Germany's Sturmgeschütz IV (SdKfz 167)
Sturmgeschütz IV self propelled gun: |
Sturmgeschütz IV self propelled gun: |
Sturmgeschütz IV Ausf F self propelled gun: |
| Dragon Armor 1/72 Diecast Models of Sturmgeschütz IV: |
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|---|---|---|---|
60068: 60069:  |
60115: 60116:  |
60117: |
60118: |
Design
On December 6, 1943, Hitler ordered the StuG III superstructure fitted to the PzKpfw IV chassis. Built on PzKpfw IV Ausf G and PzKpfw IV Ausf H chassis. It was an interim design until Jagdpanzer IV could begin production. Also the Alkett factory's production had been disrupted by bombing so Krupp was asked in December 1943 to produce the StuG IV. Driver's section was modified to have an access hatch and 2 periscopes in an armored cab. Some models had 6" of concrete added to the superstructure front. The cast Saukopfblende mantlet was introduced in February 1944. In the summer of 1944 the external MG was replaced by a remote controlled MG. A Nähverteidigungsgerät (close defense weapon) was also installed.
Production
- Sturmgeschütz IV: 1,000
Usage
Was issued to independent StuG brigades of artillery and assault gun detachments.
| Sturmgeschütz IV, StuG IV | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader/radio operator, driver 41 |
| Radio | FuG151 |
| OR | FuG161 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 53,350 lb 23 tons1 |
| Length w/gun | 18' 4" 6.7 m1 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 7' 0.5" 2.2 m1 |
| Width | 9' 8" 2.95 m1 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | 1' 3" |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament (mm) | |
| Main | 75 mm StuK 40 L/481 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.92 mm MG341 |
| MG - hull | 7.92 mm MG34 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 36, 631 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 6001 |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 80@10°1 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 80@14°1 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 30@11°1 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0°1 |
| Hull Rear | 30@0°1 & 20@10°1 |
| Hull Top | 11@75°-90°1 |
| Hull Bottom | 10@90°1 |
| Superstructure Front | |
| Superstructure Sides | |
| Superstructure Rear | |
| Superstructure Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TRM, Maybach HL 120 TRM 1121 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | |
| Cylinders | |
| Capacity | |
| Net HP | |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | 6 forward, 1 reverse.1 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical system | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | |
| Road consumption | |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 10° left, 10° right, hand.1 |
| Max speed | 25 mph 38 kph1 |
| Cross country speed | |
| Road radius | 105 miles 210 km1 |
| Cross country radius | |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | -6° to +20° |
| Fording depth | 2' 7" |
| Trench crossing | 8' 6" |
| Vertical obstacle | |
| Climbing ability | |
| Suspension (Type) | Torsion Bar |
| Wheels each side | 8x2 |
| Return rollers each side | 4x2 |
| Tracks (Type) | |
| Length | |
| Width | |
| Width of link | 1' 4" |
| Diameter | |
| Number of links | |
| Pitch | |
| Tire tread | |
| Track centers/tread |
Sources:
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
