SdKfz 162/1 Panzer IV/70(V)

History of SdKfz 162/1 Panzer IV/70(V)

When the 7.5cm PaK 42 L/70 anti-tank gun became available, the German Army started looking for new ways to mount this weapon on existing tank hulls for use as a tank destroyer. The final execution came in early 1944, when a Panzer IV medium tank was fitted with artillery, followed by tests to demonstrate mating noise.

After the vehicle was presented to the German High Command, it was ordered by the Womag Group as Panzer IV/70(V). It bears the military designation SdKfz 162/1 (the "V" in the name indicates the manufacturer).

By this time, the Jagdpanzer IV, another tank killer built on the Panzer IV tank chassis, was already in production at Vomag. So the company started producing both forms side-by-side with existing line equipment.

From August 1944 to April 1945, approximately 930 to 940 Panzer IV/70s left the Womag factory. However, Allied bombing disrupted production of the Panzer IV/70, and production did not resume until April 1945 (the European war ended in May 1945).

When completed, the Panzer IV/70 is understated by its solid superstructure, which houses the artillery components and crew workspace. The superstructure is completely enclosed to protect the crew from inclement weather and battlefield hazards (small arms fire, artillery jets).

Four powerful operators include the driver, commander and two gun operators. Radio adaptation is a Fu 5 system.

Power for the vehicle is provided by a liquid-cooled Maybach HL120 TRM V-12 gasoline engine producing 265 hp at 2,600 rpm. This gives the vehicle a road speed of 25 mph and a range of up to 130 miles (80.5 miles off-road). The engine is mounted in the rear compartment behind the cab.

Primary armament is a 7.5 cm (75 mm) PaK 42 L/70 gun carrying 79 rounds. The secondary weapon becomes a 7.92mm MG42 machine gun with 1,200 rounds of ammunition. As a last line of defense, all small arms carried by the crew are also available.

On the battlefield, the Panzer IV/70 proved to be one of the best tank killers in the post-war era, as it was powerful and effective, able to outperform any Allied tank gun - a key in tank warfare Advantage. Such is the value of the Panzer IV/70 series, so much so that by November 1944 the series had replaced Jagdpanzer IVs along the Vomag line.

Some vehicles have "apron" or side skirt armor installed to protect the upper track area from damage. The sloping nature of the hull structure, combined with its low profile, adds inherent survivability to the tank.

Later production Panzer IV/70 vehicles had the track rollers reduced to three (from four). Due to the heavy load on the front of the tank destroyer, these models were also fitted with wheels with rubber tires on the two front wheel suspensions.

Additional wheels can be fitted to the rear fuselage fairing if desired.

The Panzer IV/70 was used until the last days of World War II. Postwar stocks seized by the Soviet Union were passed on to Allied Romania, who served as soldiers until the 1950s.

Another branch of the Panzer IV/70 series is the Panzer IV/70(A). Like the Vomag vehicles, these carry the PaK 42 L/70 gun, but production is managed by Alkett (who also makes the StuG III series of assault guns). The Alkett model is intended to be an intermediate solution and differs in subtle ways, such as higher profiles.

From August 1944 to March 1945, Alkett produced approximately 278 cars.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

79x75mm projectile.

1,200 x 7.92mm ammunition.

Changes