Main description

The Waffenträger Maus Ausf. A "Rüstungsschläger" was an experimental German superheavy tank destroyer concept developed during the late stages of World War II. It combined the chassis of the Maus, Germany's heaviest tank project, with a simplified and specialized focus on serving as a mobile platform for heavy artillery. This vehicle was envisioned as a tank destroyer capable of engaging and neutralizing heavily armored enemy vehicles from extreme distances. Its nickname, Rüstungsschläger (roughly translating to "Armor Crusher"), reflected its intended role as the ultimate anti-armor platform.

Chassis

The Waffenträger Maus utilized the chassis of the Maus superheavy tank. While retaining the robust armor protection of the Maus, the turret was removed to make way for an open-topped or lightly enclosed gun platform. This change reduced the vehicle's weight and allowed for more effective weight distribution.

Armament

The primary weapon was the 12.8 cm Kanone L/61, an incredibly powerful anti-tank gun with a 4 magazine burst capable of penetrating the thickest Allied armor at long ranges. The weapon was mounted on a simplified, fixed superstructure to save weight and maximize accuracy. This design also allowed for quicker gun servicing and reloading compared to turret-mounted systems.

Protection

The frontal armor retained the Maus’ signature thickness, capable of deflecting most direct hits from enemy anti-tank weaponry. However, the reduction in turret armor left the crew vulnerable to aerial attacks and high-explosive shelling.

Mobility

The tank's powertrain remained largely unchanged from the Maus, meaning it suffered from the same issues of low speed and poor maneuverability. The Waffenträger Maus was designed more for defensive roles or controlled advances rather than fluid battlefield operations.

Historical summary

The concept of the Waffenträger Maus Ausf. A emerged during a time when Germany was desperate to counter the increasing threat of heavily armored Allied tanks like the IS-2 and Pershing. The idea of mounting a fixed gun on a heavy chassis was not new and drew inspiration from vehicles like the Elefant and Jagdtiger. However, the Maus platform offered unparalleled survivability, making it an ideal candidate for such a role in theory.

Despite its ambitious design, the Waffenträger Maus faced significant challenges:

Cost and Resources

By late 1944, Germany's economy and industrial capacity were in severe decline, making the construction of another superheavy vehicle nearly impossible.

Practicality

The Maus chassis was already plagued by issues such as extreme weight, which limited its mobility and deployment options.
Allied Air Superiority: The lack of a machine gun or anti air weapon made the vehicle vulnerable to air attacks, a critical flaw given the dominance of Allied air forces at the time of the war.

Outcome

The Waffenträger Maus Ausf. A never progressed beyond conceptual planning and theoretical designs. With the war's end in 1945 and the collapse of Nazi Germany, any remaining development materials were lost or destroyed. Today, the Waffenträger Maus remains a fascinating "what-if" of armored warfare history, representing both the ingenuity and desperation of late-war German tank development.

Legacy

While the Waffenträger Maus never saw combat nor production and prototype testing, it has captured the imagination of historians and enthusiasts. Its design philosophy influenced post-war tank destroyer concepts and is often featured in speculative works, games, and military studies exploring alternate histories.

Controls/credits in instructions (note: I forgot to credit KAIST, thanks for him making the waffentrager turret.)

Have fun!