10.5 CM TIGER 2 SERIES

Its high penetration ability appears to be suitable for this. has been employed in its specialized tasks - engaging concrete bunkers by direct fire and engaging heavy tanks in coordination with other Panzerabwehrwaffen (anti-tank weapons). will only shoot Sprenggranaten ( HE) by indirect fire. Because of its size, lack of mobility, and large dust cloud raised when firing, in the future the Sfl. must alternatively observe each other's fire or an observation post must be established off to one side, manned by a Richtkreis-Uffiz. It is not possible to observe our own shots because of large dust clouds raised in front of the gun. The gun has proven itself capable of supporting an infantry attack from an open firing position by direct fire as in the Szczarar crossing. Employment in a Vorausabteilung requires the ability to quickly engage targets in every direction. The vehicle can be shot into from the side and rear. In addition, because of its armor layout - only thick in the front and 50В mm lower in the back - it was built for frontal use. This takes considerable time when done repeatedly, especially off-road because of the heavy vehicle and weak engine. The limited traverse makes it necessary to turn the entire vehicle to aim at targets. (self-propelled vehicle) is not sufficiently maneuverable for employment in a Vorausabteilung (lead unit). ДЄ report of 26 July 1941 commented on the vehicle:

It was not reported operational in reports made by the battalion in November-December 1942. It was rebuilt by Krupp during the first half of 1942 and returned to the 521st in time to participate in Case Blue, the 1942 summer offensive in Russia. One caught fire by accident and was completely destroyed by the detonation of its ammunition, but the other fought successfully until the end of 1941. Combat history ДЇor combat trials the two prototypes were assigned to PanzerjГ¤ger Abteilung ('Anti-tank Battalion') 521 during the invasion of the Soviet Union. Production vehicles probably would have used the suspension and running gear of the Panzerkampfwagen III as it offered increased maneuverability due to a shorter length of track in contact with the ground, less rolling resistance, softer springs and greater deflection of the suspension. In the prototype vehicles the V-12 Maybach HL120 engine of the Panzer IV was replaced by a lighter V-6 Maybach HL66P engine. (Pz.Sfl.IVa), but was redesignated 10.5В cm K (gp.Sfl.) on 13 August 1941, and was also colloquially known as Dicker Max ('Thick' or 'Fat' Max). Throughout most of its development it was known as 10В cm K. A Selbstfahrlafetten-Zielfernrohr (Sfl.Z.F.) 1 sight was used by the gunner, a binocular TurmspГ¤hfernrohr (T.S.F.) periscope was fitted for use by the commander,and each loader was provided with a binocular Scherenfernrohr on a pivoting arm. For self-defense the crew carried three 9В mm machine pistols with 576 rounds of ammunition. A muzzle brake was fitted to reduce recoil forces and a travel lock was fitted on the front deck to secure the gun during movement. Another oddity was the fake driver's compartment on the right side of the vehicle that matched the real one projecting forward from the front superstructure on the left.ДЄlthough the main gun was intended to engage enemy armoured fighting vehicles it could only traverse 8В° to the left and right, depress 15В° and elevate 10В°. Similarly the ammunition bins holding 26 rounds for the main gun had thin armored covers on top.

The vehicle's most curious feature were armored compartments provided in the rear of the vehicle to protect the loaders against attack from aircraft. The forward glacis plate was of 50 millimetres (2.0В in) face-hardened armour at 15В° from the vertical while the sides were 20 millimetres (0.79В in) thick. E chassis with the turret removed and an open-topped superstructure added to house the main gun. The 10.5В cm K (gp.Sfl.) was built on a heavily modified Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf.

10.5 CM TIGER 2 SERIES

If troop trials were successful it was estimated that series production could begin in the Spring of 1942. Two prototypes were ordered, completed in January 1941 and demonstrated in front of Hitler on 31 March 1941. With the conquest of France complete the design was without a purpose so it was suggested that it be used as a heavy tank destroyer. It was intended to be used against bunkers at ranges beyond which the bunker could return fire. The 10.5В cm K gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette ('10.5 gun on armored self-propelled mount') was a prototype self-propelled gun used by Nazi Germany during World War II.ДЄlthough it was originally designed as a Schartenbrecher ('bunker buster') for use against the French Maginot Line defences following the defeat of France it was used as a tank destroyer on the Eastern Front. 6.6В l (400В cuВ in) 6-cylinder water-cooled Maybach HL66P

10.5 cm tiger 2