Dicker Max
DickerMax (Stock)
| 3200 Price |
| 550 Hit Points |
| 24.99 / 26.7 kgWeight |
- Commander
| 50/20/20Hull Armor(front/sides/rear, mm) |
| 50/20/30Turret Armor(front/sides/rear, mm) |
| 272 h.p.Engine Power |
| 40 km/hSpeed Limit |
| 35 deg/secTraverse Speed |
| 300 Standard Shell Damage |
| 169 mmStandard Shell Penetration |
| 9.3 Time for Complete Loading |
| 26 deg/secTurret Traverse Speed |
| 400 mView Range |
| 620 mSignal Range |
The Dicker Max is the first in the Premium Tank Destroyer line of the German tree. It boasts a good ability to snipe tanks from a distance, with the highest available view range and gun accuracy that rivals that of the Panther guns and surprisingly good alpha damage for its tier. The Dicker Max also boasts the second best gun depression on the game, and its well able to reliably damage most enemies and will only struggle against tier 8 tanks.
Players using the D. Max should be aware that the tank will not survive HE shots or close fights, and its best used as a sniper/ambusher waiting for the enemy to get closer, it also has a somewhat decent camouflage value for its size and if equipped with camouflage module and crew training it can become a serious threat for enemies closing in.
As a downside, It has a rather poor ammo capacity, a restrictive gun traverse and lacks the ability to quickly relocate should it need to. Overall the tank is a solid choice for those seeking a crew trainer and enjoy ambushing targets.
Dicker Max
Stock
| Level | Gun | Weight (t) | Average Penetration (mm) | Rate of Fire | Dispersion at 100 m | Aiming Time | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
VIII | 10,5 cm Kanone 18 | 3000 | 169/227/53 | 300/300/380 | 6.45 | 0.36 | 2.3 |
| Level | Engine | Weight (t) | Engine Power (h.p.) | Chance of Fire on Impact | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
IV | Maybach HL 120 TRM 112 | 510 | 272 | 20 |
| Level | Suspension | Weight (t) | Load Limit | Traverse Speed (deg/s) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
VI | B.W.-Laufwerk | 5750 | 26.7 | 35 |
| Level | Radio | Weight (t) | Signal Range (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
VI | FuG5 mit 20 WS.E. | 0 | 620 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extreme gun depression, one of the best in the game
- High alpha damage
- Good DPM
- Excellent view range for tier 6
- Good camouflage
Cons:
- Very thin armor, highly vulnerable to HE shells
- Lowest HP pool of all tier 6 TDs
- Poor acceleration and turning speed
- Tall profile
- Terrible elevation
Performance
Always remember that your tank has armor made out of tissue paper - Stay HIDDEN! Take advantage of your incredible view range (400 meters) and amazing gun depression to stay out of trouble while dishing out damage with your high-alpha, and somewhat accurate gun. Park behind bushes or use hilly terrain to stay out of sight. Remember - the Dicker Max has amazing gun depression. Use the gun depression to minimize your profile by sneaking over rises to get a shot in and then backing up to avoid return fire while you reload.
Arty is a real danger to you - even tier III arty can one-shot you because of your minimal armor and open top. Never hesitate to reposition if you sense that you're spotted. And you will get spotted often - once you fire the camouflage value very noticeably worsens for several seconds. Sixth Sense is an important perk to learn because your tank cannot take hits.
Historical Info
Although it was originally designed as a Schartenbrecher ("bunker buster") for use against the French Maginot Line defences following the defeat of France it was used as a tank destroyer.
Development
It was intended to be used against bunkers at ranges beyond which the bunker could return fire. Development by Krupp began in 1939. With the conquest of France complete the design was without a purpose so it was suggested that it be used as a heavy tank destroyer. Two prototypes were ordered, completed in January 1941 and demonstrated in front of Hitler on 31 March 1941. If troop trials were successful it was estimated that series production could begin in the Spring of 1942.
Description
The 10.5 cm K (gp.Sfl.) was built on a heavily modified Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. E chassis with the turret removed and an open-topped superstructure added to house the main gun. The forward glacis plate was of 50 millimetres (2.0 in) face-hardened armour at 15° from the vertical while the sides were 20 millimetres (0.79 in) thick. The vehicle's most curious feature were armored compartments provided in the rear of the vehicle to protect the loaders against attack from aircraft. Similarly the ammunition bins holding 26 rounds for the main gun had thin armored covers on top. Another oddity was the fake driver's compartment on the right side of the vehicle that matched the real one projecting forward from the front superstructure on the left.
Although the main gun was intended to engage enemy armoured fighting vehicles it could only traverse 8° to the left and right, depress 15° and elevate 10°. A muzzle brake was fitted to reduce recoil forces and a travel lock was fitted on the front deck to secure the gun during movement. For self-defense the crew carried three 9 mm machine pistols with 576 rounds of ammunition. A Selbstfahrlafetten-Zielfernrohr (Sfl.Z.F.) 1 sight was used by the gunner, a binocular Turmspähfernrohr (T.S.F.) periscope was fitted for use by the commander,and each loader was provided with a binocular Scherenfernrohr on a pivoting arm.
Throughout most of its development it was known as 10 cm K. (Pz.Sfl.IVa), but was redesignated 10.5 cm K (gp.Sfl.) on 13 August 1941, and was also colloquially known as Dicker Max ("Thick" or "Fat" Max).
In the prototype vehicles the V-12 Maybach HL120 engine of the Panzer IV was replaced by a lighter V-6 Maybach HL66P engine. Production vehicles probably would have used the suspension and running gear of the Panzerkampfwagen III as it offered increased maneuverability due to a shorter length of track in contact with the ground, less rolling resistance, softer springs and greater deflection of the suspension.
Combat history
For combat trials the two prototypes were assigned to Panzerjäger Abteilung ("Anti-tank Battalion") 521 during the invasion of the Soviet Union. One caught fire by accident and was completely destroyed by the detonation of its ammunition, but the other fought successfully until the end of 1941. It was rebuilt by Krupp during the first half of 1942 and returned to the 521st in time to participate in Case Blue, the 1942 summer offensive in Russia. It was not reported operational in reports made by the battalion in November—December 1942.
A report of 26 July 1941 commented on the vehicle: "This Sfl. (self-propelled vehicle) is not sufficiently maneuverable for employment in a Vorausabteilung (lead unit). The limited traverse makes it necessary to turn the entire vehicle to aim at targets. This takes considerable time when done repeatedly, especially off-road because of the heavy vehicle and weak engine. In addition, because of its armor layout - only thick in the front and 50 mm lower in the back - it was built for frontal use. The vehicle can be shot into from the side and rear. Employment in a Vorausabteilung requires the ability to quickly engage targets in every direction.
The gun has proven itself capable of supporting an infantry attack from an open firing position by direct fire as in the Szczarar crossing. It is not possible to observe our own shots because of large dust clouds raised in front of the gun. The Sfl. must alternatively observe each other's fire or an observation post must be established off to one side, manned by a Richtkreis-Uffiz. (gunner) familiar with the crew. Because of its size, lack of mobility, and large dust cloud raised when firing, in the future the Sfl. will only shoot Sprenggranaten (HE) by indirect fire.
Up to now, the Sfl. has been employed in its specialized tasks - engaging concrete bunkers by direct fire and engaging heavy tanks in coordination with other Panzerabwehrwaffen (anti-tank weapons). Its high penetration ability appears to be suitable for this.
No specific problems have occurred with the engine or transmission. The steering brakes are overstressed. Bolts in the steering slide of one steering brake have torn out three times and the brake bands have had to be changed twice because the rivets were over-heated."
