VK 30.01 (P)
VK 3001 (P)
Germany | Medium Tank | Tier VII |
The VK 3001 (P) ("Leopard" in real life) is similar in size and mobility to the Tiger. Its weak armor and poor acceleration combined with its low traverse rates ensure that at close range the VK 3001 (P) will die shortly. However, it makes up for this with a gun that does a fair amount of damage at long range. Also, it is very narrow if facing forward, so it is more difficult to hit at longer ranges. Additionally, just like most German tanks, it has an accurate cannon.
Research along the VK 3001 (P) line leads to the PzVI Tiger(P) heavy tank, and eventually the Maus.
Note: In WoT, a Leopard refers to the VK 1602 Leopard, not this tank.Modules
Historical Info
On 9 September 1938, Henschel received the permission to continue their work on a new medium tank in continuation with DW development. Work started on the VK 3001 (H), which was further development of DW II. Two similar designs were created, the lighter (32 tons) VK 3001 (H) and the heavier (40 tons) VK 3601 (H). Both resembled PzKpfw IVs in their hull design but their running gear was of a new design that consisted of overlapping road wheels. The VK 3001 (H) medium tank and VK 3601 (H) heavy tank had many common parts what would make their production and service much more easier.
Only four VK 3001 (H) prototypes were produced, two in March 1941 and two in October 1941. All were completed in 1942 by Henschel. In the early 1942, one prototype VK 3601 (H) was built along with 5 prototype chassis. Originally, it was intended to mount the VK 3001 (H) with a turret armed with a 75mm L/24 or 105mm L/28 gunm but none of the prototypes were actually fitted with turrets. The VK 3601 (H) was to be armed with 75mm KwK 42 L/70 (Gerat 725), 88mm KwK 36 L/56 (mounted in VK 4501 (P) turret) or 105mm L/20 or L/28 gun, but just as the VK 3001 (H), it was never armed with any weapon.