- Yes
- No
I would like to suggest the standart Marder II main Production with the 5 cm Pak 38 L/60 (Sd.Kfz.131), which is a quite iconic vehicle along its brother the Wespe and other Marder Types, however this time with the 5 cm Pak 38 instead of Pak 40 duo to shortages.
History:
After the successes of the earlyer Marder II (7,62 cm) (Sd.Kfz.132) based on the Pz II Ausf.D and E, the mentioned chassis ran out, as they have long ceased production. Instead it was allready seen that the while cheap Pz II Ausf.F (and C) were also pretty much in an Tank Vs Tank and Tank Vs Reinforced structures rather powerless.
As such first on 13.05.1942 first talks were made, to produce a fitting prototype, based on the Ausf.C and F chassis of Pz II, simplefied and smaller superstructure compared to the Sd.Kfz.132 and use the Own production 7,5 cm Pak 40, as stock of the 7,62 cm Gun also was getting low. The first prototype was ready by June 15th 1942.
Then the First series was build from 07.1942 to 02.1943 by Famo-Breslau (with Famo-Ursus 03. to 07.1943) in summary 531 build.
However that wasnt enove, while beforhand not all production capability of Pz II Chassis (for full Pz IIs) was used for it, it was later fully taken up for the Marder II (and other models) as well as Pz II of A, B and C tanks that came back for refurbishment to M.A.N, Famo and Skoda were instead rebuild to also Marder IIs, which officially resulted in an additional 130 Marder IIs.
Along that it was also allowed, that field workshops made their own conversions, however not allways 7,5 cm Pak 40s were available as such also at least 1 with 5 cm Pak 38 was build, which is this suggestion, the most documented is this unique one with the name Kohledieb (Coal thief). As overall the Production of Pak 40 was never enove, and till the end of the war the Pak 38 was the most produced AT gun of the german army, while not the most perfect and powerfull against T 34 and other tanks, it still was a good gun with great velocity and could also defeat most other lighter tanks, while beeing easy to use.
Duo to less space, because of the different layout, compared to the previous Marder II and other Marders a new different approach was taken for ammo storage, it was put in form of Semi Fixed bins at the back, that were on hinges to fold to the back for restocking and otherwise easy access. And sometimes more ammo was carried simply in its original storage box.
In Game this vehicle would offer an interesting iconic sidegrade to the normal Marder II (when it comes) or rather a lower BR one, duo to weaker gun.
Pictures:(Click to show)
The Gun:
5 cm Pak 38 L/60 and AA/GP MG 34 on the superstructure.
30 rounds storage (or more) -8° to +10° Elevation, 32° Traverse left, 25° Right. (Or possibly standart Pak 38 traverse)
Ammo Types: Apc, Apcr, He and Supercaliber Heat-FS (Only open compartment) (Click to show)
Ap:
Pzgr.40 (Apcr) 0,925 kg 21x75mm 335g core 1180-1200m/s 139-142mm/10m
(Yes the drawing sayes 0,9kg, however pretty much all captured stock and other german sources say 0,925kg with 1180m/s. And British, USA and Russian Source shows 1200m/s, German velocitys are for mid life barrles.)
Pzgr.40/1 (Apcr) 1,07 kg 21x75mm 335g core 1130m/s 130mm/10m
A Different design, longer and heavyer, to increase range, in flight stability and to use standart Casings.
(The shorter Pzgr.40 required a case with a long neck to sit properly.)
He:
Sprgr.38 (He (No Tracer)) 1,82 kg 200g Fp.02 und Np.10 (256g TNTa) 550-870m/s
(Only for open compartment guns)
15 cm Steilgranate 42 (Supercaliber Heat-FS) 8,5 kg 2,42 kg Füller 95 (Hexagon/TnT 60/40) Filler 110 m/s 180mm/30°/all distances effective range up to 300m, max range 700m
(Adapted 3,7 cm Stielgranate 41)
The Vehicle:
Marder II Sd.Kfz.131
Weight: 10,7 t
Engine: HL 62 TRM 140 Ps / 2800 RPM
Speed: 40 + km/h
Crew: 4
Armor:
Front: 14,5 - 35mm
Sides: 10 - 14,5mm
Source:
Chris Bishop Waffen des zweiten Weltkriegs
Werner Oswald Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der Reichswehr, Wehrmacht und Bundeswehr
Panzer Tracts. 1. Auflage. Panzerjaeger
D.600 Vorschrift
