Maus
| Dragon Armor 1/72 Diecast Models of Maus: |
|---|
60137: 60154:  60156:  60157:  60167:  60168:  60170:  60324:  |
Alkett began assembly of the tank on August 1, 1943. Krupp supplied the hull in the middle of September 1943. The name was changed to Maus and was first run at Alkett on December 23, 1943. The tank was then sent to Böblingen (near Stuttgart) on January 10, 1944, for extensive tests. There were some problems with the suspension but the trials went rather successfully.
Hitler then ordered that the tank had to be completed by June 1944. On June 9, 1944, the turret was fitted to the tank. At the beginning of October the Maus was then sent to the proving grounds at Kummersdorf. A 2nd prototype was sent to Kummersdorf before trials were completed. This one had a different engine and considerable trouble. There were approximately 9 prototypes in various phases of completion when the war ended.
Electrical equipment came from Siemens-Schuckert and the engine was from Daimler-Benz. Tracks were supplied by Altmärkische Kettenfabrik. Armor came from Krupp, and the assembly was done by Alkett.
The Maus would have needed special rail cars designed for it's transport. Although it couldn't cross any bridges it would have been made to submerge for river crossings.
The ammunition for the 150 mm gun weighed 70 kg/ 154 lb and had to be carried in a trailer.4
The chassis was filled with the engine except for a compartment in the front for the driver and co-driver. Fuel was located in front of the superstructure. The ammunition was carried in the middle on the left, and on the right was an auxiliary engine with additional ammunition. The electric drive motors were at the rear with the engine located in the front part of the hull.
The turret alone weighed 50 tons. It was made from a cast front, with rolled armor on the sides and rear. A grenade projector was to be installed in the roof. The turret was electric powered and was to make a full rotation in 16 seconds.
The 8 hp auxiliary engine provided starting power, maintained the high pressure in the fighting compartment, and charged the batteries.
There were 24 double rollers combined in 12 bogies, with 6 being on each side. The bogie was hung from a cross bar fixed to the hull and the apron. Each pair of rollers sat on a double rotary arm which was sprung with a helical spring.
Used a FuG5 radio.2
Both prototypes are reported to have been blown up at Kummersdorf before the Russians overran the facility.
| Maus | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 63,4, 51,2 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 414,465 lb 180-188 tons3, 188 tons1,2,4 188,000 kg , 191,000 kg1 |
| Length w/gun | 30' 10", 33' 1"4 33' 1.2"1 10.08 m4, 10.09 m1,2 |
| Length w/o gun | 29' 7"4 9.03 m4 |
| Height | 11' 9", 12'1,4 3.66 m1,2,4 |
| Width | 11' 2", 12'4, 12' 0.5"1 |
| Ground clearance | 54 cm |
| Ground contact length | 5.88 m |
| Ground pressure | 20.6 psi 1.45 kg/cm2 |
| Turret ring diameter | 6' 1" 3 m |
| Armament | |
| Main | 128 mm1 128 mm KwK44 L/552 15 cm KwK 44 L/384 150 mm3 |
| Secondary | 75 mm1,3 75 mm KwK44 L/36.52,4 |
| MG | 7.92 mm MG1 7.92 mm MG342 2: 7.92 mm MG34, coaxial, AA4 2: MG3 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 15 cm: 504 128 mm: 68, 322 |
| Secondary | 2002 |
| MG | 1,0004 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 50 - 2403 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 200@55°2, 200@35°4 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 200@35°2, 200@60°4 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 180+100@0°2, 180@90°4 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 180@0°2 |
| Hull Rear | 160-165@90°4, 180@38°2 & 180@30°2 |
| Hull Top | 40-80@90°2 |
| Hull Bottom | 40-100@90°2 |
| Turret Front | 240 round2,4 Mantlet: 240 Soukopfblende2 |
| Turret Sides | 200@30°2, 200@60°4 |
| Turret Rear | 200@7°2, 200@60°4 |
| Turret Top | 40@90°2, 60@0°4 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Daimler-Benz MB 5091,4 Daimler-Benz MB5174 MB5092 or MB5172 |
| Cylinders | MB509, MB517: V-124 |
| Net HP | 1,2003,4 MB509: 1,0802 |
| Transmission | 2 forward, 2 reverse.2 |
| Fuel type | MB509: Gasoline4 MB517: Diesel2 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | 1,056 gallons4 4,800 liters4 |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, electric |
| Max Speed | 12.4 mph1, 12.5 mph3,4 20 kph1,2,4 |
| Cross Country | 7 mph4 11 kph4 |
| Road radius | 115.5 miles1, 116 miles, 119 miles4 186 km1,2, 190 km4 Cross country: 60 miles4, 97 km4 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | -7° to +23° |
| Fording depth | |
| Trench crossing | 13' 9" |
| Vertical Obstacle | 2' 2" |
| Suspension (Type) | |
| Wheels each side | |
| Return rollers each side | |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | 1.1 m |
| Track centers/tread | 2.33 m |
| Production | Alkett2 Chassis #s: 351451-2 2 prototypes2 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
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