Pz.Kpfw VIII Maus

thingiverse

The Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus was a German super-heavy tank designed during World War II. Its name translates to Mouse in English, which is somewhat ironic given its massive size and firepower. The Maus weighed over 188 tons and measured 33 feet in length. It was powered by two Maybach HL 230 P30 engines that produced 1,000 horsepower each. The main armament of the Maus consisted of a 12.8 cm KwK 44 gun with a muzzle velocity of 750 meters per second. It also had a secondary armament consisting of two 7.5 cm KwK 37 guns and two machine guns. The tank's armor was made of high-strength steel plates that provided excellent protection against anti-tank rounds. Only two prototypes of the Maus were built, with the first one being completed in April 1944. It took part in a few battles but proved to be underpowered and unreliable due to its complex design. The second prototype was never fully tested before the war ended in May 1945. The Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus project was canceled in August 1943, but the two prototypes that were built went on to become one of the most iconic symbols of German military power during World War II.