Tag: panzer

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German

Pz. Kpfw. “Tiger” (8.8 cm Kw. K. 36 L/56) (Sd. Kfz. 181): Heavy Tank “Tiger”

Pz. Kpfw. "Tiger" (8.8 cm Kw. K. 36 L/56) (Sd. Kfz. 181): Heavy Tank "Tiger"

The Pz. Kpfw. VI was introduced into service by Germany in the latter part of 1942.

Its construction incorporates a notable departure from past German practice in that the superstructure is welded to the main hull instead of being bolted. The use of heavy armor called for flat plates wherever possible, resulting in a simple box-like contour. Another interesting development in construction involves plate interlocking, secured by welding, in addition to the normal step jointing. This has no doubt been made necessary by the use of thicker armor, which ranges from 102 mm in the front nose plate to 92 mm in the cast steel gun mantlet, and 80 mm in the side superstructure.

The hull is divided into four compartments. The floor of the fighting compartment is suspended from and rotates with the turret. The turret is centrally mounted between the hull side plates. A circular fixed cupola, with an inside diameter of 20 inches, is mounted in the turret roof.

The suspension consists of front sprocket, rear idler, and eight triple, rubber-tired bogie wheels 31 1/2 inches in diameter sprung on torsion bars. The wheel assemblies straddle each other in such a manner that the outer rims of four of the wheels on each side may be removed to accommodate the narrow (20 1/2 inch) transportation track. For combat a wider (28 1/2 inch) track is utilized.

The mechanical layout follows orthodox German practice. The Maybach, V-12, 642 hp. engine is mounted centrally at the rear.

The armament consists of an electrically fired 8.8 cm Kw.K. 36 with coaxial 7.92 mm MG 34 in the turret, a ball-mounted MG 34 in the vertical plate, a 9 mm machine gun stowed, six smoke generators, and three mine throwers mounted on the superstructure roof. The existence of a Model “P” has also been reported.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight (in battle order)         63 tons
Length (excl. gun) 20 ft., 8 1/2 ins.
Width 12 ft., 3 ins.
Height 9 ft., 4 3/4 ins.
Ground clearance 17 ins.
Tread centers 9 ft., 3 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 12 ft., 6 ins.
Width of track 28 1/2 ins.—20 1/2 ins.
Pitch of track 5 1/8 ins.
Track links 96
Fording depth 96 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 87 miles
     Cross-country 53 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 miles
     Cross-country 15 miles
Armor
     Front plate 102 mm at 70° to horiz.
     Sides 80 mm at 80° to horiz.
Armament 8.8 cm Kw.K 36
2 MG 34’s
M.V. 2624 f/s
Wt. of projectile 21 lb.
Ammunition 8.8 cm 92 rds.
MG’s—5100 rds.
Engine Maybach HL 210, V-12, 642 hp.
Transmission Preselector, hydraulic—8 speeds forward, 4 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, hydraulic
Crew 5

German: p. 38

Categories
German

Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (Sd. Kfz. 142): S.P. Assault Gun

StuG III: Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (Sd. Kfz. 142): S.P. Assault Gun

This development of the Sturmgeschütz mounts the Stu. K. 40 assault gun, with muzzle brake, on a Pz. Kpfw. III chassis. The gun. is identical to the Kw.K. 40 with the exception that in the Stu. K. 40 the buffer and recuperator systems are mounted on each side of the barrel to accommodate the S. P. mounting, while the Kw.K. 40 mounts the recoil mechanism above the barrel. The road performance of this vehicle will approach that of the Pz. Kpfw. III tank.

The superstructure is a box-like arrangement, closed in on the top and welded to the chassis. A commander’s cupola, loader’s entrance hatch, and an opening for the sight are provided on the roof of the superstructure. There is no hull entrance door. A circular hole approximately 9 inches in diameter, cut in the rear of the superstructure, houses a small electric fan which draws air into the fighting compartment. A circular plate 12 inches in diameter and 30 mm thick is fitted over the hole at a distance of 3 inches from the superstructure by means of 3 bolts. The thickness of superstructure armor is as follows: front vertical plate 50 + 30 mm, gun mantlet 50 mm, sides 30 mm, top 20 mm. Side skirting armor is often mounted on this vehicle.

The gun has a length of 126 inches, without the muzzle brake, a muzzle velocity of 2525 f/s for the 15.0 lb. projectile and an effective range of 2000 yards firing A.P.C. shell. Its approximate radius of elevation is -5 to + 20°; traverse 10° left and right. It utilizes the following types of ammunition—A.P.C., H.E., and hollow charge. The penetration of A.P.C. shell against homogeneous plate is reported as follows: 500 yards, 4.0 inches at 30° obliquity; 4.8 inches normal—1000 yards, 3.6 inches at 30°, 4.3 inches normal—2000 yards, 2.8 inches at 30°, 3.4 inches normal.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         26.5 tons
Length 17 ft., 9 ins.
Width 9 ft., 7 ins.
Height 6 ft., 5 ins.
Ground clearance 14 ins.
Tread centers 8 ft., 2 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 9 ft., 4 1/2 ins.
Width of track 15 ins.
Pitch of track 43 ins.
Track links 90
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 100 miles
     Cross-country 60 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 50 + 30 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40
2 Machine pistols
Ammunition 54 rds.
Engine Maybach, HL 120 TRM, V-12, 320 hp.
Transmission 6 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 4

German: p. 28

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. III Aus. J, K (Sd. Kfz. 141): Medium Tanks

Pz. Kpfw. III Aus. J, K (Sd. Kfz. 141): Medium Tanks

Model J—The principal differences between Model J and earlier models are:

1. Increased thickness of basic armor plate on certain front and rear plates from 30 mm to 50 mm and the addition of spaced armor on the front of the gun mantlet and the front plate of the superstructure.

2. Hydraulically operated steering in the earlier models has been replaced by mechanical steering. As previously reported, the complicated Maybach Variorex ten-speed gear was abandoned in Model H in favor of a manual six-speed and reverse gear box.

3. Wider tracks—15 inches instead of 14 1/8 inches. The heavier track necessitated a change in the spacing of the return rollers. Front and rear rollers are now mounted directly over the Luvax shock absorbers and prevent the track fouling the latter.

4. The tail plate has been modified to give better protection to the rear air outlet; it also allows the smoke device to be mounted inside the plate.

5. One or two mild steel bars, welded at each end, are fixed across the middle of the nose plate. The track shoes are placed behind the bars and are held in position by the bridge of the shoe.

6. The mounting of the 5.0 cm Kw. K. 39 (long gun) was incorporated in the latest of the Model J tanks.

The most prominent recognition points of this model are: the mounting of the hull machine gun is of prominent ball type; the driver’s visor consists of a single hinged piece of armor instead of two separate plates; the front sprocket and rear idler are similar to those in Model H; particularly squat turret, pear-shaped with circular cupola well set to the rear.

Model K—Same as Model J. This model mounted the 5.0 cm long gun (Kw. K. 39).

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         22 tons
Length 17 ft., 9 ins.
Width 9 ft., 8 ins.
Height 8 ft., 3 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 8 ft., 2 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 9 ft., 4 1/2 ins.
Width of track 15 ins.
Pitch of track 4 3/4 ins.
Track links 90
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action:
     Roads 100 miles
     Cross-country 60 miles
Speed:
     Road 28 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor:
     Front plate 50 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 5.0 cm Kw. K. 39
2 MG’s
Ammunition 5.0 cm gun—75 rds.
Engine Maybach HL 120 TRM, V-12, 320 hp.
Transmission Manual, 6 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 5

German: p. 24

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. III Aus. F, G, H (Sd. Kfz. 141): Medium Tanks

Pz. Kpfw. III Ausf. F, G, H (Sd. Kfz. 141): Medium Tanks

Model F—This is the first tank of the series to mount a 5.0 cm Kw. K. electrically fired tank gun in place of the 3.7 cm Kw. K. and also the first to have a new type mantlet. This mantlet has a thick shield on the front which moves with the gun. A single machine gun is mounted coaxially on the right of the 5.0 cm gun and the hull machine gun is retained.

The hull consists of three separate subassemblies: (1) lower hull, (2) front superstructure carrying turret, and (3) rear superstructure covering the engine compartment. All units are of single skin welded construction.

The turret forms the roof of a spacious fighting compartment, being mounted over the middle part of the hull. It has no rotating platform, the commander and the gunner having seats suspended from and rotating with the turret. The loader apparently stands on the floor of the fighting compartment. The commander’s cupola is bolted to the roof of the turret on the center-line to the rear.

The suspension is the same as that used in Model E.

The engine is the Maybach V-12, gasoline, rated 320 hp. Its transmission is the synchromesh type with 10 speeds forward and 4 reverse. Its steering is of the epicyclic, clutch brake type with hydraulic control.

Model G—Identical in armament, mantlet, and mechanical components to Model F, the only difference being in the cupola, which is more squat and has all-around vision.

Model H—This model has additional 32 mm plates bolted on the front of the superstructure, on the upper and lower nose plates and on the tail plate. The outstanding recognition features of this model are its front sprocket which has six spokes, and its rear idler which is more open than the earlier type, though it has eight spokes. Wider tracks and narrower bogie wheels are also used.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         22 tons
Length 17 ft., 9 ins.
Width 9 ft., 7 ins.
Height 8 ft., 3 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 8 ft., 1 7/8 ins.
Ground contact (approx.) 10 ft., 6 ins.
Width of track 14 1/8 ins.
Pitch of track 4 3/4 ins.
Track links 90
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action:
     Roads 100 miles
     Cross-country 60 miles
Speed:
     Road 28 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor:
     Front plate 30 + 32 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 5.0 cm Kw. K.
2 MG’s
Ammunition
Engine Maybach, HL 120, V-12, 320 hp.
Transmission Synchromesh, 10 forward, 4 reverse, and 6 forward, 1 reverse.
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 5

German: p. 23

Categories
German

Gw. Lr. S. für 15 cm s.F.H. 13: S.P. Heavy Field Howitzer (on French Lorraine Chassis)

Gw. Lr. S. für 15 cm s.F.H. 13: S.P. Heavy Field Howitzer (on French Lorraine Chassis)

This mobile artillery equipment consists of a French Lorraine chassis, “Tracteur Blinde 38 L,” on which is mounted the 15 cm. s.F.H. 13, a medium howitzer designed for the last war. The chassis type was produced shortly prior to this war as an armored ammunition and personnel carrier.

The chassis is divided into the driving compartment at the front, the engine compartment in the center and an open welled tray at the rear. The piece is mounted on the superstructure at the front of the tray and extends forward over the engine and driving compartments. The gun crew is stationed in the tray and is protected by a 9 mm armored body which is open at the top. At the extreme rear of the hull is a hinged spade which may be lowered when the gun is fired. The original carrier is armored by plates, bolted together of the following thicknesses : Nose of hull, 12 mm; glacis plate, 8 mm; front sloping plate, 9.5 mm; sides, 9 mm; back, 9 mm; top, 6 mm; floor, 5 mm. Except for a band about 12 inches high around the rear half of the sides and the rear of the vehicle there is no overlap in the two armors.

The chassis is suspended from three semi-elliptical leaf springs on each side. The load is transmitted from the central point of each spring through supporting members to each of three pairs of bogies on each side.

The Delahaye 6-cylinder, in line, water-cooled, gasoline engine generates 80 horsepower. The ignition system is Bosch. The transmission provides 5 forward speeds and one reverse.

The piece has a muzzle velocity of 1250 f.s., bore length of 17 calibers, and a maximum range of 9300 yards. Its traverse as mounted is approximately 4 degrees and its elevation -5 to +45 degrees. It utilizes the following ammunition: H.E. shell, 92.4 lb.—Anti-concrete shell, 95.7 lb.—Smoke shell, 85.8 lb.—H.E. shell (stream­lined), 84.7 lb.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight in action         9 tons
Length 17 ft., 5 ins.
Width 6 ft., 2 ins.
Height 6 ft., 10 ins.
Ground clearance 12 ins.
Tread centers 4 ft., 4 5/8 ins.

Ground contact 9 ft.
Width of track 8.5 ins.
Pitch of track 3 3/16 ins.
Track links 109
Fording depth
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads
     Cross-country
Speed
     Roads 21 m.p.h.
     Cross-country
Armor
     Front plate 12 mm
     Sides 9 mm
Armament 15 cm s.F.H. 13
Ammunition (rds.)
Engine Delahaye 6-cyl., 80 h.p.
Transmission 5 forward speeds, 1 reverse
Steering Clutch brake, controlled differential
Crew 5

German: p. 16

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. II Aus D, E für 7.62 cm Pak 36 (Sd. Kfz. 131): S.P. Antitank Gun (Russian)

Pz. Jäg. II Aus D, E für 7.62 cm Pak 36 (Sd. Kfz. 131): S.P. Antitank Gun (Russian)

The Pz. Kpfw. II chassis embodying the suspension on four large bogie wheels has been used as a self-propelled mount for the German modified Russian gun 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) as well as the Pz. Kpfw. II models utilizing five bogie wheels. These equipments are used in an antitank capacity.

The turret and superstructure of the original tank has been removed and replaced by a high box-like superstructure shield of approximately 15 mm thickness, sloping about 75° to the horizontal. Centrally located above the lower shield superstructure is a three-sided shield of approximately 10 mm thickness with a slotted front plate through which the long muzzle of the gun projects well over the front of the chassis. The original shield of the gun has been retained.

The gun, 163 1/2 inches in length including the muzzle brake, is of monobloc construction. The breech mechanism is of the falling-wedge type. The elevating gear is operated by a handwheel located on the left side of the gun; the traversing gear is on the right. The estimated elevation of the piece is -5° to +22°; traverse 65°. Its muzzle velocities are as follows: H.E. shell, 1805 f/s; A.P.C. shell, 2430 f/s. Firing A.P.C. shell this gun will defeat 3.2 inches of homogeneous armor of 30° obliquity at 1000 yards, and 4.1 inches at normal.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         10.5 tons
Length 16 ft. (excl. gun)
Width 7 ft., 6 ins.
Height 6 ft., 9 ins.
Ground clearance 12 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 10 ins.
Ground contact 7 ft., 10 ins.
Width of track
Track links 96 (est.)
Pitch of track
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 115 miles
     Cross-country 75 miles
Speed
     Roads 28 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 12 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 30 mm
     Sides 15 mm
     Shield 15 mm
Armament 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r)
Ammunition
Wt. of Projectiles
     A.P.C. 16.7 lb.
     H.E. 12.6 lb.
Engine Maybach, 140 B.H.P.
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew 4 (probably)

German: p. 12

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. III Aus. A, B, C, D, E (Sd. Kfz. 141): Medium Tanks

Pz. Kpfw. III Aus. A, B, C, D, E (Sd. Kfz. 141): Medium Tanks

Reports on the early development of the Pz. Kw. III do not agree. The following summary conforms to the best information available.

Model A—Weighed about 20 tons. Its suspension arrangement consisted of eight small bogie wheels each side on semi-elliptical, laminated springs, with three return rollers. Motivating power was generated by a Maybach V-12 gasoline engine rated 300 hp. Armament consisted of a 3.7 cm Kw. K., two light machine guns in the turret, and one light machine gun in the front plate of the superstructure. Armor consisted of 30 mm plate all around.

Model B—Same as Mode] A except for suspension which consisted of five medium size bogie wheels and two return rollers.

Model C—Principal change was the new type suspension which incorporated six bogie wheels and three return rollers, which became standard for the Pz. Kw. III tank. It is believed that torsion bar suspension evolved in this model.

Model D1—At this point in the development the previous models were given the nomenclature D1. Commander’s tanks are known to have been produced serially from this period on.

Model E—Represents the first model in which the definite Pz. Kw. III type has been crystallized. It embodies the improvements made in previous models. It carried the same armament (3.7 cm Kw. K.) and had a suspension arrangement of six bogie wheels sprung on torsion bars and three return rollers.

A self-propelled equipment known as the Sturmgeschütz has been developed from the Pz. Kw. III. It consists of the Pz. Kw. III chassis mounting a short-barreled 7.5 cm Kw. K. The chassis was later used to mount the 7.5 cm Kw. K. 40, long-barreled gun, and the 10.5 cm howitzer.

SPECIFICATIONS

(Model C)
Weight         21 tons
Length 17 ft., 9 ins.
Width 9 ft., 7 ins.
Height 8 ft., 3 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 8 ft., 1 7/8 ins.
Ground contact (approx.) 10 ft., 6 ins.
Width of track 14 1/8 ins.
Pitch of track
Track links
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
Roads 100 miles
Cross-country 60 miles
Speed
Roads 28 m.p.h.
Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
Front plate 30 mm
Sides 30 mm
Armament 3.7 cm Kw. K.
3 MG’s
Ammunition
Engine Maybach V-12, 300 hp.
Transmission Synchromesh—10 speeds forward, 4 reverse.
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 5

German: p. 22

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 (Sd. Kfz. 138): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 (Sd. Kfz. 138): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

The equipment consists of the 7.5 cm Pak 40 mounted on a turretless chassis of a Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank of Czech origin, formerly known as the L.T.H. This mount was used by the Germans in large numbers on the Russian front. It usually moves just in the rear of the first wave of tanks. Its road performance approximates that of the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank.

Due to the bolted construction of the parent vehicle the removal of the turret, superstructure top plate and the engine access hatches of the original tank is readily accomplished and the mounting of the anti-tank gun is speedily performed. The turntable of the anti-tank gun is bolted to the angle section formerly carrying the superstructure top plate of the original tank. The gun shield is constructed from 10-15 mm plate. It is open at the top and rear. The protection afforded the crew is little better than would be found on a field piece.

The gun, which projects well beyond the front of the hull, is of monobloc, loose barrel construction, and is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake. The breech ring is rectangular and is secured to the barrel by a loose screwed collar. The recoil mechanism is attached underneath the ring by a detachable lug. The elevating and traversing mechanisms are controlled by hand wheels. The gun has the following muzzle velocities: HE 1800 f.s.; A.P.C., 2525 f.s; hollow charge 1476 f.s. The A.P.C. shell will penetrate homogeneous armor as follows: 500 yards 4.0 ins. at 30° obliquity, 4.8 ins. normal—1000 yards 3.6 ins. at 30°, 4.3 ins. normal—2000 yards 2.8 ins. at 30°, 3.4 ins. normal—2500 yards 2.5 ins. at 30°, 3.0 ins. normal. The gun has a traverse of 65° and an elevation of -5° to + 22°.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         (approx.) 11 tons
Length 15 ft., 3 ins.
Width 7 ft.
Height 7 ft., 2 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 9 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft., 6 3/4 ins.
Width of track 11 ins.
Pitch of track 4 1/2 ins.
Track links 89 ins.
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 140 miles
     Cross-country 100 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 25 + 25 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 7.5 cm. Pak 40
M.G. 37 (t)
Ammunition (rds.)
Engine Praga 6-cyl., 125 h.p., gasoline
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew Probably 4

German: p. 19

Categories
German

Sturmgeschüz 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42 (Sd. Kfz. 142/2): S.P. Assault Gun

Sturmgeschüz 10.5 cm Stu. H. 42 (Sd. Kfz. 142/2): S.P. Assault Gun

The vehicle is a combination of the Pz. Kpfw. III tank chassis and the 10.5 cm l.F.H. 18 (M) with muzzle brake.

The squat superstructure which replaced the turret of the original tank is similar to the Stu. K. 40. Motor, track, and other chassis mechanisms are the same as those in the standard Pz. Kpfw. III tank and its performance should nearly approximate that vehicle.

The howitzer, Stu. H. 42, is identical to the 10.5 cm l.F.H. 18 (M), except that the former is electrically fired and has the following radius of movement: traverse 20°; elevation -6° to +20°. The piece has a length of 115.75 inches excluding the muzzle brake, which is approximately 15 inches in length. The weight of the gun and cradle is 1.7 tons. Firing a long range shell with supercharge, its muzzle velocity is 1,770 f.s. and its maximum range is 13,480 yards. It fires the 32.6 lb. H.E. shell, a long range H.E. shell, a 32.51 lb. smoke shell, a 25.9 lb. hollow charge shell, and an H.E./incendiary shell.

Auxiliary armament consists of 2 machine pistols, 18 egg grenades, and 1 signal pistol. There are no coaxially mounted or free-mounted machine guns.

The Germans have recently begun attaching thin skirting armor plate of from 5 mm to 8 mm thickness on various fighting vehicles, including the Sturmgeschütz. The following theories have been advanced for this development: (1) to break up or deflect 20 mm tungsten carbide core ammunition; (2) to defeat hollow charge shells; (3) to defeat the 14.7 mm Russian antitank rifle; (4) to defeat the American Bazooka.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         27 tons
Length 17 ft., 9 ins.
Width 9 ft., 8 ins.
Height 6 ft., 5 ins.
Ground clearance 14 ins.
Tread centers 8 ft., 2 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 9 ft., 4 1/2 ins.
Width of track 15 ins.
Pitch of track 4 3/4 ins.
Track links 90
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action:
     Roads 100 miles
     Cross-country 60 miles
Speed:
     Road 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor:
     Front plate 50 + 30 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 10.5 cm LF.H. 18 (M)
2 M.P.’s
Ammunition 10.5 cm gun—75 rds.
Engine Maybach, HL 120 TRM, V-12, 320 hp.
Transmission:
     Clutch Multiplate, dry.
     Gear box Synchromesh, manual control, 6 speeds forward, 1 reverse.
     Final drive Spur reduction gear.
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 4

German: p. 29

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. IV Aus. F1, F2, G, H, K (Sd. Kfz. 161): Medium Tanks

Pz. Kpfw. IV Aus. F1, F2, G, H, K (Sd. Kfz. 161): Medium Tanks

Model F—The hull, superstructure, and turret, as in all other known models of the Pz. Kpfw. IV, is of welded construction. The basic frontal armor, including superstructure and turret of Model F, was increased to 50 mm; on the sides to 30 mm. The main hull superstructure projects over the top of the tracks, providing additional stowage space and a wide base upon which to mount the turret. The turret floor is carried by brackets from the turret ring and consequently rotates with the turret.

The suspension consists of 4 bogie assemblies, each fitted with two rubber-tired bogie wheels 18 1/2 inches in diameter on each side, with a quarter elliptic spring anchored beneath the leading axle arm of each assembly. There is a front sprocket, the spokes of which are bent outward from the hub cap giving the outside a dished appearance, a rear idler which has 7 spokes instead of 8 as in previous models, and 4 return rollers.

The power plant consists of a Maybach HL 120 TRM, V-12 O.H.V., 4-stroke, gasoline engine, rated 320 B.H.P. at 3,000 r.p.m.

The armament consists of a 7.5 cm Kw. K., 24 cals. in length, a coaxial 7.92 mm MG 34 mounted in the turret, and a 7.92 mm MG 34 at the right of the front plate of the superstructure.

Model F2—Same as Model F except that it carried the initial experimental mounting of the Kw. K. 40, 43 cals. in length.

Model G—Produced in 1942. Same as Model F except that the mounting of the Kw. K. 40 was continued. The gun was fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake.

Models H, K—These models are referred to in German documents published during 1943.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         26 tons
Length 19 ft., 4 ins.
Width 9 ft., 7 ins.
Height 8 ft., 6 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 7 ft., 11 ins.
Ground contact 11 ft., 6 ins.
Width of track 15 ins.
Pitch of track 4 3/4 ins.
Track links 98
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action:
     Roads 130 miles
     Cross-country 80 miles
Speed:
     Road 28 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor:
     Front plate 50 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 7.5 cm Kw. K. 40
2 MG’s 34
Ammunition 7.5 cm gun—87 rds.
MG’s—2,250 rds.
Engine Maybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp.
Transmission Synchromesh—6 speeds forward, 1 reverse.
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake
Crew 5

German: p. 32