Page 357 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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◀ PANZERKAMPFWAGEN III The Panzer III entered service in 1939
50mm KwK 39 MEDIUM TANK, AUSF M as the German army’s main battle tank,
main gun but by the end of 1941 its inferiority
Date 1939 Origin Germany
to the Soviet T-34 had become evident
Weight 25.9 tons (23.5 tonnes) and it was adapted to act as a chassis
Length 21ft (6.41m) for other armored vehicles. This mark
Top speed 25mph (40kph) was manned by five crew. AXIS ARMORED
Engine Maybach HL 120 TRM 12-cylinder
300hp (224kW) gasoline engine

Armed with a 75mm KwK 42
main gun as well as two or
Road wheels three 7.92mm machine-guns

◀ PANZERKAMPFWAGEN V
PANTHER MEDIUM TANK, AUSF G
Date 1943 Origin Germany
Weight 49.4 tons (44.8 tonnes) FIGHTING VEHICLES
1
Length 22 ⁄2ft (6.88m)
Top speed 29mph (46kph)
Engine Maybach HL230 P30 12-cylinder
700hp (522kW) gasoline engine
Although designated as a medium tank,
the five-man Panther was an exceptionally
powerful armored fighting vehicle,
and, once initial teething problems
were rectified, it became one of the
most effective tanks of World War II.
Flamethrower
Interleaved Bazooka plates
road wheels
88mm KwK 36 main gun
Drive wheel
Stowage bins
Muzzle
brake
Also armed with two
7.92mm machine-guns Also armed with two
7.92mm machine-guns
Spare track links

Front drive
sprocket

Steel towing
hawser

▲ PANZERKAMPFWAGEN VI Adopting a design philosophy
TIGER I HEAVY TANK, AUSF E that emphasized protection
Date 1942 Origin Germany and firepower, the Tiger was a
fearsome weapon, but it lacked
Weight 61.7 tons (56 tonnes) maneuverability. It was also
Length 20 ⁄4ft (6.20m) costly to manufacture.
1
Top speed 24mph (38kph)
Engine Maybach HL230 P45 12-cylinder
700hp (522kW) gasoline engine

◀ PANZERKAMPFWAGEN VI The Tiger II (or King Tiger),
TIGER II HEAVY TANK, AUSF B which was operated by five
Date 1944 Origin Germany crew members, was arguably
the most powerful tank fielded
Weight 76.9 tons (69.8 tonnes) by any side in World War II.
3
Length 23 ⁄4ft (7.26m) However, its immense weight
Top speed 24mph (38kph) caused a series of reliability
problems, which hampered
Engine Maybach HL230 P30 12-cylinder its battlefield performance.
700hp (522kW) gasoline engine