Panzerschreck








The RPzB 54, for Raketenpanzerbüchse 54, is a reusable no recoil rocket launcher designed as an infantry anti-tank weapon. RPzB was developped to replace the use-once Panzerfaust anti-tank grenade launchers, from the captured Bazooka's from African and eastern fronts in order to deliver higher performances.

Panzershreck ("Tank terror") elecric firing system launches a grenade propelled by a rocket engine that produced much toxic gaz, smokes and hugh flame making the shooter instantanously noticeable by the ennemy tanks, and making shooting impossible from inside a room. Panzerschreck 54 was fitted with a blast shield to protect the operator but two men were still necessary to serve it: one shooter and one loader, carrying the rockets.

The rocket warhead was of HEAT ( high-explosive anti-tank ) type of munition made of an explosive shaped charge that creates a high velocity partial stream of metal in a state of superplasticity to penetrate solid vehicle armour. Mainly intended to pierce tank armor, It was also used to pierce building walls using the .88 RPzB. Gr. 4322 grenade with a 650 mm tailboom.






RPzB 54 technical specification sheet

Creation: Germany 1943
Denomination: RPzB 54
Production:289,151 in total
Firing mode:No recoil, electrical
Calibre:88 mm
Ammunition:.88 RPzB. Gr. 4322 grenade
Rate of fire
Clip size: 1 rocket
Muzzle velocity: 110 m/s
Barrel length:
Utilisation range: 150 m
Weight: 11 kg empty
Length: 164 cm