- Yes
- No
I would like to suggest the standart Marder II main Production with the 7,5 cm Pak 40/2 L/46 (Sd.Kfz.131), which is a quite iconic vehicle along its brother the Wespe and other Marder Types.
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, but thats a different suggestion).
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 Marder III Ausf.H, as while less armored, it would be about as fast, but also smaller.
The Gun:
7,5 cm Pak 40/2 L/46 and AA/GP MG 34 on the superstructure.
30 rounds storage -8° to +10° Elevation, 32° Traverse left, 25° Right.
Ammo Types: Apcbc, Apbc, Apcr, He, Smoke, Heat (Click to show)
Ap:
Pzgr.39 (Apcbc) 6,8kg 17g H.10 (28,9) 792m/s 152mm/10m
(Later by Tactical and Technical Trends No.21-30 US War Department, the velocity was even increased to 2800fps/853,44m/s, to be in line with the 8,8 cm Flak in terms of Penetration.)
Pzgr.40 (Apcr) 4,1kg 28x111mm 0,9kg Core 990m/s 192mm/10m
Pzgr.40(W) (Apbc) 4,1kg solid 990m/s 132mm/10m
(Used till 1000m as cheaper alternative to Pzgr.39 and Pzgr.40, better velocity made it easyer to aim, flat block face meant its a bit better against angle, its made from softsteel, deforms instead of penetrates armor, better against harder armor. There is a difference between Pzgr.40(W) and Pzgr.40 (Üb).)
Gr.38 Hl/B (Heat (No Tracer)) 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
(Early no tracer, implemented during production.)
He:
Sprgr.34 (He (No Tracer)) 5,74 kg 725g Fp.02 und Np.10 (928g TnTa) 550 m/s
Historic Penetration 52/10m and 47mm/500m
Utility:
K.Gr. Rot Nb (Smoke (No Tracer)) 6,2 kg 95g Pent 540m/s
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