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In ''Panzer Tracts' 20-1', page 20-15, it states :-
" An alternative turret is to be designed for the VK 45.01... as reported on 25 July 1941.
...I was not happy with the Krupp turret and strived for a better solution.. suitable for
the Pz.Kpfw Typ Porsche and Typ Henschel... WaPruef 6 gave Rheinmetall a contrct in
mid July 1941 to design a turret with a gun that could penetrate 140mm thick armour
at a range of 1000 metres, without specifying that the calibre had to be 8.8cm. [my bold]
The authority...comes from Hitler...If the same penetration capability can be achieved by a
smaller calibre than the 8.8 cm [i.e. 6 or 7.5 cm], this should be given preference based on
increased ammunition load, and the lower turret weight..."
The upshot of this was that Rheinmetall designed a turret mounting the 75mm L70 gun to fit the
VK 45.01 hull and chassis. This tank was to be designated the Pz.Kpfw.VI H Ausf H2.
and again, from the above :-
"On 1 July 1942...revealed long range plans...to produce only the first 100 VK 45.01 (H) with
the 8.8 cm Kw.K. L56. Starting with the 101st [vehicle]... production was to be shifted to the
Rheinmetall turret with the 7.5 cm Kw.K. L70.
At a meeting on 14 July 1942...the ability to penetrate 100mm of armour was acheived with
the 8.8 cm Kw.K. L56, therefore conversion to the the 7.5 cm Kw.K. L70 is no longer necessary."
There is an image of the mock-up of the Rheinmetall turret, see below, but does anyone have, or
know the whereabouts of ,any drawings for this turret?
cheers,
Robin.
" An alternative turret is to be designed for the VK 45.01... as reported on 25 July 1941.
...I was not happy with the Krupp turret and strived for a better solution.. suitable for
the Pz.Kpfw Typ Porsche and Typ Henschel... WaPruef 6 gave Rheinmetall a contrct in
mid July 1941 to design a turret with a gun that could penetrate 140mm thick armour
at a range of 1000 metres, without specifying that the calibre had to be 8.8cm. [my bold]
The authority...comes from Hitler...If the same penetration capability can be achieved by a
smaller calibre than the 8.8 cm [i.e. 6 or 7.5 cm], this should be given preference based on
increased ammunition load, and the lower turret weight..."
The upshot of this was that Rheinmetall designed a turret mounting the 75mm L70 gun to fit the
VK 45.01 hull and chassis. This tank was to be designated the Pz.Kpfw.VI H Ausf H2.
and again, from the above :-
"On 1 July 1942...revealed long range plans...to produce only the first 100 VK 45.01 (H) with
the 8.8 cm Kw.K. L56. Starting with the 101st [vehicle]... production was to be shifted to the
Rheinmetall turret with the 7.5 cm Kw.K. L70.
At a meeting on 14 July 1942...the ability to penetrate 100mm of armour was acheived with
the 8.8 cm Kw.K. L56, therefore conversion to the the 7.5 cm Kw.K. L70 is no longer necessary."
There is an image of the mock-up of the Rheinmetall turret, see below, but does anyone have, or
know the whereabouts of ,any drawings for this turret?
cheers,
Robin.
