| Type 4 70 mm AT Rocket Launcher 試製四式七糎噴進砲 | |
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| General Historical Information | |
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Type | Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher |
| Effective range | Maximum range: 750-800 metres Effective range: 50-100m |
| Ammunition | 7cm Rocket Propelled Type 4 HEAT |
| General Ingame Information | |
| Debut in FHSW | v0.5 |
| Used by | Japan |
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In 1942, the Japanese Army were seeking new infantry Anti-Tank weapons. An 13mm manual loading Anti-tank rifle , and then the 20mm Type 97 Anti-Tank rifle had already been developed. But these weapons were too heavy in weight, expensive, or ineffective against.
In 1943, Japanese forces imported the HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) technology from Germany. It was a good solution for infantry Anti-Tank weapons because its performance did not depend on projectile velocity. They developed new weapons like 40mm Type 2 AT Rifle Grenade and Type 3 Anti-Tank Grenade forthwith.
However, It caused new problems. High penetration HEAT projectiles had a larger diameter, so it becomes too heavy to fire as a rifle grenade. The army also tried to fire huge grenade from Type 97 ATR, but this solution can't avoid the ATR's high cost and heavy weight. At this time, Japanese forces encountered American Bazookas. Which were relative to their weight very powerful. Panzerschrecks were also imported about the same time. This set a new course of Japanese Anti-Tank weapons. Though, rocket weapons were not something new in Japanese army. They had already started rocket weapons development in 1932. These weapons was completed in 1943, with 7cm, 9cm, 15cm, 20cm, and 24cm version. But they fell into disrepute because of bad accuracy. Nevertheless, some were deemed accurate enough for the distances infantry realistically would fire at. So, Japanese new HEAT projector was developed on previously developed 7cm and 9cm rockets. Well, rocket projectiles has two way of stabilization. One is fin stabilized which the rockets of the M1 Bazooka utilize, rockets can like be sent spinning like a bullet out of rifled barrel. Rockets stabilized by the latter were less influenced by wind, but a rotating warhead has less penetration capability. Around that time, that effect was not well known, so the army chose the rocket shape which had the most consistent accuracy. In testing, the rocket penetrated 80mm armor. Less than both the Panzerschreck and the Bazooka, but it was still considered effective against Sherman tanks. The rocket and launcher passed trials, and adopted as "Type 4 7cm Rocket Propelled Armor Piercing Grenade" and the "Type 4 70mm Anti-Tank Rocket Launcher" (in Japanese: 試製四式七糎噴進砲) but the weapon was reserved for use on the Japanese mainland. The rocket reached a velocity 160m/s, faster than the Bazooka and Panzerschreck, and its hit ratio was estimated 60% at 100m distance. Its propellant was quickly expended after firing causing a large muzzle flash, so operators must wear a face mask which was also done when firing the Panzerschreck without its shield. Compared to the other rocket launchers it had some unique features. It had a bipod and was meant to fire while prone. And its barrel can split-off in two parts for transport. The barrels were connected by three thumbscrews. Unlike competing weapons, rockets were was ignited by striking pin, because it was easier to put into mass-production than electric devices for the Japanese industry.. Its maximum range was estimated as 750-800m, but effective range is 50-100m. So the sight has two holes for these distance.
Gameplay[]
Ingame, its bipod provides better accuracy in prone position. And, while its penetration performance is not so great, because of heavy charge, it causes very serious damage if the armour is penetrated. You will see this weapons mainly in Japan main land maps, and it replaces some of the "captured Bazooka" kits.
Trivia[]
FHSW dev article about the Type 4
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Template:Anti-Tank weapons