15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Grille, SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket", "Bison":

Germany's sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Bison

Germany's Bison, Cricket

Used Czechoslovakian 38(t) Ausf H chassis and was converted by Alkett. Engine was mounted in rear to expidite production. The fighting compartment was extended over the engine. They were issued to the schwere Infanteriegeschütz companies of the Panzergreandier regiments. They served in Russia, Tunisia, Italy, and France.

In June 1944, there were 12 issued (6 each) to the 38th Panzer schwere Infanteriegeschütz Abteilung of the 2nd Panzer Division.

15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33/1 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (SF) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket",
15 cm S.I.G. 33 auf GW 38(t), SdKfz 138/13:

Germany's sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Cricket

Produced by Böhmisch-Mährisch. The engine was mounted in the front and the gun towards the rear.3 Issued to Panzergrenadier regiments from early 1943 and served on all fronts. Maximum range 4,700 meters. Used FuG16 radio.1

The gun fired a 83.8 lb HE shell at a muzzle velocity of 787'/sec. to a range of 5,140 yards.3

  Bison Bison Ausf H Bison Ausf K
Crew 5 51 41,3
Physical Characteristics      
Weight 10.8 tons2 25,760 lb, 25,353 lb
11.5 tons1
26,880 lb, 26,455 lb
12 tons1, 12.7 tons3
Length w/gun 4.84 m2 15' 1.5"
4.61 m1
16' 2.75", 16.7'3
4.95 m1
Length w/o gun      
Height 2.15 m2 7' 10.5"
2.4 m1
8' 1", 8.2'3
2.47 m1
Width 2.26 m2 7' 1"
2.16 m1
7', 7.3'3
2.15 m1
Width over tracks      
Ground clearance     16"3
Ground contact length     102.75"3
Ground pressure     10.1 psi3
Turret ring diameter      
Armament      
Main 15cm siG33/1 L/12 150 mm sIG33/1 L/121 150 mm sIG33/21
15 cm s.I.G. 33, L/113
Secondary      
MG 7.92 MG34 7.92 MG341 7.92 MG341
Side arms      
Quantity      
Main   151 153, 181
Secondary      
MG      
Side arms      
Armor Thickness (mm) Front: 152
Side: 152
  Front: 0.75"3
Side: 0.5"3
Hull Front, Upper   25@12°1 10@67°1
Hull Front, Lower   50@15°1 20@15°1
Hull Sides, Upper   151 10@15°1
Hull Sides, Lower   15@0°1 15@0°1
Hull Rear   15@10°1 & 15@16°1 10@0°1 & 10@41°1
Hull Top   open1 8@90°1
Hull Bottom   8@90°1 10@90°1
Superstructure Front   Gun shield: 15@12°1 0.44"3
Gun shield: 10@9°1
Superstructure Sides     0.38"3
Gun shield: 10@16°1
Superstructure Rear     Gun shield: 10@17°1
Superstructure Top     open1
Engine (Make / Model) Praga EPA/2 Praga EPA/21 Praga AC1
Praga THNP3
Bore / stroke      
Cooling     Water3
Cylinders     I-63
Capacity      
Net HP 1502   1253
Power to weight ratio      
Compression ratio      
Transmission (Type) 5 forward, 1 reverse 5 forward, 1 reverse1 Praga-Wilson preselective3
5 forward, 1 reverse.1,3
Steering     Clutch brake3
Steering ratio      
Starter     Hand and electric3
Electrical system     12-volt3
Ignition     Magneto3
Fuel (Type)      
Octane      
Quantity      
Road consumption      
Cross country consumption      
Performance      
Traverse   5° left, 5° right1
hand1
±5°3
5° left, 5° right1
hand1
Max speed 22 mph
47 kph2
21.7 mph
35 kph1
22 mph3
35 kph1
Cross country speed      
Road radius   185 km1 115 miles3
190 km1
Cross country radius     87 miles3
Turning radius      
Elevation limits   -3° to +72°1, -3° to +72°3, -0° to +73°1
Fording depth     34.5"3
Trench crossing     6.3'3
Vertical obstacle     33.5"3
Climbing ability     30° (57%) slope3
Suspension (Type)     Wheels on 2 bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs3
Wheels each side     43
Return rollers each side      
Tracks (Type)     Dry pin3
Length      
Width     12.25"3 (shoe 11.5")3
Diameter      
Number of links     933
Pitch     4.25"3
Tire tread      
Track centers/tread     5.9'3
Production   2/1943-4/1943: 901
Chassis #s: 1601-21001
BMM1
4/1943-6/1943, 10/1943-9/1944: 2821
Chassis #s: 2101-1
BMM1
Chassis: BMW-Alkett3
Gun: Rheinmetall-Borsig3

Sources:

  1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  2. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  3. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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