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Germany's 15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Grille,
SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket", "Bison";
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:
sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Self Propelled Gun |
sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Self Propelled Gun |
sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K Self Propelled Gun |
Design
Development of the sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) started in late 1942.4
Conversions
Some of the early models were converted when they came back to the factory for work.4 The sIG 33 gun was mounted on the body with an armored shield built around it.4 The engine area was covered so it could store ammunition.4
Prototype
Alkett delivered a prototype based in the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H chassis.4 An ordered was placed for 200 to be built on the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K chassis.4 These chassis weren't ready so the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H chassis was used initially in production.4
Production
The PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M chassis was used for the majority of production.4
- sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H: February 19434 - April 1943: 901
- Chassis #s: 1601-21001
- Manufacturer: BMM1
- sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K: April 1943 - June 1943, October 1943 - September 1944: 2821
- Chassis #s: 2101-1
- Manufacturer BMM1
- Chassis: BMW-Alkett3
- Gun: Rheinmetall-Borsig3
- sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M:
Variants
- 15cm sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H, SdKfz 138/1: Used Czechoslovakian 38(t) Ausf H chassis and was converted by Alkett. Engine was mounted in rear to expedite production.4 The fighting compartment was extended over the engine.
In June 1944, there were 12 issued (6 each) to the 38th Panzer schwere Infanteriegeschütz Abteilung of the 2nd Panzer Division. - 15cm sIG 33/1(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1: Produced by Böhmisch-Mährisch. The engine was mounted in the front and the gun towards the rear.3,4 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 - 15cm sIG 33 Ausf M:
- ??: Ammunition carrier.4 Used the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M chassis.4
Usage
They served in Russia, Tunisia, Italy, and France.
They were issued to the schwere Infanteriegeschütz companies of the Panzergrenadier regiments.
Issued to Panzergrenadier regiments from early 1943 and served on all fronts.
Late War
As of February 1945 there were still 173 Grilles still being used.4
| Bison | Bison Ausf H | Bison Ausf K | Grille 15cm Heavy Infantry SPG Ausf M4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 5 | 51 | 41,3 | 44 |
| 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 |
12 tons4 12,192 kg4 |
| Length w/gun | 4.84 m2 | 15' 1.5" 4.61 m1 |
16' 2.75", 16.7'3 4.95 m1 |
16' 3"4 4.95 m4 |
| Length w/o gun | ||||
| Height | 2.15 m2 | 7' 10.5" 2.4 m1 |
8' 1", 8.2'3 2.47 m1 |
8' 1"4 2.47 m4 |
| Width | 2.26 m2 | 7' 1" 2.16 m1 |
7', 7.3'3 2.15 m1 |
7' 1"4 2.15 m4 |
| 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 |
5.91" sIG 33/24 15 cm sIG 33/24 |
| Secondary | ||||
| MG | 7.92 MG34 | 7.92 MG341 | 7.92 MG341 | 1: 0.312" MG344 1: 7.92 mm MG344 |
| Side arms | ||||
| Quantity | ||||
| Main | 151 | 153, 181 | 184 | |
| Secondary | ||||
| MG | ||||
| Side arms | ||||
| Armor Thickness (mm) | Front: 152 Side: 152 |
Front: 0.75"3 Side: 0.5"3 |
154 | |
| 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 |
Praga AC4 |
| Bore / stroke | ||||
| Cooling | Water3 | |||
| Cylinders | I-63 | 64 | ||
| Capacity | ||||
| Net HP | 1502 | 1253 | 1504 | |
| 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) | Petrol4 | |||
| 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 |
26 mph4 42 kph4 |
| Cross country speed | ||||
| Road radius | 185 km1 | 115 miles3 190 km1 |
118 miles4 190 km4 |
|
| 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 |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
