10,5 cm leFH 18/6 L/28 auf Waffenträger IVb Heuschrecke 10

[Ghostmaxi 873]

I would like to suggest the 10,5 cm LeFH 18/6 auf Waffenträger IVb Heuschrecke 10.

 

It is an Geschützwagen III/IV, similar to the Nashorn and Hummel, but instead of an big open fighting compartment, it retains more of the Pz IV hull, beeing equipped with an open top turret with 360° traverse and an 10,5 cm LeFH 18/6 L/28.

 

It was designed in 1942 by Krupp-Grusonwerke and construction started in June 1943 on the basis of the Hummel. The whole development was a competition with Alket Rheinmetall-Borsig.

Sources state that 1 to 3 were build and 1 surviving example is still in existence, beeing in restored condition at the US Army Fort Sill in Oklahoma.

The idea behind the vehicles, where to have an mobile self propelled 10,5 cm LeFH, which could be fired from the vehicle or dismounted as a static or towed gun. For this reason it also had an hydraulic lifting framework that swung upright into position and could be used to lift up the turret and place it behind the hull, so that the hull itself could also be used as an ammo carrier. After a long development and worsening war situation with the ever growing need of materials and normal Pz IVs, it was decided to abandon the Waffenträger IVb and settle instead for the more cheaper Wespe.

 

Why i would like to see it in game: It is a rather unique vehicle, mounting an quite good and fun gun, which is currently only found on the StuH 42 G, but instead of thick armor, this vehicle will be only lightly protected (30mm) but instead have an 360° turret while also beeing more mobile. It will add another fun slightly derpy gun to the lower brs, which can in return be an helping hand in case of uptiers, beeing overall similar (yet a bit better) like the japanese Chi-Ha SG

 

Spoiler

 

Waffenträger IVb Specifications

Dimensions (L x W x H)6.57 m x 2.9 m x 2.65 m

Weight 17,3t

Crew5 (commander, driver, gunner, 2x loaders)

Engine: Maybach HL 120TRM 12-cylinder water cooled gasoline/petrol engine, 300 hp

Fuel capacity 360 liters

Top road speed 40 km/h (24 mph)

Operational range (road) 225 km (140 miles)

Main Armament 10,5 cm leFH 18/6 howitzer with 87 rounds

Hull Armor Front 30 mm
Sides and Rear 16 mm – 20 mm

Turret Armor Front 30 mm
Sides and Rear 15 mm

Total built1 or 3

 

The Gun is the 10,5 cm LeFH 18/6, it is performance wise identical to the normal one and to the in game StuH 42, but adapted for turret mounting.

10,5 cm 10 sec reload (aced) -10° to +40° and 360° traverse

87 rounds of Aphe, He and Heat (and by british source also Apcbc Pzgr Rot)

 

Pzgr. Aphe 14 kg 475 m/s 238g (304,64g aquivalent) filler 70mm/10m

F.H. Gr. He 14,81 kg 472 m/s 1,75 kg filler 22mm/all

Gr. 39 Rot Hl/B Heat 12,35 kg 495 m/s 2,53 kg filler aquivalent 100mm/all

Gr. 39 Rot Hl/C Heat 12,35 kg 495 m/s 2,53 kg filler aquivalent 115mm/all

 

F.H. Gr. Nb. Smoke 13,9 kg 472 m/s 50g smokestuff dont expect much

 

Source: 

German Explosive Ordanance Projectiles and Projectile Fuzes

Geschoßringbuch Band I

Merkblatt fpr die Munition der leichten Feldhaubitze 18

German Self propelled Weapons by Peter Chamberlain & H.L. Doyle

Artillerie Selbstfahrlafetten Panzer Tracts No 10

German Artillery at war 1939-1945

[Headnaught 502]

Approved and open for discussion.

[ACR_1990_N64@psn 258]

Here's another source on the vehicle when the US Military took home a example. They claimed eight in total were created.

 

Spoiler

 

[Spr4yz 59]

A really cool vehicle, and a 105mm in 360-degree turret is definitely something different for the German low tier. Planes will (as always) be a pain in the butt, especially in this thing with an open roof turret.

Also, it looks like there could be a co-driver next to the normal one. Is this the case? That would be super helpful if it is, with more crew members increasing survivability.

[Milocat 4,854]

+1, would love to see this added to the game!

[JamesPond1200@psn 299]

Always thought this should be in the game. +1

[Ghostmaxi 873]

12 hours ago, Spr4yz said:

Also, it looks like there could be a co-driver next to the normal one. Is this the case? That would be super helpful if it is, with more crew members increasing survivability.

Sadly, no, only the Radioman.

[Spr4yz 59]

1 hour ago, Ghostmaxi said:

Sadly, no, only the Radioman.

Haha, that's kind of what I meant, just a sixth crew member in general. I should have been a bit more clear, sorry about that.

[Chris4win 366]

+1 looks cool. I like the turret design