T-43 World of Tanks Guide

Last update: 11 May 2016

General information

Name	T-43
Type	Medium tank
Tier	VII
Armament	85mm D5T-85BM: penetration 144mm; damage 180
Armoring	Hull: 75mm/75mm/75mm, turret: 90mm/90mm/90mm
Durability	1100 health points
Mobility	Top speed: 51km/h, engine: 600HP
Role	Medium distance combat, Support tank

The T-43 is a direct descendant of the T-34-85. Just like its predecessor, this vehicle is armed with the 85mm D5T-85BM cannon and has similar top speed and maneuverability. Additionally, its armoring has been considerably improved - it is, as much as, 75mm thick, on both sides, which allows it to repel shells fired by vehicles of a lower tier. Unfortunately, its turret is just as weak is in the case of the T-34-85, and it has some annoying feature: after it receives a direct hit, occasionally it explodes - this means that the enemy has destroyed your ammo compartment in one shot.

Development, equipment, crew

Right at the outset, you will have to develop new suspension and then the turret, to mount the 85mm D5T-85BM cannon, developed for the T-34-85, as well as the V-54K engine. You do not need to develop V-2-44 the driving unit, because it will be added automatically to the list, after you unlock the T-44 medium tank.

Preferred equipment: shell rammer, improved guidance system, improved ventilation

Optional equipment: toolbox, camouflage net, Wet ammo rack.

Skills and perks: sixth sense for the commander, repair for the rest of the crew. Then, brothers in arms for the entire crew.

Weak points

In its shape, the T-43 resembles the T-34-85 and not without a reason: in spite of thicker armoring, it encounters stronger opponents and, at the same time, its weak points remain the same. The angled hull is capable of reflecting low-caliber shells of the penetration value of 100mm - it only suffices to shoot, at the T-43, at an angle of 90 degrees and you will have no problems damaging it. The turret has 90mm thick armoring and, in practice, only the misaimed shots will ricochet. At the front, it is additionally protected by the cannon armor. Unfortunately, it is not too thick and most shells, of the penetration value of 130mm should be able to penetrate it.

The ammo compartment, as is the standard, is on the right of the turret and under it, right above the floor, the engine at the back of the hull.

How to play...

...as the driver of the T-43?

• The T43 plays nearly identical with the T-34-85. Your vehicle will mainly fight in the second line and support the remaining vehicles. It is a quite universal vehicle but, it is greatly restricted by the available armament.
• You still have access to the 122mm U-11 howitzer. However, due to the frequent fights with tier seven vehicles, and higher, the penetration value available from the HEAT shells, is insufficient to defeat stronger opponents. I recommend against using this cannon with the T-43.
• The 85mm D5T-85BM cannon was a sufficient weapon against tier six vehicles - this time you will be encountering tier nine vehicles, which is why it is necessary to use premium shells. Unfortunately, just like the 122mm U-11 howitzer, this weapon is insufficient against heavier vehicles.
• While fighting against tier five vehicles, you can rely on your armoring -after it is angled, you should sustain no damage from them.
• While fighting tier six vehicles, you need to be more careful - some of the vehicles will have problems penetrating your armor, if angled (e.g. the American M4A3E8), where the others will, nearly always, deal damage to you (e.g. the KV-1S). Your weapon will be able to damage any opponent that you encounter.
• While fighting tier seven tanks, and higher, your role boils down to supporting the heavier vehicles. You should focus on destroying light and medium tanks that try to get at your artillery and, should the opportunity arise, fire at the sides of the enemy heavy vehicles.
• You should fight over medium distance, between 100 and 200 meters of the opponent. While fighting over short distances, you can be easily outwitted by light tanks and your cannon is not accurate enough to win sniper duels.
• While fighting heavy tanks, you can circle them and shoot at their weak points. This tactic works well against the lonely, sluggish giants, like the KV-4, but you need to watch out for heavy tanks with high rotation speed of the turret - they will be capable of defeating you without major problems.
• Never duel with tier seven, or higher, medium tanks - they are capable of winning such a duel without major problems.
• To the extent it is possible, protect the hull against direct hits - the T-43 explodes quite frequently, as a result of damage to the ammo compartment. Additionally, you will often have to put out fire ravaging inside the vehicle.

...against the T-43?

• While on a tank of a lower tier, you need to be sure that your weapon will be capable of penetrating the T-43's armor. I also recommend against dueling, one-on-one, with this vehicle - although damage that it deals is not much higher, than in the case of the T-34-85, it has much more health points .
• While on a tank of the same, or higher, tier, you always need to expose your glacis plate to fire. The T-43 only has 144mm of penetration value and so, it will have problems damaging an angled IS, or even the Tiger, not mentioning the IS-3 or the E-75. Several well-aimed shots should turn the enemy into a steaming wreckage.
• You should watch out for the flanking T-43, because with premium shells, they are capable of damaging any vehicle.
• Just like in the case of the T-34-85, this tank is easy to de-track - it pays off to shoot at the stub wheel or the drive sprocket and finish it off with the next salvo.
• With a cannon of a larger caliber (e.g. 122mm) you can aim at the point where ammo is stored, in hope of destroying the enemy in one shot.