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Description
A Löwe how it may have appeared in service in 1945.

Another alpha predator for the Eastern Front, the Löwe (Lion) was intended to compliment the Tigers, being heavier, and less common.

The VK70.01 project started on November 1st, 1941, when specifications were given for a tank of 70 tons, with 140 mm (5.5 in) thick frontal armor and 100 mm (3.94 in) thick side armor. A 1000hp Diamler-Benz Schnellbootsmotor from an E-boat would propel the tank up to 43.6 km/h (27.1 mph). The crew layout was standard for German tanks; Driver and Radio Operator in the hull, Gunner, Loader, and Commander in the turret.

Krupp, which had lost out on the Panther program, was ordered on December 17th, 1941 to develop this new tank, not exceeding 90 tons. On January 21st, 1942, Krupp revealed their design, armed with a 10,5cm KwK L/70 cannon. At this point, the engine was changed to Maybach’s new 800hp HL 230.

In February 1942 Wa.Pruef.6 ordered two tanks (one with a turret, one with a test weight) of 72 tons to be built and for series production to begin as soon as possible. These tanks were to be 72 tons as the railcars used for the Tiger could carry this amount of weight. They would share the Tiger’s drive train and armor layout as well (100mm at the front, 80mm at the sides).

In April 1942 the VK70.01 name was dropped and the tank was simple called “Panzerkampfwagen Löwe”.

Due to increased demands for armor and weight, the contract was redacted on May 18th, 1942, and Krupp was forced to stop work on the turret on July 20th.

Many different designs were proposed and drawn up during the Löwe’s short life; some had the turret in the front, some had the turret in the middle, and some placed the turret at the rear. Some designs were given a 15cm gun, while most used a 10,5cm. There remain specifications of six designs, however their blueprints, and possibly the existence of dozens of more designs, have been lost to history.

Note: No design was ever called “Schwerer” or “Leichte”, these are fictional designations.

Idea is Not Mine and Just, German Project Tank.

Description
A Löwe how it may have appeared in service in 1945.

Another alpha predator for the Eastern Front, the Löwe (Lion) was intended to compliment the Tigers, being heavier, and less common.

The VK70.01 project started on November 1st, 1941, when specifications were given for a tank of 70 tons, with 140 mm (5.5 in) thick frontal armor and 100 mm (3.94 in) thick side armor. A 1000hp Diamler-Benz Schnellbootsmotor from an E-boat would propel the tank up to 43.6 km/h (27.1 mph). The crew layout was standard for German tanks; Driver and Radio Operator in the hull, Gunner, Loader, and Commander in the turret.

Krupp, which had lost out on the Panther program, was ordered on December 17th, 1941 to develop this new tank, not exceeding 90 tons. On January 21st, 1942, Krupp revealed their design, armed with a 10,5cm KwK L/70 cannon. At this point, the engine was changed to Maybach’s new 800hp HL 230.

In February 1942 Wa.Pruef.6 ordered two tanks (one with a turret, one with a test weight) of 72 tons to be built and for series production to begin as soon as possible. These tanks were to be 72 tons as the railcars used for the Tiger could carry this amount of weight. They would share the Tiger’s drive train and armor layout as well (100mm at the front, 80mm at the sides).

In April 1942 the VK70.01 name was dropped and the tank was simple called “Panzerkampfwagen Löwe”.

Due to increased demands for armor and weight, the contract was redacted on May 18th, 1942, and Krupp was forced to stop work on the turret on July 20th.

Many different designs were proposed and drawn up during the Löwe’s short life; some had the turret in the front, some had the turret in the middle, and some placed the turret at the rear. Some designs were given a 15cm gun, while most used a 10,5cm. There remain specifications of six designs, however their blueprints, and possibly the existence of dozens of more designs, have been lost to history.

Note: No design was ever called “Schwerer” or “Leichte”, these are fictional designations.

Idea is Not Mine and Just, German Project Tank.