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8.8 cm KwK 43

January 07, 2023

This article is about the Tiger II tank gun;. For the anti aircraft gun, see 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41.

The 8.8 cm KwK 43 (Kampfwagenkanone —"fighting vehicle cannon") was an 88 mm 71 calibre length tank gun designed by Krupp and used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was mounted as the primary armament on the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf. B Tiger II. The 8.8 cm Pak 43, an anti-tank gun, was very similar in design but mounted on tank destroyers or deployed stand-alone on the field.

8,8 cm KwK 43
A Tiger II mounting an 8.8 cm KwK 43 gun, preserved at the Musée des Blindés
TypeKampfwagenkanone
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerKrupp
Unit cost21,000 ℛℳ
Specifications
Mass2,265 kg (4,993 lb)
Barrel length6,248 mm (246.0 in) bore (71 calibres)
ShellFixed QF 88 × 822mm R
Shell weight7.3 kg (16 lb) Armor-piercing composite rigid (APCR) Pzgr 40/43
Calibre88 mm (3.46 in)
Elevation-8° to +15°
Rate of fire6–10 round per minute
Muzzle velocity1,130 m/s (3,700 ft/s)
Maximum firing range9,350 m (30,680 ft)

Design and development

At 6.24 m (20.5 ft), the length of the KwK 43's barrel was over 1.3 metres longer than of that of the 8.8 cm KwK 36 used for the Tiger I. The cartridge of the KwK 43's shell was also considerably longer (at 82.2 centimetres (32.4 in)) and wider than that of the KwK 36's meaning that the KwK 43 allows for more room for a heavier propellant charge in its shells than the KwK 36 could. All guns of the PaK/KwK 43 series could use the same ammunition interchangeably.

The KwK 43 and PaK 43 were initially manufactured with monobloc barrels meaning the barrel was made from one piece. However, due to the weapons' extremely high muzzle velocity and operating pressures when fired, the weapon suffered from accelerated barrel wear. As a result, the change was made to manufacture the PaK/KwK 43 with a two-piece barrel instead of a monobloc barrel. This had minimal to no effect on the performance of the gun, but made replacing a worn-out barrel much faster and easier than before.

In addition, the massively increased operating pressures of the new gun also required a new armour-piercing shell to be designed. The result of this was the PzGr.39/43 APCBC-HE projectile, which was similar to the older 10.2-kilogram (22 lb) PzGr.39-1 APCBC-HE projectile used by the 8.8 cm KwK 36 and PaK 43 guns except for the addition of much wider driving bands. The wider driving bands of the PzGr.39/43 increased the weight of the shell to 10.4 kilograms (23 lb) as a result.[1] However, as the full transition to the newer PzGr.39/43 rounds was slow to take place, the older PzGr.39-1 rounds were instead allowed to be used for the KwK 43 & PaK 43 provided the gun had fired no more than 500 rounds. Above that set amount, the expected barrel wear combined with the narrower driving bands of the PzGr.39-1 would lead to a loss of pressure and therefore muzzle velocity in the gun. The new PzGr.39/43 could be fired without loss of pressure until the barrel was worn out, thus requiring no restriction.

 
PaK 43/41 at CFB Borden.

PzGr.39-1 FES & Al all up weight: 10.2 kg (9.87 kg without fuse & bursting charge)

PzGr.39/43 FES & Al all up weight: 10.4 kg (10.06 kg without fuse & bursting charge)

The same 278 gram BdZ 5127 fuse and 59 gram Amatol bursting charge were used for both types of projectile (PzGr.39-1 & PzGr.39/43), requiring armoured targets of 30 mm or thicker to ignite after penetration for maximum behind-armour effects.

Performance

PzGr. 39/43 (APCBC-HE)

Penetration figures against rolled homogeneous armour plate.
Range
(metres) 		Penetration
vertical
(mm)[2]		 Penetration
at 30°
(mm)[2]		 Hit probability versus
2.5 m x 2 m target
percent[3][a]
Testing Practice
100 233 202 100 100
500 219 185 100 100
1000 204 165 100 85
1500 190 148 95 61
2000 176 132 85 43
2500 n/a n/a 74 30
3000 n/a n/a 61 23
3500 n/a n/a 51 17
4000 n/a n/a 42 13

PzGr. 40/43 (APCR)

Penetration figures against rolled homogeneous armour plate.
Range
(metres) 		Penetration
vertical
(mm)[2]		 Penetration
at 30°
(mm)[2]		 Hit probability
(2.5 m x 2 m target)
percent[3]
Testing Practice
100 274 237 100 100
500 251 217 100 100
1000 223 193 100 89
1500 211 170 97 66
2000 184 152 89 47
2500 n/a n/a 78 34
3000 n/a n/a 66 25

Gr. 39/43 HL (HEAT)

  • Type: High explosive anti-tank
  • Projectile weight: 7.65 kg (16.9 lb)
  • Muzzle velocity: 600 m/s (2,000 ft/s)
  • Penetration: 90 mm (30 degrees)

Sprgr. 43 (HE)

  • Type: High explosive
  • Projectile weight: 9.5 kg (21 lb)[4]
  • Explosive Charge: 1.02 kg (2.25 lb) Amatol [4] (4,270 Kilojoules)

Penetration comparison

Calculated penetration (90 degrees)[5]
Ammunition type Muzzle velocity Penetration (mm)
100 m 250 m 500 m 750 m 1000 m 1250 m 1500 m 2000 m 2500 m 3000 m
PzGr. 39/43 (APCBC) 1,000 m/s (3,300 ft/s) 232 227 219 211 204 196 190 176 164 153
PzGr. 40/43 (APCR) 1,130 m/s (3,700 ft/s) 304 296 282 269 257 245 234 213 194 177
Gr. 39/3 HL (HEAT) 600 m/s (2,000 ft/s) 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110

Anti-tank gun

Main article: 8.8 cm PaK 43

The anti-tank gun version of the 8.8 cm KwK 43 was known as the 8.8 cm PaK 43. This name was also applied to versions of this weapon mounted in various armored vehicles designed to hunt tanks, such as the Jagdpanther, Hornisse/Nashorn and Ferdinand/Elefant Panzerjäger tank destroyers. The Nashorn was the first vehicle to carry the KwK/PaK 43 series of guns. The series included: PaK 43 (cruciform mount), PaK 43/41 (two-wheel split-trail carriage), PaK 43/1 (Nashorn), and PaK 43/2 (Ferdinand/Elefant), all with monobloc (one-piece) barrels; PaK 43/3 and 43/4 (Jagdpanther) with two-piece barrels, and KwK 43 (Tiger II) with a two-piece barrel.

See also

  • 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 - The predecessor of the 8.8 cm KwK 43 which was mounted on the Tiger I.
  • 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 - The prominent anti-aircraft and anti-tank weapon with which the 8.8 cm KwK 43 is often confused.

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

Notes

  1. ^ Jentz explained that "These accuracy tables are based on the assumptions that the actual range to the target has been correctly determined and that the distribution of hits is centered on the aiming point. The first column shows the accuracy obtained during controlled test firing to determine the pattern of dispersion. The figures in the second column include the variation expected during practice firing due to differences between guns, ammunition and gunners. These accuracy tables do not reflect the actual probability of hitting a target under battlefield conditions. Due to errors in estimating the range and many other factors, the probability of a first hit was much lower than shown in these tables. However, the average, calm gunner, after sensing the tracer from the first round, could achieve the accuracy shown in the second column."[3]

References

  1. ^ US Army Technical Manual TM9-1985-3, United States Government Printing Office Washington, 1953
  2. ^ a b c d Higgins, David (2011). King Tiger Vs IS-2: Operation Solstice 1945. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 26.
  3. ^ a b c Jentz, 1996, p. 9
  4. ^ a b "TM 9-1985-3 German Explosive Ordnance (Projectiles and Projectile Fuzes) 1953". 16 March 1953. p. 442. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
  5. ^ Bird, Lorrin Rexford; Livingston, Robert D. (2001). WWII Ballistics: Armor and Gunnery. Overmatch Press. p. 61.

Sources

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 8.8 cm KwK 43.

January 07, 2023
this, article, about, tiger, tank, anti, aircraft, flak, kampfwagenkanone, fighting, vehicle, cannon, calibre, length, tank, designed, krupp, used, german, wehrmacht, during, second, world, mounted, primary, armament, panzerkampfwagen, ausf, tiger, anti, tank,. This article is about the Tiger II tank gun For the anti aircraft gun see 8 8 cm Flak 18 36 37 41 The 8 8 cm KwK 43 Kampfwagenkanone fighting vehicle cannon was an 88 mm 71 calibre length tank gun designed by Krupp and used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War It was mounted as the primary armament on the Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf B Tiger II The 8 8 cm Pak 43 an anti tank gun was very similar in design but mounted on tank destroyers or deployed stand alone on the field 8 8 cm KwK 43A Tiger II mounting an 8 8 cm KwK 43 gun preserved at the Musee des BlindesTypeKampfwagenkanonePlace of originNazi GermanyService historyUsed byNazi GermanyWarsWorld War IIProduction historyDesignerKruppUnit cost21 000 ℛℳSpecificationsMass2 265 kg 4 993 lb Barrel length6 248 mm 246 0 in bore 71 calibres ShellFixed QF 88 822mm RShell weight7 3 kg 16 lb Armor piercing composite rigid APCR Pzgr 40 43Calibre88 mm 3 46 in Elevation 8 to 15 Rate of fire6 10 round per minuteMuzzle velocity1 130 m s 3 700 ft s Maximum firing range9 350 m 30 680 ft Contents 1 Design and development 2 Performance 2 1 PzGr 39 43 APCBC HE 2 2 PzGr 40 43 APCR 2 3 Gr 39 43 HL HEAT 2 4 Sprgr 43 HE 3 Penetration comparison 4 Anti tank gun 5 See also 5 1 Weapons of comparable role performance and era 6 Notes 7 References 8 SourcesDesign and development EditAt 6 24 m 20 5 ft the length of the KwK 43 s barrel was over 1 3 metres longer than of that of the 8 8 cm KwK 36 used for the Tiger I The cartridge of the KwK 43 s shell was also considerably longer at 82 2 centimetres 32 4 in and wider than that of the KwK 36 s meaning that the KwK 43 allows for more room for a heavier propellant charge in its shells than the KwK 36 could All guns of the PaK KwK 43 series could use the same ammunition interchangeably The KwK 43 and PaK 43 were initially manufactured with monobloc barrels meaning the barrel was made from one piece However due to the weapons extremely high muzzle velocity and operating pressures when fired the weapon suffered from accelerated barrel wear As a result the change was made to manufacture the PaK KwK 43 with a two piece barrel instead of a monobloc barrel This had minimal to no effect on the performance of the gun but made replacing a worn out barrel much faster and easier than before In addition the massively increased operating pressures of the new gun also required a new armour piercing shell to be designed The result of this was the PzGr 39 43 APCBC HE projectile which was similar to the older 10 2 kilogram 22 lb PzGr 39 1 APCBC HE projectile used by the 8 8 cm KwK 36 and PaK 43 guns except for the addition of much wider driving bands The wider driving bands of the PzGr 39 43 increased the weight of the shell to 10 4 kilograms 23 lb as a result 1 However as the full transition to the newer PzGr 39 43 rounds was slow to take place the older PzGr 39 1 rounds were instead allowed to be used for the KwK 43 amp PaK 43 provided the gun had fired no more than 500 rounds Above that set amount the expected barrel wear combined with the narrower driving bands of the PzGr 39 1 would lead to a loss of pressure and therefore muzzle velocity in the gun The new PzGr 39 43 could be fired without loss of pressure until the barrel was worn out thus requiring no restriction PaK 43 41 at CFB Borden PzGr 39 1 FES amp Al all up weight 10 2 kg 9 87 kg without fuse amp bursting charge PzGr 39 43 FES amp Al all up weight 10 4 kg 10 06 kg without fuse amp bursting charge The same 278 gram BdZ 5127 fuse and 59 gram Amatol bursting charge were used for both types of projectile PzGr 39 1 amp PzGr 39 43 requiring armoured targets of 30 mm or thicker to ignite after penetration for maximum behind armour effects Performance EditPzGr 39 43 APCBC HE Edit Type Armour piercing capped ballistic cap high explosive Projectile weight 10 40 kg 22 9 lb Muzzle velocity 1 000 m s 3 300 ft s Penetration figures against rolled homogeneous armour plate Range metres Penetration vertical mm 2 Penetration at 30 mm 2 Hit probability versus 2 5 m x 2 m targetpercent 3 a Testing Practice100 233 202 100 100500 219 185 100 1001000 204 165 100 851500 190 148 95 612000 176 132 85 432500 n a n a 74 303000 n a n a 61 233500 n a n a 51 174000 n a n a 42 13PzGr 40 43 APCR Edit Type Armour piercing composite rigid Projectile weight 7 30 kg 16 1 lb Muzzle velocity 1 130 m s 3 700 ft s Penetration figures against rolled homogeneous armour plate Range metres Penetration vertical mm 2 Penetration at 30 mm 2 Hit probability 2 5 m x 2 m target percent 3 Testing Practice100 274 237 100 100500 251 217 100 1001000 223 193 100 891500 211 170 97 662000 184 152 89 472500 n a n a 78 343000 n a n a 66 25Gr 39 43 HL HEAT Edit Type High explosive anti tank Projectile weight 7 65 kg 16 9 lb Muzzle velocity 600 m s 2 000 ft s Penetration 90 mm 30 degrees Sprgr 43 HE Edit Type High explosive Projectile weight 9 5 kg 21 lb 4 Explosive Charge 1 02 kg 2 25 lb Amatol 4 4 270 Kilojoules Penetration comparison EditCalculated penetration 90 degrees 5 Ammunition type Muzzle velocity Penetration mm 100 m 250 m 500 m 750 m 1000 m 1250 m 1500 m 2000 m 2500 m 3000 mPzGr 39 43 APCBC 1 000 m s 3 300 ft s 232 227 219 211 204 196 190 176 164 153PzGr 40 43 APCR 1 130 m s 3 700 ft s 304 296 282 269 257 245 234 213 194 177Gr 39 3 HL HEAT 600 m s 2 000 ft s 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110 110Anti tank gun EditMain article 8 8 cm PaK 43 The anti tank gun version of the 8 8 cm KwK 43 was known as the 8 8 cm PaK 43 This name was also applied to versions of this weapon mounted in various armored vehicles designed to hunt tanks such as the Jagdpanther Hornisse Nashorn and Ferdinand Elefant Panzerjager tank destroyers The Nashorn was the first vehicle to carry the KwK PaK 43 series of guns The series included PaK 43 cruciform mount PaK 43 41 two wheel split trail carriage PaK 43 1 Nashorn and PaK 43 2 Ferdinand Elefant all with monobloc one piece barrels PaK 43 3 and 43 4 Jagdpanther with two piece barrels and KwK 43 Tiger II with a two piece barrel See also Edit8 8 cm KwK 36 L 56 The predecessor of the 8 8 cm KwK 43 which was mounted on the Tiger I 8 8 cm Flak 18 36 37 41 The prominent anti aircraft and anti tank weapon with which the 8 8 cm KwK 43 is often confused Weapons of comparable role performance and era Edit British Ordnance QF 17 pounder Soviet 100 mm D 10T United States 90 mm T15E1 T15E2Notes Edit Jentz explained that These accuracy tables are based on the assumptions that the actual range to the target has been correctly determined and that the distribution of hits is centered on the aiming point The first column shows the accuracy obtained during controlled test firing to determine the pattern of dispersion The figures in the second column include the variation expected during practice firing due to differences between guns ammunition and gunners These accuracy tables do not reflect the actual probability of hitting a target under battlefield conditions Due to errors in estimating the range and many other factors the probability of a first hit was much lower than shown in these tables However the average calm gunner after sensing the tracer from the first round could achieve the accuracy shown in the second column 3 References Edit US Army Technical Manual TM9 1985 3 United States Government Printing Office Washington 1953 a b c d Higgins David 2011 King Tiger Vs IS 2 Operation Solstice 1945 Bloomsbury Publishing p 26 a b c Jentz 1996 p 9 a b TM 9 1985 3 German Explosive Ordnance Projectiles and Projectile Fuzes 1953 16 March 1953 p 442 Retrieved 16 June 2018 Bird Lorrin Rexford Livingston Robert D 2001 WWII Ballistics Armor and Gunnery Overmatch Press p 61 Sources Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to 8 8 cm KwK 43 Thomas L Jentz Germany s Tiger Tanks Tiger I and Tiger II Combat Tactics London Schiffer Publishing 1996 ISBN 0 7643 0225 6 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 8 8 cm KwK 43 amp oldid 1129453414, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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