Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A
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Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A
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[Client Values; Actual values in
41,000  Cost |
| 45596 HP Hit Points |
| 17.92/18.210.41/22 t Weight Limit |
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
- Radio Operator
- Loader
| 320350 hp Engine Power |
| 42/18 km/h Speed Limit |
| 3540 deg/s Traverse |
| 17.8633.62 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
| NoNo Pivot |
| // mm Hull Armor |
| 16/14.5/14.530/14.5/14.5 mm Turret Armor |
AP/APCR/HE
AP/HEAT/HE Shells |
30/2000/18
30/2000/38 Shell Cost |
| 70/70/90110/110/175 HP Damage |
| 60/96/2543/87/38 mm Penetration |
|
27.27 r/m ▲
15 r/m Standard Gun ▲ Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
|
1908.9 ▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲
1650 Standard Gun ▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲ Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
|
0.46 m ▲
0.5 m With 50% Crew: 0.57 m ▲ Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.619 m |
| 1.9 s 1.9 s Aim time |
| 4444 deg/s Turret Traverse |
| 360° Gun Arc |
| -10°/+20°-10°/+20° Elevation Arc |
| 265215 rounds Ammo Capacity |
| 2020 % Chance of Fire |
| 320 m 330 m View Range |
| 265 m 415 m Signal Range |
III
41000
The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A is a German tier 3 medium tank.
During its development, the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A was considered a heavy tank. The vehicle is an early version of the most mass-produced German tank. Development of the vehicle started in 1935; mass production began in the fall of 1937. The Pz.Kpfw. IV was subject to continuous upgrading: the vehicle in the game is an interim version between the Ausf. A and Ausf. B variants. The first three vehicles saw service in January 1938. A total of 35 Ausf. A modifications were manufactured; they remained in service until the spring of 1941.
The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A marks the end of its German medium line.
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 (  )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 7,5 cm Kw.K. 37 L/24 | 43/87/38 | 110/110/175 | 15 | 0.5 | 1.9 | 780 | 10450 | |
| III | 5 cm Kw.K. 38 L/42 | 60/96/25 | 70/70/90 | 27.27 | 0.46 | 1.9 | 700 | 8570 |
Engines
| Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | Maybach HL 108 TR | 320 | 20 | 450 | 9460 | |
| IV | Maybach HL 120 TR | 350 | 20 | 510 | 10430 |
Suspensions
| Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| II | Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A | 18.2 | 35 | B/2 | 7000 | 680 | |
| III | Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. B | 22 | 40 | B/2 | 7000 | 2150 |
Radios
| Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| II | FuG 2 | 265 | 40 | 0 | |
| III | FuG 5 | 310 | 50 | 630 | |
| VI | FuG 7 | 415 | 70 | 8160 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good top gun for its tier; deals high alpha against Tier III's and lower
- Surprisingly good aim time on top gun despite its other properties
- Stock gun's rate of fire rivals that of the Matilda and deals just under 25% more damage per shot
- One tier lower than the T-28, which has similar horrible armor values
- Acceptable frontal armor on the second turret
- Good speed and agility for a Tier III medium when fully upgraded
- Nearly as fast as the Soviet T-28 fully upgraded (only 3 km/h slower with top engine)
- Good range on top radio
- Gun options allow for different play styles
- For its drawbacks, the equipment grind, and that to the Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. D, are on the tolerable side
Cons:
- Both guns have horrible penetration against higher tiers
- Top gun has very poor accuracy and albeit slow muzzle speed, stock gun also has accuracy that leaves a decent amount to be desired
- Relatively slow reload on top gun
- Atrocious gun bloom, takes longer than advertised to fully aim the gun
- Armor is an utter joke like the Soviet T-28, only slightly worse; players not used to such armor will find it frustrating
- Commander's cupola stands out like a sore thumb
- Very susceptible to low tier autocannon fire -- a Pz. I C or Pz. II G can virtually kill this tank in one pass
- Somewhat poor acceleration
- Rather poor stock radio range
Performance
The Pz.Kpfw. IV Ausf. A, even though possessing the title of the earliest non-premium German medium tank in the game, can prove to be a nightmare to play for new tankers. Those experienced with the T-28 will have far fewer problems with this German cousin, but it differs from its Soviet rival in a multitude of ways, each can trade blows with each other like Godzilla and King Kong, so to speak.
The Ausf. A can lower its gun an additional four degrees versus the T-28, but the T-28 can elevate its gun five degrees higher. On the front the armor of the second turret for both tanks is equal, but being a tier lower the turret of the Ausf. A will be less likely overwhelmed, but not by much. The top gun deals more damage than the one on the T-28 but trades this for less penetration and an inferior rate of fire. The Ausf. A is also less bulky than the T-28, making some options that were not viable in the T-28 practical, yet it will struggle a bit to reach top speed due to the mediocre power/weight ratio. The T-28 is faster, but only slightly versus the fully upgraded Ausf. A. In addition the T-28 has 10 extra meters of visual range fully upgraded versus the Ausf. A, but the Ausf. A has superior radio range.
Sniping with the top gun of the Ausf. A is nearly impossible due to the poor accuracy, but is somewhat viable with the stock gun. Brawling means near certain death in this tank due to the poor armor, as it will fail even against light tank autocannons in its tier, especially German ones. The Ausf. A is better suited to ambush flanking with its stock gun, coming in from the side to wreak havoc for a short while before leaving just as quickly as it appeared. With the top gun the Ausf. A makes for a relatively good medium to short range counter-sniper, blasting at hostile tanks that use 'Peek-a-boo' tactics, especially in urban regions. But do not forget you have absolutely horrible armor all-round, so if a low tier German light, or any other tank with a good autoloader or derp gun finds you in their sights, do not expect it to save you. Keep moving, use cover (especially indestructible walls and buildings) as much as you can, hit enemies hard when opportunities open, and dive back into cover as soon as possible.
With its "one of every position" crew setup -- Commander, Gunner, Driver, Radio Operator, Loader -- the Pz. IV A is crew compatible with many German premium mediums -- the E 50 FL, Panther 8,8, Panther/M10, Pz. V/IV, Pz. IV H Ankou, Pz. IV hydrostat., Pz.Kpfw. IV Schmalturm, Pz. T 25, Pz. III K, and the Turán III prototípus. You can use your Pz. IV A crew in any of these without penalty, the only further consideration is crew skills. Other premium mediums can take some or most of the Pz. IV A's crew in a pinch; the only oddball is the Großtraktor, which can handle the whole crew but requires an extra loader.
Early Research
- In order to boost the agility, and thus survivability of the Ausf. A, it is best to research the top engine and upgraded suspension, which each give a boost to mobility. Research the top turret to increase armor at the front so hulldown is more of an option.
- Those who prefer counter-attacking tanks will want to get the top gun of this tank first, then the rest.
- Obtain the top radio whenever possible, as this greatly enhances your ability to remain aware of the battle situation.
- Lastly, research the Ausf. D, which will be a noticeable improvement over the Ausf. A.
Gallery
History for this tank not found
Historical Accuracy Errata
- The 5cm gun was actually the KwK 39 L/60 and was only tested on the Panzer IV Ausf D; its configuration on the Ausf A is fake - Both engines are considerably more powerful than in reality, with 320 and 350 hp compared to the historical 250 and 300 respectively
