- Yes
- No
- Benelux / Belgium
- Germany
- Other / I don’t know
- I said no
The JPK-90 was the Belgian designation for the Hanomag-Henschel JPz 4-5. Indeed, Germany was not the only user of the Kanonejagdpanzer, as the Belgian army ordered 80 vehicles, and proceeded to modify them, which will make quite a big difference in War Thunder’s context.
The Belgian JPK-90 was in service from 1973 to 1989 and used a simplified version of their SABCA fire control system already in use on their Leopards. It included a laser rangefinder, sensors, an analogue computer and an optical sight. As such, a Belgian gunner had a much easier time than a German one!
In-game, the laser rangefinder would certainly warrant an increase in BR, probably to 7.0 or 7.3.
Another difference with the standard JPz 4-5 was the usage of the complete Renk transmission, final drive, suspension and tracks from the Marder IFV.
There are also two hydraulic clutches that have been fitted to the transmission, allowing for very sharp turns at all speeds.
Instead of using a searchlight on the back like the German vehicles, Belgian JPKs mounted two Lyran flare launchers on the roof.
Other than these few but important changes, no modifications have been made to the armor, armament or engine.
The armor is still relatively weak, only stopping autocannon rounds and perhaps bouncing some lucky shots on the mantlet.
Mobility would of course stay very good, and perhaps even better with the tweaked transmission and final drive!
JPK-90
Specifications
Armament:
90 mm BK90 cannon (ammo: 51)
- M431 HEAT-FS: 320 mm RHA, 1216 m/s
- DM502 HESH: 102 mm RHA, 853 m/s
- M71 HE: 20 mm RHA, 823 m/s
Reloading rate: 7.2 → 5.6 s
2 x 7.62 mm machine guns
Horizontal guidance: -15 / 15°
Vertical guidance: -8 / 15°
8 x smoke grenade launcher
Stabiliser: no
Laser rangefinder: yes
Night vision sights: yes
Armor:
30 - 50 mm RHA
Mobility:
MB 837 engine (500 hp)
Max. speed: 70 km/h
Power to weight ratio: 19.6 hp per ton
Crew:
4 (Driver, Commander, Gunner, Loader)
Dimensions:
Mass: 25.5 t
Length: 8.75 m
Width: 2.98 m
Height: 2.08 m
So while it might not look very different from the JPz 4-5 in game, its laser rangefinder will surely make a difference when sniping enemies across the map!
Playstyle shouldn’t be very different; you must use your speed, quick reload and laser rangefinder in order to succeed in this lightly armored tank destroyer!
However, as stated earlier, the certainly increased BR compared to the German JPz 4-5 would maybe make for a slightly adjusted playstyle, but nothing too drastic.
It would be very nice to see in a Benelux tree or Belgian subtree, or of course it could be added to Germany.
Sources