Kubinka Tank Museum Hall N6 German Tanks & AV

The Kubinka Tank Museum’s collection of German armored vehicles of the Third Reich is considered the largest in the world and in 1993 included 33 exhibits. Or rather, the largest not in quantity, but in quality, in the variety and presence of unique exhibits. Unfortunately, when the museum was declassified in 1992, in accordance with Russian military laws, all documentation was destroyed, including the characteristics of armored vehicles tested in Kubinka and the history of their receipt. For 25 years, historians have been trying to determine the origin of each museum exhibit, but at the moment only a small number are known. Each famous battle on the Eastern Front provided the Kubinka collection with examples of German armored vehicles. It is known for sure that the only surviving German self-propelled gun Ferdinand was received as a trophy on the northern front of the Battle of Kursk in 1943. The Royal Tiger was captured during the battles on the Sandomierz bridgehead, about which there is an inscription on the barrel of the tank. At the end of World War II, the Red Army captured Berlin and the nearby German tank test site. This gave the Kubinka Museum the legendary super-heavy Mouse tank and other unique examples of German armored vehicles. Transporting this “little mouse” from Germany to Kubinka was a big problem for railway bridges and platforms. Experts have only recently determined the original names of the chassis and gun turret of the only one of the 6 self-propelled 600 mm Karl-Gerät mortars built. Perhaps this will help determine the place and time of capture of this unique exhibit.
During World War II, captured German tanks in various states were delivered to the Kubinka training ground for study and testing. During this period, the main urgent task was to draw up brief instructions for infantry, artillery and tank crews on how, with what caliber, from what distance, and at what parts a German tank could be hit. After World War II, study and testing continued, but with a different purpose. For example, the legendary super-heavy Mouse had electric motors, which was cutting-edge technology at the time. Particular importance was attached to the study of the composition of armor and alloying additives. According to the memoirs of tank museum veterans, the quality of German metal was so good that at the end of the 60s, several dozen German Tigers were simply melted down at the Stalingrad steel plant. About a dozen test drills were used to determine the quality of the steel. Drilling marks can be found on all major parts of the Mouse tank. After the test, all armored vehicles of the Third Reich were located in the open air in one section on the training ground, which was called the Museum. Rain, snow, and frost destroyed these unique exhibits for decades, until covered hangars were built in 1972. There were no special museum pavilions then; there were ordinary army hangars for storing tanks. But how can a super-heavy German tank, when inoperative, drive through the doors of a tank hangar? Or 600 mm self-propelled gun Karl? Foreign tourists have been asking our guide this question for 25 years. The solution to this issue was a simple Soviet military method of sliding on ice in winter. In the USSR, a very popular children’s entertainment was sledding on snow or ice in winter. The slide allowed heavy German armor to be moved into predetermined positions. Once all the exhibits were in place, construction of the hangar began. On Tankman’s Day in September 1972, hangar N 6 with German armored vehicles opened its doors to visitors. Of course, these were generals from Moscow, veterans of the Second World War, families of military personnel, engineers from design bureaus and, of course, KGB officers.

The armored vehicle location map was simple and very logical. The guide led visitors from the entrance to the right and clockwise inside the hangar, gradually showing all the German armored vehicles in the process of their development. The tour began, of course, with the display of the first German tanks T-I and T-II. In Soviet times, as now, guides were forbidden to talk about the role of the USSR in the first period of construction of the German armored fist, about Guderian and the Kazan tank school. After the first German pre-war tanks, the guide began to show the German T-III and T-IV and self-propelled guns at this base in the process of their development. Particular attention was paid to showing an increase in gun caliber, changes to the mantlet, increased armor and chassis structure. The Kubinka tank museum’s collection made it possible to show all these changes in the process of development. Bringing up the rear was the German T-V Panther, which was shaped like an enlarged Soviet T-34 tank. While talking about the technical details of German tanks, the guide also talked about the exploits of Soviet tank crews and infantry with visual illustrations. For example, a German STUG-III self-propelled gun was destroyed by a 12 mm anti-tank rifle, as evidenced by a hole in the frontal armor. In the far corner of the pavilion there are still two giant German exhibits. For Soviet citizens, the beginning of the Second World War was considered not September 1, 1939, but June 22, 1941 and the treacherous attack of Nazi Germany on the USSR. The fact of the participation of the Red Army in the capture of Poland in 1939 and the joint Soviet-German military parade in Brest was kept silent or explained by the cunning military plan of Comrade Stalin. But the heroic resistance of the defenders of the Brest Fortress in 1941 was an obligatory point in the guide’s story with the display of a 600 mm mortar. It is known that the assault on the Brest Fortress and the beginning of the attack on the USSR took place with shelling from two self-propelled guns of this type. The next exhibit at the end of the pavilion, the super-heavy Mouse tank, is of particular interest to both historians and design bureau engineers. In Soviet times, participants in the capture near Berlin, transportation and testing of the Mouse tank at the Kubinka training ground were alive. Over time, the guide’s stories about Mouse turned into legends and speculation, but very interesting and believable. After the Mouse tank, the guide led visitors through the second row of German armored vehicles. All sorts of experimental and unusual exhibits were located here. The ball-shaped German tank is designed like a three-wheeled children’s bicycle, the purpose of which was unclear. Soviet military engineers at Kubinka identified it as a self-propelled armored observation post for artillery fire correction. A stupid idea, since battlefields always have hills and slopes, which makes it impossible to use such an armored observation post. The reinforced armor of the T-I German tank aroused some interest for Soviet designers, since this configuration was intended for fighting Soviet partisans in the forest. The main battlefields of the German T-IF were forests in Belarus and Yugoslavia (see our author’s section about the Russian Security Corps in Serbia and the fight against Yugoslav partisans). Next, a series of Tiger tanks and self-propelled guns on its chassis were demonstrated in the pavilion. The origin and purpose of the Tiger from the Kubinka Tank Museum collection has not yet been studied. During the Cold War, interest in determining the modification of the Tiger disappeared, and in the 90s, all the hatches of German tanks were lightly welded so that visitors (the nickname for the monkey) would not climb inside and unscrew some device as a souvenir. At the moment it is believed that this Tiger has a modification of the E commander version. After the Tiger, the guide showed the further development of armored vehicles on its chassis. The 350 mm rocket launcher took part in the suppression of the uprising in Warsaw. The Royal Tiger was captured in the Battle of the Sandomierz Bridgehead, and its participants were frequent guests at the Kubinka Tank Museum. The pavilion also had a unique exhibit – a 1939 prototype from Henschel, which became the chassis for the Tiger tank. The collection of this pavilion also had a series of armored artillery tractors of varying weights. During the tour, the guide spoke sarcastically about the automobile companies Mercedes, Opel and BMW, accusing them of helping the Third Reich (Soviet propaganda had its own rules). A German minesweeper completed the pavilion’s collection and resembled RoboCop from Hollywood films, which always caused laughter among visitors.
This was the case in the pavilion until the reforms of 2014, when the concept of the exhibition changed. The main visitors were not military engineers, but civilians. In the new Patriot Park, each pavilion was dedicated to a specific historical event – some famous battle. For example, in the battle for Stalingrad or the battle for Kursk, all participants in the event are present – armored vehicles of the USSR, Lend-Lease from the USA and Great Britain, Germany, its allies Hungary and Italy. For this reason, exhibits from Pavilion H6 began to move to other places at a distance of tens of kilometers from the tank museum.
To fill the empty space, the exhibition in Pavilion 6 was completely changed several times. For a long time, this pavilion housed an exhibition of armored vehicles and artifacts found at the battlefields of World War II on the Eastern Front. Traditionally, the search and recovery of military equipment was carried out by civilian special volunteer patriotic detachments, and not by the Ministry of Defense. As a result of this system, many unique exhibits did not end up in the Kubinka Tank Museum, but became monuments at the place of discovery or were moved to different regional museums (where the governor showed interest and financed the work). Finding, retrieving and repairing recovered armored vehicles on battlefields has become a lucrative business. The uncertainty of the laws allowed different organizations and officials to control the recovered armored vehicles. For this reason, the Ministry of Defense created a special team that, using military units and transport logistics, found and delivered dozens of new rare exhibits to Patriot Park in just 2 months. The military equipment of Japan and Nazi Germany was located in border areas with a special regime only for the military on the Kuril Islands and a small island in the Gulf of Finland.
After the artifacts found at the battle sites moved from Pavilion 6 to Patriot Park, the concept of the exhibition changed. The super-heavy Mouse tank is very difficult to move to new places in Patriot Park. The management of Patriot Park decided to hold an exhibition of large tanks from different countries and different wars in Pavilion 6. The result was a hybrid of exhibits from various pavilions, including US and British armored vehicles. In this section of the guide we show views and exhibits of the pavilion from its foundation to the present day. According to constant requests from historians from all over the world, we are posting a complete official catalog of exhibits, German armored vehicles for 1993 with subsequent additions. The main stages of the exhibitions in Pavilion H 6 are illustrated with rare photographs from our own author’s archive. When using materials, please provide a link to the source, this page or web-site.
The official exhibit catalog of the museum of BTWT (**) of Pavilion N6 “Tanks, self-propelled artillery installations, automobiles and other equipment of fascist Germany”. Copyright Michael Blinov (please make a link if referred).

For propaganda purposes, Soviet military guides at the Kubinka Museum always told visitors about the capture of Europe and especially France by German light and medium tanks in 1940.

Panzer I (PzKpfw I) German tank

Panzer I or T-Ia (Sd Kfz 101) German light tank, 1934, serial
The tank was developed in 1935 by “Krupp” company. Serially produced from 1935 to 1939. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. Used in the action during the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War.
Light tank  PzKpfw I Ausf. B

Panzer I or T-Ia (Sd Kfz 101) German light tank in Kubinka museum

Panzer I or T-Ia (Sd Kfz 101) German light tank (Kubinka museum 2003 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of tank T-Ia: Weight – 6 tons, Crew – 2 people.
Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 4600 x 2100 x 1750 mm.
T-Ia weaponry: Machine gun – 2 pieces, caliber – 7.92 mm, ammunition – 1525 shots.
The armor protection, front – 15 mm, the turret – 17mm.
Engine power – 100 hp, Maximum speed – 40 km / h, Cruising on the highway – up to 150 km., Depth overcome the water barrier – 0.8 meters.
Panzer T-Ia tank design features: Base – The tank T-I, created in 1933, with the use of automobile units.
The overall layout – the power plant at the back, power transmission and drive wheels – at the front.
Armament – guns are paired and mounted in a common mask, pointing a joint, separate shooting.
Protection – housing welded from the rolled armor plates, with the extended turret box. The chassis – a engine carburetor, air cooling; Suspension Coil mixed; front roller on an individual suspension with coil spring, and the rest interlocked in pairs on leaf springs, rear roller serves as a sloth; Average ground pressure – 0,44 kg / cm2; there is a radio.
Location: 1972-2015 in Kubinka tank museum Hall N 6 , after moved to Patriot Park Battle of Moscow Hall.

Kubinka tank museum tour guide, WW2 German

Tanks have already been painted in historical colors, but the collection has not yet been separated to different places.

Pavilion N6 inside: In the foreground is the light German tank T-1A (SdKfz101), then T-IIB (SdKfz121) The first tanks of Nazi Germany, developed in the early 30s, during Hitler’s rise to power. It was with these tanks that the Germans captured France and almost all of Europe in a matter of days… Inspecting the exhibits in this pavilion allows you to see how the equipment and tactics of battle changed. The first German tanks were made solely to destroy enemy cavalry. The “potential enemy” meant the French cavalry and the “red cavalry of Semyon Budyonny” (as in the famous Soviet song “Give Warsaw, give Berlin, we’ve already crashed into Crimea!”). But by 1940, all of Europe was captured not by Budyonny’s cavalry, but by the armored fist of the Wehrmacht. Having attacked the USSR in 1941, Hitler received an unpleasant surprise in the form of the Soviet T-34 tank, even from the first, 76 mm. cannon. And an “arms race” began and an increase in armor, engine power, and tank guns, ending for Germany with the creation of the super-heavy and huge Maus tank, also presented in this hangar.

Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. F Light tank

German light tank T-1F (VK1801) nicknamed “Bear”, 1941, light tank, serial, was developed in 1941. Produced from 1941. It was in service with the army of fascist Germany. Participated in the battles of the Second World War
Light tank Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. F photos

Tactical and technical characteristics: Weight – 18.5 tons, Crew – 2 people. Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 4300 x 2680 x 2030 mm.
Armament: machine gun – 2 pieces, caliber – 7.92 mm., ammunition – 1525 shots.
Armor protection, body and tower – 82 mm.
Engine power – 150 horsepower, The maximum speed is 25 km / h, Cruising range on the highway – 200 km. The depth of water barriers to be surfaced is 0.8 meters.
Design Features: Base – the original, The general layout is typical for German light tanks of the period of the Second World War. Armament – two coupled machine guns installed in the tower.
Protection – the body and the tower are welded, the thickness of the armor is the same from all sides and is equal to 82 mm with an inclination of 10-12 “.
Chassis – carburetor engine “Maybach” HL-45; turn mechanism – side friction; undercarriage with a checkerboard arrangement; torsional suspension; driving wheels are located in front; caterpillar with open hinge 500 mm wide.
Panzerkampfwagen II (PzKpfw II or Sd.Kfz 121) Ausf.F German light tank (Kubinka tank museum / Patriot Park collection).

Panzer II PzKpfw II Ausf. F German tank, Kubinka museum

Panzer II (PzKpfw II) German tank, Kubinka museum Archives 2003

Soviet (Russian) name and description, according to the official museum catalog:
T-IIb, 1938 year of issue, serial production type.
The Panzer II Ausf. F tank was developed in 1938 by the company “Mann” in Germany, serially produced from 1938 to 1940. The tank was in the service of Hitler’s Germany and took part in the battles of World War II on the Eastern Front and other places.

German light tank Panzer II (PzKpfw II) Ausf. F photo gallery

Panzer II repair and restoration in the summer of 2007, Kubinka

Panzer II Ausf. F the tactical and technical characteristics.

  • The Weight – 9,5 tons, the tank crew — 3 people
  • Overall dimensions (the length x width x height in mm.) – 4640 х 2250 х 1975
  • The weaponry: 1 cannon with the 20 mm. caliber and the ammunition – 180 shots
  • Machine gun: 1 with the 7,92 mm. caliber and the ammunition- 1425 shots
  • The armor protection: the front – 30 mm., the turret – 15 mm.
  • The engine power — 140 hp, the Maximum speed — 45 km / h, the highway Cruising — up to 200 km.
  • Depth overcome on the water barrier — 0.8 meters

Panzer II Ausf. F tank design features:
The Base is original, the same for all II light tank series. Overall layout – the power plant is at the back, the power transmission and the drive wheels – at the front; the single turret.
The armament: 20-mm automatic gun coupled with the 7.92-mm machine gun; the telescopic sight. The protection – the housing welded by the rolled armor plates; to protect the viewing devices there are the armored covers.
The Chassis – the Carburetor engine “Maybach” HL-62 with 140 hp, the average specific ground pressure 0.70 kg / cm2, there is the radio station and the tank intercom.

Marder II German tank destroyer based on T-II chassis

SU-75 German light self-propelled gun (Sd Kfz 131) on the base of the T-II, 1940, serial (name and year as soviet classification).
German name – 7.5 cm PaK.40/2 auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfw.II (Sf), Sd.Kfz.131 (Marder II)
— the main modification with  75-mm gun  Pak.40/2 L/46 and 7.92-mm machine gun  MG.34 on the chassis the light tank  Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf.A\B\C\D\F.
There are the modifications with the soviet M1936 F-22  gun 76,2 mm for the German ammunition:  7.62-cm-Pak (r) auf Fahrgestell Pz.Kpfw. II (Sf), Sd Kfz132 (Marder II)
Tank destroyer Marder II in Kubinka tank museum, photos:

Marder II German tank destroyer based on T-II chassis Kubinka tank museum

Marder II German tank destroyer based on T-II chassis (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of Assault Gun “Marder II”*:

  • Weight – 8.8 tons
  • Crew – 3 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 5920 х 2250 х 2180 mm
  • Weaponry:  gun – 1 piece, caliber 75 mm, ammunition- 33 shots
  • Armor protection, front and side  – 15 mm
  • Engine power — 140 h/p
  • Maximum speed — 45 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 200 km.
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 0.8 meters

Marder II design features: Base<- tank Т-IIB, the overall layout – classic. Weapons – gun installed on the machine, providing a horizontal angle pickup 50 degrees, + 10 degrees elevation, and declination -7 degrees. The armor protection – housing welded from rolled armor plates, the armor thickness of the front and side does not exceed 15 mm.
Chassis – Carburetor engine Maybach HL-62 140 h/p, the average ground pressure of 0.65 kg / cm. There is a radio station and tank intercom system start smoke
* According to the museum for 1991, prepared by the soviet military staff. At the moment, the performance characteristics are specified, and a few odds with data from other sources.

Panzer III German medium tank

German medium tank Panzer III J (soviet classification T-III) or Panzerkampfwagen III, 1940, serial.
The official German ordnance designation – Sd.Kfz. 141 (Sonderkraftfahrzeug)
The tank was developed in 1936 by “Daimler-Benz”. Produced in various versions as the standard from 1939 to 1943. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. It participated in the battles of the Second World War.
Kubinka collection sample is (?) Panzer III Ausf. J – (Hull and turret front armor increased to solid 50 mm plate,  with 5 cm KwK 39 L/60 gun.
Panzer III Ausf. J photos in Kubinka museum.

German Panzer III Ausf. J in Kubinka tank museum

Panzer III Ausf. J (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of Panzer III: 

  • Weight — 21.5 tons
  • Crew — 5 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 6150 х 2950 х 2490 mm.
  • Weaponry:   gun – 1 piece,  caliber – 50 mm.,  ammunition – 99 shots
  • machine gun –  2  pieces, caliber –  7,92 mm., ammunition – 2000 shots
  • Armor protection,  corps and turret  -50  mm.,
  • Engine power — 300 hp
  • Maximum speed — 50 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 175 km
  • Depth overcome the water barrier – OPVT system

Panzer III design features:
Base – the original, the same for all versions of the medium tanks “III” series. The overall layout – power plant located behind power transmission and drive wheels – front.
Armament – a long-barreled gun, there is a ventilation system of the powder gases.  Armory protection – housing welded from the rolled armor parts.
Chassis – Carburetor engine “Maybach”  HL – 120, the average ground pressure – 1 kg / cm; there is a radio station and tank intercom; structure equipped to overcome water obstacles.

German Assault Gun (StuG III) Ausf. F/8 (Kubinka Tank museum / Patriot Park collection).
One of the main and most widespread self-propelled guns of the Third Reich during the Second World War, used both on the Eastern Front and on the Western Front. During the Cold War, it was used in the Arab-Israeli wars, as well as on the line of defense of socialist Bulgaria (Warsaw Pact) from Turkey (NATO country).

German Assault Gun Sturmgeschütz StuG III Ausf. F/8 Kubinka tank museum

German Assault Gun Sturmgeschütz StuG III Ausf. F/8 (Kubinka tank museum archives 2006)

According to the classification of Soviet specialists: German self-propelled gun SU-75 “Artshturm” on the T-III tank chassis, designed in 1940. Serially produced since 1940.

German official classification: Gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz III mit 7,5-cm-Sturmkanone 37 oder 40.

Third Reich official service name: Sd.Kfz. 142. StuG III   or sometimes called StuG 40

Assault Gun  StuG III Ausf.F/8, Kubinka tank museum  & Patriot Park photo gallery.  Especially for the lovers of the military history and the armored vehicles, for the historians, the scale model makers, as well as for the restorers and the researchers, we publish below close-up photographs of the various Stug III parts. Many unidentified metal objects can be found on World War II battlefields and on the scrap metal collecting sites. Perhaps our guide will help you identify the right parts for your intended use. The authors post their personal experience in the WW2 searching such found parts in a special section.

StuG III tactical technical characteristics:

  • The Weight — 22 tons.
  • The Crew – 4 people.
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) 5480 mm x 2950 mm x 1960 mm.
  • Weaponry:
  • the gun –  1 unit with the caliber – 75 mm., the ammunition – 56 shots.
  • Armory protection: the  front – 50  mm.,  the turret – 30 mm.
  • The Engine power — 300 h/p
  • Maximum of the speed — 50 km / hour.
  • The Cruising on the highway — up to 175 km.
  • The depth overcome the water barrier — 1.1 meters

StuG III Ausf. F/8 design features: The Base – Panzer III German tank, the overall layout – standard for the self-propelled gun; the closed type; reduced construction height (compared with the base model). The armament – 75 mm gun;  the machine gun is missing.
The Armory –  protection is compared to the base T-III tank, but  is reduced in the turret thickness.
The Chassis – the carburetor engine “Maybach” HL-120, the average ground pressure of 1 kg / sm; the radio station and a tank intercom.

StuG III (StuG 40) Ausf. G German Assault gun

Soviet classification: German self-propelled gun SU-75 «Artsturm» on the basis of the T-III, 1943, serial.  Designed in 1942. Serially produced from 1943 to 1944. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. Was used in the WWII battles. (the official catalog)
German classification: Gepanzerte Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz III mit 7,5-cm-Sturmkanone 37 oder 40/ G . Third Reich service name: Sd.Kfz. 142. StuG III or StuG 40

Assault gun StuG III Ausf.G in Kubinka tank museum collection

StuG III (StuG 40) Ausf. G German Assault gun (Kubinka tank museum)

StuG III (StuG 40) Ausf. G German Assault gun (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of StuG III Ausf.G :

  • Weight — 24 tons
  • Crew – 4 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 5480 x 2950 x 2170 mm.
  • Weaponry:
  • gun – 1 piece,  caliber – 75 mm., ammunition – 56 shots
  • Armory protection, front – 60 мм.,  turret – 55  мм.
  • Engine power — 300 hp
  • Maximum speed — 50 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 175 km.
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.2 meters

StuG III Ausf. G design features:
Base  – tank Panzer III, The overall layout – typical for all self-propelled units.
Armament – a long-barreled gun Stuk 40 / L48 75 mm caliber with a barrel length of 48 calibers.
Armory Protection – welded body of  the forged parts; compared to the base tank: increased thickness of the frontal armor.
Chassis – Carburetor engine “Maybach” HL-120, the average ground pressure of 1 kg / cm; there is a radio station and tank intercom.

StuH 42 German assault howitzer (Sd Kfz 142/2)

Soviet classification: German assault howitzer SU-105 “Artsturm” on Panzer III, 1942, serial (as the official museum exhibits list). German name:  Sturmhaubitze 42 (StuH 42), Third Reich service name:  Sd Kfz 142/2. Designed in 1942. Serially produced from 1942 to 1944. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. It participated in the battles of the Second World War.
Assault howitzer StuH 42 in Kubinka tank museum Hall N6.

StuH 42 German assault howitzer (Sd Kfz 142/2) in Kubinka tank museum

StuH 42 German assault howitzer (Sd Kfz 142/2), Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive.

StuH 42 Tactical technical characteristics:

  • Weight – 24,5 tons
  • Crew – 4 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 5480 х 2950 х 2180  mm.
  • Weaponry:  gun (howitzer) –  1 piece,  caliber – 105  mm.,  ammunition – 36 shots
  • machine gun – 1 piece,  caliber – 7,92 mm.
  • Armory protection:   front – 32 mm.,  turret – 55 mm.
  • Engine power — 300 hp
  • Maximum speed — 50 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 150 km.
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.2 meters

StuH 42 design features: base – tank Panzer III. The overall layout – typical for all self-propelled units.
Weapons – gun (howitzer) with a unitary loading; one machine gun. Armory Protection – welded body of the forged parts.
Chassis– carburetor engine “Maybach” HL-120; Average ground pressure of 1.1 kg / cm; there is a radio station and a tank intercom.

StuIG 33B (Sturmpanzer III) Assault Infantry Gun

Soviet classification, the official catalog – German self-propelled howitzer SU-150 1943 1942 (assault howitzer based on the T-III), serial (?). the Third Reich name   – Sturm-Infanteriegeschütz 33 Ausf.B or reduced StuIG 33B – Assault infantry gun on the basis of the self-propelled guns StuG III, by installing 15 cm heavy infantry howitzer sIG 33.
Sometime it named as –Sturmpanzer III, Sturmpanzer 33B or Sturmgeschütz 33B (StuG 33B).
Developed in 1941-42 by AIkett firm. 24 Total production units, but remained the only one. Actively used in the Battle for Stalingrad
StuIG 33B in Kubinka tank collection, Hall N6.

StuIG 33B (Sturmpanzer III) Assault Infantry Gun, Kubinka tank museum

StuIG 33B (Sturmpanzer III) Assault Infantry Gun, Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive.

Tactical technical characteristics of StuIG 33B*:

  • Weight — 25 tonnes (Kubinka catalogue) 21 tonnes (international sourcers)
  • Crew — 5 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height)— 5480 х 2950 х 2450 mm
  • Weaponry:  gun (howitzer)— 1 piece, caliber 150 mm., ammunition – 24 shots (as catalogue – 30)
  • machine gun – 1 piece, caliber – 7,92 mm., ammunition 2000 shots (Kubinka),  600 (International)
  • Armory protection, front – 50 mm,  turret — 80 mm
  • Engine power — 300 hp
  • Maximum speed — 20 km / h (international sources)
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 110 km..
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.1 meters.

design features: base is tank Panzer III. The overall layout: the engine compartment behind the front gear, the combat and the control -in the middle.
Weapons —howitzer, a panoramic target sight RbIF 36
Armored protection— compared to the base tank frontal turret armored sheet has a slope of 10 degrees
Chassis – Carburetor engine Maybach HL 120TRM, 12-cylinder, carburetor, V-type, liquid cooling,  the average ground pressure of 1 kg / cm. There is a radio station and a tank intercom.
* data in the official catalog and description, given by the museum officier (B.) are incorrect. Here are some clarifications.
Additional StuIG 33B photos:

Jagdpanzer IV

Soviet classification: German self-propelled gun SU-75 on the basis of T-IV, 1942, serial (the official catalog). Third Reich name –Jagdpanzer IV or JagdPz IV — tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis, Nazi service name – Sd.Kfz.162
Designed in 1942. Serially produced from 1943 to 1945. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. It participated in the battles of the Second World War.
Jagdpanzer IV/70 ‘Lang’ in Kubinka tank museum:

WW2 Jagdpanzer IV (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Jagdpanzer IV (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of Jagdpanzer IV/70 

  • Weight — 26 tons*
  • crew – 4 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 8010 х 2.880 х 1985 mm.
  • Weaponry,   gun – 1 piece,  caliber – 75 mm., ammunition – 60 shots
  • machine gun – 1 piece,  caliber – 7,92 mm.,  ammunition – 3000 shots
  • Armory protection, front of the corps and turret – 70 mm.
  • Engine power — 300 hp
  • Maximum speed — 45 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 200 km.
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.1 meters

design features: Base is tank Panzer IV. The overall layout – typical for self-propelled units. Engine compartment behind the gear in front, fighting in the center.
Armament – antitank gun installed on the machine. Protection – housing welded from rolled parts.
Chassis – Carburetor engine “Maybach” HL-120; Average ground pressure of 1 kg / cm “; there is a radio station, tank intercom.
*Data provided by V. Bryzgov (ex. tank museum officer) that diverge from the Western sources.

Brummbär Sturmpanzer IV

Soviet classification – WW2 German self-propelled howitzer SU-150, 1943, (on the base tank Panzer T-IV), serial. Third Reich official name— Sturmpanzer IV. Service label – Sd.Kfz. 166.
Other nicknames:
Sturmpanzer 43, (year of the beginning of production of self-propelled gun, 1943). German “soldier” name StuPa — abbreviation Sturmpanzer.  UK/USA “allies” called in reports «Brummbär». The reports of the Soviet assault gun was designated as “The Bear.”
Sturmpanzer was a participant of the Battles of Kursk, Anzio, Normandy, and the Warsaw Uprising.
Sturmpanzer IV ‘Brummbar’ in Kibinka tank museum Hall N6.

German WW2 Brummbär Sturmpanzer IV in Kubinka tank museum

Brummbär Sturmpanzer IV (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Sturmpanzer IV Assault Gun Tactical technical characteristics:
Weight — 28,2 tons, Crew — 5 people.
Overall dimensions (length x width x height) — 5930 х 2880 х 2520 mm
Weaponry: gun — 1 piece, caliber 150 mm, ammunition- 38 shots
Armor protection, front  – 50, 70 or 100 mm, the turet: front — 100 mm, side -50 mm
Engine power — 300 hp (soviet testing), Maximum speed — 40 km / h, Cruising on the highway — up to 210 km., Depth overcome the water barrier — 1 meter.
Sturmpanzer Brummbär design features:
Base — tank Panzer IV, the overall layout — classic.
Weapons — gun (howitzer) StuH 43 L/12 ; one machine gun MG-34.
The armor protection — welded body of forged parts. Rolled and cast steel, surface hardened
Chassis — Maybach HL 120 the TRM, 12 cylinder, carburetor, V-type, liquid-cooled; 11867 cc working volume; Average ground pressure of 1.1 kg / cm2; there is a radio station and tank intercom.

Nashorn

Soviet classification – German self-propelled gun SU-88 Shershen (Hornisse) / Nashorn, on the base tank Panzer IV, 1943, serial (official catalogue)
German name  – «Nashorn» («rhinoceros»), — 8.8 cm PaK 43/1 auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) — German assault gun, tank destroyer. Sometime named as  8,8 cm Pak 43 (L/71) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sf) or 8,8cm Pak43 (L/71) auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 164)

Nazi service name  – Sd.Kfz. 164   Before  27 jan 1944 was named “Hornisse” («hornet»)
Assault gun  was developed in 1942. Serially produced from 1943 to 1944. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. It participated in the battles of the Second World War.

‘Nashorn’ Tank destroyer Jagdpanzer III/IV photos

Nashorn Tank destroyer Jagdpanzer IV Kubinka tank museum

Nashorn tank destroyer Jagdpanzer IV (Kubinka museum 2003 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of Jagdpanzer IV Nashorn:

  • Weight — 26.4 tons
  • Crew-  5 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) –  8500 х 2880 х 2940 mm.
  • Weaponry: gun- 1 piece,  caliber – 88 mm.
  • Armored protection: front – 30 mm.,  turret – 20 mm.
  • Engine power — 300 hp
  • Maximum speed — 40 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 200 km
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.1 meters

Nashorn design features:
Base -tank Panzer IV. The overall layout – typical for the self-propelled guns.
Armament – a long-barreled gun mounted on the machine, offset to the rear of the vehicle body, there is a hydro-pneumatic balancing device.
Protection – armor protection compared to the base tank, but is weakened; semi-cabin has considerable dimensions and the weak armor.
Chassis – mounted 12-cylinder carburetor engine made by company “Maybach”, liquid cooling; Chassis consisted of the rubber road wheels of small diameter, two in block; Average ground pressure of 0.82 kg / cm; there is a radio station and tank intercom

Panther tank (PzKpfw V)

Panzerkampfwagen V (PzKpfw V) Panther WW2 German medium tank (Kubinka museum of Patriot Park collection, Russia). Third Reich the service list name was Sd.Kfz. 171.

WW2 German Panther tank PzKpfw V) Kubinka  museum

WW2 German Panther tank (PzKpfw V), Kubinka 2003 museum archives

The Soviet classification: German heavy tank T-V “Panther” or PzKpfw V Ausf. G (requires verification), the year of issue 1943, the serial model. The Panther tank was developed and produced in Nazi Germany since 1943 and took part in the Battle of Kursk and later in Europe.

PzKpfw V Panther tank photo gallery

Archival photographs show the Panther tank immediately after being painted in historical color in 2003, before and after its restoration in 2005 to running condition.

Panther tank the tactical and technical characteristics:

  • The weight 45.5 t., crew 5 people.
  • The overall dimensions in mm (length x width x height):  6880 х 3430 х 3100
  • Weapons: 1 cannon by the caliber – 75 mm. and the ammunition 79 shots,
  • 2 machine guns by the caliber 7,92 mm. and the ammunition 4200 shots
  • The armored protection – the corps front- 80 mm., the turret front  – 110 mm.
  • The Engine power is 700 hp, the Maximum speed is 46 km/h, Cruising on the highway — up to 180 km

The Chassis – original with the rolled armory plates, welded and riveted by rational angles.
The armament – 75 mm long-barreled gun installed in the turret which the rotation by the hydraulic drive. One machine gun is paired with a cannon, and a second MG on the ball bearing front hull.
The stern of the turret there is a large hatch for the entry and exit of the crew, there are also the individual hatches for the driver, the gunner and the commander.
The chassis includes 8 (for one side) of the rollers arranged in staggered rows and one support roller, the torsion bar suspension. The Panther tank is adapted for the under water driving.
The serial number found on the fuel cistern is 887/44, perhaps is N 887 of the vehicle, produced in 1944at one of the factories. The Panther tank was captured by the Red Army as a trophy at the end of World War II. No exact information about the location of the seizure was found (see description of the destruction of the archive in the early 90s). There is almost no external damage to the tank – only minor traces of shrapnel on the starboard side. Serial number found on the fuel tank of tank 887/44. That is, presumably this is the 887th tank, produced in 1944 by one of the factories. This statement also requires verification, so we post below with the serial numbers of another part of the tank corps near the gasoline tank, where the numbers are visible 31 * 1814 PG519 or A?0PG 1 1064 PG 526 (or 0). The tank also retained traces of Zimmerit ointment.

N16 Karl-Gerät (Mörser) Self-propelled siege mortar

Self-propelled siege mortar  “Karl-Gerät” (040/041) (museum soviet catalogue name SU-600 “Tor” ? type), also known as “Karl Mörser”, 1940,  small serial. Disigned in 1940 and built by the company “Rheinmetall”. Releases in 1941 (total amount 6 units + 1 prototype). Each mortar had the own name.
It was believed that this mortar № VI «Ziu» was captured by the Red Army units. However, during the restoration under a layer of paint called “Ziu” we found the label ” Adam”, and after the restoration the name “Adam” was re-painted. But what N / name was captured by Red army?

karl-gerat1a.jpg

Karl-Gerät self-propelled siege mortar

Tactical technical characteristics

  • Weight — 60 tons
  • Crew — 12 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height)  – 11100 x 4070 x 4540 mm.
  • weaponry: gun (mortar)  1,  caliber – 600 mm.,  ammunition – 6 shots
  • The armor protection –  13  mm.
  • Engine power — 750 hp
  • Maximum speed — 12 km / h

The overall layout – powerplant and power transmission placed in front of the machine hull.
Armament – loading mortar separation (using the loading mechanism); turning and lifting mechanisms are the sector type with the manual transmission.
Armored protection – the driver’s compartment – closed, the work places and setting mortars placed in an open area.
Chassis – the diesel engine “Mercedes-Benz”; Average specific ground pressure 0.75 kg / cm2; There are radio and a special device for the lowering a body before the firing on the ground; the hydromechanical power transmission; Suspension torsion bar; the double rollers.

N17 Panzer VIII Maus German super heavy tank

“Maus” (“Mouse”) Panzer VIII German super heavy tank  produced in 1944 in small quantities – a top heavy World War II tank.

PzKpfw Panzer VIII Maus WW2 German tank, Kubinka museum

PzKpfw Panzer VIII Maus WW2 German tank (Kubinka museum 2002 photo archive)

The tank was designed in 1944 and was produced in only 3 copies (two and a one prototype).
The Super heavy tank Pz.Kpfw VIII Maus photo gallery.

To be continued soon..

The tactical and technical characteristics of “Maus” tank:

  • The Weight -is 180 tons, the crew – 6 people.
  • Overall the dimensions in mm (the length x width x height) – 10000 x 3710 x 3700.
  • The Weaponry:  N1 cannon – the caliber  128 mm., the ammunition – 25 shots.
  • N2 cannon,  the caliber – 75 mm., the ammunition – 28 shots.
  • The machine gun – 2 pieces by a caliber – 7,92 mm.
  • The armor protection:  the front – 200 mm., the turret – 210 mm.
  • Engine power is 1750 h/p, the Maximum speed — 25 km / h.
  • The Cruising on the highway — up to 190 km.
  • The under water driving  OPVT system

Panzer VIII Mouse tank design features:
The Base is original,  an overall layout – an engine mounted on the tank axis between the control area and the fighting compartment; the drive wheels are rear.
The Weapons:  128 mm caliber cannon is coupled with a 75 mm caliber gun and a machine gun; a sight is a periscope type; there is, in addition to mechanical, electromechanical a drive turret.
The Protection – a housing welded from the rolled plate sheets; a Chassis protected from the front and the sides by the 100 mm  the screens.
Chassis: the special Engine (a modification of an aircraft type); a electromechanical power transmission; There are multi- roller track mover; the suspension spring; Average specific pressure of 1.4 kg / sm. 2.

Current condition, location and coloring of the Mouse tank

History. Today we know of only one surviving incomplete copy of the German super-heavy tank Panzerkampfwagen VIII, humorously but officially nicknamed “Maus” (in English – Mouse), which was in the collection of the Kubinka tank training ground. All other manufactured main parts of the Maus, the hulls and turrets, are considered irretrievably lost in Germany by the decision of either Adolf Hitler or the US/UK Allies, who sent these parts to be melted down. The fate of the engines and other important parts of the Maus, according to legend, taken from Germany to Leningrad, is considered unknown. After World War II, for a long time, Maus was outdoors in a certain part of the Kubinka shooting range, after his armor was tested for penetration by artillery shells and drilled with special test drills. Severe Russian winters and rains in spring and autumn caused the internal parts of the tank to develop slight rust. In 1972, this Maus, along with other old and new models of armored vehicles, was covered with hangars, which is considered the Day of the Foundation of the Tank Museum. The museum was part of a secret training ground and was intended for an official use only by a special category of visitors. After the collapse of the USSR, Kubinka training ground received “Perestroika”, global changes. By the order of the general, in the early 90s, in accordance with Soviet laws and traditions, the secret library was destroyed, as well as an archive containing all information about the place and methods of obtaining armored vehicles for the testing, its description and the test results of each instance. Thus, the history of almost all of the museum’s exhibits was lost, but the museum became accessible to civilians and even foreign citizens. In violation of the order, some archival materials were saved and distributed to private collections, and were also preserved in the memory of veterans of the Kubinka training ground and museum*. Using the preserved archives and information of the former tank museum, the Central Archive of the USSR Ministry of Defense, as well as foreign publications, official employees of the tank museum and volunteers compiled a rough history of the appearance of the Maus tank, its testing in Germany, delivery to the USSR and testing at the Kubinka training ground. Below we post the current version of former employees of the Kubinka Tank Museum, but we do not give a full guarantee of reliability, only as an option for future comprehensive research. For a long time, before the big reorganization of 2015, the Kubinka Tank Museum was a friend and brother of the Saumur Tank Museum in France, which has now become the technical site of the Patriot Park.

Goliath WW2 tracked mine

Soviet classification – German ground tracked  torpedo B1a “Goliath” (SdK 302),  1943, (torpedo with electric drive), small-serie (official catalogue)

The Goliath tracked mine – complete German name: Leichter Ladungsträger Goliath, service name Sd.Kfz. 302/ 303a/ 303b – was a remote controlled German-engineered demolition vehicle, also known as the beetle tank (UK/US). Goliath remote control wedge-torpedo, carrying an explosive charge to destroy gun emplacements, enemy tanks, breaching minefields. Late version – RC

German tracked mine Goliath in Kubinka tank museum

German tracked mine Goliath (Kubinka tank museum 2003 archive)

Crawler ground torpedo B1a “Goliath” (302 SDK) and B1B “Goliath” (303 SDK). They are designed in 1943, operated by the army of Nazi Germany, were used in the fighting during the Second World War.

  • Weight — 0.2 tons
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 1500 mm, x 830 mm, x 520 mm;
  • armed – subversive bomb weighing 75 kg;
  • power of the electric motor 8 kW;
  • speed of 20 km / h; the range of 400-500 m.

B1b Goliath tracked mine

German tracked ground torpedo B1b “Goliath” (SdK 303), 1943, (tracked ground-based torpedo with electric drive), small-serie.

WW2 German tracked mine Goliath in Kubinka tank museum

German tracked mine Goliath (Kubinka tank museum 2006 archive)

Please note that in the early 00s, the scale model makers volunteered for the Kubinka Tank Museum and painted both Goliaths in historical colors: early German Feldgrau (Gray) and late camouflage.
The current location of these exhibits is Patriot Park after the reorganization of the Kubinka Tank Museum.

Kugelpanzer (German ball-tank)

German ball-tank, self-propelled observation post, 1938, (self-propelled armored observation post), the only sample.

Kugelpanzer WW2 German ball-tank, Kubinka museum

Kugelpanzer (German ball-tank), Kubinka museum 2003 archive

It is still unknown where the Red Army captured this balloon tank, since all documentation from the Kubinka test site collection was destroyed during declassification in the early 90s. The armored vehicles are experimental, so it is most likely that they were captured at the Kummersdorf training ground in the Battle of Berlin at the end of World War II. The design of the armored object resembles a children’s tricycle. A static central section with a seat for an observer, two large wheels on the sides and a small wheel at the rear. According to the conclusion of military experts at the Kubinka training ground, this ball-tank is an armored observation post for correcting artillery fire. Observation points are an important element of artillery fire, especially from indirect positions. The idea was a good one, since battle sites may not have houses or churches that were used as fire control observation posts. In reality, at the battlefields, this ball tank will roll uncontrollably on a small hill or get stuck in the mud of Russian roads. This was a bad idea by the German designers and a waste of money. But now it is a landmark of the Kubinka Tank Museum. To prevent this three-wheeled heavy armored bicycle from rolling spontaneously and crushing the visitor’s foot, the museum staff easily welded the central part and wheels. Museum visitors are now safe. In a rare old photo, this ball tank is modestly located at the end of Pavilion 6 (German armored vehicles of the Third Reich). This unique exhibit was located at this location from 1972 to 2016, before the formation of Patriot Park and a major reorganization.

Museum visitors do not cross the fence and do not see the small rear wheel of the ball tank. If you consider the weight of the armored bike and the wheel dimensions, it is clear that it is not suitable for the Eastern Front of World War II battlefields. The Kolkhoz (collective soviet farm) field is too soft for this tail, and the holes on the roads after rain reach 40-60 cm. See also our virtual tour of the Eastern Front battlefields: Battle of Kursk, Battle of Moscow.

Legends and versions about  Kugelpanzer (ball-tank)
There is a legend that this observation post was made in Germany for the Japanese army in Manchuria, but there is no evidence.
In Soviet times, Elena S. was the head of the secret archive (library) of the Kubinka test site. After the museum was declassified, Elena became an excellent military tour guide for visitors, both adults and children. Mikhail B. served as a military translator for her tours for foreign citizens.

German heavy tank T-VI H “Tiger” 1  (PzKpfw VI)

Tiger 1 Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E, Kubinka tank museum archives 2003

Tiger 1 (Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. E), Kubinka tank museum archives 2003

German designation: Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E (PzKpfw VI Ausf. E), Service name Sd.Kfz. 182, then Sd.Kfz. 181.

According to research by the Soviet and then Russian military in Kubinka and the official catalog of the tank museum: year of release1942, the heavy tank, serial.

Designed by “Henschel” company in 1942 was serially produced from 1942 to 1945.

Tiger I (PzKpfw VI Ausf. E) photo gallery

For lovers of military history and armored vehicles, scale models, artists and researchers, we post below our archive of photographs of the Tiger 1 tank from the museum in Kubinka with details where it was from 1972 to 2016.

The tactical technical characteristics of Tiger I PzKpfw VI Ausf. E) tank:  

  • The weight – 56,9 tons, the tank crew – 5 people.
  • The overall dimensions  in mm (length x width x height) – 8240 х 3550 х 2880.
  • Weapons: 1 cannon the  88 mm caliber, the ammunition – 92 shots,
  • 2 machine guns the caliber – 7,92 mm., the ammunition -5700 shots.
  • Armor protection; the front and the turret – 100 mm.
  • The Engine power — 650 h/p.
  • The speed  maximum — 40 km / h, the cruising on higрway — up to 100 km.
  • The opportunity of the underwater driving – yes.

T-VI “Tiger” I (PzKpfw VI Ausf. E) tank design features:

The PzKpfw VI chassis — the original. The overall tank  layout is typical for the German tanks during the WW2 (the engine location is in the rear of the chassis, the power train – in the nose).

The Weapons:  88 mm. gun with the hydraulic lift mechanism; the turret rotation by the means of the hydraulic drive

Tank protection:  the case of the welded, the box-section with the vertical front and the  side steel plates; the homogeneous armor  with the chrome nickel molybdenum, the average hardness of the finger are jointed sheets.

The Chassis:  12-cylinder engine  V-type, the carburetor, the liquid cooling;  the lubrication system radiator (the water – oil); the main clutch has nine disks running into a oil, and without shaft the gearbox with synchronization device, is located in one housing with the main clutch and cinematically connected with a planetary rotation mechanism; all torsion bar suspensions are with  hydraulic shock absorbers on the front and the rear balancers.
Location: since 2016 “Tiger 1” was moved from Kubinka tank museum to Patriot Park area.

A little history of the creation of the Tiger tank. The Henschel company fairly won the competition with Porsche thanks to its extensive experience in heavy chassis with staggered rollers. Henschel built two experimental prototypes of the BK30 chassis in 1939. This chassis formed the basis of the Tiger tank (Henschel). During World War II, these prototypes were equipped with powerful 128 mm guns. These heavy self-propelled guns took part in battles, but only one example has survived, which is now in the Kubinka Tank Museum.

128 mm WW2 German Assault Gun (VK30.01) prototype

German medium (?) self-propelled gun SU-128, 1942, (medium semi-closed self-propelled unit), small-serie (as official Kubinka catalog). It was developed in 1942. Produced in small batch series since 1942. It was in service with the army of fascist Germany. Used in the battles of the Second World War.
Heavy anti-tank ACS 12.8 cm. Pz.Sfl V (expert review).

128 mm WW2 German Assault Gun (VK30.01) prototype in Kubinka tank museum

128 mm WW2 German Assault Gun (VK30.01) prototype (Kubinka museum 2007 archive)

VK30.01 Assault Gun Tactical and technical characteristics:
Weight – 35 tons, Crew – 5 people. The overall dimensions (length x width x height) are 10075 x 3160 x 2700 mm.
Armament, gun – 1 piece, caliber – 128 mm., Ammunition – 18 shots, machine gun – 2 pieces, caliber – 7.92 mm.
Armored protection, forehead and hull – 45 mm. Engine power – 300 horsepower, The maximum speed is 25 km / h.
Cruising range on the highway – 170 km. The depth of water barriers, fordable – 1.2 meters
Design Features: Base – the original.
General layout – the control compartment is located in the front part of the car body, the combat one in the middle, the power one in the stern. Armament – loading is separate. Protection – the body of a welded, semi-closed type, from rolled armor plates with low angles of inclination. Chassis – carburetor engine “Maybach”; caterpillar propulsion unit with checkerboard arrangement; the driving wheels are located in front.

Sturmtiger

German heavy assault gun “Sturmtiger”  built on the Tiger I chassis with a large rocket launcher (soviet classification SU-380, The official German name was Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 mit 38 cm RW 61 ) , 1944, serial
Designed in 1944 by “Henschel”. It is issued from 1944 to 1945. small series (released 18 pcs.). Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. It participated in the battles of the Second World War.
The self-propelled heavy assault gun ‘Sturmtiger’ photos:

Sturmtiger in Kubinka Tank Museum

Sturmtiger (Kubinka tank museum 2007 archive)

Tactical technical characteristics of “Sturmtiger”:

  • Weight — 68 tons
  • Crew – 4 people
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) –  6300 x 3550 x 3000 mm.
  • Weaponry:  rocket launcher,  caliber – 380 mm., ammunition – 13 shots
  • Machine gun — 1 piece, caliber — 7.92 mm,
  • The armor protection, front, the turret — 150 mm.
  • Engine power — 700 hp
  • Maximum speed — 40 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 100 km
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.2 meters

Sturmtiger Assault Gun design features:
Base – heavy tank T-VI Н “Tiger”, the overall layout – the standard of Assault Guns.
Armament – the rocket mortars mounted in the supports logging, there are mechanical winch, tray loading and the lifting device for loading the ammunition into the machine.
Armored protection – the case of a welded box-section; upper frontal body and cutting the sheet has a slope of 35 “; to the average front hull attached screen 50 mm thick.
Chassis – 12-cylinder engine, carburetor “Maybach”, liquid cooling; mechanical power transmission; Transmission and the main clutch mounted in the same housing; the torsion bar suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers on the front and rear balancers; the  arrangement of the rollers in chess style.

Please note that the number of rollers corresponds to transportation by rail, and the width of the track for battlefields.All parts of the Sturmtiger are original, except for the headlights, which were absent on all German armored vehicles and were replaced with Soviet ones in 1972.
Note: At 2018 Sturmtiger moved from HQ to Patriot park new position.

N30 Ferdinand (Elefant) Panzerjäger German heavy self-propelled gun

German heavy self-propelled gun SU-88 “Ferdinand” / “Elephant” (as the soviet classification),  1943 (covered heavy self-propelled gun), serial.
The Elefant (German for “elephant”) is a Schwerer Panzerjäger (German: “heavy tank-hunter”)—a tank destroyer. It was built in small numbers in 1943 under the name Ferdinand after its designer Ferdinand Porsche, using tank corps that had been produced for the Tiger I tank requirement but was rejected in favour of a Henschel design.
In late 1943 and early 1944 self-propelled guns, were modernized and became known as “Elephant.” (An order to rename the AG came February 27, 1944)
German classification names – 8,8 cm StuK 43 Sfl L/71 Panzerjäger Tiger (P), Sturmgeschütz mit 8,8 cm StuK 43 and  Sd.Kfz.184.
Heavy tank destroyer Assault gun ‘Ferdinand’

Ferdinand (Elefant), a tank destroyer in Kubinka museum

Ferdinand (Elefant), a tank destroyer (Kubinka tank museum 2006 archive)

Tactical and technical characteristics of Assault Gun Ferdinand / Elefant:

  • Weight — 68 tons
  • Crew — 6 people (driver, radio-operator, commander, gunner, two loaders)
  • Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 8180 х 3430 х 3000 mm.
  • Weaponry:  cannon – 8.8 cm Pak 43/2 L/71, also known as StuK 43/1 ,  caliber – 88 mm., ammunition- 63 shots
  • machin gun MG-34 (Elefant only)  – 1 piece, caliber – 7,92 mm.,  ammunition – 2000 shots
  • The armor protection:  front and turret – 200 mm.
  • Engine power – 600 (2 x 300) hp
  • Maximum speed — 20 km / h
  • Cruising on the highway — up to 120 km
  • Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.2 meters

Ferdinand / Elefant design features: Base – heavy tank Tiger (P).
The overall layout – typical for self-propelled units. Weapons – gun installed on the machine and has a horizontal firing angle 24 °, elevation 15 “declination -7.5”; Linkage screw gun; the panoramic sight.
Armory protection – from rolled armor plates; the head-on parts made of the body (of the two armor plates), connected by a screw-type “goujon”
Chassis – two gasoline engines “Maybach”, coupled with a DC generator voltage 385 V, power 210-260 kW; each engine has a separate power supply, cooling, lubrication, ignition and starter; Power Train – electromechanical; suspension with longitudinal torsion bars, rubber stoppers stroke balancers; the rollers with internal shock absorbers.

Additional photos:

Note that there are NOT a machine gun at the front desk (installed latter at Elefant model after the modernization)

The first use of Ferdinand was on the Northern front of the Battle of Kursk and was very unsuccessful for Germany. The Wehrmacht lost many Ferdinand self-propelled guns. The exhibit, located at the Kubinka Tank Museum, was also captured as a trophy at the Kursk Bulge.
* – there are some inaccuracies in the Catalog, corrections and clarifications in the possibility are also given
** – from January 2012 – “Central Museum of Armored Weapons and Equipment”