Panzerkampfwagen Maus

Overview

Panzerkampfwagen Maus
General Data
Type	Super Heavy Tank
Place of Origin	Germany (Deutsches Reich)
Designed by	Porsche
Designed	1942 - 1944
Manufacturer	Alkett, Daimler-Benz, Krupp, Porsche, Škoda
Produced	1943 - 1944
In Service	No
Designations
Company Designation	Typ 205/2
Development
Developed Into	Maus II E 100
Armament
Main Gun	12,8cm KwK 44 L/55 (68 rounds)
Main Gun Sights	T.W.Z.F. 1 (3x, 10°) @ 4,000m for Pz.Gr.
Traverse	360° electric and hand
Elevation	-7° to +23°
Coaxial Gun	7,5cm KwK 44 L/36.5 (100 rounds) 7,92x57mm MG 34 (1,000 rounds)
Smoke Screen	Nebelwurfgerät (360°, can fire smoke and HE)
Fire Height	2.774m
Defence
Armour Type	Welding
Armour Layout	40 - 220mm
Misc Specs
Crew	6 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Loader, Driver, Radio Operator)
NBC Protection	Gasschutzanlage (poisonous gas protection system), not fitted(?)
Internal Communication	Yes
External Communication	FuG 5
Dimensions
Weight	188,000kg
Length	9.034m (hull) 10.085m (w/ gun)
Width	3.700m
Height	3.649m
Barrel Overhang	1.051m
Turret Ring Diameter	3m
Wheelbase	2.330m
Automotive
Engine	Daimler-Benz MB 517 V-12, water-cooled 44.5 liter gasoline 1200 HP @ 2500 rpm
Power/Weight	6.4hp/t
Auxiliary Power	2 x electric generators driving two electric motors
Gears	2 forward, 2 reverse
Ground Pressure	1.45kg/cm²
Ground Clearance	0.57m
Fuel Capacity	1,600 liters (+1,000 liters external fuel tank)
Operational Range	160km (on-road) 62km (off-road)
Speed	20km/h (maximum) 18km/h(on-road) 11km/h (off-road)
Trench Crossing	3.5m
Maximum Fording Depth	2m
Suspension
Suspension	Volute springs
Maximum Grade	35°
Vertical Obstacles	0.75m
Roadwheels	12 x 2 (24), 4 by bogie, per side
Roadwheel Diameter	550mm
Roadwheel Materials	Steel
Return Rollers	6
Drive Sprocket	Rear, double, adjustable
Idler Sprocket	Front, double
Track Type	Dual central guide, dry single pin, steel
Track Ground Contact	5.88m
Links	56
Steering System	Electric
Track Width	1100mm

The Panzerkampfwagen Maus (abbreviated as Pz.Kpfw. Maus) is a German prototype heavy tank developed from 1942.

Names

100 ton Panzer — VK100.01(K) / VK100.01(P)

Panzerkampfwagen Mäuschen

Panzerkampfwagen Maus

Development

Development of the Maus came about after many paper designs from March 1942 onwards.

On the 5/6th of March 1942, during a conference between Hitler and Reichsminister Speer, a directive to Krupp was initiated to rapidly develop a 72 ton and 100 ton Panzer as a trial vehicle. The first trial vehicle was to be operational as soon as possible, with a deadline of Spring 1943 given.

On the 21/22nd of March 1942, during another conference, Porsche was also given the order to produce a 100 ton Panzer.

On the 14/15th of April 1942, during another conference, the 100 ton Panzer designs were to carry at least 100 rounds of ammunition. A heavy gun was to be fitted, with a machine gun preferably mounted on the exterior and controlled by a remote station to prevent weaknesses in the armour.

On the 18th of April 1942, Krupp outlined details for their 100 ton Panzer's turret:

The turret proposal fits a 15cm L/40 with two-piece ammunition, with an expected rate of fire of 4 to 5 rounds per minute. The projectile weight was reduced from 43kg to 34kg, which increased the muzzle velocity to 845m/s. Excess ammunition was to be stored in an additional compartment on the exterior of the turret. The turret should be loadable when the gun is between -8° and +15°, with a maximum elevation range of 40° at a complete 360° traverse range. The external ammunition storage would require the vehicle to position itself strategically in order to maintain sustained fire.

The turret was to be offered to Porsche for their VK100.01 by May 15. Considerations about whether it is more favourable to build a turret around a 12,8cm L/50 gun firing a 29.3kg projectile at 810m/s were also underway.

On the 13th of May 1942, during another conference, Hitler made it clear that the heaviest Soviet tanks would appear by Spring. Hitler states that the ongoing 100 ton tank development should continue with high priority, and dismisses the suggested weight reduce to 70 tons by instead suggesting increasing the weight to 120 tons. Heaviest armour and best gun performance were the priority. He points out that he originally wanted a L/60 or even a L/72 cannon.

On the 4th of June 1942, Hitler confirms the role of the development to be for a heavily armoured slow-moving vehicle, akin to a mobile fortress.

On the 23rd of June 1942, Hitler approved drawings of the Porsche concept design with several modifications. These modifications included increasing the armour of the belly to 100mm, and replacing the gun with either a 15cm L/37 or 10,5cm L/70 gun. The 105mm gun is favoured due to its higher rate of fire and increased ammunition load, but the firepower potential of the 150mm gun leaves both guns in the run for the position. A secondary gun (of 75mm) in an additional turret is not needed, as supporting lighter vehicles would escort the vehicle. Porsche stated delivery of the first vehicle by the 12th of May 1943.

Hitler also stated that the priorities of such a class of heavy tank would be as such;

1. Heaviest armament
2. Highest speed
3. Heaviest armour

Although armour is the third priority, it must not be neglected as this is a primary focus of the class of vehicle.

On the 17th of July 1942, Krupp's proposal (dated 25 June) for their version of the project was awarded a contract by Wa Prüf 6. This contract was for designing a turret for the then-called Pz.Kpfw. Mäuschen, details follow:

The specifications stated a 360° traversing turret constructed of RHA (250mm front, 200mm sides, 80mm roof) and a cast mantle. wip

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Variants

Panzerkampfwagen Maus I

Standard model.

Panzerkampfwagen Maus II

Updated model with new turret.

Mausturmstellung

Design for a static fortification with a Maus turret.

Sturmgeschütz auf Maus Fahrgestell

Design for a 15cm L/63 or 17cm L/53 to be mounted in a superstructure.

Flakpanzer variant

Proposal by Krupp to the Waffenamt, they did not allow development.

Germany (Deutsches Reich) Land Vehicles 1919 - 1945

Half-Tracked Vehicles
Offensive / Defensive	SPAA	2cm Fla.K. 30 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 auf Fgst. le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 (Sf.) auf le.Zgkw. 1t • 2cm Fla.K. 38 Vierling (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw. 8t • 3,7cm Fla.K. 43/1 auf Sfl. s.W.S. • 5cm Fla.K. 41 (Sf.) auf m.Zgkw 5t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 18 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 12t • 8,8cm Fla.K. 37 (Sfl.) auf s.Zgkw 18t
	Armoured Recon	le.S.P.W. (2cm) • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) aA • le.S.P.W. (3,7cm) nA • Pz.Spw. RK A
	Fire Support	le.S.P.W. (7,5cm) • le.S.P.W. (s.Pz.B. 41)
	SPM	8cm R-vielfachwerfer auf Fahgestell S 303(f) • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen (schwerer Granatwerfer) • mittlerer Schützenpanzerwagen S307(f)
	SPRA	8cm R.W. auf Fgst. S303(f) • 8cm Reihenwerfer auf Fahgestell S303(f)
	SPATG	5cm PaK 38 (Sf) auf leichter Zugkraftwagen 1t • 7,5cm PaK 40 (Sf) auf Fahrgestell S 307(f) • 8,8cm FlaK 18 (Sf) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 12t • 8,8cm FlaK 37 (Sfl.) auf schwerer Zugkraftwagen 18t • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen mit Sfl 5cm PaK 38 L/60 • Panzerjäger S307(f) mit 7,5cm PaK 40 L/46
Utility	Ammunition Carriers	l.gp.Mun.Tr.Kw. • le.Mun.Pz.Wg. (A • B)
	Command	le.Beob.Pz.Wg. n.A.
	Communication & Cable Related	kl.Kett.Krad. f. Fe.Kab. • kl.Kett.Krad. f. s.Fe.Kab. • leichter Fernsprechpanzerwagen • leichter Funkpanzerwagen
	Engineering	m.S.P.W. (Pi)
	Observation, Spotting & Survey	leichter gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen • leichter Beobachtungspanzerwagen Alte • le.Messtrupp-Pz.Wg. • m.S.P.W. (IR)
	Transport & Towing	gepanzerter Transportkraftwagen P380(f) • kl.Kett.Krad • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Series • leichter Schützenpanzerwagen Alte • le.S.P.W. n.A. • le.S.P.W. U304(f) • le.Zgkw 1t • le.Zgkw 3t • le.Zgkw S307(f) • m.gep.Zgkw S303(f) • m.Zgkw 5t • m.Zgkw 8t • S.P.W. M2(a) • S.P.W. M3(a) • s.Zgkw 12t • s.Zgkw 18t • Zgkw P302(b) • Zgkw P302(f) • Zgkw P304(f)