Panzer IV Main-Gun Elevation Speed

[Jim Fowler]

Guys,

I would like to ask for some help. I have been searching and inquiring to determine the real Panzer IVs Main Gun Elevation speed (average).

I have been told the following: A Panzer IV stub (ausf F1?) can be crancked from - 8 degrees to +20 degrees in aproximately 30 seconds.

I was given this figure but not given any reference source.

What do you think? Is this a reasonable/plausible assessment?

I will take any and all feedback - especially if you have some reference that would prove or disprove this.

[Stephen White]

Jim

I can only go from my own experience on tanks but it sounds to me more likely that the 30 sec figure refers to turret traverse rates. If it took 30 secs to go from max to mn elevation or vice versa, the tank would be dead.

I don't know what gearing the Pz IV had in the elevation gear box but a figure of four or five seconds would be more reasonable, maybe five or six turns of the handwheel.

There are some figures for Tiger I turret traverse in the Tank Museum video Tiger Files. From memory, the traverse was both manual and hydraulic and the speed of the latter was dependent on engine rpm. A figure of a minute for power traverse for a complete revolution come to mind.

If I find anything in my Pz III references, I'll let you know.

I might of course be completely wrong, in which case I take my hat off to Pz IV crewmen. We used to be able to get four or five rounds off in a minute using power traverse and manual elevation. On Challenger 2 (and Abrams) with complete power autolay, you can go to five or six rounds a minute, maybe more.

Regards

Stephen

[Stephen White]

Jim

Got me hooked now. I've not come across the site below before but it's a mine of info. I couldn't find an answer to your question but there is an email for the site host, who seems to have a complete archive of info. I suspect you'll only get the answer if someone either measures the rate on a real vehicle or you can get access to the relevant technical manual which is listed in the site below.

http://panzerivuniverse.phelpscomputers ... efault.htm

Good luck.

Stephen

[Jim Fowler]

Thanks Stephen,

I sort of concur with your logic, and decided to bounce this off the forum because I was not confident with this reply. I have to add that it very well may be as you suspected about there may have been some confusion in the translation of my question.

I have sent an email of inqiury off as per your suggestion to Will Phleps of Panzer IV Universe - but, I also have to say that my outbox shows an email was sent to him initially in September - we will see what happens.

Thanks!

I will reply back with what I find - as i hope anyone else will as well.