Gepanzerter Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Kanone Ausf A8,
Sturmgeschütz III Ausf A8,
SdKfz 1428:

German StuG III Ausf A Self Propelled Gun

5 prototypes built in 1937.2

Was the first of the series to be produced and was based on the PzKpfw III Ausf E.8

Has the same suspension, drive train, components, and basic hull shape as the PzKpfw III Ausf F. There were no escape hatches on the hull sides. The 75 mm gun was offset to the right and the driver was provided with a pivoting visor, a twin periscope in the superstructure front, and a vision port in the left superstructure. The gunner had an artillery type periscope and had a vision port in the left superstructure. The commander had a scissors periscope which could be raised by opening the front half of his roof hatch.

Used FuG15 or FuG16 radio.2

A few were employed at Gazala and Tobruk in North Africa.

  StuG III Ausf A
Crew 42,5,8
Physical Characteristics  
Weight 19.5 tons8, 19.6 tons2, 21.3 tons5
Length w/gun 17' 9"5
5.38 m2, 5.41 m5
Length w/o gun  
Height 6' 5"5
1.95 m2,5
Width 9' 7"5
2.92 m2,5
Width over tracks  
Ground clearance  
Ground contact length  
Ground pressure  
Turret ring diameter  
Armament (mm)  
Main 75 mm StuK L/242,5
Secondary  
MG  
Side arms  
Quantity  
Main 442, 845
Secondary  
MG  
Side arms  
Armor Thickness (mm)  
Hull Front, Upper 50@10°2, 50@80°5
Hull Front, Lower 50@21°2, 50@69°5
Hull Sides, Upper 30@0°2 + 9@30°2, 30@90°5
Hull Sides, Lower 30@0°2, 30@90°5
Hull Rear 8@60-80°5, 30@30°2 + 10°2
Hull Top 11@78-90°2 @ 17@85°2
Hull Bottom 16@90°2
Superstructure Front 50@75°5
Superstructure Sides 30@90°5
Superstructure Rear 30@60°5
Superstructure Top 8@0-12°5
Engine (Make / Model) Maybach HL 120 TR2,5
Maybach HL 120 TRM5
Bore / stroke  
Cooling  
Cylinders  
Capacity  
Net HP 3005, 3205
Power to weight ratio  
Compression ratio  
Transmission (Type) Synchromesh
10 forward, 4 reverse.2
Steering  
Steering ratio  
Starter  
Electrical system  
Ignition  
Fuel (Type)  
Octane  
Quantity 70 gallons5
320 liters5
Road consumption  
Cross country consumption  
Performance  
Traverse 12° left, 12° right.2
12.5° left, 12.5° right5
Max speed 28 mph5
40 kph2, 45 kph5
Cross country speed 12 mph5
19 kph5
Road radius 100 miles5
160 km2, 161 km5
Cross country radius 60 miles5, 97 km5
Turning radius  
Elevation limits -10° to +20°2
Fording depth  
Trench crossing  
Vertical obstacle  
Climbing ability  
Suspension (Type)  
Wheels each side  
Return rollers each side  
Tracks (Type)  
Length  
Width  
Diameter  
Number of links  
Pitch  
Tire tread  
Track centers/tread  
Production  

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. Sturmgeschütz 40 (L/43 & L/48) The Long Gun Versions, Horst Scheibert, 1991
  7. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
  8. Profile, AFV Weapons #55, German Self-Propelled Weapons, Peter Chamberlain, H.L. Doyle, 1973
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