- Yes
- No
I would like to suggest the Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) armed with the 7,5 cm K.51 L/24 and Coax Mg 42 in the same mounting as allready in game on the Sd.Kfz.251/9 and Sd.Kfz.234/3, however based on a fully tracked chassis, based on the Bergepanzer 38(t) which is essencially a Jagdpanzer 38(t) hull without the Hole, instead with 30mm (instead of 60mm) and a 2nd Vision slit on the right side.
This mobile chassis with relatively good armor, which is enove to withstand 37-40mm guns, however will not be immune, as He grenades will be its bane as well as the mounting is still 14,5mm (with multiple layers) thick. It would be more of a low Br Jagdpanzer 38(t) and give a mobile relatively good armored and armed platform as an alternative to the Stug III Ausf. A (or maybe lower, as its open top as well as the sidearmor can be easily penetrated by even HMGs).
It would also show the need of the german Army in WW2 to arm more and more vehicles to fill in holes that cant be filled with normal production of main tank forces with cheaper ersatz. With it filling the Reconnaissance and light assault vehicle vehicle with close infantry support, similar to the Sd.Kfz.250/8 or Sd.Kfz.251/9.
The History is sadly pretty much unknown, except that at least one vehicle was modified, based on a a late Bergepanzer 38(t), which has only 30mm frontal armor, a 2nd hatch with vision slit on the right side front, a simplefied divers vision port and open roof, on which the universal 7,5 cm K.51 L/24 and Coax Mg 42 was mounted on. The whole reason it was build as well as similar vehicles such as the 15 cm s.I.G. 33 on the Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) chassis was simply, to find more production capacity for the rolles as production of their main vehicles such as the above mentioned Sd.Kfz.250/8, 251/9, 234/3 along the StuH 42 was simply not enove.
There appears to be only 1 Picture left, as probaply production didnt start, along with other prototypes on the normal Pz 38(t) chassis and a modified sloped front chassis which also did not enter production.
Pictures: (click to show)
The Gun:
7,5 cm K.51 L/24 and Coaxial 7,92 mm Mg 42
-10° to +16° Elevation, +/- 14° Tracerse. 40 Rounds of ammo.
7,5 cm Ammo:(Click to show)
Ap:
K.Gr. Rot Pz (Apcbc) 6,8 kg 80g Fp.02 und Np.10 (102,4 g TnTa) 385 m/s 52mm/10m
Gr.38 Hl/B (Heat) 4,57 kg 513g H.5 (872,1g TnTa) 450 m/s 87mm/10m
Gr.38 Hl/C (Heat) 4,8 kg 515 g H.10 (875,5g TnTa) 450 m/s 115mm/10m
He:
Sprgr.34 (He) 5,74 kg 725g Fp.02 und Np.10 (928g TnTa) 420 m/s
Utility:
K.Gr. Rot Nb (Smoke) 6,2 kg 95g Pent 423m/s
Kt. (Canister Shot (No Tracer)) 6,65 kg 430 m/s
Adapted 7,7 cm Kt. 7,5 cm Kt. KwK may be slightly different.
280 Lead or Steel Balls.
The Vehicle:
Based on the late version Bergepanzer 38(t) 181 produced (some with guns such as 15 cm, 7,5 cm and 2 cm Flak.
| Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | 30 mm (40-60°), 30 mm (60°) Front glacis | |||
| 20 mm (40°) Transmission housing | ||||
| 20 mm (15°) Bottom | 8 mm (68°) Top | |||
| 20 mm (14°) Bottom | 8 mm (90°) | |||
| Superstructure | 14,5 mm (+2x 14,5 mm layers (at small positions) | 8mm |
Weight: 12,5 ton (?)
Engine: 160 Ps/2800 rpm
Speed: 42 km/h / 7 km/h
Crew: 3-4 (?)
Source:
Geschossringbuch I
Taschenbuch der Panzer
Waffen und Geheimwaffen des deutschen Heeres