Birch Gun
Birch Gun
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[Client Values; Actual values in
152,000  Cost |
| 29058 HP Hit Points |
| 12.1/12.27.05/14.2 t Weight Limit |
- Commander (Radio Operator)
- Gunner
- Gunner
- Driver
- Loader
- Loader
| 90110 hp Engine Power |
| 45/10 km/h Speed Limit |
| 1618 deg/s Traverse |
| 7.4415.6 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
| YesYes Pivot |
| // mm Hull Armor |
HE
HE Shells |
72/0
83/0 Shell Cost |
| 260//280// HP Damage |
| 21//22// mm Penetration |
|
6.82 r/m ▲
6.25 r/m Standard Gun ▲ Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
|
1773.2 ▲
1750 Standard Gun ▲ Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
|
0.74 m ▲
0.72 m With 50% Crew: 0.917 m ▲ Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.892 m |
| 5 s 5 s Aim time |
| 1616 deg/s Gun Traverse Speed |
| 360° Gun Arc |
| -5°/+38°-5°/+70° Elevation Arc |
| 265265 rounds Ammo Capacity |
| 2020 % Chance of Fire |
| 265 m 265 m View Range |
| 400 m 550 m Signal Range |
IV
152000
The Birch Gun is a British tier 4 self-propelled gun.
In the 1920s, British engineers explored the idea of an SPG on a tank chassis. Development of the vehicle started in 1923 at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich. It was based on the Vickers Medium Mark II, the chassis of which could carry the required modules. A total of seven prototypes were manufactured from 1926 through 1927 and joined the Experimental Mechanised Force established on May 1, 1927. Later, the unit was disbanded, along with the SPG program.
For all intents and purposes, the Birch Gun functions identically to the SU-26. Equipping a Camo Net would be very useful, since it will not have to turn its chassis when acquiring new targets (unless you want to snap to a target quickly, as the gun traverse is slow). Having a low profile not only helps with concealment, it also comes in handy when going into TD mode to fight off tanks that come too close.
While the 25-pounder gun is marginally more powerful than the stock 18-pounder, its still anemic damage and low splash means that, for the most part, you will be doing double-digit damage to anything with a reasonable amount of armor. However it makes up for it with a good rate of fire like its predecessor, the Sexton II, along with decent accuracy and a high shell trajectory to fire over obstacles.
The Birch Gun marks the end of its British self-propelled gun 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 | Q.F. 25-Pr. Gun/How. | 22 | 280 | 6.25 | 0.72 | 5 | 510 | 28500 | |
| III | Q.F. 18-Pr. | 21 | 260 | 6.82 | 0.74 | 5 | 457 | 10500 |
Engines
| Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Armstrong Siddeley V8 | 90 | 20 | 200 | 0 | |
| I | Armstrong Siddeley V8 SC | 110 | 20 | 200 | 350 |
Suspensions
| Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | Birch Gun Mk. I | 12.2 | 16 | 0 | 6000 | 2000 | |
| IV | Birch Gun Mk. II | 14.2 | 18 | 0 | 6000 | 4650 |
Radios
| Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VII | WS No. 19 Mk. II | 450 | 40 | 21000 | |
| VI | WS No. 19 Mk. I | 400 | 40 | 15000 | |
| VIII | WS No. 19 Mk. III | 550 | 40 | 22000 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Gun range: stock 850m, top 1050m
- Like the Su-26 it can rotate its gun 360 degrees
- High shell trajectory, comparable to Soviet artillery
- Massive ammo capacity with decent reload rate, can keep spamming shells as long as there is something spotted
- Low profile (although the gun shield may stick out of the smaller bushes)
Cons:
- Poor accuracy
- Low alpha damage and splashing radius
- Open top, vulnerable to crew and module damage
- Low mobility and agility, gun traverse is also slow
- Paper armor, can get destroyed by anything
Performance
Compared to the large caliber guns of most other SPGs, the Birch Gun takes on a more autocannon-esque approach to indirect fire support by utilizing a fast-firing gun with mediocre damage and anemic penetration. Apart from lucky shots hitting vulnerable parts on poorly armored targets, the one-shot-one-kill-scenario remains a dream at best; what you get is an endless stream of double-digit hits. Concentrating on lighter targets and the side armor of heavier ones yields the best damage. However while some might look down on the Birch Gun because of this, the damage tends to stack up, even against heavier opponents.
While most SPG's require careful aiming to ensure damage, the fast rate of fire, surprisingly accurate gun, low ammunition cost and practically endless ammo supply means that the Birch Gun employs a more leisurely mindset. Snap shots become a somewhat practical option: acquire a new target, shoot without aiming as soon as the gun has turned and wait for the aiming circle to close while a new shell is loaded. The unaimed shell hits surprisingly often, while the second, aimed shot can be delivered with precision. The drawbacks to this sort of approach are potentially giving your position away to counter-battery fire and alerting an unsuspecting target about being under fire if the first shot doesn't hit. Even shots against fast-moving targets are viable, because a miss is not an issue and a lucky hit can result in some damage, or in the best cases a dead or de-tracked enemy.
Even though the gun depression and fully rotating turret mean that the Birch Gun is much more adept at direct-fire self-defence than most SPG-s, the poor penetration means that hitting a light tank doesn't ensure its demise, so relying on 'TD mode' for survivability will often result in a slightly damaged scout and a burning wreck of a Birch Gun.
Due to the poor engine power and traverse speed, repositioning is a somewhat arduous process and fleeing impractical, so picking a safe spot and sitting in it for the rest of the battle while raining shells in every direction is the most practical approach mobility-wise.
The Birch Gun has earned an unimaginative but fitting nickname both from owners that dislike the slightly unconventional characteristics and from enemies annoyed by a constant hail of low-damage HE shells picking away at their health.
Early Research
- If you haven't already on the Sexton II, get the 25-pounder gun, you'll need it to progress to the next tier anyway, and the suspension can take it
- Upgrading the radio is useful. The suspension needs to be upgraded before fitting more modules/equipment. Engine is purely optional; there is barely any visible difference in performance
- Go from there
Suggested Equipment
Gallery
Historical Info
The Birch Gun was the world's first practical self-propelled artillery gun, built at the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich in 1925. The gun was never highly regarded by the British High Command, purely for prejudicial beliefs and political pressure rather than any real lack of ability.[1] Named after General Sir Noel Birch, who was Master General of Ordnance at the time, the Birch gun had real potential. It was built upon a Vickers Medium Mark II tank chassis and mated originally with the QF 18-pdr (83.8 mm) gun, then with a 75mm field gun. The project was abandoned in 1928 after political pressure killed off any plans to complete the third version of this weapon.
Development History
The initial prototype, the Mark I, made its first appearance in January 1925 and spent the next year undergoing trials and taking part in maneuvers, mainly with 28 Battery, 9th Field Brigade, Royal Artillery. The lone Mark I was transferred to 20 Battery, 9th Field Brigade RA, who then took delivery of three Mark II Birch Guns in July 1926, followed by a fourth gun in September. This brought the battery strength to five guns, which participated in various field exercises as part of the Experimental Mechanized Force, and its successor, the Experimental Armored Force which was dispersed in February 1929. All five guns were finally withdrawn in June/July 1931, effectively ending the British Army's experiments with tracked self-propelled guns until the advent of various hurriedly improvised vehicles during the Second World War, such as the Bishop and the Deacon.
Two Mark III Birch Guns were produced but never issued to serving units. These had the guns mounted in revolving barbette-style turrets that increased crew protection but reduced the guns' elevation, capping their effective range. The armament for the original Birch Gun consisted of an Ordnance QF 18-pounder field gun (3.3-inch, 84mm). This was changed to the 75mm gun on the Birch gun Mk II, and from then on was able to be fired either at ground targets or in the air-defense role, being given a much higher rate of elevation to be fired at enemy aircraft.
The Armstrong Siddeley engine was modestly powerful. Being only eight cylinders it could manage 90 hp for a mild 45 km/h top-speed. However for its time (late 1920's) it was quite fast.
The Birch gun was tested as part of the Experimental Mechanized Force in the 1920's. The Force undertook various experiments in mechanized warfare combining tanks and infantry with their own transport. The project was finally abandoned in 1928 after major political pressure cancelled all plans to complete the third version of this weapon.
Historical Gallery
Historical Accuracy Errata
Development of the 25-pdr gun began in 1935, seven years after the Birch Gun project was abandoned.
- One of its historical armaments, a 75 mm field gun, is missing.
- The Birch Gun actually predates its tier 3 predecessor, the Sexton II, by 20 years.
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| UK | IILoyd Gun Carriage • IIISexton II • IIISexton I • IVBirch Gun • VBishop • VIFV304 • VIICrusader 5.5-in. SP • VIIIFV207 • IXFV3805 • XConqueror Gun Carriage |
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