Difference between revisions of "SF40 Heavy"

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{{Specs-Card|code=germ_sf40_schwere_flakkampffaehre}}
+
{{About
 +
| about = German anti-air ferry '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = the 20 mm version
 +
| link = SF40 Light
 +
}}
 +
{{Specs-Card
 +
|code=germ_sf40_schwere_flakkampffaehre
 +
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 +
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
<!--''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship’s creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot. If a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them understand which ship is being discussed.''-->
+
<!-- ''In the first part of the description, cover the history of the ship's creation and military application. In the second part, tell the reader about using this ship in the game. Add a screenshot: if a beginner player has a hard time remembering vehicles by name, a picture will help them identify the ship in question.'' -->
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} German anti-air ferry {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]] in the fleet closed beta test.
{{break}}
 
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} German anti-air ferry {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]] in the fleet closed beta test.
 
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
''Talk about the vehicle’s armor. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and maneuverability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armament separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Tips for preserving survivability should be saved for the “Use in battle” section.''
+
{{Specs-Fleet-Armour}}
 +
<!-- ''Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armaments separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips on preserving survivability for the "Usage in battles" section. If necessary, use a graphical template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.'' -->
  
If necessary, use a graphics template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.
+
The SF40 Heavy has the following armour layout:
 +
 
 +
* 2 cm/65 C/38 automatic cannon gunshields: 8 mm, hardened armour
 +
* 8.8 cm Flak.36 cannon gunshield: 8 mm, antifragmentation armour
 +
* Deckhouse: 10 mm, rolled homogeneous armour
 +
* Hull: 8 mm, steel
 +
* Superstructure: 20 mm, steel
 +
 
 +
The SF40 Heavy's armour is basically the same as [[SF40 Light]] with changes around guns. It lacks armoured turret platforms, so guns taken out with HE shells might occur more often. Besides armour, the SF40 Heavy can be a tough opponent to sink since most HE shots will hit the deck with no damage to the hull. Also, the rather high crew complement of 47 (5 more than the SF40 Light) makes it harder to incapacitate by killing crew, though this is still the easiest way to take out this barge. Clever captains will try to angle the ship to allow aiming 3 guns on enemy targets, but this also makes the opposing ship able to hit only one of the four ammo storages. Even though this storage is high above the waterline, hitting it doesn't happen often, since the bridge in the center is a way easier target to aim at.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
''Write about the ship’s mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward speed and reverse speed.''
+
{{Specs-Fleet-Mobility}}
 +
<!-- ''Write about the ship's mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward and reverse speed.'' -->
 +
The SF40 Heavy's top speed is terrible. At 28 km/h (Arcade) / 22 km/h (Realistic) when fully upgraded, it might take several minutes for it to reach its destination. Always watch out for enemy PT boats and their torpedoes, as they are the greatest threat to the SF40 Heavy's survival.
 +
 
 +
=== Modifications and economy ===
 +
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armament ==
 
== Armament ==
 +
{{Specs-Fleet-Armaments}}
 
=== Primary armament ===
 
=== Primary armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Fleet-Primary}}
 +
<!-- ''Provide information about the characteristics of the primary armament. Evaluate their efficacy in battle based on their reload speed, ballistics and the capacity of their shells. Add a link to the main article about the weapon: <code><nowiki>{{main|Weapon name (calibre)}}</nowiki></code>. Broadly describe the ammunition available for the primary armament, and provide recommendations on how to use it and which ammunition to choose.'' -->
 +
{{main|Flak.36 (88 mm)}}
 +
 +
The 8.8 cm FlaK guns mounted on the SF40 Heavy have a good reload rate, accuracy, and muzzle velocity, thus making it easy to aim and control. The access to distance-fuse high-explosive shells and an elevation up to 85° degrees is very effective against big attackers and bombers flying high and slow. The reload rate also makes the SF40 a really dangerous opponent. However, these guns can be quite clunky against fast PT boats due to their relatively slow traverse speed.
  
* Four 88 mm Flak 36 guns (100 rounds)
+
{{:Flak.36 (88 mm)/Ammunition|Sprgr. L/4.5, 8.8 cm Sprgr. L/4.5 Zt.Z}}
  
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 
=== Secondary armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Fleet-Secondary}}
 +
<!-- ''Some ships are fitted with weapons of various calibres. Secondary armaments are defined as weapons chosen with the control <code>Select secondary weapon</code>. Evaluate the secondary armaments and give advice on how to use them. Describe the ammunition available for the secondary armament. Provide recommendations on how to use them and which ammunition to choose. Remember that any anti-air armament, even heavy calibre weapons, belong in the next section. If there is no secondary armament, remove this section.'' -->
 +
{{main|2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)}}
  
* Two 20 mm C/38 cannon (2000 rounds)
+
The 20 mm multipurpose cannons with a fire rate of 480 rounds/min is very effective against small boats and lightly armoured ships as well as planes in close combat, thus making the SF 40 also effective against light and fast naval and air targets.
 +
 
 +
* '''Universal:''' {{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
 +
* '''20 mm HET magazines:''' {{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF-T|High-explosive fragmentation tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}
 +
* '''20 mm APT magazines:''' {{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP-T|Armour-piercing tracer}}{{-}}{{Annotation|AP|Armour-piercing}}{{-}}{{Annotation|HEF|High-explosive fragmentation}}
 +
 
 +
{{:2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)/Ammunition|HEF-T, AP, AP-T, HEF}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don’t try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
''Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).''
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
Line 35: Line 70:
 
* Powerful 88 mm guns can destroy a target with just 1 or 2 hits
 
* Powerful 88 mm guns can destroy a target with just 1 or 2 hits
 
* Can take quite a few hits
 
* Can take quite a few hits
* Velocity and flat trajectory of shells makes it suitable to hang back and snipe enemies from +2 km
+
* Velocity and flat trajectory of shells makes it suitable to hang back and snipe enemies from >2 km
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
Line 42: Line 77:
 
* Large target
 
* Large target
 
* Lacks an AP shell for dealing with armoured targets.
 
* Lacks an AP shell for dealing with armoured targets.
* The 37 mm fast firing flak on the SF40 Leichte is replaced by two single 20 mm mounts
+
* The 37 mm fast firing flak on the SF40 Light is replaced by two single 20 mm mounts
 
* Hard to get all 4 cannons on target
 
* Hard to get all 4 cannons on target
 
* Easy to torpedo or dive bomb due to its size and sluggishness
 
* Easy to torpedo or dive bomb due to its size and sluggishness
* Lacks a VT-fuze shell, only has timed and impact fuzes
+
* Lacks a VT-fuze shell, only has timed and impact fuses
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ship in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the ship and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Ship-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the ship's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
The Siebelfähre was designed by Friedrich Siebel, owner of a lesser-known German aircraft manufacturing company bearing his name. Siebel’s idea was to provide the German army with a much needed easily mass-produced and effective transport vessel for the planned invasion of Britain.
+
The Siebelfähre was designed by Friedrich Siebel, owner of a lesser-known German aircraft manufacturing company bearing his name. Siebel's idea was to provide the German army with a much needed easily mass-produced and effective transport vessel for the planned invasion of Britain.
  
 
His ferry would be a construction utilising parts of Bailey bridges and pontoons, which would make up the two barges connected in a catamaran style by a wooden deck. The vessel was supposed to be powered by aircraft engines and could easily be disassembled and reassembled thanks to its modular construction, allowing for the boat to also be transported by land.
 
His ferry would be a construction utilising parts of Bailey bridges and pontoons, which would make up the two barges connected in a catamaran style by a wooden deck. The vessel was supposed to be powered by aircraft engines and could easily be disassembled and reassembled thanks to its modular construction, allowing for the boat to also be transported by land.
  
The idea was met with great enthusiasm from the German military, and an order for 400 of this ferrycraft soon followed. The order encompassed more than just one version of the vessel, however. For instance, some versions were specialised to perform anti-air duties and were meant to cover the landing troops from air attacks. These were equipped with light 20mm and 37mm AA guns up to the heavy FlaK 88mm cannon, depending on the version.
+
The idea was met with great enthusiasm from the German military, and an order for 400 units of this ferrycraft soon followed. The order encompassed more than just one version of the vessel, however. For instance, some versions were specialised to perform anti-air duties and were meant to cover the landing troops from air attacks. These were equipped with light 20 mm and 37 mm AA guns up to the heavy FlaK 88 mm cannon, depending on the version.
  
 
However, before all 400 vessels could be made, the Invasion of Britain was cancelled, and thus the need for the Siebelfähre also disappeared below the waves. Nonetheless, around 200 of these vessels were still made before the order was cancelled and a majority of them found use in transport and mine-laying operations in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Siebelfähre saw use right up to the end of the war, and some vessels continued serving well into the 1960s as civilian ferries.
 
However, before all 400 vessels could be made, the Invasion of Britain was cancelled, and thus the need for the Siebelfähre also disappeared below the waves. Nonetheless, around 200 of these vessels were still made before the order was cancelled and a majority of them found use in transport and mine-laying operations in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Siebelfähre saw use right up to the end of the war, and some vessels continued serving well into the 1960s as civilian ferries.
  
''- From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5589-fleet-development-siebelf%C3%A4hre-sf-40-schwere-en Devblog]''
+
''- From [[wt:en/news/5589-fleet-development-siebelf%C3%A4hre-sf-40-schwere-en|Devblog]]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=germ_sf40_schwere_flakkampffaehre Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Images
 +
<gallery mode="packed-hover" heights="200">
 +
SF-40 (schwer).jpg
 +
</gallery>
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 +
* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
 +
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
* ''reference to the series of the ship;''
+
* [[SF40 Light]]
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''encyclopedia page on ship;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
* ''other literature.''-->
 
  
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5589-fleet-development-siebelf%C3%A4hre-sf-40-schwere-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Siebelfähre SF 40 Schwere]
+
* [[wt:en/news/5589-fleet-development-siebelf%C3%A4hre-sf-40-schwere-en|[Devblog] Siebelfähre SF 40 Schwere]]
  
 
{{Germany barges}}
 
{{Germany barges}}

Latest revision as of 15:27, 5 May 2023

Rank IV USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Tu-1 Pack
This page is about the German anti-air ferry SF40 Heavy. For the 20 mm version, see SF40 Light.
SF40 Heavy
germ_sf40_schwere_flakkampffaehre.png
GarageImage SF40 Heavy.jpg
SF40 Heavy
AB RB SB
2.7 2.7 2.7
Research:18 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:47 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The Siebelfähre 40 Heavy is a rank III German anti-air ferry with a battle rating of 2.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X" in the fleet closed beta test.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull4 mm (steel)
Superstructure4 mm (steel)
Number of section10
Displacement160 t
Crew47 people

The SF40 Heavy has the following armour layout:

  • 2 cm/65 C/38 automatic cannon gunshields: 8 mm, hardened armour
  • 8.8 cm Flak.36 cannon gunshield: 8 mm, antifragmentation armour
  • Deckhouse: 10 mm, rolled homogeneous armour
  • Hull: 8 mm, steel
  • Superstructure: 20 mm, steel

The SF40 Heavy's armour is basically the same as SF40 Light with changes around guns. It lacks armoured turret platforms, so guns taken out with HE shells might occur more often. Besides armour, the SF40 Heavy can be a tough opponent to sink since most HE shots will hit the deck with no damage to the hull. Also, the rather high crew complement of 47 (5 more than the SF40 Light) makes it harder to incapacitate by killing crew, though this is still the easiest way to take out this barge. Clever captains will try to angle the ship to allow aiming 3 guns on enemy targets, but this also makes the opposing ship able to hit only one of the four ammo storages. Even though this storage is high above the waterline, hitting it doesn't happen often, since the bridge in the center is a way easier target to aim at.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB22 / 11 km/h
RB19 / 9 km/h

The SF40 Heavy's top speed is terrible. At 28 km/h (Arcade) / 22 km/h (Realistic) when fully upgraded, it might take several minutes for it to reach its destination. Always watch out for enemy PT boats and their torpedoes, as they are the greatest threat to the SF40 Heavy's survival.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB1 360 → 1 679 Sl icon.png
RB2 091 → 2 582 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications19 840 Rp icon.png
32 500 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost980 Ge icon.png
Crew training13 000 Sl icon.png
Experts47 000 Sl icon.png
Aces400 Ge icon.png
Research Aces280 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
90 / 110 / 100 % Sl icon.png
136 / 136 / 136 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Seakeeping Unsinkability Firepower
Mods new ship hull.png
Dry-Docking
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship rudder.png
Rudder Replacement
Research:
740 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship screw.png
Propeller Replacement
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship engine.png
Engine Maintenance
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 300 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods ship damage control crew.png
Damage Control Division
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods ship fire control crew.png
Fire Division
Research:
740 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
Smokescreen
Research:
740 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new ship pumps.png
New Pumps
Research:
3 200 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 300 Sl icon.png
340 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
20 mm HET magazines
Research:
1 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 100 Sl icon.png
140 Ge icon.png
Mods new aux caliber turrets.png
Auxiliary Armament Targeting
Research:
740 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
20 mm APT magazines
Research:
740 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods he frag dist fuse ship.png
88 mm HE (distant fuse)
Research:
740 Rp icon.png
Cost:
1 200 Sl icon.png
80 Ge icon.png
Mods new main caliber turrets.png
Primary Armament Targeting
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png
Mods ship rangefinder.png
Improved Rangefinder
Research:
1 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
2 800 Sl icon.png
180 Ge icon.png

Armament

Primary armament

4 х Turret88 mm/56 Flak.36 cannon
Ammunition100 rounds
Vertical guidance-3° / 85°
Main article: Flak.36 (88 mm)

The 8.8 cm FlaK guns mounted on the SF40 Heavy have a good reload rate, accuracy, and muzzle velocity, thus making it easy to aim and control. The access to distance-fuse high-explosive shells and an elevation up to 85° degrees is very effective against big attackers and bombers flying high and slow. The reload rate also makes the SF40 a really dangerous opponent. However, these guns can be quite clunky against fast PT boats due to their relatively slow traverse speed.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
100 m 1,000 m 2,000 m 3,000 m 4,000 m 5,000 m
Sprgr. L/4.5 HE 11 11 11 11 11 11
8.8 cm Sprgr. L/4.5 Zt.Z HE-TF 11 11 11 11 11 11
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%
Sprgr. L/4.5 HE 820 9 0 0.1 698 79° 80° 81°
8.8 cm Sprgr. L/4.5 Zt.Z HE-TF 820 9 0 0.1 698 79° 80° 81°

Secondary armament

2 х Turret2 cm/65 C/38 automatic cannon
Ammunition2000 rounds
Belt capacity40 rounds
Fire rate480 shots/min
Main article: 2 cm/65 C/38 (20 mm)

The 20 mm multipurpose cannons with a fire rate of 480 rounds/min is very effective against small boats and lightly armoured ships as well as planes in close combat, thus making the SF 40 also effective against light and fast naval and air targets.

  • Universal: AP-T · AP · HEF-T · HEF
  • 20 mm HET magazines: HEF · HEF-T · HEF · AP
  • 20 mm APT magazines: AP · AP-T · AP · HEF

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF-T 2 2 2 2 2 2
AP 36 35 27 20 15 11
AP-T 36 35 27 20 15 11
HEF 2 2 2 2 2 2
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF-T 835 0.12 0 0.1 10.54 79° 80° 81°
AP 785 0.15 - - - 47° 60° 65°
AP-T 785 0.15 - - - 47° 60° 65°
HEF 835 0.12 0 0.1 10.54 79° 80° 81°

Usage in battles

Describe the technique of using this ship, the characteristics of her use in a team and tips on strategy. Abstain from writing an entire guide – don't try to provide a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Talk about the most dangerous opponents for this vehicle and provide recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of playing with this vehicle in various modes (AB, RB, SB).

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 88 mm guns can destroy a target with just 1 or 2 hits
  • Can take quite a few hits
  • Velocity and flat trajectory of shells makes it suitable to hang back and snipe enemies from >2 km

Cons:

  • Not very fast or manoeuvrable
  • Large target
  • Lacks an AP shell for dealing with armoured targets.
  • The 37 mm fast firing flak on the SF40 Light is replaced by two single 20 mm mounts
  • Hard to get all 4 cannons on target
  • Easy to torpedo or dive bomb due to its size and sluggishness
  • Lacks a VT-fuze shell, only has timed and impact fuses

History

The Siebelfähre was designed by Friedrich Siebel, owner of a lesser-known German aircraft manufacturing company bearing his name. Siebel's idea was to provide the German army with a much needed easily mass-produced and effective transport vessel for the planned invasion of Britain.

His ferry would be a construction utilising parts of Bailey bridges and pontoons, which would make up the two barges connected in a catamaran style by a wooden deck. The vessel was supposed to be powered by aircraft engines and could easily be disassembled and reassembled thanks to its modular construction, allowing for the boat to also be transported by land.

The idea was met with great enthusiasm from the German military, and an order for 400 units of this ferrycraft soon followed. The order encompassed more than just one version of the vessel, however. For instance, some versions were specialised to perform anti-air duties and were meant to cover the landing troops from air attacks. These were equipped with light 20 mm and 37 mm AA guns up to the heavy FlaK 88 mm cannon, depending on the version.

However, before all 400 vessels could be made, the Invasion of Britain was cancelled, and thus the need for the Siebelfähre also disappeared below the waves. Nonetheless, around 200 of these vessels were still made before the order was cancelled and a majority of them found use in transport and mine-laying operations in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Siebelfähre saw use right up to the end of the war, and some vessels continued serving well into the 1960s as civilian ferries.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins
Images

See also

External links


Germany barges
Anti-air ferries  SF40 Light · SF40 Heavy
Naval ferry barges  AF D1 · AF D3