$11.95 PANZER TRACTS No.16 Bergepanzerwagen - Bergepanzer 38 to Bergepanther - Assembled by Thomas L. Jentz Scale Prints by Hilary Louis DoyleCover Photo: Bergepanzer 38 Fgst.Nr. 322678, completed at BMM in late February 1945, with an installed winch and spade. (WJS) ‘The seale prints by Hilary Louis Doyle, drawn originally in 1/24 scale, have heen reduced 69 percent to approximately 1/35th scale. Spielberger, Karlheinz Muench and Peter Chamberlain for Iso obtained from the Bundesarchiv- Thanks are especi providing copies of rare and unique photos. Photos were Bildarchiv and National Archives. Published by Panzer Tracts P.O.Box 334 Boyds, MD 20841 © Copyright Thomas L. Jentz 2004 ISBN 0-9744862-5-6 All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced in any fashion or by any means without the express written permission of the publisher.Bergepanzerwagen The first attempt at creation of fully tracked recovery vehicles was the conversion of VK 36.01 Fahrgestelle (chassis) by installing Seilwinde 22/40 (40 ton winches). Renamed the VKz 35.01, these were tended for recovering broken-down Tigers for which no other cross-country towing vehicle was available. The last report found on these vehicles, dated September 1942, states that Famo in Breslau was to produce the 40 ton Seilwinde. ‘The transmis- sion still needed to be modified to provide a power take-off to drive the winch, Maybach HL 210 engines were to be installed in the five VK 36.01 Fahrgestelle instead of Maybach HL 174 engines. However, no reports have been found stating that these conver- sions were actually completed, nor have any strength reports been found from Tiger units showing VKz 35.01 in their possession. In June 1943, 12 Panthers were completed by M.A.N. without turrets. Two each were issued to Pz.Abt.S1 and Pz.Abt.52 and first employed in oper- ation “Zitadelle” in July 1943. S.Pz.Jaeg. Abt.653 and s.Pz.Jaeg-Abt.654 were each issued one to tow broken-down Ferdinands (one was subsequently converted into a Befehlspanzer by mounting a Pz.Kpfw.IV turret). Three Tiger (P) VK 45.01 (P) chassis were also converted into Berge-Panzer VI in August 1943 and issued one per Kompanie to s.Pz.Jaeg-Abt.653. Finally, in July 1943 the first Bergepanzer- wagen, designed as recovery vehicles by installing a winch and adding a centered rear tow coupling to a Panther chassis, were completed at Henschel. These Bergepanther were issued to Panther-Abteil starting in August 1943 and to Tiger-Abteilungen starting in January 1944. ‘As a result of reports in the Fall of 1943 on the high percentage of inoperable Panzers and also due to the shortage of 18 ton Zugkraftwagen, a decision was made to convert other Panzer chassis into Berge- panzerwagen. Starting in March 1944, rebuilt Pz.Kpfw.III chassis were converted into Bergepanz~ erwagen III, and starting in October 1944 rebuilt Pz.Kpfw.IV chassis were converted into Bergepanz- erwagen IV. The superstructure sides of the Jagdpanzer 38 chassis were also cut down to design a ighter open-topped Bergepanzer 38, outfitted at first as a towing vehicle and later starting in Februai 1945 with a winch. 1¢ primary need for Bergepanzerwagen was to recover yehicles that had been damaged or had broken down on soft ground. Their cross-country mobility was their primary asset, not armor protec- tion, Data on the armor type and hardness for each type of Bergepanzer can be found in the Panzer ‘Tracts covering the basic Panzer. ‘These Bergepanzerwagen were outfitted with special equipment to aid in the repair of Panzers as well as in their recovery, including couplings for towing bars centered on the rear, wooden beams for pushing and unditching Panzers, jib-boom cranes for lifting heavy components, double pulleys with long heavy cables, winches with spades (in some vehicles), and the Panzerbergeanker for use in terrain where a suitable purchase like trees wasn’t available. In those cases where a Bergepanzerwagen wasn’t outfitted with a winch, the tracks could be broken and the drive sprocket wheel used as a winch capstan for pulling the steel cables. P.S, The Panzerkampfwagen I ohne Aufbau (vithout superstructure) was issued to Panzer-Kom- panie maintenance sections starting in 1939. Intended for cross-country transport of maintenance personnel and repair parts, it was first called the Instandsetzungswagen I in postwar publications. In 1944, three Tiger I were converted to “Berge-Tiger” in the field by s.Pz.Abt.509. All three were turned over to s.Pz.Abt.501 in September 1944 when the s.Pz,Abt.509 was ordered to refit with Tiger Is, To date, no photographs have been found showing the type of modifications made in creating these three “Berge-Tiger”. ‘The Tiger I, photographed in Italy, with a boom and winch mounted on the turret was not a recovery vehicle. It was a field conversion made Italy by s.Pz.Abt.508 for the purpose of laying charges for clearing mines and other obstacles. The Bergepanther Ausf.G did not have a mount on the glacis for a 2 cm Kw.K. or extensions welded to the superstructure sides as supports for the jib boom. Both features were added to the surviving Bergepanther Ausf.G during museum “restoration”. In ETO Technical Intelligence Reports, captured Bergepanzerwagen III were misidentified as cargo carriers. 16-1Bergepanzer 38 Fgst.Ni As originally produced, the Bergepanzer 38 was created by lowering the superstructure sides of the Jagdpanzer 38 chassis, leaving an open-top crew and equipment stowage compartment. A. large bracket was bolted across the hull rear, to which was welded a centered tow coupling for attaching the rigid tow bars. Two of the base supports for the jib-boom were fitted inside at the upper rim of the superstruc- ture, and the third base support was welded onto the outside on the right. At first only cables and pulleys were carried by the Bergepanzer 38 for pulling out stuck Jagdpanzers. Several attempts were made to d a winch and spade for the Bergepanzer 38, including a front-mounted spade with the winch cable fed out through a slit in the glacis plate. The design selected for production had a pivoting spade mounted on the rear and a winch mounted inside on the right, with the steel cable fed out to a guide roller on the right rear. The first elght Bergepanzer 38 were completed in May 1944, with a total of 181 produced by the end of April 1945. Instead of being assigned their own Fgst.Nr. Serie, Bergepanzer 38 Fgst.Nr. 321001-323000, and 325001- were mixed in with the Jagdpanzer 38 Fgst.Nr. as they were assembled side by side at the Boehmisch- Mahrische Maschinenfabrik in Prague. Normally, ‘one Bergepanzer 38 was issued to each Panzerjaeger- Abteilung outfitted with 14 (10 starting in February 1945) Jagdpanzer 38. Changes introduced during the production run included: welding brackets to the sides for stow- ing a large wooden unditching beam, the rods for the jib-boom crane, and the rigid towing bars; dropping the muffler heat shield by June 1944; introducing roadwheels with larger diameter discs and six differ- ent types of idler wheels in August 1944; bending in the front ends of the Schuerzen in September 1944; eliminating the armor guard for the driver’s periscopes, replacing the roadwheel rim bolts with rivets, and introducing the Flammvernichter muffler in October 1944; increasing the final drive gear ratio from 7.33 to 8 in January 1945; reducing the frontal armor thickness to 30 mm, installing a winch, and adding a spade in February 1945; and replacing the hull side extension towing eyes with U-hooks and welding on rings for attaching camouflage in March 1945, g i i 16-2corvtont maryious one 197 16-316-4 Special Equipment aa Weapons Data Bergepanzer 38 Fgst.Nr. Coupling centered on rear and rigid towing bars Wooden beam Jib-boom crane Double pulley Winch with spade (starting in February 1945) Secondary: 2 - 7.92 mm M.G.34 1 o'mm Mer, Ammunition: 600 - 7.92 mm 192 - 9 mm Crew: ‘Commander Driver Measurements Length, overall: 4.87 m without spade width, overall: 2.63 m Height, overall: 1.97 m Wheel Base! 2112 Track Contact: 2.72 m Combat Loaded: 13 metric tons Fuel Capacity: 320 Liters 321001-323000 , 325001- Automotive Capabilities: Maximum Speed. 40 km/hr Avg. Road Speed: 25-30 km/hr Cross Country: 15 km/hr Range on Road: 180 km Cross Country: 130 km Grade: 25° 1.3m 65 om Fording Depth: 0.9 cm Ground Clearance: 38 cm Ground Pressure Power Ratio: 11.5 HP/ton Pressure on Wheel: 137 kg/em Steering Rati Automotive Components: Motor: Praga AC 6 cylinder water cooled 7.75 liter gasoline 150 HP @ 2600 rpm Prage/Wilson CV/TNHE 5.3 kn/hr 3.9 kn/hr 10:0 kn/hr 35.9 ka/he 25.4 kn/hr 40.6 ka/he Differential Front sprocket per side 825/128 Rubber Leaf springs Dry pin Kgs 64/350/104 Links per Side: 96 Drive Armor Specifications for the Bergepanzer 38 20/40 Armor thickness in mm/angle from vertical Tolerances on plate thickness -0% to +5% 0/40" 220/40 Fo a ee | ars ‘e90 soveo * 20/18 \ Copyright 1997 Thomas. Jente (Not to SealAbove: Bergepanzer 38, Fest.Nr.321072, completed by BMM in May 1944, (WJ) Left: Bergepanzer 38, Fgst.Nr.321822, completed by BMM in November 1944. (WJS) 16-516-6 Qe ecormcntmarrious Dont 17completed at BMM in February 1945. (WJS) Bergepanzer 38, Fgst.Nr.322678, ‘corvncnt manrious cone 147 16-7CSGBergepanzer IIT Bergepanzerwagen III (Sd.Kfz.144) ‘The Bergepanzer III was created by replacing the turret on rebuilt Pz.Kpfw.III chassis with an open-top wooden box. The wooden box, reinforced with steel angle iron, was about 2.3 meters wide, 2.45 meters long, and varied from 50 to 60 centimeters high. With the exception of a rectangular opening centered at the rear for a crew hatch, the bottom of the wooden box was decked with wooden planks. ‘This large box was designed for carrying the special equip- ment needed for recovering and repairing Panzers, including double pulleys, rigid tow bars, arms for the jib- boom crane, and roller sled for the Panzer- bergeanker. Bases for mounting the jib-boom crane poles and pad eyes for anchoring the cross brace poles were welded to both sides of the rear deck. Starting in the Spring of 1944, 568 mm wide “Ostketten” were supplied to units on the Eastern Front. Ostketten were designed to reduce the depth that armored vehicles with Pz.Kpfw.III or IV Fahrgestelle sank into snow or soft ground. ‘They were intended to be used exclusively on the Eastern, Front. Units that were transferred to the West, Italy, or the Balkans were to exchange the Ostketten for normal Kgs 61/400/120 tracks. As revealed by photo- graphic evidence, some Bergepanzer III employed in the West were outfitted with Ostketten although this was prohibited by an army general order dated 1 May 1944, Ostketten should not be confused with the earlier 560 mm wide Winterketten (issued starting in the Fall of 1942), which had flat extensions with an angled reinforeing rib. A total of 167 Bergepanzer III were completed on rebuilt Pz.Kpfw.III chassis and released to the ordnance depots for issue from March 1944 to November 1944, with an additional 9 from January through March 1945. These were normally issued as one per Panzerjaeger-Abteilung outfitted with Sturm- geschuetz but were also issued to other units, An army inventory for 15 January 1945 reported 63 Bergepanzer III in 58 Infanterie and Volks-Grenadier Divisions, 37 in 24 Panzer and Panzer-Grenadier Divisions, 5 in 5 Sturmgeschuetz Brigades, 7 in S Heeres Panzer-Jaeger Abteilung, 1 in 1 Panzer- Abteilung (Fk) and 1 in 1 Panzer-Berge Kompanie. ecorrmont mat ous Bone 197 16-10corsmonrntarrious oon 1997 16-11Bergepanzerwagen III (Sd.Kfz.144) Fgst.Nr. 68001 - 78000 for 8.2.W. Chassis Special Equipment 1'- Coupling centered on rear and rigid towing bars - Wooden beans = gib-boom crane = Double pulley > Panzerbergeanker Weapons Data: 2 - 7.92 mm M.G.34 1 = o'mm MP. Ammunition: 600 - 7.92 mm 192 - 9mm crew: Commander Driver Measurements Length, overall: 5.52 m Width, overall: 2.97 m Height, overall: 2.40 m Wheel Bi 2:51 m Track Contact: 2.86 m Combat Loaded: 20 metric tons Fuel Capacity: 320 Liters Automotive Capabilities: Maximum Speed 42 km/hr Avg. Road Sp. 25 km/hr Cross Country: 12-15 km/hr Range on Road. 155 km Cross Country: 95 km Grade 30° Trench Crossing: 2.2 m step: 60 cm Fording Depth: 80 cm Ground Clearance: 38 cn Ground Pressure: Automotive Components Motor: Maybach HL 120 TRY V-12 water cooled 11,9 liter gasoline 265 HP @ 2600 rpm -8.6.77 kn/hr km/hr kn/br kn/ar kn/ae kn/ar kn/hr Differential Front sprocket 5x2 per side 520/95 Rubb Torsion bars Dry pin Kgs 61/400/120 Links per Side: 93 ‘Transmission: Armor Specifications for the Bergepanzerwagen Ill with an 8./Z.W. Fahrgeste 25/05 0/82 \— sora 30/78 Armor thickness in mm/angle from vertical Tolerances on plate thickness -0% to +5% 16-12 Copyright 1987 Thomas Jentz (Not to Seale)anker. (BA) anzer ILI captured on the Western Front with Ostketten. (NABergepanzer IV Bergepanzerwagen IV (Sd.Kfz.164) ‘The Bergepanzer IV was created by leaving the turret off of rebuilt Pz.Kpfw.IV chassis and simply closing the turret ring opening by covering it wooden planks held by steel frames. A hinged rectangular hatch for access to the stowage compart- ment was located on the right side. Brackets were added onto the right side for carrying a large wooden unditching beam and on the left side for stowing the 2 ton Kran (jib-boom crane) and the rigid towing bars. Unlike the Bergepanther and the earlier Bergepanzer III, the Bergepanzer IV was outfitted with a2 ton Kran to be mounted on Pilze (sockets) welded to the superstructure roof. ‘This was the same 2 ton Kran that was to be erected on three Pilze on top of the Panther, Jagdpanther, and Tiger I. A double pulley was stowed on the superstru ture roof between the driver and hull machine- gunners hatches. Other equipment needed for the maintenance and recovery of Panzers was stowed inside on wooden planks above the fuel tanks. A vertically oriented coupling was welded onto the rear for towing other Panzers, utilizing the rigid towing bars. Although preliminary designs were made for installing a winch in a Bergepanzer IV, these were associated with modification of an AK5-80 transmis- sion to create a power take-off. The AKS-80 trans- mission didn’t get into series production before the end of the war. A total of 21 Bergepanzer IV were completed from October 1944 through March 1945 by convert- ing Pz.Kpfw.IV which had been returned to the assembly plants and maintenance centers for major overhaul. Only four Bergepanzer IV were reported with units in the army inventory for 15 January 1945 - one with the 1.Kp./Pz.Jg.Abt.510, one with the LL Inf.Div., one with the 2.SS-Pz.Div., and one with the 212. Volks-Gren.Diy. (plus one was on the way to the 276.Volks-Gren.Div). Others were issued to the 4.SS-Pz.Gren.Div., 559.Volks-Gren.Div., an SS- Pz.Jg-Abt., and 4.Kay.Div. as well as to the training grounds at Burg, Mielau, and Neuhammer for issue to newly formed Panzerjaeger-Abtellungen. 16-1416-15Bergepanzerwagen IV (Sd.Kfz.164) Fgst.Nr. 82001 - 93200 for 7./B.W. to 10./B.W. Chassis 16-16 Special Equipment: Automotive Capabilitie: 1- Coupling centered on rear Maximum Speed 42 kn/br and rigid towing bars Avg. Road Speed: 25 km/hr 1 - Wooden beam ross Country: 20 kn/hr 1 = 2 ton Kran (jib-boom crane) Range on Road 210 km 1 = Double pulley Cross Country: 130 km 1 = Single pulley Grade 30° 1 - Panzerbergeanker Trench Crossing: 2.3 m Step: 60 cm Fording Depth: 80 cm 40 cm 0.79 kg/ent Weapons Data: Power Ratio 13.2 HP/ton 1 - 7.92 mm M.G.34 Pressure on Wheel: 77 kg/cm aaa oete Steering Ratio: 1.43 ammunition: 600 - 7.92 mm Automotive Components 192 - 9am Motor: Maybach HL 120 TRM V-12 water cooled 11.9 liter gasoline 265 HP @ 2600 rpm ae se DEE ae Be RIE Measurements: we a ‘rack Cont as Tire 470/90 Rubber Gooestormease es Suspension: Leaf springs Combat Loaded: Fuel Capacity: 470 Liters ee Bevgee Kgs 61/400/120 Links per side: 99 Armor Specifications for Bergepanzerwagen IV with a 7./B.W. to 10./B.W. Fahrgestell s108 11790 10/90 20/10 500 80/8 T2070 — 20/70 ‘30/012 20/0 30/60 ed Armor thickness in mm/angle from vertical: Tolerances on plate thickness -0% to +5% yright 1987 Thomas L. Jentz (Not to Scale)Bergepanzer Ferdinand/Elefant Special Equipment: Automotive Capabilities: 1 - gib-boom crane Manimum Speed: 30 ku/he Avg. Road Spe 20 km/hr ross Country: 8-10 kn/hr Range on Road: 150 km Weapons Data: Cross Country: 90, km 2 + 7.92 mm M.G.34 Gra 30 oat Trench Crossing: 2.6 m step 78 om Ammunition: 600 - 7.92 mm Fording Depth: 120 cm 192 - 9 mm Ground Clearance: 50 cm Ground Pre 1.14 kg/cm? Power Ratii 8.9 HP/ton Pressure un Wheel: 556 hy/cm Cae ee Steering Ratio: 1.52 Driver 5 Peaten2 Automotive Components: Motor: 2 Maybach HL 120 TRM y-12 water cooled 11.9 liter gasoline gesiare 265 HP @ 2600 rpm ES. 2 Siemens Generators typ K58-8 rated at 500 volt-amps 2 Siemens Electric Motors Type 14¥5a Measurements: me eeeaias Length, overall: 6.97 m Sieceris ganteer Width, overall: 3.38 m Base, epeoasse Height, overall: 2.97 m § peesni de Wheel Base: * 2.70 m TDaeacctmeroat Track Contac 42m eee es Combat Loade 60 metric tons et ate Fuel Capacit 950 Liters Ke 62/640/130 Links per Side: 109 Armor Specifications for the Berge-Panzer VI 20/90 20/90 os i rap gue 20/20 S00 20/0 [i aes gue Armor thickness inmm/angle from vertical copyright 1997 Thomas L. Jentz (ot to Seale) Tolerances on plate thickness -0% to +5% 16-17Bergepanzer Ferdinand/Elefant Berge-Panzer VI After cancellation of the Tiger (P) production program, the decision was made to produce a series of 90 Sturmgeschuetz Ferdinand. Out of the 100 hulls originally completed by Krupp, Essen, 93 were converted at Bisenwerke-Oberdonau to a forward engine-rear drive configuration. Ninety of these were used for the 90 Ferdinand assembled at Nibelungen- werk, St.Valentin in April and May 1943, The remaining three were used to create Bergepanzer for recovering the 65 ton Ferdinands after they broke down. Unlike the 90 used for the Ferdinands, these three hulls did not have the additional 100 mm thick armor plates bolted to the front. Instead of the large superstructure needed to house the 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 on the Ferdinand, the Bergepanzer version had a much smaller superstruc- ture, A filler piece was also added to enclose the gap at the rear left over from the slope of the original rear deck. Armor plates used to fabricate this superstruc- ture were 50 mm thick for the front and 30 mm thick for the sides and rear. A ball mount for a 7.92 mm M.G.34 was fitted into the superstructure front plate (the original hole for a ball-mount in the driver's front plate was welded shut). Pistol ports and vision slits were cut into the superstructure sides and were available with the Pz.Kpfw.III style turret door installed in the superstructure rear. A circular hatch for the commander was installed in the superstruc~ ture roof. The drive train for the Bergepanzer version was the same as the Ferdinand with twin Maybach HL 120 engines driving electric generators that provided power for the electric motors driving the rear track sprockets. Maintenance and recovery equipment carried ‘on the Bergepanzer was very limited. A jib boom crane, similar to that designed for the Bergepanther, was stowed on the deck in front of the superstructure. Brackets were welded to the base and sides of the superstructure as base plates and anchors for the jib boom pole and cross supports. The three Berge-Panzer VI were completed at Nibelungenwerk in August 1943 and subsequently issued to the schwere Heeres Panzer-Jaeger-Abteilung 653. One of the rebuilt Bergepanzer Elefant was assigned to the 1.Kompanie sent to Italy in February 1944, The other two Bergepanzer Elefant were sent to the Kastern Front with the 2, and 3.Kompanien in the Spring of 1944. During the rebuild program from January to March 1944, Zimmerit anti-magnetic coating was applied to the outside of the Bergepanzer Elefant, In at least one case a machinegun mount was added to the superstructure roof. po J‘ecormmicn atv ious Bont 992 16-19This Page and Above Right: Bergepanzer VI completed at Nibelungenwerk in August 1943. (WJS) 16-20Right: A Bergepanzer Elefant being used for driver’s training on the ‘tern Front in the Summer of 1944, (KHM)Bergepanther Bergepanzerwagen “Panther” (Sd.Kfz.179) Fgst.Nr. 210125-210137, 212131-212200, 175501- On 29 March 1943, Guderian ordered that 4 percent plus 3 from the monthly Panther production run were to be completed without turrets and pped for use as Panzer-Bergegeraet in the Panzer-Abteilungen. As the detailed design firm for the Panther, M.A.N. was given a contract to design the Bergepanther. M.A.N. completed a layout draw- dated 19 June 1943 showing some of the compo- nents specifically designed for the Bergepanther, neluding a 2 em Kw.K. with armor shield mounted ‘on the glacis, a 40 ton capacity winch, a built-up superstructure called a bridge, a jib-boom crane with base mounts on both sides, a large spade hinged at the rear, and a tow coupling bolted to the center of the lower rear hull. A crew compartment for two was added behind the driver, and additional fuel tanks were installed in the sponsons. ‘On 10 May 1943, M.A.N. was ordered to complete 10 Bergepanthers to be delivered by 6 June 1943, M.A.N. delivered 12 Bergepanthers in June 1943 by leaving the turret off the normal Panther Ausf.D chassis and cove ing opening with improvised decking. Henschel was given a contract to complete its second series of Panthers (Ausf.A) as 70 Bergepanthers, which were delivered from July to December 1943. Production of the Bergepanther Ausf.A was then moved to Daimler- Benz (40 completed in February and March 1944) the turret and finally to Demag (168 completed from March 1944 to February 1945). After completion of 123 Ausf.A at Demag, production was shifted to the Ausf.G in October 1944. The Bergepanther Ausf.G (series starting at Fgst.Nr.175664) took over the basic hull shape from the Panther Ausf.G. ‘The maintenance and recovery equipment outfitted to the Ausf.G was basically the same as on the Ausf.A. However, the jib-boom base supports were welded to the rear deck and not on the superstructure sides. The armament for the Ausf.G consisted of an M.G.34 in a ball mount in the glacis plate and a base mount for an anti-aircraft machine gun welded to the radio operator’s periscope guard. Modifications introduced during the produc- tion run included: welding base mounts for an anti- aircraft machinegun to the periscope guards, adding brackets to carry a large wooden beam, adding brackets to carry jib-boom poles, adding mountings on the rear for the rigid tow bars, changing to a pivoting frame for the crew compartment canvas cover, modifying the center“tow coupling on the rear, adding extensions to the spade, rearranging the equipment and accessory stowage layout, and other changes to automotive features as introduced during the normal Panther production run, including Flammyernichter mufflers. Many of the Bergepan- ther were completed without winches. Above: Two of the first twelve Bergepanthe M.A.N. in June 1943 16-22 Fgst.Nr.210125 to 210137, completed b; An improvised cover was fitted over the turret ring opening. (BA)Bergepanzerwagen "Panther" (Sd.Kfz.179) Fgst.Nr. 210125-210137, 212131-212200, 175501- Special Equipment: 1 -- Coupling centered on rear and rigid towing bars 1 - Wooden beam 1 = 3ib-boom crane Range on Road: 320 km 1 - Winch with spade Cross Country: 160. km 1 | Panzerbergeanker orade 35° Trench Crossing: 2.45 m Step: 90 em Weapons Data: Fording 2 330 em 2-2 om rw.x.38 Ground Clearan 36 on 2 1 7.92 mm M.G-34 Ground Pressure: 0.83 kg/cn? afea wip. Power Ratio: Remoad elon 222 = 2.em 1200 --7.92 am 192-9 am Automotive Components Motor: Maybach HL 230 P20 V-i2 water cooled crew: commander 23.1 liter gasoline pene 600 uP © 2500 rpm Mechanic 2 AK 7-200 3.4 kn/he 314 ka/ne ication: Fru 5 7.0 km/hr ee mal 4 1111 ka/ne 17:3 ka/he 25.7 km/hr Measurements: ace pares Length, overall Length, overall 8.86 m with spade 6.93 m without spade Single radius Front sprocket Width, overal. 3142 m i 8x2 per side Height, overall: 2.70 m 860/100 Rubber Wheel Bai 2.61 m Suspension: Dual Torsion Bars Track Contact 3192 m Track Dry pin Combat Loaded: 43 metric tons Kge 64/660/150 Fuel Capacity: 1075 Liters Abcatpes dies! ||Lee Armor Specifications for the Bergepanther 40/40 peice 16/90 Armor thickness in mm/angle from vertical copyright 1987 Thomas. Jentz (Not to cal + 50/66 ows Tolerances on plate thickness ~0% to +5% ne 28/00, , $0/30 superstructure rr Rust 16-23fications ordered by Wa Pruef 6 Bergepanther Fgst.Nr.212161 completed by Henschel in September 1943 as it appeared in January 1944 with 16-25Bergepanther Ausf.A, Fgst.Nr.212161, completed by Henschel in September 1943, was later modified by January 1944 as directed by Wa Pruef 6. (WJS)232968 16-2716-28 Right: The crew compartment of Bergepanther Fgst.Nr.212161 completed by Henschel in September 1943. On the left is the mounting for the 2 cm Kw.K.38 with telescopic sight. (WJS) Below: The 40 ton winch installed in Bergepanther Fgst.Nr.212161. (WIS)Above: A Bergepanther Ausf.A outfitted with brackets to carry the wooden beam on the left side, mountings to carry the rigid tow bars on the rear deck, and a centered tow coupling welded to the circular engine access hatch. (BA) Below: A Bergepanther Ausf.A featuring the 2 cm Kw.K.38 in its mount, an M.G.34 on an anti-aircraft mount, an 021 St 48395 cast drive wheel, brackets to stow the jib-boom crane on the superstructure side and rear, mounts to stow the rigid towing bars on the rear deck, extensions on the spade, and the extended rear tow coupling. (BA) 16-29Pp = SSSPP6T JOqUIDAON UF payardutod {G9SLT “AN“ISBa O7Jsny roUEdadsog 16-31A Bergepanther Ausf.G, completed by Demag in January/February 1945 and issued to schwere Heeres Panzer-Jaeger-Abteilung 512 in March 1945, photographed after surrendering to Americans. (NA) 16-32GLOS RY O1 Abteilung, ‘Ausfuehrung Befehlspanzer Bergegeraet Bergepanzerwagen Flammvernichter Funk Instandsetzungswagen Jagdpanzer Kw.K. leichte Ostketen Pak Panzerbergeanker Panzerjaeger Panzerkampfwagen Pilze Schuerzen Schwere Sd.Kfz. Sellwinde Sturmgeschuetz VK Waffenamt Wa Pruef 6 Winterketten Zimmerit ZW. ERMAN MILITARY TERMS Abt. - battalion with less than five companies Ausf. ~ model designation ‘command tank recovery equipment armored tank recovery vehicle Begleitwagen - code word for Pz.Kpfw.1V Fahrgestell - chassis, Funklenk - radio controlled flame suppressing Fu - radio ‘maintenance vehicle tank destroyer Kampfwagenkanone - tank gun light wider tracks for mud on Eastern Front anti-tank gun anchor to sink into ground as a purchase for pulling out tanks stuck in mud Pr.Jacg. - tank destroyer Pz.Kpfw. - generic name for tank sockets for jib boom skint for protection against anti-tank rifles s. - heavy special vehicle winch with steel cable assault gun Voltketten - fully tracked ordnance department automotive design office under the Waffenamt ‘wider tracks for use in snow anti-magnetic coating Zugfuebrerwagen - code word for Pz.Kpfw.IlPANZER TRACTS Panzerkampfwagen I. Panzerkampfwagen Panzerkampfwagen I Panzerkampwagen IIT Panzerkampfwagen IV Panzerkampfwagen Panther . Panzerkampfwagen Panther . Panzerkampfwagen Panther . Schwere Panzerkampfwagen . Panzerjaeger . Panzerjaeger . Panzerjaeger . Sturmgeschuetz Jagdpanzer .. Artillerie Sf... Panzerbeobachtungswagen . Aufklaerungspanzerwagen Flak Sfl. and Flakpanzer . . Panzerspaehwagen ....... Gepanzerte Pionier Fahrzeuge . Schuetzenpanzerwagen . Bergepanzerwagen ... Gepanzerte Nachschub Fahrzeuge . Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)/38(t) . Beute-Panzerkampfwagen . Paper Panzers Paper Panzers KLTr. to Ausf.B KLPz.Bef.Wg. to VK 18.01 La.$.100 to VK 16.01 Le-Tr. to Pz.Bef.Wg.Ausf.K Gr.Tr, to Pz.BefWg.1V Ausf.J Panther Ausf.D and Fgst.Nr.V2 Panther Ausf.A. Panther Ausf.G and Ausf.F DW. to F 100 3.7 cm Tak to Pz.Sfl.le 7.62 cm F.K.(r) auf gp.Sfl. to 7.5 em Pak 40/3 7.5 cm Pak 40/4 to 8.8 em Waffentraeger s.Pak to Sturmmoerser Jagdpanzer 38 to Jagdtiger 15 em sIG to 60 cm Karl Sd.Kfz.253 to Pz.Beob,Wg.Panther H8 H to Vollkettenaufklaerer 38 ‘Sd.Kfz.10/4 tv 8.8 cm VFW Sd.Kfz.3 to Sd.Kfz.263 Goliath to Raeumer S Sd.Kfz.250 to Kaetzchen Bergepanzer 38 to Bergepanther VK 3.01 to schwere Wehrmacht-Schlepper L.T.Sk. to Pz.Kpfw.38(t) Aus.G Polish TK to Russian KW IT Pz.Kpfw., Stu.G., & Jagdpz. Aufkl., Beob., and Flak-Pz, Includes data on over 350 German armored vehicles from 1925 to 1945 Illustrated with scale prints drawn by Hilary Louis Doyle and photographs selected for clarity of detail and rarity of model. Development history, unique characteristics, major modifications, data sheets, and armor specifications all based solely on original documents and existing vehicles. ISBN 0-9744862-5-6