Drive train of a typical panzer

[Patrick]

When I was a lad, I built motorized tank models in which the forward sprocket pulled the track forward and moved the model. In the decades since, it has never occurred to me to look into how the real thing operated. I suppose I always thought about the weaponry rather than how it moved about.

Did the transmission send power to the forward sprockets just like my models did? If so, it seems to be a tremendous strain on the tracks. Or was power transmitted to the road wheels - leaving the forward sprocket to simply lay tracks in front of the road wheels?

Any insight is appreciated.

TIA.

[Tom Houlihan]

Patrick, you have it right. The front drive wheels pulled the track from the rear, and laid it down ahead. The road wheels simply helped spread the load.

[Patrick]

Thanks for your prompt reply!