Patently Absurd – Part III: Germany

Posted on by

Author: Vollketten

Part I – France: http://ftr.wot-news.com/2014/11/05/pate … -i-france/
Part II – UK: http://ftr.wot-news.com/2014/11/07/pate … d-kingdom/

Germany is obviously a famous country for its tanks – good and bad. So, after some British ones in part 2, we should take a look at some interesting German tank ideas.

From an Italian file, this one is from the firm of Blohm and Voss back in 1968; a nice design here with a 3 man crew in the hull below the turret level, well protected by very thick frontal armour. The gun is fed by an autoloading carousel. In has two files related directly to the design with different crew-less turrets and a plan to further enhance the frontal armour with a spaced armour plate, along with some other hull variants.

YVb48HD

The same designer responsible for some of the technical aspects of that design, Dr. Hopp, designed back in 1965 this curious affair, focusing on the means, by which the crew, seated in the hull, could use optics to direct fire from the gun and conduct observations. The armament is not specifically listed.

IjDj9o3

The tanks are at least getting uglier, right? Well, then we have this. This one is by the Porsche company from 1972, specifically referring to the extra long range fuel tanks. Let’s hope the vehicle wasn’t based on something planned.

aCWJJLX

Maybe something more useful here – grom the firm of Diehl in 1972 comes this light vehicle, capable of direct fire at ranges of up to 2000m and of shelling targets up to 8000m away indirectly. It uses unique breech system, which allows the loader to continue to load shells into the breech at the same angle, regardless of the elevation/declination of the gun barrel at the time. The purpose is to make firing as fast as possible.

cPFckqS

The gun itself:

HZ4tClf

A high firepower, high mobility vehicle from the Porsche stable once again from July, 1972. With an unpronounceable German name and TWIN GUNS! Specified is the front-mounted engine and gearbox. In a nutshell, with the engine and gearbox at the front, the guns and breech and loading mechanisms behind it encompass the crew in a horseshoe of extra protection with an armoured central cabin within. Crew enters the vehicle through the rear side.

8kBYCv1

Another Porsche special, dating back to 1969. This time with a very low profile turret and an externally mounted cannon. Component elements of the vehicle are spaced around a smaller central extra armoured section for the crew.

1imm1Si

So that’s not it for Germany yet and frankly these were perhaps a little too sensible, I’m sure I have something less useful for Germany still to come for later.

29 thoughts on “Patently Absurd – Part III: Germany”

  3. Hmm..nothing all that odd here. Where’s the bizzare 30s and 40s designs that Hitler had his fingers all over, because insanity?

  4. Most of those early concepts represent current projects with crews seperated in the hull and fully automatc turrets with weapons and optics/electronics.
    Once again – german engineering ahead of its time. :)

  7. Blohm and Voss back in 1968. at some point all countries tested this. clear advantages are smaller turet, lower weight. also front engine and transmission give extra protection. this is not fail at all. I would say, this is quite interesting tank!

  8. Blohm and Voss in 1968. at some point all countries tested this. clear advantages are smaller turet, lower weight. and that armor looks good. I would say, this is quite interesting tank!

  11. “A high firepower, high mobility vehicle from the Porsche stable once again from July, 1972. With an unpronounceable German name and TWIN GUNS!”

    Kampfpanzer 3… Versuchsträger… Gefechtsfeldversuchträger…

    Maximalbefriedigung.

    Am I clear, Herr Vollketten?

    If not… Schiesse.

    • The correct name is something like Double Barrelled Casement Tank – ‘Doppelrohrkasemattpanzer’

  12. To be fair, these are a lot less ridiculous than part 1 and 2 tanks

    Except the double gun one. It’s plain silly.