Tag: marder

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. II Aus D, E für 7.62 cm Pak 36 (Sd. Kfz. 131): S.P. Antitank Gun (Russian)

Pz. Jäg. II Aus D, E für 7.62 cm Pak 36 (Sd. Kfz. 131): S.P. Antitank Gun (Russian)

The Pz. Kpfw. II chassis embodying the suspension on four large bogie wheels has been used as a self-propelled mount for the German modified Russian gun 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) as well as the Pz. Kpfw. II models utilizing five bogie wheels. These equipments are used in an antitank capacity.

The turret and superstructure of the original tank has been removed and replaced by a high box-like superstructure shield of approximately 15 mm thickness, sloping about 75° to the horizontal. Centrally located above the lower shield superstructure is a three-sided shield of approximately 10 mm thickness with a slotted front plate through which the long muzzle of the gun projects well over the front of the chassis. The original shield of the gun has been retained.

The gun, 163 1/2 inches in length including the muzzle brake, is of monobloc construction. The breech mechanism is of the falling-wedge type. The elevating gear is operated by a handwheel located on the left side of the gun; the traversing gear is on the right. The estimated elevation of the piece is -5° to +22°; traverse 65°. Its muzzle velocities are as follows: H.E. shell, 1805 f/s; A.P.C. shell, 2430 f/s. Firing A.P.C. shell this gun will defeat 3.2 inches of homogeneous armor of 30° obliquity at 1000 yards, and 4.1 inches at normal.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         10.5 tons
Length 16 ft. (excl. gun)
Width 7 ft., 6 ins.
Height 6 ft., 9 ins.
Ground clearance 12 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 10 ins.
Ground contact 7 ft., 10 ins.
Width of track
Track links 96 (est.)
Pitch of track
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 115 miles
     Cross-country 75 miles
Speed
     Roads 28 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 12 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 30 mm
     Sides 15 mm
     Shield 15 mm
Armament 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r)
Ammunition
Wt. of Projectiles
     A.P.C. 16.7 lb.
     H.E. 12.6 lb.
Engine Maybach, 140 B.H.P.
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew 4 (probably)

German: p. 12

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 (Sd. Kfz. 138): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 40/3 (Sd. Kfz. 138): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

The equipment consists of the 7.5 cm Pak 40 mounted on a turretless chassis of a Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank of Czech origin, formerly known as the L.T.H. This mount was used by the Germans in large numbers on the Russian front. It usually moves just in the rear of the first wave of tanks. Its road performance approximates that of the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank.

Due to the bolted construction of the parent vehicle the removal of the turret, superstructure top plate and the engine access hatches of the original tank is readily accomplished and the mounting of the anti-tank gun is speedily performed. The turntable of the anti-tank gun is bolted to the angle section formerly carrying the superstructure top plate of the original tank. The gun shield is constructed from 10-15 mm plate. It is open at the top and rear. The protection afforded the crew is little better than would be found on a field piece.

The gun, which projects well beyond the front of the hull, is of monobloc, loose barrel construction, and is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake. The breech ring is rectangular and is secured to the barrel by a loose screwed collar. The recoil mechanism is attached underneath the ring by a detachable lug. The elevating and traversing mechanisms are controlled by hand wheels. The gun has the following muzzle velocities: HE 1800 f.s.; A.P.C., 2525 f.s; hollow charge 1476 f.s. The A.P.C. shell will penetrate homogeneous armor as follows: 500 yards 4.0 ins. at 30° obliquity, 4.8 ins. normal—1000 yards 3.6 ins. at 30°, 4.3 ins. normal—2000 yards 2.8 ins. at 30°, 3.4 ins. normal—2500 yards 2.5 ins. at 30°, 3.0 ins. normal. The gun has a traverse of 65° and an elevation of -5° to + 22°.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         (approx.) 11 tons
Length 15 ft., 3 ins.
Width 7 ft.
Height 7 ft., 2 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 9 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft., 6 3/4 ins.
Width of track 11 ins.
Pitch of track 4 1/2 ins.
Track links 89 ins.
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 140 miles
     Cross-country 100 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 25 + 25 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 7.5 cm. Pak 40
M.G. 37 (t)
Ammunition (rds.)
Engine Praga 6-cyl., 125 h.p., gasoline
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew Probably 4

German: p. 19

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. Lr. S. für 7.5 cm Pak 40/1 (Sd. Kfz. 135): S.P. Antitank Gun (on French Chassis)

Marder I: Pz. Jäg. Lr. S. für 7.5 cm Pak 40/1 (Sd. Kfz. 135): S.P. Antitank Gun (on French Chassis)

The French Lorraine tank chassis, in addition to being utilized as a self-propelled mount for the German 15 cm heavy field howitzer and the 15 cm heavy infantry gun, is also used for the high-velocity antitank gun, 7.5 cm Pak 40.

The Lorraine suspension arrangement consists of six small bogie wheels on each side, sprung in three pairs on three semi-elliptical springs. The driving sprocket is at the front, the track-adjusting idler at the rear, and four return rollers, located at the ends of the suspension springs, return the track, which is of the dry-pin type with outside center guides.

The power plant of this vehicle is the six-cylinder, in-line, water-cooled Delahaye engine rated at 70 hp. The ignition system is Bosch. Its main and reserve gasoline tanks hold 20 gallons and 5 1/2 gallons respectively.

The semi-automatic gun of monobloc construction is mounted within a high, open top, box-like shield, constructed of sloping 10 mm plate, well back on the chassis. The original gunshield overlaps the superstructure shield at the front. The gun is 134 inches in length and its muzzle with brake extends beyond the front of the chassis. The piece has the following muzzle velocities: H.E., 1800 f/s; A.P.C., 2525 f/s. Its appropriate elevation is -5° to +22°; traverse 65°. At 1000 yards, firing A.P.C. shell, it will defeat 3.6 inches of homogeneous armor at 30° obliquity, and 4.3 inches at normal.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         8 tons (approx.)
Length 17 ft. (approx.)
Width 6 ft., 2 ins.
Height 7 ft. (approx.)
Ground clearance 12 ins.
Tread centers 4 ft., 4 5/8 ins.
Ground contact 9 ft.
Width of track 10 ins.
Track links 107 (approx.)
Pitch of track 3 3/16 ins.
Fording depth
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads
     Cross-country
Speed
     Roads 21 m.p.h.
     Cross-country
Armor
     Front plate 12 mm
     Sides 9 mm
Armament 7.5 cm Pak 40
Ammunition
Wt. of Projectiles
     A.P.C. 15.0 lb.
     H.E. 12.6 lb.
Engine Delahaye, 70 hp.
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential
Crew 5

German: p. 15

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) (Sd. Kfz. 139): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis)

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r) (Sd. Kfz. 139): S.P. Antitank Gun (on Czech Chassis): Marder III Panzerjäger

This vehicle is an ex-Czech light tank chassis mounting a Russian 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r). The mechanical layout and components are identical with those of the Pz. Kpfw. 38 (t) tank and its road performance will therefore be similar.

The conversion to a self-propelled mounting has been achieved by the removal of the turret and the superstructure top plate of the original tank. The turntable for the gun is mounted on the superstructure at four points on transverse and lateral beams. A three-sided shield of 10 mm plate is secured by bolting and welding to the original front gun shield, and by tubular supports to the mounting. This shield traverses with the gun. A sliding mantlet is provided in the shield to permit elevation and depression of the gun. A lower, fixed three-sided shield is bolted to the superstructure. This is of 15 mm plate. The sloping side covers have been replaced by flat hatches hinged to the sides.

The gun is of monobloc construction with detachable breech ring. It has an over-all length, including the double baffle muzzle brake and breech lock, of 163 1/2 ins. The elevating gear is driven from a handwheel, on a traverse axis, on the left of the gun. The traversing gear is hand operated from the right. The gun has the following muzzle velocities: HE shell, 1805 f.s; A.P.C. shell, 2430 f.s. The penetration performance firing A.P.C. shell against homogeneous armor is as follows: 500 yards 3.7 ins. at 30° obliquity, 1000 yards 3.2 ins. at 30°, 4.1 ins. normal—2000 yards 2.5 ins at 30°, 3.1 ins. normal—2500 yards 2.2 ins. at 30°, 2.8 ins. normal.

Additional armament on this vehicle consists of a 7.92 M.G. 37 (t) on a ball mounting in front superstructure; Discharger for 5 smoke generators, fired by cable from fighting compartment; 9 mm machine carbine.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         11 tons
Length 15 ft., 3 ins.
Width 7 ft.
Height 8 ft., 1 1/2 ins.
Ground clearance 15 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 9 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft., 63 ins.
Width of track 11 ins.
Pitch of track 41 ins.
Track links 89
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 140 miles
     Cross-country 100 miles
Speed
     Roads 25 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 25 + 25 mm
     Sides 30 mm
Armament 7.62 cm Pak 36 (r)
7.92 mm M.G. 37 (t)
Ammunition (rds.) 7.62 cm gun 28
M.G. 1500
Wt. of Projectiles
     A.P.C. 16.7 lb.
     H.E. 12.6 lb.
Engine Praga 6-cyl., gasoline, 125 h.p.
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew 4

German: p. 21

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. I für 4.7 cm Pak (t): S.P. Antitank Gun (Czech)

Pz. Jäg. I für 4.7 cm Pak (t): S.P. Antitank Gun (Czech)

This equipment, which is primarily a tank-hunter, was created by combining the 4.7 cm Czech antitank gun with the chassis of the Pz. Kpfw. I, Model B tank. Consequently its road performance approximates that of the Model B tank.

The turret arrangement consists of a three-sided welded shield, open at the top and rear, bolted to the superstructure by means of internal flanges. The driver’s seat is on the floor to the left rear of the gear box.

The fitting of the gun to the chassis is crude in many respects and not up to the usual standard of German workmanship or design. The gun is mounted on a steel frame, within the shield, in the front half of the vehicle. It is a single shot, high velocity weapon. The barrel is a one-piece forging fitted with a large and heavy muzzle brake and flash eliminator. The breech mechanism is of the vertical sliding block type. The gun is automatically cocked when the breech is opened. The elevating gear is on the left hand side of the gun and is controlled by an elevating wheel with a folding handle. The traversing gear is behind the elevating hand wheel. Traverse is limited by a spring-loaded stop to 15 deg. left or right. The recoil mechanism, which consists of a spring recuperator and liquid buffer, is housed in a cylindrical casing above the piece.

The gun utilizes the following types of ammunition—(1) A.P. tracer shell, (2) H.E. shell. At 300 yards the A.P. projectile effects a penetration of homogeneous armor of 2.3 ins. at 30 deg. obliquity; 3.0 ins. normal, and at 1000 yards will penetrate 1.8 in. at 30 deg. obliquity; 2.4 ins. normal.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         8.4 tons
Length 14 ft., 6 ins.
Width 6 ft., 9 ins.
Height 7 ft.
Ground clearance 11 1/2 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 8 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft.
Width of track 11 ins.
Pitch of track 3 11/16 ins.
Track links 99
Fording depth 2 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 87 miles
     Cross-country 72 miles
Speed
     Roads 26 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 15 mm
     Sides 10 mm
     Shield 15 mm
Armament 4.7 cm. Pak (t)
     Muzzle velocity (AP) Wt. 3.6 lb.—2540 f.s.
(HE) 1300 f.s.
     Effective range (HE) 1520 yds.
     Overall length 187.5 ins.
     Traverse 30°
     Elevation 12°
     Depression 8°
Ammunition (rds.) 74
Engine 100 h.p. 6-cyl. Maybach Model NL 38 TR
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Clutch brake
Crew         3

German: p. 4

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. II Aus. A-E u.F für 7.5 cm Pak 40 (Sd. Kfz. 131): S.P. Antitank Gun

Pz. Jäg. II Aus. A-E u.F für 7.5 cm Pak 40 (Sd. Kfz. 131): S.P. Antitank Gun: Marder II

Produced in 1942. This antitank equipment was encountered in the battle of Tunisia. It is composed of the 7.5 cm antitank gun mounted on a Pz. Kpfw. II chassis and its road performance will closely follow that of the Pz. Kpfw. II tank.

The gun, which retains its original shield, recoil system, traversing and elevating gears, is mounted on a platform high on the hull and fires forward. A protective shield 10 mm thick, which slopes away to the rear of the chassis, has been provided. The shield is nearly rectangular except for a projecting portion in front of the gun mounting itself and the top and back are apparently open. The traverse of the gun is limited due to the gun shield fouling the protective shield. A barrel support for travelling is fitted in front of the hull.

The piece, 134 inches in length, is a monobloc type, semi-automatic, with horizontal sliding breech. It consists of barrel with shoes; breech ring with locking ring; breech block with firing mechanism; semi-automatic gear and muzzle brake. The recoil mechanism is comprised of a buffer cylinder, filled with a mixture of glycerine and distilled water, mounted in the cradle and secured by a nut to the front end plate. The piston rod, which is connected to the gun lug, is hollow, and is fitted with a bronze piston head. Ports are drilled in the conical part of the piston. A tapered rod is screwed into the front plug of the cylinder and projects into the hollow piston rod. During recoil the piston moves to the rear and the oil is forced from the buffer cylinder through the ports in the piston and hence through the annular space between the tapered rod and a bushing fitted in the piston. Recoil control is effected by a brass control plunger screwed to the end of the tapered rod. The recuperator is hydro-pneumatic.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         10 tons

Length 15 ft., 2¾ ins.
Width 7 ft., 4 ins.
Height 6 ft., 5¾ ins.
Ground clearance 13 ins.
Tread centers 6 ft., 2 ins.
Ground contact 7 ft., 10 ins.
Width of track 11 1/8 ins.
Pitch of track 3 5/8 ins.
Track links 105
Fording depth 3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
   Roads 118 miles
   Cross-country 78 miles
Speed
   Roads 25 m.p.h.
   Cross-country 12 m.p.h.
Armor
   Front plate 15 + 20 mm
   Sides 15 mm
Armament 7.5 cm Pak 40 A.T. gun
   Max. effective range 3200 yards
   M.V. (Wt. 12.6 lb.) H.E. 1800 f.s.
   M.V. (Wt. 15 lb.) A.P.C. 2525 f.s.
   Elevation -5° to +22°
   Traverse 65°

    Penetration of homogeneous
armor—A.P.C.B.C. shell
  30° Normal
500 yds.         4.0″         4.8″
1000 yds. 3.6″ 4.3″
1500 yds. 3.2″ 3.9″
2000 yds. 2.8″ 3.4″
2500 yds.         2.5″         3.0″
Ammunition
Engine Maybach HL 62 TRM, 140 h.p.
Transmission Crash-type gear box, 6 fwd. speeds, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic clutch brake
Crew Probably 4

German: p. 11