WĘGIERSKI CZOŁG M.41 TURAN II

The 41M Turan II was a Hungarian heavy tank (sometimes classified as medium) of the Second World War. The first prototypes of the vehicle were built in 1941, and serial production continued in the period 1943-1944, ending with the production of about 140 vehicles. The Turan II tank was powered by a single engine Manfred Weiss-Z 260 hp . It was armed with a single 75mm cannon and 2 machine guns 34/40 AM cal. 8 mm. The Turan II tank was created as a result of experience gained by the Hungarian army during clashes with the Soviet troops in the period 1941-1942. In order to shorten the time of analytical work and implementation into production, many components (including the chassis and engine) of the Turan I tank were used. added Schurzen plates on the sides of the hull and turret. As a result, a new tank with higher combat properties was actually created. However, it is difficult to call the Turan II a very successful vehicle: it weighed slightly more than the Turan I tank, and it used the same engine, which reduced its mobility in the field. The gun - although of a larger caliber - had too weak ballistic parameters to be able to fight the T-34 tanks at longer distances than 500-600 meters. At the same time, the armor of the Turan II was weak and could be penetrated by T-34 cannons even in the early production series. Despite these drawbacks, the production of the Turan II was continued until 1944. Carts of this type fought primarily on the Eastern Front.