![]() ![]() Mobility trials in soft soil were undertaken in December 1944. The mobility of the tank was also put to the test. With the engine off and ventilation fan running, the concentration of CO in the fighting compartment was dangerously high. Ammunition was described as unbalanced, being projectile heavy, which made it harder to handle and reduced the rate of fire. The normal rate of fire was measured to be 5-8 RPM, with the maximum attained rate of fire being 4 rounds in 39 seconds (timing started with one round already loaded). Another drawback of the gun was the large flash and flashback that occurred during firing. The testers noted that this method was similar to that used in British tanks, except the German binoculars had inferior light transmission to British ones. The commander could observe over the top of the smoke cloud using a binocular periscope. This was a useful feature, since the gun produced a large cloud of smoke when fired and it was impossible for the gunner to observe strikes at ranges less than 1600 yards (1463 m) due to how long it took for the smoke to clear. The commander could also use his auxiliary traverse flywheel to aim the tank at targets the gunner couldn’t see through his gun sight, at least in theory. Although the gunner couldn’t see the target due to smoke, the commander could walk him onto it. A target at 1800 yards (1645 m) was hit on the fourth shot with the use of a clinometer. The tank also scored a hit on a moving target from 1500 yards (1371 m). At 1200 yards (1097 m) a grouping of five shots fell into a 16” by 18” (41 by 46 cm rectangle). Gunnery trials showed that the accuracy of the gun was excellent. ![]()
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