Type 59
Type 59
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[Client Values; Actual values in
6,700  Cost |
| 1300260 HP Hit Points |
| 36/39.819.52/39.8 t Weight Limit |
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
- Loader (Radio Operator)
| 650650 hp Engine Power |
| 60/20 km/h Speed Limit |
| 4646 deg/s Traverse |
| 18.0633.3 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
| NoNo Pivot |
| // mm Hull Armor |
| 230/130/60230/130/60 mm Turret Armor |
AP/APCR/HE
AP/APCR/HE Shells |
252/4400/252
252/4400/252 Shell Cost |
| 250/250/330250/250/330 HP Damage |
| 185/241/50185/241/50 mm Penetration |
|
7.59 r/m ▲
7.59 r/m Standard Gun ▲ Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
|
1897.5 ▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲
1897.5 Standard Gun ▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲ Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
|
0.35 m ▲
0.35 m With 50% Crew: 0.434 m ▲ Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.434 m |
| 2 s 2 s Aim time |
| 4646 deg/s Turret Traverse |
| 360° Gun Arc |
| -7°/+20°-7°/+20° Elevation Arc |
| 5050 rounds Ammo Capacity |
| 1212 % Chance of Fire |
| 380 m 380 m View Range |
| 600 m 600 m Signal Range |
Additional Statistics
(Top Configuration)
Camouflage
- Stationary: 16%
- When Moving: 12%
- When Firing: 3.7%
Terrain Resistance
- On Hard Ground: 0.86
- On Medium Ground: 0.96
- On Soft Ground: 1.92
Dispersion Change Values
- Turret Contribution
- Rotation: 0.1
- Shot Recoil: 4
- Suspension Contribution
- Acceleration: 0.14
- Turning: 0.14
With 100% Crew
VIII
6700
The Type 59 is a Chinese tier 8 premium medium tank.
Chinese medium tank. Initially, the vehicle was a copy of the Soviet medium T-54A tank. The Type 59 entered service in 1959. The first tanks manufactured had no gun stabilizer or night-vision device. Later the vehicle underwent several modernizations. Between 6,000 and 9,500 vehicles of all variants were manufactured from 1958 through 1987.
This tank was removed from the in-game store on 16 January 2012. The decision was made "to ensure a healthy gameplay balance at higher tiers, and also to encourage a wider variety of tier 8 medium tank usage." It last appeared in the gift shop in August 2012 until temporarily reappearing in the Premium Shop through the third half of May 2022. Though not available for traditional purchase, it frequently is the reward for first place in official competitions and tournaments.
Considered one of the best tier 8 premium tanks, the Type 59 combines thick frontal armor with a reliable gun and excellent mobility. Because of its large spread of features and lack of specialization, the Type 59 fills the 'pocket heavy' role of the tier VIII premiums and very often performs better than expected in 1-on-1 fights with tier VIII mediums and light tanks.
A golden variant of the Type 59 - Type 59 G also had its own history, and is occasionally available in Black Market events.
Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables
Modules
Guns
| Tier | Gun | Penetration (mm) |
Damage (HP) |
Rate of fire (rounds/minute) |
Dispersion (m/100m) |
Aiming time (s) |
Weight (kg) |
Price (  )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIII | 100 mm Type 59 | 185/241/50 | 250/250/330 | 7.59 | 0.35 | 2 | 2257 | 78180 |
Engines
| Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIII | NORINCO 12150L-59 | 650 | 12 | 750 | 79290 |
Suspensions
| Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIII | Type 59 | 39.8 | 46 | B/2 | 7700 | 30200 |
Radios
| Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IX | A-220 | 600 | 40 | 24240 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good gun handling, accuracy, and aim time
- Very strong turret armor
- Good gun depression for a Chinese tank (-7 degrees)
- Good top speed, acceleration and agility
- Preferential matchmaking, won't see Tier 10 battles
Cons:
- Alpha and DPM combination is somewhat mediocre
- Poor AP (standard) penetration and shell velocity
- Vulnerable engine, ammo rack and fuel tank modules
- Slightly low HP
- Very hard to obtain
Performance
The Type 59 is considered by some to be one of the most difficult tanks to destroy by lower tiers since it boasts a well armored and sloped turret, which, along with its sloped frontal armor, is capable of bouncing many shots. The tank is also fairly agile, so flanking it can prove difficult as well.
The Type 59's main gun is superficially similar to the 100 mm cannon found on the T-34-2, though it has far superior gun handling and a faster RoF. Compared to its tier 8 peers, this tank is fairly well protected. 100 mm frontal armor sloped at 60 degrees is strong enough to stop around 175 mm penetration AP rounds and 200 mm HEAT rounds reliably with minimal angling. This is usually enough to protect from Russian 122 mm D-25T and its peers, as well as many guns found on lower tier mediums. While the lower plate might at first seem like a nice target, it is actually just as thick as the upper plate, plus it is generally at a more extreme angle, given its low placement. Availability of gold-ammo-for-credits does allow tanks with weaker penetration to have a better hope at combating this tank frontally.
The two cupolas on the turret are technically weakspots, but still feature 150 mm armour at the front, which is both rounded and sloped. Because of the relatively low silhouette it is possible to shoot down into the top armour in front of the turret from close range. This is very thin and can be easily overmatched even at extreme angles.
The Type 59 is one of the most versatile and feared, if not respected tanks on the battlefield. Its durability, resilience, decent firepower, and agility all contribute to a very well rounded tank. Coupled with the fact that this tank has good matchmaking, it tends to be one of the more effective and enjoyable tier 8 mediums to play.
While the Type 59 has many advantages, it does have a few disadvantages. A fuel tank is located next to the driver at the front of the tank, meaning catching fire from a frontal hit is certainly possible. Ammo racks are also located all along the right side of the hull as well. Flanking a type 59 from the right side can often lead to ammo rack damage for this tank, or even the rack itself detonating. Lower overall damage output compared to many tanks also reduces its ability to punish enemies and quickly remove guns from play.
With the release of the patch 9.20.1 it gave the Type 59 a few buffs such as: Decreased aim time from 2.9 to 2.3 seconds, increase of the ammunition capacity from 34 to 50, decreased turret traverse dispersion by 25%, decreased hull traverse dispersion by 22% and when moving the dispersion is decreased by 22%. In Patch 1.2, the Type 59 received a much more powerful engine and additional gun handling buffs as well as improved frontal turret armor and slight penetration and RoF increases. In Patch 1.14.1, the Type 59 was buffed further, with noticeable improvements to its RoF, accuracy, and top speed.
The Type 59 also has a very high credit earning ability, just like the other premium tanks. However, the poor AP penetration often forces players to use APCR to deal consistent damage, which can significantly reduce the amount of credits earned.
Something to note is that since this tank is now only available as a competition prize, it is very hard to acquire one. However, the WZ-120 performs similarly to the Type 59, but the main difference between the two is that you can upgrade the WZ-120 (which ends up vastly better), though you will be facing top tier tanks frequently instead of tier 6 or 7s, as well as not be able to earn as many credits while playing it.
Early Research
Premium tank, none required
Suggested Equipment
Documented Tank and Crew Builds
BiA helps improve its mediocre DPM, but not necessarily the most important; For improving survivability, one can choose Repairs, Firefightings and Safe Stowage to last longer on the lines. For enhancing scouting capability, train Concealments, Recon and Situational Awareness so that poking turret could gain some more assists;
Equipment Setup: Gun Rammer is mandatory, VStab highly recommended to better utilize its high mobility; 3rd slot can be Coated Optics to boost view range or Vents to improve overall performance. Wet Ammo Rack can be somewhat pointless due to the vehicle's low base module HP: even with both Safe Stowage and Wet Rack applied, 100mm projectiles can still detonate it in 2 shots, and 122mm projectiles highly likely to "yellow" by a single shot all the same; only install if you intend to challenge heavy hitters from time to time.
External Reviews and Opinions
Gallery
Historical Info
The Type 59 (Chinese industrial designation: WZ120) main battle tank is a People's Republic of China produced version of the Soviet Union T-54/T-55 operators and variants tank, an improvement over the ubiquitous T-54/55. The first vehicles were produced in 1958 and it was accepted into service in 1959, with serial production beginning in 1963. Approximately 9,500 of the tanks were produced by the time production ended in 1980 with approximately 5,500 serving with the Chinese armed forces. The tank formed the backbone of the Chinese People's Liberation Army until early 2000s with an estimated 5,000 of the later Type 59-I and Type 59-II variants in service in 2002.
The Type 59 was modified several times during its service with the replacement of the 100mm Type 59 rifled gun with a 105mm rifled gun. It was also the basis of several later Chinese tank designs including the Type 69 and Type 79 tanks.
Description
Essentially the Type 59 is identical to the early production Soviet T-54As, however there are some key differences. The Type 59 was not originally fitted with the infrared searchlight or main gun stabilization of the T-54.
The Type 59 has a conventional post-war layout with the fighting compartment at the front, an engine compartment at the rear, and a cast dome-shaped gun turret in the centre of the hull. The hull is welded steel varying in thickness between 99mm on the front lower glacis to 20mm on the hull floor. The turret varies from 39–100mm thick.
The driver sits in the front left of the hull, and is provided with a hatch immediately above his seat, which opens to the left. The driver has two pop-up periscopes which give coverage ahead and slightly to the right when buttoned up. The commander sits in the turret along with the gunner and loader. The commander's hatch is on the turret left, with the gunner sitting forward and below him. The loader sits on the right of the turret and has a hatch above him. The turret has a non-rotating floor which complicated the crew's operations.
The turret mounts a rifled 100mm Type 59 cannon, for which 34 rounds are typically carried. A Type 59T 7.62mm machine gun is mounted coaxially with the main gun. A Type 54 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun (a Chinese copy of the Russian 12.7mm M1938/46) is provided above the gunner's hatch for which 200 rounds is carried. Additionally a Type 59T 7.62mm bow machine gun is provided for the driver, which fires through a very small hole in the center of the glacis. 3,500 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition are normally carried.
The turret has a powered traverse mechanism that is probably comparable to the T-54 traverse mechanism which can rotate the turret through 360 degrees in 21 seconds. Very early models of the Type 59 gun had manual elevation gear, later replaced with a powered system which allowed the gun to be aimed at between +17 and -4 degrees (the average depression for Western tanks is -10, which allows for better usage of hull-down tactics. Later models added vertical stabilization to make firing on the move practical. An infrared searchlight based night vision system was retrofitted to the tank with infrared periscope for the commander gunner and driver.
The tank is powered by a Model 12150L V-12 liquid cooled diesel engine, which develops 520 horsepower at 2,000 rpm. The engine feeds a manual gearbox with five forward and one reverse gear. A total of 815 liters of diesel can be carried internally in the tank, with a further 400 liters carried externally giving a maximum road range of 600 kilometers, or approximately 430km using only internal fuel. The tank has five road wheels on each side with a prominent gap between the first and second road wheel. The track is driven by a drive sprocket at the rear, with an idler at the front. It is notable that there are no return rollers. The suspension is a torsion bar system. Engine exhaust is on the left fender.
Ammunition is stored inside the turret, which increases the odds of a catastrophic secondary explosion should the tank's interior be penetrated by enemy fire. Crew survivability is hence low.
History
After the signing of Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance, the Soviets agreed to assist China in building a tank manufacturing facility to manufacture the T-54A MBT in 1956. Initially, the tanks were assembled with Soviet-supplied parts, which were gradually replaced by Chinese-made components. The tank was accepted into service by the PLA in 1959, and given the designation Type 59.
The Type 59 MBT represented China's first-generation tank development. Over the years, it was upgraded with various domestic and western technologies. When the PLA captured a Soviet T-62 from the Sino-Soviet border conflict in 1969, improvements based on the T-62 were incorporated into the T-59 design to become the Type 69 MBT, which was further upgraded with western technology and became the Type 79 MBT. The Type 59 was the beginning of China's first-generation MBT, and the Type 79 last, superseded by the Type 80 second-generation MBT.
The Type 59 MBT is also known as WZ-120 by its manufacturer. It was produced in great numbers from 1959 to mid 1980s, totaling over 10,000. This tank gained worldwide infamy after the "Tank Man" incident in 1989. The Type 59, and its successor, the Type 69, were widely exported, with thousands sold. Today an estimated 5,000 Type 59 MBTs remain in PLA inventory, but is used primarily for training and support roles. The Type 59 series are being replaced by the more capable Type 96 and Type 99 MBTs.
Historical Gallery
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Historical Accuracy Errata
Actual ammo capacity is 34 rounds. In World of Tanks, however, the Type 59 has 50 rounds.
- The main gun is a copy of the Soviet D-10TG, the same ones seen on the T-54 and T 55A. However, the penetration values of the armor-piercing shell are inconsistent.
- Uses the same main gun as the WZ-120 which is essentially the tech tree version of the Type 59, yet the penetration values are inconsistent.
- The engine is considerably more powerful than it is in real life, with 650 hp compared to the historical 520. Its engine power value is also inconsistent with the WZ-120's.
- The People's Liberation Army roundel has the Eight One emblem inside the star. In World of Tanks, however, the roundel consists of only the red star with yellow fimbriation.
| Light Tanks | IIVickers Mk. E Type B • IIIType 2597 Chi-Ha • IVM5A1 Stuart • VI59-16 • VIType 64 • VIIType 62 • VIIWZ-131 • VIIIWZ-132 • VIIIM41D • IXWZ-132A • XWZ-132-1 |
| Medium Tanks | VType T-34 • VIType 58 • VIIT-34-1 • VIIIType 59 • VIIIT-34-2 • VIIIT-34-3 • VIII59-Patton • VIII122 TM • VIIIType 59 G • IXWZ-120 • X121 • X121B |
| Heavy Tanks | VIIIS-2 • VIIIWZ-111 • VIIIWZ-111 Alpine Tiger • VIII110 • VIII112 • IXWZ-111 model 1-4 • IXWZ-114 • X113 • X113 Beijing Opera • XWZ-111 model 5A • XWZ-111 Qilin |
| Tank Destroyers | IIT-26G FT • IIIM3G FT • IVSU-76G FT • V60G FT • VIWZ-131G FT • VIIT-34-2G FT • VIIIWZ-111-1G FT • VIIIWZ-120-1G FT • IXWZ-111G FT • IXWZ-120G FT • XWZ-113G FT • X114 SP2 |
| Self-Propelled Artillery |
