#china
The ZTZ96 is China’s most advanced second generation main battle tank (MBT). But its history actually extends well before the ZTZ96 actually appeared and its development history is extremely messy (not that any tank development project is ever neat), filled with several weird prototypes and secretive vehicles. So, let’s take a look at the history of this tank’s development, its main variants, and all of those weird 1-off prototypes that never made it to production.
The A-5C (Q-5III/强-5III), NATO reporting name: Fantan, is the export version of the Nanchang Q-5 during the early days of China’s paid military sales in the 1980s. China was in desperate need of funding after economic reforms, and since previous aircraft exports were essentially given as aid rather than sales, military factories were also searching for a means to generate funds for their new projects.
The Gongchen tank would become the first tank in service with the People’s Liberation Army. It helped the army of the Chinese Communist Party in numerous battles, including the siege of Jinzhou. A symbol of the PLA’s humble beginnings and its triumphant, hard-fought revolutionary spirit, paving the way for a modern armored force.
The Republic P-43 Lancer, introduced in 1940, was a transitional American fighter that bridged the gap between prewar designs and the more advanced aircraft of World War II. It offered respectable high-altitude performance for its time, along with decent armament, similar to its more popular successor, the P-47 Thunderbolt. The P-43 provided valuable experience in high-altitude operations and combat testing, with some serving in China under the American Volunteer Group and later the Chinese Air Force.
The F-84G is often one of the first jets for many players. It can be used for both air combat and ground attack, making it a solid multi-role aircraft. Although it is a bit older compared to jets like the MiG-15 or F-86, it can still hold its own and compete well against these more modern aircraft.
The British Vickers Mk. E had an unusual fate. In its home country, it never entered service or was produced in significant quantities. However, it became known as one of the best tanks of its time thanks to its production in the USSR under the designation T-26. Soviet tanks saw action in Spain, Finland, and China, and more than 10,000 were produced.
Only the Chinese military could equip the same self-propelled artillery platform with both a powerful 152mm howitzer and an equally formidable 130mm gun. Both vehicles can be characterized as “glass cannons”: despite their formidable firepower, these self-propelled guns possess minimal armor protection. But how, then, can one unlock their full potential and become the most dangerous armored vehicle on the battlefield?
The Sd.Kfz.222 was a German armoured car used during the Second World War. This vehicle had a great deal of history and was deemed very useful during the early years of World War II. With its very high speeds and effective 20 mm cannon, this vehicle was very useful for quick close-combat situations. This article will explain this armoured vehicle’s history, armaments, mobility, and gameplay.
The Chinese WZ551 chassis serves as the workhorse of the PLA. Numerous variants have been developed on its platform, including ATGM carriers, several tank destroyers, a self-propelled artillery piece, and many other vehicles. One such derivative is the ZSL92 infantry fighting vehicle, introduced in a recent War Thunder update. But how does one master this steed from the Celestial Empire? For a detailed analysis, continue reading the article.
