Thursday 16 April 2020

David vs Goliath

"Results of firing at the King Tiger tank with a 45 mm model 1943 gun

Firing was done from 180 meters at the side of the tank. The results are as follows:
  • Of 4 shots with armour piercing shells, none penetrated.
  • The running gear and tracks (road wheels and tracks) can be destroyed.
  • Of 6 shots with subcaliber armour piercing shot 5 penetrated. It also destroys the wheels and tracks.
Diagram of penetrations when firing with subcaliber ammunition

The firing was directed by the Chief of Artillery of the 39th Guards Rifle Regiment, 13th Guards Rifle Division, Guards Senior Lieutenant Tseleshev.

The diagram is correct: Assistant Chief of Staff of Artillery of the 32nd Guards Rifle Corps, Guards Captain Kurdikov"

3 comments:

  1. I've seen IS-2 photos with a road wheel missing, yet it did not prevent the tank from being mobile. If taking out a single road while disables a King Tiger, is it safe to assume the KT wasn't designed with the ability to lose a road wheel and still keep moving?

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    Replies
    1. From what I've read, deformation of one wheel sufficient to jam the overlapping ones. I suppose the tank could continue moving after the wheel was properly removed, but it would still be disabled for a short time.

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  2. This one has no major issues manouvering with about half the port side wheels missing.
    https://youtu.be/7h1Hau1RnEs

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