GV modelling in this game is just goofy and IMHO a real problem area that with a littl work could really be improved.
All joking about SHRUBBERIES!!!! stopping tanks dead in their tracks (or even worse flipping them) aside, the effect of hits on GVs and damage needs work. I wish I had film or photos, but many many times I have shot enemy tanks at inside of 800 yards, dead center hit to the chassis of the tank from the front quarter and directly from the side, only to see NO hit sprite what-so-ever, and dirt kicked up from the ground on the other side as my round PASSED THROUGH the enemy tank with no discernable damage done at all. One night I hit an enemy M4 in this manner from approx D800 with HVAP rounds, all 3 times no damage. No ricochet, just no damage as if the round had gone right through him and hit the ground on the other side of where he was sitting. He finally figured out where I was, rotated his turret, and 1-shot killed me.
I have experienced the frustration of hits with no 'apparent' damage, including direct, close range hits on the tracks as the enemy continued to drive away. I have NOT experienced the round passing right through the enemy tank. I have not heard complaints on range about this experience either. I do hear complaints about 'no damage' hits (usually on the same frequent tankers).
That having been said, in fairness, I will admit that I have, on occasion, had the benefit of the 'dud' tank round. I don't know what I did or how I managed to get my tank in a position where the rounds were ineffective; but, there have been times where I have been hit solidly by enemy rounds (with the loud bang on my tank) only to find (to my surprise) that I am still in the fight. I obviously don't complain at my good fortune, but do complain when it is my weak round.
I would argue that it SEEMS that I shoot the 'dud' round more frequently than I receive it. The question is.... is it the "modeling" or is it something that the experienced tankers have figured out to find places where their tanks are 'less vulnerable'? I often see some of my shots that should have destroyed or at least tracked a tank (dead side shot at close range) and nothing happens. I don't see how this can be anything but program error or modeling. However, as I am not a COAD experten, I can either suck it up and accept that I occasionally benefit from the error, or I can piss and moan that the world is NOT FAIR!.
I am thinking that I take a combination of the two options.
I piss and moan, then suck it up and move on.