43M Turán (Turán 75 long barrel, or Turán III)

In April 1943 it was decided that a modern tank needed a 75mm long anti-tank gun. MÁVAG developed a special Hungarian version of the German 7.5cm KwK 40 tank gun which fired both standard German and special Hungarian ammunition. This gun, which allegedly differed considerably from the German model, became the 75mm 43M tank gun. Plans were drawn up so all Turán tanks could be modernized on the following points from mid-1944 onwards: retrofit with a 75mm 43M gun; additional armour to be fitted; skirt plates to be fitted; and work on a prototype vehicle was to be initiated. In the winter of 1943/44 the prototype was completed as the 43M Turán II heavy tank, and was called the 43M Turán 75 hosszú (long) heavy tank from early 1944. It mounted the 75mm 43M gun in a modified turret and had thicker armour, but was otherwise similar to Turán I and II. It carried 32 rounds of ammunition. Production of the Turán II or modification of existing Turán tanks was not initiated for political and military reasons, and Hungarian AFV production came to almost a complete halt following German occupation on March 19, 1944. The modification plan however, explains the continued Turan I production into 1944. The only Turán III modification actually undertaken was the fitting of skirt plates over the suspension and around the turrets of some Turán I and II in the second half of 1944. This gave the Turáns an appearance very similar to the late German Pz.III tanks with skirt plates.

Prototype 1:

Battle weight: 23300 kg

Crew: 5

Max. Length: 6860 mm

Max. Width: 2440 mm

Height: 2650 mm

Hull clearance: 380 mm

Track: 2020 mm

Caterpillar width: 420 mm

Specific ground pressure: 0.80 kp/cm2

Motor: Weiss Manfréd V-8H, 4 rate, 8 cylinder, petrol

Cylinder capacity: 14866 cm3

Performance: 260 horsepower

Specific performance: 11.2 h.p./t

Max. speed on road: 47 km/h

Climb slope ability: 45 degree

Step ability: 0.80 m

Wading ability: 0.90 m

Trench crossing ability: 2.20 m

Range on road: 130 km

Fuel capacity: 265 liter

Number of speed: 6 forward, 6 reverse

Armour: 13-90 mm

Armament / ammo load:

1 piece 43M 75 mm cannon / 32 rounds

2 piece 34/40A M 8 mm machinegun / 1800 rounds

Prototype 2:

Battle Weight: 22000 kg

Crew: 4

Max. Length: 6860 mm

Max. Width: 2440 mm

Height: 2250 mm

Hull clearance: 380 mm

Track: 2020 mm

Caterpillar width: 420 mm

Specific ground pressure: 0.76 kp/cm2

Motor: Weiss Manfréd V-8H, 4 rate, 8 cylinder, petrol

Cylinder capacity: 14866 cm3

Performance: 260 horsepower

Specific performance: 11.8 h.p./t

Max. speed on road: 47 km/h

Climb slope ability: 45 degree

Step ability: 0.80 m

Shallows ability: 0.90 m

Trench crossing ability: 2.20 m

Range on road: 130 km

Fuel capacity: 265 liter

Number of speed: 6 forward, 6 reverse

Armour: 13-90 mm

Armament / ammo:

1 piece 43M 75 mm cannon / 52 rounds

2 piece 34/40A M 8 mm machinegun / 3000 rounds

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