Military Vehicle Spotlight: WWII German Panzer IV, Ausf. J
The Panzerkampfwagen IV was the only German tank to have been produced continuously throughout the whole of World War II.
Panzerkampfwagen IV, Ausführung J.
- Weight: 25 tons
- Maximum Towed Load: 10,000 lbs.
- Engine: Mayach HL 120 TRM V-12
- Displacement: 11.9 liters
- Fuel: Gasoline
- Horsepower: 265 @ 2,600 rpm
- Maximum Speed: 23.56 mph
- Maximum Range: 198.4 miles (road)
- Armament: 7.5cm KwK40 L/48 and two 7.92mm MG34s
HISTORICAL NOTE:
The Panzerkampfwagen IV was the only German tank to have been produced continuously throughout the whole of World War II, going through several upgrades and improvements along the way. The Ausf. J was the last version to enter production before the end of WWII. Because of the need to replace heavy losses, designers greatly simplified the Ausf. J. to speed production. The main change was the removal of the electric turret traverse and its associated auxiliary engine., replacing it with dual speed, hand traverse. The space saved was used to fit an auxiliary fuel tank, which added 30 miles to the Panzer IV’s cross country range.
A total of 1,758 Panzer IV Ausf Js were produced, but it had had passed its heyday. Superseded by the Panther, the Ausf. J continued in service until the end of the war.
From the staff of North America's no. 1 historic military vehicle source -- Military Vehicles Magazine
