Was wondering if anyone can give me any info on this hetzer variant? Was it used? Was it even built? Just wondering as it looks kinda funky and I wanna build a few for my wargames army! RED
never seen that one before, are you sure its real. That looks like the 75mm gun from the SdKfz 251/9, along with its sight.
Aint got a clue Bish, I saw it today on a modelling forum, the guy who built it says that it is a 'real Germen vehicle' but I have never seen it, and I have seen most! But it does look cute though...
I've never seen this variant either (and, I've seen most even some very strange and one-off ones). As far as I know the only Hetzer variants produced were a flamethrower version (small numbers), a Bergepanzer, and a 150mm infantry gun (very small numbers) and the standard 75mm gun version. I would be more comfortable believing it was produced if the modeller produced a source or two documenting the vehicle.
Found this one but no mention of the baby version... Does seema pointless use of the Hetzer chassis, putting a short 75 into it...
Info for the above pic... "150 Schwere Infanteriegeschütz 33/2 (Sf) auf Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer: 6 converted and 24 produced. First models were available December 1944. Based on the Bergepanzer 38(t) chassis. Had additional raised superstructure installed with 150 mm sIG 33/2. Were issued to the schwere Infanteriegeschütz company in armored infantry regiments."
Got a feeling yoyur first one could be this vehicle. Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 7.5cm KwK 38L/24. If it is that it never got operational, and this is the first pic i've seen of it. As for the second vehicle, where did you get your info. I believe that was commonly reffered to as the Grille, and i think they mostly saw service in North Africa, but that means it was bult well before 1944.
Sorry to contracdict you Bish OBE I also thought about the 140/1, but frontal armour and gun mantlet are diferent! Best Regards Clausewitz
No, Bish, the Grille was, roughly speaking in configuration terms, a Marder III adapted for the 15cm infantry gun. I don't think even these went to Afrika, the SPGs I remember there were the 15cm on PzkfwII chassis (Bison) and on Lorraine Schleppper. What is incredibel to me, as it was to a lot of people includig Guderian and Speer so I'm in good company is the bewildering variety of stuff. How many chassis were ther mounting the same 7.5 L/24? Sdkfz251, Sdkfz250, Sdkfz 232, Sdkfz 234, now the Hetzer? Couldn't these people make their minds? The 7.5 Pak was even worse!
ye, your probably right. I'm going off pure memory as all my books have been in storage for a year. But your mention of the Bison brings back the image i was thinking of. Thanks.
Looks like Bish is right... Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 7.5cm KwK37 L/24. "One of the most interesting conversions was Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) - Sd.Kfz.141/1. They were used as reconnaissance vehicles fitted with "Hangelafette" turret (20mm KwK 38 L/55 gun and MG42 - used in armored cars) or armed with 75mm KwK 37 L/24 (and MG42) gun mounted in the modified superstructure. Only 50 to 70 Aufklarungspanzer 38(t) armed with 20mm gun were built from late 1943 to early 1944 and only 2 Aufklarungspanzer 38(t) armed with 75mm gun were built in 1944." And the Grille (Bison)... All from www.achtungpanzer.com
The differences are probably down to ease of modelling by the maker... But I think that is what the guy is trying to represent. Only 2 built... Well I guess one could join my wargames army...
Red Baron If you want one in 1/72 and plastic, Attack has one! Probably(sp?) you already knew this, but info is allways Info best Regards Clausewitz
Red Baron Don't know their site However you can try these e-shops http://www.tracks-n-troops.com/ http://www.hannants.co.uk Best regards Clausewitz PS- I will try a fast search in the net
