Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t)

nation | class | tier

Battle Tier

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Overview
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[Client Values; Actual values in ]

0

Cost

health Hit Points

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Crew

crew

Mobility

engine Engine Power

/ km/h Speed Limit

traverse Traverse

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NoNo Pivot

Armor

// mm Hull Armor

//// mm Turret Armor

Armament

Shells

Shell Cost

//// HP Damage

//// mm Penetration

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turretTraverse Turret Traverse

0° Gun Arc

-°/+°-°/+° Elevation Arc

ammo Ammo Capacity

General

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m m View Range

m m Signal Range

Values are Stock - click for Top

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Visually, it's not that different than its predecessor, the Pz.Kpfw. 35 (t). It offers increased top speed and mounts a more powerful gun, but sacrifices traverse speed and have 1mm thinner armor on the sides and rear.

The <value_unset_error> marks the end of its 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 ()

Engines

Tier	Engine	Engine Power (hp)	Chance of Fire on Impact (%)		Weight (kg)	Price ()

Suspensions

Tier	Suspension	Load Limit (т)	Traverse Speed (gr/sec)	R_min		Weight (kg)	Price ()

Radios

Tier	Radio	Signal Range (m)		Weight (kg)	Price ()

Compatible Equipment

Compatible Consumables

Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Excellent top gun in all respects (alpha, penetration, accuracy, fire rate, and aim time)
APCR ammo has generous 115mm of penetration and comparatively low cost of 800 credits, remains competitive even in tier 5 gam
Good view and signal range
Excellent gun depression
Compact size and good camo values

Cons:

Low top speed and traverse speed
Low ammo capacity
Thin armor

Performance

This tank was designed as a combat tank, not a scout, so gauge its speed and maneuverability accordingly. The traverse speed is vastly inferior to the Pz.Kpfw. 35 (t), though the overall maneuverability and handling characteristics are significantly improved. Fortunately, it has the 4,7 cm Pak 38 L/43 gun, which is probably the highlight of this tank. This gun is insanely light at only 100 kg, yet it's no slouch, with good damage, penetration, accuracy, and fire rate for this tank's tier. It's roughly equivalent to the 700 kg 5 cm KwK 38 L/42, with 10 less damage, but with slightly better penetration and vastly improved accuracy. While the acceleration could be better, once it gets up to speed, it can maintain it well. This means the tank can hit targets while running around quite well.

Unless you're in the top tier, you should avoid head-on engagements. You don't have the armor for it, and it means you won't be mobile, which is your best defense. Typically you'll want to play as a support tank if you're not going for the enemy's artillery or acting as a passive scout. Use hull-down positions whenever possible and remain undetected, as you may find yourself quickly destroyed. Stay on the move, often relocate, especially in tier V battles, so the artillery and hostile guns won't pinpoint your location. The good mobility makes this tank a great flanker.

To perform well, exercising caution is important. The Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) has fairly thin armor, but its good gun depression, small size, and good camouflage factor help alleviate the problem. The 4,7 cm Pak 38 L/43 gun has a great fire rate, great penetration, and good alpha damage, enabling you to dispatch tier II and III enemies with ease and remain competitive even in tier V battles. Guerrilla tactics work very well; use cover, pop out to shoot, and minimize exposure to the enemy.

Early Research

Both the FuG 5 and FuG 8 radios carry over from the PzKpfw 35 (t), as well as the 2 cm Flak 38 L/112 auto-cannon.
Upgrade the suspension first for weight capacity, increased traverse speed, and because it's cheap.
Next, either go for the 4,7 cm PaK 38 (t) L/43 gun or the Praga EPA/3 engine.
Now get whichever one you didn't get on the line above.
If you haven't researched the FuG 8 yet, do so, because it's a great radio that only weighs 50 kg.
Finally, research the Pz.Kpfw. 38 (t) n.A. tank.

Suggested Equipment

Historical Info

PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf S

The LT(Light Tank) vz. (model) 38 was destined to become one of the most widely used Czechoslovakian tanks, although not in Czechoslovak hands. Ordered into production in 1938, the LT-38 drew on the experience from the earlier LT-35 and became the most successful product of the Czechoslovakian industry. LT-38s in different variants were exported to many countries. They gained an excellent reputation among its foreign users, such as Sweden (THN Sv), Iran / Persia (TNH), Peru (LTP), Switzerland (LTH - Pz39), and Lithuania (LTL).

On March 23rd of 1939, CKD (Ceskomoravska Kolben Danek) delivered single LT-38 tanks to the Royal Armored Corps’ Gunnery School at Lulworth for demonstration, with hopes of selling tanks to the RAC. The demonstration was concluded with a report that stated the following: "On the whole, the machine is almost equivalent to our cruiser tanks, but little experience or experiment has gone into the design of the fighting compartment, and performance has been obtained at the expense of the crew and general fight-ability." The report largely criticized the LT-38, and the RAC did not purchase any tanks from CKD.

The 1938/39 German take-over of the Czechoslovakian state led to the confiscation of 150 LT-38s in production in March 1939, and CKD/Praga was ordered to complete them all. All of them were incorporated into the German Army as the PzKpfw 38 (t) Ausf A - Sd.Kfz.140. After the German takeover of Czechoslovakia, the LT-38 became one of the most important tanks used by the Panzertruppe and was retained in production as a tank until June of 1942. During the war, PzKpfw 38 (t)s were exported and saw service with German Allies, including Romania (50), Slovakia (90), Bulgaria (10), and Hungary (102). The PzKpfw 38 (t) also saw service with the Allies. A single tank was captured by the British and French in May / June 1940. Another example (turret number 543) was captured either during the Italian Campaign in 1943 or Normandy in 1944 and was tested in England. Numbers of PzKpfw 38 (t)s were captured and pressed into service by the Red Army. A number of PzKpfw 38 (t)s in service with the Slovak Army participated in the Slovak national uprising in August of 1944. Finally, in May of 1945, the PzKpfw 38 (t), now known as the LT-38/37 (37 standing for 37mm gun,) was back in service with the Czechoslovakian Army as a training tank until the early 1950s.

PzKpfw 38 (t)

Approximately 1400 PzKpfw 38 (t)s were produced in 8 different variants (Ausf A/B/C/D/E/F/S/G) with various modifications, improved armor protection, and armed with Czech-made 37mm Skoda A7 vz.38 guns designated by the Germans as 37mm KwK 38(t) L/48 (L/47.8). It is interesting to note that Ausf Ss were vehicles purchased by Sweden but impounded by the Germans in the Spring of 1940. Instead, Germans granted Scania-Vabis license and production rights, which in turn produced the Strv m/41. The early model's construction was riveted (and a direct hit on its armor plate could tear rivet heads off and kill or wound the crew), while the later model's construction was largely welded. Later on, earlier models were up-armored, and a few were possibly rearmed with the German-made 37mm KwK 35/36 L/46.5 gun, but it is unconfirmed.

A number were also converted to flamethrower tanks by replacing the hull machine gun with a flamethrower. At the same time, fuel was supplied from a towed single-axle trailer carrying 200 liters of fuel by a hose. There was also the PzKpfw 38 (t) swimming tank with a prototype AP-1 float, but it never entered production.

Further production of the PzKpfw 38 (t)’s chassis continued with improved models of Ausf H/K/L/M, which were used as a base for various vehicles (such as the Marder III Ausf H/M, Bison/Grille Ausf H/K/M, and Hetzer). In addition, older models returned for repair were often used as a base for conversion.

PzKpfw 38 (t)s were built under German supervision. They saw extensive service in Poland (3rd Leichte Division), Norway (XXXI Armee Korps), France (6th, 7th, and 8th Panzer Division), Balkans (8th Panzer Division), and Russia (6th, 7th, 8th, 12th, 19th, and 20th Panzer Division). During the fighting in Russia, the need for heavier armor and armament made the PzKpfw 38 (t) inadequate. In 1942, it was relegated to other duties (e.g., reconnaissance and service in armored trains).

In September of 1939, plans were laid for the development of a fast/light reconnaissance tank, and early 1942, 15 PzKpfw 38 (t) nAs (Neuer Art) were produced by BMM (Praga/CKD), but its design was not accepted for production. In 1942, the usual German adoption of the chassis for other purposes commenced with vehicles such as the Marder III and Flakpanzer 38(t). In 1942 and 1943, a number of PzKpfw 38 (t)s had their turrets removed and were converted to driver training vehicles that, late in the war, were mounted with wood-burning generators. Training vehicles based on turret-less tanks were designated as PzKpfw 38 (t) Schulfahrwannes and were used by school units of the Wehrmacht and NSKK. Some 351 PzKpfw 38 (t) turrets were used for German fortifications in Norway (75), Denmark (20), Western Atlantic shore (9), Italy (25), Southwest Europe (150), and the Eastern Europe/Front (78).

One of the most interesting conversions was the Aufklärungspanzer 38 (t) - Sd.Kfz.141/1. They were used as reconnaissance vehicles fitted with the "Hangelafette" turret (20mm KwK 38 L/55 gun and MG42 - used in armored cars) or armed with the 75mm KwK 37 L/24 (and MG42) gun mounted in the modified superstructure. Only 50 to 70 Aufklärungspanzer 38(t)s armed with the 20mm gun were built from late 1943 to early 1944, and only 2 Aufklarungspanzer 38(t)s, armed with 75mm gun, were built in 1944.