Porsche-built design in the 30ton class as an
alternative to the VK.3001(H). Cancelled in 1942 when the VK.30.01 requirement
was dropped. Vehicle was externally similar to the VK.30.01(H) but had more
novel mechanical features including petrol-electric drive and longitudinal torsion
bar suspension as later perpetuated on the Porsche Tiger design. Also known as
the Porsche Type 100.
The Tiger series had its origins in a
number of tank developments initiated in 1937. In that year Henschel were
instructed to design and construct a 30 to 33 ton tank intended to replace the
early Pz Kw IV tanks, the vehicle being designated Dw 1 (Durchbruchswagen, or
"breakthrough vehicle"). However, after one chassis with interleaved
road wheel suspension had been built and testing had commenced, the trials were
suspended in 1938 to allow work to be carried out on a further design for a
65-ton tank, the VK 65.01 (Vollkettenkraftfahrzeug-:-"fully tracked
experimental vehicle, 65 tons, first design"). It was also known as the Sw
(Sturmwagen) or Pz Kw VII. The VK 65.01 was itself a further development of the
Pz Kw VI (Nb Fz Pz Kw VI; Nb Fz for Neubaufabrzeug-"new construction
vehicle" of 1934, a multiturret design of which only a few were produced).
Two prototypes of the VK 65.01 were built and were undergoing trials when this
project was cancelled and development resumed on the Dw 1. By 1940 Henschel had
so improved the original design that it was renamed Dw 2; in this form it
weighed 32 tons and accommodated a crew of five. The planned armament was the
short 7.5 cm gun with two Model 34 machine guns. Trials were carried out with a
prototype chassis until 1941, by which time Henschel had received an order for
a new design in the same class and weight as the Dw 2, the development code for
the new vehicle being VK 30.01. This order was also given to Henschel's
competitors Porsche, MAN and Daimler-Benz. The Henschel version, VK 30.01 (H),
was a development of the Dw 2; four prototypes were built, differing only in
detail from one another, two in March 1941 and two the following October. The
superstructure of the VK 30.01 (H) resembled that of the Pz Kw IV, and the
suspension consisted of seven interleaved road wheels and three return rollers
per side. It was planned to mount the 7.5 cm L/48 gun in this vehicle, but due
to the appearance of the Russian T -34 with its 76 mm gun the vehicle became
obsolete and development was discontinued. Two of the VK 30.01 (H) chassis
were, however, converted to self-propelled guns by lengthening a.'1d fitting a
lightly armoured superstructure, and mounting a 12.8 cm K 40 gun. These two
vehicles were used in Russia in 1942. The Porsche version, VK 30.01 (P), was
also known to its designers as the Leopard. This turretless prototype
incorporated several new design features such as petrol-electric drive and
longitudinal torsion bar suspension. MAN and Daimler-Benz also constructed
prototypes to this design but like the Henschel project they had become
obsolete.
Concurrently with the order for the VK 30.01
an additional order had also been placed in 1941 for a 36-ton tank designated
VK 36.01. The specification for this design had been proposed by Hitler and
included a powerful high velocity gun, heavy armour, and a maximum speed of at
least 40 kph. A prototype of this project was built by Henschel in March 1942,
but experimental work on both the VK 30.01 and VK 36.01 was stopped when a
further order for a 45-ton tank was received in May 1941. Designated VK 45.01,
the vehicle was designed to mount a tank version of the 8.8 cm gun. With the
order came a stipulation that the prototype was to be ready in time for
Hitler's birthday on 20th April 1942, when a full demonstration of its
capabilities was to be staged. As design time was limited, Henschel decided to
incorporate the best features of their VK 30.01 (H) and VK 36.01 (H) projects
into a vehicle of the weight and class required. Henschel planned to build two
models, the type H1 mounting an 8.8 cm 36 L/56 and the type H2 a 7.5 cm KwK
L/70, although the H2 existed only as a wooden mock-up at that time. Porsche
had also received the order for the VK 45.01 and like Henschel they decided to
use the experience and features from their previous model, the VK 30.01(P),
which had performed well on trials.
Manufacturer: Nibelungenwerke 2 prototype
chassis produced between 1940 and 1941
Crew: 5
Engine: 2x Porsche Typ-100
Weight (tons): 30
Gearbox: electric drive
Length (metres): 6.58 Speed (km/hr): 60
Width (metres): 3.8 Radio: FuG5
Height (metres): 3.05
Armament: One 7.5cm KwK L/24 or One 10.5cm
KwK L/28 One 7.92mm MG34
Traverse: 360° (electric)
Elevation: -10° +20°
Armour: 26mm--80mm
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