Panzer 8 Maus tank is the largest tank the world have ever seen. Weighting 188T this tanks weight is equal to the weight of 50 elephants. With almost unbreachable armour and super heavy fire power Maus tank would have changed the destiny of the German army. But, the Maus never entered active service in World War II.
The development process of Muse took place in Porsche facility in Kummersdorf. In April 21st 1945 Soviet armies overrun Kummersdorf and captured the two Maus prototypes. So, the Maus never saw of fought a real war.
Maus tank weight comparison
Introduction Panzer 8 Maus
Panzer VIII Maus is a super heavy tank equipped with 128mm canon as main armament and 75 mm canon as the secondary armament. Maus was the first ever super heavy tank and up to today it is the heaviest tank ever build.
Maus weight 188T and it has a length of 10.2m. This super tank is 3.6 m tall and 3.7 meters wide.
Comparison with Panzer VII
Compering to Panzer VII (Tiger 2) heavy tank Maus is three times heavier. However, the later proposed engine of Tiger 2 (HL-234) with supercharger (1200hp) had a higher power output than what it is in Maus. (1080 hp)
In the early versions of Tiger 2 the power to weight ratio was 6.5 hp/T. However, in the Maus this was deducted to 6.4 hp/T due to its heavy weight.
But, as a super heavy tank, Maus does not require high mobility like what is expected from a heavy tank with a purpose of acting as a tank destroyer.
Crew requirement for Maus Tank
Maus require a total of 6 personals to function.
- Tank commander
- Gunner
- Loader 1
- Loader 2
- Driver
- Radio Operator
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Operation range of Maus Tank
Maus is able of stockpiling 2,700 L of fuel in the internal fuel tank. The external fuel tank is attached in to the back side of the hull. It can stockpile another 1,500 L of fuel. The combined range of this giant with a total of 4,200 L of fuel is 160km on road and under off road conditions it can drive 62Km in a single run.
The development process of Maus Tank – Panzer 8
German army wanted to build something bigger and better. A tank to amuse the enemy and a tank which the world have never seen.
So, the Hitler ordered Porsche to build a 100T tank. In 1942 Porsche completed the design VK 100.1 AKA Porsche type 205. The 205 design was approved by the chancellor and ordered to be completed on 1943.
Later on, due to the massive size of this tank the tank was nicknamed Mammut (mean Mammoth in German Language). Again in December 1942 the name Mammut was changed to Mäuschen (Mean little mouse). In 1943 it is again renamed as Maus (Mouse).
Porsche plan on building a hybrid super heavy tank
Driving 188T is not an easy task for any engine. Installing a huge engine is not an option since the tank need to be in a handy size and shape for easy mobility. To solve this problem Porsche proposed to install a electric transmission system.
The same technology was used with the Tiger (P) tank. However, the Tiger (P) design was identified as a failure and not selected for the mass production process.
Anyhow to drive a such weight and to minimize the space requirement for engine the German engineers did not have any alternatives.
What is an electric transmission in a tank?
Electric transmission is somewhat similar to what we identify today as a hybrid vehicle. In Maus a gasoline engine was driven to generate electric power. Without driving the drive chain directly from the engine, the engine power was used to drive a generator.
From the electric power generated from the engine, motors was powered to drive the Maus tank.
Electric motors can output a higher torque at any RPM. At lower speeds these electric motors were able to deliver more torque which was not achievable by using a engine. This mechanism helped the engineers to solve the torque requirement issue.
Why Germany needed a Super Heavy tank?
The sole purpose of a super heavy tank is to resist any kind of enemy attack. The indestructible armour of Maus provide protection against tank and artillery attacks.
A super heavy tank also provide psychological strength to the surrounding tanks and infantry units. In other hand it can fear the enemy to advance.
Hitler also proposed to build a 1000T super-super heavy tank but it was never built.
Landkreuzer P. 1000 Ratte Proposed 1000T Super Heavy Tank
What is a heavy tank?
A heavy tank is a tank with better armour and firepower comparing to medium tanks. However, the mobility and maneuverability is low. Heavy tanks can withstand in the battlefield without getting heavy damage from enemy fire tnaks to its armour.
What is a super heavy tank?
A super heavy tank is a tank which exceed the dimensions and weight of a heavy tank. Super heavy tanks have very advance armour and almost indestructible by any ammunition.
T 30 Tank was developed to counter offense Super heavy tanks
What is the purpose of Maus tank?
Maus is a breakthrough tank. With its heavy armour it was able to breakthrough heavily fortified positions without taking any critical damages. The main purpose of this tank is to clear paths and allow other tanks and infantry to advance through that hole.
Features of Maus tank – Panzer VIII
Even today Maus is one of a kind tank. The heavy armour and heavy armour Panzer VIII was able of defeating any infantry or armored unit.
Maus tank armour
Maus Armour
At the time Maus had the thickest and strongest armour of a tank. Explosions of ammunition stored in the turret was a main problem in Tiger II tank which was the Panzer VII (The previous version of panzer series)
So, the turret front was heavily reinforced in the Maus tank. Metal sheets with 220mm thickness was installed in the front turret area to prevent internal explosions occurring due to shocks.
Rear hull area had the minimum armour thickness which was 150mm. If we consider the Panzer VI tank the maximum armour thickness was 120mm even in the tiger 2 tank the maximum thickness was 185mm.
So, comparing to other Panzer series tanks Maus had one of a kind armour which is indestructible at the time.
Main armament of Maus tank
The main armament of the Maus was a 128mm KwK canon. The tank typically carry 68 rounds of 128mm ammunition.
128mm KwK 44 is a modified variant of Pak 44. The Pak 44 was first developed to penetrate the heavy armour of Russian IS-2 tanks. In short and medium range operations 128mm Pak 44 has similar performance as the 88mm Pak 36 canon (Which is used in Tiger 2).
But, in long range KwK 44 have very high accuracy even for very long range attacks (1800-2700m). Pak 44 was extreamly reliable and was very successful in anti tank operations.
Both Pak 44 and KwK 44 guns are developed from the 128mm Flak anti-aircraft gun.
Pak 44 Attached to a half truck
Secondary armament of Maus
The secondary armament is also a KwK 44 canon. Only difference is the caliber size. A 88mm KwK 44 canon used as the secondary armament. This is a upgraded version of KwK 43 canon which is the main armament of Tiger 2 Tank.
Anti-infantry armament of Maus
Even for a heavily armored tanks infantry anti tank weapons can be a serious risk. Main canons are not suitable to fight a dog fight with infantry units carrying AT guns and RPGs. So, like all other tanks Maus is also equipped with a heavy machine gun.
7.92mm MG 34 is the machine gun used with Maus.
MG 34
Maus in Popular gaming culture
