german spg 4.7 cm PaK(t) (Sfl.) auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731(f), or we could just call it Panzerjäger 35R

[CaID 8,996]

 

I would like to make a suggestion for a interresting German tank, the 4.7 cm PaK(t) (Sfl.) auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731(f) or unofficially called Panzerjäger 35R

the 4.7 cm PaK(t) (Sfl.) auf Fgst.Pz.Kpfw.35 R 731(f) (i will just call it Panzerjäger 35R from now) was a German modification of the Renault R.35 to convert it into tank destroyer.

 

after the fall of France in 1940, the German had in their hands a total of nearly 800 Renault R.35 in different state. some was in pristine condition, having not even engaged any enemy (such as those used in training or in the Italian border) and other was needing heavy repair but still possible to repair them. having learn in the invasion of Poland in 1939 that the German 37mm gun was far from optimal to engage armoured targets, and the 37mm SA18 who was often used in the R.35 was even worse, the German was Aware of the need to upgrading the tanks that was obsolete or just not offering enough firepower.

having the capacity to produce the 47 mm Pak.(t)(Sf.) in large number after the invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938, this gun was considered as a powerful anti-tank gun used by the infantry units as a field gun. in 1940, this gun was one of the most powerful German anti-tank gun available in quantity. this field gun was capable in 1940 to engage and destroy almost any tank know. this gun was still capable to deal with the mighty T-34 and KV-1 from Russia at a close range. in order to give the anti-tank units some mobility, Germany mounted this gun on the obsolete Panzer 1 and the nearly obsolete R.35 which gave birth to the Panzerjäger 1 and the Panzerjäger 35R respectively. the both tanks was offering a pretty good firepower and a certain mobility. the Panzerjäger 1 was much lighter and more mobile, it was capable to move faster and fallow the armoured units, while the Panzerjäger 35R was much slower. the Renault R.35 was designed specifically to not outrun the infantry and the Panzerjäger 35R was no different. however, the Panzerjäger 35R featured a much higher level of protection. the chassis remaining almost unchanged from the R.35 who main feature was the great thickness of hi armour, the turret (superstructure o the top) was also much more protected than the Panzerjäger 1. with a frontal armour of 25mm and a angle of 30, this tank was capable to take direct hit from early tanks guns such as the 37mm and 40mm.

a total of 174 Panzerjäger 35R was produced by Germany from 1941. all of them converted from the captured french tank. they fought in the eastern front during the operation barbarroussa in 1941 and a few other defended Normandy during the liberation of France. this tank saw service almost all the way until the end of WW2 but by the end, it was hardly capable to destroy the enemy tanks.

 

For the game this tank offer a pretty interresting performence. this tank is slow but have a much higher survivability over the other german rank 1 vehicles. the armour is much thicker and the tank can actually take hit of the main guns and survive. the gun offering a good performance make it good at distance. the high speed of the reload make it perfect for ambush too. but this tank is not a good assault gun and will not be performing well in close combat.

 

Pros

• good gun
• fast reload
• good armour
• rear of the turret is protected
• armament slightly more flexible than the Panzerjäger 1

Cons

• very slow
• Fix turret
• open top
• small crew

 

Firepower

The main armament of this tank is the well know Škoda 47 mm Kanon P.U.V.vz.38 or called in germany, the 4.7 cm PaK(t)(r). this gun is the same as used on the Panzerjäger 1 ingame. it would essentially feature similar performence. the firepower is exactly the same. the tank will be just as fast to reload as it would destroy the enemy on hit. but the Panzerjäger 35R feature 2 tiny advantage, the gun is capable to turn a bit more on each side and the elevation is also a bit higher. those advantage will not make it a game changer, but it's still a welcome improvement. the ammunition load is unknown but knowing the tank is a bit larger, it should at least be capable to carry as much rounds as his Panzer 1 counterpart.

 

47 mm Pak.(t)(Sf.)
Capacity (magazine)		firerate	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Rotation speed (°/sec)	Reload (sec)
86 (1)		20	-8°/+12°	±17.5°	N/A	12,0	3.00

 

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
Pzgr.36(t)	APC	87	82	66	50	38	29
Pzgr.40	APCR	119	110	77	50	32	21

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%
Pzgr.36(t)	APC	775	1.65	1.2	9.0	15	48°	63°	71°
Pzgr.40	APCR	1,080	0.83	N/A	N/A	N/A	66°	70°	72°

Mobility

This tank have little mobility to offer, based on the Renault R.35, this tank was deliberately created in a way to not be capable to outrun the infantry. with a top speed of 20 km/h mon the road, the player will feel this tank to be pretty slow. the engine offering 82 hp is pretty weak, the tank is weighting 11 tonnes which is not that heavy but with this engine that is too much. the power-weight of this tank only reach 7.45 hp/tonnes which is quit slow. the tank also have a pretty terrible reverse speed of 3 km/h. this make the tank not really good at moving around the battlefield. it would be better to use this tank is a stationary position and just wait the enemy to expose themselves to you and not try to go hunt them.

 

Max Speed (km/h)
Forward	Reverse	Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)	Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
20	3	11	82	7.45

 

Protection

This tank offer a much better protection level than the Panzerjäger 1. you basically trade the mobility for protection. this tank have a lot lower mobility than the Panzerjäger 1 but it also have a much higher protection level. the chassis been based on the Renault R.35 was almost unchanged from the French tank. this tank is having a lot of flaws but didn't lack on the armor thickness. the chassis is one of the thickest armour of the rank 1. the superstructure was also well protected. the thickness is not like the Panzerjäger 1. offering a good 25mm with a slope of 30° on the frontal plate and 20mm with a angle of 10° on the side, the fix turret is actually capable to take some hit. behind the frontal plate is still a hidden gunshield which is probably just 5mm thick like the one on the Panzerjäger 1. this mean the turret have a weakness around the gun's hole which make it easy to penetrate. but at a distance, this would be dificult to hit. the rear of the turret is also protected which is a important advantage over the Panzerjäger 1. the top is still open but a lot less exposed than the Panzerjäger 1. the crew of 3 men is still fairly small.

 

 

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides (Slope angle)	Rear	Roof
Hull	32 mm (23-61°) Upper plate 32 mm (23°) Driver hatch 25 mm (74°) Front glacis 32 mm (24-26°) Lower plate 32 mm (cylindrical) Lower glacis	40 mm (4-28°) Top 40 mm Bottom	40 mm (12°) Top 40 mm (33°) Bottom	25 mm (16°) Front glacis 25 mm Centre 25 mm (1-6°) Rear 5 mm Engine vents
Superstructure	25 mm (30°)	20 mm (10°)	20 mm	N/A

Specifications
Mass	11 ton
Length	4.30 m
Width	1.87 m
Height	2.30 m
Crew	3
Elevation	-8° to +12°
Traverse	17.5 º L - 17.5  º R
Armor	40mm chassis - 25mm shield
Main armament	4.7cm Pak(t) - 84 rds. ammo
Engine	Renault V-4 gasoline engine 82 hp @ 2200 rpm
Power/weight	7.45 hp / tonne
Transmission	4 speed x 1 rev.
Suspension	rubber cylinders springs
Ground clearance	32 cm
Fuel capacity	168 liters
Operational range	130 km road 80 Km off road
Maximum speed	20 km/h

 

 

Source

http://panzerserra.blogspot.com/2019/08/47-cm-pakt-auf-panzerkampfwagen-35-rf.html

https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/4-7-cm-pakt-sfl-auf-fgst-pz-kpfw-35-r-731/

https://www.armedconflicts.com/4-7-cm-PaK-t-Sfl-auf-Fgst-Pz-Kpfw-35-R-731-f-t6459

 

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Open for discussion.

[Ghostmaxi 873]

I too have thought about this, i am for it, but i never came to make the sugrstion myself, i guess if it comes to the tree its just a sidegrade in a box with the Pzj I, because aside from the slight traverse improvement, you are essencially exchaning some of your average speed to some more armor which probaply will only protect you against 12,7mm and with luck againdt 20mm guns.

But shure +1.

[Milocat 4,854]

+1, would love to see this added to the game!  

[Wiggly_Armed_Man 2,383]

This looks absolutely disgusting.

 

I want it. +1

[KillaKiwi 5,477]

omg it looks so cute and boxy 

 

I want it