Germany's Gepanzerter Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Kanone Ausf F/8; Sturmgeschütz III Ausf F/8; StuG 40 Ausf F/8; Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausführung F/8; 7.5 cm Sturmgeschuetz 40 Ausf F/8

Photos

Sturmgeschütz III Ausf F/8 self propelled gun:

Design

A new hull design was used that was similar to the PzKpfw III Ausf J and PzKpfw Ausf L hull. The side plates were extended past the front plat and holes drilled for towing brackets. The rear deck was extended and ventilation for the engine was improved. In 1942 Alkett ceased production on the PzKpfw IIIs and concentrated on the StuGs. As a result some of these were built on PzKpfw III hulls. These can be identified by the single piece forward opening hatch over the final drive.

Had the 7.5cm Sturmkanone (StuK) 40 L/48 gun installed.³

Identifying

Had armor bolted onto the nose and driver's plates.² A few had a round muzzle brake.² There was no commander's cupola.²

Prototype

Production

4 were converted to StuH42 and 12 were used for the StuIG33B.

Variants

Usage

Some were the basis for new Sturmgeschütz units in the Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, Das Reich, Tötenkopf, and Grossdeutschland Divisions. But most were used as replacements.

Specifications

	StuG III Ausf F/8, StuG 40 Ausf F/8
Crew	41,2
Radio	FuG151, FuG161
Physical Characteristics
Weight	23.2 tons1 23,900 kg2
Length w/gun	6.77 m2,6
Length w/o gun
Height	2.15 m1
Width	2.92 m1, 2.95 m2 Ostkette: 3.33 m2 Schürzen: 3.41 m2
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	0.39 m2
Ground contact length	2.86 m2
Ground pressure	1.04 (kg/cm2)2
Turret ring diameter
Armament (mm)
Main	75 mm StuK 40 L/481,2,3
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG341 1: MG 342
MG - hull	7.92 mm MG34
Side arms
Quantity
Main	441, 542
Secondary
MG	6002,6
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	Side, Rear: 302
Hull Front, Upper	50 or 50+30@10°1 Mantlet: 50@0°1 50+302
Hull Front, Lower	50 or 50+30@21°1
Hull Sides, Upper	30@10°1 Mantlet: 30@17°1
Hull Sides, Lower	30@0°1
Hull Rear	30@30°1 & 30@30° + 10°1
Hull Top	11@78° to 90°1 & 17@85°1 Mantlet: 30@90°1
Hull Bottom	16@90°1
Superstructure Front
Superstructure Sides
Superstructure Rear
Superstructure Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 120 TRM1,2
Bore / stroke
Cooling
Cylinders	V-122
Capacity
Net HP	300@3,000 rpm2
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	6 forward, 1 reverse1,2
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)
Octane
Quantity	310 liters2
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	10° left, 10° right, hand.1
Speed - Road	40 kph2,6
Speed - Cross Country
Range - Road	140 km1, 155 km2
Range - Cross Country	95 km2
Turning radius	5.85 m2
Elevation limits	-6° to +20°1
Fording depth	0.8 m2
Trench crossing	2.3 m2
Vertical obstacle	0.6 m2
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)	Torsion Bar2
Wheels each side
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)
Length	93 links2
Width	0.4 m2
Width of link
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	2.51 m2