1:35 German Sturmgeschutz IV Kit
Item #35087

DESCRIPTION
About the German Sturmgeschutz IV

The Sturmgeschuetz (storm or assault gun) was developed in the
1936-39 period to provide armoured support for the infantry. This
came about largely because the new tanks being produced were
destined for the panzer (armoured) divisions. In a battlefield
situation there was no guarantee that tanks from an armoured
division would be available to support the infantry. Thus the
idea of the assault gun regiment organic to an infantry division
came about. The new assault gun developed was based on the
Panzerkampfwagen III Designated Strumgeschuetze III, the assault
gun had a low superstructure with its main armament mounted in
the superstructure front and given limited travers.
Pre-production vehicles were battle-tested in the invasion of
France in May 1940, and then ordered into large scale production.


The original idea was for a vehicle able to give fire support for
the infantry, but it was soon discovered that an anti-tank
capability was even more important. Later models of the StuG III
led to the StuG 40 in early 1942, a StuG III with either a 7.5cm
Sturmkanone 40 L/43 or (later) a Sturmkanone 40 L/48. In 1943,
production of the Pzkpfw III was phased out as being at the end
of its development as a gun tank. Because of the great losses of
tanks on the Russian front General Guderian suggested that StuG
III vehicles be issued to tank divisions as they were cheaper,
simpler and quicker to build than tanks. This would have created
an even bigger increase in StuG III output which was already
insufficient to meet demands. So it was decided in a conference
with Hitler in November 1943 to use the chassis of the
Panzerkampfwagen IV. The object was to use this new
Strumgeschuetze IV for the panzer divisions. This would greatly
simplify maintenance as the panzer divisions. This would greatly
simplify maintenance as the panzer divisions were all equipped
with the Panzer IV tank. A prototype was already in a month,
using a superstructure from StuG III production output. As the
Panzer IV chassis was 46cm longer, and 8cm lower than the StuG
III it was necessary to weld in an extra forward deckplate, and
superstructure side strips, to fill the gaps. On the left front
of the superstructure an armoured box (with two periscopes and a
hatch) was built forward to cover the driving position.

Production started in December 1943, Krupp-Gruson of Magdeburg
the builders. Total production was about 1000 vehicles. StuG Ivs
equipped the third battalions of some tank regiments in place of
tanks. Early models were on the Pzkpfw IV Ausf H chassis but most
were on the Ausf J chassis. Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating was
common, and some had ferro-concrete added on the superstructure
front for added protection. Crew: 4, combat weight 23 tons, top
speed 24mph (road), 15mph (cross country), ammunition: 63 rds (AP
39, AP 40, HE), armour : 85mm (max) 10mm (min). Other details as
PzIV.