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Germany's 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:

Hummel	Hummel	Hummel	Hummel
Hummel - SS Artillery Regiment	Hummel	Hummel - February 15, 1944 in Russia	Hummel
Hummel Warpics
Dragon Armor 1/72 Diecast Models of Hummel:
60080:	60189:	60190:

Design

The Waffenamt wanted to provide artillery support to armored units. They had proposed putting an 105 mm leFH to be mounted on a PzKpfw III or IV chassis but it was found a 15cm gun could be mounted instead.⁷ On July 25, 1942, this was changed to mount a 15 cm sFH, since the PzKpfw II could mount the 105 leFH.

Was originally nicknamed the Hummel (bumble bee), but Hitler order that the name be dropped on February 27, 1944.⁵

Armament

Early vehicles had muzzle brake installed but it was found that these were unnecessary and were removed from production in 1944.⁷

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

Chassis

Built on the Geschützwagen III/IV chassis, which was a hybrid of the PzKpfw III and IV.⁵ Developed on a PzKpfw IV chassis that was lengthened and used the drive assemblies, track, and transmission from a PzKpfw III. The engine was moved to the center as the fighting compartment was in the rear.

Radio

The Hummel used a FuG Spr f radio.²

Crew

Early models had the glacis plate extended and a compartment for the driver was made on the left side.⁷ From early 1944 the crew compartment went all the way across the front and the radio operator was also placed in it.⁷

The gun crew was exposed to the elements and some would place canvas covers over them.⁷

Prototype

Alkett presented a prototype to Hitler in October 1942.⁷ An order was then placed to have 100 ready by May 12, 1943, in time for the Kursk offensive.⁷

Production

Armor was supplied by Stahlindustrie (Deutsche Röhrenwerke) of Mülheim/Ruhr and Deutsche Edelstahl in Hanover. Deutsche Eisenwerke assembled 666 Hummels. In December 1942 12 were completed.

• 1941-: 714¹
  • Manufactured by: Alkett, Deutsche-Eisenwerke.²
• December 1942 - June 1944: 666⁵
  • Manufactured by: Deutsche Eisenwerke
• Chassis #s: 320001-, 325001-²
  • Manufactured by: Krupp-Alkett⁶
• Howitzer manufactured by: Krupp⁶
• Total: 666⁷

Variants

• Hummel:
• Munitionsträger Hummel: 157 were converted without the gun and used as ammunition carriers.⁷ Carried 40 rounds.⁷

Usage

Issued to artillery formations of the Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions from 1943 on.

	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 62,5,7
Physical Characteristics
Weight	50,400 lb, 52,911 lb3 24,000 kg1,3, 24,384 kg7 23.5 tons5, 23.62 tons1, 24 tons2,4,7, 25.4 tons6
Length w/gun	21' 3 7/8", 23' 6"1,5,7, 23' 6.3"3 7.17 m1,2,3,4,5,7
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"5,7, 9' 7.75" 2.81 m1,2,3,4,5,7
Width	9' 5"3,7, 9.5'6, 9' 7"5, 9' 8 1/8", 9' 8.1"1 2.87 m3,7, 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/302,5,6,7 150 mm howitzer1 150 mm FH 18 field howitzer3
Secondary
MG	1: 0.312" MG7 1: 7.92 mm MG1,3,7 1: 7.92 mm MG34, internal 1: 7.92 mm MG342 1: 7.9 mm MG346
MG - hull	1: 7.92 mm MG34, hull5
Side arms	2: 9 mm MP386
Quantity
Main	12: HE; 6: HC 155, 182,4,7, 206
Secondary
MG	6002,5
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	301,7 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 Maybach3,7
Bore / stroke	4 cycle6
Cooling	Water6
Cylinders	V-123,6,7
Net HP	2653,7, 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, Petrol7
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 mph5,7, 26.1 mph1,3 42 kph1,2,3,4,5,7
Cross country speed	15 mph5, 16 mph6 24 kph5
Road radius	160 miles, 133 miles6, 133.6 miles1, 134 miles3,5,7 215 km1,2,3,5,7
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

Sources:

1. 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
2. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
3. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
4. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
5. German Tanks of World War II, Dr. S. Hart & Dr. R. Hart, 1998
6. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
7. World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006

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