Aircraft of World War II

StuG_III_3rd_March_1943

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:44:45 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: StuG.III 3rd March 1943 German TANK DESTROYER Sturmgesch�tz III StuG.III one of the brigades assault guns are replenishing ammunition during battles on the Mius River (MIUS-front).

maus_Tank

johnbr — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 20:22:54 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: : Mass: 188.000 tons kg/206 Crew: 6 people Engine : Petrol Daimler-Benz MB 509/12-cylinder / 1080 hp Diesel Daimler-Benz MB 517 Diesel / 12-cylinder / 1200 hp Obemy tanks: 2650-2700 liters + 1500 liters in the external fuel tank. Speed: 13-20 km / h Range: 160-190 km on the highway and 62 km of cross-country. Length : 10.09 m Width : 3.67m Height : 3.63 m Armor: The roof of the tower: 60/90 Mask gun: 250 mm Forehead tower: 220-240 mm Bok Tower: 200 mm Forehead housing 180 mm Depth: 100-80 mm Rear of the tower: 200 mm Body-top: 150 mm Housing bottom: 150 mm The back panel: 50-90 mm.

Soviet-280mm-gun-east-prussia-january-1945

johnbr — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:32:13 -0500

by: johnbr

Soviet_T-28_heavy_tank_with_mine_trawls_during_a_test_to_cross_a_trench_in_

johnbr — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:22:52 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Front three-quarter view of the T28 at the Patton Museum Side view The T28 was designed and manufactured by Pacific Car and Foundry.[3] The mechanical superstructure was taken from a T23.[2] The original plan was to build five prototype vehicles, with a production total of 25. Its total weight when fully equipped would have reached 95 short tons (86 tonnes).[1] To carry this weight, it used four tracks instead of two, each 12.9 inches (328 mm) wide.[3] The outer tracks could be detached for easier transport.[1] After removal they could be fixed together to make a unit that could be towed behind the tank. Due to its extreme weight and low engine power, the T28 had extremely limited obstacle-crossing ability and could not cross any of the portable bridges available at the time, and so was considered impractical in the field and not suitable for production. The T28 had no conventional turret, with a casemate style hull instead, giving it a comparatively low profile. Its main armament was a 105 mm T5E1 gun, in a ball-shaped gun mantlet set into the hull front.[1] Although it was technically a part of a gun mantlet it was really attached to the hull.[2] Due to this it was not a true tank at all, but a "Gun Motor Carriage".[2] The traverse was limited to 10� right and 11� left, and elevation from 19.5� to −5�. When traveling, the gun was locked at the maximum elevation.[3] It also had a .50 inch (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun mounted above the commander's hatch.[1] The main gun had a muzzle velocity of 3,700 feet per second (1,130 m/s), with a range of up to 12 miles (19 km).[1] The armor was very thick compared to other tanks of the time, up to 12 inches (300 mm) thick on the front. This was considered heavy enough to provide protection from the German 88mm gun used as tank gun and anti-tank guns.[3] The lower hull front had 5.25 in (130 mm) of armor, and the sides 2.5 in (64 mm). The suspension system and lower hull were covered with 4-in (100 mm) thick steel skirts.[3] The engine was a gasoline-powered Ford GAF V-8, delivering 500 hp,[1] which left the vehicle underpowered with a top speed of about 8 mph (13 km/h) and greatly limited its obstacle-climbing capability.[3] Comparison to the parallel US developments Specifications[1][3] Specifications T28 T29 T30 Weight 86.2 metric tons 64 metric tons 65.8 metric tons Crew 4 men 6 men 6 men Engine Ford GAF V-8 / 500 hp (373 kW) Ford GAC four cycle 60 degree V12 / 650 hp (485 kW) Continental AV1790-3 / 704 hp (525 kW) Speed 13 km/h 32 km/h 26.5 km/h Maximum armor thickness 305 mm 279 mm 280 mm Length 11.10 m 11.57 m 11.57 m Width 4.39 m 3.80 m 3.80 m Height 2.84 m 3.20 m 3.20 m Armament 105 mm T5E1 gun 105 mm gun T5E2 T7 155 mm gun Secondary armament .50 Caliber Machine Gun 2 � .50 (12.7mm) Browning M2HB machineguns; 1 � .50 M2HB flexible AA; 1 � .30 Browning M1919A4 7.62 mm machine gun Ammunition 62 rounds 63 rounds 34 rounds

Usa_tank_with_a_Japanese_Tank_on_back

johnbr — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:20:17 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Captured Japanese tank type 94 TE-Ke on a Sherman M-4 at Guam on 2nd february 1944 Kwajalein Atoll. Pfc. N.E. Carling stands beside the medium tank "Killer" on which is mounted a dead Japanese light tank. February 2, 1944. Tennelly. (Marine Corps)

pzkpfw-iii--inside

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:43:37 -0500

by: johnbr

Inside_Tank

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:38:26 -0500

by: johnbr

Sturmtiger-Minden-Ger

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:36:10 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Development The idea for a heavy infantry support vehicle capable of demolishing heavily defended buildings or fortified areas with a single shot came out of the experiences of the heavy urban fighting in the Battle of Stalingrad in 1942. At the time, the Wehrmacht had only the Sturm-Infanteriegesch�tz 33B available for destroying buildings, a Sturmgesch�tz III variant armed with a 15 cm sIG 33 heavy infantry gun. Twelve of them were lost in the fighting at Stalingrad. Its successor, the Sturmpanzer IV/Brummb�r was in production from early 1943, but the Wehrmacht still saw a need for a similar, but heavier armoured and armed vehicle. Therefore a decision was made to create a new vehicle based on the Tiger tank and arm it with a 210 mm howitzer. However, this weapon turned out not to be available at the time and was therefore replaced by a 380 mm rocket launcher, which was adapted from a Kriegsmarine depth charge launcher. In September 1943 plans were made for Krupp to fabricate new Tiger I armored hulls for the Sturmtiger. The Tiger I hulls were to be sent to Henschel for chassis assembly and then to Alkett where the superstructures would be mounted. The first prototype was ready and presented to Adolf Hitler in October 1943. Delivery of the first hulls would occur in December 1943, with the first three Sturmtigers completed by Alkett by 20 February 1944. Due to delays, Hitler did not request production of the weapon until 19 April 1944; 12 superstructures and weapons for the Sturmtiger would be prepared and mounted on rebuilt Tiger I chassis. The first three production series Sturmtigers were completed by Alkett in August 1944. Plans to complete an additional seven 38 cm Sturmtigers from 15 to 21 September 1944 were presented to Hitler in a conference on 18�20 August 1944. Ten Sturmtigers were produced in September, along with an additional five in December 1944.[2] Hitler had laid great importance on the special employment of the Sturmtiger and believed it would be necessary to produce at least 300 rounds of ammunition per month.[2

Sturmtiger_abandoned_M4_ARV

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:33:56 -0500

Interior_of_Sturmtiger_captured_by_British_troops_in_early_1945_Breechlock_

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:21:31 -0500

Sturmtiger_abandoned_and_blown_by_its_crew_and_captured_by_US_troops

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:17:38 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Type Heavy assault gun Place of origin Nazi Germany Service history In service August 1944 - 1945 Wars World War II Production history Designer Alkett Designed 1943�1944 Manufacturer Alkett Produced October 1943 � January 1945 Number built 19 (1 prototype and 18 production) Specifications Weight 68 tonnes (75 short tons; 67 long tons) Length 6.28 metres (20 ft 7 in) Width 3.57 metres (11 ft 9 in) Height 2.85 metres (9 ft 4 in) Crew 5 driver machine gunner / radio operator loader 2nd loader commander / gunner max. 150 mm (superstructure front, at 47� from vertical) min. 62 mm Main armament 380 mm RW 61 rocket launcher L/5.4 (14 rounds, up to 376 kg each) Secondary armament 100 mm grenade launcher (using SMi 35 leaping mines) 7.92 x 57 mm MG 34 machine gun Engine V-12, water-cooled Maybach HL230P45 engine 700 PS (690 hp, 515 kW)[1] Power/weight 10,77 PS/tonne Suspension torsion-bar Operational range 120 kilometres (75 mi) Speed 40 kilometres per hour (25 mph)

German_soldiers_drive_a_captured_Ford_SEEP

johnbr — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 15:28:33 -0500

by: johnbr

germanheavyvehicles

johnbr — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 16:42:42 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: The Tiger was one of the German responses to the appearance of new Soviet tanks in 1941 and in particular of the T-34. At the time the German Army had no heavy tanks, except for a few experimental vehicles. However, once the new Russian tanks were encountered the German High Command realised the need for tanks more powerful than the existing Pz.Kpfw.IV. In consequence two new tanks were hurriedly developed. One was the 56 ton Tiger, whose design incorporated some features of one of the earlier experimental tanks but which was armed with a tank version of the 88mm anti-aircraft gun that had already proved highly effective as an anti-tank weapon. The other was a new medium tank which became the Panther, a 43 ton vehicle armed with a 70 calibre long, high velocity 75mm gun. The Panther began to be produced in January 1943 and, together with the Tiger, gave the German tank units a qualitative superiority over the Russian tank units. But both tanks were produced on a relatively small scale, the total production of the original Tiger I amounting to 1354 and that of the Panthers to 5976 (1.75). In consequence, there were not enough Panthers to reequip the Panzer divisions completely with them and the Tigers were generally held back in independent battalions. Both tanks had the same general layout as Pz.Kpfw.IV and five-man crews but apart from having much more powerful armament and thicker armour they were much more advanced mechanically. As a result of its combination of characteristics the Panther came to be regarded as the best medium tank of the 1943-45 period while the second version of the Tiger became the most powerful tank to be used during the Second World War. Thus, Tiger II was armed with a higher performance 88mm gun which was 71 calibres long and which could pierce considerably thicker armour than the 122mm gun of the IS-2. It was also heavily armoured, its frontal hull armour being 150mm thick, although this contributed to its weight of 68 tons, which made it the heaviest tank used during the war. But the total production of Tiger II amounted to only 489 vehicles. In the meantime, while the Tiger and the Panther were being developed, the existing German tanks were belatedly armed with more powerful guns. In particular, Pz.Kpfw.IV was armed in 1942 with more powerful 75mm guns, first 43 and then 48 calibres long, instead of the short barrelled gun of 24 calibres, which had been used in German tanks since the Grosstraktoren of 1929. New designs and improved versions of the existing vehicles developed in response to the appearance of the T-34 and KV not only made German tanks more than a match for the Soviet tanks in terms of gun-power but also put them well ahead of British and US tanks.

650

johnbr — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:26:22 -0400

by: johnbr

297

johnbr — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:26:21 -0400

by: johnbr

364

johnbr — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:26:21 -0400

by: johnbr

463

johnbr — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 23:26:21 -0400

by: johnbr

wwii-pt3-920-18

johnbr — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:41:09 -0500

by: johnbr

Tiger_cut-away_2

johnbr — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:04:49 -0500

by: johnbr

Tiger_cut-away

johnbr — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:04:48 -0500

by: johnbr

Cutaway

johnbr — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:20:13 -0500

by: johnbr

Metro-maus1

johnbr — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:15:31 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Type Super-heavy tank Place of origin Nazi Germany Production history Produced 1944 Number built 2 (of which 1 incomplete) Specifications Weight 200 metric tons (220.5 short tons) Length 10.2 metres (33 ft 6 in) Width 3.71 metres (12 ft 2 in) Height 3.63 metres (11 ft 11 in) Crew 6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Armour 460 mm (18 in) (in the area of the mantlet) 250 mm (9.8 in) (mantlet) 240 mm (9.4 in) (turret front) 220 mm (8.7 in) (turret side and rear, and hull front) 210 mm (8.3 in) (turret front behind the mantlet) 190 mm (7.5 in) (hull side and rear) Main armament 128 mm (5 in) KwK 44 gun L/55 (32 rounds) Secondary armament 75 mm (3 in) KwK 44 gun L/36.5 (co-axial) (200 rounds) 7.92 mm MG34 machine gun Engine MB 517 diesel engine (V-shaped 12-cylinder) 1200 hp (895 kW) Power/weight 6.4 hp/t Ground clearance 500 mm (20 in) Fuel capacity 2,700 litres (590 imp gal; 710 US gal) (internal fuel tank) 1,500 litres (330 imp gal; 400 US gal) (external fuel tank) Operational range 160 km (99 mi) (road) 62 km (39 mi) (off road) Speed 13 km/h (8.1 mph) Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus was a German World War II super-heavy tank completed in late 1944. It is the heaviest fully enclosed armoured fighting vehicle ever built. Only two hulls and one turret were completed before the testing grounds were captured by the advancing Soviet forces. These two prototypes (one with, one without turret) underwent trials in late 1944. The complete vehicle was 10.2 metres (33 ft 6 in) long, 3.71 metres (12 ft 2 in) wide and 3.63 metres (11.9 ft) tall. Weighing 200 metric tons, the Maus's main armament was a 128 mm KwK 44 gun (55 calibers long barrel), based on the 12.8 cm Pak 44 anti-tank artillery piece, with a coaxial 75 mm gun. The 128 mm gun was powerful enough to destroy all enemy armored fighting vehicles at close or middle ranges, and even some at ranges exceeding 3500 meters.[1] The principal problem in development of the Maus was finding a powerful enough engine for its weight that could be carried in the tank. Though the design called for a maximum speed of 20 kilometres per hour (12 mph), no engine was found that could power the prototype to more than 13 kilometres per hour (8.1 mph) under ideal conditions. The weight also made it impossible to cross most bridges; it was intended to ford or submerge and use a snorkel to cross rivers. Contents 1 Development 1.1 V1 1.2 V2 1.3 Flak 2 Capture 3 See also 4 References 5 External links [edit] DevelopmentThe basic design known as the VK7001/Porsche Type 205 was suggested by Ferdinand Porsche to Adolf Hitler in June 1942, who subsequently approved it. The design up to then had been the culmination of work done by Porsche who had won the contract for the heavy tank that March. Work on the design began in earnest; the first prototype, to be ready in 1943 was initially to receive the name Mammut (Mammoth). This was reportedly changed to M�uschen (Little Mouse) in December 1942 and finally to Maus (Mouse) in February 1943, which became the most common name for this tank. Its ordnance inventory designation was SdKfz 205. Hitler's obsession with heavy tanks reached its zenith with the construction of the Panzer VIII "Maus". What is clear is that the time and energy spent on designing and producing these behemoths wasted a vast amount of precious design and production effort, which Nazi Germany could ill afford to spare. Guderian described the Maus as "this gigantic offspring of the fantasy of Hitler and his advisors."[2] The Maus was designed from the start to use the "electric transmission" design which Ferdinand Porsche had used in his unsuccessful attempt to win the production contract for the Tiger. The initial prototypes used a gasoline engine, the later ones were to use diesel. It drove a massive electrical generator, and together they occupied the entire central rear two-thirds of the Maus' hull, cutting off the forward driver's compartment in the hull from direct access to the turret from within the tank. Each metre-wide track, which used the same basic "contact shoe" and "connector link" design format as the Henschel-built King Tiger had used, had its own electric motor mounted in the rear of the hull; the tracks had no direct mechanical connection to the internal combustion engine that powered the Maus. Due to the uniquely wide tracks used (1100 mm each), there was a narrow lengthwise "tunnel" inside the hull under and to the rear of the turret to house the engine and generator of the tank's powertrain.[clarification needed] The amount of armour was substantial, the hull front was 220 millimetres (8.7 in). The sides and rear of the hull were up to 190 millimetres (7.5 in). The turret armour was even thicker, the turret front was up to 240 millimetres (9.4 in) and the sides and rear 220 millimetres (8.7 in). The mantlet was 250 millimetres (9.8 in), and combined with the turret armour behind, the protection level at that section was even higher. The initial plan for the Maus was for the prototype to have been completed by the summer of 1943, with monthly production scheduled to run at five vehicles per month after delivery of the prototype. The work on the Maus would be divided between Krupp, responsible for the chassis, armament and turret and Alkett, who would be responsible for final assembly. The Maus tank was originally designed to weigh approximately 100 tons and be armed with a 128 mm main gun and a 75 mm co-axial secondary gun. Additional armament options were studied including various versions of 150 mm and 128 mm guns. Hitler himself in January 1943 insisted that the armament be a 128 mm main gun with a coaxial 75 mm gun. By May 1943, a wooden mockup of the final Maus configuration was ready and presented to Hitler, who approved it for mass production, ordering a first series of 150. At this point, the estimated weight of the Maus was 188 tons. However, there is a story that concerns the main armament of the Maus being changed by Hitler who said that the 128 mm gun looked like a �toy gun� when compared to the tank, causing the 128 mm to be replaced by a 150 mm gun.

wwii0213

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:11:25 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: worldwar2database.com 3000 � 1929 - 800mm (31.5 inch) German Artillery "Dora"

v42280_RussianWW2-180mmTM-1-180railroad-naval-gun

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:05:26 -0400

by: johnbr

w32_10190131

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:55:09 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: A flood of Russian armored cars move toward the front, on October 19, 1941. (AP Photo

w21_10915096

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:49:21 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: huge Russian gun on tracks, likely a 203 mm howitzer M1931, is manned by its crew in a well-concealed position on the Russian front on September 15, 1941. (AP Photo) #

w03_10721018

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:40:06 -0400

by: johnbr

w04_00148-33

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:38:37 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: A German half-track driver inside an armored vehicle in Russia in August of 1941. (Deutsches Bundesarchiv/German Federal Archive

w38_11121156

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:20:42 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: German mechanized troops rest at Stariza, Russia on November 21, 1941, only just evacuated by the Russians, before continuing the fight for Kiev. The gutted buildings in the background testify to the thoroughness of the Russians "scorched earth" policy. (AP Photo) #

w07_01010215

johnbr — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:31:06 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: A squadron of Bren gun carriers, manned by the Australian Light Cavalry, rolls through the Egyptian desert in January of 1941. The troops performed maneuvers in preparation for the Allied campaign in North Africa.

PzV_1

johnbr — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:47:27 -0400

by: johnbr

Cutaway1

johnbr — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:06:36 -0400

by: johnbr

Armored Car turret rear

MacArther — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:22:06 -0500

by: MacArther

Description: This is a Post-War British Armored car, which I am ashamed to say I don't know the name (model or make) of.

Armored Car front

MacArther — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:22:05 -0500

by: MacArther

Description: This is a Post-War British Armored car, which I am ashamed to say I don't know the name (model or make) of.

Armored Car instrument panel

MacArther — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:22:05 -0500

by: MacArther

Description: This is a Post-War British Armored car, which I am ashamed to say I don't know the name (model or make) of. I don't know which way I was facing into the car at this picture.

Panzer Generals

vonnoble — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:13:29 -0400

by: vonnoble

Description: Guderian

Panzer Generals

vonnoble — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:13:29 -0400

by: vonnoble

Description: von_manstein

Panzer Generals

vonnoble — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:13:28 -0400

by: vonnoble

Description: Hasso_von_Manteuffel

Panzer Generals

vonnoble — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:13:28 -0400

by: vonnoble

Description: Major_General_Hermann_Balck

Priest

Bigbird — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:04:33 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here is a M7 Priest self-propelled howitzer comes of the ramp of an LCT at Reggio, 3 September 1943. There is an almost casual atmosphere on thebeachhead where no opposition has been met (IWM: NA 6205).

Sherman

Bigbird — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 09:01:30 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here is a Sherman tank 'Adjunct' of A Squadron, 14th Armoured Regiment (The Calgary Regiment) fires on Potenza, while in support of the advance of the West Nova Scotia Regiment (National Archives of Canada/PA144103).

India Pattern Mk.11

Bigbird — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:56:56 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here is a patrol of the 6th (Duke of Connaught's) Lancers (Watson's Horse) which was the divisional reconnaissance regiment of the 8th Indian Division, whose equipment included this India Pattern Mk.11 armoured carrier, based on a Canadian Ford CO11QRF chassis. They are observing the Trigno river where the regiment gained its first battle honour in Italy (IWM: NA 8532).

Staghound

Bigbird — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:45:38 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here is a Staghound armoured car belonging to the New Zealand Divisional Cavalry Regiment. These 14 ton cars were often too cumbersome for rural roads in Italy (IWM: NA 9270).

Stuart

Bigbird — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 08:42:43 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: In this pic the Maiella mountains provide an imposing backdrop to this Stuart tank belonging to HQ Squadron, 44th RTR (Royal Tank Regiment), 4th Armoured Brigade. The brigade saw considerable action in the early days of the Italian campaign but was withdrawn in late January 1944 to take part in Operation Overlord (IWM: NA9160).

M13/40

Bigbird — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:55:55 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here are M13/40 tanks advancing in open formation across the Western Desert.

M14/41

Bigbird — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 08:54:16 -0500

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here are M14/41 tanks advance under fire in Tunisia.

M13/40

Bigbird — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:45:44 -0400

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here are M13/40 medium tanks in the desert. Note unidentified unit symbol on front of hull.

M14/41

Bigbird — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:43:18 -0400

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here are M14/41 tanks advancing under fire in Tunisia.

Semovente da 47/32 su scafo di carro L.40

Bigbird — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:41:37 -0400

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here are Semovente da 47/32s advance with infantry in Tunisia.

tipped tiger

xavier — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:13:21 -0400

by: xavier