Germany's Hornisse ("hornet"), Nashorn ("rhinoceros"); 8.8 cm Pak 43/1 auf GW IV Nashorn, SdKfz 164; 8.8cm Pak 43/1 (L/71) auf Fgst PzKpfw III/IV (Sf), SdKfz 164; Panzerjäger III/IV Nashorn frueher Hornisse; 8.8cm Pak 43/1 L/71 auf GW III/IV

Photos

Hornisse, SdKfz 164 tank hunter:	Hornisse, SdKfz 164 tank hunter:	Nashorn, SdKfz 164 tank hunter:
1/72 Die cast Armor
Dragon Armor:
60060:	60061:	60159:	60188:

Design

Based on the fighting on the Eastern Front, an easier way to move the 88 mm PaK 43/1 L/71 guns was needed. In February 1942 a contract was issued for the vehicles.⁵ By November 1942, they were being issued to the Army's heavy antitank units.⁵ It was initially nicknamed the Hornisse (hornet) but it was changed to Nashorn (rhinoceros) by order of Hitler.

Chassis

The chassis was called the Geschützwagen III/IV (gun carriage), which was a hybrid.⁵ In early 1942 Alkett and Deutsche Eisenwerke developed the chassis from PzKpfw III and PzKpfw IV chassis.⁵ The engine was moved forward allowing for a larger rear compartment.⁵

Gun mounted on lengthened PzKpfw IV hull. Was rather high and vulnerable.³ When used at ranges of 2,000 m it was less vulnerable and very effective.³

Armor

Because of a shortage of hardened armor plate the hull was protected by unhardened armor plate. This superstructure armor was supplied by Witkowitzer Bergbauund Eisenhütten. The chassis was supplied by Werk Duisburg and it was assembled by Deutsche Eisenwerke at Teplitz-Schönau. Only the front and sides were armored.³ There was a canvas cover to protect the crew from the weather.³

Main Armament

The AP round weighed 22.4 lbs. and had a muzzle velocity of 3,281'/sec.⁶ The HE shell had a maximum range of 11,925 yards.⁶ The muzzle of the barrel was 2.24 m high.⁴

Rounds were stored in lockers on the sides.³

There were direct sites for the 88 mm gun for direct fire and dual sites to allow for the 88 mm to be used as artillery.³

Initially the 8.8 cm Pak 43 was used when the 8.8 cm Pak 43/41 was substituted as it was quicker to manufacture.³

Prototype

Production

500 were ordered and 100 were to be delivered by May 12, 1943, in time for the Kursk offensive.

• Hornisse, Nashorn: 473³, 494^2,4
  • Production: February 1943 - March 1945², 1944³
  • Manufacturer: Deutsche-Eisenwerke^2,3,5
    • Chassis: Krupp, Alkett⁶
    • Location: Teplitz-Schönau³, Duisburg³

Variants

Usage

Issued to schwere Panzerjäger detachments that were independent units attached to a Corps or Army. The first unit to receive them was the 655th schwere Panzerjägerabteilung in the summer of 1943.⁴ Five other detachments were formed.

Specifications

	Nashorn
Crew	41,2,4, 53,5,6,7 Driver3, gun crew (4)3
Radio	FuG Spr d2
Physical Characteristics
Weight	53,793 lb3, 54,000 lb 24,000 kg1, 24,400 kg3 23.62 tons1,7, 24 tons2,5, 26.5 tons6
Length w/gun	27' 8"5,7, 27' 8.25", 27' 8.3"1,3 8.44 m1,2,3,5
Length w/o gun	19'7, 19' 0.3"3, 19' 2"5, 20.3'6 5.8 m3,5
Height	8' 8"5,7, 8' 8.3"1,3, 9.65'6 2.65 m1,2,3,5, 2.954
Width	9' 4.6"1,3, 9.6'6, 9' 8"5,7 2.86 m1,2,3, 2.95 m5
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.8"6 40 cm
Ground contact length	149.6"6 3.52 m
Ground pressure	11.3 psi6 0.85 kg/cm2
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	88 mm1 88 mm PaK 43/1 L/712,5,6,7 88 mm PaK 433
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG1 7.92 mm MG342
MG - internal	7.92 mm MG34
Side arms	2: sub machine guns3
Quantity
Main	38, 403,5, 48
Secondary
MG	6002
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	301,7 Front: 2"6 Side: 1.2"6
Hull Front, Upper	30@12°, 10@37°2, 30@35°5
Hull Front, Lower	10@30°, 30@20°2, 30@78°5
Hull Sides, Upper	10@16°2, 20@90°5
Hull Sides, Lower	20@0°2
Hull Rear	10@10°2 & 20@10°2, 20@80°5
Hull Top	open2
Hull Bottom	17, 15@90°2
Superstructure Front	10@60°5 Gun shield: 10@37°2
Superstructure Sides	10@74°5
Superstructure Rear	10@80°5
Superstructure Top	Open
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach7, Maybach HL 120 TRM1,2,4,5,6 Maybach HL 1203
Bore / stroke	4 cycle6
Cooling	Water4,6
Cylinders	V-124,5,6
Capacity
Net HP	2653, 3005,7, 300@3,000 rpm4,6
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio	6.5:16
Transmission (Type)	Synchromesh6, ZF SSG 76 6 forward, 1 reverse2,6
Steering	Clutch brake6
Steering ratio
Starter	Hand inertia and electric6
Electrical system	Starting: 24-volt6 Normal: 12-volt6
Ignition	Magneto6
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline3,4,5,6
Octane
Quantity	103 gallons5, 159 gallons (in 2 tanks) 6 470 liters5
Road consumption	0.8 mpg6
Cross country consumption	0.5 mpg6
Performance
Traverse	15°6, 15° each way4,5, 30° each way
Speed - Road	24 mph7, 24.8 mph3, 25 mph5,6, 26 mph1 40 kph3,4,5, 42 kph1,2
Speed - Cross Country	15 mph5, 16 mph6 24 kph4,5
Range - Road	124 miles5,7, 130.5 miles3, 133 miles6, 133.6 miles1 200 km4,5, 210 km3, 215 km1,2
Range - Cross Country	81 miles5,6 130 km5
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-5° to +20°4,6 -10° to +25°
Fording depth	2' 7.5"3,6 0.8 m3
Trench crossing	7.6'6, 7' 6.6"3 2.3 m3,4
Vertical obstacle	1' 11", 1' 11.6"3,6 0.6 m3,4, 0.84 m
Climbing ability	30°4 (57%) slope6
Suspension (Type)	Sprung in pairs on 1/4 elliptic springs6
Wheels each side	86
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin6
Length
Width	15.75"6
Diameter
Number of links	1036
Pitch	4.9"6
Tires
Track centers/tread	8.3'6