This equipment consists of a 38 cm rocket projector (Raketen Werfer 61) mounted on a modified Model E Tiger I chassis (see p. 38). A heavy rectangular superstructure of the type used on the German self-propelled guns replaces the normal superstructure and turret of the Model E. The rocket projector is mounted in the front plate of the superstructure, offset to the right of center. The superstructure is made of rolled armor plates and is of welded construction with the side plates interlocked with the front and rear plates. A heavy strip of armor is used to reinforce the joint between the front plate and glacis plate on the outside. Armor thickness varies from 40 mm to 150 mm.
The main armament, which fires a splined projectile 58.6 inches long (see page 354.2), differs radically in design and construction from any weapon previously examined. The barrel consists of a cast outer jacket, and a spaced liner of 1/2-inch steel. The latter, which is 74 1/4 inches long, is rifled, having nine grooves with right hand twist, one turn in 17.6 calibers. At the extreme rear, the grooves widen to aid in positioning splines near the base of the projectile. The liner is held in place by four steel blocks at the rear, and a perforated ring at the muzzle end. This ring has 31 equally spaced holes around its face. The breech mechanism is a horizontal sliding plate 2-5/16 inches thick opening from left to right.
The propellant gases are deflected between the tube and liner by an unusual obturator, and escape through a perforated ring at the muzzle. The metal obturator comprising a thin “L” shaped outer ring, a heavier “L” shaped perforated inner ring, and a spacer ring, fits into a circular recess in the front face of the breech plate. When the projectile is fired, the propellant gases pass through the ports to the chamber between the inner and outer rings. The face of the outer ring is forced against the rear face of the tube, and the sides against the recess in the breech plate, thereby obtaining the gas seal.
SPECIFICATIONS
(VEHICLE) |
Weight (in action) (estimated) |
|
68 tons |
Length (overall) |
|
20 ft., 8 1/2 ins. |
Width (overall) |
|
12 ft., 3 ins. |
Height (overall including stowage crane) |
|
11 ft., 4 ins. |
Height (overall less stowage crane) |
|
9 ft., 3 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 |
|
70 ins. |
Theoretical radius of action |
Roads |
|
87 miles |
Cross-country |
|
53 miles |
Speed |
Roads |
|
25 miles |
Cross-country |
|
15 miles |
Superstructure Armor |
Front plate |
|
150 mm at 45° to vertical |
Projector mantlet (average) |
|
69 mm rounded |
Projector shield (average) |
|
150 mm rounded |
Side plates |
|
84 mm at 20° to vertical |
Rear plate |
|
84 mm at 10° to vertical |
Top plate |
|
40 mm |
Spherical cradle |
|
100 mm rounded |
Ammunition (Rds.) |
|
12 |
Engine |
|
Maybach HL 210, V-12, 630 hp. |
Transmission |
|
Preselector, hydraulic—8 speeds forward, 4 reverse |
Steering |
|
Controlled differential, hydraulic |
Crew (unconfirmed) |
|
7 |
|
(PROJECTOR) |
Caliber |
|
380 mm (14.96 ins.) |
Length of tube |
|
81 1/8 ins. |
Length of liner |
|
74 1/4 ins. |
Thickness of liner |
|
1/2″ |
No. of grooves |
|
9 |
Width of grooves |
|
0.4 in. |
Width of grooves at rear |
|
1.06 in. |
Depth of grooves |
|
0.2 in. |
Twist of grooves |
|
Right hand, one turn in 17.6 caliber |
Max. range (horizontal) |
|
6,179 yds. |
Firing mechanism |
|
Continuous-pull |
Traverse |
|
20° |
Elevation (approx.) |
|
85° |
Depression (approx.) |
|
0° |
Ammunition |
|
H.E. (R. Sprenggranate 4581) |
|
|
HEAT (R. Hollandungsgranat 4592) |
Wt. of projectile* |
|
761 lbs. |
*Weight zones are marked to the nearest 5 kg. (12 lbs.)
German: p. 38.3-38.4 (June 1, 1945)
This heavy tank designed for defensive warfare or for penetrating strong lines of defense made its combat appearance in 1944. It is distinguished by heavy frontal armor and by the employment of the heaviest German gun to be used in a turret with 360° traverse—the 8.8 cm Kw. K. 43 (L/71). This gun has a muzzle velocity of 3,280 f/s, and firing an A.P.C.B.C. projectile weighing 22.4 pounds against 30° homogenous plate has a reported penetration of 6.3 inches at 1,000 yards.
The hull and superstructure are of single-skin welded construction with interlocked joints. The hull front is formed of a single sloping plate 150 mm thick, and a lower nose plate 100 mm thick. Each of these plates is set at an angle of 50° from the vertical, resembling in design the Panther rather than the earlier Tiger. The pannier side plates, 80 mm thick, are set at a 25° angle and also resemble those of the Panther. The turret is located sufficiently back of the angle of deflection to be clear of direct hits on the front plate. The rounded front is 180 mm thick.
At the rear of the vehicle is a Maybach 60°, V-12, gasoline engine of 600 horsepower. The transmission, steering, and final drive are similar to those of the Tiger E. The suspension is made up of nine torsion bars on each side to carry the tank on steel tired road wheels. Five of these overlap the four internal ones. Every alternate track link has two ground contact bars.
This tank mounts the 8.8 cm Kw. K. 43 (L/71), two M.G. 34’s, an antiaircraft machine gun, and a smoke projector. A commander’s version of this tank was also manufactured.
The transport trailer for this tank is described on page 62.2.
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight |
|
75 tons |
Length |
|
23 ft., 10 ins. |
Width (overall) |
|
12 ft., 7 ins. |
Height |
|
10 ft., 2 ins. |
Ground clearance |
|
1 ft., 5 ins. |
Tread centers |
|
9 ft., 4 ins. |
Ground contact |
|
|
Width of track |
|
32.5 ins. |
Pitch of track |
|
5.9 ins. |
Track links |
|
90 |
Fording depth |
|
69 ins. |
Theoretical radius of action |
Roads |
|
106 |
Cross-country |
Speed |
Roads |
|
23.6 m.p.h. |
Cross-country |
|
10 m.p.h. |
Armor |
Front glacis plate |
|
150 mm |
Sides |
|
80 mm |
Armament |
|
(1) 8.8 cm Kw. K. 43; (2) 7.92 mm M.G.’s; (1) A.A. M.G.; (1) smoke projector |
Ammunition (Rds.)—88 mm |
|
80 |
Engine |
|
Maybach HL 230 |
Transmission |
|
8 forward speeds; 4 reverse |
Steering |
|
Controlled differential, hydraulically operated |
Crew |
|
5 |
German: p. 38.2 (August 1, 1945)
|