| VK4502(P) | |
|---|---|
| 300px The VK4502(P) version with rear-mounted turret | |
| Type | Heavy tank |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany
|
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Porsche |
| Number built | None built |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 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) |
| Primary 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 |
| 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)
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