(Sd. Kfz. 140) Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) G (Feb 1942)

TT33a · October 22, 2023, 12:28am

[Add in the Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) G (Feb 1942)?]

Yes
No

0 voters

The Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) G (Sd. Kfz. 140) light tank was the final Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) model of the Panzer 38(t) series which was originally designed during the 1930s & saw extensive service during World War II. Developed by ČKD, this design was utilized by Germany following the annexation of Czechoslovakia in 1938 & was considered one of the best light tanks of the war. Over 300 Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausführung G were produced throughout late 1941-1942 with production hitting its peak in February 1942:

Various refinements were instituted during its production run, including the introduction of 50 mm thick rolled homogeneous armor plate, more extensive use of welding, & a strengthened suspension. In War Thunder, the Panzer 38(t) F currently found in the game is an early May-October 1941 example, which you can see below:

Instead of depicting the definitive, most produced, & most refined example produced during February 1942, Gaijin instead has decided to provide the German faction player with an earlier, inferior example with weaker features such as bolted on appliqué frontal & side armor which is face hardened instead of homogeneous. As a result, the German faction player is forced to use a less produced, inferior Panzer 38(t) F in an earlier configuration instead of the definitive model G. Therefor, this suggestion is specifically for a proper February 1942 Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausführung G, featuring later improvements & features. Main improvements over the current Panzer 38(t) F would be:

Solid 50 mm frontal hull armor replacing the 25 mm + 25 mm
Solid 50 mm frontal turret armor replacing the 25 mm + 25 mm
Frontal rolled homogeneous armor instead of face hardened armor
More extensive use of welding instead of bolting & riveting
Spare track link rack mounted on the frontal hull & glacis
Improved air filter for engine
Sliding cover for air intake grille
Relocated Notek light
Strengthened leaf spring suspension with reinforced bracket/cap

Some more information:

Sources/Manuals:

Peasant_wb · October 22, 2023, 7:38am

I’m all for bigger variety of low tier vehicles.

JamesPond1200 · October 23, 2023, 5:17pm

Hop we get to see this added! +1

Josephs_Piano · November 8, 2024, 11:34am

The (G) isn’t the “definitive” version - it is just the last version made at a time when the tank was well obsolete.

The “definitive” versions are those that equipped a substantial part of the Wehrmacht in Poland 1939 and France 1940. By Barbarossa it was well past its prime.