Heuschrecke 10
- Waffenträger and Heuschrecke redirect here because the names Waffenträger and Heuschrecke are the informal names used to describe the Heuschrecke 10.
| Heuschrecke 10 | |
|---|---|
 A Heuschrecke 10 in winter camouflage on display. | |
| Type | Prototype self-propelled howitzer[1][1][2] |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 23 Tonnes |
| Height | 9.84 ft (3.00 m) |
| Crew | 5 men (commander, 3 gunners and driver) |
| Armor | Listed below |
Main armament | 105 millimeter leFH 18/1 L/28 |
| Engine | Maybach HL 90 / 12-cylinder / Template:Auto hp |
| Suspension | leaf spring |
Operational range | On a road : 300 kilometers - 186 miles |
| Maximum speed | 27.96 mph (45.00 km/h) |
The Heuschrecke 10 (German: Grasshopper 10) was a prototype self-propelled gun and Waffenträger (German: "Weapon carrier") developed by Krupp-Gruson between 1943 and 1944. The official designation of the vehicle was 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger Geschützwagen IVb and it was to be built in Magdeburg, Germany. The Heuschrecke featured a removable turret that could be deployed as a pillbox or towed behind the vehicle as an artillery piece.
Krupp produced only three prototypes from 1942–1943, which were given serial numbers 582501–582503. The Heuschrecke initially made use of a shortened Panzerkampfwagen IV (Panzer IV) chassis, but was later switched to the Geschützwagen IV chassis developed for the Hummel self propelled gun. Mass production of the Heuschrecke 10 was scheduled to start in February 1945, but never eventuated.
History
Precursor
Towards the end of September 1939, Krupp designed the "first real self-propelled artillery piece",[3][4] the Sonderkraftfahrzeug 165/1 (Special Purpose Vehicle 165/1, abbreviated Sd.Kfz. 165/1). The Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was similar in design to the Heuschrecke, but did not have the chassis mounted launching mechanism to remove the turret.[3][4]
After a series of tests, the Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was accepted by the Wehrmacht in early January 1940. In 1941, Krupp built prototype vehicles armed with the 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer 18/1 L/28, abbreviated leFH 18/1 L/28) cannon based on a modified Panzer IV chassis.[3][4] The prototypes were fitted with a smaller 6-cylinder Maybach HL66P engine, which had a power capacity of Template:Auto horsepower. Although 200 vehicles were ordered, Krupp completed only 10 prototypes in the last four months of 1942.[3][4]
Development
The design phase of the Heuschrecke began in 1942, when Krupp began a new type of self-propelled artillery.[3][4] In 1943, Krupp produced three prototypes (Serial Numbers 582501–582503) that were designated as either the Heuschrecke 10 or the Heuschrecke IVb.[3][4] The Heuschrecke was intended as a replacement for the Wespe, an older self-propelled howitzer, as of May of 1944. This was because it possessed thicker armour, the proven Panzer IV chassis and a removable turret.
The vehicle was intended for use in the Soviet Union to assist the attempted take-over of Moscow. It was meant to replace the tanks and artillery that were lost in the Battle of Voronezh, in which the Hungarians had retreated, losing their equipment, tanks and artillery in the process. The Heuschrecke was to serve as a dual purpose replacement weapon-carrier, being a quick replacement for the lost artillery and, with the turret in place, an equivalent to the Panzer IV tank.[5]
Similar Vehicle
The Heuschrecke designed by Krupp was similar in design to a vehicle built by Alkett/Rhinemetall-Borsig, the 105 mm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, which was ready in March 1944. The competing Rhinemetall-Borsig model had overall slightly better performance than that of Krupps' vehicle. It was decided, however, to utilise an alternate chassis on the Rhinemetall-Borsig model; that of the Panzer IV. Production was to start in October of 1944 but the chassis choice was changed to that of the Geschützwagen IV in December 1944. Production was then intended to commence in February 1945, but none were produced.[3][2][4]
Cancellation
The development of the Heuschrecke was canceled in February 1943.[6][4] The cancellation occurred so as to further enable the construction of Panzer IV tanks. The Nazi high-command thought that the production of the Heuschrecke would disrupt the production of the Panzer tanks that were needed to defend Germany from the attacking Allies.[7] The quantity of materials that were needed for the construction of weapon-carriers were so great that companies like Krupp were told to stop production.[8] The majority of the weapon-carriers never left the production stage. The Heuschrecke was seen as viable by the General of the Wehrmacht during the Second World War, Heinz Guderian, who thought that they would allow for more versatile circumstances.[5][7][9] Guderian agreed though that their development was not worth the disruption to tank production.[7]
Description
Turret
The distinguishing feature of the Heuschrecke was a removable turret. A lifting gantry (crane) attached to the chassis could remove the turret for use on concrete fortifications or the ground.[7] Although the howitzer could also be fired from the chassis, the vehicle was designed to carry the artillery piece to a firing emplacement for removal before firing.[1] The turretless vehicle could be used as an ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle.[5] The prototype turret was armed with the 105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28. The production models, however, were to have the 105 mm leFH 43 L/28.
Chassis
The Heuschrecke consisted of a welded steel hull, with a thickness ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters,[3][4] with sloped armour so that incoming fire would be deflected more effectively. It had a large ammunition stowage making it one of the chosen ammunition-carriers to help alleviate the losses.[5]
The original prototype engine that was to be used was the 12-cylinder Maybach HL90, but for the production models, the 12-cylinder Maybach HL100 was chosen.[3][10][4] The Heuschrecke's gearbox had four forward gears and one reverse gear ratio. The first and second gears delivered equal speed, but the second provided more torque. The third and fourth gears provided more speed than the former two.
Weight
The Heuschrecke weighed 23 tonnes,[10] less than the Soviet SU-122, which weighed 30.9 tonnes,[11] and the Canadian Sexton which weighed approximately 25.86 tonnes. The American M7 Priest weighed approximately 22.97 tonnes, slightly less than the Heuschrecke.[12] It was also less than the Panzer IV which the Heuschrecke derived its chassis from.[6] The Panzer IV weighed only 500 kg more than the Heuschrecke.[6] The only German self-propelled howitzer that weighed less than the Heuschrecke was the Wespe, which weighed only 11 tonnes.[13]
Specification comparison
| Specifications | Sonderkraftfahrzeug.165/1 | Krupp-Gruson | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 18,000 kilograms | 23 tonnes | 25 tonnes |
| Crew | 4 men | 5 men | 5 men |
| Engine | Maybach HL 66 / 6-cylinder / Template:Auto hp | Maybach HL 100 12-cylinder / Template:Auto hp | Maybach HL 90 12-cylinder / Template:Auto hp |
| Speed | 35 kilometers per hour | 45 km/h | 45 km/h |
| Range | Road: 240 kilometers / Cross-Country: 130 kilometers | Road: 300 km | Road: 300 km |
| Capacity | 410 liters | ||
| Length | 5.90 meters | 6.00 m | 6.80 m |
| Width | 2.87 meters | 3.00 m | 3.00 m |
| Height | 2.25 meters | 3.00 m | 2.90 m |
| Armament | 105 millimeter leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 | 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 | 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/40/2 L/28 |
| Ammunition | 105 millimeter - 60 rounds | 60 rounds | 80 rounds |
| Armor (millimeter/angle) | Front Superstructure: 30/10
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See also
References
- ^ a b c "Heuschrecke 10 (EoWoWWII)". The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. Vol. 1. Sterling Publishing
Company, Inc. p. 540. ISBN 1586637622.
{{cite encyclopedia}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|accessdate=(help); line feed character in|publisher=at position 20 (help) - ^ a b "Panzerlexikon: Deutsche Prototypen" (in German).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Achtung Panzer! Heuschrecke 10".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Panzer Hit - Heuschrecke 10".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d "Pz.Kpfw IV (Sonderkraftfahrzeug.161, 161/1, 161/2)".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c "Achtung Panzer - Pz4".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d Panzerkampfwagen IV Medium Tank 1936–1945. Osprey Publishing. 1999. ISBN 1855328437.
- ^ Panther Variants, 1942-45. Osprey Publishing. 1997. ISBN 1855324768.
- ^ "Achtung Panzer! - Heinz Guderian".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessdaymonth=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b "Selbstfahrlafette "Heuschrecke"" (in German).
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Military Factory - SU-122".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "WWII Vehicles - M7 Priest".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Achtung Panzer - Wespe".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
External links
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| Tank destroyers (Panzerjäger, Jagdpanzer) | ||
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| Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns |
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| Experimental/prototype vehicles | ||
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