1:72 E-75 Ausf. D (w. 10.5 cm KwK 45) Heavy Battle Tank, early 1946

[Dizzyfugu]

1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr



Some background:
The "Entwicklung" tank series (= "development"), more commonly known as the E-Series, was a late-World War II attempt by Germany to produce a standardized series of tank designs. There were to be six standard designs in different weight classes, from which several specialized variants were to be developed. This intended to reverse the trend of extremely complex tank designs that had resulted in poor production rates and mechanical unreliability.

The E-series designs were simpler, cheaper to produce and more efficient than their predecessors; however, their design offered only modest improvements in armor and firepower over the designs they were intended to replace, such as the Jagdpanzer 38(t), Panther Ausf.G or Tiger II. However, the resulting high degree of standardization of German armored vehicles would also have made logistics and maintenance easier. Indeed, nearly all of the E-series vehicles — up through and including the E-75 — were intended to use what were essentially the Tiger II's 80 cm (31½ in) diameter, steel-rimmed road wheels for their suspension, meant to overlap each other (as on the later production Tiger I-E and Panther designs that also used them), even though in a much simplified fashion. For instance, while the E-50/75's running gear resembled outwardly the Tiger II's, the latter's torsion bar suspension, which made a complex hull with many opening necessary, was replaced by very compact conical spring coil packages that each held a pair of interleaved road wheels – with the benefit that all suspension elements remained outside of the hull, which could be considerably simplified, saving production time and also scarce material.


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Focus of initial chassis and combat vehicle development was the E-50/75 Standardpanzer, designed by Adler. Both were mostly identical and only differed in armor thickness, overall weight and running gear design to cope with the different weights.
While the E-50 was the standardized replacement for the medium PzKpfw. V "Panther" and the last operational PzKpfw. VI "Tiger",  the E-75 Standardpanzer was intended to become the standard heavy tank to be used as a replacement of the Tiger II and the Jagdtiger. The E-75 was built on the same production lines as the E-50 for ease of manufacture, and the two vehicles were to share many components, including the same Maybach HL 234 engine with up to 900 hp output. However, the E-75 had much thicker armor, max. 185 mm versus the E-50's 120 mm, and, compared to the Tiger II, the E-75 had improved hull armor all round. As its name indicates, the resulting vehicle weighed in at over 75 tons, reducing its speed to around 40 km/h, while the lighter E-50's top speed on roads was up to 60 km/h. To offset the increased weight, the E-75's bogies were spaced differently than on the E-50, with an extra pair of wheels added on each side, giving the E-75 a slightly improved track to ground contact length, and with wider tracks to better distribute the higher overall weight on the ground.

Both E-50 and E-75 were to be equipped with the same turrets, the standard primary weapon was an 88mm L/71 gun, along with an optical rangefinder for increased long-range accuracy and an optional infra-red sight system that allowed nocturnal operations. For the heavy E-75, several turret options were available and accepted for service, what resulted in different operational variants (Ausführungen). Ausf. A used a turret that was very similar to the Tiger II turret (also called the "Henschel-Turm"), equipped with the 8.8 cm L/71 gun but with option to use a new, longer L/100 barrel, too. Ausf. B used the same welded turret, but it was adapted to accommodate the new and more powerful high velocity 10.5 cm KwK 45 L/68 gun or the large 12,8 cm KwK 44 L/55.
Ausf. C carried the so-called "Schmalturm", introduced with the Panther Ausf. F/Panther II interim medium tank in early 1945 and originally reserved only for the lighter E-50 tank. However, due to supply shortages, several E-75 hulls were outfitted with this lighter turret, too, which remained  exclusively outfitted with the 8.8 cm KwK 43 L/71 gun.
Finally, Ausf. D carried the so-called "Beuthen-Turm", a cast, universal turret that had been designed to be accepted by a wide range of German medium and heavy battle tanks, including not only the E-50/75 tanks but also the older Panther and other, lighter vehicles with a wide hull. The "Beuthen-Turm", baptized after its production site Oberschlesische Gusswerke Beuthen (today the city of Bytom in Poland), offered excellent ballistic protection, had a very low profile and featured a commander cupola with a full 360° view through periscopes as well as a 200cm width stereoscopic optical rangefinder for the gunner. A few vehicles were additionally equipped with FG1250/1251 infrared illuminators, allowing night operations in coordination with the SdKfz.251/20 ,,Uhu" with long-range infrared illuminators and complemented by assault troops using Vampir-modified Sturmgewehr guns.


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Like the Henschel-Turm, the Beuthen-Turm was designed to accept several heavy guns. Typically, the E-75 Ausf. D carried the standard 8.8 cm KwK 43, either with the original L/71 or the new, longer L/100 barrel for higher muzzle velocity and range. A total of 74 88mm shells were carried, typically a mix of 50% high explosive and 50% armor-piercing rounds, stored in the turret and in the hull, plus 4.800 rounds for the secondary 7,92 MG 34s on board (32 ammunition belts with 150 round each).
However, the new high velocity 10.5 cm KwK 45 gun could also be mounted without, but this potent weapon was in very short supply and only sporadically combined with the Beuthen-Turm. Most 10.5 cm KwK 45 guns went into the E-75 Ausf. B or were allocated to anti-tank SPGs based on the E-50/75 chassis, because these were easier and quicker to produce. With the 10.5 cm gun, the ammunition supply was reduced from 74 to 52 rounds. An AP round had a length of 1.124 mm, weighed 26,1 kg (57.5 lb), the APCBC warhead had a weight of 15,6 kg (34.3 lb) and a muzzle velocity of 990 m/sec. (3.248 ft/sec.). At a distance of 1.000 m, penetration was 248 mm of hardened steel (at an 0° angle), and at 2.000 m this still was 201 mm.

Due to the ever-worsening situation, less than 80 E-75 hulls were completed and probably less than 50 combat-worthy vehicles arrived at front line units and were involved in battle until the end of hostilities. In service the vehicle received the inventory ordnance number "SdKfZ. 305" and was officially called "Einheitspanzer 75" (Standard tank), retaining its project abbreviation, but the short "E-75" designation from the development phase remained very common, too.



Specifications:
    Crew: Five  (commander, gunner, loader, radio operator, driver)
    Weight: 72 tonnes (80 short tons)
    Length: 7.27 metres (23 ft 10¾ in) (hull only)
                   9.43 metres (30 ft 8 in) with gun forward
    Width: 3.88 metres (12 ft 9 in)
    Height 3.46 metres (11¾ ft)
    Ground clearance: 495 to 510 mm (1 ft 7.5 in to 1 ft 8.1 in)
    Suspension: Conical spring
    Fuel capacity: 720 litres (160 imp gal; 190 US gal)

Armor:
    30–185 mm (1.2 – 7.2 in)

Performance:
    Speed
      - Maximum, road: 44 km/h (27.3 mph)
      - Sustained, road: 38 km/h (24 mph)
      - Cross country: 15 to 20 km/h (9.3 to 12.4 mph)
     Operational range: 160 km (99 miles)
     Power/weight: 12,5 PS/tonne (11.25 hp/ton)

Engine:
    V-12 Maybach HL 234 gasoline engine with 900 PS (885 hp/650 kW)

Transmission:
    ZF AK 7-200 with 7 forward 1 reverse gears

Armament:
    1× 10,5 cm KwK 45 L/68 cannon with 52 rounds
    2× 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with a total of 5.200 rounds;
         one mounted co-axially with the main gun and an optional AA gun on the commander's cupola



The kit and its assembly:
After a while, another of the many 1:72 Modelcollect Heer '46 models, even though with a turret swap. The model is actually the E-75 SPAAG kit with twin 55 mm guns, but the turret was replaced by a resin conversion piece from Silesian Models that depicts a fictional German cast steel turret.

The E-75 hull went together well, without any PSR (but there were other pitfalls, see below). In this case I used the optional PE grates for the engine bay covers. Being an early boxing of this kit, it came with vinyl tracks (instead of IP segments, which are a PITA to assemble...), even though these turned out to be pretty thick and stiff and were molded in a bright, sandish-yellow vinyl. WHY?


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The so-called "Beuthen" turret could be easily integrated in-/onto the E-75 hull through the transplantation of the SPAAG turret's adapter ring. One problem arose in the form of the resin barrel for the set's 8.8cm KwK 43: it turned out to be (considerably) warped, and the muzzle brake came with bubbles that did not make fixing both flaws worthwhile. Thanks to a generous stack of spare parts I came up with an alternative: a leftover plastic barrel from a 122 mm cannon from an IS-2 tank. Being a bit more massive but having a suitable length, I mounted this alternative and turned it into a fictional 10.5 mm cannon, which had been – nevertheless – actually planned, e. g. for the Königstiger/Tiger II.


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The mudguards were slightly dented and spare track links added to the turret flanks and the front of the hull. However, when trying to mount the vinyl tracks the kit revealed its major flaw: the running gear. It is so delicate that it cannot bear the pressure from the flexible tracks – in fact even the model's own weight seems to affect it. The reason is that each of the sixteen road wheels is attached to the hull with a small, separate wing arm, which has to be aligned with the rest of the seven arms per side, and the inner wheels' swing arms have no locator pin to hold and stabilize the wheel attached to it. The result is a very wobbly and flimsy affair – if I build an E-75 again, I will glue all eight wheels per side together, so that they stabilize each other.


Painting and markings:
The paint scheme is another variation of the German late WWII "Hinterhalt" camouflage, consisting of Dark Yellow, Olive Green and Red Brown. However, the way these colors were used and arranged differed widely, and one of the more creative application I have found in literature (actually on a small Jagdpanzer 38(t) "Hetzer") was adapted for this model.
In this case, brown, almost fractal blotches were enframed by dark yellow and the voids in between filled with olive green. In order to lighten the camouflage up a little and blur the outlines further, dark yellow mottles were added to the green areas, and on some of the wider dark yellow frames, small green mottles were added, creating a kind of counter-effect. Quite complex, but IMHO very effective through the complex shapes and contrast effects. As a match for the upper hull's scheme the wheels were painted uniformly in the same standard colors – but without any pattern, because this would be very obvious and eye-catching when the tank would move.


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The classic Hinterhalt scheme colors are RAL 6003 "Olivgrün", 7028 "Dunkelgelb" and RAL 8017 "Schokolade". I used the respective Humbrol equivalents 86, 83 and 160, applied with brushes for rather sharp edges. Since the E-75 would be a pretty new vehicle I did not apply drastic weathering stunts with red primer showing through, just the standard effects (washing with dark brown acrylic paint, dry-brushing).
The horribly colored tracks were painted with dark grey acrylic artist paint, and this worked surprisingly well. Unlike model paint, the artist paint from the collapsible turned out to be much more adhesive and flexible when dry, only small touch-ups were necessary once the track had been mounted and stuck into place with some super glue.


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) - WiP by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Decals/marking came next, the crosses came from the OOB sheet, the tactical code from a TL Modellbau sheet. Finally, another light dry brushing treatment with beige and light grey followed, highlighting surface details and edges, and after painting some details and adding some rust marks came a coat of matt varnish. The vinyl tracks were rigged into place and the tank's lower areas received a treatment with a greyish-brown pigment mix, simulating dust and mud residue.




1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Kampfpanzer E-75 Ausf. D (SdKfz. 305); vehicle "221" of the 2. Kompanie, Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 502 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 502); Guxhagen (Hessia), early 1946 (What-if/modified Modelcollect kit) by Dizzyfugu, on Flickr


#2 in my current 1:72 armour series, and there are at least wto more to come (including a whiffy Australian Matilda). The E-75 was a simple and straightforward project, finished in the course of just a few days and only delayed by the search for an alternative gun barrel and some dirty fights with the running gear. The result looks pretty convincing, with the (fictional) Beuthen Turm the E-75 looks like a Panther on steroids? I really like the complex Hinterhalt scheme variant on this one, because it hides the E-75's bulk well and effectively blurs its outlines. The round and organic turret looks a bit odd on the boxy hull, though, but it provides the otherwise simple battle tank with a special touch and some Heer '46 futurism. After all, it's a what-if model.

[Pellson]

Another world beater, Thomas. Great work.

How many hours (ca) do you think you put in per tank?

[Sport21ing]

The turret it's to small for my taste (well, I used to see the WoT version), but still, an excellent work from your part 

[Dizzyfugu]

Another world beater, Thomas. Great work.

How many hours (ca) do you think you put in per tank?

Thank you. Well, hard to tell. This one here was relatively simple, despite the turret change and the running gear hustle. I think it took five evenings, maybe twelve hours in total. But that's only a guess.

@Sport21ing: Concerning the turret I know what you mean - when you are used to the huge Henschel turret (also used on the Königstiger), this one here looks quite small because it is low - a very appreciable feature. A Schmalturm on a Panther also looks as if it was too small, even though it could take the big 8.8cm KwK! The Beuthen Turm is fictional, though, but it is quite spacious due to its eliptical base area, and it would have needed a considerable turret ring.

[Old Wombat]

Another really great piece of armour, Dizzy!

Turret looks quite a lot like a M-60 turret, only about 14 years earlier.

[Pellson]

Another world beater, Thomas. Great work.

How many hours (ca) do you think you put in per tank?

Thank you. Well, hard to tell. This one here was relatively simple, despite the turret change and the running gear hustle. I think it took five evenings, maybe twelve hours in total. But that's only a guess.

You're not only a better builder than I am - you are considerably faster! 

I resolut like your work, though. Not just the execution but perhaps even more your subjects. Surprisingly often when I think of something I want to do and google it, you have already visited the subject. It's very inspirational, actually. I rarely find that you've done exactly what I was looking to do, but it's always good input.

Keep it up! It's always a thrill when I see a new headline by you in the listing.

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you, glad you like the small stuff I make/do. 

BTW, #3 has already been finished and now waits for its picture session, while the Matilda is starting to take shape on the workbench. It's really a kind of serial production at the moment - but I use the current flow of armour mojo to reduce the Stash™.

[PR19_Kit]

The backstory sounds wholly believable, so believable that it might as well BE real! 

But how much of it is RW and how much Whiffworld?

[Dizzyfugu]

Well, in this case a lot of the background is actually real world info, gathered from various sources and tailored to fit into the idea that the E-series tanks had actually been produced. Just the Beuthen Turm as such is fictional, but armament etc. is "real"/realistic. 

[zenrat]

 

[NARSES2]

Turret looks quite a lot like a M-60 turret, only about 14 years earlier.

My thoughts exactly.

Another great build Dizzy 

[chrisonord]

Yet more marvellous machinery 

[Rheged]

The backstory sounds wholly believable, so believable that it might as well BE real! 

But how much of it is RW and how much Whiffworld?

This is surely the mark of a first rate backstory.  Drifting back and forth between reality and whiffery is ALWAYS worth reading.