T-70: Difference between revisions
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==In Real Life== | ==In Real Life== | ||
In 1942, most of the Red Army's light tanks were obsolete, too slow to keep up with the T-34, and too poorly armed to deal with newer German designs. The T-70 was devised to replace the obsolete T-60 scout tank and the advanced but complicated T-50 infantry tank. Unfortunately, this design too suffered issues, its one man turret meant that platoon commanders found coordinating tanks difficult, and its combat effectiveness was questionable even at the best of times | In 1942, most of the Red Army's light tanks were obsolete, too slow to keep up with the T-34, and too poorly armed to deal with newer German designs. The T-70 was devised to replace the obsolete T-60 scout tank and the advanced but complicated T-50 infantry tank. Unfortunately, this design too suffered issues, its one man turret meant that platoon commanders found coordinating tanks difficult, and its combat effectiveness was questionable even at the best of times. Nevertheless, its greatest achievement was ambushing and knocking out 2 German Panther tanks, a feat that earned its commander the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. | ||
The T-70 was later modified into the SU-76 SPG, armed with a larger 76.2mm divisional gun, which was more versatile and far better at the infantry support role. A final attempt in 1943 to improve it with a 2 man turret was made, designated the T-80 (no, not that one), but by then, Lend-lease tank deliveries were more than able to fulfil the scout roles, and all production was stopped. For these reasons, the T-70 was left largely forgotten. | The T-70 was later modified into the SU-76 SPG, armed with a larger 76.2mm divisional gun, which was more versatile and far better at the infantry support role. A final attempt in 1943 to improve it with a 2 man turret was made, designated the T-80 (no, not that one), but by then, Lend-lease tank deliveries were more than able to fulfil the scout roles, and all production was stopped. For these reasons, the T-70 was left largely forgotten. | ||
Revision as of 12:32, 26 September 2022
The T-70 is probably the cutest tank available to the Soviets in WW2, mounting a 45mm cannon and 45mm of armor on a chassis that didn't even quite reach 10 tons. It effectively was the Soviet version of the Tetrarch or Stuart. Designed as a scout tank to keep up with the newer T-34 and infantry tank for supporting troops that smaller factories could produce, the T-70 was powered by twin truck engines and given a 2 man crew to limit its size and weight, with production starting in 1942 and ending in 1943, but with a respectable 8226 produced, owing to its simple design. In most wargames, it appears as a cheap light tank, mostly used to support infantry.
Flames of War
In game, it's exceptionally cheap and relatively impotent, but it can still prove to be a useful addition in ways other than raw damage potential.
Mid War
Late War
The T-70 in late war is a frankly pitiful beast, with its 45mm gun being almost completely impotent, its armor being mostly irrelevant, and it's mobility being rather poor. The 45mm gun is touting AT7 in an era where armor 6 is considered relatively weak, made even worse by the fact that it is RoF 1/1 and overworked. The mobility isn't terrible, but the 4+ cross means woods present almost as much of a threat to you as German AT guns. Armor 4 will take hits from autocannons and lighter AT guns, but even German long 50mms will go through it relatively consistently.
So what is the point of this tank? You probably guessed it: trolling! This thing costs but a mere one point per tank in late war. On top of that, it's still a tank with an MG and armor! While this thing is next to completely impotent by itself, it is next to completely expendable, giving you next to limitless options with it. You can take a company or 2 on the attack to block ambushing units. Try putting them next to your infantry to give them unpinnable MGs to repel enemy infantry assaults. Escort your tanks and use the 45mm gun to get rid of enemy light vehicles so the big tanks can do their job. Use their dead bodies as cover for more important units. Hunt enemy medium tanks, killing one is absolutely hilarious and will probably give you your points back instantaneously.
This is a tank that goes almost completely unnoticed much of the time, but can still find its place as a low investment unit for freeing up your larger tanks for heavier work. Use it well and you can be a thorn in your opponents side. Used poorly, you really don't lose that much!
In Real Life
In 1942, most of the Red Army's light tanks were obsolete, too slow to keep up with the T-34, and too poorly armed to deal with newer German designs. The T-70 was devised to replace the obsolete T-60 scout tank and the advanced but complicated T-50 infantry tank. Unfortunately, this design too suffered issues, its one man turret meant that platoon commanders found coordinating tanks difficult, and its combat effectiveness was questionable even at the best of times. Nevertheless, its greatest achievement was ambushing and knocking out 2 German Panther tanks, a feat that earned its commander the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
The T-70 was later modified into the SU-76 SPG, armed with a larger 76.2mm divisional gun, which was more versatile and far better at the infantry support role. A final attempt in 1943 to improve it with a 2 man turret was made, designated the T-80 (no, not that one), but by then, Lend-lease tank deliveries were more than able to fulfil the scout roles, and all production was stopped. For these reasons, the T-70 was left largely forgotten.
| Soviet Forces in Flames of War | |
|---|---|
| Tanks: | T-70 - Valentine - M5/M3 Stuart - M3 Lee - T-34 - KV - Churchill - IS-2 - Captured Tank Platoon - T-28 - BT-7 - KV-2 - T-26 |
| Transports: | M3 Scout Car - Universal Carrier - SdKfz 251 |
| Infantry: | Rifles - Motor Rifles - Penal Company - Storm Group - SMG Company - Engineer Sapper Company |
| Artillery: | Katyusha - 152mm Artillery - 122mm Artillery - 76mm Artillery - 120mm Mortars - 82mm mortars |
| Tank Destroyers and Assault Guns: | 45mm Anti Tank - 57mm Anti Tank - 76mm Anti Tank - 100mm Anti Tank - SU-76 - SU-85 - SU-100 - SU-122 - SU-152 - ISU-122/ISU-152 |
| Recon: | Scout Platoon - BA-64 Platoon - Armored Reconnaissance Platoon - Reconnaissance Platoon |
| Aircraft: | Il-2 Sturmovik |
| Anti-Aircraft: | ZSU M17 - DShK AA MG Platoon |
| Midwar Monsters: | KV-3 - KV-5 - T-43 |