Tag: panzer

Categories
German

Stu. G. IV für 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48): Self-Propelled Assault Gun

Stu. G. IV für 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48): Self-Propelled Assault Gun

This equipment, consisting of the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48) mounted on the Pz. Kpfw. IV chassis, represents a further development in German assault guns. The design follows that of its predecessor, the Stu. G. 40, mounted on the Pz. Kpfw. III chassis, with the exception that in the later equipment the usual keystone mantlet has been replaced by a cast steel mantlet with curved surfaces to offer the maximum projectile deflection. The mantlet, 130 mm thick, houses the buffer and recuperator.

Armor protection has been increased by the addition of slabs of concrete six inches thick attached to the front plate and the roof over the driver’s compartment by means of wire. The rest of the armor is the same as that provided for the Pz. Kpfw. IV.

The division of chassis space follows the usual design for this type of vehicle, with the driver’s compartment in the front, the fighting compartment in the center, and the engine compartment in the rear.

The gun, the Stu. K. 40 (L/48), with muzzle brake, is a lengthened version of the Stu. K. 40 (L/43) and is similar in design and performance to the Kw. K. 40 (L/48).

In the inset above is shown the 7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48) mounted on the Pz. Kpfw. III chassis which also has the improved type of rounded gun mantlet.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight     
Length19 ft., 4 ins.
Width 9 ft., 7 ins.
Height
Ground clearance15 ins.
Tread centers7 ft., 11 ins.
Ground contact11 ft., 6 ins.
Width of track15 ins.
Pitch of track4 3/4 ins.
Track links98
Fording depth3 ft.
Theoretical radius of action
   Roads130 miles
   Cross-country80 miles
Speed
   Roads28 m.p.h
   Cross-country15 m.p.h.
Armor
   Front nose plate75 mm
   Sides30 mm
Armament7.5 cm Stu. K. 40 (L/48)
Ammunitions (Rds.)
EngineMaybach HL 120 TRM, 320 hp.
TransmissionSynchromesh—6 speeds forward, 1 reverse.
SteeringEpicyclic, clutch brake
Crew5

German: p. 32.1 (April 1, 1945)

Categories
German

Pz. Sp. Wg. II Luchs (Sd. Kfz. 123)—”Lynx”: Full-Tracked Armored Car

Pz. Sp. Wg. II Luchs (Sd. Kfz. 123) -- Lynx: Full-Tracked Armored Car

This vehicle, one model of which is shown above, is called an armored car by the Germans. Production began in 1941 and continued through 1943. Models VK 1201, VK 1202, and VK 1303 were manufactured by Maschienfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg.

The box-shaped superstructure is built in with the hull chassis. The thickness of armor of the Lynx is 30 mm on the front of the turret and hull and 20 mm on the turret and hull sides. One gasoline tank located inside on the right holds 83 gallons.

Track guards are provided well over the sprockets and idlers only. The turret roof slopes down towards the front and terminates in a cylindrical shape. The engine compartment is at the rear. Old models had smoke projectors, three on each side which were electrically operated. New model 1303 has no such provision.

Throat microphones were used for intra-tank communication. Periscopes and an optical sighting device are provided in the turret.

The suspension consists of torsion bar straddle-mounted Christie type bogie wheels with center guide steel track, front drive sprocket and rear idler.

The first two models were equipped with Dreislufenlenkung, three-step clutch type steering, while Model VK 1303 has the same system as the Panther—Einradien-Lenkgetriebe, one radius steering. Evolution of this vehicle stems from development of the Pz. Kpfw. II, Models D and E. It is believed that this vehicle served its main purpose in perfecting one radius steering.

The transmission is synchromesh selective and adapts itself to the steering mechanism. There are seven speeds forward and one reverse; synchromesh cones are provided for all gear ratios except low and reverse.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight       12.9 tons
Length (overall)15 ft., 2 ins.
Width (overall)8 ft., 1 1/2 ins.
Height (overall)7 ft., 3 ins.
Ground clearance16 ins.
Tread centers6 ft., 10 ins.
Ground contact7 ft., 3 ins.
Width of track14 ins.
Pitch of track
Track links67
Fording depth4 ft., 7 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads155 miles
     Cross-country93 miles
Speed
     Roads50 m.p.h.
     Cross-Country25-30 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front30 mm
     Sides20 mm
ArmamentOne 2 cm Kw. K. 38 and one 7.92 mm M. G. 34
Ammunition (Rds.)400 (2 cm): 1.200 (M. G. 34)
Engine178 British B.H.P.
TransmissionSynchromesh, 7 speeds forward; 1 reverse
SteeringOne radius double drive epicyclic
Crew4

German: p. 8.1

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. “Panther” für 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 (Sd. Kfz. 173): S.P. Antitank or Assault Gun (Gun Motor Carriage)

Jagdpanther - Pz. Jäg. Panther für 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 (Sd. Kfz. 173)

The standard Model A Panther chassis is used for building this vehicle. The vehicle embodies all of the engineering principles and methods of design accumulated by the Germans up to the time of its production, and is quite effective as an antitank or assault weapon.

The hull and fighting compartment are of all welded construction. The fighting compartment is 45 inches in height at the front and 57 inches at the rear. The length of the roof is 93 inches and the width 72 inches.

The steering mechanism, “one radius steering,” is new. It is unnecessary to engage the transmission in order to turn or traverse the tank through 360 degrees. The use of either steering lever will traverse the tank in a small radius or on the spot. The annulus gear of each of the two epicyclics is driven by the transmission output shaft and is subject to seven speeds forward and one reverse. The sun gears are held stationary on the straightaway by steering brakes. In making a turn, the inside sun gear is released to rotate backward for a sharper turn, the inside sun gear is driven by engagement through a steering clutch with the engine.

The vehicle is armed with the 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 gun in a massive cast steel mantlet which is flexibly mounted in a cast steel ring welded to the front plate. Traverse is 11 degrees. Stowage is provided for 29 rounds of each of two types of ammunition. One M.G. 34 is ball mounted in the front plate to the right. Driver’s vision is by periscope. Fuel capacity is 193 gallons, of which 34 gallons are held in auxiliary.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         45 tons
Length (overall) Including gun 28 ft., 4 ins.
     Excluding gun 22 ft., 8 ins.
Width (overall) 10 ft., 10 ins.
Height (overall) 9 ft., 10 ins.
Ground clearance 21 ins.
Tread centers 8 ft., 7½ ins.
Ground contact 12 ft., 9½ ins.
Width of track 26 ins.
Pitch of track 6 ins.
Track links 67
Fording depth 67 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 124 miles
     Cross-country 62 miles
Speed
     Roads 34 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 15-18 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate 80 mm at 55° to the vertical
     Sides 45 mm at 30° to the vertical
     Rear 40 mm at 30° to the vertical
     Top 17 mm at 85° to the vertical
Armament 8.8 cm Pak 43/3 (MV 3.280 f/s, A.P.C.B.C.), M.G. 34
Ammunition (Rds.) 58 (8.8 cm)
Engine Maybach HL 230 P 30 V12 gasoline
Transmission Synchromesh 7 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering One radius double drive epicyclic
Crew 5

German: p. 38.1 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
German

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48): Self-Propelled Antitank Gun

Pz. Jäg. 38 für 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48): Self-Propelled Antitank Gun

The chassis of this self-propelled antitank gun is a modified version of the chassis for the Czech Model 38 tank. The lower nose of the hull is 60 mm thick set at 40° and interlocked with the sides and upper nose plate. The upper nose plate is 60 mm thick. It is positioned at an angle of 60° and extends to the top of the superstructure. Brinell hardness is approximately 240. All-welded construction is employed except in attaching roof and superstructure rear plates which are bolted on for reasons of accessibility. The two latter plates are 8 mm horizontal and 8 mm at 70° respectively. The side superstructure plates are 20 mm set at 40° with a brinell hardness of approximately 195. The hull floor plate is 10 mm. Side apron plates of 5 mm give added protection against high explosive shell fire.

The 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48), mounted 15 inches to the right of the hull center line, has an improved type of recoil mechanism. This allows the muzzle brake to be discarded. Elevation is from -6° to +10°. Traverse overall is 16° (-11° right -5° left). A new type machine gun mount is built in the roof. The machine gun is fitted with a periscopic sight and extended trigger, and may be traversed in any direction and fired from within. A Sfl ZF 1a sight and an episcope is provided for the main gunner. The sight projects through the roof. The loader has an episcope fitted in the rear portion of his hatch fixed at 6 o’clock.

The steering mechanism is the usual controlled differential type which allows curves of 29½ foot radius without “steering losses.” Curves of smaller radius are obtained by using the track brakes of the additional clutch brake system also provided.

There are two fuel tanks with a total capacity of 85 gallons. Ground pressure is 11.9 pounds per square inch. The power to weight ratio is approximately 9 HP per ton. The Fu 5 radio is fitted. Commanders equipments carry an additional Fu 8.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight in action       17.6 tons
Length (overall excluding gun) 15 ft., 11 ins.
Width (overall) 8 ft., 7 1/8 ins.
Height (overall) 6 ft., 10 1/2 ins.
Ground clearance 1 ft., 4 3/4 ins.
Tread centers 6 ft., 10 1/2 ins.
Ground contact 8 ft., 11 1/2 ins.
Width of track 1 ft., 1 3/4 ins.
Pitch of track 4.1 ins.
Track links 96
Fording depth 2 ft., 11 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 100 miles
     Cross-country 50 miles
Speed
     Roads 16 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 9 m.p.h.
Armor
     Hull nose plate (lower) 60 mm at 40°
     Hull side plate 20 mm undercut 15°
     Hull tail plate 20 mm at 15°
     Glacis plate (upper nose) 60 mm at 60°
     Superstructure side plates 20 mm at 40°
     Superstructure rear plate 8 mm at 70°
     Gun mantlet 30 mm rounded
Armament 7.5 cm Pak 39 (L/48); one M. G. 34; one M. G. 44.
Ammunition (Rds.) 7.5 cm gun, 41 rds.; M. G. 34, 600 rds.;* M. G. 44, 180 rds.
Engine Czech EPA (Type TZJ), 6-cyl., inline, 158 hp. at 2,600 r.p.m.
Transmission 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Epicyclic, clutch brake type
Crew 4

*In addition to the ammunition mentioned above, 12 rounds of signal ammunition, 20 egg hand grenades, and 6 smoke candles are carried.

German: p. 20.1 (April 1, 1945)