Welcome to Wargaming.net Wiki!
Variants

Maus

Jump to: navigation, search
Revision as of 05:37, 10 July 2014Revision as of 05:47, 10 July 2014
Line 8:Line 8:
 * Virtually impervious to ramming * Virtually impervious to ramming
 * Huge mass makes small collisions with enemy tanks do decent damage * Huge mass makes small collisions with enemy tanks do decent damage
?* Great for side scraping due to the rear-mounted turret and well armored sides and a side-skirt+* Great for [[sidescraping]] due to its rear-mounted turret and well armored sides and a side-skirt
 * Good accuracy on the move * Good accuracy on the move
 * Heavily armored and covered tracks (80 mm) * Heavily armored and covered tracks (80 mm)
Line 25:Line 25:
 * Slow turret traverse * Slow turret traverse
 * Very large silhouette from any angle * Very large silhouette from any angle
?* Large size and slow speed will frequently draw fire from artillery+* Large size and poor mobility will frequently draw fire from enemy artillery
 * Easily flanked * Easily flanked
 * Long aim time * Long aim time
?* Turret "cheeks" can be penetrated by most tier 10 guns+* Turret "cheeks" can be penetrated by most tier 10 guns if not angled
  
 |InTheGame_performance= |InTheGame_performance=

Revision as of 05:47, 10 July 2014











































































<value_unset_error>

AnnoG42_Maus.png
nation | class | tier
Battle Tier
1234567891011
Overview
Mouse over "
Well, the ones further down, of course.
" for more information
[Client Values; Actual values in
Specifically, the mismatch in crew values caused by commander's 10% crew skill bonus. Outside of a crew of 1 commander only, 100% crew is a fiction. The client values, given for 100% crew, will normally be taken into battle with 110% crew skill members aside from specific functions, causing their actual performance to deviate from the expected client value. These differences are taken into account in tooltip boxes.
]
0  Credits Cost
health Hit Points
0/0Expression error: Unexpected < operator./Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". t Weight Limit
Crew
The indicated vehicles not found.
Mobility
engine Engine Power
/ km/h Speed Limit
traverse Traverse
Expression error: Unexpected < operator.Expression error: Unexpected < operator. hp/t Power/Wt Ratio
NoNo Pivot
Armor
// mm Hull Armor
//Unable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::top|armorturretfront/Unable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::top|armorturretside/Unable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::top|armorturretback mm Turret Armor
Armament







{{#ifeq:Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|shellkind2|ARMOR_PIERCING||



{{#ifeq:Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|shellkind3|ARMOR_PIERCING||








{{#ifeq:Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|shellkind2|ARMOR_PIERCING||



{{#ifeq:Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|shellkind3|ARMOR_PIERCING||


Shells




















0/0/0




















0/0/0
Shell Cost
//Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|damage1/Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|damage2/Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|damage3 HP Damage
//Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|penetration1/Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|penetration2/Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|penetration3 mm Penetration



|


|}}

|


|}}















Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". r/m 

Magazine-fed Gun

Burst Length: Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|burstcount rounds
Magazine Size: Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|clipcount roundExpression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
Cycle Time: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
Magazine Reload Times
Nominal: Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|reloadtime s
50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With Vents: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s

Click here for more information.



|


|}}

|


|}}















Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". r/m 

Magazine-fed Gun

Burst Length: Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|burstcount rounds
Magazine Size: Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|clipcount roundExpression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
Cycle Time: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
Magazine Reload Times
Nominal: Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|reloadtime s
50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With Vents: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s

Click here for more information.
Rate of Fire






|


|}}

|


|}}





























Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Magazine-fed Gun

Using Shell Type 1 (Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|damage1 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
Loaded-mag DPM: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Click here for more information.

Magazine-fed Gun

Using Shell Type 2 (Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|damage2 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
Loaded-mag DPM: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Click here for more information.

Magazine-fed Gun

Using Shell Type 3 (Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|damage3 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
Loaded-mag DPM: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Click here for more information.






|


|}}

|


|}}





























Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Magazine-fed Gun

Using Shell Type 1 (Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|damage1 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
Loaded-mag DPM: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Click here for more information.

Magazine-fed Gun

Using Shell Type 2 (Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|damage2 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
Loaded-mag DPM: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Click here for more information.

Magazine-fed Gun

Using Shell Type 3 (Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|damage3 Damage):


Theoretical Damage Per Minute
Nominal: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Advantageous Damage Per Minute
Loaded-mag DPM: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
50% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
75% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
100% Crew: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".
With Vents and BiA: Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".

Click here for more information.
Damage Per Minute


|


|}}



Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". m 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With BiA: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With BiA and Vents: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m

For more details, see Crew


|


|}}



Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". m 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With BiA: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With BiA and Vents: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m

For more details, see Crew
Accuracy


|


|}}



Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". s 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With GLD: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With BiA: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With BiA and Vents: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With both and GLD: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s

For more details, see Crew or Equipment


|


|}}



Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". s 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With GLD: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With BiA: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With BiA and Vents: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
With both and GLD: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. s

For more details, see Crew or Equipment
Aim time
Unable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::stock|turrettraverseUnable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::top|turrettraverse deg/s Turret Traverse
0° Gun Arc
-°/+°-Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|depression°/+Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|elevation° Elevation Arc
Unable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::stock|maxammoUnable to match configuration for query: gun:maus::top|maxammo rounds Ammo Capacity
General
Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable".Expression error: Unrecognized word "unable". % Chance of Fire






Unable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::stock|viewrange m 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With Recon and Situational Awareness: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With Coated Optics: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With Binocular Telescope: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment






Unable to match configuration for query: turret:maus::top|viewrange m 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With Recon and Situational Awareness: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With Coated Optics: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With Binocular Telescope: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment
View Range


|


|}}



Unable to match configuration for query: radio:maus::stock|distance m 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Signal Boost: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
When affected by 100% Relaying: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment


|


|}}



Unable to match configuration for query: radio:maus::top|distance m 

With 50% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 75% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Crew: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
With 100% Signal Boost: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
When affected by 100% Relaying: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m
Maximum possible: Expression error: Unexpected < operator. m

For more details, see Skills or Equipment
Signal Range
Values are Stock - click for Top



AnnoG42_Maus.png

0

The <value_unset_error> is a [[|]] tier .

<value_unset_error>

The biggest and heaviest tank in World of Tanks, the Maus is certainly a mammoth tank and with the most amount of hit points in the game and should never be fought alone. Boasting some of the thickest armor in the game, if your tanks gun lacks any real penetration, fighting this tank will not go well. Lack of sloping anywhere on the tank except the frontal armor can allow tanks with adequate penetration to get through your side and rear armor with ease. key weaknesses in the frontal armor include the the lower glacis plate and "mud flaps." Another weakness when fighting this tank from the front is shooting at its turret cheeks but this is impossible to do if the driver turns his turret away and angles the armor. All of these weaknesses can be negated simply by positioning your tank in a way that all incoming fire comes in at an angle. The 12.8cm main gun is similar to the IS-7 doing the same amount of damage but sacrificing penetration for better accuracy. The maneuverability of the Maus is what you would expect out of super heavy tank, slow and cumbersome, which makes a big sweet target for artillery. Another weakness of being the biggest and baddest tank on the battlefield is you'll be attracting a lot of enemy fire so be patient with this tank and angle your armor to absorb enemy fire, protect your team and the Maus will easily carry your team to victory.

The <value_unset_error> marks the end of its line.

Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables

Modules

Ico_gun_alpha.png

Guns

Tier Gun Penetration
(mm)
Damage
(HP)
Rate of fire
(rounds/minute)
Dispersion
(m/100m)
Aiming time
(s)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

<value_unset_error> 0 0 0 0

Ico_engine_alpha.png

Engines

Tier Engine Engine Power
(hp)
Chance of Fire on Impact
(%)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

<value_unset_error> 0 0

Ico_suspension_alpha.png

Suspensions

Tier Suspension Load Limit
(т)
Traverse Speed
(gr/sec)
Rmin Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

<value_unset_error> 0 0

Ico_radio_alpha.png

Radios

Tier Radio Signal Range
(m)
Weight
(kg)
Price
(Credits)

<value_unset_error> 0

Compatible Equipment

<value_unset_error> 

Compatible Consumables

<value_unset_error> 


Player Opinion

Pros and Cons

Pros:


  • Excellent front and side armor, especially when angled
  • Relatively strong rear armor
  • Has the highest hitpoints of any tank: 3,000
  • Virtually impervious to ramming
  • Huge mass makes small collisions with enemy tanks do decent damage


Cons:


  • Very poor DPM
  • Very low top speed
  • Slow turret traverse
  • Very large silhouette from any angle
  • Large size and poor mobility will frequently draw fire from enemy artillery


Performance

The Maus is defined by its armor and HP, not its gun. That being said, the Maus is a very good assault leader, thanks to its excellent armor, and it is also very good for holding a chokepoint, where it will not get flanked. In-game it is known as a battleship, because of its design and speed values. While its mobility seems to disappoint with a top speed of only 20 km/h, its acceleration is very good. Another thing to note is that due to its mass, it is unable to stop when going down certain slopes. Its role as a semi-mobile bunker makes it perfect as the spearhead to clear the enemy shells. Thanks to its strong all aspect armor, Maus can take an incredible amount of punishment and still live to see the end of the battle. Angling takes a bit of practice but if mastered, you'll eat shells for breakfast. Its main weapon is the 12.8 cm KwK 44 L/55, the same top gun used on the VK 45.02 (P) Ausf. B and E-75. It lacks penetration in comparison with the tier X guns of other nations, but it's accurate enough to allow aiming at the weak spots, even from mid-distance.


Suggested Equipment


Improved VentilationSpall Liner Tank Gun Rammer Toolbox 


Gallery

Historical Info

Maus Super Heavy Tank

Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus was a German World War II super-heavy tank completed in late 1944. It is the heaviest fully-enclosed armored fighting vehicle ever built. Only one complete prototype was built before the testing grounds were captured by the advancing Soviet forces. That single complete prototype unit underwent trials in late 1944. It was 10.2 meters long, 3.71 meters wide, and 3.63 meters tall. Weighing 200 metric tons, the Maus' primary weapon was a 128 mm KwK 44 gun (55 calibers long barrel), based on the 12.8 cm Pak 44 anti-tank artillery piece, with a coaxial 75 mm gun. The 128 mm gun was powerful enough to destroy any enemy armored fighting vehicle at close or mid-range, and even some at ranges in excess of 3500 meters. The principal problem in development of the Maus was finding an engine powerful enough for its weight that could fit the tank. Though the design called for a maximal speed of 20 kilometers per hour, no available engine was able to accelerate the prototype to more than 13 kilometers per hour, even in perfect conditions. The weight of the tank also made it unable to cross most bridges, although it still could ford, or submerge and use a snorkel to get across a river.

Development history

Remotely controlled demo model presented to Adolf Hitler and his staff in 1943.

The basic design known as the VK7001/Porsche Type 205 was presented to Adolf Hitler by Ferdinand Porsche in June 1942 and was subsequently approved. The design up to then had been the culmination of work done by Porsche, who had won the contract for the heavy tank that March. Work on the design began in earnest; the first prototype, to be ready in 1943, was initially christened Mammut (Mammoth). This was reportedly changed to Mäuschen (Little Mouse) in December 1942, and finally, to Maus (Mouse) in February 1943, which became the most common name for this tank. Its ordnance inventory designation was SdKfz 205.

From the very beginning Maus was designed to use the "electric transmission" design which Ferdinand Porsche had used in his unsuccessful attempt to win the production contract for the Tiger. The initial prototypes used a gasoline engine (the later ones were to use a diesel engine) that powered a massive electrical generator; together, they occupied the entire central rear two-thirds of the Maus' hull, thus disallowing direct access from forward driver's compartment in the hull to the turret. Each meter-wide track, which used the same basic "contact shoe" and "connector link" design format as the Henschel-built King Tiger, had its own electric motor mounted in the rear of the hull; the tracks had no mechanical connection to the internal combustion engine that powered the Maus. Due to the uniquely wide tracks used (1100 mm each), there was a narrow lengthwise "tunnel" inside the hull under and to the rear of the turret to house the engine and generator of the tank's power-train.

The amount of armor was substantial: the hull front was 220 mm thick; the sides and rear of the hull up to 190 mm. The turret armor was even thicker: up to 240 mm in the front and 220 mm on the sides and rear. The mantlet was 250 mm thick; combined with the turret armor behind it, the protection of that area was even greater.

The initial plan for the Maus called for the completion of the prototype by the summer of 1943, with monthly production scheduled to run at five vehicles per month once the prototype has been delivered. The work on the Maus would be divided between Krupp, responsible for the chassis, armament and turret, and Alkett, who would perform the final assembly.

The Maus tank was originally designed to weigh approximately 100 tons and be armed with a 128 mm main gun and a 75 mm co-axial secondary gun. Additional armament options were researched into, including various versions of 150 mm and 128 mm guns. In January 1943, Hitler himself insisted that the armament should consist of a 128 mm main gun with a coaxial 75 mm gun.

By May 1943, a wooden mockup of the final Maus configuration was completed and presented to Hitler, who approved it for mass production, ordering a first batch of 150. At this point, the estimated weight of the Maus reached 188 tons. However, an anecdote suggests that Hitler claimed that the 128-mm gun looked like a ´toy gun´ in comparison with the tank, demanding it to be replaced by a 150-mm gun.
Early Maus prototype with dummy concrete turret

In his book Panzer Leader, Heinz Guderian writes: "On May 1, a wooden model of the Maus, a tank project of Porsche and Krupp, was shown to Hitler. It was intended to be equipped with a 150 mm gun. The total weight of the tank was supposed to reach 175 tons. It should be considered that after the design changes according to Hitler's instructions, the tank's weight would approach 200 tons. The model didn't have a single machine gun for close combat, and for this reason I had to reject it. It had the same design flaw that made the Ferdinand unsuitable for close combat. In the end, the tank will inevitably have to wage close-combat since it operates in cooperation with the infantry. An intense debate started, and except for me, all of the present found the "Maus" magnificent. It was promising to be exactly that, a "giant"".

Development work on the Maus continued, but in October 1943, Hitler cancelled the order, which was followed in November by the order to cease development of the Maus altogether, but to continue the construction of the prototypes.

Prototypes

V1

Maus V1 protoype

The first, turret-less prototype (V1) was assembled by Alkett in December 1943. Tests began the same month, complete with a dummy turret of the same weight as the real one. The principal problem with the Maus that were discovered in this test was its power-to-weight ratio. No existing engine was powerful enough to drive it at speeds anywhere near the 20 km/h demanded by the design specifications. The modified gasoline-fueled Daimler-Benz MB 509 engine used in the prototype was only able to propel it at 13 km/h, and only under perfect conditions. The suspension used by the Maus also had to be adjusted to enable it to bear the tank's weight. Another issue found was that the Maus was simply too heavy to cross bridges. As a result, an alternative system was developed, where the Maus would instead ford the rivers it needed to cross. Due to its size, it could ford relatively deep streams, but for yet deeper ones it had to submerge and drive on the bottom of the river. The solution required tanks to be paired up: a stationary Maus would supply electrical power to the crossing vehicle over a cable until it reached the other side. The crew would receive air through a large snorkel, long enough for the tank to submerge up to 13 meters.

V2

Second prototype assembly

In March 1944, the second prototype, the V2, was delivered. It differed in many details from the V1 prototype. In mid-1944, the V2 prototype was fitted with a powerplant and the first manufactured Maus turret. This turret was fitted with a 128 mm KwK 44 L/55 gun, with coaxial 75 mm KwK 44 L/36.5 gun and a 7.92 mm MG34 for anti-aircraft armament. The V1 prototype was supposed to be fitted with the second manufactured turret, but this never happened. By July 1944, Krupp was in the process of manufacturing four more Maus hulls, but they were ordered to halt production and scrap these. Krupp ceased all work on it in August 1944. Meanwhile, the V2 prototype entered tests in September 1944, fitted with a Daimler-Benz MB 517 diesel engine, new electric steering system, and a Skoda Works-designed running gear and tracks. A special railroad car was made to transport the Maus prototypes. An anti-aircraft version of the Maus - the Flakzwilling 8.8 cm Auf Maus with two 88-mm guns in a special turret was being designed, but the project never left the blueprint stage.

Fate

It took six 18t half-tracks to salvage the turret from the destroyed V2 prototype
The operational Maus prototypes remained at Kummersdorf and at the proving grounds in Böblingen. In the last weeks of the war, the V1 with the dummy turret was captured by the advancing Soviet forces in the vicinity of the western batteries of the Kummersdorf artillery firing grounds. It had been thought to be mechanically sabotaged by the Germans before abandoning it. Some sources state that the Panzerkampfwagen VIII saw combat while defending the facility at Kummersdorf, although the popular version is that it did not. The Soviet Commander of Armored and Mechanized troops ordered the hull of V1 to be mated with the turret of V2. The Soviets used six 18t German half-tracks to pull the 55-ton turret off the burned-out hull. The combined V1 hull/V2 turret vehicle was completed in Germany and sent back to the USSR for further testing. It arrived there on May 4, 1946. When further testing was completed, the vehicle was taken over by the Kubinka Tank Museum for storage where it is now on display. It appears that the capture of this prototype had little impact on post-war Soviet tank development. Soviet tank design continued to concentrate on maneuverability by strictly limiting size and weight. The next-generation Soviet tanks had similar levels of protection and armament: the IS-3 heavy tank was armed with a 122 mm gun, but weighed under 50 tons; the T-54 main battle tank, which entered production in 1947, provided 200 mm of frontal turret armor, 100 mm of frontal hull armor and a 100 mm main gun, while weighing in at slightly less than 40 tons.



Historical Gallery

Sources and External Links

Light Tanks
Medium Tanks
Heavy Tanks
Tank Destroyers
Self-Propelled Artillery
USA
UK
Germany
France
USSR
China
Japan
Czechoslovakia
Sweden
Italy
Poland
ja:Tank:Maus