Depression and elevation of Chinese tanks

Machinery of War Discussion Ground Vehicle
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I am making this thread to specifically ask for some sources (plz don’t leak though) on the depression of Chinese tanks, and can some tech mod answer the question as to how they are decided if without reliable sources.

To put things into perspective, ZTZ96 series are examples I am using. ZTZ96 has a depression/elevation of -6/14, aka 20 degrees in total. With ZTZ96A/ZTZ96A(P) this figure is -5/12, there are no change of gun breech, turret shape (at least for turret space above and below breech) or (as far as I am aware) vertical drive mechanism. What is behind this difference of 3 degrees in vertical capabilities?

To reiterate, this is looking for evidence, and not claiming that they necessarily have to have more depression, but the fact that there is huge space above and below the breech seems quite unreasonable to me, especially without spall liners, this is more so obvious.

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So the -6 depression Chinese tanks have in-game is weird to you?

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No, but that with no change of anything, ZTZ96 and ZTZ96A should be consistent. I would just like sources stating these depression and elevation. Also weird to see ZTZ99A have that big of space above and below and seem to not be able to have anymore depression.

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You have to remember that stat cards on T-series tanks are almost all legacy numbers.
Meaning it’s -x based on the turret ring to gun, not accounting for turret ring being angled itself.
Also “space” is deceptive from the outside looking in due to armor thickness and other facets.