Hmm... the Panzer IV F is in fact 5 seconds. Interesting. Either I completely missed it when testing or HTC changed it and did not report it in their change logs. Either way, good to know. FWIW, I'm not so sure just how accurate that is. The ammo storage, gunner position, and breach action is the same for both the F and H versions. Ah well... HTC works in mysterious ways sometimes.
I double checked the rest as well. Other than a debatable 5.35 vs 5.4 on the M4/76mm and M18, my list stands. When calculating the # seconds between shots, be sure and divide by 1 less shot fired. The first shot simply starts the timer.
In regards to reload times in any tank or gv: I can't speak for HTC but there is plenty of data out there making mention of reload times or "shots per minute" for most tanks in WWII. There are a few different factors and it is up to HTC to determine which ones to use, not use, sort of use, etc. For instance, I have 2 printed sources that both reference original German sources that say the Panther could fire "6-10 rounds a minute". Obviously, if HTC used the same references then they took the liberty of using the best possible reload time (6 seconds between shots). In the case of the Panther, the breach mechanics (manual vs auto reject, reload actions, etc), ammo magazine location, gunner and loader positions, weight of the ammo, crew experience and training, etc, all contribute to the factors in how long it takes to reload. Each and every tank can run through those characteristics and "score" itself. In terms of the M8 Greyhound, the ammo is small, light, and the gun has an auto eject. There is a video on YouTube showing British gunners in a tank in North Africa (not sure which tank) firing their 2 pdr (40mm) gun in a very quick manner, I'd say much the same if not faster than the 2.5 seconds reload we have in the M8 Greyhound. The British loader literally has a round in each hand and when the breach cleared he had the next round inserted and the breach slamming home almost in a blur. In the same motion he reached down with his empty hand (in to a box) and grabbed another round while the gunner fired and the process started over.
Other than the Panzer IV F2 and H difference (same round, same gun!), I think HTC is accurate in their reload times. I wonder about the King Tiger and the Firefly though. I know the Firefly was awkward thanks to the breach being turned °90 and the turret being cramped, but the King Tiger has a spacious turret meant to facilitate gunner/loader operations.
EDIT: I just checked the Panzer IV reload times *again*. Interesting find: the H = 6 sec, the F/1 (short barrel = 6 sec, the F/2 (long barrel) = 5 seconds. I do believe THAT is a bug, mistake, error, etc. The F2 and H have the same cartridge, the F1 had a short stubby case very similar to the US M4/75mm. If HTC wanted there to be a different reload time thrown in to the mix of the Panzer IV variant I'd like to think they would have given the F1 a slightly less reload time thanks to the smaller ammo. *shrugs*
