- Yes
- No
I would like to sugges the Vk 30.02 (DB) which is the counter model made by Daimler Benz, to the VK 30.02(M) allready found in game made by MAN. It would give a similar performance tank for befor Panther and Tiger I to the ranks.
While the VK 30.02 (M) and later Panther was a result, to fight against the T-34, a development of german tanks, with a new sloped front for the required protection levels, which was befor only employed on Armored Cars, as on tanks the requirements were reached with Vertical plates which offered more internal space. The Vk 30.02(DB) however took lots of inspiration or pretty much allready a copy (tho with german componments) of the T-34.
The Pz IV was originally designed and intended as the Begleitwagen, short BW, a infantry support vehicle, armed with a short 7,5 cm gun. This was effective against infantry, fortified positions, artillery, MG nests and AT guns. However in 1941 with the invasion of the USSR, tanks came up, such as the T-34 and KV-1, which showed that the current models of the german army were insufficient in terms of armor and firepower. While they allready recived their extenstions such as Vorpanzer and generally increased to 5 cm armor as well as 5 cm Guns and special ammo such as Pzgr.40 and Gr.38 Hl/A. However development of improved models such as the Tiger and Panther were allready underway, it would still take time for them to be frontline ready, in numbers and available. Immediat solutions were required and on the the Pz III and IVs were at hand, to be rearmed. While there were multiple ideas, such as the 7,5 / 5,5 cm Conical guns, this meant in the end the L/43 and L/48 guns for the Pz IV, while the Pz III didnt have the greatest options without great rework, as such it only got the Conical guns for tests, in production the 5 cm L/60 and later switched to the 7,5 cm L/24 for infantry support.
The in development tanks were of course influenced in terms of characteristics by the enemy encountered tanks. This includes the Vk. 30.02 (DB), which more or less is a german copy of the T-34, however with german componments.
Unlike standart for Germany, and unused, except for the Nb.Fz., the DB variant has a rear mounted engine and transmission. All round upwards sloping and a front mounted turret.
While usually the turrets were allready done, designed by Krupp with the required armarment, and the companys only had to make a hull, Daimler Benz took its own turret designe, which was not interchangable, mainly due to smaller 1600mm turret ring, which was also its downfall.
Overall on paper, it was similar to the Vk.30.02(M) and (except the turrer) in line with the requirements, with the L/70 Rheinmetall gun per Wa.Prüf. Amt 6 requirements.
It did have 60mm frontal armor at 55°, 40mm side at 40° and back armor of 50mm at 25°. Roof was 15mm. The turret with 1600mm (unlike the MANs 1650mm) turret ring was 80mm at the front, 45 side and read and overall angled at 30°.
It was 9,015m long (including barrle), 3,280m wide and 2,690m high.
While the suspention may look similar and it also was an interleaved roadwheel suspention, it instead consisted of 4 sets of interleaved roadwheels in 3 rows. As its rather difficult to write, simply look at the 3D render in the Pictures. Overall there are 3 Blocks of Leave Springs, with double armos where on pivot points the Wheels are mounted on.
Powered was it by the Deimber Benz MB 507 Engine out of the own House. It was a water cooled V12 diesel engine, which powered the tank through a rear mounted KSG 8/200 hydraulic-assist transmission with L 600 C hydraulic, controlled differential which allready had regenerative steering mechanis.
This was a joined development of Daimler-Benz and Ortlinghaus, and had hydraulic multi-plate clutch, which resulted in easy to use and smooth gear changes. This coice was taken over from the previous Vk.20.01(DB), however had the downside of beeing rather long, compared to mechanical transmissions (see drawing under pictures). As well as was somewhat unusual, only used on small diesel switcher trains. To keep the tank shorter, it was placed side by side to the engine, with the powertrain going forward, left and then back. (See Drawing).
Internal fuel was 550 liter, with additional external tanks, with a range of 195 km and 140km off road. That was 200 liters less than the MAN designe with internal tanks alone. The top speed with 56km/s was also similar.
Cooling was similar to the Pz IIIs flow, sucked through the side protusions, over lateral mounted radiatos and out the back. It was circulated by 4 fans.
The crew was the standart 5, Driver, radio/MG operator, Gunner, loader, commander. Because of the so far forward mounted turret, it was also tested to put the driver in the turret, however after tests abandoned, because it was too complicated for the time.
Overall while a good tank, it was not accepted, due to multiple reasons, among, a different own turret, smaller turret ring, thinner tracks, not using the prefered Tortion bar suspention, read mounted transmission (greater chance to throw tracks, as experienced on the leichttraktor in 1928) (Tho Daimler found there to be no to minimal difference.) At the same time Daimler-Benz representatives also said, “Employment of the rear drive provides additional crew space and also a better slope to the hull front armor, which is especially important in preventing penetration of armor-piercing shells. If no option is possible for the choice of motor, our design also allows the installation of the Maybach [HL 210] motor. However, in basic principle, only our MB 507 and MB 503 motors will be proposed.” Genreally more info in the nice Tank encyclopedia Article.
The Guns: 7,5 cm KwK 42 L/70 (with early round muzzle brake, 2x Mg 34
7,5 cm KwK 42 L/70
The 7,5 cm KwK and Pak 42 L/70 was a further development upon the 7,5 cm Flak L/60, which was developed into the legendary 8,8 cm Flak 18 L/56. The 7,5 cm Flak L/60 as is was seen as not powerfull enove for the Flakrole and it was decided to increase the diameter to 88mm, however with a velocity of 860m/s it was allready seen as powerfull in a different category, for anti tank. As such it was late or planned to mount it into the Tiger I H2, however with even further improved performance by lengthening the barrle to L/70. It was used on the Panther, Panzer IV/70 (A) and (V) as well as on a Prototype for 360° Fire on a Sd.Kfz.251 Ausf.B Teilgepanzert. It was an incedibly powerfull gun for its calliber and used as basis for 75/76mm guns after the war for example the french SA 50.
Caliber: 75mm
Ammo: 75x640mmR
Fire Rate: 15 rpm
Single Shot, Vertical Breechblock
Muzzle velocity: 700 - 1120m/s
Weight: 1000 kg
Mounting: Main Tank gun
Ammo Types: Apcbc, Apcr, He
Ap:
Pzgr.39/42 (Apcbc) 6,8 kg 17g Np.10 (28,9g) 935m/s 192mm/10m
Pzgr.40/42 (Apcr) 4,75 kg 28x121mm 1,12kg Core 1120m/s 258mm/10m
He:
Sprgr.42 (He (No Tracer)) 5,74 kg 725g Fp.02 und Np.10 (928g TnTa) 700m/s
Historic Penetration 72/10m and 61mm/500m
(Couldnt find the correct picture, however its simply a Sprgr. 34 with a 2nd driving band)
The Vehicle:
Dimensions: 9,015 m / 3,28 m / 2,69 m
Weight: 35 ton
Armor: 16-80mm
Front 60mm/55°, side 40mm, back 50mm
Turret front 80mm, 45mm side and back. 30° all round
Speed: 56 km/h
Engine: Multiple prototypes (?) with either MB 507 Diesel, MB 503 Benzin or Hl 210.
Source:
Panzerkampfwagen V Panther AFV Profile 10, P, Chamberlain
Germany’s Panther Tank – The Quest for Combat Supremacy T. L. Jentz
Geschossringbuch I
Panzerkampfwagen Panther und Abarten W. J. Spielberger
