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BT-42

BT-42

Sweden · Light tank · Rank 1

Battle Ratings

Arcade2
Realistic1.7
Simulator1.7

These are archived ratings; check the game for current values. The history below shows recorded ratings and announced changes.

Vehicle Overview

Nation
Sweden
Class
Light tank
Rank
1
Acquisition Type
Tech Tree

View official War Thunder Wiki entry ↗

Battlefield Role

Use cover on the flanks to spot enemies and pick your shots. Use active scouting if your vehicle has it.

Strengths

Look for a covered position that gives you side shots while teammates hold the enemy’s attention.

When to spawn

Bring it to scout from cover or to attack from a new angle after losing your first vehicle.

Common Mistakes

  • Repeating the same peek. Once an enemy has your range, move to another angle before firing again. A second shot from the same opening is easier to anticipate.
  • Firing without a retreat. Choose cover you can reach during the reload. Do not cross into an enemy firing lane just to finish a damaged target.

Survivability and Armor

Crew
3 persons

Machine guns, autocannons and nearby explosions can be dangerous. Stay hidden and know how you will get out before firing.

Keep exposed sides and the fighting compartment behind cover. Check the incoming round and impact angle in Protection Analysis before relying on the armor.

Ammunition

akr 32/41 · HE

Use against exposed crews, aircraft where applicable and lightly protected targets. Avoid spending the shot on heavy frontal armor.

hkr 42/C · HEAT

Use against armor where the jet can reach the crew. Composite armor and ERA can defeat it; fences and other obstacles may trigger the shell before impact.

Ready Rack and Carry Load

Maximum capacity
22 rounds

Carry enough for the route and resupply plan. A listed first-stage capacity alone does not establish a safe spawn load or prove that another rack is empty.

Mobility

Maximum forward speed
54 km/h
Maximum reverse speed
11 km/h
Power-to-weight ratio
26.7 hp/t
Engine power
400 hp
Weight
15 t

Top speed is not cross-country pace. Check the reverse route before taking a firing position.

Optics

Gunner

Night equipment
Unknown
Magnification
1.9×–3.5×

Commander

Night equipment
Unknown

Driver

Night equipment
Unknown

Armaments

Primary weapon
114 mm Psv.H/18 howitzer
Reload
13 → 10 s

Economy

Crew training
600 SL
Expert crew
2,100 SL
Ace crew
45 GE
Ace crew research
110,000 RP
Reward multiplier · SL (AB/RB/SB)
10/20/20%
Reward multiplier · RP
100%
Total cost of modifications · RP
4,460 RP
Total cost of modifications · SL
2,690 SL

Battle Rating History

BT-42 · confirmed changes
DateGame modeBattle rating
No confirmed battle rating changes are recorded.
Archived rating records
Recorded snapshots
Date / sourceArcadeRealisticSimulator
October 8, 2026Site profile snapshot2.01.71.7
November 26, 2024Observed · Wiki archive ↗2.01.71.7
Sources and data checks

Vehicle data checked October 8, 2026. Crew optics checked October 22, 2026. Speeds use Realistic Battles values. Reload depends on crew skills and qualification; damage can reduce performance. Unknown equipment is not a confirmed absence.

Community discussion

BT-42 vehicle guide · 0 comments

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