Germany's GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B ("grasshopper") ; leFH 18/1 (Sf) auf GW IVb; 10.5cm leFH 18/1 auf GW IVb SdKfz 165/1; GW IVb fuer 10.5cm leFH 18/1 (Heuschrecke IVb); 10.5cm leFH 18/1 L/28 auf Waffentrager, GW IVb; leFH 18/40 (Sf), 10.5cm leFH 18/40 auf Fgst GW III/IV

Photos

GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B self propelled gun	GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B self propelled gun	GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B self propelled gun	GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B self propelled gun
GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B self propelled gun	leFH 18/40 (Sf), 10.5cm leFH 18/40 auf Fgst GW III/IV:	leFH 18/40 (Sf), 10.5cm leFH 18/40 auf Fgst GW III/IV:

Design

The HE shell weighed 32.7 lbs and was fired at a muzzle velocity of 1,772'/sec.³

Turret

The turret could be lifted off the chassis and put on the ground for use.^3,4 The arms for lifting were located above the tracks.⁴

Chassis

The PzKpfw IV chassis was the one used for the Heuschrecke.⁴

The WaffentrÄger used a PzKpfw 38(d) chassis.⁴ The chassis was lengthened and two additional roadwheels were added on each side.⁴

Prototype

The prototype didn't have the lifting arms and the chassis only had six wheels and three guides on each side.⁴

Production

• 10.5 cm K.18: 2 prototypes⁴
• 10.5cm leFH 18/1 L/28 auf Waffentrager, GW IVb: 8^1,3
  • Production: November 1942¹
  • Manufacturer: Krupp-Gruson¹, Krupps³

Variants

• Heuschrecke ("grasshopper"):
  • GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B:
  • 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18/1 on Gw. IV, SdKfz 165/1⁴:
  • leFH 18/40 (Sf), 10.5cm leFH 18/40 auf Fgst GW III/IV:
  • 10.5 cm K.18 on Sf. IVa⁴:
  • 10.5 cm le.F.H. 43 on Gw IVb⁴:
  • 15 cm s.F.H. 18⁴: Design only.⁴
• Waffenträger:
  • Waffenträger 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71⁴: Rheinmetall-Borsig and Ardelt prototype.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • Waffenträger 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71⁴: Krupp and Steyr prototype.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • Waffenträger 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71⁴: Ardelt prototype.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • leichter Waffenträger, Ardelt I⁴: 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71 gun.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • leichter Waffenträger, Ardelt I⁴: 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18/40 L/28 gun.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • leichter Waffenträger, Ardelt II⁴: 8.8 cm Pak 43 L/71 gun.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • leichter Waffenträger, Ardelt II⁴: 10.5 cm le.F.H. 18/40 L/28 gun.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • leichter Waffenträger, Ardelt II⁴: 12.8 cm K. L/55 gun.⁴ 360° traverse.⁴
  • leichter Waffenträger, Ardelt II⁴: 15 cm s.F.H. 18 L/29.5 gun.⁴ 60° traverse.⁴

Usage

Specifications

	GW IV B für 10.5 CM LE FH 18/1 Heuschrecke IV B	10.5cm leFH 18/1 L/28 auf Waffentrager, GW IVb
Crew	51,2	41
Radio	FuG Spr f1	FuG Spr f1
Physical Characteristics
Weight	37,479 lb2 17,000 kg2 23 tons1	17 tons1
Length w/gun	19' 4.3"2, 21.8'3 5.9 m2, 6 m1	5.9 m1
Length w/o gun
Height	7' 4.6"2, 8.8'3 2.25 m2, 3 m1	2.25 m1
Width	9' 5"2, 9.8'3 2.87 m2, 3 m1	2.87 m1
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.8"3
Ground contact length	138.5"3
Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	105 mm leFH18/1 L/281 105 mm leFH 18/402	105 mm leFH18/1 L/281
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Quantity
Main	601	601
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	Front: 0.63"3 Side: 0.63"3 Superstructure: 0.38"3
Hull Front, Upper	30@20°1	30@10°1
Hull Front, Lower	30@20°1	30@12°1
Hull Sides, Upper	16@0°1	14.5@0°1
Hull Sides, Lower	16@0°1	14.5@0°1
Hull Rear	16@20°1	14.5@20°1 & 14.5@10°1
Hull Top	10@90°1	10@90°1
Hull Bottom	10@90°1	14.5@90°1
Turret Front	30@30°1	20@20°1 Mantlet: 20@0-70°1
Turret Sides	16@20°1	14.5@15°1
Turret Rear	16@25°1	14.5@10°1
Turret Top	Open°1	Open°1
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL901 Maybach2	Maybach HL66P1
Bore / stroke
Cooling
Cylinders
Capacity
Net HP	1882
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	6 forward, 1 reverse.1	6 forward, 1 reverse.1
Steering	Clutch brake3
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Gaoline2
Octane
Quantity
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	360°, hand.1	35° left, 35° right.1
Speed - Road	28 mph2 45 kph1,2	45 kph1
Speed - Cross Country
Range - Road	155 miles2 250 km2, 300 km1	250 km1
Range - Cross Country
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-0° to + 68°1	-10° to + 40°1
Fording depth
Trench crossing
Vertical obstacle
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)	Sprung in pairs on 1/4 elliptic springs3
Wheels each side	83
Return rollers each side	43
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin3
Length
Width	15.75"3
Diameter
Number of links	1073
Pitch	4.75"3
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	8.1'3