A partial tech tree line consisting of prototype vehicles produced by West Germany could be introduced to WoT. Most of these projects are from the late 1970s, with the latest being manufactured in 1979. This is slightly later than the most modern tanks in-game listed by WG (1977), but none of these vehicles would possess modern features such as smoothbore guns or ERA that would prevent their implementation.
This line would have three lights based on the Marder chassis from tiers 7 to 9, and end with a medium at tier 10. While each light tank would be able to perform as a scout with the right equipment setup, they would differ from most of their peers in alpha and shell velocity. This makes them light-medium hybrids with regards to firepower, similar to Chinese light tanks.
Tier VII: Begleitpanzer 57
Mobility: 70 kph, 591 hp, 30 tons. ~ 17.5 hp/ton.
57mm Bofors L/70 Mk.1. 90/90/110damage and 143/195/35 penetration.
950/950/1020 shell velocity.
1.95 second aim time, .35 dispersion.
Autoloading system similar to the Char Mle. 75: Three “rounds” per clip, each with two shells. 2 second intra-clip reload. 540 potential damage, 6 total shells fired per clip.
Each clip would take about 7.5 seconds to empty. A 13 second reload would result in almost 3 full clips per minute, resulting in 1,580 DPM.
Camo values would be slightly worse than the AMX-13 75 considering its somewhat longer and wider hull. However, its small turret and generally low silhouette would be accounted for as well. View range would be 370.
The Begleitpanzer 57 would function similarly to the Char Mle, but two tiers lower and wielding substantially less potential damage per clip, even for its tier. The advantage, however, is much greater flexibility thanks to a shorter reload time.
While 70 kph may seem exceptional for a tier 7 light, this is hampered considerably by a relatively low power/weight ratio. There would also be no obscure rapid mode as seen on the Char.
Tier VIII: Marder DF-105
Mobility: 70 kph, 720 hp, 30 tons. ~ 22 hp/ton.
105mm CN105-57. 320/320/410 damage and 200/250/53 penetration. 1420/800/800 shell velocity.
Pen values are substantially lower than in real life for balancing purposes.
2.95 second aim time, .38 accuracy.
2 shell autoloader with 3 second intra-clip reload. 18 second reload would result in 1,706 DPM.
Second turret option (FL20) would add slight increase in hitpoints and a third shell to the autoloader, but at the cost of lower DPM (~1,509). In this case, reload for a full clip would be 29.9 seconds.
This would be the first tier 8 light tank to feature 320 alpha, and as a consequence, this vehicle could accommodate a supporting/flanking role in addition to traditional scouting.
As with the Borrasque, however, the gun handling would be fairly poor. While the DF 105’s top speed is very respectable, its power to weight ratio is somewhat lower than its contemporaries.
Camo values would be comparable to its predecessor, view range would be 380.
Tier IX: TH-301
Mobility: 72 kph, 800 hp, 31 tons. ~ 23.5 hp/ton.
105mm Rh 105-30. 360/360/440 damage and 240/280/53 penetration. 1,478/1,174/732 shell velocity.
Pen values also adjusted for balance.
2.5 second aim time, .33 accuracy, 5.8 RPM. ~2,088 DPM.
Marginally worse camo values compared to the previous vehicles due to larger turret. View range would be 390.
While this vehicle wouldn’t be as effective a passive scout as its tier 9 contemporaries in stock configuration, it would compensate for this in other regards, namely its armament.
A 360 alpha, traditional single shot cannon would enable the TH-301 to pack quite a punch, and undoubtedly blur the line between light and medium.
Its power to weight is slightly below average, but the impressive top speed would allow for quick relocation.
Tier X: Erprobungsträger mit 3-achs-stabilisiertem Turm
Mobility: 65 kph, 1000 hp, 45 tons. ~ 20.2 hp/ton.
105 mm L7. 420/420/510 damage and 278/330/105 penetration. 1478/1,173/1,173 shell velocity.
2.1 second aim time, .30 accuracy.
2-shell autoloader with 2 second intra-clip reload. 16.2 second reload would result in 2,558 DPM.
As this vehicle is based on the Leopard 1, similar camo values would be fitting. View range would be 390 meters.
This vehicle would sort of be a combination of the Leopard 1 and the auto-reloading Leone. While the chassis is that of modified Leopard, the turret is different altogether as evidenced by the design.
With comparable armor to the Leopard 1, the “Turm” would rely largely on its mobility and armament for its survival.
Sniping would be achievable given its great accuracy and good gun handling, but it would not excel in this role as much as the Leopard.
Flanking and support roles would be plausible due to its flexible autoloader and respectable burst potential of 840 alpha. However, this is considerably lower than other autoloaders such as the Batchat or Progetto. The upside, of course, is somewhat higher DPM and added accuracy.
Overall, this would be a fairly versatile vehicle that could assume several roles but not truly dominate in either of them alone.
Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldofTanks/comments/zpbjgl/historical_german_lightmedium_line_proposal/
