Unlike the Allies, the German Army had never developed a mine-clearing device. The Räumer (Clearer) was Krupp's answer for the request. The vehicle consisted of a massive 130 ton articulated armoured vehicle, the two halves being identical except for track width. Each half was powered by a 360 hp Maybach V12 and the vehicle was steered by hydraulic cylinders connecting the two halves. The 10 foot diameter wheels were solid steel, able to withstand exploding mines without damage. Each wheel were suspended hydraulically, able to move upwards 18 inches if an exploding mine was encountered. The prototype was begun in 1943 and was not completed or tested. It was discovered by advancing American troops in 1945, split in half and moved to the American depot in Paris which handled captured enemy vehicles. It's ultimate fate is unknown, but was assumed to have been scrapped.
2 comments:
Actually - it made it's way to Hollywood where it appeared in the early Star Wars films. lol. Pretty sure about this anyway, I could be wrong.
Thirty years of Hollywood development led to the abandonment of the very heavy wheels!
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