Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf F1, SdKfz 161:

Germany's PzKpfw IV

BW/7. 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.

Used a TZF 5f telescope that was mounted to the left of the main gun.12

Supplementary armor plates abandoned. Improved ball mount for MG. Single door on side was replaced by double door. New sprocket and idler wheels. The vision and pistol ports, driver's visor, hull MG mount, and turret doors were modified because of increased armor.

The armor was a single sheet 50 mm think on the front, and 30 mm on the sides.8

The AP round of the 75 mm gun weighed 15 lbs and had a muzzle velocity of 1,263'/sec.11

This model was up armored based on the encounters with British and French tanks in the West.8 Entered service in February 1941.8

Used FuG5 radio.4

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, 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, 30
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
Igntion 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
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:

  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. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  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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