Panzerkampfwagen VIII - Maus

Yesterday picture was Panzerkampfwagen VIII - Maus
Congrats @randy-sadler on guess!

To be in front of the Soviets, Hitler wanted to create tank with heavy armament and armor. Ferdinand Porsche designed "Maus" and before building prototype, wooden mockup was built. Hitler was pleased with results, only thing he wanted was posibility to fit 15cm instead of 12.8cm gun. Maus size is really impressive 33 feet long, 12 feet wide, 11 feet high, weight was 188 tonnes! Projected production was somewhere around 150 tanks, but before series production they wanted to test their combat value so five of them was ordered to build.
Only two known prototypes were produced (one without turret and second one complete).

First prototype was built almost complete, it was fitted with mockup turret, just to simulate real turret weight.

Testing first prototype, with Ferdinand Porsche

At the beginning of 1944 second prototype was assembled in Hindenburg Kaserne, Boblingen. This one was fitted with turret and armament.

Both prototypes together

It is unknown if these prototypes participated in battle or not. They were found destroyed, but it is most likely they were destroyed by Germans at the end of the war.

Second prototype destroyed

Soviets found prototypes and transported them to Kubinka, where they fitted prototype one hull with second prototype turret. Today you can see it at the Museum of Armored Forces in Kubinka.

Maus at Museum of Armored Forces - Kubinka

Combat use of this tank is questionable for sure, but development and history behind these two prototypes is really impressive. There are still lots of questions that will stay mystery forever.

What is your opinion on Maus combat performances? Do you think they were used in combat or not? Do you think there was third prototype built?