View from a useless noob (that is trying to get better

canofbees, on 14 November 2013 - 12:44 PM, said: Firstly a big thank you to everyone who posts advice and guides. As a newcomer I do try to take on what I can and it is really helping me in the game.
There is lots of advice from better players to help the newcomer, so I thought I would give some feedback as a noob to show where I have gone wrong.  
At the start you watch the tutorial and dive in, panic as soon as you see an enemy tank and get blown up.
You try out a few different tanks and the same thing happens. Medium 1 and 2 seem to pop on first shot in. I decided I needed a bit more armour to at least survive a few shots so went down the French line of tanks which seem to have more than most. Problem is I was not getting any better as a player and ended up with a level III tank AMX38 which lasts a few shots but is otherwise useless (well it is with me at the controls).  I was always the bottom gun on level III games and just kept getting killed.
We were given a T7 car which was good experience to try the speed and rapid fire but with little armour I was poor. Tried a T18 but for a noob they are tricky and I was just not quick enough to swing it round and so kept getting hit from behind.
I seemed to hit problems at every turn.  This was also not helped as I was trying to get a better tank but neglecting the crew.
Lately I have settled on a PZ Kpfw II with the Flak gun on it. This seems to pitch me into all level II games or II/III games which seem fine.
While not the fastest the tank takes a few hits and feels OK. While more experienced may be able to work around load and aim times the noob has difficulties so this tank is fine on both.  
I am still rubbish (yes I admit I am officially "very bad") but it was 480 and is now 840 and I did get 3 kills in one game. That I am sure sounds pathetic to most of you but it was a great change to getting popped in the first minute.
I am playing free so have no shortcuts. Plan is to stick with the the PZii and get the crew up to 100% (not far off now) and stay in II or III games. Is that a good plan?
I am really not sure where to go from there as the two tank options from the PZii are  PZiiiA or PZii G which although quicker are both a bit weaker in armour.
Hopefully I will get better and keep at it. Any tips on what I am doing and feedback is welcome.