Production vehicles probably would have used the suspension and running gear of the Panzerkampfwagen III as it offered increased maneuverability due to a shorter length of track in contact with the ground, less rolling resistance, softer springs and greater deflection of the suspension. In the prototype vehicles the V-12 Maybach HL120 engine of the Panzer IV was replaced by a lighter V-6 Maybach HL66P engine. (Pz.Sfl.IVa), but was redesignated 10.5 cm K (gp.Sfl.) on 13 August 1941, and was also colloquially known as Dicker Max ("Thick" or "Fat" Max). Throughout most of its development it was known as 10 cm K. A Selbstfahrlafetten-Zielfernrohr (Sfl.Z.F.) 1 sight was used by the gunner, a binocular Turmspähfernrohr (T.S.F.) periscope was fitted for use by the commander,and each loader was provided with a binocular Scherenfernrohr on a pivoting arm.
For self-defense the crew carried three 9 mm machine pistols with 576 rounds of ammunition. A muzzle brake was fitted to reduce recoil forces and a travel lock was fitted on the front deck to secure the gun during movement. Another oddity was the fake driver's compartment on the right side of the vehicle that matched the real one projecting forward from the front superstructure on the left.Īlthough the main gun was intended to engage enemy armoured fighting vehicles it could only traverse 8° to the left and right, depress 15° and elevate 10°. Similarly the ammunition bins holding 26 rounds for the main gun had thin armored covers on top. The vehicle's most curious feature were armored compartments provided in the rear of the vehicle to protect the loaders against attack from aircraft. The forward glacis plate was of 50 millimetres (2.0 in) face-hardened armour at 15° from the vertical while the sides were 20 millimetres (0.79 in) thick. E chassis with the turret removed and an open-topped superstructure added to house the main gun. The 10.5 cm K (gp.Sfl.) was built on a heavily modified Panzerkampfwagen IV Ausf. If troop trials were successful it was estimated that series production could begin in the Spring of 1942. Two prototypes were ordered, completed in January 1941 and demonstrated in front of Hitler on 31 March 1941.
With the conquest of France complete the design was without a purpose so it was suggested that it be used as a heavy tank destroyer. It was intended to be used against bunkers at ranges beyond which the bunker could return fire. The 10.5 cm K gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette ("10.5 gun on armored self-propelled mount") was a prototype self-propelled gun used by Nazi Germany during World War II.Īlthough it was originally designed as a Schartenbrecher ("bunker buster") for use against the French Maginot Line defences following the defeat of France it was used as a tank destroyer on the Eastern Front. 6.6 l (400 cu in) 6-cylinder water-cooled Maybach HL66P
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