(Sd. Kfz. 166) Sturmpanzer auf Pz.Kpfw. IV - Serie IV (June 1944)

[Chomusuke1 1,219]

The Sturmpanzer IV (Sd. Kfz. 166) was a German armored infantry support gun based on the Panzer IV chassis used during World War II. German soldiers nicknamed it the 'Stupa', a contraction of the term Sturmpanzer. About 300 vehicles were built and they were assigned to four independent battalions. In War Thunder, the current premium Sturmpanzer presently found in the game is an extremely rare, early May 1943 hybrid of a series Ausf. I & Ausf. II based on a Panzer IV Ausf. E chassis with Panzer IV Ausf. E features, which you can clearly see below:

 

 

Instead of depicting a standard, common, mainstream example produced on a Panzer IV Ausf. J chassis during the peak of Sturmpanzer production, Gaijin instead has decided to provide the German faction player with an extremely rare, early rebuild example based off of a Panzer IV Ausf. E chassis of which only eight were made out of a total of ~300 Sturmpanzer produced. As a result, this extremely rare vehicle has weaker features such as Panzer IV Ausf. E style running gear, wheels, & automotive components, appliqué bolted on frontal hull armor, appliqué bolted on side hull armor, a Tiger I's Fahrersehklappe, older main weapon (15 cm Stu.H.43), shorter armored sleeve on the main weapon, no steel road wheels/return rollers, no extra pistol ports, & no machine gun of any kind. Additionally, it is also missing a smoke round (Nb) in-game. This complete lack of late improvements of any kind is a noticeable detriment to the combat effectiveness of the Sturmpanzer in the game. In contrast to the numerous and dubiously equipped KV 2's (with non-war G-530 / PB-35) which proliferate this game, the German faction player has to make do with an extremely rare, early, solitary 'premium' vehicle with a missing Nb round that is a rebuild of a Panzer IV Ausf. E featuring an early configuration that is completely inappropriate for late war maps & events/scenarios. Therefor, I am making this topic in order to introduce  a proper Sturmpanzer IV  example into this game, one produced during the peak of Sturmpanzer production (June 1944):

 

 

This suggestion is specifically for a late war June 1944 Sturmpanzer IV {Serie IV or Ausf. IV} , featuring late war equipment & features. Main improvements of this late series Ausf. IV Sturmpanzer over the current early series Ausf. I / II that is currently present in this game would be:

 

Chassis based on the Panzer IV Ausf. J

Solid 80 mm lower frontal hull armor

Solid 30 mm side hull armor

Armored driver's position with periscope replacing the Fahrersehklappe 100

Improved superstructure (shorter, reduced height) with additional pistol ports in the side walls

Improved ventilation for the superstructure (more ventilation hatches/fans)

Improved main cannon (15 cm Stu.H.43/1 (800 kg lighter) replacing the earlier 15 cm Stu.H.43)

Improved, longer armored sleeve on the 15 cm Stu.H.43/1

Steel road wheels/return rollers

Improved rear hatch with pistol port

Stug III G type cupola featuring an MG 34 or MG 42 in a 360° Fliegerbeschussgerät

Improved tracks with increased traction

MG 34 in Kugelblende 80 (to shoot at soft targets)

Mounts for two instead of four spare wheels located in rear

 

Some more information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources used:

https://www.sturmpanzer.com/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=212&item=2&sec=2

https://usa1lib.org/book/5560123/48871b

https://usa1lib.org/book/5504401/585d02

https://usa1lib.org/book/755984/85a7a9

https://usa1lib.org/book/1087520/ac8a27

https://usa1lib.org/book/3203897/8d8ea2

https://www.scribd.com/document/329542404/Kagero-Photosniper-12-Sturmpanzer-IV-Brummbar

https://usa1lib.org/book/3360624/f05ea2
https://www.amazon.com/Achtung-Panther-Jagdpanther-Brummbar-Japanese/dp/4499226430

Edited July 18, 2022 by Chomusuke1

[Chomusuke1 1,219]

https://www.sturmpanzer.com/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=211&item=2&sec=1

https://www.sturmpanzer.com/Default.aspx?tabindex=1&tabid=213&item=2&sec=3

http://downloads.sturmpanzer.com/Documents/Sturmpanzer/StuPz.03.pdf

Edited July 22, 2022 by Chomusuke1

[kurururocks 210]

Open for discussion

[Chomusuke1 1,219]

Edited August 31, 2022 by Chomusuke1

[Milocat 4,854]

+1 for a new Brummbar, preferably for tech tree.  

[JamesPond1200@psn 299]

A TT version please! +1

[Chomusuke1 1,219]

On 22/07/2022 at 18:31, Milocat said:

for tech tree

23 hours ago, JamesPond1200@psn said:

A TT version please

That is the idea since this one being suggested was the most common configuration

[Valcour 1,141]

+1. Oh yes!  This was the first AFV model I ever built as a child and I have loved it ever since.    Even if it is Boche!

 

 

Edited July 25, 2022 by Valcour

[Chomusuke1 1,219]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 26, 2022 by Chomusuke1

[memer4life9000@psn 36]

A tech tree version of the Sturmpanzer IV would be cool to have. +1 from me!

[-陆战型扎古II- 107]

This is suitable for tt considered we already have a prem version

[OddPhenomena 1,015]

This would be perfect for the tech tree, I'd really like to see more of Germany's assault gun type vehicles and this would be one of the stars of that type of vehicle. +1!

[Chomusuke1 1,219]