Chapter 36 Planning 17
Speaking of production, we have to talk about the industrial production situation in Germany during World War II. One of the measures taken by the mustache administration is to reject large-scale industrial production represented by standardization. Before World War II, standardization was an exclusive tradition of American industry. Maozi introduced American technology and equipment in the 1920s and 1930s, and incidentally introduced some standardized production processes and technologies.
For example, almost all parts of Xie Mantou are interchangeable, and it can be overhauled in the field. Therefore, Xie Mantou’s varieties are numerous and various magical modifications emerge in endlessly, which will not increase the logistical burden. Maozi's T-34 series should also have a certain degree of versatility. A few damaged tanks can definitely be put together to make a good one.
However, German tank parts have poor or no versatility, and tanks must be returned to the factory for overhaul. Not only tanks, but also other vehicles were not spared.
As we all know, everyone knows that Germany has many types of half-track armored vehicles. But how many are there?
Take the Sdkfz? 251 armored vehicle as an example. The prototype of the first Sdkfz? 251 half-track armored vehicle left the factory in 1937. The vehicle began mass production in 1938 and was delivered to the Army in the summer of 1939. In World War II, the 251 armored vehicle was divided into four sub-models: A? type.
A total of 23 types! This is still a variant of the Sdkfz?251 model! !
If all types of German armored vehicles in World War II were counted, there would probably be hundreds of types.
The most fatal thing is that among such a large number of models, even the same model may have mismatched parts. The 251 half-track armored vehicle has 6 wheels in the same part and has three different styles. The same half-track truck nicknamed "Mule", produced by different manufacturers in Germany, has completely different appearance and even internal structure...
This is simply killing the rhythm of the logistics department!
The result may be that they were driven crazy, and German engineers proposed the E-series tank plan, which is the universal tank plan. They emphasized "universal" for the first time o (╯□╰)o
It is undeniable that the design concept of the E series is relatively advanced, and its universal design ideas are also quite forward-looking. However, as Germany was retreating steadily in the war, Mustache pinned its hopes on various bizarre new weapons, leaving not many R\u0026D resources for the E series. The E-series never really went into production and fulfilled the purpose for which it was designed. Finally, with the fall of the Third Reich, the E series, along with various other novel designs, were captured by the Allies and became a talking point for future generations of military enthusiasts.
Seeing the several persons in charge looking at each other, Yannick sneered. "If you cannot solve the problems of standardization and generalization, then in order to ensure the convenience and smooth flow of the logistics department, the military will only purchase products from one company."
After threatening him, Yannick walked to the small blackboard that Anne had prepared in advance. "Now let's talk about the design of tanks. Everyone should know about the tilted armor of battleships, right? Its purpose is to increase the thickness on the horizontal plane and make the shells have the possibility of slipping. Since battleships can be designed in this way, why not tanks? Assuming the thickness If the 45mm armor is tilted at 30°, the actual frontal horizontal thickness = 45/sin30° = 90mm." He picked up the chalk and drew a few lines.
"After the inclined armor is assembled at an inclined angle, if on the battlefield, the trajectory of the incoming artillery shell is a parabolic trajectory, and it contacts the inclined armor during the rising stage or when it is basically horizontal, there will be an obvious protective effect, because the shell and the armor The contact angle on the surface is very small, and the ricochet is generated extremely late. If it does not ricochet, the thickness of the penetration is indeed extended from the original thickness." This situation usually occurs during visual attacks, such as individual anti-tank attacks. Rockets, anti-tank guns, etc., as well as visual distance confrontation shooting between tanks. Due to the short distance, the trajectory of the ammunition is generally still in the ascending stage when attacking.
Seeing these corporate bosses nodding frequently, Yannick couldn't help but feel happy. "The tank gun can use a 50mm caliber, but it needs to be upgraded to a 75mm with a coaxial machine gun later. The front armor thickness cannot be less than 40mm. The transmission is rear-mounted, torsion bar suspension, and the engine is transverse. The speed must reach 45~50 Kilometers per hour. The off-road range should reach 200 kilometers." As for the engine, it still uses a gasoline engine. Although many people believe that diesel engines are the best power choice for tank engines due to their fuel efficiency, reliability and non-flammability, current German technology cannot produce a perfect diesel engine at all, and replacing it with a diesel engine in ten years will be almost the same.
After all, Germany had the best diesel engine technology during World War II, and related products had high technical content. The Air Force's Junkers-86R special high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft uses a diesel engine (the practical ceiling of this thing can reach 14,400 meters, which can be called the U2 of later generations). The Navy's submarines and battleships also have diesel engines, and there are also Maybach high-power diesel engines on land. . Even the Soviet Union's V2 engine was made using German technology. Maozi originally wanted to reduce the weight of the engine and install it on an airplane, so he made it out of aluminum. Unfortunately, the technology was not up to par, so it was still used on the ground, and it actually became the standard power source for Soviet tanks.
But the biggest problem is the lack of energy. As the saying goes, it is difficult for a clever woman to make a meal without rice, and Germany's oil cannot meet the needs at all. Two-thirds of Germany's fuel supply relies on coal-to-liquid chemical industry, and the cost of coal-to-gasoline is far lower than that of coal-to-diesel. One-third of the fuel is provided by Romania's Poloesti oil field, and the diesel refined from this part of the oil is mainly supplied to the navy. Therefore, considering strategic needs, the German Army had to de-diesel and fully use gasoline engines.
After talking, the person in charge of Daimler-Benz raised his hand. "Your Highness, I have a question."
Yannick nodded. "Speaking."
The person in charge of Daimler-Benz made several gestures with his hands. "Would using sloped armor affect the space inside the vehicle?"
This is a superficial question. Although the sloped armor is good, it is not perfect. First, it causes a small space inside the car. In addition, if the angle of the sloped armor on the front is too large, there is an unexpected problem - the hatch for the driver's entry and exit is not easy to arrange. . The T-34 "opens the door" at the front. The IS-2 and IS-4 drivers don't even have a door at all. They either enter through the turret and then stuff themselves into the driver's seat, or enter through the safety door under the car until the IS-3 changes to an arrow. The cluster-shaped front of the car squeezes out a door that can be opened on the roof for the driver. However, at that time, Maozi did not have such a powerful press to manufacture the integral arrow cluster-shaped front end, so the two pieces were welded together, which not only caused a weak link on the front end, but also caused some accidents in which the weld seam cracked and the armor plate fell off.
Not only the former Soviet Union, but also other countries have encountered similar contradictions. The American Sherman used a 56-degree steeply inclined nose top in the early days. Because there was not enough room for the driver to open the top door, the result was that the nose top had two extra "weak points". Although it was later added to the front The armor plate is welded to make up for the "loopholes" in protection, but the inclination angle is small, and adding a 1-2 inch armor plate is not enough in front of the powerful German main gun. Secondly, the two protrusions increase the processing time. , so the Americans couldn't bear it anymore. They reduced the armor inclination angle (47 degrees) and thickened the upper armor, which basically solved the above contradiction.
Yannick told the solutions of these countries and let them choose the most suitable solution.