

30 mm upper half plate

5 mm
Turret 84 mm turret front first plate

80 mm air 38 mm turret front second plate
80 mm Gun mantlet

30 mm turret side first plate

120 mm air 16 mm turret side second plate

N/A

Notes:

  • Suspension is 10 mm thick
  • Wheels are 10 mm thick

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB96 / 39 km/h
RB and SB86 / 35 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
2 back
Weight41.0 t
Engine power
AB1 500 hp
RB and SB786 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB36.6 hp/t
RB and SB19.2 hp/t

Despite the tremendous size and mass, the Class 3 is almost as fast as the Radkampfwagen. The 8 wheels give it an almost perfect cross-country capability with exception of mud, snow and deep sand. Acceleration wise, it takes time to make the Class 3 move if on a non urban environment or at an angle due to the mass. It has traction on the 8 wheels, meaning it is able to move even if only a pairs of wheels are touching the ground. As expected, due to the length, the turn radius is huge and it requires a big surface to be abe to make a 180° turn. Besides the length and height, the Class 3 is tremendously fast for a vehicle its size, specially if it is on urban environment. It is able to reach speeds of 80 km/h even on dirt. This not only makes the Class 3 a fearful tough to crack behemoth but also a flanking and "Hit N' Run" behemoth. Thanks to the stabilizer, the Class 3 is able to fire at enemy targets while on top speed, this requires practice but a handled commander will be able to achieve so.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 96 39 41 1,116 1,500 27.22 36.59
Realistic 86 35 695 786 16.95 19.17

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB3 224 → 5 455 Sl icon.png
RB3 377 → 5 713 Sl icon.png
SB3 911 → 6 617 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications187 200 Rp icon.png
303 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 700 Ge icon.png
Crew training175 000 Sl icon.png
Experts620 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 010 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
130 / 170 / 220 % Sl icon.png
226 / 226 / 226 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new wheels.png
Tires
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods new car suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ger.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_usa_HESH_ammo_pack
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_NATO_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
7 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
12 000 Sl icon.png
330 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods airstrike.png
Airstrike
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods scout streak.png
Scout UAV
Research:
7 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
310 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods scouting.png
Improved optics
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods night vision device.png
NVD
Research:
9 800 Rp icon.png
Cost:
15 000 Sl icon.png
410 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
105mm_DM33_APDS_FS_ammo_pack
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Research:
11 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
17 000 Sl icon.png
460 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Laser rangefinder
Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder
Night vision device
Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

The Class 3 has a GT-3 105mm rifled bore main gun, it shares the same ballistics as the L7A3 the Leopard family share with the exact same ammunition. Thus, there should be no hard enough threat to kill, specially if DM33 is being used with its potent 408mm of penetration.

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition54 rounds
First-order15 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.7 → 6.7 s
Vertical guidance-8° / 15°
Main article: GT-3 (105 mm)
105 mm GT-3 Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 54 -8°/+15° ±180° Two-plane 22.0 30.5 37.0 40.9 43.5 8.71 7.70 7.10 6.70
Realistic 14.9 17.5 21.3 23.5 25.0

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
DM12 HEATFS 400 400 400 400 400 400
DM502 HESH 127 127 127 127 127 127
DM23 APFSDS 337 335 330 322 314 306
DM33 APFSDS 408 405 398 389 379 370
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%
DM12 HEATFS 1,173 10.5 0.05 0.1 1,270 65° 72° 77°
DM502 HESH 732 14.85 0.05 0.1 4,310 73° 77° 80°
DM23 APFSDS 1,455 3.79 N/A N/A N/A 78° 80° 81°
DM33 APFSDS 1,455 3.79 N/A N/A N/A 78° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Class 3 (P)
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
54 48 (+6) 32 (+22) 16 (+38) (+49) (+53) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear after having been shot or loaded.
  • Racks 4 & 5 are first stage ammo racks. They total 15 shells and gets filled first when loading up the tank.
  • These racks are also emptied early: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 4 - 5 - 1 - 2 - 3.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-38 into racks 5 then 4. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Machine guns

Ammunition3 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
7.62 mm Browning MG4
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,000 (250) 500 N/A N/A
Pintle 2,000 (250) 500 -8°/+20° ±120°

Usage in battles

The Class 3 is considered like a bigger Radkampfwagen. Due to its speed, it may be used in a flanking manner, being able to go around the enemy and surprise them where they do not expect. When flanking, it is recommended to use roads if possible, as the Class 3 is a wheeled vehicle, and rough terrain will slow it down. However, even off-road, the vehicle is still capable of speeds that are much higher than many other contemporary MBTs.

It may also be used in a playstyle of a fast MBT. While the hull of the Class 3 is weak and prone to hullbreak, the whole front of the vehicle has multiple well angled and very bouncy plates, both interior and exterior, which allows the turret and hull to sometimes take hits without damage, or even ricochet some shells. However, it is important to note that even though enemy shells have a chance of bouncing, it is best not to rely on this, and to use the vehicle's stabilizer and situational awareness to get the first shot off.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Great top speed and good acceleration
  • Lots of empty space, difficult to one shot without ammo racking
  • Good gun, can deal with most enemies easily
  • Turret is frontally immune to auto cannons
  • The length of the vehicle can cause APFSDS shrapnel created at the front of the tank to dissipate before it is able to reach the rear

Cons:

  • Absolutely gigantic, size is on par with the Maus
  • Prone to hull-breaking
  • Because of its size it may have difficult traversing certain areas of maps, especially urban maps with lots of tight corners
  • Very weak armour for its battle rating, won't stop anything other than heavy machine guns and autocannons

History

The Henschel Wehrtechnik TH200, TH600 and TH800 were a series of armoured vehicles developed in Germany in the early '80s as test vehicles that could undertake a wide variety of combat roles. These vehicles have a hull of welded steel armour that provides guaranteed protection to low and high calibre machinegun fire but lacks protection against anti-tank weaponry. A series of 3 versions were done: The TH200 4x4, the TH600 6x6 and TH800 8x8. Each one of the variants had their own combat roles.

TH200

The smallest version of the platform, it was meant to be used as a reconnaissance vehicle as well as a mobile support vehicle, armoured personal carrier and weapon carrier. It could utilize a 90 mm Cockerill gun and turret. The combat weight was around 9,250 kg making it capable of being transported by heavy air lifters and also give it amphibious capabilities.

TH400

It was a test bed for a mobile gun system with a 105 mm cannon in a three man turret. A Rh L/44 120 mm cannon could also be added. The combat weight of this vehicle was augmented to 24,500 kg, making it loose considerably the options for air lifters as well as loosing completely the amphibious capabilities.

TH800

This version had a weight of 35,000 kg and could carry weapon systems with weight up to 13,000 kg, making it capable of carrying a heavier turret for both 105 mm and 120 mm cannons, anti-air systems for both 35 mm Oerlikon KDA autocannons and Surface-to-Air Missiles and 155 mm howitzers.

Devblog

Class 3 was the third and heaviest wheeled combat vehicle prototype to compete for the South African Army. When developing a heavy version of a wheeled tank, the designers were not limited by limits of weight or dimensions, therefore, in terms of weight, firepower and level of security, the Class 3 is a true wheeled tank. The competition commission opted for a lighter prototype, which later became the Rooikat 76 tank destroyer. The Class 3 prototype was exhibited at the Bloemfontein War Museum with a different turret.

Media

Class 3(P) hit by enemy fire.

See also

External links


Germany tank destroyers
Pz. I Derivatives  Panzerjäger I
Pz. II Derivatives  15cm sIG 33 B Sfl
Pz. 38(t) Derivatives  Marder III · Marder III H · Jagdpanzer 38(t)
Pz. III Derivatives  StuG III A · StuG III F · StuG III G · StuH 42 G
Pz. IV Derivatives  Jagdpanzer IV · Panzer IV/70(A) · Panzer IV/70(V) · Dicker Max · Nashorn · Brummbär · VFW
Pz. V Derivatives  Jagdpanther G1 · Bfw. Jagdpanther G1
Pz. VI Derivatives  Sturer Emil · Elefant · Ferdinand · 38 cm Sturmmörser · Jagdtiger
Wheeled/Half-track  8,8 cm Flak 37 Sfl. · Sd.Kfz.251/9 · Sd.Kfz.251/10 · Sd.Kfz.251/22 · Sd.Kfz.234/3 · Sd.Kfz.234/4 · 15 cm Pz.W.42
ATGM Carrier  RakJPz 2 · RakJPz 2 (HOT) · Wiesel 1A2
Other  Waffenträger · M109G · JPz 4-5 · Raketenautomat · VT1-2