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In 1942, Krupp-Gruson on the basis of "Geschützwagen IV"
chassis , developped a Waffenträger (weapon carrier) provided with
an entirely swivelling turret (opened with the top). This turret could
be withdrawn via a crane located at the back of the vehicle and transferred
onto a trailer. Vehicle without its turret could be used like transport
of ammunition or recovery vehicle. The principal weapon was the leFH
18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer of 105mm) for the prototype but the
models of production were to be armed with the 105mm LeFH 43 L/28. The
crew was composed of the commander, the pilot and the three gun's crewmen.
The shielding varied between 10 and 30 mm. The prototype of this Waffenträger
was equipped with the engine of 12 cylinders Maybach HL90 developing
360 hp which owed on the models series being replaced by the engine
of 12 cylinders Maybach HL100. The chassis was the same one as that
used for the self-propelled guns Hummel and Nashorn. Only 3 prototypes
were produced in 1942-1943 by Krupp and were indicated as Heuschrecke
10 or 10.5 cm leFH 18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger GW IVb.
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| Heuschrecke
10 ou 10.5 cm leFH 18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger GW IVb. |
| src:
New Vanguard n°34, Sturmartillerie & Panzerjäger (1939-1945)
/ Ed. Osprey Military |
An extremely similar model was developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig, 10.5
cm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) and produced by Deutsche
Eisenwerke. Skoda also worked on similar projects based on the medium
tank T-25 (Skoda) or on the VK1602 Leopard. One also thought of using
the chassis of Pz.Kpfw V Panther to realize Heuschrecke 15 but it was
never realized. These machines were to in theory provide a greater mobility
to the field howitzer of 105 mm.
| @
105 mm leFH 18 L/28 @
Penetration of a shielding plate (mm) under a plunging angle of
30° |
| Ammo |
Weight |
Velocity |
100m |
500m |
1000m |
1500m |
2000m |
| PzGr |
14 kg |
470 m/s |
63 |
59 |
54 |
50 |
46 |
| GR39 H1/A |
12.3 kg |
495 m/s |
80 |
59 |
54 |
50 |
- |
| GR39 H1/B |
12.1 kg |
495 m/s |
90 |
59 |
54 |
50 |
- |
| GR39 H1/C |
12.35 kg |
495 m/s |
100 |
59 |
54 |
50 |
- |
|
