Panzer IV served 3 ways #1: the SdKfz. 161/5 "Spritzenwagen" assault SPG

Dizzyfugu · September 17, 2019, 01:08:54 AM

The next three models came accidently. I just finished the small Parsival M3 conversion and I dug out a Panzer IV and a Bishop kit, for which I had an idea for some time. And somehow I was in the flow, so that two more Panzer IV conversions followed suit...

. Therapy? Well, here's #1, an assault gun carrier from the earlier stages of WWII, the SdKfz. 161/5 "Spritzenwagen".

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
In early 1942, German tank manufacturers were requested to design a Sturmpanzer on the basis of the Panzer IV tank chassis. This new tank was designed to provide a vehicle offering direct infantry fire support, especially in urban areas.

Alkett responded with the SdKfz. 168 (the later "Brummbär" Sturmpanzer), which used a Panzer IV chassis with the upper hull and turret replaced by a new casemate-style armoured superstructure housing a new gun, the 15 centimetres (5.9 in) Sturmhaubitze (StuH) 43 L/12 developed by Skoda.
An alternative design came from Krupp-Gruson Magdeburg, where the Panzer IV was produced, the SdKfZ. 161/5. As the name indicated, it was rather a modification of the existing Panzer IV chassis than a complete redesign of the hull, less radical than the SdKfz. 168. In fact, the SdKfZ. 161/5 followed a different philosophy: Instead of a heavily armoured direct assault vehicle, the Krupp-Gruson design team rather envisioned a tank that would support infantry in the urban combat environment, where potential enemies could lurk everywhere. Therefore, the classic tank layout with a fully rotating turret was retained, as well as the vehicle's capability to attack targets either directly, or, like a classic howitzer, with ballistic shots from long range. Since a 15cm StuH could not be mounted in a turret on the Panzer IV chassis, the SdKfZ. 161/5 was armed with the proven but lighter 10,5 cm Feldhaubitze 18/4.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The weapon was protected by a fully closed turret and could be elevated from -5° to +45°, allowing an effective fire range of up to 10,675 m (11,674 yd). With a good gun crew, a rate of fire of up to six shots per minute could be achieved. A typical 10,5cm HE shell weighed 14.81 kg (32.7 lb), but an armour piercing shell against hardened targets was also available and weighed 14.25 kg (31.4lb) – even though it could only penetrate 52 mm (2 in) of armour plate at a very short range of 500 meters, due to the gun's low muzzle velocity of 470 m/s (1,542 ft/s). A total of 60 rounds could be carried, typically 3/4 HE and 1/4 AP rounds.

The turret itself was a rather boxy design with almost vertical side walls and a pair of large doors at the back side which not only made entering the tank and re-supplying it with ammunition easy, the were also a welcome option to improve ventilation when the howitzer was fired. Altogether, the SdKfZ. 161/5 was very reminiscent of the heavy Soviet KV-2 tank that had deeply impressed German soldiers when it appeared in late 1940. However, unlike the KV-2, the SdKfZ. 161/5's turret was only lightly armoured (10-30mm), so that it only offered protection against small arms fire and artillery shrapnel. Thanks to this light armour, however, the overall weight could be limited to 27 tons so that the Panzer IV chassis could still cope well with it. Initially, the secondary armament only consisted of a hull-mounted MG 34 machine gun next to the driver. Another MG 34 could be fastened to the open gunner's hatch, and there was an MP 40 submachine gun for the crew for close range defense against infantry attacks. The 7.92 mm ammunition supply was 3,150 rounds.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The SdKfZ. 161/5 was quickly rushed into production and service. The first forty vehicles were all revamped Panzer IV battle tanks (a mix of F, G and H chassis) which simply received the new turret, adapted ammunition racks for the new 10,5 cm rounds in the hull and the modified designation. They were sent immediately to the Eastern Front, taking part in the 1942 summer offensive in the Don, Volga, and Caucasus regions. They fared quite well and were popular among the crews, because the all-round protection against enemy fire or hand grenades was a novelty for a German artillery support tank. The tanks proved to be quite effective in their intended urban infantry support role, offering more firepower than the earlier Panzer IV Ausf. D and E with their short 75 mm cannon. The fact that the tanks could furthermore provide indirect long-range fire support for advancing tanks made them versatile and popular, too. The prominent turret and the large gun barrel quickly earned the SdKfZ. 161/5 the unofficial nickname "Spritzenwagen" (= fire engine).

However, several drawbacks became apparent soon. The biggest weakness was the vehicle's high silhouette: in the open field and during transfers the SdKfZ. 161/5 was hard to conceal, had a relatively high center of gravity and the weak turret armor made the vehicle vulnerable against light anti-tank weapons like the Soviet 45mm 20-K tank gun or the 37 mm Model 30 cannon.
Other tactical weaknesses of the early vehicles were a poor field of vision for the commander from the inside, as well as the need for a better protection against infantry attacks at close range.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

In order to mend these problems, later SdKfZ. 161/5s received a Panzer IV standard commander cupola, which increased the height even more but offered a much better all-round view. The mount for the optional MG 34 on the turret roof was relocated to the commander's cupola. A ball mount for an additional MG 34 was incorporated into the turret's front, which could be operated by the loader and independently from the cannon. Additionally, the armor strength of the turret's front and sidewalls was increased to 25-40mm. In field practice, this was frequently augmented with spare track links, which were often added to the tank's front, too. The overall weight of these late, improved tanks, designated "Ausf. B", rose to almost 28 tons (late Panzer IV versions weighed less than 24 tons), though, and brought the Panzer IV chassis to its limits. At the same time, the initial production batch was re-designated "Ausf. A". However, in the course of 1943, some early tanks were retrofitted with commander cupolas and the additional machine gun mounts, so that they could not be visually differentiated from the late SdKfZ. 161/5s anymore.

A total of 120 SdKfZ. 161/5s were produced until late 1943, when it became more and more apparent that its firepower was not sufficient anymore, and the relatively light armour protection made the vehicle progressively vulnerable. The "Spritzenwagen" was soon phased out and replaced by the lighter and more mobile Sd.Kfz. 124 "Wespe" as well as the more heavily armed and armoured SdKfz. 168 "Brummbär". After their withdrawal, some SdKfZ. 161/5 chassis were converted into other vehicles on the Panzer IV's basis, e.g. into Bergepanzer IV and Brückenleger IV, but most were cannibalized for spare parts.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Specifications:
Crew: Five (commander, gunner, loader, driver, radio operator/bow gunner)
Weight: 27.8 tonnes
Length: 5.92 m (19 ft 5 in)
Width: 2.88 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in) w/o AA machine gun
Suspension: Leaf spring
Fuel capacity: 470 l (120 US gal)

Armour:
10 – 50 mm (0.39 – 1.96 in)

Performance:
Maximum road speed: 38 km/h (23.6 mph)
Sustained road speed: 34 km/h (21.1 mph)
Operational range: 200 km (120 mi)
Power/weight: 11 PS/t

Engine:
Maybach HL 120 TRM V12 petrol engine with 300 PS (296 hp, 221 kW)

Transmission:
ZF Synchromesh SSG 77 gear with 6 forward and 1 reverse ratios

Armament:
1× 10.5 cm leFH 18/4 L/28 with 60 rounds
2× 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 3.150 rounds,

The kit and its assembly:
This fictional Panzer IV version was inspired by the thought of what a WWII infantry support vehicle could have looked like, one that could be used in tight combat environments with a better field of fire than the typical German Sturmgeschütze with their casemate style hull. This led to something with a howitzer in a fully rotating turret – conceptually similar to the Soviet KV-2. There had actually been prototypes of such vehicles, e. g. the 10.5cm leFH 18/6 auf Waffenträger IVb "Heuschrecke" with a removable(!) turret. But these did not enter service.

I wanted something simpler, and this led to a Panzer IV chassis with a new turret. The hull is a Hasegawa Panzer IV F2 and it was built OOB. I just added some track segments to the front. The turret is a kitbashing and come from a British "Bishop" SPG. However, I wanted a visibly different cannon, so I organized a 1:72 Zvezda 10.5cm leFH field gun and implanted the barrel as well as the gun mount into the Bishop housing (which was fixed and not a movable turret). Since I also wanted to keep the gun movable, the front slit had to be widened and re-sculpted with styrene sheet. A fiddly affair, but it worked well! Some details like the Panzer IV commander cupola (from the Hasegawa kit) and the additional machine gun ball mount were added to modify the look – but the Bishop heritage is hard to conceal. In order to mount the turret onto the hull, I used the OOB lower turret half from the Hasegawa kit as an adapter. Some holes had to be filled with putty, but this worked well, too.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Painting and markings:
I gave this model a standard camouflage in uniform Panzergrau (RAL 7021, Humbrol 67) onto which winding stripes in Dunkelbraun (RAL 7017, I used Humbrol 160 for more contrast) were added. The model's timeframe would also have allowed the early tri-color "Ambush" scheme, but the dark grey livery suits the mini KV-2 well, too, and offers a different look from many other Heer '46 models in my collection.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Painting was straightforward and simple, with brushes and enamel paints. The kit received a washing with highly thinned dark brown acrylic paint as well as an overall dry-brushing treatment with medium grey – I did not want the model to look too dirty or worn, just some contrast for the edges, because the dark grey blurs out details.
I also only added a light coat of pigments around the lower areas after the decals as well as a matt coat of acrylic varnish (rattle can) had been applied.

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 161/5 Ausf. B (Selbstfahrlafette für 10,5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18/4 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen IV) "Spritzenwagen"; vehicle '423' of the 48. Panzerkorps., 14. Panzerdivision; Belgorod region, summer 1943 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

A design experiment that evolved step by step. The outline similarities with the KV-2 were not intentional, but I guess that, just as in real life, certain duty profiles just lead to similar design solutions. However, this Panzer IV howitzer is considerably smaller than the huge KV-2, and the result looks, despite some serious cosmetic surgery on the turret, quite plausible, utilitarian and even German, too. The grey livery also looks good on it. And two more Panzer IV conversion are still in the pipeline...

zenrat · September 17, 2019, 03:29:35 AM

Old Wombat · September 17, 2019, 06:30:42 AM

Neat!

dadlamassu · September 17, 2019, 09:20:55 AM

A good plausible idea with an interesting backstory. Looking forward to more conversions.

chrisonord · September 17, 2019, 11:41:54 AM

Very nice, I am not clued up on ww2 German armour, so this thing looks pretty real to me

Chris

Dizzyfugu · September 17, 2019, 11:47:03 PM

Glad you like it, #2 has just been posted.

Weaver · September 18, 2019, 03:50:28 AM

I like that!

Panzer IV served 3 ways #1: the SdKfz. 161/5 "Spritzenwagen" assault SPG

Dizzyfugu

zenrat

Old Wombat

dadlamassu

chrisonord

Dizzyfugu

Weaver