German cross

Germany's E-100 super heavy tank

Photos

E-100 super heavy tank chassis sitting on a transporter:
Germany's E-100 super heavy tank chassis sitting on a transporter
Imperial War Museum5 		     
Die Cast 1/72 Armor
Dragon  
60138:
Dragon Armor 60138 German E-100 Diecast Model		 60155:
Dragon Armor 60155 E-100 Diecast Model		 60169:
Dragon Armor 60169 E-100 Diecast Model		  

Design

In 1943 the Heereswaffenamt ordered that a new series of tanks be standardized on to start replacing existing tanks in 1945.4,5 This was to make the vehicles easier to produce and maintain.5

The E-100 was the only one that was in prototype stage at the end of the war.4,5

Prototype

Production

  • E-100: 1 prototype2
    • Manufacturer: Henschel2

Variants

There was to be four E-Series (the number in the series represents the approximate weight in tons):

  • E-55: Chassis for light personnel carrier or reconnaissance.5
  • E-104,5: Chassis to replace PzKpfw 38(t) chassis to be used for personnel carrier or light Jagdpanzer.5 Designed by Köckner-Humboldt-Deutz.5
  • E-254,5:Chassis for medium tanks, heavy weapons carriers, and medium Jagdpanzer.5 Designed by Argus and Porsche.5
  • E-504,5: Chassis for heavy tanks.5 Designed by Adler, Argus, and Auto-Union.5
  • E-755: Chassis for heavy tanks.5 Designed by Argus.5
  • E-1004: Chassis for super heavy tanks.5

Usage

Specifications

  E-100
Crew 51,2,4, 63,5
Radio FuG52
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 137 - 140 tons3, 137.79 tons5, 137.8 tons1,4, 140 tons2
140,000 kg1,4
Length w/gun 33' 8"4,5, 33' 8.3"1, 34.16'3
10.27 m1,2,4
Length w/o gun 28' 6"5
Height 10' 9.5"1, 10' 10"4, 10' 11"5, 11.08'3
3.29 m1,2,4
Width 14' 8"4,5, 14' 8.4"1, 14.9'3
4.48 m1,2,4
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance  
Ground contact length  
Ground pressure 20 psi4
1.4 kg/(cm2)4
Turret ring diameter  
Armament  
Main 172 mm1,4
150 mm3
150 mm KwK44 L/382,5
Secondary - coaxial 75 mm1,3,4
75 mm KwK 44 L/36.52,5
MG 7.92 mm MG1,4
7.92 mm MG342
1: MG5
2: MG3
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 322
Secondary 2002
MG  
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm) 50 - 2003, 2404
Hull Front, Upper 2001,5
200@60°2
Hull Front, Lower 150@40°2
Hull Sides, Upper 60+120@20°2 & 60+120@0°2
Hull Sides, Lower 120@0°2
Hull Rear 150@30°2
Hull Top 40@90°2
Hull Bottom 40@90°2
Turret Front 2401,5
240 round2
Mantlet: 240 Saukopfblende2
Turret Sides 200@30°2
Turret Rear 200@7°2
Turret Top 40@90°2
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach5, Maybach HL2341,2,4
Bore / stroke  
Cooling  
Cylinders V-124
Capacity  
Net HP 7004, 1,2005
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) 8 forward, 4 reverse.2
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type) Gasoline4
Octane  
Quantity  
Road consumption  
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 360°, hand.2
Speed - Road 24 mph5, 24.85 mph1, 24.9 mph4, 25 mph3
40 kph1,2,4
Speed - Cross Country  
Range - Road 74.5 miles1, 74.6 miles4, 130 miles5
120 km1,2,4
Range - Cross Country  
Turning radius  
Elevation limits -7° to +23°2
Fording depth  
Trench crossing  
Vertical obstacle  
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type) MAN disc springs4
Wheels each side  
Return rollers each side  
Tracks (Type)  
Length  
Width 40"4
1.02 m4
Diameter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread  

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. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  3. Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
  4. The Illustrated Guide to Tanks of the World, George Forty, 2006
  5. German Tanks and Armoured Vehicles 1914 - 1945, B. T. White, 1966