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Heuschrecke 10

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Waffenträger redirects here because the name Waffenträger was used to describe the Heuschrecke 10.
Heuschrecke 10
File:Waffentrager.jpg
A white Heuschrecke 10 on display.
TypePrototype self-propelled gun or self-propelled Howitzer[1][2] and Artillery[3]
Place of originNazi Germany Nazi Germany
Specifications
Mass23000 kg - 50706.3 lbs
Length6.00 m - 19.69 ft
Width3.00 m - 9.84 ft
Height3.00 m - 9.84 ft
Crew5 men (commander, 3 gunners and driver)
ArmorA range of 10 mm to 30 mm (See below)

Front Superstructure - 30 mm or 1.18 inches
Front Hull - 30 mm or 1.18 inches
Front Turret - 30 mm or 1.18 inches
Gun Mantlet - 30 mm or 1.18 inches
Side Superstructure - 16 mm or 0.63 inches
Side Hull - 16 mm or 0.63 inches
Side Turret - 16 mm or 0.63 inches
Rear Superstructure - 16 mm or 0.63 inches
Rear Hull - 16 mm or 0.63 inches
Rear Turret - 16 mm or 0.63 inches
Top Superstructure - 10 mm or 0.39 inches
Top/Bottom Hull - 10 mm or 0.39 inches

Top Turret - 10 mm or 0.39 inches
Main
armament
105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28
EngineMaybach HL 90 / 12-cylinder / Template:Auto hp
Suspensionleaf spring
Operational
range
On a road : 300 km - 186.4 m
Maximum speed 45 km/h - 27.96 mph

The Heuschrecke 10 (German: Grasshopper 10) was a self-propelled gun and Waffenträger (German: Weapon carrier) prototype developed by Krupp-Gruson in 1942 to 1943.[3][4] The Heuschrecke 10 initially utilised a shortened Panzerkampfwagen IV chassis,[5] but was later switched to the Geschützwagen IV chassis developed for the Hummel.[6] The Heuschrecke featured a removable turret that could be deployed as a pillbox or towed behind the vehicle as an artillery piece. Production of the Heuschrecke was to start in February 1945, but the model never entered production.[4] The official designation of the tank was the 10.5cm leFH18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger GW IVb.

Development

Design

The Heuschrecke 10 was constructed to provide greater mobility to the 105 mm field howitzer.[7] The turret was removable and could be used in concrete fortifications or from the ground. Although the howitzer could be fired from the chassis, the vehicle was designed to carry the artillery piece to a firing emplacement and then remove it before firing.[1] The lifting gantry, or crane, for the removal of the turret was located on the chassis.[3][5] The turretless vehicle could be used as an ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle.[7] The vehicle was to be a replacement for the Wespe starting from May of 1944. In 1943, Krupp produced 3 prototypes (Serial Numbers 582501 - 582503) that were designated as either Heuschrecke 10 or Heuschrecke IVb.[3] Design lasted from May 1943 to May 1944 and had reached the production stage.[4]

Competition

The Heuschrecke 10 that was designed by Krupp was similar in design to a vehicle built by Alkett/Rhinemetall-Borsig, the 10.5cm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, which was ready in March 1944. The competing Rhinemetall-Borsig model had overall performance slightly better than that of Krupps' vehicle. It was decided, however, to utilise an alternate chassis on the Rhinemetall-Borsig model, the Panzerkampfwagen IV, or Panzer IV. Production was to start in October of 1944.[5] In December 1944, it was decided to instead produce the vehicle on the Geschutzwagen IV chassis. Production was to start in February 1945, but none were produced.[4][3]

Modern Day Result of the Development

The M60A1 is an armored vehicle used for launching and retrieving a 60 feet (18 m) scissors-type bridge.[8] The M60A1 has the launcher on its chassis, which is a different version of the launching mechanism found on the Heuschrecke 10, but its functionalities are still quite similar. The M104 is a second example of this. The M104 has the same design for its launching mechanism is also placed on the chassis, showing that it is something that the Heuschrecke 10 was a precursor to it.[9] Most of the Armoured vehicle-launched bridges are designed so that the launcher is attached to the chassis.[10]

Armament and propulsion

The prototype turret was armed with the 105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer). The production models had the 105 mm LeFH 43 L/28, which was planned to be used. 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.[4][7]

References

  1. ^ a b "The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War Two - Heuschrecke 10". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ "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)
  3. ^ a b c d e "Panzerlexikon: Deutsche Prototypen" (in German). {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e "Achtung Panzer! Heuschrecke 10". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b c "The Air and Missile Defense Journal". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Selbstfahrlafette "Heuschrecke"" (in German). {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b c "Fortune City Heuschrecke 10". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ "M60A1 Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB)". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "M104 Wolverine". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Armoured vehicle-launched bridge". {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
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