The creators of the game World of Tanks pre-made sure that it had as much historicity as possible. They talk about this in every interview and, in principle, prove it in practice. So, a wonderful premium self-propelled guns appeared in the game - SU-76I. How to get World of Tanks bonuses, we learn a little later, and now we plunge into history.
History
It is worth noting that in the Soviet army there was SU-76 and many of its modifications. The tank under consideration appeared just after problems with the initial design of self-propelled guns. Two motors were used at once in the “dryer”, due to which desynchronization often occurred, which caused resonant vibrations. While correcting this flaw, self-propelled artillery installations were not enough.
By chance, the People’s Commissar turned to the captured tanks, among which the German Pz.Kpfw.III was most of all. Only two years later, in 1943, it was decided to create an assault self-propelled gun with a 76 mm gun. The designers had 200 German tanks at their disposal, the deadlines were as low as possible, so the first sample was given the test name SU-76 (T-III).
Despite the resemblance, the tank had to change dramatically. The first changes concerned the ammunition, further - the guns, after - the engine, armor, etc. When all the main ideas were transferred to paper, it was possible to start mass production, after which it was necessary to conduct factory tests.
With the latter, the future SU-76I coped with a bang. Despite the terrible weather conditions, the tank passed many tests successfully. Excellent speed, maneuverability, but low rate of fire still satisfied the developers. Already in March 1943, the designers advised to take the tank into service, and the new SU S-1 went into battle. This SPG also had the designation SU-76 (S-1), and in our time it was decided to designate self-propelled gun SU-76 (s). The letter in this case meant that the technique was “foreign”.
The next step was the training of self-propelled guns. Again, the self-propelled gun passed all tests successfully, and in May it was sent to the firing line. But the tank did not last long, and production was stopped. Firstly, this happened because the SU-76 was finally fixed. Secondly, because it was more expensive and more expensive to assemble a “foreign” car, since it was necessary to remove parts from captured tanks. In addition, the German "PZ" also underwent modifications, and Soviet designers had problems with the chassis.
Exploitation
As mentioned earlier, the SU-76I tank did not last long. In 1943, he was in reserve. 50 self-propelled guns could take part in the battle on the Kursk Bulge. But only the 13th Army, which defended the Ponyray area, had to use the SU. Moreover, if in the first days the self-propelled guns were not needed, then after the German troops broke through the defense line, the Soviet army began to use it. On the defensive, she lost several “dryers”, after which a regiment of 16 Soviet-German self-propelled guns was delivered to her.
The Voronezh Front also used the SU-76I, but, unfortunately, there is no exact data on the quantity and successful operation of this equipment. Already in September, when hostilities moved to the north of Ukraine, self-propelled guns were used in somewhat unsuccessful practice, which affected their strength and combat effectiveness. This happened due to the powerful equipment of the German troops with equipment.
Already in 1944, some regiments reorganized their composition with the old original “dryer”, removing the modified one. The news of the Soviet self-propelled gun on German chassis reached the Wehrmacht. The Germans evaluated the combat effectiveness of self-propelled guns in comparison with the ST T-34. Problems arose only with the reservation. Later, information appeared that the Wehrmacht managed to capture a couple of samples of this “double trophy”, but nothing is known about the facts of its effective use.
At this point, the world knows only two samples of the Soviet-German tank. One got in the river Sluch. There, in the city of Sarny (Rivne region, Ukraine), it was installed as a monument. The second was found and sent to one of the Moscow museums.
Modifications
In the game, the Soviet branch received the SU-76I tank. World of Tanks also presented gamers with a modification of the original "drying" - SU-76M. The last option appeared in history in the summer of 1943. Its main difference from the famous SU-76 was an increase in motor resources. Also, the tank sacrificed an armored compartment and a roof.
The main self-propelled guns itself was once again subjected to changes, the main of which was an increase in engine power: the first time - up to 140 horsepower, and the second - up to 170 liters. from.
In Game
The WOT game offers gamers a premium PT-SPG - SU-76I. This tank is located on the Soviet branch and occupies the third level. In the game, the self-propelled gun turned out to be well-armored and powerful. The ammunition has 98 shells, the average damage is 110 units. Cooldown lasts only 4 seconds, and penetration is 86/102/38 mm.
Combat effectiveness
The 76 mm gun has a fairly high penetration and stable damage. "Drying" can boldly and faithfully advance towards victory, tearing down opponents, sending them to the hangar alone. Due to its high speed, the tank can quickly change flanks or successfully reach the base in order to protect it.
Despite the small supply of “health”, “in the forehead” the self-propelled guns have a lot of armor, and therefore small-caliber tanks will not be able to penetrate it. In addition, one must not forget about the land mines, which not only successfully capture the capture, but can also perfectly shake a low-level tank.
How to play?
You should first pay attention to the shortcomings and advantages of the tank. The World of Tanks bonuses allow you to manage this drying well. Since the tank is premium, it does not need to be pumped. But there is one secret in the SU-76I. How to get it? We will find out a little later.
So, of the advantages it is worth highlighting the exact gun, strong armor “in the forehead”, excellent speed and a preferential level of battles. An already pumped tank requires only the installation of additional equipment and pumping the crew. Unfortunately, the tank was not quite perfect. His review leaves much to be desired, since UVN and UGN are deplorable. Patency is also quite low, and communication with allies is not always successful.
Turning to the gameplay, it is worth noting that the SU-76I is a “bush” tank that requires patience and endurance. Therefore, you need to hide in the bushes and wait. If any of the flanks is broken through, it is better to hide and help the Allies with fire support. The rest of the self-propelled guns does not imply going to an open area, as the "drying" can be easily muffled, and any firefly will spin it.
How to get the?
Now consider the answer to the most important question about the SU-76I. WOT, unfortunately, is not currently selling this tank. The fact is that its sale took place in 2014 and lasted only 3 days. According to the developers, this was due to the fact that the tank is not quite balanced. Similar bonuses from World of Tanks were too generous.
At its third level, the SU-76I is too strong and alone can cope with opponents. Those who managed to buy a "dryer", remained its owners, the rest, who suddenly want this tank destroyer, will have to "bite their elbows."
Other self-propelled guns
The WOT game, as mentioned earlier, claims maximum historicity. Therefore, here you can find game prototypes of real tanks. Soviet self-propelled guns are also quite popular here, some players love them and pump them with pleasure.
Of course, all tank destroyers that are available in the USSR branch up to the sixth level are very weak in armor. Further, the self-propelled gun branch diverges. One offers gamers weak armor, but a powerful weapon, the second offers strong armor, but an inaccurate gun.
The game counterpart of the already defunct SU-76I is the SU-76M. This tank destroyer is also available to players on the third level. She is very maneuverable, inconspicuous, able to support the allies, but very “cardboard”. If you decide to pump exactly this line, then it is worth noting that on this "dryer" it is better to go to the bushes, otherwise you will have to leave the hangar ahead of time.
Ambush - this is the successful conduct of the battle of almost any tank destroyer. Even if you took the powerful “Object 704”, do not think that the armored “forehead” gives you an advantage in the oncoming battle, and you need to immediately climb on the rampage. In fact, there will always be a firefly that will hide the technique or swirl.
In general, in the game World of Tanks, Soviet self-propelled guns represent a very strong class. They can suddenly inflict more than a thousand damage or tank all the damage received. Of course, these tanks have their drawbacks. At high levels, they, although heavily armored, are still very clumsy and slow. Nevertheless, in skillful hands they can inflict a lot of damage and pull fights from the most hopeless "holes".