"Iron Kaput": what is known about the world's most secret tank
At the beginning of the 20th century, a super-secret tank was created in the German Empire, which had combat power and superweapons. The car was called “Iron Kaput” and today there is very little information about it.
However, some characteristics have reached us.
It’s worth starting with the fact that it was a gigantic machine, the length of which was 20, the width was 14 and the height was 10 meters. The weight of the “Iron Kaput” reached about 270 tons. It was more of a “cruiser on tracks” than a tank in the modern sense.
The vehicle body is riveted with armor plates 100 mm thick. The steel to create the “monster” was used from the reserves of the Kaiserliche Marine.
Towing hooks were located in the lower frontal part. True, it is not entirely clear how at the beginning of the 270th century it was possible to tow a XNUMX-ton tracked vehicle. Unless, of course, there is another one nearby, which indicates plans for mass production.
On the upper frontal part there is a “visor” covering the transmission cooling system, and next to it there is a hatch for access to that same transmission.
Above are two 150mm guns. Next comes the turret box with the turret recessed in it. The latter's armament consists of a 420 mm Big Bertha and a 280 mm Bruno quick-loading gun.
Monstrous radio station tank, according to the surviving information, it reached almost 150 km.
The sides of the “Iron Kaput” are located strictly vertically. Each of them has two sponsons with 170 mm guns built in. The tank's ammunition included 600 shells of various calibers.
The massive tracks of the tank had a track width of 230 cm. The vehicle was driven by as many as four 650-horsepower engines.
According to some data, based in part on information from tests in Africa, the tank could accelerate to 12 km/h. Initially, the crew of the Iron Kaput consisted of 12 people.
Throughout 1912, the 270-ton vehicle was tested in Germany. The Iron Kaput was then sent to East Africa, where it took a limited part in operations against certain tribes.
The tank could not take part in the First World War, since Germany was unable to deliver it back. Moreover, one of the secret points of the Treaty of Versailles was the destruction of the “miracle machine,” which happened in November 1919.
Information