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Germany's Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf F1, SdKfz 161
BW/7:
PzKpfw IV Ausf F1: |
Original order was for 500 to be built by Krupp-Gruson. This was increased when Vomag received an order for 100 and Nibelungenwerke for 25. Before these were all completed the OKH ordered that the rest of the order have 7.5 cm KwK 40 L/43 installed as soon as possible and a total of 25 were converted to Ausf F2s.
Design
A single plate of armor extended across the front of the superstructure.13 The revolver port in the front was replaced by a Kugelblende 50 (ball mounting) with a machine gun installed.13
The driver now had a Fahrersehklappe 50 (visor).13
The maintenance hatches in the glacis plate had air intake apertures installed in each door.13 There was a cast cowling welded onto the doors protecting the air intakes.13
The turret had the single door replaced by a double door with the front door having a vision port and the rear door having a pistol port.13
Used a TZF 5f telescope that was mounted to the left of the main gun.12
The AP round of the 75 mm gun weighed 15 lbs and had a muzzle velocity of 1,263'/sec.11
The driving sprocket had the spokes bent outwards.13 The rear idler was constructed from 2.25" welded tubes.13 There were flat plates that were welded to the inside and outside sections.13
Used FuG5 radio.4
Production
The first 20 PzKpfw IV Fs left the factory in February 1940.13
Usage
This model was up armored based on the encounters with British and French tanks in the West.8 Entered service in February 1941.8
Was used to refit the 2nd and 5th Panzer Divisions. Also used as replacements to units at front.
Was first used in North Africa.8
| Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf F1 | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator 52,4,11 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 49,163 lb 22.3 tons2,4,5,8,13, 24.1 tons11 |
| Length w/gun | 19.4'11, 19' 5.25" 5.92 m2,4, 5.93 m |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 8.5'11, 8' 8.5" 2.68 m2,4 |
| Width | 9.4'11, 9' 4" 2.84 m4, 2.88 m2 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 15.75"11 0.4 m2 |
| Ground contact length | 138.5"11 3.52 m |
| Ground pressure | 0.88 (kg/cm2)2 11 psi11, 12.52 psi |
| Turret ring diameter | 1.65 m |
| Armament | |
| Main | 75 mm KwK 37 L/244 75 mm L/242,11 75 mm KwK L/249 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2: 7.92 mm MG34, coaxial, hull9,11 2: MGs2 2: 7.92 mm MG344 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 802,11 80 Pzgr, Sprgr+Nebel4 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 2,70011, 3,000 Patr SmK4, 3,1502 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 1.2"+1.2"11, 508,9 Side: 0.8"+0.8"11, 308 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 502 50@10°4 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 50@12°4 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 302 30@0°4 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0°4 |
| Hull Rear | 202 20@9°4 & 12°4 |
| Hull Top | 10-112 12@85°-90°4 |
| Hull Bottom | 102 10@90°4 |
| Turret Front | 1.2"11 502 50@11°4 Mantlet: 50@0°-30°4 |
| Turret Sides | 0.8"11 302 30@26°4 |
| Turret Rear | 302 30@16°4 |
| Turret Top | 102 10@83°-90°4 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TRM2,4,9,11 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | Water11 |
| Cylinders | V-1211 |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | 300@3,000 rpm11 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | 6.5:111 |
| Transmission (Type) | Synchromesh11, ZF SSG 76 6 forward, 1 reverse.2,4,11 |
| Steering | Clutch brake11 |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | Electric and inertia11 |
| Electrical system | Starting: 24-volt11 Lighting: 12-volt11 |
| Ignition | Magneto11 |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline11 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 105 gallons, 125 gallons11 470 liters2 |
| Road consumption | 1 mpg11 100 km/235 liters |
| Cross country consumption | 0.6 mpg11 |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 360°, electric.4 Hand or electric11 |
| Max speed |
25 mph, 26 mph8,11 42 kph2,4,8 |
| Cross country speed | 18 mph11 20 kph |
| Road radius | 124 miles11 200 km4, 210 km2 |
| Cross country radius | 78 miles11 130 km2 |
| Turning radius | 5.92 m |
| Elevation limits | -11° to +21° -8° to +20° |
| Fording depth | 39.4"11 0.8 m2, 1 m |
| Trench crossing | 7.2'11 2.2 m |
| Vertical obstacle | 23.6"11 60 cm |
| Climbing ability | 30° (57%) slope11 |
| Suspension (Type) | Leaf springs2 Quarter elliptic springs11 |
| Wheels each side | 811, 8x22 |
| Return rollers each side | 411, 4x2 |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin11 |
| Length | |
| Width | 15.75"11, 16"8 400 mm2,8,13 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | 9911 |
| Pitch | 4.9"11 |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 8.1'11 2.45 m |
| Production | Early 1941 - Early 194212: 43712, Krupp-Gruson12, Vomag12, Nibelungenwerke12 |
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
- Armour in Profile #8: PanzerKampfwagen IV (F2), Walter Spielberger, 1967
