The 44M Zrínyi I was a Hungarian assault gun/tank destroyer of the Second World War. Developed on the basis of the successful 43M Zrínyi II, it was armed with a long 75 mm gun that was more suited to anti-tank warfare.[1][2] This was the same 75 mm 43M gun that was used on the 43M Turán III medium tank.
44M Zrínyi I | |
---|---|
![]() The Zrínyi I assault gun prototype. A Zrínyi II assault howitzer on the background. | |
Type | Assault gun |
Place of origin | Kingdom of Hungary |
Service history | |
In service | Unknown |
Used by | Kingdom of Hungary |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Designer | Manfréd Weiss |
Manufacturer | Manfréd Weiss, Ganz |
Produced | 1944 |
No. built | 1 Prototype |
Specifications (Zrínyi II) | |
Mass | 22 t |
Length | 7.35 m (24 ft 1 in) |
Width | 2.99 m (9 ft 10 in) |
Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) |
Crew | 4 |
Armour | 13–75 mm (0.51–2.95 in) |
Main armament | 43. M 75mm L/55 tank gun |
Secondary armament | 6 tubes for 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 Rockets |
Engine | Manfréd Weiss Z-V8H-4 8 cylinder 260 hp |
Power/weight | 12 hp/t |
Fuel capacity | 445 l |
Operational range | 220 km (140 mi) |
Maximum speed | 40 km/h (25 mph) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/40-43M_Zr%C3%ADnyi_II_-_Hungarian_Assault_gun_%2823946901978%29.jpg/220px-40-43M_Zr%C3%ADnyi_II_-_Hungarian_Assault_gun_%2823946901978%29.jpg)
The 43M Zrínyi II itself was developed on the chassis of the much less successful 40M Turán medium tank.
The 44M Zrínyi I was fitted with 6 rocket launcher tubes to test out the mounting of German-supplied 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 rockets. Three launchers were mounted on either side of the rear of the hull around the engine deck.
References
edit- ^ Eduardo Manuel Gil Martinez (2019). Hungarian Armoured Fighting Vehicles in the Second World War. Pen & Sword Military. p. 49. ISBN 978-1526753816.
- ^ "44M Zrínyi I : Hungary (HUN)". Armedconflicts.com.