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Germany's Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf A, SdKfz 161:

PzKpfw IV Ausf A:
Germany's PzKpfw IV Ausf A
PzKpfw IV Ausf A:
Germany's PzKpfw IV Ausf A
   

BW/1. An auxiliary engine provided power to the turret. There were numerous vision slits and the commander had a drum cupola with 8 vision slits. The driver's plate superstructure was further forward. This allowed the driver to see to the right.

Round Velocity Penetration
Thickness Angle Distance
APC12 1,260'/sec12 1.4"12 30°12 1,094 yds12
35 mm12 1,000 m12
The first 35 arrived in 1936 and were used for training and trials.8

Used FuG5 radio.4

Saw action in Poland, Norway, and France.12 Removed from front line units in early 194112. Used for training.

  Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf A
Crew Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator
52,4,5,8
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 39,683 lb
17.3 tons5,8,9, 18 tons2,12, 18.4 tons4
Length w/gun 18.4'12, 18' 4.5", 18' 8", 18.7'5
5.6 m4,12, 5.7 m, 5.92 m2
Length w/o gun  
Height 8.6'5, 8.7 m12, 8' 8.5"
2.65 m4,12, 2.59 m, 2.68 m2
Width 9.3'5, 9' 6"12, 9' 8"
2.83 m2, 2.85 m, 2.9 m4,12
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance 0.4 m2
Ground contact length 3.52 m
Ground pressure 9.67 psi
0.68 (kg/cm2)2
Turret ring diameter 1.65 m
Armament  
Main 75 mm KwK 37 L/244
75 mm L/242
75 mm5,6
75 mm KwK L/248,9
Secondary  
MG 2: MGs2,5
2: 7.92 mm MG344
MG - coaxial 7.92 mm MG6
7.92 mm MG348,9
MG - hull 7.92 mm MG6
7.92 mm MG348,9
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 1222,6,8, 80
122 Pzgr, Sprgr+Nebel4
Secondary  
MG 2,0008, 3,0002,6
3,000 Patr SmK4
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm) 8 - 305, 2012
Hull: 14.58,9
Turret: 208,9
Hull Front, Upper 14.52,6
15@7°4
Hull Front, Lower 15@12°4
Hull Sides, Upper 14.52
15@0°4
Hull Sides, Lower 15@0°4
Hull Rear 14.52
15@10°4
Hull Top 10-112
12@85°-90°4
Hull Bottom 82
5@90°4
Turret Front 14.52, 206
15@10°4
Mantlet: 15@round4
Turret Sides 14.52
15@25°4
Turret Rear 14.52
15@0°-25°4
Turret Top 102
10@83°-90°4
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach HL 108TR2,4,8,9,12
Bore / stroke  
Cooling Water2,12
Cylinders V-128, 1212
Capacity  
Net HP 2508,12
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) Synchromesh, ZF SFG 75
5 forward, 1 reverse.2,4,12
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type) Gasoline8
Octane  
Quantity 105 gallons
470 liters2
Road consumption 100 km/313 liters
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°, electric.4,8
Max speed 18.5 mph5,8, 19 mph12, 19.3 mph
30 kph8, 31 kph4,12, 32 kph2
Cross country speed 17 kph
Road radius 87 miles8, 93 miles12
140 km8, 150 km4,12, 210 km2
Cross country radius 56 miles8
90 km8, 100 km, 130 km2
Turning radius 5.92 m
Elevation limits -11° to +21°
-19° to +30°
-10° to +30°4
Fording depth 0.8 m2
Trench crossing 2.3 m
Vertical obstacle 0.6 m
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) Leaf springs2
Wheels each side 8x22
Return rollers each side 48x2
Tracks (Type)  
Length  
Width 15.75"
380 mm2
Diameter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread 2.39 m

Sources:

  1. 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
  2. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  3. Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
  4. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  5. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  6. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  7. -
  8. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
  9. Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
  10. Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
  11. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
  12. Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
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