Panzer projects & prototypes.

World War II German Military
#421

Neubaufahrzeug:

There is already some info of this tank posted, It was a experimental projekt dated 1936 one was made by Rheinmetal Borsig and the other by Krupp.

Its armament was 2 x MG 34s plus a 75mm howitzer with a 37 mm pak in an over and under configuration. Coaxial gun was the magazine fed MG 13.
It armor was completely inadecuate, between 20 to 13mm. Is worth to mention that it was the only german multiturret design ever. Overall weight 23 tons.
The pair saw some action in Norway ( one damaged by british gunfire but repaired later) and Russia when the survivor was dully destroyed by Russian defences in the early stage of “Barbarossa”.

#422

That was an interesting tank (Neubaufahrzeug). Looks very French influenced. Looks a bit like the Char B1 bis. Thanks for the picture!

#423

Definately, it had some influences of french, russian designs, but also from the british multiturret “independent” tank.

Vickers A1E1 “Independent”

I must clarify something, the Rheinmetall Borsig Nfbz used and “over and under” guns, the one made by Krupp had a "side by side " main armament. Also the MG 13 ball mounting was different.

#424

Seems there was at least 3 of these experimental heavy tanks. Here they are on deployment in Norway.

Apparantly they were rolled out as a propaganda exercise, to convince the allies & whoever else was watching that Germany had heavy tanks in mass production.

#425

Does anybody else think this Prototype looks a lot like the later Leopard I?

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Leopard_Vorserie_Prototyp_II.jpg
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#426

Seems there was at least 3 of these experimental heavy tanks. Here they are on deployment in Norway.

Nice picture, I got it but smaller in size, the extreme right tank is not seen. So there were at list 4 Nbz because one was left in Germany.

Does anybody else think this Prototype looks a lot like the later Leopard I?

Hmm, to be honest…no.

#427

The Neubaufarhzeug in action in Norway ( extract of Osprey campaign 183, Denmark & Norway, Hitlers boldest operation")

#428

I read the “Neubaufahrzeug” was the only german tank project with a rear-wheel drive. It had a crew of 6(!).


Another (small) pic from Norway.

#429

I seen this thread about five times and the tank resembled something I could quite put my finger on. But it’s just come to me. The resemblance to the US (experimental) heavy tank, the T-1/M-6, is pretty unmistakable…

#430

Sketch of “Neubaufahrzeug” showing the slight differences between the Krupp and Rheinmetall version, mind the rear MG:

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#431

I seen this thread about five times

Quite adictive topic isnt ? :mrgreen:

Sketch of “Neubaufahrzeug” showing the slight differences between the Krupp and Rheinmetall version, mind the rear MG:

Very nice , danke, the Rheinmetall Borsig made pair had low carbon steel armor ( soft) so there were used only as training panzer.

#432

I failed to notice earlier the rear machine gun turret, I thought it was a machine gun ball. I’m surprised other tanks didn’t have rear machine gun protection. Just no room in the hull or turret?

#433

Teorically the turrets with machineguns allowed engaging soft targets at left and right without compromissing the aiming of main guns, that was the concept behind it. However the multiturret design never was completely sucessful, it was used by russians ( t-24.T-28, T-35, SMK, T-100) british ( crusader mark I, Vickers Medium, Independent, cruiser A9,et)

The germans experimented with tanks since the 1920s in central russia, so is likely that the Neubaufahrzeug was influenced by soviet armored design.

#434

The germans experimented with tanks since the 1920s in central russia, so is likely that the Neubaufahrzeug was influenced by soviet armored design.

Read somewhere that the “Independent” inspired all the other multiturret tanks (the Nbfz´s possibly via Russia…). The Treasury disliked the relatively expensive Independent, but in its time the army actually liked it.

#435

The Independent might be influenced by this monstruosity as well, the French Char 2c, until the coming of the Tiger II this with 70 tons was the heaviest tank ever.

This was not a “multiturret” but 2 turreted tank, however it had several Mg emplacements, and it was extremely heavy, narrow and cumbersome.

Interestingly this had petrol-electric drive like the Porsche designs.

#436

So did it ever see action?

#437

Did not, too late for the WW1, in ww2 were quickly put out of service, the train carring them to the front ( 6 in total) was divebombed by Stukas and captured by german armored cars the 11th may 1940.

#438

That’s freakin’ awesome!! It looks like something out of a H.G Wells novel.

#439

Somehow I don’t think it would have been quite as effective as they would hope for, other than the psychological effect.
It seems like a huge target for artillery, and knowing the engines of that time period, it probably wouldn’t have gone very fast either…
Still, a driving fortress…

#440

Oh, I entirely agee… it wouldn’t have lasted 5 minutes… & I doubt it would have been capable of much more than human walking speed… but it looks fantastic!! If someone were to Photoshop a ‘War Of The Worlds’ Martian tripod in the b/g of that photo & it wouldn’t look out of place!