Creating the Battle of the Bulge.....Wacht Am Rhine (1 Viewer)

but where the weather had closed in, neither side had direct air support...........
 

Attachments

  • 138kcred.jpg
    138kcred.jpg
    24.9 KB · Views: 448
K&C 150mm infantry gun on t38 chassis............

029kcred.jpg

range of effective support around 4500 yards?

023kcred.jpg



http://www.wwiivehicles.com/germany/self-propelled/bison.asp

Germany's 15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Grille, SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket", "Bison";
15cm schwerer Infanteriegeschütz 33/1 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (SF) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1 "Cricket",
15 cm S.I.G. 33 auf GW 38(t), SdKfz 138/13:

sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Self Propelled Gun
sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H Self Propelled Gun
sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K Self Propelled Gun
Design

Development of the sIG 33 PzKpfw 38(t) started in late 1942.4
Conversions

Some of the early models were converted when they came back to the factory for work.4 The sIG 33 gun was mounted on the body with an armored shield built around it.4 The engine area was covered so it could store ammunition.4
Prototype

Alkett delivered a prototype based in the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H chassis.4 An ordered was placed for 200 to be built on the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K chassis.4 These chassis weren't ready so the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H chassis was used initially in production.4
Production

The PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M chassis was used for the majority of production.4

  • sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H: February 19434 - April 1943: 901
    • Chassis #s: 1601-21001
    • Manufacturer: BMM1
  • sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K: April 1943 - June 1943, October 1943 - September 1944: 2821
    • Chassis #s: 2101-1
    • Manufacturer BMM1
      • Chassis: BMW-Alkett3
      • Gun: Rheinmetall-Borsig3
  • sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M:
Variants


  • 15cm sIG 33(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf H, SdKfz 138/1: Used Czechoslovakian 38(t) Ausf H chassis and was converted by Alkett. Engine was mounted in rear to expedite production.4 The fighting compartment was extended over the engine.
    In June 1944, there were 12 issued (6 each) to the 38th Panzer schwere Infanteriegeschütz Abteilung of the 2nd Panzer Division.
  • 15cm sIG 33/1(SF) auf PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf K, SdKfz 138/1: Produced by Böhmisch-Mährisch. The engine was mounted in the front and the gun towards the rear.3,4 Maximum range 4,700 meters. Used FuG16 radio.1
    The gun fired a 83.8 lb HE shell at a muzzle velocity of 787'/sec. to a range of 5,140 yards.3
  • 15cm sIG 33 Ausf M:
  • ??: Ammunition carrier.4 Used the PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf M chassis.4
Usage

They served in Russia, Tunisia, Italy, and France.
They were issued to the schwere Infanteriegeschütz companies of the Panzergrenadier regiments.
Issued to Panzergrenadier regiments from early 1943 and served on all fronts.
Late War

As of February 1945 there were still 173 Grilles still being used.4
Bison Bison Ausf H Bison Ausf K Grille 15cm Heavy Infantry SPG Ausf M4 Crew 5 51 41,3 44 Physical Characteristics Weight 10.8 tons2 25,760 lb, 25,353 lb
11.5 tons1 26,880 lb, 26,455 lb
12 tons1, 12.7 tons3 12 tons4
12,192 kg4 Length w/gun 4.84 m2 15' 1.5"
4.61 m1 16' 2.75", 16.7'3
4.95 m1 16' 3"4
4.95 m4 Length w/o gun Height 2.15 m2 7' 10.5"
2.4 m1 8' 1", 8.2'3
2.47 m1 8' 1"4
2.47 m4 Width 2.26 m2 7' 1"
2.16 m1 7', 7.3'3
2.15 m1 7' 1"4
2.15 m4 Width over tracks Ground clearance 16"3 Ground contact length 102.75"3 Ground pressure 10.1 psi3 Turret ring diameter Armament Main 15cm siG33/1 L/12 150 mm sIG33/1 L/121 150 mm sIG33/21
15 cm s.I.G. 33, L/113 5.91" sIG 33/24
15 cm sIG 33/24 Secondary MG 7.92 MG34 7.92 MG341 7.92 MG341 1: 0.312" MG344
1: 7.92 mm MG344 Side arms Quantity Main 151 153, 181 184 Secondary MG Side arms Armor Thickness (mm) Front: 152
Side: 152 Front: 0.75"3
Side: 0.5"3 154 Hull Front, Upper 25@12°1 10@67°1 Hull Front, Lower 50@15°1 20@15°1 Hull Sides, Upper 151 10@15°1 Hull Sides, Lower 15@0°1 15@0°1 Hull Rear 15@10°1 & 15@16°1 10@0°1 & 10@41°1 Hull Top open1 8@90°1 Hull Bottom 8@90°1 10@90°1 Superstructure Front Gun shield: 15@12°1 0.44"3
Gun shield: 10@9°1 Superstructure Sides 0.38"3
Gun shield: 10@16°1 Superstructure Rear Gun shield: 10@17°1 Superstructure Top open1 Engine (Make / Model) Praga EPA/2 Praga EPA/21 Praga AC1
Praga THNP3 Praga AC4 Bore / stroke Cooling Water3 Cylinders I-63 64 Capacity Net HP 1502 1253 1504 Power to weight ratio Compression ratio Transmission (Type) 5 forward, 1 reverse 5 forward, 1 reverse1 Praga-Wilson preselective3
5 forward, 1 reverse.1,3 Steering Clutch brake3 Steering ratio Starter Hand and electric3 Electrical system 12-volt3 Ignition Magneto3 Fuel (Type) Petrol4 Octane Quantity Road consumption Cross country consumption Performance Traverse 5° left, 5° right1
hand1 ±5°3
5° left, 5° right1
hand1 Max speed 22 mph
47 kph2 21.7 mph
35 kph1 22 mph3
35 kph1 26 mph4
42 kph4 Cross country speed Road radius 185 km1 115 miles3
190 km1 118 miles4
190 km4 Cross country radius 87 miles3 Turning radius Elevation limits -3° to +72°1, -3° to +72°3, -0° to +73°1 Fording depth 34.5"3 Trench crossing 6.3'3 Vertical obstacle 33.5"3 Climbing ability 30° (57%) slope3 Suspension (Type) Wheels on 2 bogies with 1/2 elliptic springs3 Wheels each side 43 Return rollers each side Tracks (Type) Dry pin3 Length Width 12.25"3 (shoe 11.5")3 Diameter Number of links 933 Pitch 4.25"3 Tire tread Track centers/tread 5.9'3 Sources:

  1. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two, Peter Chamberlain and Hilary Doyle, 1999
  2. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  3. Tank Data, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, 1968?
  4. World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
 
I haven't said this in a while but I enjoy seeing your pictures Kevin.
 
pz4 moving into position before an attack near Dom Butgenbach
 

Attachments

  • 043fred1.jpg
    043fred1.jpg
    34.7 KB · Views: 506
  • 106fred.jpg
    106fred.jpg
    32.2 KB · Views: 346
What is the make of the buildings you have in the first picture of your first post? They are very neat.

Tyler Matos
 
The grey ones were formatech, very cheap, later painted v badly by me.

The best are from JGM miniatures available direct or from dealers like K&CUK.
 
Taking care of the wounded

picture.php
 
But what's nice about it Louis as you eek! as an envier:D:D he's providing Kevin's US Trooper with the Medical support he's in need of. Thanks for joining in Lawrence and hope you continue to.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2024 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top