Author: Lone_Sentry_Admin

Categories
German

4.7 cm Pak (t) (Skoda): Antitank Gun (Ex-Czech)

4.7 cm Pak (t) Skoda: Antitank Gun (Ex-Czech)

The 4.7 cm Skoda semi-automatic, antitank gun is now apparently obsolescent.

The tube, of monobloc construction, is threaded to take a single baffled muzzle brake and flash hider; the rear is screwed on to the breech ring. The gun recoils on vertical slides riveted to the piece. The breechblock is of the vertical sliding wedge type. The piece is cocked automatically when the breechblock is opened, but provision for cocking by hand is also made.

The recoil mechanism, housed in a cylinder above the piece, consists of a spring recuperator and a buffer cylinder containing water and glycerine.

The top carriage which pivots in traverse on the lower carriage consists of a circular steel base housing machined to hold the trunnion seats for the cradle. The traversing mechanism consists of a handwheel, flexible joint, worm and worm wheel. A grip handle acts as a separate clutch for disengaging the free traverse. The elevating mechanism has a handwheel, beveled gears, flexible joints, shaft, worm and worm wheel.

The carriage has split trails of welded steel construction spread to an angle of about 52° for firing support. In traveling position, they are locked to the axle, and the piece which is rotated through an angle of 180° rests over the trail legs. The wooden-spoked wheels are fitted with steel rims and mechanical brakes which are operated by a hand lever.

The shield is rectangular with a double curve on the top and a cut-away portion for the wheels on either side. It is constructed of a thin 5 mm sheet of armor and has a rectangular sighting aperture on the left-hand side.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         47 mm (1.85 ins.)
Weight (complete) 800 lb. (approx).
Length (overall), (travelling position) 162 ins.
Length of tube 6.25 ft.
Breech mechanism Vertical sliding wedge; semi-auto.
Firing mechanism Inertia
Recoil mechanism Hydro-spring
Rifling 20 lands and grooves; R.H. twist
Muzzle velocity (A.P.) Wt. 3.6 lb.—2540 f/s
Elevation 30°
Depression -4°
Traverse 45° scaled—360° free
Ammunition H.E.; A.P. (Uncapped)
Penetration

A.P. shot against homogeneous armor
Range Thickness of armor in inches
Yards   30°   Normal
300           2.3         3.0
500   2.2 2.8
700   2.0 2.6
1000   1.8 2.4

German: p. 127

Categories
German

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 221): Light Armored Scout Car

l. Pz. Sp. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 221): Light Armored Scout Car
German nomenclature: leichter Pan­zer­späh­wagen (Sd. Kfz. 221) mit Einheits­fahr­gestell I für schwerer Pan­zer­kraft­wagen.

English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,750 kg         8,267 lb.
Pay load
Gross weight 4,000 kg 8,818 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,500 kg 3,307 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,500 kg 5,512 lb.
Length (overall) 4,800 mm 15 ft., 9 ins.
Width (overall) 1,950 mm 6 ft., 5 ins.
Height (overall) 1,700 mm 5 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance
Tread centers 1,610 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 2,800 mm 110 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability   22°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   30°
Turning radius 15/8 meters 49 ft., 2 ins./26 ft., 3 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower
Piston displacement
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   7.1 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.61

Categories
German

s. gl. gp. Pkw. (Sd. Kfz. 247): Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel Car

Pkw. Sd. Kfz. 247 Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel CarGerman nomenclature: schwerer ge­län­de­gän­gig ge­panzerte Personen­kraft­wa­gen (Sd. Kfz. 247) mit Einheits­fahr­gestell II für schwerer Panzer­kraft­wa­gen.

English designation: Heavy cross-coun­try armored personnel car with stan­dard chassis II for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,700 kg         8,157 lb.
Pay load 760 kg 1,675 lb.
Gross weight 4,460 kg 9,832 lb.
Weight: Front axle 2,260 kg 4,982 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,200 kg 4,850 lb.
Length (overall) 5,000 mm 16 ft., 5 ins.
Width (overall) 2,000 mm 6 ft., 7 ins.
Height (overall) 1,800 mm 5 ft., 11 ins.
Ground clearance 230 mm 9 ins.
Tread centers 1,640 mm 5 ft., 4 ins.
  1,640 mm 5 ft., 4 ins.
Wheelbase 3,000 mm 118 ins.
Wheel width
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity   6
Fording depth 500 mm 20 ins.
Climbing ability   21°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   35°
Turning radius 13.50/9 meters 44 ft., 3 ins./29 ft., 6 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 75 c-v 74 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 160 liters 42.2 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   6.7 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.61

Categories
German

s. gl. gp. Pkw. (Sd. Kfz. 247): Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel Car

s. gl. gp. Pkw. (Sd. Kfz. 247): Heavy Cross-Country Armored Personnel CarGerman nomenclature: schwerer ge­län­de­gän­gig ge­panzerte Personen­kraft­wa­gen (Sd. Kfz. 247) mit Fahr­gestell des leichter geländegängiger Last­kraft­wa­gen (o).

English designation: Heavy cross-country armored personnel car with special chassis of the light cross-country truck.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         4,600 kg         10,194 lb.
Pay load 600 kg 1,269 lb.
Gross weight 5,200 kg 11,463 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,400 kg 3,086 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 1,900 kg 4,188 lb.
Length (overall) 4,600 mm 15 ft., 1 in.
Width (overall) 1,960 mm 6 ft., 5 ins.
Height (overall) 1,700 mm 5 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance 240 mm 9 1/2 ins.
Tread centers 1,580 mm 5 ft., 2 ins.
  1,565 mm 5 ft., 1 in.
  1,565 mm 5 ft., 1 in.
Wheelbase 2,445/900 mm 96/35 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 71 ins.
Angle of approach 50°
Angle of departure 40°
Seating capacity 6
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability 20°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise) 50°
Overturn gradient (crosswise) 35°
Turning radius 16 meters 52 ft., 6 ins.
Trailer load 1,000 kg 2,205 lb.
Engine horsepower 65 c-v 64.1 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel, consumption 7.8 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption 4.7 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.60

Categories
German

Fu. Kw. (Kfz. 14): Radio Car

Radio Car Kfz 14 German nomenclature: Funk­kraft­wagen (Kfz. 14) mit Fahr­gestell des mittleren Pan­zer­kraft­wagen (o).

English designation: Radio car with special chassis of the medium armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         1,900 kg         4,188 lb.
Pay load 350 kg 772 lb.
Gross weight 2,250 kg 4,960 lb.
Weight: Front axle 900 kg 1,984 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 1,350 kg 2,975 lb.
Length (overall) 4,200 mm 13 ft., 9 ins.
Width (overall) 1,700 mm 5 ft., 7 ins.
Height (overall) 1,500 mm 4 ft., 11 ins.
Ground clearance 180 mm 7 1/8 ins.
Tread centers 1,430 mm 4 ft., 8 ins.
Wheelbase 2,840 mm 112 ins.
Wheel width 170 mm 6 3/4 ins.
Angle of approach   55°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity 500 mm 20 ins.
Fording depth
Climbing ability   15°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise)   50°
Overturn gradient (crosswise)   30°
Turning radius 15 meters 49 ft., 2 ins.
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 60 c-v 59.2 hp
Piston displacement 3,000 cu cm 180 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 70 liters 18.5 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   9.4 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   6.7 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.60

Categories
German

27 mm Leuchtpistole (Walther): Signal & Grenade Pistol

27 mm Leuchtpistole (Walther): Signal & Grenade Pistol

The Walther 27 mm Signal Pistol is a smooth-bore weapon firing a variety of some forty different signal cartridges. In addition, two grenades are fired from this weapon: the 27 mm Signal Pistol Grenade 326 L.P., which consists of a small high-explosive projectile weighing approximately 4 ounces, contained in a light-alloy cartridge case; and the Signal Pistol Grenade 361 L.P., which consists of a standard egg grenade attached to a projector stem fitting into the barrel of the pistol, which in this case is provided with a loose smooth-bore liner.

The Kampfpistole (“Battle pistol”), a later development of the signal pistol, is the original pistol modified by boring out and rifling the barrel. A small circular bubble-sight is attached to the left side of the pistol. The four types of ammunition designed for this weapon are: high-explosive, smoke, indicator, and single illuminating star on parachute.

Leuchtpistole WW2The new Kampfpistole is still a further development. In this weapon, the original model has not been modified by rifling, but a loose steel liner has been fitted. A removable sight is fixed on the barrel, and a folding stock is added. All parts can be readily assembled when in the field. By removal of the liner, any type of ammunition suitable for the original pistol can be fired. However, the H.E. Grenade 361 L.P. cannot be fired from the rifled liner, but use must be made of the smooth-bore liner provided. Furthermore, none of the ammunition designed for the Kampfpistole can be fired in the new Kampfpistole, with or without liner. A new type hollow-charge projectile similar to the hollow charge rifle grenades has been developed for this weapon, but as yet no further information is available.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         5 1/2 lb.
Length 23 ins. unfolded
  12 ins. folded
Caliber 27 mm without liner (1 in.)
  23 mm with liner (.9 in.)

German: p. 201

Categories
German

9 mm Pistole 08 (Luger): Automatic Pistol

WW2 German Parabellum Pistol

The German 9 mm Luger ’08 or Parabellum pistol, one of the official sidearms of the German army, is a semi-automatic weapon of unquestionable power and accuracy. Extensive tests have proved that the American .45 Colt automatic is superior because of greater shock effect.

Action of the Luger is based on the design of an American, Borchardt. The original Borchardt pistol utilized a recoil-operated mechanism with the breechblock locked to the barrel at the moment of discharge. The breechblock was unlocked by a toggle-joint action which was free to move after the breechblock and barrel had recoiled together for a short distance.

The pistol, which was heavy, clumsy, and badly balanced, was redesigned in 1900 and designated the Luger. The toggle-breech mechanism and retractor-spring housing of the Luger were much more compact than those of the Borchardt. The simpler 1908 model of the gun uses the German 9 mm Parabellum ball ammunition fed by an 8-round magazine fitted into the butt or grip. The bolt group indicates after firing whether a new cartridge has been inserted, in which case the extractor projects above the chamber showing the inscription “Geladen” (loaded) on the left side. There are two versions of the Luger, one with a short barrel, and the other with a long barrel and shoulder stock attachment. A 32-round drum magazine which enables a higher fire capacity may be used with either type, but the long barrel type with the shoulder stock and drum magazine has been replaced by the submachine gun in the current war.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         9 mm (actually .347 in.)
Weight 30 oz. (1 lb., 14 oz. with empty magazine)
Length 8 3/4 ins.
Length of barrel 4 ins.
Capacity 8 rounds
Action Recoil—semi-automatic
Range 50 ft.—effective
  150 yds.—maximum
Muzzle velocity 1,075 f/s-1,250 f/s

German: p. 202

Categories
German

20 cm Leichte Ladungswerfer: Spigot Mortar

20 cm Leichte Ladungswerfer: Spigot Mortar

This electrically fired weapon, recently developed for service in engineer units of the German Army, is used principally to destroy minefields, concrete fieldworks, wires, etc. Two types of ammunition are used with the mortar: a heavy high-explosive bomb and a smoke bomb. The range is comparatively short.

The weapon comprises a spigot with supporting arm, a bipod mounting, and a base plate. The barrel, or spigot, consists of a drawn steel tube reduced at its lower end and screw threaded externally to receive the supporting arm and base plate. It is bored transversely at its lower end to receive contact pieces and insulation for the electrical firing gear. A T-shaped contact tube, held in position by an insulating spacing washer at the front end, extends from the contact pieces up into the spigot. The front end of the spigot is closed by a screw plug which is bored centrally to house a contact plug, the insulating bushes, and the firing needle and spring. The front face is prepared with an undercut groove to form a bayonet joint when the cartridge is placed in position.

The tubular supporting arm is elbow shaped. The rear is formed with a boss bored to receive the spigot; the front is solid and screw-threaded to receive a collar for positioning in the cradle.

The base plate, of usual German mortar design, is constructed with strengthening webs and spikes on the bottom. Elevating, traversing, and cross-leveling gears are all located on the bipod mounting which is attached to the supporting arm.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         200 mm (7.87 ins.)
Weight in action (total) 205 lb.
Weight of bipod 43 lb.
Weight of spigot and supporting arm 73.5 lb.
Weight of base plate 84 lb.
Length of spigot 1.76 ft.
Diameter of spigot 3.5 ins.
Range (max. with H.E. bomb) 766 yds.
Sight Collimating sight (Richtaufsatz 39)

German: p. 102

Categories
German

21 cm Mrs. mit Mrs. Laf. 18: Heavy Howitzer

21 cm Morserlafette 18 Heavy Howitzer

The 21 cm Morserlafette 18 is the standard heavy howitzer in use by German troops. The piece comprises a loose barrel, half jacket, and breech ring. A lug on the collar of the barrel secures it to the breech ring; ring and jacket are fastened together by a key which fits into a key way in the latter. The ring, jacket, and barrel are clamped together by a securing ring at the front of the jacket.

During recoil, the piece is supported by a pair of rollers below the jacket and another pair under the rear of the breech ring. A bracket at the top of the breech ring receives the piston rod, and a lug on its lower face receives the buffer piston rod.

The breechblock is of the horizontal sliding block type. On the rear face of the breech ring is a lever which operates (a) a plunger in a vertical boring in the bottom of the breech opening, and (b) a catch engaging a slot in the buffer nut interlocking the breech mechanism.

The carriage is interchangeable with that of the 17 cm K. mit Mrs. Laf. 18, with the exception of the following points: the safety limit of recoil of the upper mounting is 58.27 inches, whereas in the case of the 17 cm K. mit Mrs. Laf. 18 it is 56.30 inches; and the air pressure in the compensators is 464 lb./sq. in. against 626 lb./sq. in. in the case of the 17 cm K. The latest model of the 21 cm and 17 cm Mrs. Laf. 18 carriage is equipped with a pivot platform attached to a supporting frame situated near the center of the lower carriage body, which allows complete and continuous 360° traverse.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         21 cm (8.27 ins.)
Weight of gun in action 18.5 tons
Weight of piece 5.79 tons
Length of howitzer (travelling) 41 ft., 2 ins.
Length of bore 17 ft., 3 ins.
Length of chamber 25.31 ins.
Number of grooves 64
Rate of fire 1 rd./min.
Muzzle velocity 1,854 f/s
Range (maximum) 18,263 yds.
Elevation 70°
Traverse 16° (360° with the pivot platform)
Ammunition High-explosive (wt. 249 lbs.)
  Anti-concrete shell (wt. 268 lbs.)

German: p. 101

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. “Panther” (7.5 cm Kw. K. 42 L/70) (Sd. Kfz. 171): Heavy Tank “Panther”

Pz. Kpfw. Panther (7.5 cm Kw. K. 42 L/70) - Sd. Kfz. 171 WW2 Heavy Tank

Introduced in 1942, the “Panther,” a standard medium tank weighing 50 tons in battle order, is designed, by means of sloping armor plates, to present the most difficult angles of attack.

Unlike previous German tanks, its hull and superstructure form a single unit, and the sloping sides and rear of the latter, of 45 mm thickness, overhang the tracks. Its armor plate is of homogeneous machinable quality and, in addition to welding, the main joints have been strengthened by the mortised interlocking of the edges of the plates. The front glacis plate, 85 mm in thickness, is sloped upward at an angle of 33° from the horizontal and the purpose of its construction is to deflect projectiles in such a manner as to clear the gun mantlet. The turret, which has an inner ring diameter of 5 feet, 5 inches, is power traversed but can, in an emergency, be traversed by hand.

The suspension is composed of eight rubber-tired bogie wheels on each side, 33 1/2 inches in diameter. The rear idler has a diameter of 22 1/4 inches. The track is 26 inches wide and has a pitch of 6 inches.

The engine is either the Maybach 60° V-12, HL 210, or the HL 230, the former rated at 642 B.H.P. and the latter 690 B.H.P.

The main armament is a 7.5 cm high-velocity, parallel-bore gun fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake. Some “Panthers,” probably those of early production, are known to have mounted the 7.5 cm Kw. K. 42, while others of more recent production are reported to mount the 7.5 cn Kw. K. 43. The precise differences between the guns are not known. A 7.92 mm MG 34 is coaxially mounted in the turret.

The “Panther” may be equipped to be fully submersible to depths limited by the height of the air-intake pipe—14 feet, 9 inches—but not all are so equipped.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight       47 tons
Length (excl. gun)22 ft., 7 1/2 ins.
Width11 ft., 3 ins.
Height9 ft., 6 1/2 ins.
Ground clearance
Tread centers
Ground contact13 ft., 5 1/2 ins.
Width of track2 ft., 2 ins.
Pitch of track6 ins.
Track links86
Fording depth14 ft., 9 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads105 miles
     Cross-country75 miles
Speed
     Roads30 m.p.h.
     Cross-country15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate (turret)100 mm
     Sides45 mm at 48° from horizontal
Armament7.5 cm Kw. K. 42
 1 MG 34
Ammunition7.5 cm gun—75 rds.
 MG—2500 rds.
EngineAlternative types—Maybach HL 210 or HL 230.
TransmissionSynchromesh—6 forward speeds, 3 (unconfirmed) reverse.
SteeringBelieved similar to Pz. Kw. VI (“Tiger”)
Crew5

German: p. 37