Germany's Hornisse "Hornet", Nashorn "Rhinoceros"
8.8 cm Pak 43/1 auf GW IV "Nashorn", SdKfz 164,
8.8cm Pak 43/1 (L/71) auf Fgst PzKpfw III/IV (Sf), SdKfz 164,
Panzerjaeger III/IV Nashorn frueher Hornisse
8.8cm Pak 43/1 L/71 auf GW III/IV:

1/72 Diecast Armor
Dragon Armor:
60060: 60061:	60159: 60188:

Based on the fighting on the Eastern Front, an easier way to move the 88 mm PaK 43/1 L/71 guns was needed. In February 1942 a contract was issued for the vehicles.⁵ By November 1942, they were being issued to the Army's heavy antitank units.⁵ It was initially nicknamed the Hornisse (Hornet) but it was changed to Nashorn (Rhinoceros) by order of Hitler.

The chassis was called the Geschützwagen III/IV (gun carriage), which was a hybrid.⁵ In early 1942 Alkett and Deutsche Eisenwerke developed the chassis from PzKpfw III and IV chassis.⁵ The engine was moved forward allowing for a larger rear compartment.⁵

Because of a shortage of hardened armor plate the hull was protected by unhardened armor plate. This superstructure armor was supplied by Witkowitzer Bergbauund Eisenhütten. The chassis was supplied by Werk Duisburg and it was assembled by Deutsche Eisenwerke at Teplitz-Schönau.

500 were ordered and 100 were to be delivered by May 12, 1943, in time for the Kursk offensive.

Gun mounted on lengthened PzKpfw IV hull. Was rather high and vulnerable. But when used as a standoff weapon it was very effective. The muzzle of the barrel was 2.24 m high.⁷

The AP round weighed 22.4 lbs. and had a muzzle velocity of 3,281'/sec.⁶ The HE shell had a maximum range of 11,925 yards.⁶

Used a FuG Spr d radio.²

Usage

Issued to schwere Panzerjäger detachments that were independent units attached to a Corps or Army. The first unit to receive them was the 655th schwere Panzerjägerabteilung in the summer of 1943.⁷ Five other detachments were formed.

	Nashorn
Crew	41,2,7, 53,5,6
Physical Characteristics
Weight	53,793 lb3, 54,000 lb 24,000 kg1, 24,400 kg3 23.62 tons1, 24 tons2,4,5, 26.5 tons6
Length w/gun	27' 8"5, 27' 8.25", 27' 8.3"1,3 8.44 m1,2,3,4,5
Length w/o gun	19' 0.3"3, 19' 2"5, 20.3'6, 20' 4 1/8" 5.8 m3,5
Height	8' 8"5, 8' 8.3"1,3, 9.65'6, 9' 7.75" 2.65 m1,2,3,4,5, 2.957
Width	9' 4.6"1,3, 9.6'6, 9' 8"5, 9' 8 1/8" 2.86 m1,2,3,4, 2.95 m5
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.8"6 40 cm
Ground contact length	149.6"6 3.52 m
Ground pressure	11.3 psi6 0.85 kg/cm2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	88 mm1 88 mm PaK 43/1 L/712,5,6 88 mm Pak 43 L/714 88 mm PaK 433
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG1 7.92 mm MG34, internal 7.92 mm MG342
Side arms
Quantity
Main	38, 48, 404,5
Secondary
MG	6002
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	301 Front: 2"6, 304 Side: 1.2"6, 204
Hull Front, Upper	30@12°, 10@37°2, 30@35°5
Hull Front, Lower	10@30°, 30@20°2, 30@78°5
Hull Sides, Upper	10@16°2, 20@90°5
Hull Sides, Lower	20@0°2
Hull Rear	10@10°2 & 20@10°2, 20@80°5
Hull Top	open2
Hull Bottom	17, 15@90°2
Superstructure Front	10@60°5 Gun shield: 10@37°2
Superstructure Sides	10@74°5
Superstructure Rear	10@80°5
Superstructure Top	Open
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 120 TRM1,2,5,6,7 Maybach HL 1203
Bore / stroke	4 cycle6
Cooling	Water6,7
Cylinders	V-125,6,7
Capacity
Net HP	2653, 3004,5, 300@3,000 rpm6,7
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio	6.5:16
Transmission (Type)	Synchromesh6, ZF SSG 76 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)	Gasoline3,5,6,7
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, 15° each way4,5,7, 30° each way
Max speed	24.8 mph3, 25 mph5,6, 26 mph1 40 kph3,5,7, 42 kph1,2,4
Cross country speed	15 mph5, 16 mph6 24 kph5,7
Road radius	124 miles5, 130.5 miles3, 133 miles6, 133.6 miles1, 160 miles 200 km5,7, 210 km3, 215 km1,2
Cross country radius	81 miles5,6 130 km5
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-5° to +20°4,6,7 -10° to +25°
Fording depth	2' 7.5"3,6 0.8 m3
Trench crossing	7.6'6, 7' 6.6"3 2.3 m3,7
Vertical obstacle	1' 11", 1' 11.6"3,6 0.6 m3,7, 0.84 m
Climbing ablity	30°7 (57%) slope6
Suspension (Type)	Sprung in pairs on 1/4 elliptic springs6
Wheels each side	86, 8x2
Return rollers each side	4x2
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin6
Length
Width	15.75"6 40 cm
Diameter
Number of links	1036
Pitch	4.9"6
Tires
Track centers/tread	8.3'6
Production	Deutsche-Eisenwerke2,5 Chassis #s: 310001-3104942 2/1943-3/1945: 4942 1944: 4733 4735, 4947 Chassis: Krupp, Alkett6

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. New Vanguard 88 mm PaK 43/36/37/41 and PaK 43 1936-45, John Norris, 2002

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