Was 88mm ammunition for the Tiger I tank made specially for use in the tank?

[Kilroy]

Was there any special "beefing up" of the 88mm ammunition for the Tiger I tank so it would have some extra punch? Especially for the rounds fixed with an armor piercing projectile, they could probably have benefited from another magnum powder charge in that ammo to avoid deflections, enhance the effect at the far end of the effective range, or just to give each hit that extra power the 88 was known for?

I tend to think that the 88mm ammunition for the Flak18-36-37 was all the same, and could be used interchangeably between the towed guns and the tanks. Is this accurate?

Kilroy

 

[Nabob]

The powder charge of AP round is the same for both tank and AA guns, about 2,5 kg.
The main difference is in the primer. AA gun uses mechanicel C/12 series, tank uses electrical C/22 primer.

So the 88 mm tank ammo cannot be used in AA gun, but not because of higher powder charge.

Bob

 

[Kilroy]

<Konk> Now why didn't I thunk of that?

Thank you !

 

[StielGr]

My memory is a bit hazy but was there not something about an upgrade for the Pzgr projectile.

There was a Pzgr (large base cavity) and then the Pzgr 39 (identified by a white tip)

PC

 

[M8owner]

Early projectiles had a larger HE charge and larger fuze. The later Pz gr 39/1 had a smaller HE charge and smaller fuze - these also had a white tip. Some of the early projectiles also had KPS driving bands rather than FES.

 

[pzgr40/42]

Summary,
8,8cm Pzgr, mit Bd.Z. für 8,8 Pzgr = large cavity, large basefuse, came with either KPS or FES drivingbands. Not sure wether or not used with 8,8cm Kw.K 36. Used with FlaK 18/36/37. Not, however in 8,8 FlaK 41!

8,8cm Pzgr 39, 8,8cm Pzgr39/1, 8,8cm Pzgr 39 AI, small cavity, Bd.Z 5127 (small). 39, 39/1 used with Kw.K 36 and PaK/Kw.K 43.
The "39" was the base type, 39/1, to my knowledge had a higher quality steel body. I'm unfamiliar as to the specs of the "39 AI", but may be related to the HE charge.
All the "39" types, afaik, had FES bands.

8,8cm Pzgr 39/43, same as "39" with exception for wider drivingbands. Used in PaK/Kw.K 43 in barrels that had fired more than a certain nr. of rounds. ( more than 500 iirc)

 

[greif]

Summary,
I'm unfamiliar as to the specs of the "39 AI", but may be related to the HE charge.

8,8cm Pzgr 39/43, same as "39" with exception for wider drivingbands. Used in PaK/Kw.K 43 in barrels that had fired more than a certain nr. of rounds. ( more than 500 iirc)

8,8 cm Pzgr 39 Al, Pzgr 39-1 Al and Pzgr 39/43 Al also existed. Al stands for Aluminium Griess = Aluminium powder, which was mixed with the explosive for more blast effect.
These shells were marked Al in red on the cap.

 

[greif]

Summary,


The "39" was the base type, 39/1, to my knowledge had a higher quality steel body

For type 39-1 compared to type 39 one can read in the listing above under o - Kennzeichen für erhöhter Durchslagsleistung = Marking for increased penetration capability, due to higher steel quality and better finish. These shells were marked with number 1 in white on the ballistic cap.

 

[StielGr]

I'm assuming this is the Pzgr 39/43 with the wider drive bands.

 

[greif]

I'm assuming this is the Pzgr 39/43 with the wider drive bands.

Your assumption is right.
Below a picture that shows the difference between the narrow bands of the Pzgr 39/1 and the wider bands of the Pzgr 39/43.