German Super Heavy Tank E-100 COBI 2572 - World War II

You know that:

• Under the designation E, experimental armoured vehicles were developed from 1943 onwards under the orders and direct supervision of A. Hitler.
• The E-100 tank, i.e. its prototype, was based on technical drawings of Maus, which were stolen from Ferdinand Porsche's design office.
• The constant search for a miracle weapon that would turn the tide of the war led to absurd situations where the original 128 mm calibre gun intended for the E-100 was replaced by a 155 mm calibre and later even 177 mm. The installation of a heavy gun forced the redesign of the chassis, the development of a stronger engine and the enlargement of the tank turret. 
• Despite all the modifications, the extremely difficult handling of the heavy 177 mm ammunition inside the tank turret was never solved.
• The Germans apparently managed to produce one working prototype, but it certainly did not enter the fighting. Moreover, at that time, there was not a single bridge in Germany capable of carrying such a monster. 
• Some sources say that only the chassis survived and was transported to the UK where it served as a target at a tank firing range. There is testimony from 1950 by an employee of a scrap yard in northern England who said that a German super-heavy tank was transported to them for disposal, matching the E-100 in description. 
• Whether the German industry actually managed to complete the prototype may not be known for certain.

Technical parameters:

• dimensions: length 10.20 m, width 4.45 m, height 3.29 m
• weight 140 000 kg
• armour up to 240 mm
• power unit 12-cylinder Maybach HL 234 engine with 700 kW
• number of gears 8 forward + 1 reverse
• maximum speed 23 km/h (theoretical)
• fuel tank capacity 2050 l
• range 120 km
• main armament KwK 44 L/38 gun (50 rounds)
• secondary armament 75 mm KwK 44 L/36.5 gun and 7.92 mm MG 34 machine gun
• crew 6