VK4502(P)

VK4502(P)
File:VK4502 Typ 180B.jpg The VK4502(P) version with rear-mounted turret
Type	Heavy tank
Place of origin	Nazi Germany
Production history
Manufacturer	Porsche
No. built	None built
Specifications
Mass	57 tonnes (63 short tons; 56 long tons)
Length	10.71 m (35 ft 2 in)
Width	3.32 m (10 ft 11 in)
Height	2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Crew	5
Armor	70–120 millimetres (2.8–4.7 in)
Main armament	8,8 cm KwK 43 L/71
Secondary armament	2 x 7.92 mm MG 34
Engine	Two Porsche Typ 101/3 670 hp
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational range	Unknown
Maximum speed	38 km/h (24 mph)

The VK4502(P) was an unsuccessful heavy tank prototype produced by Porsche in Germany.

Development of this vehicle started in April 1942. The Krupp company received an order for construction of turrets. However, the prototype was never manufactured. The turrets were mounted on the first Tiger IIs.

After the VK4501(P) failed to win the contract, Dr. Porsche began looking at ways to improve the design for a future version. Based on the latest Allied tank designs, however, it was clear that simply increasing the armor on the VK 4501(P) would not be enough for the tank to remain competitive. It needed to have both more weight and more maneuverability. What initially began as a single vehicle, entitled "Typ 180" grew into a series of five different vehicles, requiring the development of two hull configurations (one with the turret in the front, the other with the turret in the rear), both an electric and a hydraulic drive system, and four different engines. The overall project came to be known as VK 4502(P)