In order to compare the effectiveness of the 7.5cm Pzgr 39 projectile from the Panther tank against the frontal armor of the M4A3 Sherman tank, we need to consider the penetration capabilities of the projectile and the resistance of the armor.
The 7.5cm Pzgr 39 is an armor-piercing capped ballistic cap (APCBC) projectile designed to penetrate armor effectively. With a weight of 6.8kg and a muzzle velocity of 935 m/s, it has significant kinetic energy. The M4A3 Sherman’s frontal hull armor is 63.5mm thick and has a hardness of 240 Brinell.
The angle of attack (47 degrees) at which the projectile impacts the armor plate is important, as it affects the effective thickness of the armor that the projectile needs to penetrate. The effective thickness can be calculated using the formula:
Effective Thickness = Armor Thickness / Cos(Angle of Impact)
In this case, the effective thickness of the armor is:
Effective Thickness = 63.5mm / Cos(47 degrees) ≈ 92.1mm
Now, we can compare the effective thickness of the armor with the penetration capabilities of the 7.5cm Pzgr 39 projectile. The penetration capability can be estimated using historical penetration curves and formulas for APCBC projectiles. However, please note that the actual penetration might vary due to factors such as obliquity, projectile quality, and armor quality.
Based on historical data, the 7.5cm Pzgr 39 projectile had a penetration capability of around 120mm of armor at 0 meters and 90 degrees angle of impact.
Given that the effective thickness of the M4A3 Sherman’s frontal armor is approximately 92.1mm and the Panther’s 7.5cm Pzgr 39 projectile has a penetration capability of around 120mm, it’s likely that the projectile would penetrate the frontal armor of the M4A3 Sherman at a range of 0.6 km, assuming a direct hit.
However, keep in mind that real-world scenarios can be more complex due to factors like armor quality variations, the presence of spaced armor, and other battlefield conditions that might affect the outcome. The information provided here is a simplified comparison based on the data you’ve given and may not account for all potential variables.