Jagdpanzer IV

A tank destroyer based on the Panzer IV chassis, this vehicle was developed to counter the new array of heavy tanks deployed by the Soviet Union, as well as possible replacement for the aging StuG III series of assault guns and anti-tank platforms. While having a much lower silhouette profile and heavier armor than the Panzer IV it was based on, it's 75mm gun had limited traverse, as it was mounted in the hull rather than the turret. The entire program was harshly criticized by General Heinz Guderian, who felt that it produced an unnecessary and expensive vehicle at the cost of limiting Panzer IV tank production. Nonetheless, despite these criticisms and a two-year delay, the first Jagdpanzer IVs were delivered in January 1944, and went on to serve on all fronts with tank-hunting units and independent Panzer brigades. The above example is a model Jagdpanzer IV/70(V), which had a longer 75mm anti-tank gun. It - along with most other Jagdpanzer IV/70(V)s - was deployed in the Ardennes offensive, where it was subsequently captured.

Jagdpanzr IV/70(V) Vehicle Stats:
Type: Tank hunter
Manufacturer: Vomag
First deployed: May 1944

Crew: 4
Length: 8.58 m
Width: 3.17 m
Height: 1.85 m
Weight: 25.8 tons

Armor: 80mm
Armament, primary: 1 x 75mm PaK 42 L/70 AT gun
Armament, secondary: 1 x 7.92mm MG-42 machinegun
Ammo stowage, primary: 60 rounds
Ammo stowage, secondary: 600 rounds

Powerplant: Maybach HL 120 TRM 600hp V-12 water-cooled gasoline engine
Max speed: 35 km/h
Max range: 210km

Operators: Germany; (post-war) Syria