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The E-Series program was conceived in May 1942 and authorized as a project in April 1943. Several new principles were to be introduces with this new series: 1. to achieve a very strong front plate, move all possible weight to the rear. 2. unify the drive train unit to simplify maintenance and service. 3. standardize all Panzers into four weight classes (E10, E25, E50, E100), 4. attach all suspensions from hull outside and no fighting space encumbered by through torsion bars, 5. in case the front idler was destroyed by mines ect. the vehicle must be capable of proceeding by adjusting the track around the remaining wheels. The technical superiority of forward drive was recognized, but the military advantage of having the drive at the rear where i was not endangered by mines or gunfire influenced the choice of rear drive.
Adlerwerke was chosen for the detailed design of the suspension for the E50 / E75. The E50 and E75 were planned as so-called standard tanks. They were to have the same engines, rear drives, tracks, idler wheels, track tensioning adjustor and ventilation system. Fuel tanks and other accessories were to be identical. The hull structures were to have the same shape and dimensions. It was planned to keep the same outer dimensions bor the both hulls and give the E50 the advantage of an increased interior wich could come about by the use of a thinner rolled armor plate for the lighter Panzer. This project enabled uniform handling of the two Panzers, i.e. they could be worked on with the same tools and could be constructed on the same assembly line. The suspension was an entirely new design. The individual roadwheels were mounted in Schrittanordnung (step arrangement). The crank arms for each pair of roadwheels acted through ratchets and wedge gear segments on a large parcel of Belleville springs contained in a housin with the shock absorbers. The E50 was to have three suspension untis on each side where the E75 had four units. The E50 Combat track was to be the E75 transport track (same as Panther II and Tiger B). The turret is a modified Tiger B Turret with stabilized gun and stereoscopic range finder.
This is Cromwell Models E75 kit. The model is a complete resin kit modified with a 10,5 / L 68 metal barrel from New Connection, a self cast resin mantlet and some ventilator screens from PE. I used a late Tiger B Friul white metal track kit. Construction was very straight forward, because the model was well cast with all tools and cables flawlessly cast in place. I inserted some plastic parts from a Tamiya Panther as turret ring into the turret. The Mantlet was replaced by a completely new resin mantlet to take the big 105mm gun. I modified the running gear with metal spacer discs to make the roadwheels accept the Friul track.
Painting was done via Airbrush and brush to achieve a hard edge camouflage sheme. The paints use were Tamiya acrylics thinned and lightened up. The model pictures are taken outside on my standard model base with an Olympus C 5060 wide zoom.
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