Heuschrecke 10
- Waffenträger and Heuschrecke redirect here because the names Waffenträger and Heuschrecke are the informal name to describe the Heuschrecke 10.
| Heuschrecke 10 | |
|---|---|
| File:Waffentrager.jpg A Heuschrecke 10 in winter camouflage on display. | |
| Type | Prototype self-propelled howitzer[1][2][3] |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 23000 kilograms - 50706.3 lb |
| Height | 3.00 meters - 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 - 186.4 m |
| Maximum speed | 45 kilometers per hour - 27.96 mph (45.00 km/h) |
The Heuschrecke 10 (German: Grasshopper 10) was a self-propelled gun and Waffenträger (German: Weapon carrier) prototype development by Krupp-Gruson, which lasted from 1943 to 1944.[3][4] Only 3 prototypes were produced in 1942-1943 by Krupp, and these were indicated as Heuschrecke 10.[5] The manufacturers were based in Magdeburg. The Heuschrecke 10 initially made use of a shortened Panzerkampfwagen IV chassis, 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 10.5 cm leFH18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger GW IVb. It was being developed to be used as a new Self-propelled artillery weapon.
Development
Design
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 turretless vehicle could be used as an ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle.[5] Design started in 1942 when Krupp-Gruson began designing a new type of self-propelled artillery.[4]
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][5]
Developmental history
The Heuschrecke 10 was constructed to provide greater mobility to the 105 mm field howitzer.[5] The turret was removable and could be used in concrete fortifications or from the ground. The lifting gantry, or crane, for the removal of the turret was located on the chassis. 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)[4] that were designated as either the Heuschrecke 10 or the Heuschrecke IVb.
Competition
The Heuschrecke 10 that was designed by Krupp was similar in design to a vehicle built by Alkett/Rhinemetall-Borsig, the 10.5 centimeter leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, which was ready in March 1944. The Alkett/Rhinemetall-Borsig version was to be built by Deutsche Eisenwerke.[5] 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. In December 1944, it was decided to instead produce the vehicle on the Geschutzwagen IV chassis. Production was then to start in February 1945, but none were produced.[4][3]
Comparison of Specifications
| Specifications | Krupp-Gruson | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 23000 kilograms | 25000 kilograms |
| Crew | 5 men | 5 men |
| Engine | Maybach HL 90 / 12-cylinder / Template:Auto hp | Maybach HL 90 / 12-cylinder / Template:Auto hp |
| Speed | 45 kilometers per hour | 45 kilometers per hour |
| Range | Road: 300kilometers | Road:v300kilometers |
| Length | 6.00 meters | 6.80 meters |
| Width | 3.00 meters | 3.00 meters |
| Height | 3.00 meters | 2.90 meters |
| Armament | 105 millimeterm leFH 18/1 L/28 | 105 millimeter leFH 18/40/2 L/28 |
| Ammunition | 105 millimeter - 60 rounds | 105 millimeter - 80 rounds |
| Armor (millimeter/angle) | Front Superstructure: 30/20
|
Front Superstructure: 30/20
|
Sd.Kfz.165/1
Krupp, in late September of 1939, first designed the "first real self-propelled artillery piece." In the beginning of January, after a series of tests, it were accepted by the army. Krupp-Gruson, in 1941, was based in Magdeburg, where it built prototype vehicles armed with 105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer) gun based on modified Panzerkampfwagen IV's chassis (Sd.Kfz.161).[4] The prototypes where then fitted with a much smaller 6-cylinder Maybach HL66P engine. The engine had power capacity of Template:Auto horsepower. Only 10 prototypes were completed by Krupp-Gruson from August to December of 1942, although 200 were ordered from Krupp.[4]
Specifications
| Specifications | Sd.Kfz.165/1 |
|---|---|
| Weight | 18000 kilograms |
| Crew | 4 men |
| Engine | Maybach HL 66 / 6-cylinder / Template:Auto hp |
| Speed | 35 kilometers per hour |
| Range | Road: 240 kilometers / Cross-Country: 130 kilometers |
| Capacity | 410 liters |
| Length | 5.90 meters |
| Width | 2.87 meters |
| Height | 2.25 meters |
| Armament | 105 millimeter leFH 18/1 L/28 |
| Ammunition | 105 millimeter - 60 rounds |
| Armor (millimeter/angle) | Front Superstructure: 30/10
|
References
- ^ 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) - ^ "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 c "Panzerlexikon: Deutsche Prototypen".
- ^ a b c d e f g h i
"Achtung Panzer! Heuschrecke 10".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e "Fortune City Heuschrecke 10".
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ "Selbstfahrlafette "Heuschrecke"" (in German).
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help)
Other Images
- Photos
- Photo 2 and 3
- Many Photos and Page 2
| Tanks |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Self-propelled artillery | ||
| Assault guns | ||
| Tank destroyers (Panzerjäger, Jagdpanzer) | ||
| Half-tracks | ||
| Armored cars | ||
| Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns |
| |
| Demolition vehicles | ||
| Experimental/prototype vehicles | ||
| Proposed designs | ||
| Designations | ||