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Before the A7V was even complete a much larger tank was planned. This tank was to be known as the Großkampfwagen, or K-Wagen. It was decided that the K-Wagen would be armed with 4 cannons (or 2 cannons and two flame throwers), seven machine guns, and be capable of crossing trenches 13 feet (4 meters) wide. It was originally supposed to weigh 165 tons, but this would've severely hampered it's mobility, so the weight requirement was reduced to 100 tons. It was to be powered by twin 650 horsepower engines. The vehicle was soon considered to be impractical for non-positional warfare, however, two prototypes were almost completed before the end of the War. By the time the two prototypes were completed they weighed 150 tons. The tank was to be manned by a crew of 27. 7 MG 08 machine guns were to provide protection, one facing forward on each sponson, one facing backward on each sponson, one on each side of the hull ahead of the sponsons, and one at the front of the hull. At the end of the war the almost complete vehicles were examined by the allies then scrapped. The K-Wagen was the largest tank, in physical dimensions, ever built, at 43 feet long, 20 feet wide, and 10 feet tall. It was also the second heaviest tank ever built, second only to the Maus. 

K-wagen


Statistics[]

Number Built: 2 incomplete examples

Hull Armor: 30mm all around

  • Front: 
  • Sides: 
  • Rear: 
  • Top: 
  • Bottom: 

Turret Armor:

  • Front: 
  • Mantlet: 
  • Sides: 
  • Rear: 
  • Top: 

Weight: 120 to 150 tons

Suspension Type:

Engine: 2x V6 Daimler 650HP engines

Top speed: Estimated 4.7mph (7.5kph) on ideal terrain

Primary Weapon: 4x 7,7cm cannons with 800 rounds

Secondary Weapon: 7x MG 08 machine guns with 21,000 rounds between them

Radio: It would have had a radio room similar to that of a U-boat of the time

Crew: 27; a commander, two drivers, a signaler, an artillery officer, 12 artillery men, 8 machine gunners and 2 mechanics

Technical Data[]

Length (Including Gun): 

Hull Length: 43 feet 

Total Width: 20 feet 

Total Height: 10 feet 

Ground Clearance: 

Track Width: 

Ground Pressure: 


Transmission: electric-magnetic clutch 


Speed, Road: 

Speed, Cross-Country: 

Range, Road: 

Range, Cross-Country: 


Gradeability: 

Side-Slope Performance: 

Trench Crossing Ability: 

Wall Climbing Ability: 

Fording Depth: 

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