Tag: DOUBLE-BARREL

  • Object 265-II Tank Preview – World of Tanks Supertest

    Object 265-II Tank Preview – World of Tanks Supertest

    The World of Tanks Supertest has welcomed a formidable addition to the Soviet heavy tank lineup: the Object 265-II, a Tier IX assault heavy tank whose defining characteristic is its twin 122mm gun configuration. For players who appreciate Soviet armor philosophy and want something fundamentally different from the reverse autoloader Object 265T, the Object 265-II offers a compelling alternative built around devastating double-shot firepower, impenetrable frontal protection, and rear-turret side-scraping dominance.

    object 265 2 tank

    Twin 122mm Guns: Double Devastation

    The Object 265-II’s primary identity revolves around its unique dual-gun system:

    Two Formidable 122mm Guns: The Object 265-II is equipped with twin 122mm cannons mounted side-by-side, each capable of firing independently or together in devastating salvo mode. This dual-weapon system is the vehicle’s defining characteristic and creates gameplay unlike any other Soviet heavy tank.

    440 HP Per Gun: Each 122mm gun delivers 440 HP of damage per shot, matching the alpha of conventional Soviet 122mm weapons. When firing guns independently, the Object 265-II functions similarly to traditional Soviet heavies but with doubled firepower potential.

    880 HP Salvo Mode: When both guns fire simultaneously in salvo mode, the Object 265-II delivers a crushing 880 HP of damage in a single devastating burst. This alpha damage is exceptional for Tier IX and rivals the firepower of Tier X super-heavy tanks.

    3-Second Salvo Preparation: Activating salvo mode requires a 3-second preparation time before both guns can fire together. This mechanic demands anticipation and tactical planning—commanders must predict when the massive burst damage will be needed and prepare accordingly.

    Massive Damage Potential: The twin-gun system enables the Object 265-II to deliver damage in ways unavailable to conventional heavy tanks. Fire guns independently for consistent DPM, or coordinate salvos for devastating burst damage when opportunities arise.


    Excellent Hull and Turret Armor: Fortress-Level Protection

    The Object 265-II brings exceptional armor protection:

    Excellent Hull Armor: The hull armor is described as “excellent,” suggesting thick, well-angled protection that can withstand standard ammunition from Tier IX opponents and potentially resist even premium rounds when properly positioned.

    Excellent Turret Armor: The turret protection is equally formidable, creating a vehicle that can confidently hold positions knowing that frontal engagements will likely result in bounces rather than penetrations.

    Position-Holding Capability: The combination of excellent hull and turret armor enables the Object 265-II to “confidently hold positions,” anchoring defensive lines and resisting enemy pushes through sheer durability.

    Assault Heavy Classification: The “assault heavy tank” designation indicates the Object 265-II is designed to advance under fire, using its exceptional armor to absorb shots while closing to positions where its twin guns can deliver devastating damage.

    Frontal Confrontation Excellence: The armor profile suggests the Object 265-II excels in direct frontal engagements where opponents must challenge its strongest protection while risking 880 HP salvo responses.


    Rear-Mounted Turret: Side-Scraping Dominance

    The Object 265-II’s turret placement creates specific tactical advantages:

    Rear-Mounted Turret Configuration: The turret is positioned toward the rear of the hull rather than centered, creating unique geometry that fundamentally changes how the vehicle uses cover and angles its armor.

    Side-Scraping Convenience: The rear-mounted turret makes “side-scraping tactics more convenient” by enabling the Object 265-II to expose minimal hull surface while keeping the guns trained on enemies. This geometry creates exceptional corner-fighting capability.

    Corner Control: When positioned at corners with the rear-turret geometry, the Object 265-II can fire around obstacles while exposing only the heavily-armored side and turret, protecting the hull from direct fire.

    Urban Combat Excellence: On city maps and close-quarters environments where corner fighting dominates, the rear-turret configuration transforms the Object 265-II into a nearly unstoppable position-holder.

    Geometric Advantage: The rear-turret placement enables firing angles and cover usage that center-turret or forward-turret vehicles cannot replicate, creating tactical options unique to this design philosophy.


    Limited Mobility: Deliberate Positioning

    The Object 265-II’s mobility characteristics demand careful initial positioning:

    35 km/h Maximum Forward Speed: The top speed is notably limited for Tier IX, restricting the Object 265-II’s ability to rapidly relocate or respond to developing battlefield situations. This vehicle commits to positions more than most contemporaries.

    12 km/h Reverse Speed: The reverse speed is poor even by Soviet heavy tank standards, making extraction from unfavorable positions extremely difficult. Once committed, the Object 265-II struggles to retreat safely.

    Limited Mobility Classification: The explicitly mentioned “limited mobility” indicates this vehicle prioritizes armor and firepower over maneuverability. The Object 265-II advances deliberately rather than racing to positions.

    Direction Commitment: The limited mobility means “it’s important to make the most of the direction you choose at the start of battle.” Initial positioning decisions carry enormous weight since correcting mistakes is time-consuming and dangerous.

    Slow but Steady: The Object 265-II embodies the Soviet heavy tank philosophy of trading speed for protection and firepower. It arrives late to positions but holds them absolutely once established.


    Poor Gun Performance: The Firepower Trade-Off

    The devastating twin guns come with significant handling limitations:

    Very Long Aim Time: The Object 265-II suffers from “very long” aim time, making snapshot accuracy poor and requiring extended exposure to achieve fully-aimed shots. This characteristic forces patient, deliberate gameplay.

    Very Poor Dispersion: 0.42: The accuracy value of 0.42 is abysmal for Tier IX, creating significant frustration at medium-to-long ranges where shells frequently miss even when fully aimed. The Object 265-II must operate at close range to land shots reliably.

    Close-Range Optimization: The combination of very long aim time and 0.42 dispersion forces the Object 265-II into close-quarters combat where the gun handling limitations are less punishing and the devastating 880 HP salvos are most reliable.

    Patience Requirement: Poor gun performance demands extreme patience. Rushing shots wastes the devastating firepower potential, while waiting for full aim can expose the vehicle to unnecessary return fire.

    Accuracy Frustration: The 0.42 dispersion creates frustrating moments where perfectly positioned shots miss due to bloom, particularly when engaging moving targets or firing at medium ranges.


    5 Degrees Gun Depression: Terrain Limitations

    The Object 265-II struggles with terrain exploitation:

    Low Gun Depression: 5 Degrees: The limited -5° gun depression is poor even by Soviet standards and “makes terrain utilization difficult,” forcing the Object 265-II into flat-ground engagements where its armor can compensate.

    Ridge-Line Inability: The limited depression prevents effective ridge-line fighting, denying the Object 265-II access to hull-down positions that would leverage its excellent turret armor while protecting the hull.

    Flat-Ground Preference: The Object 265-II performs best on flat terrain and in urban environments where gun depression is less critical and the vehicle can leverage its exceptional armor and rear-turret side-scraping advantages.

    Positioning Constraints: Hills, slopes, and uneven terrain create firing difficulties that force the Object 265-II into suboptimal positions or complete withdrawal from otherwise advantageous areas.

    Soviet Heavy Tradition: The limited gun depression continues the traditional Soviet heavy tank design philosophy, prioritizing armor and firepower over terrain adaptability.


    Salvo Fire Mode: Tactical Devastation

    The twin-gun system’s salvo capability creates unique tactical opportunities:

    3-Second Preparation Time: Activating salvo mode requires 3 seconds of preparation, during which both guns align for simultaneous fire. This preparation must occur before enemies present opportunities, requiring anticipation.

    880 HP Burst Damage: The salvo delivers massive damage in a single moment—sufficient to destroy many wounded opponents outright or severely cripple full-health targets.

    Psychological Impact: The threat of an 880 HP salvo creates enormous psychological pressure. Opponents facing the Object 265-II must constantly consider whether peeking will result in a devastating double-gun strike.

    Mode Management: Commanders must decide when to fire guns independently for sustained DPM versus preparing salvos for maximum burst damage. This decision-making is central to effective Object 265-II gameplay.

    Finishing Power: The 880 HP salvo is perfectly positioned to eliminate wounded enemies who might otherwise escape. Targets sitting at 900 HP or below can be deleted in a single coordinated strike.


    Methodical Frontline Pressure

    The Object 265-II’s design philosophy emphasizes deliberate, armor-supported advances:

    Position-Holding Excellence: The combination of excellent armor and devastating firepower enables the Object 265-II to “confidently hold positions,” anchoring defensive lines and resisting enemy pushes.

    Assault Heavy Identity: The Object 265-II is designed to advance under fire, using its exceptional protection to absorb shots while moving into positions where its twin guns create overwhelming local superiority.

    Direction Commitment: Limited mobility forces careful initial planning. Choose a direction at battle start, commit to it, and dominate that area through superior armor and firepower rather than attempting flexible repositioning.

    Corner Control: The rear-turret configuration excels at corner fighting and side-scraping. Position at critical corners and deny enemy access through devastating 880 HP salvos when they attempt to push.

    Armor-Supported Gameplay: The excellent armor enables aggressive positioning that would be suicidal for less protected vehicles. Trust the armor, advance confidently, and punish enemies who challenge your position.


    Tactical Considerations

    The Object 265-II’s unique characteristics create specific tactical opportunities:

    Salvo Preparation Timing: Anticipate when enemies will peek and prepare salvos before they appear. The 3-second preparation time demands prediction rather than reaction.

    Corner Positioning: Leverage the rear-turret geometry by positioning at corners where side-scraping creates maximum advantage. The Object 265-II dominates corner fights.

    Range Management: Accept the poor gun performance and operate at close range where accuracy matters less. The Object 265-II is a close-quarters brawler, not a sniper.

    Initial Direction Selection: Choose your starting direction carefully based on map, team composition, and enemy lineup. The limited mobility makes changing your mind mid-battle nearly impossible.

    Independent vs. Salvo Fire: Fire guns independently for sustained DPM against multiple targets or when salvo overkill is likely. Reserve salvos for critical moments or high-value targets.


    Playstyle Implications

    The Object 265-II rewards commanders who embrace patient, armor-supported brawling:

    Patience Over Impulse: Poor gun handling punishes hasty shots. Wait for full aim despite the long aim time—landing devastating hits matters more than firing frequently.

    Armor Trust: The excellent armor enables aggressive plays. Don’t hide—advance, absorb fire, and deliver crushing responses through the twin guns.

    Terrain Acceptance: Accept the 5-degree depression limitation and avoid hills or slopes. Seek flat ground and urban areas where the Object 265-II’s strengths dominate.

    Salvo Discipline: Don’t waste 880 HP salvos on low-HP targets or fully-armored opponents. Reserve massive burst damage for medium-HP enemies or critical position-breaking moments.

    Commanders looking to master the Object 265-II should consider:

    • Planning initial direction based on map terrain—favor flat areas and avoid hilly maps
    • Practicing salvo preparation timing to have devastating firepower ready when enemies peek
    • Mastering rear-turret side-scraping geometry to dominate corner fights
    • Accepting poor gun handling and operating at close range where accuracy limitations matter less
    • Trusting the excellent armor to advance confidently under fire
    • Managing independent gun fire versus coordinated salvos based on battlefield situations
    • Committing to positions knowing retreat is difficult with 12 km/h reverse speed
    • Understanding that the 5-degree depression prevents effective ridge-line fighting

    Community Reception

    Initial community reactions to the Object 265-II reveal polarized perspectives:

    “Better Than Object 265T”: Community comments immediately noted the Object 265-II “is literally just better original – obj 265T, just by having 440dmg instead of 390,” suggesting the twin-gun system with higher alpha is viewed favorably compared to the reverse autoloader variant.

    Gun Handling Concerns: Vortex Gaming’s assessment that “its aim time is very long and dispersion is very poor at 0.42” combined with “its slow mobility and poor gun performance” leading to it being “challenging to play” generated discussions about whether the devastating firepower compensates for severe handling limitations.

    Twin-Gun Interest: The dual 122mm configuration generated significant enthusiasm, with players viewing the twin-barrel system as creating genuinely unique gameplay compared to standard heavy tanks.

    Mobility Criticism: The 35 km/h forward and 12 km/h reverse speeds drew immediate criticism, with concerns that the limited mobility combined with poor gun handling creates frustrating experiences where the vehicle struggles to reach effective positions.

    “Flood of Tanks” Fatigue: Community comments noted frustration with “a flood of tanks being spammed” while core game issues remain unaddressed, viewing the Object 265-II as part of a broader pattern rather than a welcome addition.


    What Sets the Object 265-II Apart

    The Object 265-II occupies a unique position in the Tier IX heavy tank landscape:

    Twin-Gun System: The dual 122mm configuration with independent fire and coordinated salvo modes creates gameplay fundamentally different from conventional single-gun heavy tanks.

    880 HP Salvo Devastation: The ability to deliver 880 HP of damage in a single coordinated strike is nearly unmatched at Tier IX and rivals Tier X super-heavy firepower.

    Rear-Turret Side-Scraping: The rear-mounted turret configuration creates side-scraping geometry unavailable to center-turret or forward-turret vehicles, enabling unique corner-fighting advantages.

    Excellent All-Around Armor: The combination of excellent hull and turret armor creates a vehicle that confidently holds positions through sheer durability rather than mobility or gun depression.

    Extreme Specialization: The Object 265-II represents extreme specialization—devastating in close-quarters corner fights on flat terrain, but severely handicapped on open maps or hilly terrain where its limitations dominate.


    What’s Next?

    As a Supertest vehicle, the Object 265-II’s characteristics remain subject to adjustment. Key questions for testing include:

    • Will the 0.42 dispersion be improved to reduce frustration, or is this the intended trade-off for 880 HP salvos?
    • Can the aim time be shortened to enable more responsive gameplay?
    • Does the 35 km/h mobility enable the Object 265-II to reach effective positions before battles develop?
    • Will the 5-degree gun depression be increased to improve terrain versatility?
    • How do the reload timings work for independent fire versus salvo mode?
    • Will this be a premium vehicle, reward tank, or alternative branch to the Object 265T?
    • Can the Object 265-II perform adequately on open or hilly maps where its limitations are most pronounced?

    Final Thoughts

    The Object 265-II represents one of the most specialized vehicles to enter World of Tanks Supertest. By combining twin 122mm guns capable of devastating 880 HP salvos with excellent armor and rear-turret side-scraping geometry, Wargaming has created a vehicle that absolutely dominates in its preferred element—close-quarters urban combat on flat terrain—while struggling significantly outside these conditions.

    For commanders who appreciate position-holding gameplay, enjoy devastating burst damage, and can work within severe mobility and gun handling limitations, the Object 265-II offers unique appeal. The twin-gun system creates tactical decisions unavailable to conventional heavy tanks, and the 880 HP salvo potential provides finishing power that can change battle outcomes in single moments.

    However, the Object 265-II demands enormous compromises. The 0.42 dispersion is genuinely terrible and creates frustrating missed shots even at close range. The very long aim time forces extended exposure to achieve fully-aimed accuracy. The 35 km/h forward and 12 km/h reverse speeds create positioning commitment that punishes mistakes severely. The 5-degree gun depression prevents effective terrain exploitation and forces the vehicle into flat-ground engagements where its advantages matter most.

    The initial direction commitment requirement—choosing where to fight at battle start and being locked into that decision—creates high-pressure strategic choices where poor reads of battlefield development lead to ineffective battles. Maps with abundant hills, long sight lines, or open terrain will likely generate frustrating experiences where the Object 265-II’s limitations overwhelm its strengths.

    Whether you’re excited about twin 122mm guns delivering 880 HP salvos or skeptical about whether excellent armor compensates for terrible gun handling and limited mobility, the Object 265-II undeniably offers something extreme. If Wargaming successfully balances the gun performance, mobility, and specialization trade-offs, the Object 265-II could become a cult favorite for players who enjoy dominating specific map types and tactical situations absolutely.

    For those who have wanted a Soviet heavy tank with devastating burst damage and impenetrable armor, accepting severe limitations as the price, the Object 265-II might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for.


    Characteristics Are Not Final — all information sourced from World of Tanks Supertest announcements.

  • FV226 Contradictious Review – instant double shots – World of Tanks

    FV226 Contradictious Review – instant double shots – World of Tanks

    fv266 tank

    Let’s compare it to the arguably the best double shot tank in the game, the Object 703 Version 2.

    Firepower

    SpecContradictiousObj. 703 II
    DPM2,0481,952
    Penetration225221
    Damage360390
    Caliber105122
    Shell velocity1,0001,150
    Ammo capacity8040

    So the DPM is about 5% higher then the 703, but it has less alpha damage and quite a bit less shell velocity, but that makes sense since the Contradictious uses AP ammo as standard, while 703 has APCR as standard ammo. Meaning Contradictious is not a great sniper, you’ll need to give much lead to your shots.

    Not a huge advantage, but what is nice to have is such a huge amount of ammo capacity of 80 shells, makes spamming double shots that much less risky to not run out of the shells by the end of the game and also you can balance your loadout with more premium rounds.

    Let’s take a look at the new mechanic this vehicle brings to the game, the instant double shots using the siege mode. If you are fighting such a vehicle, you can actually see in which mode the tank is currently.

    fv266 single shot mode

    Single shot mode

    fv266 siege mode double shots

    Double shot mode

    So, if both barrels are open, it means the tank is in siege mode where it can shoot from the both barrels without charging. If one barrel is open, it is in single shot mode.

    Unlike the 703 for example, it can’t use both barrels when in single shot mode, you fire one shell and then reload the whole shell and then you can shoot again.

    While in siege mode, a lot of characteristics change on the vehicle:

    SpecSiege modeStandard mode
    Aim time3.36s2.11s
    Dispersion1.150.35
    … moving0.010.2
    … tank treverse0.010.2
    … turret treverse0.010.12
    Top speed20 km/h36 km/h

    Essentially, you get a lot slower and a lot more inacurrate while in siege mode. You also get a different reticle in this mode:

    fv266 reticle

    You get this kind of a reticle with 2 green lines on each side , each line represents a barrel.

    If a line is solid, it means it is not obstructed and has free line of fire.

    If line is dashed, it means barrel is blocked by terrain.

    While this reticle should help you out not to shoot while one of your barrels is blocked, I much prefer a standard reticle that other double barrel tanks are using.

    Mobility

    SpecFV226Obj. 703 II
    Top speed36 km/h38 km/h
    Reverse speed12 km/h15 km/h
    Power/weight1512.5
    Weight 70 tons60 tons

    Mobility wise is solid for a heavy tank, interestingly it has exactly the same ground resistances as the 703 version 2. With good power to weight ratio it reaches the top speed without any problems, but the reverse speed is quite slow and it will be hard to disengage.

    Armor

    SpecFV226Obj. 703 II
    Hull armor150/70/60140/100/60
    Turret armor250/120/90220/120/90

    While the 703’s turret and hull are really good for a tier 8, the Contradictious has even better hull and turret that will be hard to penetrate even for tier 9s and 10s.

    fv266 frontal armor

    It has around 230 mm of effective armor in main part of the hull, the lower plate has around 160 mm, so it can be penned even by tier 7s quite reliably. The hull armor on the front can take quite a beating from lower and same tier tanks, they will have hard time going through it with standard ammo.

    Turret is the star of the show, around 330 mm of armor, even gold rounds from tier 10s will not penetrate most of the time which is amazing. At the top you have 2 weakspots around with 150 mm of armor, also they are visible when using your gun depression.

    fv266 using gun depression armor

    If you are going to use all 10 degrees of gun depression, your hull becomes godlike, with around 340 mm of effective armor. This tank is an absolute god on the ridgeline, like a Krangvagn on tier 10.

    fv266 side armor

    Side and rear tho are very weak indeed, even some HESH rounds will be able to go through your armor.

    Miscellaneous

    SpecFV226Obj. 703 II
    Stationary camo3.486.27
    After firing0.691.19
    Moving camo1.773.13
    Shell cost1,2001,180
    View Range370350

    This tank has absolutely terrible camo rating, you will get spotted by anything everytime, but at least you are not as blind as the 703 with 370 meters view range, still nowhere a good view range tho.

    Shell cost is quite high also when you consider that it has 30 less alpha damage and it’s still more expensive then 703’s shells. It does impact the profitability of the vehicle.

    Tips

    Ridgelines make you a god in equal tier games, use them as much as possible, the only tank that could run your day is something like the BZ-176 with HE rounds.

    You are a lot more accurate with the single shot mode, use it on middle to long ranges, while in close quarter combat you can rely more on the siege mode with double shots.

    Since you don’t have the ability to use both of the barrels in the single shot mode, you are not as strong to hold your own in tricky situations such as the 703 can. Stick to your teammates to support you when you are reloading especially double shots.

    Conclusion

    Overall a great tier 8 premium heavy and a good credit maker. Gun is reliable source of dealing damage on longer ranges with great accuracy with single shots, while it can deal devastating amounts on damage with double shots in close range engagements. Packed with best in class turret armor, it can whittle down it’s opponents on the ridgeline with ease.

    Check our review of the another 2024 lootbox tank:

  • FV230 Canopener Review – New hulldown king? – World of Tanks

    FV230 Canopener Review – New hulldown king? – World of Tanks

    fv230 canopener tank

    Firepower

    SpecCanopenerST-II
    DPM2,6282,458
    Penetration258258
    Gold Pen318 APCR310 HEAT
    Alpha Dmg420440
    Reload time9.5910.74
    Caliber120122
    Shell velocity1,050940
    Ammo capacity8040

    FV230 packs a good firepower, a better DPM then ST-II by a quite a margin, but has a bit lower alpha damage, so the double shots won’t be devastating as they can be on the soviet counterpart.

    Shell velocity is better by around 100 m/s, not a big difference, but it will be easier to snipe at longer ranges then that would be the case with the ST-II. Amount of shells you can carry is 80 which is really nice, you don’t have to worry about running out of ammo when constatntly using the double shots.

    Gun Handling

    SpecCanopenerST-II
    Aim time1.92s2.88s
    Dispersion0.320.38
    … moving0.160.14
    … tank traverse0.160.14
    … turret traverse0.120.06
    Depression108
    Elevation2020

    It’s a pretty interesting situation here when it comes to the gun handling, Canopener has actually amazing aim time and dispersion values for a heavy tank, feels more like something that a sniping medium or TD would have.

    Bad part about the gun handling are the dispersion values when not stationary, especially the turret traverse dispersion which is double then what the ST-II has. It is quite annoying when you have such a big dispersion even with good aim time, with any slight movements you’ll have to take your time again to aim.

    Gun depression is standard for a UK heavy at 10 degrees, while not as flexible as some of the tanks with 12 degrees, you are still very capable of working a ridgeline.

    Mobility

    SpecCanopenerST-II
    Forward speed34 km/h40 km/h
    Reverse speed14 km/h13 km/h
    Power/weight13.8912.12
    Turret traverse31.2923.99
    Tank traverse22.9527.12
    Terrain resist (hard)1.051.15
    … (medium)1.251.53
    … (soft)2.212.59

    Canopener feels more mobile eventhough the stats when compared are mixed. Primarily because of the better power to weight ratio and better ground resistances allowing the vehicle to reach and keep the speed a lot easier then the ST-II can.

    The only area where the tank does feel sluggish is the top speed at only 34 km/h, turbo is a must on this tank otherwise it will take you ages to reach positions or relocate.

    Armor

    SpecCanopenerST-II
    Hull armor200/100/40150/140/100
    Turret armor 260/110/70325/160/160
    Health2,4002,500

    This is the highlight of the vehicle, on paper the hull seems a lot better frontally then it is on the ST-II, but the turret is not that well armored all around as it is on the russian tank.

    fv230 tank front armor layout

    FV230 Canopener

    st2 tank front armor layout

    ST-II

    This is kinda how the armor layout looks like when you compare these 2 tanks side by side. Hull is a lot more solid on the canopener, you will need good gold rounds to get through the front part of the hull reliably.

    Both tanks have similar weakspot locations, the commander’s hatch on the right side of the turret, driver’s hatch in the middle of the hull and the lower plate.

    fv230 tank front armor layout

    All of these weakspot areas have around 200 mm of effective armor, you should be able to pen them with standard rounds from tier 8 heavies.

    fv230 tank front armor layout when using gun depression

    When using it’s gun depression, this tank is an absolute monster frontally, turret cheeks and upper plate is around 370 mm thick while the manlet is in some places over 500 mm. Only tank destroyers with HEAT rounds will have a chance penetrate this kind of armor.

    Also worth nothing is, when using the gun depression, the commander’s and driver’s hatch are no longer weakspots.

    fv230 tank side armor layout

    Side is where the armor falls apart pretty much, it’s very flat without any spaced armor, high penetrating HE and HESH shells will be able to go trough your side.

    fv230 tank back armor layout

    Rear is disgustingly weak at only 40 mm and very flat, light tanks will give you a lot of trouble if they get behind you, especially the autocannon light tanks will obliterate you.

    Miscellaneous

    SpecCanopenerST-II
    Stationary camo4.276.67
    … after firing0.771.20
    Moving camo2.163.36
    View Range390390
    Fire chance20%15%
    Shell cost1,0841,130

    While camo is not really a characteristic important for a heavy tank, it worth noting that Canopener has a horrible camo in every area, combine this with weak view range for a tier 10, most of the tanks will outspot you fairly easily.

    Conclusion

    A very strong tank, great frontal armor, very good gun handling, mobile enough to get into positions and relocate. It might be one of the best heavies actually once it gets released, if it gets released with these stats. Minor adjustments might happen before the final release.

    When it comes to how to deal with it if you face it, you can’t really beat it on the ridgeline, you just don’t have enough penetration to go through this monster, best bet is to flank it and use the HE rounds to cripple it.

    Check out reviews of other tank on this site:

  • FV224 Chopper Review – World of Tanks

    FV224 Chopper Review – World of Tanks

    fv244 chopper tank from the side

    Firepower

    CharacteristicChopperT29
    DPM1,869.271,517.09
    Penetration204198
    Damage230320
    Rate of fire8.134.74
    Reload time7.3812.66
    Caliber83.40105
    Shell velocity930945
    Ammo capacity8063
    Potential damage18,40020,160

    Around 1,8k DPM is good for a tier 7 heavy tank, it’s much better then what T29 has, also Chopper has a slight edge when it comes to the penetration.

    Alpha damage is on the low side with only 230 damage per shot, you will have to expose yourself a lot in order to deal consistent damage if you are not going to have a lot of opportunities for double shots. Thankfully the ammo capacity should be high enough so you don’t run out of shells if you are going to be using a lot of double shots.

    Gun Handling

    CharacteristicChopperT29
    Aim time2.112.59
    Dispersion0.350.40
    … damaged0.690.81
    … moving0.200.22
    … tank traverse0.200.22
    … turret traverse0.120.18
    … firing44
    Elevation2015
    Depression1010

    Gun handling is beautiful on this tank, really good aim time at 2.11 seconds, great dispersion at 0.35 and decent dispersion when moving. It also has full 10 degrees of gun depression to work those ridgelines.

    Mobility

    CharacteristicChopperT29
    Forward speed3435
    Reverse speed1212
    Weight60,00064,499
    Power/weight1313.11
    Terrain resist (hard)1.151.05
    Terrain resist (med)1.251.44
    Terrain resist (soft)1.822.49
    Turret traverse31.2927.12
    Tank traverse22.9523.99

    Chopper seems to be a little bit more mobile then the T29 eventhough it has 1 km/h less, it makes up with ground resistances on medium and soft terrains. It enables the tank to reach the top speed and maintain it with decent power to weight ratio.

    Tank traverse is not the best at only 23 degrees a second and turret traverse at 31, more nimble light and medium tanks will be able to outmaneuver you.

    Armor

    CharacteristicChopperT29
    Hull armor130 / 60 / 40102 / 76 / 51
    Turret armor180 / 70 / 45279.4 / 127 / 102
    Health1,3001,250
    fv244 chopper front armor layout

    FV224 Chopper

    t29 front armor layout

    T29

    Armor is not this tank’s strong side, especially when not using it’s gun depression. Hull is comparable to the T29, but the turret is nowhere near as good as on T29.

    fv244 chopper front armor upper plate thickness

    Weakspot wise, you have a choice between the commander’s hatch or the drivers hatch in the center of the upper plate. Both spots are 140 mm thick.

    fv244 chopper front armor lower plate thickness

    Interesting thing here is that the lower plate is actually stronger then the upper plate for about 10 mm of effective armor. Therefore if you are facing this tank in a tier 6 tank with around 175 mm of penetration, you have a better chance of damaging the enemy by hitting the upper plate.

    fv244 chopper front turret armor thickness

    Turret is not really solid either, forehead and cheeks are around 180-190 mm thick.

    fv244 chopper front armor layout when using the gun depression

    While using the gun depression, situation is better, you are hiding your weakpoint on top of the turret, hull armor is now around 215 mm thick.

    You can still penetrate the tank while in this position into the driver’s hatch in the center of the vehicle because even at this angle it has 140 mm of effective armor.

    fv244 chopper side armor layout

    Side profile is quite large, flat and poorly armored, only around 60 mm of effective armor, high tier tanks will be able to pen your side with HE or HESH rounds.

    fv244 chopper rear armor layout

    Rear of the tank is much of the same, pennable with HE and HESH rounds, autocannon light tanks will demolish you if they manage to flank you.

    Miscellaneous

    CharacteristicChopperT29
    Stationary camo8.094.79
    … after firing1.821.05
    Moving camo4.052.39
    … after firing0.910.53
    View range360370
    Radio range460777.03
    Fire chance20%20%
    Tank cost1,500,0001,450,300
    Shell cost3651,009

    Actually the stationary camo is almost double as good as it’s on the T29 which is suprising as the tank is not that much smaller then the american counterpart.

    Seems like there is a trend with this radio range on UK double barrel heavies, once again it’s a lot worse then tanks on the same tier have.

    Coated optics will be a must because of the bad 360 meters view range otherwise you’ll be blind.

    Shell cost is low considering the alpha damage, good for the free to play

    Conclusion

    It’s a decent tier 7 tank with good DPM, decent mobility, great gun handling and usable armor especially on the ridgeline. There are no areas really where the tank is really bad, in our opinion it is one of the better heavies at this tier. Fighting tier 8s and 9s will be more of a challenge, they can pen you anywhere frontally and with such a low alpha damage it will be really hard to trade or even shut down higher tier enemies.

    Check out our other reviews: