Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary L. Doyle - Germany´s Tiger tanks D.W. to Tiger I Design, production & modifications, rok vydania 2000, Shiffer Military History, ISBN 0-7643-1038-0 Spielberger, Walther J. (1987). Der Panzerkampfwagen Tiger und seine Abarten. Stuttgart: Motorbuch-Verlag. ISBN 3-87943-456-5 www.youtube.com www.ebay.de
URL : https://www.valka.cz/VK-30-01-H-t90742#339377
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After initial tests of the Durchbruchswagen I and Durchbruchswagen II tanks, it was decided on 9 September 1938 to continue further development of the 30-ton tank. At a meeting at Krupp on 19.1.1939 it was determined that the new design was to be armed with the 7.5 cm Kw.K gun. L/24, the tank's crew composition and deployment was to be the same as in the Pz.Kpfw. IV and the machine was to be protected by armour up to 50 mm thick in the front, sides and rear. The official designation of the machine on 31 January 1940 was Panzerkampfwagen VI (7.5cm) and the new design code designation was VK 30.01. The old Durchbruchswagen designs were referred to as VK 30.01 alte Konstruktion, the new design was referred to as VK 30.01 neue Konstruktion. Structurally, it was a classic construction of the time. The machine was characterized by square shapes, the chassis consisted of seven double running wheels on each side, supplemented by three supporting pulleys in addition to the drive and tension wheels. The driving wheels were suspended by torsion bars.
Three prototypes were ordered, which were to be made of armoured steel. The hulls were manufactured by Krupp in Essen and delivered to Henschel in Kassel for completion in 1940 (1st hull - 15.3.1940, 2nd hull - 15.4.1940, 3rd hull - 15.5.1940). The turrets were ordered from Krupp, which was to deliver them in 1940. There is no evidence that a turret was built for the prototype machines. The prototypes that were tested until the end of the war did not have turrets, they were mostly replaced by concrete ballast simulating the weight of a turret. On 29/1/1940 an order for turrets for eight Series 0 machines (Fgst.Nr. 150411-150418) was signed. The turrets were delivered to Henschel between 10/1941 - 1/1942, where they were to be mounted on chassis. The hulls were to be supplied by Krupp. The first hull of the eight (Wanne no. 150411) was delivered for completion to Henschel on 8/8/1941. On 15/11/1941 the first VK 30.01 0-series with turret was tested at Sennelager. It was subsequently sent for completion (completion of missing components) at the end of the month. The company Krupp delivered the last hull on 30.11.1941 and the last turret on 21.1.1942. Maybach-Motorenwerk of Friedrichshafen produced a total of 18 engines for this type in 1940-43. On 30.1.1942 it was decided to reduce the number of machines built. It was decided that only four 0.series tanks would be completed. The remaining production was cancelled. The completed machines with turrets (2 units in 3/1942 and 2 units in 10/1942) were subsequently sent to training units where they served to train new tank crews. A report from Krupp, the company that completed the turrets, indicates that it delivered four turrets in fiscal 1942. It probably completed additional turrets in the following period. On October 7, 1941, Krupp proposed WaPrüf 6 mounting some more powerful gun armament. Under consideration were, the Kw.K L/34.5 gun, the 5 cm Kw.K. L/50 and L/60, the 7.5 cm Waffe 0725. WaPrüf 6 suggested mounting the Kw.K.40 L/43. The company Krupp responded that while mounting was possible, either the turret or the gun itself would have to be modified for a successful launch. Consequently, on 30.1.1942, the rearmament was rejected.
The two modified platforms VK 30.01 were used to rebuild the 12.8 cm Kanone 40 L/61 auf VK 3001(H) tank interceptor[/url] and the turret of machine 0.series were used as permanent firing positions (Bauform 246 Stand für Pz.Kpfw. Turm VK 30.01) on the Atlantic Vale. The remaining machines were used for further tests, e.g. to test radars, mine clearers and trench diggers until the end of the war.
One prototype with a trench digger mounted and with a simulated ballast instead of a turret was found by Allied soldiers at Haustenbeck after the end of the war. There is film footage showing the testing of this chassis. Interestingly, the torso of the hull of this tank was found in 1980 on the Sennelager polygon.
Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary L. Doyle - Germany's Tiger tanks D.W. to Tiger I Design, production & modifications, published 2000, Shiffer Military History, ISBN 0-7643-1038-0 Spielberger, Walther J. (1987). Der Panzerkampfwagen Tiger und seine Abarten. Stuttgart: Motorbuch-Verlag. ISBN 3-87943-456-5 www.criticalpast.com www.youtube.com www.modelforum.cz
URL : https://www.valka.cz/VK-30-01-H-t90742#667068
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