Wespe
Revision as of 17:57, 20 March 2013 | Revision as of 17:58, 20 March 2013 | |||
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* Poor accuracy on stock gun | * Poor accuracy on stock gun | |||
|InTheGame_performance= | |InTheGame_performance= | |||
? | Far superior to the [[Sturmpanzer II]], the Wespe is the German tier 3 artillery of choice. Although similar to the [[M37]] and the [[Lorraine39 L AM]] (the damage and penetration are identical), the Wespe distinguishes itself with the ability to fire AP rounds. This isn't a distinctive advantage, but it varies things up a bit. Be aware, however, that the AP rounds and the HE rounds have roughly the same penetration and damage - and unfortunately, AP rounds can bounce and ricochet, whereas HE rounds will always penetrate, making the AP rounds fairly useless. | + | Far superior to the [[Sturmpanzer II]], the Wespe is the German tier 3 artillery of choice. Although similar to the [[M37]] and the [[Lorraine39 L AM]] (the damage and penetration are identical), the Wespe distinguishes itself with the ability to fire AP rounds. This isn't a distinctive advantage, but it varies things up a bit. Be aware, however, that the AP rounds and the HE rounds have roughly the same penetration and damage - and unfortunately, AP rounds can bounce and ricochet, whereas HE rounds will always penetrate, making the AP rounds fairly useless. Additionally, one can use HEAT rounds for the same purpose as AP rounds while also having triple the penetration. | |
|InTheGame_research= | |InTheGame_research= | |||
* The engines and FuG Spr. 1 radio carry over from the PzKpfw II, so install the Maybach HL 62 TRM engine and the radio immediately. | * The engines and FuG Spr. 1 radio carry over from the PzKpfw II, so install the Maybach HL 62 TRM engine and the radio immediately. |
Revision as of 17:58, 20 March 2013
Wespe
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[Client Values; Actual values in
48,000 Cost |
23046 HP Hit Points |
10.9/116.54/13.1 t Weight Limit |
- Commander (Radio Operator)
- Driver
- Gunner
- Loader
- Loader
130150 hp Engine Power |
40/10 km/h Speed Limit |
2224 deg/s Traverse |
11.9322.94 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
YesYes Pivot |
// mm Hull Armor |
HE
HE Shells |
128/0
128/0 Shell Cost |
410//410// HP Damage |
27//26// mm Penetration |
r/m ▲
3 r/m Standard Gun ▲
3 Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
▲
1230 Standard Gun ▲
1230 Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
m ▲
0.8 m With 50% Crew: 0.991 m ▲
0.76 Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.941 m |
s 6 s 6 Aim time |
1616 deg/s Gun Traverse Speed |
40° Gun Arc |
-5°/+42°-5°/+42° Elevation Arc |
6555 rounds Ammo Capacity |
2020 % Chance of Fire |
m 250 m 250 View Range |
m 310 m 455 Signal Range |
III
48000
The Wespe is a German tier 3 self-propelled gun.
Self-propelled gun on the basis of the outdated Pz.Kpfw. II. The vehicle was designed as a mobile artillery unit for armored forces. The armored cabin with the modified 105 mm field howitzer was mounted on the middle and rear parts of the chassis. This SPG was a successful re-use of the outdated chassis. A total of 700 vehicles were built from 1943 through 1944.
It is an excellent SPG for its tier. It is somewhat accurate and has a good gun with a fast rate of fire for an SPG. It can use armor piercing shells on its second gun, which makes it impossible to counter-arty, although whether or not people will be trying to counter-battery a tier 3 tank is questionable; very few players have the skill and patience to do this at such a low tier. Its traverse speed is slow and the engine has low horsepower, so it requires good positioning at the beginning of the round; it takes time to change position. Later SPGs are significantly faster.
The Wespe marks the end of its German self-propelled gun line.
Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables
Modules
Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ()
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
II | Maybach HL 57 TR | 130 | 20 | 540 | 1120 | |
III | Maybach HL 62 TR | 140 | 20 | 550 | 4220 | |
III | Maybach HL 45 P | 150 | 20 | 500 | 5600 |
Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ()
| |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
II | Wespe | 11 | 22 | 0 | 5000 | 600 | |
III | Wespe verstärkteketten | 13.1 | 24 | 0 | 5000 | 1860 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Able to fire AP shells
- Great view range
- Excellent range on both guns
- Able to one shot some lower tier scouts in TD mode, which happens a lot low tier
Cons:
- Small gun arc as compared to the M37, but still quite good compared to the other tier 3 German SPG
- Somewhat slow speed
- Poor accuracy on stock gun
Performance
Far superior to the Sturmpanzer II, the Wespe is the German tier 3 artillery of choice. Although similar to the M37 and the Lorraine39 L AM (the damage and penetration are identical), the Wespe distinguishes itself with the ability to fire AP rounds. This isn't a distinctive advantage, but it varies things up a bit. Be aware, however, that the AP rounds and the HE rounds have roughly the same penetration and damage - and unfortunately, AP rounds can bounce and ricochet, whereas HE rounds will always penetrate, making the AP rounds fairly useless. Additionally, one can use HEAT rounds for the same purpose as AP rounds while also having triple the penetration.
Early Research
- The engines and FuG Spr. 1 radio carry over from the PzKpfw II, so install the Maybach HL 62 TRM engine and the radio immediately.
- Research the suspension first for improved traverse speed.
- Now research the second gun.
- Go from there.
Suggested Equipment
Gallery
Historical Info
In the early 1942, the Panzerkampfwagen II (Sd.Kfz.121) light tank was withdrawn from frontline Panzer units and relocated to second line duties after being in service since 1936. That step provided the opportunity to use its reliable chassis and components for conversions such as the Marder II tank destroyer and Wespe. Alkett designed the Wespe in mid 1942, and its practical design was chosen over other designs based upon the Panzerkampfwagen III or Panzerkampfwagen IV’s chassis. Wespe (Wasp) was a light self-propelled gun armed with a 105mm light field-howitzer and based on the unmodified and modified Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F chassis. Wespe received the designation Sd.Kfz.124, but was also known as the 10.5cm le FH18/2 Fahrgestell auf Geschützwagen PzKpfw II and as the Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/2 auf Fahrgestell PzKpfw II (Sf).
The main idea behind the design of Wespe was to provide all mobile formations with proper and indirect artillery support. Wespes were to operate behind the frontlines and were not to engage enemy vehicles, however, they carried armor-piercing ammunition in case of an encounter. Like artillery, the Wespe operated in batteries and received orders and directions from forward observers by radio or field telephone: reducing the risk of being exposed to direct enemy fire. The Wespe was based on the regular Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F light tank chassis and on modified Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F chassis'. Both versions used many standard components of the Panzerkampfwagen II Ausf F light tank. Ausf F was the last variant of Panzerkampfwagen II to enter full-scale production. Ausf F was produced by FAMO of Breslau (Wroclaw) and some 1400 chassis were manufactured, while 524 were completed as tanks from 1941 to 1943. This model featured increased armor protection and other modifications based on battle experience.
The early version of the Wespe was based on a regular tank chassis with engine moved forward (to a more central location) and the suspension reinforced in order to absorb the stress from firing-recoil. The later version was based on a modified chassis with a slightly lengthened (by 220mm) hull, engine and radiators moved forward (to more central location), and the suspension reinforced to absorb the stress from firing-recoil. The longer hull resulted in an increase in the space between the last road-wheel and idler. Modified chassis' were known as Geschützwagen II - Gun Vehicle / Gun Carriage IIs. The configuration of the driver compartment was changed during production, creating two variants as well.
Historical Gallery
Sources and External Links
USA | IIT1 HMC • IIIT18 HMC • IIIM7 Priest • IVT82 HMC • IVM37 • VM41 HMC • VIM44 • VIIM12 • VIIIM40/M43 • IXM53/M55 • XT92 HMC |
UK | IILoyd Gun Carriage • IIISexton II • IIISexton I • IVBirch Gun • VBishop • VIFV304 • VIICrusader 5.5-in. SP • VIIIFV207 • IXFV3805 • XConqueror Gun Carriage |
Germany | IIG.Pz. Mk. VI (e) • IIISturmpanzer I Bison • IIIWespe • IVPz.Sfl. IVb • IVSturmpanzer II • VGrille • VIHummel • VIIG.W. Panther • VIIIG.W. Tiger (P) • IXG.W. Tiger • XG.W. E 100 |
France | IIRenault FT 75 BS • IIILorraine 39L AM • IVAMX 105 AM mle. 47 • VAMX 13 105 AM mle. 50 • V105 leFH18B2 • VIAMX 13 F3 AM • VIILorraine 155 mle. 50 • VIIILorraine 155 mle. 51 • IXBat.-Châtillon 155 55 • XBat.-Châtillon 155 58 |
USSR | IISU-18 • IIISU-26 • IVSU-5 • VSU-122A • VISU-8 • VIIS-51 • VIISU-14-1 • VIIISU-14-2 • IX212A • XObject 261 |
China | |
Japan | |
Czechoslovakia | |
Sweden | |
Italy | |
Poland |