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 an endless stream, 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, Germany has many types of half-track armored vehicles. Everyone knows that, 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 was shipped from 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&D resources for the E series. The E-series also failed to actually go into production and fulfill the purpose for which it was designed. Finally, with the fall of the Third Reich, the E series was captured by the Allies along with various other novel designs 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. You should all 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 The 45mm armor is tilted at 30°, so the actual front 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 will occur very late. If it does not ricochet, the thickness of the penetration will indeed be extended from the original thickness. "This situation usually occurs during visual attacks, such as individual anti-tank. 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 because of their fuel-saving, reliable and non-flammable characteristics, current German technology cannot produce a perfect diesel engine at all. It will be almost the same if it is replaced with a diesel engine ten years later.

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 became the standard power source for Soviet tanks.

But the biggest problem is the lack of energy. As the saying goes, a good cook cannot cook without rice. Germany's oil can't meet the needs at all. 2/3 of Germany's fuel supply comes from coal-to-oil chemical industry, and the cost of coal-to-gasoline is much lower than that of coal-to-diesel. 1/3 of the fuel comes from the Poroesti oil field in Romania, and the diesel refined from this part of oil is mainly supplied to the navy. Therefore, from the perspective of strategic needs, the German Army has to go diesel and use gasoline engines in full.

After talking for a while, the head of Daimler-Benz raised his hand. "Your Highness, I have a question."

Yannick nodded. "Please speak."

The head of Daimler-Benz gestured with his hands a few times. "If we use inclined armor, it will affect the space inside the car, right?"

This is a superficial question. Although inclined armor is good, it is not perfect. First, it causes a small space inside the car. In addition, if the angle of the inclined armor at the front is too large, there is an unexpected problem-the hatch for the driver to enter and exit is not easy to arrange. The T-34 has a "door" on the front, while the drivers of the IS-2 and IS-4 don't even have a door. They either have to enter from the turret and then squeeze into the driver's seat, or enter from the safety door under the vehicle. It was not until the IS-3 was changed to an arrowhead-shaped front that the driver was forced to squeeze out a door on the roof. But at that time, the Russians did not have such a powerful press to manufacture an integral arrowhead-shaped front, so they welded two pieces together, which not only caused a weak link on the front, but also some weld cracks and armor plate falling accidents.

Not only the former Soviet Union, but other countries have also encountered similar contradictions. The American Sherman used a 56-degree high-angle upper front in the early days. Because there was not enough space for the driver to open the top door, the good upper front had two "weak points". Although armor plates were later welded on the front to make up for the "gaps" in protection, the inclination angle was small, and adding a 1-2 inch armor plate was useless in front of the German powerful main gun. Secondly, the two protrusions increased the processing time. Therefore, the Americans could not bear it later. On the basis of reducing the armor inclination (47 degrees), the upper front armor was thickened, which basically solved the above contradictions.

Yannick explained the solutions of these countries and let them choose the most suitable one.