WDIF

Archive for January, 2006

No sooner was the Tiger in productionthan the decision was taken to developan even better armed and armouredversion, especially to counter anyvehicle that the Soviets could introducein the future, Once again Henscheland Porsche were asked to preparedesigns. Porsche first designed atank based on the earlier VK 4501 designand armed with a 15-cm (5.9-in)gun, This was rejected in favour of anew design with a turret-mounted 88-mm (3.46-in) gun, which was soon cancelledas its electric transmission usedtoo much copper, which at that timewas in short supply, By this time theturrets were already in production andthese were subsequently fitted to earlyproduction Henschel tanks. The VK4503(H) Henschel design was completedin October 1943, somewhat laterthan anticipated as a decision wastaken to incorporate components ofthe projected Panther II tank. Read the rest of this entry »