StuG III Thread (and also other German vehicles I guess)

[EnsignExpendable]

Oh hey, it's that bear insignia. I swear, every model kit of an early war German tank has that as a decal option. I guess they took the most photos.

[Walter_Sobchak]

Oh hey, it's that bear insignia. I swear, every model kit of an early war German tank has that as a decal option. I guess they took the most photos.

As I understand it, the bear insignia represents the "Berlin Bear" which was used as a symbol of the Third Panzer Division.  

[Walter_Sobchak]

So I suppose we should give some credit to the Leopard 2.  In the recent Strong Europe Tank Challenge competition, three of the six competing countries were equipped with Leopard 2 tanks.  These three countries came in first, second and third.  

 

First prize: Germany (Leopard 2A6)

Second prize: Denmark (Leopard 2A5)

Third prize: Poland (Leopard 2A5)

 

Other competitors:

 

USA (M1A2)

Italy (Ariete)

Slovenia (M-84)

[EnsignExpendable]

GERMANY STRONK

 

[LoooSeR]

Grosstractor

[LoooSeR]

Puma IFV

[Walter_Sobchak]

So apparently the latest version of the Leopard 2 emits some sort of smoke even when it's just sitting in the garage?

 

[Scolopax]

Interestingly, it seems that it is carrying the L/44.

 

Also, that video made me slightly nauseous.  Bad marketing is bad. 

[LoooSeR]

Puma IFV

[EnsignExpendable]

 

StuG with a 20 mm AA gun rail.

[Khand-e]

So apparently the latest version of the Leopard 2 emits some sort of smoke even when it's just sitting in the garage?

 

I didn't know Volkswagen made the Leopard 2.

[AutumnStorm]

 

StuG with a 20 mm AA gun rail.

I'm thinking StuG IV? Driver's compartment looks right. Didn't know there was a ring mount for 20mm, though.

[LoooSeR]

Leo 2RI

 

[EnsignExpendable]

I'm thinking StuG IV? Driver's compartment looks right. Didn't know there was a ring mount for 20mm, though.

 

Yeah, it's a StuG IV.

[Scolopax]

I've seen a few with the remote control MG, but a 20mm is new to me.  On any German tank, really.

[Walter_Sobchak]

I've seen a few with the remote control MG, but a 20mm is new to me.  On any German tank, really.

According to the facebook page for The Armor Journal (not to be confused with ARMOR, the official magazine of the armor branch):

 

A very unusual Sturmgeschuetz-IV equipped with a box-mantlet and, as it seems, a "Turmkranzlafette" with a 20mm KwK instead of the MG. This vehicle was one of 2 modified by the Luftwaffe and used by the 1353. StuG.Abteilung of the 353. Infanteriedivision and was ko´d by the US 78. ID on April 8th 1945 near Waldbrol, Germany. The pic was taken in summer 1946 by its former Driver, Hans-Joachim Schulz.

[EnsignExpendable]

A lightly damaged German tank, quite nearly ready for battle.

 

[SuperComrade]

What does that count as? 10% damaged?

[Priory_of_Sion]

[LoooSeR]

Driver will be completely Ok after tank armor penetration.

[LoooSeR]

 

Indonesian Leo2

[EnsignExpendable]

Driver will be completely Ok after tank armor penetration.

 

Kruppstahl cannot be penetrated, therefore why would you need to be able to exit quickly?

[Sturgeon]

Chieftain's Hatch on the Panther:
 

[Collimatrix]

The loader's hatch hinge design is hysterically over complicated.

[DogDodger]

That's how it goes. You should see the trunk hinges for a B7 Audi, for example. History repeats itself.