Neubaufahrzeug

Neubaufahrzeug
A Neubaufahrzeug V in Norway in April 1940
TypeMedium tank
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1935–1940
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerRheinmetall
Krupp
Designed1933–1934
ManufacturerRheinmetall
Produced1934–1936
No. built5
Specifications
Mass23.41 tonnes (23.04 long tons; 25.81 short tons)
Length6.65 m (21 ft 10 in)
Width2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Height2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Crew6

Armor10–20 mm (0.39–0.79 in)
Main
armament
7.5 cm KwK 37
Secondary
armament
3.7 cm KwK 36
3× 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun
Engine290 hp BMW Va
TransmissionZF SSG 280
Suspensioncoil springs
Fuel capacity457 liters
Operational
range
road: 120 km (75 mi)
Maximum speed maximum: 30 km/h (19 mph)
road: 25 km/h (16 mph)

The German Panzerkampfwagen Neubaufahrzeug ("new construction vehicle"—a cover name), abbreviated as PzKpfw Nb.Fz, series of tank prototypes were a first attempt to create a medium tank for the Wehrmacht after Adolf Hitler had come to power. Multi-turreted, heavy and slow, they were not considered successful, which led to only five being produced. These were primarily used for propaganda purposes and training, though three took part in the Battle of Norway in 1940. Pictures of the Neubaufahrzeuge were displayed with different turret models and orientations to fool allied spies; American and Soviet agents independently reported that the Germans had two new heavy tanks, the Panzer V and VI. In reality, these tanks were far from the Panzer V Panther and the Panzer VI Tiger.[1]

  1. ^ Kavalerchik, Boris (2018). The Tanks of Operation Barbarossa; Soviet versus German Armour on the Eastern Front. Translated by Britton, Stuart. Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 978-1-4738-8682-7.[page needed]