Panzerfeldhaubitze 18M auf GW III/IV SdKfz 165 Hummel "Bumble Bee",
15 cm S.F.H. 18/1 (sf) Auf GW IV, "Hummel", SdKfz 1646:


Warpics

| Dragon Armor 1/72 Diecast Models of Hummel: |
|---|
| 60080: 60189: 60190: |
Built on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis, which was a hybrid of the PzKpfw III and IV.5
Alkett presented a prototype to Hitler in October 1943. An order was then placed to have 100 ready by May 12, 1943, in time for the Kursk offensive. Armor was supplied by Stahlindustrie (Deutsche Röhrenwerke) of Mülheim/Ruhr and Deutsche Edelstahl in Hannover. Deutsche Eisenwerke assembled 666 Hummels. In December 1942 12 were completed.
Was originally nicknamed the Hummel (bumble bee), but Hitler order that the name be dropped on February 27, 1944.5
Developed on a PzKpfw IV chassis that was lengthened and used the drive assemblies, track, and transmission from a PzKpfw III. The first prototype appeared in 1941. The engine was moved to the center as the fighting compartment was in the rear. Range of 12,550 meters. Early vehicles had muzzle brake installed but it was found that these were unnecessary and were removed from production in 1944.
The 96 lb HE shell was fired at a muzzle velocity of 1,706'/sec and had a maximum range of 14,490 yards.6
Early models had the glacis plate extended and a compartment for the driver was made on the left side. From early 1944 the crew compartment went all the way across the front and the radio operator was also placed in it.
Used FuG Spr f radio.2
Issued to artillery formations of the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions from 1943 on.
Munitionsträger Hummel:
157 were produced without the gun and used as ammunition carriers.
| sFH 18/1 auf PzKpfw III/IV SdKfz 165 Hummel, 15 cm S.F.H. 18/1 (sf) Auf GW IV, "Hummel", SdKfz 1646 |
|
|---|---|
| Crew | Driver, gun crew (5) 51,3,6 62,5 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 50,400 lb, 52,911 lb3 24,000 kg1,3 23.5 tons5, 23.62 tons1, 24 tons2,4, 25.4 tons6 |
| Length w/gun | 21' 3 7/8", 23' 6"1,5, 23' 6.3"3 7.17 m1,2,3,4,5 |
| Length w/o gun | 19' 2"5, 20.3'6, 20' 4 1/8" 5.8 m5 |
| Height | 9' 2.6"1,3, 9.4'6, 9' 3"5, 9' 7.75" 2.81 m1,2,3,4,5 |
| Width | 9' 5"3, 9.5'6, 9' 7"5, 9' 8 1/8", 9' 8.1"1 2.87 m3, 2.92 m5, 2.97 m2,4, 2.95 m1 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 15.8"6 |
| Ground contact length | 149.6"6 |
| Ground pressure | 10.8 psi6 |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 150 mm sFH 18/1 L/302,5,6 150 mm howitzer1 150 mm FH 18 field howitzer3 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.92 mm MG34, internal 7.92 mm MG1,3 7.92 mm MG342 7.92 mm MG34, hull5 7.9 mm MG346 |
| Side arms | 2: 9 mm MP386 |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 12: HE; 6: HC 155, 182,4, 206 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 6002,5 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 301 Front: 2"6, 304 Side: 1.2"6, 204 |
| Hull Front, Upper | 10@37°2, 30@74°5 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 30@20°2, 30@55°5 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 10@16°2, 10@90°5 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 20@0°2 |
| Hull Rear | 10@10°2 & 20@10°2, 10@90°5 |
| Hull Top | Open2 |
| Hull Bottom | 15@90°2 |
| Superstructure Front | Gunshield: 10@37°2 30@57°5 |
| Superstructure Sides | 10@76°5 |
| Superstructure Rear | 10@79°5 |
| Superstructure Top | Open5 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TRM1,2,5,6 Maybach3 |
| Bore / stroke | 4 cycle6 |
| Coolings | Water6 |
| Cylinders | V-123,6 |
| Net HP | 2653, 3004,5, 300@3,000 rpm6 |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | 6.5:16 |
| Transmission (Type) | Synchromesh6 6 forward, 1 reverse2,6 |
| Steering | Clutch brake6 |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | Hand inertia and electric6 |
| Electrical system | Starting: 24-volt6 Normal: 12-volt6 |
| Ignition | Magneto6 |
| Fuel (Type) | Gasoline3,6 |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | 103 gallons5, 159 gallons (in 2 tanks)6 470 liters5 |
| Road consumption | 0.8 mpg6 |
| Cross country consumption | 0.5 mpg6 |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | ±15°6, 12° left, 12° right,5 16° each way, 15° left, 15° right2,4 |
| Max speed | 25 mph6, 26 mph5, 26.1 mph1,3 42 kph1,2,3,4,5 |
| Cross country speed | 15 mph5, 16 mph6 24 kph5 |
| Road radius | 160 miles, 133 miles6, 133.6 miles1, 134 miles3,5 215 km1,2,3,5 |
| Cross country radius | 81 miles5,6 130 km5 |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | 0° to 39° -3° to +42°2,6 +42°4 |
| Fording depth | 2' 7.5"6, 3' 3"3 0.99 m3 |
| Trench crossing | 7.6'6, 9' |
| Vertical obstacle | 23.6"6, 2' 6" |
| Climbing ability | 30° (57%) slope6 |
| Suspension (Type) | Wheels sprung in pairs on 1/4 elliptic springs6 |
| Wheels each side | 86, 8x2 |
| Return rollers each side | 4x2 |
| Tracks (Type) | Dry pin6 |
| Length | 11' 6" |
| Width | 15.75"6 |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | 1036 |
| Pitch | 4.9"6 |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread | 7' 10 7/8", 8.3'6 |
| Production | Alkett, Deutsche-Eisenwerke.2 Chassis #s: 320001-, 325001-2 1941-: 7141 Deutsche Eisenwerke, 12/1942-6/1944: 6665 Chassis: Krupp-Alkett6 Howitzer: Krupp6 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
- German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
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