Jagdpanzer 38 (t)
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Hetzer at Worthington Tank Museum (Ontario, Canada)
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Crew
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4
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Long
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6,27 m
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Width
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2,63 m
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Height
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2,17 m
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Mass
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16 t
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Plating
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8–60 mm
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Main armament
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7.5-cm-Pak 39 L/48
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Secondary armament
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1 × 7,92-mm- MG 34 oder 42 mg
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Drive
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PS 1 Praga EPA AC/258 ( Ottomotor )
160 PS
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Top speed
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42 km / h (road), 16 km / h (cross)
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Power / weight
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11.6 hp / t
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Range
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180 km (road), 130 km (off-road)
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Development
Since the effective 7.5-cm PaK 40 (PaK 40) too heavy for the Mannschaftszug to be immobile on the battlefield, was charged in 1942 on the chassis of the Panzer II and Panzer 38 (t) in three different designs, both the 7.5-cm PaK 40 and captured and modified Russian 7.62-cm-tank guns mounted. The resulting PaK-self-propelled guns were as Panzerjäger Marder I , II and III referred. These successful expedients were replaced in summer 1944 by a similarly effective redesign, the Jagdpanzer 38 (t).Further produced proven chassis of the tank (t) 38 was chosen as the technical basis for a light tank destroyer. The trough had to be widened in order to make room for the gun. The structure of well-sloped armor plates was on the front page 60 millimeters, 20 millimeters thick at the side. Wider chains and a higher performance engine ensured sufficient mobility of the now 16-ton vehicle.
As a weapon, the 7.5-cm PaK 39 L/48 was with an enhanced brake pipe selected, a muzzle brake was no longer necessary.For short-range defense possessed the Jagdpanzer 38 (t) over a 7.92-mm machine gun (usually MG 34 , but also MG 42 ) on the roof, which the commander could remote control over a periscope and an extended withdrawal. These side armament had a pan range of 360 degrees and served as defense against infantry. Although the gun was fired from the protected interior, but it had only a small drum magazine. The reloading process had to take place without the protection of the tank. Since the Jagdpanzer was 38 (t) a relatively small vehicle, which was 380 mm offset to the right cannon sticking with theirSaukopfblende out considerably over the bow.
"Agitators"
Whether the suggestive name "Hetzer" was used formally or informally during the Second World War seems controversial. Heinz Guderian claimed to Hitler , this is the nickname given to the soldiers for these tanks.Use
In use, the proven Jagdpanzer 38 (t) Award. The low silhouette complicated its discovery and management, the form has been exemplary and its firepower equivalent to that of the Panzer IV and the hunting Panzers IV/48 . The sloped armor could bounce off the shells of many calibers easily.However, the Jagdpanzer was 38 (t) is not particularly popular among the crew because he had a small battle space and also the swivel range of the gun was only 16 degrees. Due to the asymmetric seat's main weapon was the swivel range 11 degrees to the right and 5 degrees to the left. To compensate for this, the entire vehicle had to be turned. The side armor was 20 millimeters with very weak, so many Jagdpanzer 38 (t) were shot down by the side.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer works ( Bohemian-Moravian Machine Factory (BMM) and Škoda ) were in the " Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia"(so that made the Jagdpanzer 38 (t) until the war ended in May 1945, about 2,600 copies Fahrgestell-Nr.: 321001-323000, 323001 - could be). The vehicles were from July 1944 to the units, first at the Army tank destroyer units 731 and 743 delivered.Versions
Versions of the Wehrmacht
There were several on the Jagdpanzer 38 (t) constructive developments:- Flame Panzer 38 (t) - (end of 1944, 20 produced, conversion)
- Berge Panzer 38 (t) (Sd.Kfz. 136, 181 produced)
- 15-cm heavy infantry gun 33/2 (Sf) on Jagdpanzer 38 (t) (1944, 1 prototype)
- Full range reconnaissance 38 (t) - reconnaissance tanks (two prototypes)
Other versions
After the war, the Škoda works built on the basis of hunting Panzers 38 (t) additional models for the Czechoslovak army, 156 vehicles were on the Swiss Army delivered where it under the name Panzerjäger G13 and 1973 7 remained in the service.
The differences of the tank hunter G13 for Jagdpanzer 38 (t) were:- Now the attached muzzle brake
- the remotely-operable MG was replaced by a Rundblickperiskop
- Commander and loader exchanged inside the courts
- The petrol engines were gradually replaced by diesel engines.
Specifications
Technical data of the Jagdpanzer 38 (t)
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Mass
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16 t
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Long
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6,27 m
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Width
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2,63 m
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Height
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2,17 m
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Gauge
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212,3 cm
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Chain width
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35 cm
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Ground clearance
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38 cm
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0 armament
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Main armament
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7.5-cm-Pak 39 L/48
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Secondary armament
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1 × MG 34 oder 42 mg
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Ammo
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PaK: 40
MG: 1200
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Kaliberlänge (PAK)
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48
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Plating
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Front
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60 mm
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Pages
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20 mm
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Heck
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20 mm
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Ceiling
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8 mm
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Ground
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10 mm
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Mobility
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Motor
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PS 1 Praga EPA AC/258
6-cylinder gasoline engine,
water-cooled
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Capacity
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7754 cm ³
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Performance
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160 hp at 2800 rpm
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Power to weight
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11.6 hp / t
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Maximum road
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42 km / h
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Maximum terrain
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16 km / h
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Fuel storage
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320 l
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Driving range
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180 km (road)
(off-road) 130
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Fording
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100 cm
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Crew
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4
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Quantity
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2584
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