SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A, 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946

Dizzyfugu · October 01, 2016, 03:08:31 AM

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Some background:
The Skorpion was the result of the dire need for powerfully armed medium tanks when it was clear in 1944 that the German army would be faced with increasing numbers of Allied tanks. The favored solution would have been an update of the Panzer IV with the powerful 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 cannon, but the hull could not carry a turret that was gig enough to house this weapon - it should take several years until an satisfatory update would appear with the Panzer IV K. The alternative were self-propelled weapon carriers and the turret-less Jagdpanzer IV, which could take the long L70 gun, but both were not the tanks the Wehrmacht was looking for.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

As a stopgap measure and to fill the ranks of the new Panzer V Panther, Krupp proposed a radically different layout: mounting the KwK 42 cannon with the Panther turret on the chassis of the Geschützwagen III/IV, which took elements of both the Panzer III (driving and steering system) and Panzer IV chassis (suspension and engine). This chassis ahd originally been developed for self-propelled artillery project, with the engine moved from the back of the hull to a front position next to the driver, so that the rear offered space for a combat section. The same chassis was already used for the Nashorn tank destroyer (with an 8,8cm PaK) and the Hummel mobile artillery support (with a 15cm howitzer) for the tank force. Both had an open-topped superstructure, built up around the respective large guns to give the crew some protection, and armor was relatively light, too, as these verhicles were not intended for direct confrontation with tanks.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

However, the Panzer III/IV chassis was proven and already in production, and the Panther turret was available, too. For the SdKfz. 168 the open compartment of the Nashorn and Hummel was replaced by a closed, armored deck, which was large enough to carry a ring bearing for the Panther turret and it's drive. Overall armor, esp. on the new tank's front, was beefed up with extra plating, reaching up to 90mm. The crew was reduced to four, since the engine now took the position of the former Panzer IV radio/MG operator next to the driver.

In order to improve the tanks agility and speed, a torsion bar suspension and larger, double-interleaved rubber-rimmed steel roadwheels was proposed, but production started with the spring leaf suspension from the Panzer IV.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

The rear turret's rear position had already been proposed for some heavy tank designs (e.g. by Porsche for the Tiger I proposals, which eventually evolved into the Ferdinand/Elefant tank hunter) but had never been employed before. Due to the unusual layout of the tank, the SdKfz. 168 was quickly dubbed "Skorpion".

One of the benefits were a more even weight distribution and a more compact size of the tank, since the long gun barrel did not protrude much over the hull's front end. Another indirect benefit was additional protection for the turret crew through the engine. Loading of ammuntion was also made easier through a rear hatch in the turret as well as in the lower hull that allowed direct access to the shell bunkers under the turret.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Drawbacks were an impaired field of view for the commander, esp. when the vehicle was hidden behind corners, and the field of fire was also limited in such ambush situations. The high silhouette was a tactical weakness, too, but this was regarded as acceptable, as this was a little price to pay for being able to carry the KwK 42/L70.

The Rheinmetall-Borsig 7.5 cm KwK 42 (L/70) featured semi-automatic shell ejection and a supply of 72 rounds). It used three different types of ammunition: APCBC-HE (Pzgr. 39/42), HE (Sprgr. 42) and APCR (Pzgr. 40/42), the last of which was usually in short supply.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

While it was of a calibre common on Allied tanks, the Panther's gun was one of the most powerful of World War II, due to the large propellant charge and the long barrel, which gave it a very high muzzle velocity and excellent armour-piercing qualities. This 75 mm gun had actually more penetrating power than the main gun of the Tiger I heavy tank, the 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56, although the larger 88 mm projectile might inflict more damage if it did penetrate.
Additionally, a MG 34 machine gun was located co-axially with the main gun on the gun mantlet, and another MG 34 was carried on board for close range and anti-aircraf defense.

A status report on 15 December 1944 already listed 41 Skorpion tanks assigned to the Western Front, with 36 operational (87 percent). This was one day before the start of the Battle of the Bulge. The Skorpion demonstrated its prowess in open country, where it could hit its targets at long range with near-impunity, but it also showed its vulnerability in the close-in fighting of the small towns of the Ardennes, where they suffered heavy losses. A status report on 15 January 1945 showed only 17 operational SdKfz. 168 left in the units involved in the operation, out of 82 still in their possession at that time.

In February 1945, all Skorpion tanks were transferred from the West to the Eastern Front, where they filled gaps in the ranks of the Panther battalions. None of the roundabout 180 built and converted SdKfz. 168 survived the hostitilities.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Specifications:
Crew: Four (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Weight: 25.8 tonnes (28.4 short tons; 25.4 long tons)
Length: 6.48 metres (21 ft 2 3/4 in) (hull only)
7.81 metres (25 ft 7 in) with gun forward
Width: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Height: 2.84 metres (9 ft 4 in) w/o AA machine gun
Suspension: Leaf spring
Fuel capacity: 470 l (120 US gal)

Armor:
20 – 90 mm (0.78 – 3.54 in)

Performance:
Maximum road speed: 42 km/h (26.71 mph)
Sustained road speed: 38 km/h (24 mph)
Operational range: 235 km (146 mi)
Power/weight: 12 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× 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 with 72 rounds
1× co-axial 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 with 3.000 rounds
Provision for a MG 34 as anti-aircraft gun on the commander's cupola with 2.000 rounds

The kit and its assembly:
The "Skorpion" was partly inspired by thoughts about alternative tank designs like the Merkava, and also by available donation parts in the kit pile, where I found a leftover Panther Ausf. D, earmarked for another conversion, esp. with a new turret.

The Panther turret is big (like the whole tank itself), and the problem to mount more powerful cannons on the Panzer IV chassis could have led to some unusual, if not improvised designs.
The Panzer III/IV chassis for self-propelled artillery was the perfect basis, so I dedided to combine both for an alternative late WWII tank, conceptionally between a classic battle tank and a self-propelled gun carrier. The Panther turret just fits on the wide back section of the Hummel, even though proportions looks odd and the armor with many vertical surfaces is not very good. But, after all, this is intended to be a second choice concept and not a clean sheet battle tank design.

The chassis comes from an ESCI "Hummel", while the Panther turret is from a Hasegawa kit. The Hummel was more or less built OOB, just the open rear section was "clipped" at driver roof level and faired over with styrene sheet. Then, an opening for the Panther turret was cut out, and finally, once the rotation radius was clear, some more details added.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Another deviation from the OOB kit is the vinyl track. This ESCI kit came with styrene segment tracks, and IIRC it originally came with a silver, very stiff vinyl track when I built the Hummel for the first time many years ago - not a pleasant experience. Anyway, I decided to go the the Pavla replacement vinyl tracks, because they are very delicate and soft, moulded in a matt dark grey rubber.

Painting and markings:
This one looks rather wild - and it's a design experiment. The camouflage is a typical Hinterhalt (Ambush) paint scheme in Dark Yellow, Olive Green and Red Brown, onto which spots in light gray and dark brown have been added, for an even more disruptive effect in urban environment - slightly inspired by the unique British Forces Berlin scheme.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Basic tones are Humbrol 63, 160 and 117, plus extra spots with Humbrol 28 and 173. Then the model was weathered with a light black ink wash and dry-brushing with mid-stone and light gray, some acrylic paint to simulate dust and rust, and finally some dry pigments around the suspension and on the hull that simulate mud.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

Markings are minimal, just some German crosses on the hull and the tactical code in red on a dedicated beige background - otherwise, it would not have been recognizable at all on the disruptive scheme!

The tracks, made from black, soft vinyl, received a paint treatment in order to get rid of that shiny vinyl look: at first, with a mix of black, sienna and silver, which was immediately wiped off again, and later with a second, similar turn with silver and dark brown.

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A"; vehicle '311' of the 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946 (Heer '46/Kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

An odd concept, and the result looks rather weird - be it the tank concept and the parts used in it, but also the totally fragmented paint scheme which looks gaudy and almost clown-esques, but succesfully breaks up the lines of the boxy vehicle. So, why not?

Captain Canada · October 01, 2016, 04:19:26 AM

A cool concept ! Love how the colours were so bright when you started...looks like a whole different animal. I like the layout. Especially in the urban scenes, looks like she'd get around easier with the turret set back, The pic of her firing is just awesome ! Nice to see you do more armour

dadlamassu · October 01, 2016, 04:38:40 AM

A very nice model and an interesting take on the many German projects in WW2 - in fact one that looks more feasible than most of them. I know that some Panthers and BergePanthers were fitted with Panzer IV Turrets. The second one on this train

As far as late war German camouflage goes you can pretty much do whatever you like as almost everything including paint was in short supply. The main colours are those that you have used - dark yellow, red brown, olive green and in winter white. Also add in the old Panzer Grey and red lead primer, varying quantities of thinners - spray or hand painted etc etc and your scheme is as good as any.

zenrat · October 01, 2016, 04:40:53 AM

Pretty good. I might have added side skirts.

Dizzyfugu · October 01, 2016, 05:02:13 AM

Thank you very much, glad you like it. The kit turned out a bit rough - and it's truly a layout experiment. The train pic is in so far interesting as the tank in the foreground is a Porsche chassis for the Tiger I - and the turret looks like the one from a Tiger I, too. What's funny is that Porsche experimented with different turret layouts, too - AFAIK, there was a standard layout with the turret in the middle and the engines in the rear section, but also the alternative with the turret in the rear and the engines placed in the middle. The later Elefant tank hunter used the latter chassis layout.

Using the Hummel for this kitbashing was a bit of a compromise, but it looks O.K. and is in so far plausible that it was available. Not certain if this combo would have worked, but it's an idea to mount a bigger gun/turret on the outdated Panzer IV chassis - the conventional hull was just too narrow to take a bigger cannon.

AFAIK, there's even a kit of this Bergepanther with the Panzer IV turret in 1:72 available!

PR19_Kit · October 01, 2016, 06:52:53 AM

As I know naff all about tanks, almost, the only thing that tells me this is a Whiff is that it's on this Forum.

Looks and sounds wholly believable to me.

SdKfz. 168 "Skorpion" Ausf. A, 511th s.Pz.Abt., Berlin region, summer 1946

Dizzyfugu

Captain Canada

dadlamassu

zenrat

Dizzyfugu

PR19_Kit