StuG Question.

[cbo]

Originally Posted by stormbringer3

One of the campaign authors which feature StuGs states that that they had superior optics because of their artillery branch roots and that this plus their low profile made them excellent tank killers. My question is if the optic advantage over tanks is modeled in the long campaign? When I go over the stats I can see no evidence of this. If not, could it be in a future update?

In general, the StuG in the OOB is smaller in size than a comparable tank. The StuG III is size 3, while a Panzer III or IV is size 4. So the StuG is more difficult to hit and easier to hide than a comparable tank.

As far as I can tell, the parameters that govern the accuracy of the weapon and the ability to hit a target are the same for the StuG than for a comparable tank, in this case the Panzer IV.

I'm not all that convinced that the StuGs periscopic sight would posess any significant advantage over the telescopic sight of the comparable Panzer IV tank. The tank sight has 2.5x magnification and a 25 degree field of view, whereas the StuG sight has a 8x magnification but only an 8 degree field of view. So the StuG sight would give a better view at longer distances, something that makes sense if you fire HE shells, artillery style, at stationary targets far away. But the limited field of view would make it more difficult to find and track a target, which would be a disadvantage, when engaging tanks, particularily at shorter ranges.
I'm pretty sure that both sights would be high quality items, German sights usually were.

The StuG sight would perhaps have a small advantage at longer ranges, but it probably wouldn't matter much at the normal combat ranges when fighting enemy tanks. Based on German manuals for the Jagdpanzer IV with similar properties, that would which would be out to max. 1500, occasionally 1800 meters. When firing HE, up to 3300 meters, perhaps a bit more in the StuG with its slightly higher elevation.

All in all, I dont think the differences in the sights would be of such a magnitude, that it should be reflected in the data on the weapons or the vehicles.

As far as I can tell, the author of the campaign have not changed the properties of StuG III units or their weapons.

cbo