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Germany's Artillerie-Panzerbeobachtungswagen III, SdKfz 143:
Chassis nos. 60401-78000. 262 were converted from February 1943 to April 1944. Was an artillery observation vehicle converted from older model IIIs. It was used by forward artillery observers for the self-propelled howitzer batteries of Panzer divisions. Early models received additional 30 mm armored plates. The ball MG in the hull was replaced by a pistol port. A dummy gun barrel was placed where the coaxial MG was located and a MG was placed where the gun used to be. A retractable TBF-2 observation periscope was installed and could be closed by an armored cover. A 2 m "star" antenna for a FuG 8 was installed over the engine compartment. Also a FuG 4 was installed. In 1943 some had the 50 mm KwK 39 L/60 gun installed.
The FuG8 and FuG4 were installed.3
In early 1943 they were issued to Hummel and Wespe batteries.
| Artillerie-Panzerbeobachtungswagen III (SdKfz 143) | |
|---|---|
| Crew | 53 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 19.5-23 tons3 |
| Length w/gun | 5.52 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | |
| Height | 2.5 m3 |
| Width | 2.92 m3 |
| Width over tracks | |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 7.92 mm MG343 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 1,500 Patr SmK3 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | |
| Hull Front, Upper | 30+30@9°3 |
| Hull Front, Lower | 30+30@21°3 |
| Hull Sides, Upper | 30@0°3 |
| Hull Sides, Lower | 30@0°3 |
| Hull Rear | 30@30°3 & 30+30@10°3 |
| Hull Top | 17@77-90°3 |
| Hull Bottom | 16@90°3 |
| Turret Front | 30@15°3 Mantlet: 50@0-45°3 |
| Turret Sides | 3-@25°3 |
| Turret Rear | 30@12°3 |
| Turret Top | 10@83-90°3 |
| Engine (Make / Model) | Maybach HL 120 TR3 OR Maybach HL 120 TRM3 |
| Bore / stroke | |
| Cooling | |
| Cylinders | |
| Net HP | |
| Power to weight ratio | |
| Compression ratio | |
| Transmission (Type) | 10 forward, 1 reverse.3 OR 6 forward, 1 reverse.3 |
| Steering | |
| Steering ratio | |
| Starter | |
| Electrical system | |
| Ignition | |
| Fuel (Type) | |
| Octane | |
| Quantity | |
| Road consumption | |
| Cross country consumption | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | Hand.3 |
| Max speed | 40 kph3 |
| Cross country speed | |
| Road radius | 165 km3 |
| Cross country radius | |
| Turning radius | |
| Elevation limits | |
| 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:
- 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
- Panzer Truppen The Complete Guide to the Creation and Combat Employment of Germany's Tank Force 1933-1942, Thomas L. Jentz, 1996
- Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
- Tanks of the World, 1915-1945, Peter Chamberlain, Chris Ellis, 1972
- 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
- Tanks of World War II, Duncan Crow, 1979
- Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
- AFV 2: Panzerkampfwagen III, Walter Spielberger
- Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
