Jagdpanzer IV, Sd Kfz 162

Jagdpanzer IV, Sd Kfz 162

Conceived as a replacement to the StuG III and originally designed as a tank destroyer the Jagdpanzer IV was designated Sd Kfz 162 and mounted a 75mm gun in all of its production forms; the L/48, L/70(A) and L/70(V).

Because of the heavy front-load of this tank the driver had especial difficulty handling direction in off-road transit; when moving cross country it tended to swerve from side-to-side in a waddling motion, hence its nickname; Guderian’s Duck.

In 1944 Hitler ordered that the Jagdpanzer IV should replace the Panzer IV battle tank, but Generalinspektor der Panzertruppen, Heinz Guderian recognised both the versatility of the Panzer IV and the exceptional defensive properties of the Jagdpanzer IV production, so ordered that production of both Panzer IV and Jagdpanzer IV variants continued up until the closing phases of World War II. Furthermore, fearing the flaws in the StuG design Guderian felt it imperative to continue Panzer IV production in order to field a reliable tank in the increasingly difficult strategic situation, hence Hitler’s orders that 800 Jagdpanzer IV’s should be produced per month was never realised.

The Jagdpanzer IV had a crew of four; it had an exceptionally potent firepower which could destroy most Allied AFV’s at a reasonable distance, save the JS-2 tank. As with the StuG and other Jagdpanzers the lack of a turret made fluid tank warfare challenging, however, at the time of production the German Panzer forces were fighting a continually defensive operation, so the low profile and mobility made it a valuable weapon towards the end of 1944 on both the Eastern & Western Fronts.

I have built three 1/35 versions of this AFV:

1. Sd Kfz 162 Jagdpanzer IV L/48
2. Sd Kfz 162/1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A) (Zwischen Losung)
3. Sd Kfz 162/1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)

For these builds I have used the following kits:

* DML L/70 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 (Johann Huber, DX05 version) ref 9061
* Shanghai Dragon Jagdpanzer IV/70(A) Zwischen Losung ref 6082
* Dragon Smart Kit JagdPanzer IV L/70(V) ref 6397

There are some obvious and some more subtle differences between the variants which I have tried to encompass.

Along with the base kits and spares box items I have used a variety of aftermarket products:

Sd Kfz 162 Jagdpanzer IV L/48

* Lion Roar LE35046 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 & L/70
* Lion Roar LE35047 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 & L/70 Skirt Armour
* Tristar 014 German Panzer IV Wheel Set
* Voyager ME-A058 Cleaning Rod for Jagdpanzer IV
* Voyager VBS0133 WWII German Jagdpanzer IV 75mm L/48 (late version with 6-part brass muzzle break)
* Friul white metal tracks
* ATAK 35009 Zimmerit Sd Kfz 162 Jagdpanzer IV L/70

Sd Kfz 162/1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A)

*Aber 35081 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A) Zwischen Losung
* Aber 35A81 Fenders for Panzer IV (NEW TYPE)
* Aber 35A66 Side Mesh Screens for Panzer IV J, StuG IV-late, Jagdpanzer IV(A)
* Tristar 014 German Panzer IV Wheel Set
* Voyager ME-A057 Cleaning Rod for Panzer IV late
* Eduard 34023 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 turned aluminium barrel
* Friul white metal tracks

Sd Kfz 162/1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)

* Aber 35082 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)
* Aber 35A80 Fenders for Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)
* Friul white metal tracks
* Dragon 75mm L/70 turned aluminium barrel (from Dragon 9061)
* Dragon Jagdpanzer IV A-0 (MA-9059) PE skirt armour (from Dragon 9061)

The items that I had to take from the spares box/collection were:

* 3 x RB Model turned brass antennae
* 1 x Voyager Model PE Panzer IV-style rear antenna mount
* 1 x Voyager Model PE Panzer IV-style front towing pintles
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set spades
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set track tensioning tools
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set crank handles
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set jacks
* 3 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set jack blocks
2 x Dragon Bosch headlights
1 x Tasca box-style Notek rear convoy light
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set long crowbars
* 1 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set short crowbar
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set trackpin ‘pliers’
* 2 x Tamiya C-hooks
* 2 x Tamiya Panzer IV OVM tool set axes
* 2 x standard antenna mounts in styrene (1 Dragon and 1 Tamiya)
* On all three versions there is the option of stowing two spare antennae as well as the upright antenna for the AFV; in order to save the turned brass ones I might forgo the use of aftermarket products there (leaving the bracketing empty).

This build project took 10 weeks.

Sd Kfz 162 Jagdpanzer IV L/48

The Jagdpanzer L/48 production commenced in January 1944; it was built on a modified Panzer IV Ausf F chassis and designated as ‘Leichter Jagdpanzer IV Ausf F’. It was armed with a 75mm Pak 39 L/48 gun with a double-baffle muzzle break and two 7.92mm MG42 machine guns. Due to the production problems with 75mm L/70 gun and its adaptation for use in the Jagdpanzer IV, the readily available 75mm L/48 gun was mounted instead (similar to the Panzer IV production version of the time). This Panzer first saw combat on the Western Front in June 1944 during the Normandy campaign. From March 1944 only one 7.92mm MG42 machine gun was installed on the right side of the main gun as the MG position on the left side was deleted. From May 1944, the muzzle break was eliminated as the dust cloud crated after firing reduced visibility and more easily gave away the tank’s position; crews had complained about this and often removed the muzzle breaks in the field. As with the Panzer IV, the number of return rollers was decreased to three per side in September 1944, further; the barrel-type exhaust was replaced with Flamentöter exhausts during the same month along with cessation of Zimmerit application. As with the Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V), many of these vehicles were fitted with 5mm sheet steel Schürzen. The Jagdpanzer IV L/48 was produced between January & November 1944; the total number produced was 769.

The model I have built represents a late spring 1944 version (March-May 1944). It includes these features; four early-type steel return rollers (with integral strengthening cross-bar), mid-Panzer IV-style armoured hubcaps (the later lightweight Panzer IV Ausf H/J style were introduced from March 1944, but as with usual practice it was a case of using up spares before the new changes were always rung in), late-style bogie dampers, barrel-style exhaust, Nahverteidigungswaffe, late Panzer IV-style sprocket wheels, tubular idler wheels, L/48 barrel with double-baffle muzzle break, one MG42 port on the right side and one blanking plate on the left side of the main gun, spare trackage at the front of the AFV, spare wheels at the upper part of the rear plate, four standard Panzer IV-style cleaning rods sited at the front of the engine deck in dedicated Jagpanzer IV-type bracketing, late Panzer IV-style tracks with chevrons and a solid guide horn, a tubular-style convoy light, no external surface camouflage loops, a smooth covered-over semi-circular guide for the rotating periscope station, there will be no roof Pilzen and no steel wheels. The tools are mainly sited on the engine deck, as is the antenna. This AFV has a set of sheet steel Schürzen without Zimmerit. The bogie mounting plates have a full compliment of bolts. In various places, the AFV chassis, the barrel-style exhaust and the bogie housings are super-detailed with numeric and beaded weld-marks. The towing apparatus at the rear is simple.

This project consists of the following items;

* Lion Roar LE35046 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 & L/70
* Lion Roar LE35047 Jagdpanzer IV L/48 & L/70 Skirt Armour
* Tristar 014 German Panzer IV Wheel Set
* Voyager ME-A058 Cleaning Rod for Jagdpanzer IV
* Voyager VBS0133 WWII German Jagdpanzer IV 75mm L/48 (late version with 6-part brass muzzle break)
* Friul white metal tracks
* ATAK 35009 Zimmerit Sd Kfz 162 Jagdpanzer IV L/70

Sd Kfz 162/1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A)

The Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A) had a modified Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V) superstructure mounted directly on an unmodified Panzer IV Ausf H/J chassis; this was in an effort to quickly produce a solution to the increased production whilst utilising the tools available. Because the Jagdpanzer IV L/70 (A) used an unmodified Panzer IV Ausf H/J chassis it had to have a larger superstructure to accommodate the fact that the fuel tanks were in the wrong position for a Jagdpanzer IV L/48 or L/70 (V) (note the fuel filler cap sites on the tanks). Even though the Alkett factory of Berlin produced the superstructure, the Austrian factory of Nibelungenwerke produced the Panzer IV chassis. The difference was that there was a vertical section in the lower part of the superstructure instead of being sloped as in the L/70(V). Even though Alkett’s design was easier to manufacture, it had a significantly increased height - by 50cm; the Alkett model was 2.53m high, not only creating a tactical disadvantage for this tank, but also raising the AFV’s centre of gravity, thereby reducing its cross-terrain performance. The term Zwischen Losung means interim solution; this was never an official wartime name for this AFV. The Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A) was issued first in September 1944 and was used as an anti-tank support vehicle for regular battle tanks; most of these vehicles saw service on the Eastern Front. The Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A) was produced between August 1944 & March 1945; the total number produced was approximately 278. Nibelungenwerke’s intention was to eventually produce the Jagdpanzer IV L/70 (V) once it had exhausted resources for the Jagdpanzer IV L70(A), but this time never came as the end of the war came around sooner.

The model I have built represents a December 1944 version. It includes these features; three mid-type steel return rollers, late-Panzer IV-style cast armoured hubcaps, late-style bogie dampers, Flamentöter exhausts, Nahverteidigungswaffe, late Panzer IV-style sprocket wheels, cast late-style idler wheels, L/70 barrel without muzzle break, one MG port, spare track brackets on the Glacis Plate and three track hooks on the upper rear plate, two spare wheels at the rear of the crew compartment, four standard Panzer IV-style cleaning rods sited at side of the upper hull in Panzer IV-style mounting brackets, Panzer IV-style tracks with chevron and a solid guide horn, a box-style Notek convoy light, camouflage loops, an angulated-edged semi-circular guide for the rotating periscope station and 9 steel wheels (four to each side and one spare). The tools are deployed on the engine deck and various sites such as the hull sides, rear fenders and rear aspect of the crew compartment. The antenna is located at the rear left of the AFV. This tank carries mesh-style ‘Thoma’ Schürzen in tubular rails and triangular plates at the front sides of the AFV. The rear engine deck sides have air intake louvers as with a standard Panzer IV. There is no Zimmerit on this Panzer. The bogie mounting plates have the late-Panzer IV-style mounting bolt configuration (i.e. missing the middle two on the top run), there are no countersunk thread-holes for the missing bolts. As the Saukopf mantlet for the L/48 will is the ATAK Zimmeritted version I might use the excellent resin Dragon Johann Huber L/70 one, which will be spare from the L/70 kit. In various places, the AFV chassis, the Saukopf and the bogie housings are super-detailed with numeric and beaded weld-marks. This AFV has a unique gun travel lock. The front towing apparatus has two Panzer IV Ausf H-style pintles at the front and early Panzer IV Ausf H-style towing gear at the rear.

This project consists of the following items;

* Aber 35081 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(A) Zwischen Losung
* Aber 35A81 Fenders for Panzer IV (NEW TYPE)
* Aber 35A66 Side Mesh Screens for Panzer IV J, StuG IV-late, Jagdpanzer IV(A)
* Tristar 014 German Panzer IV Wheel Set
* Voyager ME-A057 Cleaning Rod for Panzer IV late
* Eduard 34023 Jagdpanzer IV L/70 turned aluminium barrel
* Friul white metal tracks

Sd Kfz 162/1 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)

Most prolific of the three Jagdpanzer IV production versions, the Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V) was a modified late model Jagdpanzer IV L/48 armed with 75mm Pak 42 L/70 gun without muzzle break 20cm offset to the right of midline as was the Jagdpanzer L/48 model. The (V) of Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V) stands for Vomag, which was the factory where this AFV was produced, it is sometimes called the Jagdpanzer IV ‘Lang’, which means ‘long’, but is better known by the letter ‘V’. The Jagdpanzer L/70(V) also had one 7.92mm MG42 machine gun to the right of the Saukopf mantlet. The overall design remained the same as the Jagdpanzer IV L/48 but the Panzer IV Ausf H chassis was used and even later the Panzer IV Ausf J chassis was utilized. The Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V) was produced between August 1944 & March 1945 (when the factory’s production was bombed to a standstill); the total number produced was 940.

The model I have built represents a ‘Fin de Guerre’ version (spring 1945). It includes these features; three late-type steel return rollers, late-Panzer IV-style cast armoured hubcaps, late-style bogie dampers, Flamentöter exhausts without deflectors, Nahverteidigungswaffe, late Panzer IV-style sprocket wheels, tubular idler wheels, L/70 barrel without muzzle break, one MG42 port, spare trackage at the upper part of the rear plate, two spare wheels on the engine deck (one rubber-tyred, one steel wheeled), four L/70 long cleaning rods sited at the engine deck, lightweight Panzer IV-style tracks with chevron and a scooped guide horn, a tubular-style convoy light, camouflage loops, a late-style angulated external semi-circular guide for the rotating periscope station and 5 steel wheels (one spare). The tools are sited on the engine deck, as is the antenna. This AFV has no Schürzen. The bogie mounting plates have the final-Panzer IV-style mounting bolt configuration i.e. missing the middle two bolts on the top run. In various places, the AFV chassis, the Saukopf and the bogie housings are super-detailed with numeric and beaded weld-marks. This AFV also has a unique late-style L/70(V) (solid) gun travel lock and a late-style Panzer IV towing system at the lower rear plate. The brake access hatches do not have armoured air intakes; rather they have grab handles as in the final configuration.

The Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V) did not need much ‘Spares Box tech’, but did need a little modification here & there.

This project consists of the following items;

* Aber 35082 Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)
* Aber 35A80 Fenders for Jagdpanzer IV L/70(V)
* Friul white metal tracks
* Dragon 75mm L/70 turned aluminium barrel (from Dragon 9061)
* Voyager VBS0133 WWII German Jagdpanzer IV resin Saukopf mantlet for the L/70 gun

Once again; thanks for looking in - any comments or queries, please don't hesitate to post them up!

Bill Hazard