Aufklärer auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) mit 7,5cm K.51 L/24

Ghostmaxi · June 25, 2025, 7:57pm

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To avoid confusion of the identical named Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) (7,5 cm K.51 L/24), ill call this by the would be name if it had gotten into production, Sd.Kfz.140/2. (Or at least i have not seen any source calling it such.)

It is a Pz 38 (t) chassis, with a new thinly armored superstructure, similar to the in game Sd.Kfz.140/1, more in that below, armed with the 7,5 cm K.51 L/24 with limited traverse as a support variant to the /1.

In game it could act as a smaller, less armored StuG III Ausf.A, and a good duo to the Sd.Kfz.140/1, at a Br of 2.0 or so. Having good mobility (~11 tons with 180 PS) and good firepower by the prooven 7,5 cm L/24 gun as seen on a couple of other vehicles only lacking a full turret.

History:
As the Luchs production was to end after only 100 vehicles in 01.1944, an alternative was planned, based on the Pz 38 (t) chassis, while no original documents have been found, who authorized B.M.M. to create the Sd.Kfz.140/1 armed with the 2 cm KwK 38 L/65 in Hängelafette 38 based on the well proven Pz 38 (t) chassis, but with a new 180 PS engine, however with otherwise unchanged chassis. Of this vehicle B.M.M. was to convert 118 tanks, that came back from the front, to the new vehicle from 12.1943 to 04.1944. However delays in conversion resulted in only 70 chassisss beeing prepared in 02. and 03.1944, with 15 still without Hängelafette and further 13 not yet fully ready until 11.1944.
Overall B.M.M. proposed 2 designes, the Sd.Kfz.140/1 as seen in game and the would be /2, which was a support variant with the 7,5 cm L/24 gun, in an lengthened (upwards) superstructure. Of these, while only pictures of the mockups/models exist, were 2 converted and addtionally later also on Jagdpanzer 38(t) and (d) chassis as seen here from mid 1945 onwards.

Of the would be /2 (for ease of writing) 2 models were made up (its unclear if both constructed were of 1 type or of both each), one which i suggest here, with the normal chassis with the adapted superstructure and another with a new frontal armor heavily angled, these can be seen in the Pictures tap. In the end nothing more came of the project, due the war ending.

Pictures:(Click to show)

Sd.Kfz.140/1 as reference:

Screenshot 2025-05-01 1611191010×721 757 KB

Sd.Kfz.140/2 Model 1 (as i suggest):

Sd.Kfz.140/2 Model 2:

Characteristics:

Armarment:
7,5 cm K.51 L/24 and possible coax Mg 42 as seen on the Einheitslafette für 7,5 cm K.51
Unknown ammo amount, Elevation: -10° to +20° Traverse: +/- 15-20°

More info and ammo on the 7,5 cm KwK 37 L/24 / K.51 L/24

Pictures:(Click to show)

The KwK/StuK/K.37 and K.51 L/24 were one of the most common and well know 7,5 cm guns of the german army, beeing a short infantry support gun with relatively good (especially for its time) AT performance with the K.Gr. Rot. Pz and effective later with the Heat rounds. As well as good He firepower. Beeing an Interwar designe it was from the beginning to the very end in usage on a multitude of vehicles, Pz IV, III and Stug III beeing well known. After the Pz IV and Stug III got their high velocity guns, lots of the L/24 guns went back into storage, as such along with the Pz III Ausf. N, lots of these were modernized into the K.51 L/24 and put on field mounts as well as Vehicles such as Halftracks and Trucks, Sd.Kfz.250, 251, 233 and 234/3.

Caliber: 75mm

Ammo: 75x243mmR