SU-85B

GAZ-74b (Stock)

Totals

124000 Cost

430 HPDurability

11.9 / 14.5 Weight

Crew

1. Commander
2. Gunner
3. Driver
4. Loader (Radio Operator)

Armor

25/15/15Hull Armor(front/sides/rear, mm)

15/0/10Turret Armor(front/sides/rear, mm)

Maneuver

140 h.p.Engine Power

43 km/hTop Speed / Reverse Speed

38 deg/sTraverse Speed

Firepower

160 damage

78 mmAverage Penetration

7.95063332250731 Time for Complete Loading

44 deg/sGun Traverse Speed

Communication

250 mView Range

500 mSignal Range

SU-76

SU-85B

SU-85

IV

124000

In April-May of 1943, the SU-85B tank destroyer designed by the Gorky Automobile Plant underwent trials. The vehicle was a modernization of the SU-85A and featured the artillery LB-2 gun, 160-hp engine, and SU-76M chassis. The cabin, drive wheels, and spare parts kits were redesigned. Only one prototype was built.

The SU-85B is a Soviet tier 4 tank destroyer

It is very similar to the SU-76 in characteristics, except that it mounts a larger gun and has a greatly increased gun arc. Many players find that this tank destroyer can double as a scout. Though not the fastest, it still proves effective. The SU-85B is able to perform reconnaissance with intent to survive, unlike others that are often-times destroyed. Should you see someone noteworthy, many players choose to remain hidden and keep the target marked for attack. With a top speed of 43 km/h, and a view range of 390m, it has the ability to fire over long ranges and get away faster than most tanks in its tier, making it a great tank for sniping or hit and run tactics. Either way, should you choose to scout or attack, the AP round is able to make quick work of low-tier tanks, and damage some larger ones. The SU-85B is able to mount the D-5S 85-A and LB-2S guns, shooting 85mm rounds at a relatively high RPM. As a TD, the 85B also has a camouflage bonus. All this comes at the cost of HP and weak armor, meaning it can not really hold up to a lot of punishment. The stock gun on 85B is the top gun of the SU-76, and is highly recommended to upgrade the gun quickly to the 85 mm D-5S-85A, and then to the 85 mm LB-2S.

Gun

Level	Gun	Average Penetration (mm)		Rate of Fire	Dispersion at 100 m	Aiming Time	Experience	Weight (t)
V	76 mm ZiS-3	78/120/20	160/160/200	7.55	0.43	2.3	0	1255
VI	57 mm ZiS-2	112/189/15	90/90/110	16.05	0.34	1.7	5050	850
VI	85 mm D-5S-85A	119/161/43	200/200/300	6.64	0.42	2.3	4290	1500
VI	85 mm LB-2S	130/170/44	200/200/300	6.64	0.38	2.3	5760	1550

Engine

Level	Engine	Engine Power (h.p.)	Chance of Fire on Impact	Experience	Weight (t)
III	GAZ-203	140	20	0	362
III	GAZ-203F	158	20	280	362
III	GMC 6004	210	15	450	400

Level	Suspension	Load Limit	Traverse Speed (deg/s)	Experience	Weight (t)
III	SU-85B	14.5	38	0	3000
IV	SU-85B	14.5	40	1200	3000

Radio

Level	Radio	Signal Range (m)	Experience	Weight (t)
IV	_9R_USSR	500	0	80

Compatible Equipment

Compatible Consumables

Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Extremely good top gun in most categories. No gun will have comparable stats to this gun until the D5T-85BM from the T-34-85/
• Good acceleration, turn rates, and overall mobility
• Good camouflage values
• Excellent view range

Cons:

• Nearly no armor, very vulnerable to HE shells
• Limited gun depression and elevation
• Stock gun is easily damaged

Performance

The SU-85B is a long range sniper, much like its predecessor the SU-76. Compared to its predecessor, it has a better engine and a bigger punch, but it sacrifices top speed, accuracy, gun depression and elevation for it. The SU-85B has much less problems with fast light tanks, partly due to its better performance and higher health, and to the fact that it will usually face larger and slower opponents. Due to its much better acceleration it feels much more nimble and is able to reach its top speed within a few seconds. It has a wider gun arc at the expense of less gun depression and elevation, which diminishes its performance on hilly ground. The SU-85B is one of the few tanks with such a small gun elevation that it feels like a handicap.

While playing the SU-85B you should always remind yourself that you're driving a small but fast tin can with a huge gun. Your only defenses are your high range and good mobility, so don't hesitate to run away if the enemy comes too close or when its foreseeable that the situation will turn against you. Your biggest vulnerability are HE shells, as you will usually die from the first hit. This isn't too much of a penalty as its awesome gun not only allows to snipe effectively but it can also kill most enemies within 2-3 shots, making the SU-85B a formidable ambusher.

Early Research

• The 57mm gun carries over from the SU-76. Install it immediately as you will need the penetration.
• Research the engines first, as they are inexpensive and give you great mobility.
• Research the suspension.
• If you stay with the 57mm after researching the first 85mm is a matter of play style.
• The second 85mm gun is a fairly easy gun to master.

Historical Info

The SU-85B (really the GAZ-74b), was a prototype based on the SU-76. The second variant (GAZ-74b), was similar to the SU-IT-76, recommended by NII-13. The vehicle had a low silhouette, was well-armored (45mm glacis plate) with sloped armor, and was armed with the 76 mm S-1 Gun (the same gun was mounted on the serially produced SU-76i). The new tank killer was to receive the GMC-71 diesel engine. The GAZ-74b was built, underwent factory testing, and on the whole approved by military personnel. Under the designation SU-76-I (not to be mistaken for SU-76i) or SU-74, it was subjected to government tests. However, in 1943, the arming of these vehicles with the 76 mm gun with a long barrel (41-calibres) was already considered inadequate for combat with heavy German tanks. The cost significantly exceeded that of the SU-76, which was already being mass produced. Therefore, the fate of the GAZ-74b was sealed.

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Historical Gallery

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  SU-85B (GAZ-74) variant 1

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  SU-85B (GAZ-74) variant 2

Sources and External Links

External Links

Early Soviet TD design

USSR

Tank Destroyers

ja:Blitz:GAZ-74b