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VK4502(P)
File:VK4502 Typ 180B.jpg
The VK4502(P) version with rear-mounted turret
Type Heavy tank
Place of origin Flag of German Reich (1935–1945) Nazi Germany
Production history
Manufacturer Porsche
No. built None built
Specifications
Mass 57 tonnes (63 short tons; 56 long tons)
Length 10.71 m (35 ft 2 in)
Width 3.32 m (10 ft 11 in)
Height 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Crew 5

Armor 70–120 millimetres (2.8–4.7 in)
Main
armament
8,8 cm KwK 43 L/71
Secondary
armament
2 x 7.92 mm MG 34
Engine Two Porsche Typ 101/3
670 hp
Suspension Torsion bar
Operational
range
Unknown
Maximum speed 38 km/h (24 mph)

The VK4502(P) was an unsuccessful heavy tank prototype produced by Porsche in Germany.

Development of this vehicle started in April 1942. The Krupp company received an order for construction of turrets. However, the prototype was never manufactured. The turrets were mounted on the first Tiger IIs.

After the VK4501(P) failed to win the contract, Dr. Porsche began looking at ways to improve the design for a future version. Based on the latest Allied tank designs, however, it was clear that simply increasing the armor on the VK 4501(P) would not be enough for the tank to remain competitive. It needed to have both more weight and more maneuverability. What initially began as a single vehicle, entitled "Typ 180" grew into a series of five different vehicles, requiring the development of two hull configurations (one with the turret in the front, the other with the turret in the rear), both an electric and a hydraulic drive system, and four different engines. The overall project came to be known as VK 4502(P)

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at VK4502(P) and the edit history here.

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