Thinking on a few tank games, advice? [Archive]

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Lootron

09-15-17, 09:31 AM

Noticied Panzer Elite is cheap on GOG.

So, I thought of this website. Im more of looking for WW2 tank games.
So which ones do you think are best? And if panzer elite is in you answer, can you also put some info on mods and extra setup for windows 10? also thinking of getting panzer elite action :03:

I'm also looking at Steel Fury

:salute:

33lima

09-15-17, 12:57 PM

You have probably seen this thread, already:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=233151

This is absolutely the place to go for advice on Panzer Elite, Windows 10, the meaning of life etc etc:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/index.php?sid=371af8b7180843db80138b3ab363aebb

I assume that your ref to Panzer Elite Action was in jest, unless you are after an arcade game with tanks (each to their own, no moral judgements made here).

More realistic games with WW2 tanks I would NOT recommend for someone interested in a tanksim:

Iron Front Liberation 1944, or ARMA mods - a good WW2 soldier sim and the tanks and other AFVs are beautiful to behold, but a tank simulator it's not - if you have played Op Flashpoint/ARMA/ARMA2 you will understand: https://combatace.com/forums/topic/89455-fire-and-movement/

WW2 Battle Tanks - T-34-v-Tiger - good-looking, a great simulator of the (operation of) the two tanks in question, but very little mission content, little-to-no ability to add any, very sub-par AI, and apart from some intercom traffic, non-existent command, control and comms. A fuller take on it is here: https://combatace.com/forums/topic/82666-t-34-versus-tiger/

Buy 'em and try 'em is my advice, if you can get 'em cheaply enough.

PE is in many technical respects a better tanksim than SF:K42. Both need mods to be at anything like their best. You'll have noticed that SF:K42 has much better graphics, especially terrain and representation of infantry, field defences and crew-served weapons. And IMHO better stock missions (in that they generally represent more realistically company-level all-arms operations). PE is much better for its scope and for its related campaign elements, stock or modded, and has much better command, control and comms.

IMHO, anyone with a serious interest in fighting WW2 armoured battles on the PC just has to have these two, whatever else they may try or buy. If I had to choose one, I wouldn't.

Lootron

09-15-17, 08:40 PM

Well, I really like arcade games! :doh: :)

Why not get both Panzer Elite and Steel Fury?

And yes I have seen that post. Your pics really drew me in!

Skybird

09-16-17, 04:30 AM

:salute:
Don't, I had Steel Fury many years ago, and found it quite dissapointing.

I know you said WW2, but the boss on the block was and is Steel Beasts Pro 4. If you want to just play some light stuff and kill some time, pick any of the several tank games around. If you want a sim, go SBP. Old school tanking without modern sensors and wepaons can be simulated by using accordingly old vehicles, SBP now includes tanks since end of WW2. You can also edit scenarios so that sensors are broken and old ammuntiions are enforced, short viewing ranges collide with killed thermal display, etc. Vehicle list in the SBP sticky thread at top pof the forum list.

33lima

09-16-17, 07:03 AM

Each to their own Skybird but I read your original assessment of Steel Fury and thought it a bit on the harsh side. Besides, even though the basic engine is today much as it was after the last patch, SF as it was back then is no basis to judge SF as it is now. It's not as good a tanksim as either SB or SABOW but many find it one of the best.

While I rate SB very highly indeed, especially for its attention to the sort of detail (like crew drills and comms) that other tanksims tend to do less well, IMHO there is no sufficiently compelling reason for anyone who wants a reasonably realistic WW2 experience to consider purchasing a tanksim, however good, that features no WW2 AFVs or units when there are good, dedicated WW2 tanksims available. Which there are.

If you want a good modern (post-WW2) tanksim, buy Steel Beasts or Steel Armor Blaze of War - each has their respective advantages, including price point, # of playable vehicles and so on.

If you want a good WW2 tanksim, buy Steel Fury or Panzer Elite, both preferably.

Lootron

09-16-17, 12:26 PM

33lima

09-16-17, 12:53 PM

Also, can you post more of your pics 33ima? They make me drool :haha: :O:

OK, here we go, Panzer Elite first - pics from some of the missions I'm making for the Britpack '44-x mod, due by the end of the year - it should have vehicles with more 3d tracks and suspensions:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_936/gallery_66801_936_46132.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_87513.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_23559.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_98572.jpg

US Shermans in 'sunny Ital-ee' from the PP2-x mod, showing models with 3d suspension:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_08_2015/post-66801-0-11542400-1439737741.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_08_2015/post-66801-0-17305300-1439761142.jpg

And the same mod's late-model Panzer IVs, this time in Normandy:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_11_2014/post-66801-0-58833400-1416439176.jpg

33lima

09-16-17, 01:05 PM

Now Steel Fury - except the first one; couldn't resist sneaking in an M60 from SABOW:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_1047/gallery_66801_1047_46204.jpg

Now Steel Fury, starting with a couple of scenes from a Jagdtiger mission I made for the 'Schulze's Diary' campaign.

Schulze leads his three Jagdtigers into position covering the bridge he must defend until the Panthers and grenadiers of 2 SS Panzer arrive:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_54387.jpg

Schulze's gunner lines up the leading platoon of Shermans as they roll towards the bridge:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_205241.jpg

A scene from the post-battle review, showing US infantry, half-tracks and the Pershings which arrived later, stalled on the western side of the bridge:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_7343.jpg

Michael Witmann surveys the next bound before advancing up to the N175, north of Villers Bocage:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_08_2015/post-66801-0-87157100-1438553363.jpg

Later in the battle, Witmann passes a burning enemy carrier as he flanks the stalled British column at Villers Bocage:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_08_2015/post-66801-0-96750900-1438971516.jpg

Panthers at Prokhorovka:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_05_2014/post-66801-0-92778600-1400945771.jpg

Stock German campaign:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_09_2015/post-66801-0-92022900-1442355116.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_09_2015/post-66801-0-96803600-1442431954.jpg

King Tigers in a winter mission:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_04_2014/post-66801-0-17338800-1398614019.jpg

In an earlier battle, Schuzle finds himself on Hill 226, up against the Churchills of the Scots Guards:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_80080.jpg

IS-3 seen through a comrade's gunner's sight

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_60761.jpg

Next three are from 'Do your Job!', a mission in Lockie's campaign based on the movie 'Fury':

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_02_2016/post-66801-0-52124200-1455229466.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_02_2016/post-66801-0-10422700-1455307503.jpg

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_02_2016/post-66801-0-99723300-1455307619.jpg

Michael Witmann's gunner's view of a Cromwell at Villers Bocage:

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_34440.jpg

Lootron

09-16-17, 01:23 PM

Thank you! Im about to get panzer elite. I would like to know anythinga bout compatibilty for Windows 10 64-bit. Also, What is the primary sites for mods and the most popular mod?

Panzer Elite on the way! :D

Aktungbby

09-16-17, 01:32 PM

Lootron!:Kaleun_Salute:

Lootron

09-16-17, 02:07 PM

Lootron!:Kaleun_Salute:

Thanks! Any advice for a complete noob to tank sims and panzer elite?

Skybird

09-16-17, 04:14 PM

Thanks! Any advice for a complete noob to tank sims and panzer elite?

Stay low, drive in valleys, not over ridges and hilltops.

Remain formation and unit cohesion, if your chosen sim allows that.

Depending on your chosen sim, do not stay in place once the enemy has spotted your position (artillery...).

Learn that difference in viewing angles from (from top to bottom) TC unbuttoned, TC buttoned, gunners primary sight, gunners secondary sight. That you see something something as TC or in gunners primary sights does not mean that the gun barrel already has cleared any obstacles in front of the tank.

If manual distance callibration of optics is allowed by your chosen sim, dial in expected combat distance before you make contact, not after establishing contact. Get off the first (aimed) shot before the enemy, but dont perforate the air. Especially modern tanks run out of ammo unbelievably fast.

If reloading, go into cover. If reshuffling ammo from stores to ready racks, withdraw from the firing line completely.

Have situational awareness, always. Know where your buddies are, always.

No headlights at night. :) There are tank "sims" that use them excessively in night battles.

NEVER underestimate Russians. :)

Keep on mind: "Static defences are monuments for the stupidity of man."

Lootron

09-16-17, 06:43 PM

Stay low, drive in valleys, not over ridges and hilltops.

Remain formation and unit cohesion, if your chosen sim allows that.

Depending on your chosen sim, do not stay in place once the enemy has spotted your position (artillery...).

Learn that difference in viewing angles from (from top to bottom) TC unbuttoned, TC buttoned, gunners primary sight, gunners secondary sight. That you see something something as TC or in gunners primary sights does not mean that the gun barrel already has cleared any obstacles in front of the tank.

If manual distance callibration of optics is allowed by your chosen sim, dial in expected combat distance before you make contact, not after establishing contact. Get off the first (aimed) shot before the enemy, but dont perforate the air. Especially modern tanks run out of ammo unbelievably fast.

If reloading, go into cover. If reshuffling ammo from stores to ready racks, withdraw from the firing line completely.

Have situational awareness, always. Know where your buddies are, always.

No headlights at night. :) There are tank "sims" that use them excessively in night battles.

NEVER underestimate Russians. :)

Keep on mind: "Static defences are monuments for the stupidity of man."

With panzer elite, and with the manual, it has taken me all day figuring out the camera! I still cant figure it out! :P

Also, I was more looking for "how do I shoot" more than "when to shoot"

Also Looking for mods. Ostpak seems best. Or is it panzer elite three? Well anyway I found the link but the domain is gone. Anybody have a download?

33lima

09-17-17, 04:58 AM

This is the the best place to ask about all aspects of PE and its mods - the current forum of the Panzer Elite Development Group:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/index.php?sid=371af8b7180843db80138b3ab363aebb

Their website is here: http://pedg.chollie.co.uk/ It's a bit old now but still has links to stuff like my British Voice Pack, and a 1943-era British tank manual, mainly aimed at levels higher than troop/platoon.

PEDG is the group that produced the mods that were released with Panzer Elite Special Edition, including the original Ostpak, Britpack '44, Torch, Panzer Pack 2 and Monty-v-Rommel. Newer versions of most of these are available or in development - details on the forum above.

There is a gunnery range mission somewhere.

My advice once you have the vanilla game installed and the 1.2 patch applied (n/k if it comes with the GoG version) to d/l, enable and play with mods which are built with the new .exe file. You don't want to be without the things it adds, like better tank and infantry AI and proper time of flight for ballistic trajectories (the big flaws in the stock game).

Learn gunnery (and everything else - including handling your tank and later, controlling the others in your platoon) in the Instant Action mode. Pick the German side and a Tiger or King Tiger (both for your own tank and as 'wingmen') - that will mean you have to worry less about being knocked out while you are figuring out how not to be. If your command tank is KO'ed you are automatically and rather quickly transferred to the next tank in your platoon.

Learn the German gunner's sight first. Usually it has two zoom settings. Even if your German is no better than mine, the original Tigerfibel is quite a good source on this and gunnery, generally: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Waffen/Merkblatt/Die_Tigerfiebel_Handbuch_des_deutschen_Tiger_Panze rs_.pdf

Google will also turn oup other advice on German tank sights. With PE-x mods you can correct your aim from observation of the tracer as well as from fall of shot.

Listen to the target indications you get on the intercom/radio net, and see displayed on the text panel bottom of screen.

Switch to the external view from time to time to get a better picture of what is going on around you.Learn the keys to swap between this view and gunner's sight view so you can do so quickly.

Consider playing from the tank commander's view so you are not frequently viewing the world through a drinking straw. You can designate targets by mouseclick, and your AI gunner will engage. Or you can just tell him (not just the platoon) to 'fire at will' - he is very good ay identifying targets for himself, depending on skill level.

Start every battle by immediately turning your tank to face the enemy while at the same time driving into the best cover that you can get into quickly. As your tank moves, order your platoon into wedge or line, so that they too will orient their thickest armour and primary arcs of observation towards the threat (sadly in PE the AI tanks are not good at getting into cover for themselves but you soon learn to try to lead them all into cover).

Avoid closing with enemy armour more than you have to, to engage them, as you will get flanked faster.

Try to get into folds in the ground from which you can see and shoot the enemy but where you are 'hull down', with much of your tank out of their fields of fire and only your turret showing.

After a few rounds, back up out of sight - if there is no cover from structures or in the lie of the land, you can pop smoke in most tanks to give you a small smoke screen, and in some tanks fire smoke shells at an enemy as in 'Fury'. Then come at him from a different angle so he's not homing in on you. Watch your flanks because he will try to flank you and if you sit too long in one place he will succeed.

33lima

09-17-17, 05:09 AM

As for mods for Panzer Elite, the ones I would recommend are:

- Britpack '44-x (when it is ready!!!)

- Monty -v- Rommel 2: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/viewtopic.php?p=13716#p13716

- PP2-x: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/pp2-x-f52/

or

- Ostpak Redux: https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/ostpak-redux-beta-released-download-links-t2514.html

PE3 is/was I think an effort to include 'nearly everything' in one mod which it did, though it had some issues and it sacrificed some of what each mod brought eg IIRC no playable Crusader tanks in N Africa, with Valentines substituted. Ostpak Redux is effectively an update of PE3.

Good hunting!

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_05_2017/post-66801-0-05783400-1494010401.jpg

33lima

09-17-17, 06:02 AM

No headlights at night. :) There are tank "sims" that use them excessively in night battles.

Your dig at a certain non-Steel Beasts tanksim is I think out-of-date, given appropriate orders, Skybird:

Iraqi Army T-62 advancing at night, in Steel Armor Blaze of War:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_2017_09/large.shot_2017_09_17_11_53_29_0001.jpg.c85906f6ba fb12e44b5faba485433196.jpg

And the view of the same scene from the TC's sight - active IR (which can also be turned off) is the only lighting being used:

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_2017_09/large.shot_2017_09_17_11_53_17_0000.jpg.2f192a521c ff19b29889a9670ffed879.jpg

Lootron

09-17-17, 01:02 PM

33lima

09-18-17, 01:27 PM

I got PP2-x. I used the mod enabler, everything installed correctly. Except when I get to the mod enabler. I enabled the mod. The bar progressed a little bit then it went into "not responding" mode. I did this more than once. While it did this it took all my disk usage.

IIRC the Mod Enabler does this with larger mods, and PP2-x is a larger mod. In Vista 64 anyway, leave it alone long enough and it will complete, even though reporting 'not responding'.

It's important to be aware that - unlike most other games which use a similar mod enabler - in PE, the mods are two folders deep. For example in my case, the path in which PP2-x is installed looks like this (I installed NOT into the Program Files(x64) folder, as many older games don't like this):

C:\PanzerElite\Mods\PP2-x\PP2.x

Without the second 'PP2-x' level, the enabler will not put the files into the correct folders. If PP2-x has its own self-installer and it was given the corrrect path, it probably took care of this. Was probably fine as you could see the mod in the enabler's LH panel.

When you launch the Mod Enabler now, does any mod show up as enabled in the RH panel?

What happens if you start Panzer Elite? IIRC there will be something on the home/main menu screen indicating the name of the active mod (if the maker has designated one in the mod's .ini file).

Not sure what state aborting a run then re-starting will leave things in. If run again and alllowed to finish, it might work fine. But might not 'disable' cleanly. Worst case scenario, uninstall PE, delete any remaining folders, re-install.

Becomes second nature after the first time!

Best place for further advice is the PEDG forum.

Lootron

09-18-17, 01:50 PM

33lima

09-18-17, 02:37 PM

I got the mod working and it is GREAT!

Question: My wingmen keep falling back. I end up doing everything. Why sint there an order for "follow me"? Is there a way to fix this?

Edit: Whenever I play a day scenario, all the tanks are black.

Your wingmen should follow you by default. However, if they see an enemy, and unless you have ordered them to hold fire, they will halt and engage (the wingman number turns from white to blue in the 'mousetank', when a wingman is engaging).

If you want them to stop shooting and get back into formation, select all wingmen, and then order 'Hold Fire'. If they are slow to start moving again, you can again select all, then order 'Continue'. Remember to oder 'Fire at Will' again at some point!

You can also mouse click on another tank in your platoon (the actual tank) to select him, then click on a spot on the ground, to order him 'Move there'. You can move pairs of wingmen in the same way. if you ahve set them up as groups, IIRC.

They should follow you by default, in the formation you have ordered. That's only your own platoon of course, other friendly platoons in the same scenario are following the script set by the mission maker.

Having to learn and do all this stuff is why you get paid more as a platoon leader :)

Tanks being black sounds like a texture library not loading or a mismatch between a particular texture library and the 3d files. Unless it's a particular problem with a particular tank. Suggest you register on the PEDG forum and ask there, the mod's maker Daskal, Aldo or one of the other regulars will get you sorted pronto.

Lootron

09-18-17, 03:30 PM

Your wingmen should follow you by default. However, if they see an enemy, and unless you have ordered them to hold fire, they will halt and engage (the wingman number turns from white to blue in the 'mousetank', when a wingman is engaging).

If you want them to stop shooting and get back into formation, select all wingmen, and then order 'Hold Fire'. If they are slow to start moving again, you can again select all, then order 'Continue'. Remember to oder 'Fire at Will' again at some point!

You can also mouse click on another tank in your platoon (the actual tank) to select him, then click on a spot on the ground, to order him 'Move there'. You can move pairs of wingmen in the same way. if you ahve set them up as groups, IIRC.

They should follow you by default, in the formation you have ordered. That's only your own platoon of course, other friendly platoons in the same scenario are following the script set by the mission maker.

Having to learn and do all this stuff is why you get paid more as a platoon leader :)

Tanks being black sounds like a texture library not loading or a mismatch between a particular texture library and the 3d files. Unless it's a particular problem with a particular tank. Suggest you register on the PEDG forum and ask there, the mod's maker Daskal, Aldo or one of the other regulars will get you sorted pronto.

I think it was a certain map or my game needed to be restarted, because its good now! :D

I got PP2-X and its all ready to go! Anything else I should know about? :o

:subsim:

33lima

09-18-17, 04:55 PM

All I would say is, it will likely avoid frustration if you learn the keystrokes for the things you need to do regularly. As well as the manual, there is a complete list here:

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/panzer-elite-game-controls-images-added-to-first-p-t1711.html

As there are so many, and so many of those are multi-key combos, the trick is to isolate and learn the commonly-used ones, maybe make your own list. For example, getting your tank to reverse, which you will forget the keystrokes for, just when you most need them.

Some random bits of advice:

- main keystrokes to learn (apart from reverse) are those to:
- select the whole platoon
- order (selected tanks to) fire at will
- order (.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..) hold fire
- order (.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..) to halt and to continue
- order own gunner to fire at will
- order own bow gunner to fire at will
- fire main gun
- fire co-axial MG
- formation commands for line (abreast), column, and wedge
- change views to external, gunner's sight, zoom gunner's sight where available, change range setting on gunner's sight where available, TC unbuttoned, TC binos
- choose ammo type (if you have it, use 'special AP' for heavy tank enemies)
- fire smoke mortar (if fitted);
(there are alternative text menus for commands but I find them too obtrusive visually and just use the hotkeys)

- Choose your setup options carefully - for example what is displayed on the map (I use 'show spotted units') which helps with navigation as well as who's who and where; and TC invulnerable so I don't have to worry about closing the hatch when I should;

- when the mission loads, orient your own tank the way you want to face and order your platoon into a suitable formation immediately (you may need to move forward a bit to 'give them room' to get into formation;

- also immediately, order your bow gunner to fire at will, otherwise he will not engage spotted targets;

- adopt your own style but I suggest playing mainly in the external (Ctrl+F1) view for situational awareness, dropping to the gunner's sight only when you want to shoot something (or fighting from the TC position, clicking on targets to designate them for your AI gunner);

- mouse-drag to reduce the size of the mousetank so that it is as small as you can use it and drag it to a corner where it is least conspicuous;

- when calling in artillery (from the 'Support' tab in the F12 map), remember there is a delay, so allow for any target movement as best you can. Don't expect too much if using it against enemy tanks, best kept for dealing with infantry who have weapons which will kill tanks if they're close enough eg you drive in amongst them without shelling them first;

- the F12 map tells you the victory conditions for the mission, in very explicit terms eg destroy 100% of this named enemy platoon (not so much in my missions though!);

- when advancing, be patient and do so in bounds. You can either order some wingmen to halt while the rest advance, or (faster) all advance together from cover to cover. But try to halt in a position which provides cover for your own tank and other wingmen with you eg a fold in the ground running perpendicular to your path. Observe the ground ahead for a while, before moving off again, you (and your AI crew-mates) are more likely to spot anything nasty from the halt;

- when playing many campaigns, be aware that supply may be limited by your set-up options and by game files, so you may start with five Tigers and after losses, end up with two Panzer IIIs and a couple of armoured cars. This is silly even for the German side and the game files that will come with Britpack '44-x will allow you to be re-equipped with the AFV your crews are trained to use, in each successive mission.

Again, good hunting!

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_937/gallery_66801_937_96357.jpg

Lootron

09-20-17, 09:46 AM

Thanks! Learned a lot of those things already! Except for bow mg cease fire and fire at will. One more question, where is all the stuff that came with the gog se edition? it didnt come with any mods and it didnt come with the theme! :k_confused: I didnt pirate it, so where are these hings? the mods are outdated yes, but the desktop theme seems good. I got the manual though. I also didnt get the tools and the "panzer history"

33lima

09-20-17, 01:00 PM

Strange, but PESE is that GoG says it's selling, and the thing that made the Special Edition 'special' was the inclusion of the mods - so they should be on your GoG version somewhere. On first release, the mods came on a second 'bonus' cd with the mods, a few other things like destkop wallpaper and the editors. Possibly apart from the wallpapers, I think you can now get the editors and the mods on the PEDG website...

http://pedg.chollie.co.uk/

...with some newer mods (or reworks of the original mods) instead being available on the PEDG forums...

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/pedg/index.php?sid=371af8b7180843db80138b3ab363aebb

I dunno if GoG bundled the original mods or the later ones but they and the editors (landscape, object and scenario) should all be there somewhere. On the PESE 'bonus' CD, IIRC each mod was a separate self-installing zip file. If you look at the folder structure of your installation, there should be some clue, maybe a 'bonus' folder or somesuch. IIRC the panzer history was part of the paper manual.

Lootron

09-20-17, 04:03 PM

2 more questions: Can you switch control to a wingman once your tank is gone? if so, how? And can you repair your tank when it is immobilized?

read your profile, I like atlantic fleet too!

33lima

09-21-17, 01:54 PM

2 more questions: Can you switch control to a wingman once your tank is gone? if so, how? And can you repair your tank when it is immobilized?

read your profile, I like atlantic fleet too!

Yes AF's a great game, I just wish Killerfish had added some DLC content and a 'realism tweak' update before moving onto Cold Waters and the Cold War under the surface. Still love & play AF though. I have a big and IMHO justly very positive review of AF over at CombatAce and some Mission Reports there too.

https://combatace.com/uploads/gallery/album_936/gallery_66801_936_9219.jpg

In PE, when your tank is destroyed, you should find yourself instantly transported to a wingman's. If that's not happening, well I don't think it's a game settings option so maybe the mod you're playing has disabled it, in an .ini file entry somewhere that the game options menu doesn't touch - with a hand-edit of the right line, it should be possible to revert to default behaviour. Takeovers will not continue to happen after your own platoon has been ko'ed. Happens a bit fast but I much prefer being able to 'shift my flag' to another platoon tank to Steel Fury where your mission ends when your own tank or TC is clobbered.

You should also be able to switch tanks at any time to any other platoon tank. Select it - usually I click the triangle marker under its numbered box marker, in the Mousetank, which switches to an 'over the shoulder' view of the other tank, but does not execute the takeover. To do that, while in that view, hit Ctrl+J, after which you should find that this tank is now yours and responds accordingly to commands.

Sometimes - in PE3 I found this, especially - your own tank got irretrievably stuck, oftern on a very minor obstacle. And the only way to unstick it was to switch to another tank, at which point the AI who took over your former tank would get it moving again. Can also be tried in reverse, if you look back and see a wingman has got stuck.

BTW if your PP2-x Shermans don't look like this Firefly, you're missing the update which added M4s to the models treated to an update in that mod.

https://combatace.com/uploads/monthly_12_2014/post-66801-0-02459200-1418514115_thumb.jpg