VK 20.01 (D)
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VK 20.01 (D)
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[Client Values; Actual values in
157,000 ![]() |
510108 HP Hit Points |
21.9/22.515.6/25 t Weight Limit |
- Commander
- Gunner
- Driver
- Radio Operator
- Loader
300400 hp Engine Power |
50/20 km/h Speed Limit |
3842 deg/s Traverse |
13.725.64 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
YesYes Pivot |
// mm Hull Armor |
30/30/3057/30/30 mm Turret Armor |
AP/APCR/HE
AP/APCR/HE Shells |
30/2000/18
30/2000/18 Shell Cost |
70/70/9070/70/90 HP Damage |
60/96/2567/130/25 mm Penetration |
r/m ▲
24 r/m Standard Gun ▲
24 Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲
1680 Standard Gun ▲
Standard Gun
▼
Standard Gun
▲
1680 Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
m ▲
0.48 m With 50% Crew: 0.595 m ▲
0.4 Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.496 m |
s 2.3 s 2.3 Aim time |
4444 deg/s Turret Traverse |
360° Gun Arc |
-10°/+20°-10°/+20° Elevation Arc |
175135 rounds Ammo Capacity |
2015 % Chance of Fire |
m 330 m 330 View Range |
m 310 m 710 Signal Range |
IV

157000
The VK 20.01 (D) is a German tier 4 medium tank.
Prototype of a medium tank developed by Daimler-Benz from 1939 through 1941. The new vehicle was to become a new standard medium tank of the Wehrmacht. The prototype was deployed on the Eastern front. Combat testing revealed a number of serious faults. In 1941, the tank was deemed obsolete, and the project was discontinued.
The VK 20.01 (D) marks the end of its German medium line.
Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables
Modules
Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( ![]()
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
IV | Maybach HL 116 | 300 | 20 | 750 | 9300 | |
V | Daimler-Benz MB 809 | 400 | 15 | 1100 | 17500 | |
IV | 2 x Maybach HL 66 P | 360 | 20 | 1100 | 12000 |
Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( ![]()
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
III | VK 20.01 (III) | 22.5 | 38 | 0 | 8000 | 1900 | |
IV | VK 20.01 (D) | 25 | 42 | 0 | 8000 | 4600 |
Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( ![]()
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
III | FuG 5 | 310 | 50 | 630 | |
VI | FuG 7 | 415 | 70 | 8160 | |
IX | FuG 12 | 710 | 150 | 43200 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Excellent gun depression, with strong spaced turret front and mantlet
- No armor weakspots compared to the Pz.Kpfw. III
Cons:
- As with most tier 4s, mediocre guns and horrible penetration
- Second turret jams easily if hit in the cheeks
- Way worse than the Pz.III, but Still decent mobility for its tier
Performance
This tank is similar to a Pz.Kpfw. III in playstyle, but more defensive. While it is considered by many to be inferior to the Pz.Kpfw. III, these players have not correctly interpreted the stats of their tanks. If one were to look deeper, they are at mostly equal, with several things stand out. Those who are familiar with it praise its survivability: its armour is bouncier when angled well, the shorter hull is a smaller target, and it has 1 degree more gun depression.
The differences of armor protection on the siblings can be summarized as such:
- The Pz.III has applique armor on its upper glacis which helps negating damage from HE shells;
- The turret front protection of the Pz.III is of 30mm thickness plus 30mm of mantlet (plus another extra layer of 20mm if mounting the 50mm guns), versus the 57/50mm(outer edge/inner plate) plus 50mm on mantlet(despite a large portion doesn't overlap). Also the Pz.III has much stronger protection on its cupola (90mm with tiny 30mm strips versus only 50mm on the VK 20 D)
- The Pz.III has a pitiful turret roof of 10mm thickness, which is vulnerable against even arty; while the 16mm thick on the VK 20 D translates into proof against overmatching from all guns of no more than 47mm calibre;
However, the armour on our tank can be angled to more than 20 degrees due to the stronger 40mm side plating, and can bounce many a shot off lower tiers. Hull down is very effective due to the exceptional 'Western/American' gun depression and strong mantlet. Like the Panzer 3, you will have to keep poking in and out if a tier 5 tries to bring their gun to bear on you, but this is no different to another tier 4 such as the Covenanter. In short, the frontal armor is mostly on par and provides many more possibilities (to angle or hull down) than the Panzer 3, increasing survivability.
The engine is the second most criticized aspect. It is without the very good hp/ton ratio of the Pz 3 due to extra weight, and so inferior in acceleration. Sharp circling turns are to be avoided. However, it has equal reverse speed if it does need to retreat, and its can top speed can still be easily reached. It is more crucial to get into a position that allows for quick escapes or hard cover, such as a ridge. This is very similar to the Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G and a good preparation for later tier tanks of the VK 30D line, as these tanks have a somewhat underpowered engine but good top speed until the Leopard 1 at the highest of tiers.
The gun selection is the same as the Pz 3, but worse than the Luchs. It is no weaker, and can be better applied over ridgelines due to the slightly better gun depression. Still, due to poor penetration, flanking or shooting weakspots is the best tactic with the guns. Still if credits are not an issue, HEAT or APCR in either of the guns will get rid of the one and only problem with the guns; lack of penetration. The 50mm KwK 39 L/60 has okay DPM and can make short work of any tier IV tank, especially if aimed at weaker sides or any weakspots, but regular AP struggles against heavies with less than even 70 penetration. It may be easier to pop out and aim with the 75mm KwK 37 L/24, but it is still better suited as a support gun when firing HEs to cripple enemy tanks. As usual HEAT is usually mandatory to do reliable damage, especially against equal or higher tier vehicles.
All in all the tank is geared towards a more defensive and more discerning player, who can take advantage of the better gun depression and angling capability to ensure they survive first, and then use the top speed mobility to relocate, without having to brawl at close range. As well as this, if you are willing to forgoe the history of the Panzer, it is more forgiving as a whole. Finally, it is better preparation for the ridge-poking maneuvers, which become a cornerstone of the rest of the line, as part of the high gun depression playstyle. It is a thoroughly viable alternative to Panzer 3.
Early Research
- The FuG 7 Radio carries over from the Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G. Mount it immediately.
- First, research the 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 Gun.
- The best research path to take after the first gun upgrade is probably turret > suspension > first engine > top gun > top engine. But depending on whether you want more armour or more speed, research the Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M Turret or the 2 x Maybach HL 66 P Engine. Keep in mind that you can only mount one of these before you need to upgrade your suspension.
- Now, research the VK 20.01 (D) Suspension.
- If you researched the turret, you can choose between the engine and the 7,5 cm KwK 37 L/24 Gun. If you researched the engine, you can choose between the turret and the Daimler-Benz MB 809 Engine.
- Finally, research the FuG 12 Radio.
Gallery
Historical Info
Historical Gallery
Historical Accuracy Errata
There are no historical records of a Pz.Kpfw. III Ausf. M turret being mounted on the VK 20.01 (D). Furthermore, no proposal for the VK 20.01 (D) to be armed with any gun other than the 5 cm Kw.K. 38 L/42 exists.