Month: September 2010

Categories
German

Pz. Kpfw. II Aus a1, a2, a3, b, c: Light Tanks

Pz. Kpfw. II Ausf a1, a2, a3, b, c: Light Tanks

The early development of the Pz. Kpfw. II is indicated by five models, a1, a2, a3, b and c. They were considered as prototype tanks.

Model a1—Had a suspension arrangement of six small bogie wheels, each side mounted on three hull pivots connected by an outside girder. There were four return rollers, sprocket, and a cast rear idler. It weighed about 8.4 tons, was manned by a crew of three and mounted one 2 cm KwK 30 and a coaxial 7.92 mm M.G. 34 in the turret. It was powered by a six-cylinder Maybach (HL 57 TR) gasoline engine and was fitted with epicyclic and brake steering without a final reduction gear. The frontal armor was 20 mm in thickness, the sides 15 mm.

Model a2—Same as Model a1 except for variation in construction of engine compartment and welded rear idler instead of cast.

Model a3—Same as Model a1 except for minor modifications in the suspension arrangement and cooling system.

Model b—Incorporated an improved Maybach (HL 62 TR) engine, as well as a new track with wider driving sprockets, bogie wheels and return rollers. A final reduction gear was also introduced, which necessitated slight alterations in the structure of the front of the hull. The model weighed 9 tons.

Model c—An entirely new suspension comprising five independently sprung bogie wheels on each side made its appearance in this model. It is believed that the torsion bar system of bogie wheel suspension originated in this tank. Modifications to the driving sprocket, rear idler, and return rollers, the latter of which now numbered four, were made. Improved epicyclic and steering brakes were also introduced, the latter being equipped with automatic take-up to compensate for wear. Model c weighed 9 1/2 tons.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         8 1/2 to 9 1/2 tons
Length 15 ft., 2 ins.
Width 7 ft., 4 ins.
Height 6 ft., 5 ins.
Ground clearance 13 ins.
Tread centers 6 ft., 2 ins.
Ground contact 7 ft., 10 ins.
Width of track 11 1/8 ins.
Pitch of rack 3 5/8 ins.
Track links 106
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 102 miles
     Cross-country 60 miles
Speed
     Roads 30 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 20 mm
     Sides 15 mm
Armament One 2 cm KwK 30
One M.G. 34
Ammunition (rds.) 2 cm gun 180
M.G. 2550
Engine HL 57 TR or HL TRM 62
Maybach 140 B.H.P.
Transmission 6 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew 3

German: p. 6

Categories
German

7.92 mm M SS 41: Antitank Rifle

7.92 mm M SS 41: German WW2 Antitank Rifle

This antitank weapon, a manually operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, high-velocity rifle which was standardized for production in 1941, fires the same necked-down cartridge as the Panzerbüchse 39. Although classified as an antitank rifle, the use of heavier armor on modern tanks has rendered the weapon effective against lightly-armored vehicles only.

A hinged bipod similar to that of the MG 34 is attached to the front of the receiver jacket. It folds forward for convenience in carrying. The gun is also equipped With carrying handle and sling; the former is fitted to the top of the barrel group, and the latter is attached on the right side at the bipod and back plate assembly.

A “U” type rear sight and an adjustable front sight of the square block type fold to the rear when not in use.

The gun is put in a “Safe” position by pulling the barrel housing lock extension 1/4-inch to the rear so that its rear alignment mark is aligned with the mark “S” on the barrel housing lock. When in this position, the trigger cannot be pulled, nor can the action be opened. If the trigger is pulled while the action is not entirely closed, the gun will not fire. It is necessary to release the trigger and pull it again in order to release the sear. When the magazine is empty, the action is kept open by the protrusion of the magazine follower which stops the rearward movement of the barrel housing.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight (with empty magazine) 29 3/4 lbs.
Length (overall) 59 1/4 ins.
Sight radius 30 15/16 ins.
Principle of operation Manually operated
Feeding device Magazine
Capacity of feeding device 6 rounds
Cooling system Air
Ammunition types 13 mm case necked down to 7.92 mm. Same as used in the PZ B39. See Page 211.)
Rate of fire
Type of sight “U” type rear sight; square block type front sight.
Weight of barrel (w/ fittings) 13 1/4 lbs.
Length of barrel 43 3/8 ins.
Length of rifling
Rifling
     Twist R.H.
     Form
     No. of grooves 4
     Depth of grooves
     Width of grooves
Muzzle velocity (estimated) 3,540 f/s
Type of mount Bipod

German: p. 210.1

Categories
German

7.92 mm PzB 35 (p): Antitank Rifle (Ex-Polish)

7.92 mm PzB 35 (p): Antitank Rifle (Ex-Polish)

During the Polish invasion, the Germans captured large numbers of the Mascerzek Model 35, 7.92 mm antitank rifle. These were used extensively in the earlier part of the war.

This Polish rifle is a weapon similar in design to a Mauser rifle firing a normal cartridge, but it is longer and heavier, and a muzzle brake has been attached. It led to the development of the German rifles, known as the Pz. B. 38 and Pz. B. 39.

This weapon is a bolt-action gun of the modified Mauser type and has a detachable box magazine. It is carried by a sling attached in the usual manner. It may be recharged with ammunition by exchanging the magazine or by reloading the empty magazine with single rounds. The body is a hollow cylinder with an ejection and loading aperature on top and a magazine slot at the bottom. The bolt is cylindrical with a straight lever at right angles on the right side (in the closed position).

The barrel, which is parallel throughout most of its length, increases in diameter toward the breech until it equals that of the body. At the muzzle, a portion is threaded to take a muzzle brake. The bipod is of light construction and is attached to the barrel by a yoke. The legs of the bipod terminate in circular shoes which are cut away on the inside to clasp the barrel when they are folded forward in a closed position. The magazine is of the box type.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight 20 lb. (approx.)
Length 5 ft., 10 ins.
Ammunition Steel jacket with A.P. steel core and lead antimony filler
Sights Rear, fixed; front, adjustable blade
Capacity 5 rds., in clips
Muzzle velocity 4,100 f/s

German: p. 210

Categories
German

kl. Pz. Fu. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 261): Small Armored Radio Car

kl. Pz. Fu. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 261): Small Armored Radio CarGerman nomenclature: kleiner Pan­zer­funk­wagen (Sd. Kfz. 261) mit Ein­heits­fahr­gestell I für schwerer Pan­zer­kraft­wagen.

English designation: Small armored radio car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,855 kg         8,498 lb.
Pay load
Gross weight 4,300 kg 9,480 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,585 kg 3,494 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,715 kg 5,985 lb.
Length (overall) 4,830 mm 15 ft., 10 ins.
Width (overall) 1,990 mm 6 ft., 6 ins.
Height (overall) 1,780 mm 5 ft., 10 ins.
Ground clearance 240 mm 9 1/2 ins.
Tread centers 1,610 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 2,800 mm 110 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach 50°
Angle of departure 35°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability 22°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise) 40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise) 30°
Turning radius
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 75 c-v 74 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel consumption 6.7 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption 4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.65

Categories
German

kl. Pz. Fu. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 260): Small Armored Radio Car

kl. Pz. Fu. Wg. (Sd. Kfz. 260): WWII Small Armored Radio CarGerman nomenclature: kleiner Pan­zer­funk­wagen (Sd. Kfz. 260) mit Ein­heits­fahr­gestell I für schwerer Pan­zer­kraft­wagen.

English designation: Small armored radio car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.

SPECIFICATIONS

Net weight         3,815 kg         8,416 lb.
Pay load
Gross weight 4,260 kg 9,390 lb.
Weight: Front axle 1,565 kg 3,450 lb.
Weight: Rear axle 2,695 kg 5,941 lb.
Length (overall) 4,830 mm 15 ft., 10 ins.
Width (overall) 1,990 mm 6 ft., 6 ins.
Height (overall) 1,780 mm 5 ft., 10 ins.
Ground clearance 240 mm 9 1/2 ins.
Tread centers 1,610 mm 5 ft., 3 ins.
Wheelbase 2,800 mm 110 ins.
Wheel width 190 mm 7 1/2 ins.
Angle of approach   50°
Angle of departure   35°
Seating capacity
Fording depth 600 mm 23 ins.
Climbing ability 22°
Overturn gradient (lengthwise) 40°
Overturn gradient (crosswise) 30°
Turning radius
Trailer load
Engine horsepower 75 c-v 74 hp
Piston displacement 3,500 cu cm 210 cu. ins.
Fuel tank capacity 110 liters 29 gal.
Highway fuel consumption   6.7 m.p.g.
Average terrain fuel consumption   4.3 m.p.g.

German: p. 74.65

Categories
German

15 cm Wurfgranat 41: 15 cm Rocket Projectile

15 cm Wurfgranat 41: 15 cm Rocket Projectile

This rocket is fired from the German 6-tube Nebelwerfer 41. It resembles an elongated shell with a bulbous ballistic cap. The propellant is contained in the forward part of the projectile and the filling in the rear behind the ring which houses the jets. The propellant powder burns from both ends, giving faster and more even burning. The nozzles are arranged around a projecting annular jet unit about two-thirds of the distance from the nose. The jets are set at an angle to give the projectile rotation in flight, thereby eliminating the use of fins.

A complete round of this rocket projectile is composed of the following components (refer to photograph above): (i) pressed metal ballistic cap, which is screwed onto the projectile; (j) a motor tube; (d) an aluminum disk containing a black powder igniter charge; (a) a pressed metal spacer upon which the sticks of powder rest; (e) seven sticks of uniperforated stick powder; (b) a cellulose igniter tube containing black powder; (c) a cast-iron trap, which is placed over the powder at the rear end of the motor tube; (f) a black powder igniter charge, which is placed over the cast-iron trap; (h) a nozzle assembly, which is screwed to the motor tube; (g) an electric primer, which is inserted in any of the 26 nozzle holes; (1) a pressed iron spacer which fits into the base of the nozzle assembly and provides an air void between the nozzle assembly and the TNT bursting charge; (h) a bursting charge of TNT or a chemical filler contained in a fiber container; (m) a machined steel bursting-charge container; (o) a booster adapter, which screws into the bursting-charge case; (n) a base percussion fuze, which screws into the booster adapter. This fuze is similar to most German base percussion fuzes and arms by centrifugal force.

TYPES

There are three known types of these projectiles in existence, namely:
A. High Explosive (15 cm Wgr. 41 Spr.)—weight 70 lb.; length 36.6 ins.; maximum diameter 6.2 ins.
B. C. W. (15 cm Wgr. 41 Grünring)—content chemical
C. Smoke (15 cm Wgr. 41 Nb)—weight 79 lb.; weight of propellant 14 lb.

German: p. 356