Simmering-Graz-Pauker Sla 16 (WW2 1945 German diesel tank engine)

[JFC Fuller]

I have seen a number of references to an engine referred to as the Sla 16 that was a product of Simmering- Graz-Pauker (Vienna), possibly with Porsche involvement (designation Type 212). Apparently it had a power output of 730-750 hp and was configured as an 37 litre, air cooled, supercharged X-16 unit. According to an article in The Military Engineer: Volume 38 (1946) five engines were manufactured and tests were 'satisfactory beyond expectations'. There are suggestions in various forums that at least one of these engines were installed in a Jagtiger so the reference to successful tests may be referring to that application. The Military Engineer article states that the engine was to replace the HL230. Furthermore there are references to this engine design being modular with the intention being to provide different sized engines (based on number of cylinders and basic layout) for different classes of vehicle and that production was scheduled at Steyr Daimler Puch as well as Simmering-Graz-Pauker, the Military Engineer article states that production plans fell through due to the end of the war. There are pictures of this engine available online if you use google image search.

The Deutz engine that was under consideration was apparently the T8M118 which seems to have been a 700hp liquid cooled V8 diesel.

 

[JFC Fuller]

Additional details:

According to The Amazing Porsche and Volkswagen Story by W. Robert Nitske:

'An air-cooled Diesel engine of approximately 1000 horsepower output was also designed by Porsche for the large "King-Tiger" tank. One prototype of this engine was built in the Nibelungen Werke and underwent some testing.'
Additionally, the Simmering air cooled diesel makes an appearance (alongside a Deutz liquid cooled diesel) in a list of planned/desired long term modifications for the Panther on February 20th 1945: http://www.panther1944.de/en/sdkfz-171-pzkpfwg-panther/history.html

As a side note, the Panzer 38(d), which was intended as the primary panzer production chassis (hoped for 2,000 per month) following the rationalisation (alongside the Panther/Tiger II) was to be fitted with a Tatra diesel engine so it seems that the Germans were planning to move completely from petrol to diesel engines for their armoured fighting vehicles in the last two years of the war.

Apparently the Sla 16 was a smaller version of the X16 engine proposed by Porsche for the Maus.

http://www.bentleypublishers.com/gpex/GPEX.v1.ch1.htm

 

[Herman]

Reply to post #1
Apparently it had a power output of 730-750 hp and was configured as an 37 litre, air cooled, supercharged X-16 unit.

The MB 838 engine fitted to the Leopard I series was a 37.4 liter unit (V-10, water-cooled). It was supercharged and developed 830 hp. The 730-750 hp/37 liter for the Sla 16 would be about right in view of the 15 years between the design of the 2 engines. High output diesels only became possible when turbocharging and intercooling replaced natural aspiration or mechanical supercharging.

 

[Basil]

Herman,

the SGP SLA 16 did have twin turbochargers (BBC units) which may explain the rather high output.

 

[robunos]

From 'AFV Profile' 61, 'Elefant, Maus & E-100' ,pp.147-8 :-

"The disadvantages of the dual engine arrangement[in the Elefant] were obvious and eventually led to the design of a brand new power plant which incorporated the combined experience of all previous attempts. Designed by both Porsche and Graz-Simmering-Pauker olf Vienna, a 16-cylinder air-cooled diesel engine was conceived,which was supposed to deliver approximately 700 b.h.p.
With a total displacement of 37 litres, it was intended to become the standard tank engine of the German armoured forces. Only a few trial engines were completed when the war came to an end. Under the designation “SLa l6“ (Porsche Type 212), one was installed in a Jagdtiger, where it perfumed rather promisingly. Unfortunately, the new engine demanded a modification of the Tiger hull, thus delaying even further this much needed innovation. As an 18-cylinder unit with an output of 730 b.h.p., the engine was also intended to be used for the Panzerkampfwagen "Maus" (Porsche Type 205). "


cheers,
Robin.

 

[Basil]

Robunos, thanks for the pictures and additional information. By the way, how could a 16 cylinder x-engine be enlarged to an 18 cylinder unit without having an asymetric cylinder configuration?

 

[Herman]

Robunos, thanks for the pictures and additional information. By the way, how could a 16 cylinder x-engine be enlarged to an 18 cylinder unit without having an asymetric cylinder configuration?

I believe the 18 cilinder version of the engine is an often repoeated myth. An X-configuration engine can only exist as multiples of 4 cilinders, i.e. an X-4, X-8, X-12, X-16, etc., as you suggest. The new Russian Armata tank is apparently fitted with an X-12 engine.