Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf B, SdKfz 161:
BW/2. Had a larger engine, a 6 speed transmission, a modified cupola, and thicker armor. There was a conical shaped hood installed over the right signal port in the roof of the turret. The hatches over the driver and radio operator were now one piece. The front of the superstructure was now a single straight piece with no hull machine gun which was replaced by a visor and pistol port.
In 1940 some had additional armor bolted onto the hull and superstructure.
45 were built in 1937.8
From April to September 1938, 45 were ordered, but only 42 were built as the parts ran out at Krupp-Grusonwerk.7
Used FuG5 radio.4
Saw action in Poland, France, Balkans, and Russia. Phased out of service by 1943.
| Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf B | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator 52,4 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 17.7 tons5,8,9, 18.8 tons4, 18.5 tons2 41,887 lb |
| Length w/gun | 19' 3"9, 19' 5.25", 19.7'5 5.92 m2,4, 5.87 m |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 8' 6"9, 8' 8.5" 2.59 m, 2.68 m2,4 |
| Width | 9' 3.25", 9' 4"9 2.83 m2,4, 2.85 m |
| Width over trakcs | |
| Ground clearance | 0.4 m2 |
| Ground contact length | 3.52 m |
| Ground pressure | 0.77 (kg/cm2)2 10.95 psi |
| Turret ring diameter | 1.65 m |
| Armament | |
| Main | 75 mm KwK 37 L/244 75 mm L/242 75 mm KwK L/249 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.92 mm MG34, coaxial9 MG2 7.92 mm MG344 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 802 80 Pzgr, Sprgr+Nebel4 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2,4002 2,400 Patr SmK4 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 309 Hull: 308 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 302 30@7°4 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 30@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 | 302 30@10°4 Mantlet: 30@round4 |
| Turret Sides | 14.52 15@25°4 |
| Turret Rear | 14.52 15@0°-24°4 |
| Turret Top | 102 10@83°-90°4 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Water cooled Maybach HL 120 TR2,4,8,9 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | |
| Cylinders | |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 3208 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | Synchromesh, ZF SSG 76 6 forward, 1 reverse.2,4 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical system | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 105 gallons 470 liters2 |
| Road consumption | 100 km/235 liters |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, electric.4 |
| Max speed | 40 kph4, 42 kph2 25 mph |
| Cross country speed | 11 mph |
| Road radius | 200 km4, 210 km2 |
| Cross country radius | 130 km2 |
| Turning radius | 5.92 m |
| Elevation limits | -11° to +21° -10° to +20°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 | 4x2 |
| Tracks (Type) | |
| Length | |
| Width | 15.75" 380 mm2 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | |
| Pitch | |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 2.39 m |
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
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1943-1945, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- 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
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- Panzers At War, Michael and Gladys Green, 2005
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