KwK38 (20 mm)

Description

The 20 mm KwK38 is a German anti-tank cannon. It is an improved version of the 20 mm KwK30, having almost double the fire rate than its predecessor. It is used on the later version of the Panzer II - the Pz.II F.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

The KwK38 has an extremely high rate of fire - 450 rounds per minute. It also has very good penetration, up to 48 mm at point-blank range. However, the penetration rate falls drastically at 500 m.

Available ammunition

Default: API-T · HEFI-T* - Half of the shells (HEFI-T) are useless against tanks while the other 50% (API-T) is useless against planes. However, this belt is reliable against open-topped or lightly-armoured vehicles like SPAA vehicles.
Sprgr.: HEFI-T*
PzGr: API-T - This belt offers a good transition from the Default to the PzGr 40 APCR belt. The round offers decent use and damage against lightly-armoured tanks, especially at close range. Due to lack of high-explosive filler however, it is better to focus on the PzGr 40 belt to maximize penetration power.
PzGr 40: HVAP-T - This belt is best for fighting tanks. While the damage effects post-penetration are quite poor, the rapid-fire from the autocannon will wreck most tanks at this BR. In close combat, these shells should be used against modules and crew members to make the most of each shell. Against angled armour, however, the APCR ammo may not be very effective, just like any other APCR shell.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
Ammunition	10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
HEFI-T*	5	4	3	2	2	2
API-T	37	34	23	14	9	6
HVAP-T	48	45	31	20	13	8

Shell details
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	0%	50%	100%
HEFI-T*	900	0.12	0.1	0.1	10.2	79°	80°	81°
API-T	800	0.15	-	-	-	47°	60°	65°
HVAP-T	1,050	0.1	-	-	-	66°	70°	72°

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of cannons/machine guns that have firepower equal to this weapon.

Usage in battles

The extremely high fire rate and excellent penetration of the KwK38 allows enemy tanks to be killed quickly. Try not to "spray-n-pray", as you will quickly use up all your ammo, and allow enemies to fire back and destroy you during your long reload time. After shooting at enemies, take cover to reload. Try to avoid long-range engagements, as the penetration rate drops off rapidly at around 500 m.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Extremely high fire rate
High penetration at close/medium ranges when using PzGr 40 belt with HVAP-T
Better fire rate and penetration when compared to other 20 mm cannons at its rank

Cons:

Relatively long reload of 7.8 seconds when stock
Small magazine, only has 10 shells
Because of the high fire rate and small magazine, it is easy to waste all your ammo in a few seconds

History

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Media

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External links

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Germany tank cannons
20 mm	KwK30 · KwK38 · Rh202
28/20 mm	s.Pz.B.41
30 mm	MK 30-2/ABM
37 mm	KwK34(t) · KwK36 · KwK38(t) · PaK L/45
47 mm	Pak.(t)(Sf.)
50 mm	KwK39 · KwK L/42 · PaK38
57 mm	Bofors L/70 Mk.1
75 mm	K51 L/24 · KwK37 · KwK40 L43 · KwK40 L48 · KwK42 · KwK44 · KwK44 L/36.5 · PaK39 L48 · PaK40/3 L46 · PaK42 · StuK37 · StuK40 L43 · StuK40 L48
76 mm	PaK36 (r)
88 mm	Flak.37 · Flak 41 · KwK36 · KwK43 · PaK43
90 mm	BK90
105 mm	CN105-57 · Cockerill HP · FMK.4 Modelo 1L · K.18 · KwK L/68 · L7A3 · PzK M57 · StuH42
120 mm	Rh120 L/44 · Rh120 L/55 · Rh120 L/55 A1
128 mm	K.40 · KwK44 · PaK44
150 mm	s.I.G.33 · Stu.H 43 L/12
380 mm	RW61
	Foreign:
30 mm	Bushmaster 2 Mk.44 ^(USA) · HSS 831L ^(Britain)
57 mm	6pdr OQF Mk.V ^(Britain)
73 mm	2A28 ^(USSR)
75 mm	M3 ^(USA)
76 mm	F-32 ^(USSR) · F-34 ^(USSR) · M32 ^(USA)
90 mm	M36 ^(USA) · M41 ^(USA)
105 mm	GT-3 ^{(South Africa)}
125 mm	2A46 ^(USSR)
152 mm	M-10T ^(USSR) · XM150E5 ^(USA)
155 mm	M126 ^(USA)