Could an FT-17 tank take out the following.

1. Panzerkampfwagen 1
2. Panzerkampfwagen 2
3. Panzerkampfwagen 3
4.Panzerkampfwagen 4
 
That depends.
The basic FT-17 was armed with an 8mm MG, so it had the same chances of any MG of that caliber to take out a tank: the very small probability of hitting a vision slit and killing a crewman, and not even that if the crewmen are using scopes.

But by the time PzIs etc. are around, most if not all units still fielding the FT-17s are either entirely or at least partially outfitted with the Char Canon version, which sports the 37mm infantry gun. With a barrel length of 22 calibers, this has roughly the following chances of piercing the enemy tank's front armor, at 250 meters:

PzI: 60%
PzIIB: 60%
PzIIIE: 50%
PzIVE: 20%

These chances obviously worsen at longer ranges and with the gradual up-armoring of the later models.
 
That depends.
The basic FT-17 was armed with an 8mm MG, so it had the same chances of any MG of that caliber to take out a tank: the very small probability of hitting a vision slit and killing a crewman, and not even that if the crewmen are using scopes.

But by the time PzIs etc. are around, most if not all units still fielding the FT-17s are either entirely or at least partially outfitted with the Char Canon version, which sports the 37mm infantry gun. With a barrel length of 22 calibers, this has roughly the following chances of piercing the enemy tank's front armor, at 250 meters:

PzI: 60%
PzIIB: 60%
PzIIIE: 50%
PzIVE: 20%

These chances obviously worsen at longer ranges and with the gradual up-armoring of the later models.

So it has (obviously) greated chances of penetration with the flank and rear armour.

Pushing the FT-17 to an extreme. If it was right behind a Tiger Tank could it take it out?
 

Redbeard

Banned
So it has (obviously) greated chances of penetration with the flank and rear armour.

Pushing the FT-17 to an extreme. If it was right behind a Tiger Tank could it take it out?

IIRC the Tiger I had around 50mm at the rear, and that probably would be too much even at point blank for the low velocity 37mm. But OTOH now we are at the "stange matches in the ASB arena" you could imagine 1000 FT-17s positioned behind a Tiger and all firing as fast as possible. I guess the Tiger would soon start glowing from the heat generated by each hit... :eek:

Regards

Steffen Redbeard
 
Even at point-blank range with AP shells?

Of course but it'd be like World War.


I'd say quite about 60% for the I, the I was rather terrible whilst the FT17 was brilliant for a pre war tank.
Less for the III too...But then III's armour is so variable.
 

CalBear

Moderator
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The FT-17, with the SA 18 37mm Gun could penetrate 20mm of armor at 100 meters, 14mm at 500 meters.

PzKpfw I - Max armor was 13mm
PzKpfw II - Max armor, depending on model was 14mm or 20/30mm (excepting the turret TOP).
PzKpfw III - 17mm (top of turret and top of hull) to 30mm/50mm (again depending on model)
PzKpfw IV - 10mm to 30mm/50+30mm

Panther & Tiger - Forget about it.

The thing about the FT-17 is speed. It could move at a blazing FIVE MPH and the turret was manually rotated by the gunner.
 
The FT-17, with the SA 18 37mm Gun could penetrate 20mm of armor at 100 meters, 14mm at 500 meters.

PzKpfw I - Max armor was 13mm
PzKpfw II - Max armor, depending on model was 14mm or 20/30mm (excepting the turret TOP).
PzKpfw III - 17mm (top of turret and top of hull) to 30mm/50mm (again depending on model)
PzKpfw IV - 10mm to 30mm/50+30mm

Panther & Tiger - Forget about it.

The thing about the FT-17 is speed. It could move at a blazing FIVE MPH and the turret was manually rotated by the gunner.

Could the manual rotation be possibly and advantage? I mean the turrents didnt exactly move quickly in any tank during WWII
 
How on earth could the manual rotation be an advantage?

Besides, the FT-17 had the same problem of many of the French tanks: an overworked commander. One man had to survey the battlefield, take tactical decisions, load the gun, rotate the turret, aim the gun.
 
The short 37mm gun did receive improved AP ammunition a few years before WW2: the Mle 1935 API. This had a hardened steel penetrator surrounded by a magnesium body, and was quite light so fired at a higher velocity than usual (but still only 600 m/s). This is stated to be able to penetrate 18mm/400m/35 degree impact, which probably means close to 30mm max for a perpendicular hit at point-blank range.

There's a pic of the 37x94R Mle 1935 below (from the Ammunition Photo Gallery on my website).

SubcalAmmo2.jpg
 
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