German / Czechoslovak 38T and 38D Variants
Source text:"Czechoslavac Armoured Fighting Vehicles 1918-1945, from H.C.Doyle and C.K.Kliment.
Several modeling websites
Click on the Pictures.
Production History
| Model: |
Production period: |
Number Produced |
|---|
| Ausf. A | May - November 1939 | 150 |
| Ausf. B/C/D | Januari - November 1940 | 110/110/105 |
| Ausf. E/F | November 1940 - October 1941 | 275/250 |
| Ausf. S (?) | May - December 1941 | 90 |
| Ausf. G | October 1941 - June 1942 | 321 |
Note: Additional 179 Ausf G chassis were produced but were not completed as tanks.
Early variants
PzKpfw. 38 - LT vz 38
PzKpfw. 38 - LT vz 40
PzKpfw. 38 - TNH
PzKpfw. 38T Ausf. A / D
PzKpfw 38(t)
Produced in Czechoslovakia for the German Army after the annexxation of Bohemia and Moravia in 1939 the PzKpfw 38(t), types from ausf. A to
ausf. G, mounted a 3.7cm gun plus two machine guns. From this tank were made many different variants. The total of PzKpfw 38(t) -(Ausf. A-G)
produced was 1414 (1411 plus three prototypes) A total of 6321 PzKpfw 38(t) include other variants was manufactured before production was
PzKpfw. 38T Ausf. E / F / G
PzKpfw. 38T Ausf. C
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf.C,
Series comprised 110 vehicles manufactured from May to August 1940. Changes included protector for the turret ring, German aerial, and moving
the silencer (muffler) to the top of the rear plate.
1/72 Attack
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
PzKpfw. 38T Ausf. G - and Command Vehicle
PzKpfw 38(t) Ausf.G,
Where the last version of the original tank. 500 chassis were built, but only 321 were completed as PzKpfw 38(t) between October 1941 and
July 1942,
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
1/72 Attack
Model built by ? - 1/35
Model built by Steven Heng- 1/35 - www.missing-lynx.com
PzKpfw. 38T na (Nue Art - 1943)
Model built by ?
Other versions
PzKpfw. 38T Ausf. H / M
Panzerjäger 38(t) series H and M:
The changing situation on the battle fronts in late 1941 necessitated the next conversion and gave a new lease on life to the outdated
PzKpfw 38(t) tanks. The 3.7cm guns were proven to be totally inadequate against the Russian T-34 and KV-1 tanks, but Germany at this time
had only one tank capable of carrying the long 7.5cm gun, the PzKpfw IV. To provide the anti-tank gun on a mobile platform, the chassis of
the PzKpfw 38(t) was mated, initially, with the excellent Russian 7.62cm guns which the Germans had captured in large numbers during the
Summer 1941 offensives and later with the German 7.5cm Pak 40. The total production from the series H and M were about 2000 vehicles.
PzKpfw 38(t) SdKfz.139 with 7.62cm PaK36(R), Marder III,
Earliest Marder III variant was the SdKfz. 139, which was a simple conversion. The turret and the superstructure top plate were removed
and the gun mounted on a cross, whose members were welded to the hull sides and to the front and rear plates. A crudely constructed gun shield
from 10mm plate provided only a rudimentary protection for the crew. The gun had a straight sight and 30 rounds were carried in bins within the
old fighting compartment. The gun was rechambered for German ammunition which gave it a muzzle velocity of 960m/sec. It fired a 4.15kg shell which
could penetrate 94mm armour at 1000m.
From April to October 1942, 344 SdKfz 139 were built, 176 on the Ausf. G chassis, the rest on Ausf. H
with more powerful engine.
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by ? - 1/35 - www.fallconbbs.com
PzKpfw 38(t) SdKfz. 138 with 7.5cm PaK40, Marder III, ausf. H
This was a similar adaption for the Pak 40, which had become available in May 1942. First 42 vehicles were manufactured on Ausf. H chassis
in November 1942. The conversion was very similar to SdKfz 139, thuough the gun shield was of a better design and provided more protection for
the crew. The usual crew of four was carried. 242 vehicles of this type were manufactured between November 1942 and April 1943 and a further 175
were converted from PzKpfw 38(t) during 1943
Model built by ? - 1/35 - www.fallconbbs.com
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
PzKpfw 38(t) SdKfz. 138M with 7.5cm PaK40/3, Marder III, ausf. M
Was the final version of this series. The Ausf.M chassis was originally developed as a special self-propelled carriage for the infantry houwitzer
by mounting the engine in the centre. The front part of the chassis was redisigned and lengthened with one straight glacis plate. The driver sat
on the right front side under a cast armoured hood with hinged visor. The gun was mounted in the rear at pannier height and was protected by
four-sided superstructure. Armour on the gun shield was 10mm, on the hull only 15mm. Between April 1943 and May 1944, BMM manufactured 975 vehicles
of this type.
Model built by James C Hensley - 1/35 - www.panzershop.cz
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
PzKpfw 38(t) SdKfz. 138/1 with 15cm Sig 33, ausf. H, 'Grille or Bison'
To provide fully tracked supporting artillery for infantry formations, Alkett designed a conversion based on the PzKpfw.38(t) Ausf. H chassis,
using a Rheinmetall-Borsig howitzer. The gun was again located on a cross-member, bolted to the sides and front and rear plates. 90 vehicles were
built on the Ausf. H chassis before the Ausf. M chassis, developed specially for this use, was available.
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by Carlos da Diego Vaquerizo - 1/35 - www.missing-Lynx.com
Model built by ? - 1/35 - www.falconbbs.com
PzKpfw 38(t) SdKfz. 138/1 with 15cm Sig 33, ausf. M, 'Grille or Bison'
The original order for 200 Grille was completed with 90 based on the old Ausf. H chassis and 110 as originally planned on the special new Ausf. M
chassis. From April 1943 until September 1944 a total of 282 of these 'Grille'self-propelled guns were built.
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by ? - 1/35 - panzermodelkit.valka.cz
PzKpfw 38(t) Flakpanzer 38 with 2cm Flak 38, ausf. L, SdKfz. 140
Between November 1943 and February 1944 BMM manufactured 140 anti-aircraft tanks on the Ausf. L chassis, 2cm Flak 38(L/55) was mounted in the
rear of the vehicle and was enclosed in an armoured superstructure, whose upper half could have been opened to facilitate the work of the crwe
and to allow greather depression for the gun.<>
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by Christopher Magus - 1/35 - www.panzershop.iol.cz
PzKpfw 38(t) Aufklarungspanzer 38 with 2cm gun in turret, SdKfz. 140/1
After the PzKpfw II 'Luchs' was abondoned as too complicated and costly, the pressing need for a fully tracked reconnaissance vehicle
was filled by adapting PzKpfw 38(t) chassis returned for rebuilding for this purpose. In February and March 1944 70 vehicles had their
original turrets removed and their chassis prepared. 50 were fitted with the 2cm Hänglafette open topped turred.
Models built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by ? - 1/35 - www.falconbbs.com
PzKpfw 38(t) Aufklarungspanzer 38 with 75mm gun/short in turret, SdKfz. 140/1
With the passing out of most German tank chassis in 1945, only the 38(D) and 38(T) were remain in the light class. The existing Hetzer was
to continue, in various forms, and was to be basis for a new reconnaissance vehicle. One version, completed as a prototype, carried the short
7.5cm K51 gun in a sloped, open top superstructure. And only two prototypes Aufkläringspanzer armed with the 7.5cm KwK 38L/24 were built.
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - Attack
38T Munition - Instandsetzungpanzer
PzKpfw 38(t) Munitionpanzer, ausf. K (Grille without gun)
Parallel with the production of the 'Grille', from January to May 1944, a total of 102 Munitions panzer were built on the Ausf. M chassis.
The limited ammunition storage capacity of the 'Grille' was to be supplemented by having two unarmed Munitionspanzer to every six with SIG33.
Model built by zdenny - 1/35 - pavlikhobbykits.zdenny.cz
PzKpfw 38(t) Munitionpanzer / instandsetzungpanzer 38(t)
From 1942 many obsolete tank chassis were converted in the field to auxilairy vehicles to support self-propelled gun and tank formations.
With the turret removed, they weighed only 8-tons, crew was two men. Between January and May 1944 102 new vehicles, based on the ausf. K
chassis were built specially to supply the "Grill".
1/72 - Esci
PzKpfw 38(t) Munitionpanzer / instandsetzungpanzer / Fieldconversion Ost-front 38(t)
1/72 - Esci
PzKpfw 38(t) Bergepanzer / recoverypanzer 38(t)
Model built by Tony Ivey - 1/72
PzKpfw 38(t) with 7.5cm Stu - Prototype
Who can tell more about this variant??
Hetzer and their variants
Hetzer 38(t) with 7.5cm Pak 39 L/48 gun 'Early'
The 'Hetzer' was based on an enlarged version of the well proven 38(t) chassis design. The suspension and running gear was enlarged by
about 10 per cent to carry the increased size, but the gearbox, steering and the final drive units were unchanged. The driver's position
was switched to the left and the armour completely redesigned. All the contruction was welded. The gun was a modified version of the
PzKpfw IV gun and was mounted at the right side of the fighting compartiment. Armour thickness was 60mm in the front, but only 20mm on
sides and rear. Up till March 1945 a total of 2584 Hetzers were built.
1/76 resin - old Milicast
Model built by Zhen Min Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by ? - 1/35
Hetzer 38(t) with 7.5cm Pak 39 L/48 gun 'Mid'
Model built by Brett Green - 1/35
Hetzer 38(t) with 7.5cm Pak 39 L/48 gun 'Late'
Model built by Alex Clark - 1/72
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/76 - Fujimi
Hetzer 38(t) 638/14 "Starr" - with 7.5cm Pak 39 (L/48) or 10.5cm StuH 42/2 L28
Originally, the Hetzer was designed to carry a rigid (Starr) mounted gun.Rheinmetall-Borsig was developing the gun and Alkett was charged
with the vehicle adaption studies. Two guns were anvisaged for this project, the 7.5cm Pak 39 (L/48) and the 10.5cm StuH 42/2 (L/28).
Two prototypes on the 38(T) chassis were actually built and tested at Hillersleben. Problems with the sights and unmanageable handwheels
led to postponement of production of the Starr and the Hetzer with the normal gun mount was produced instead. 60 vehicles were built and
sent to Skoda / Prague in April 1945, but never completed.
1/76 resin - manufacturer unknown
Hetzer 38(t) - 'Command' - (Mid version)
Model built by ? - 1/35
Hetzer 38(t) Flammpanzer
In december 1944, 20 Hetzers were converted to flame-throwing tanks by having their guns removed and replaced with a flame-thrower.
A simulated barrel was fitted on the flame-thrower, so that the vehicle would not be so esaly recognizable. Weight was 15.5 tons and a
crew of four was carried. Feul for the flame-thrower was carried internally. This conversion was specially for the Ardennes Offensive.
1/76 resin - old Milicast
Model built by Kang Min-Seok - 1/35 - missing-lynx.com
Model built by Jens Kronsvold Frederiksen - 1/35 - missing-lynx.com
Hetzer 38(t) with 15cm Sig 33/2
The troops continually demanded more self-propelled 15cm SIG33 guns but since production of the SdKfz 138/1 Ausf. M had terminated in 1944,
it was impossible to meet these demands. However, in November 1944 it was decided to produce a new self-propelled howitzer on the Hetzer chassis.
A total of 30 of these vehicles was built between December 1944 and February 1945, 24 from new production and 6 rebuilt from Hetzer. The howitzer
was carried in a heightened superstructure, which otherwise followed the clean Hetzer lines.
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - UM
Model built by Jari Livonen - 1/35 - missing-lynx.com
Aufklaringspanzer 38(t) on Hetzer chassis
This versions were only prototypes with 7.5cm short gun or 2cm Flak 38.
Aufklarungspanzer with 7.5cm short gun, prototype 1
1/76 resin - old Milicast
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72
Aufklarungspanzer with 2cm Flak 38, prototype 2
1/76 resin - old Milicast
PzKpfw 38(t) Bergepanzer I Hetzer, with or without Earthspade
Concurrently with the production of the Hetzer, the recovery vihicle Bergepanzer was built. A total of 170 vehicles, 106 from new production
and 64 converted from normal Hetzer, was produced. With a weight of 14.5 ton and a crew of four, it had a lowered superstructure, no gun and
it was fitted with a winch. Used by the Hetzer units as a standard recovery vehicle, it was not too succesful owing the engine being too weak
for recovery purposes.
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - Attack
1/76 resin - old Milicast
1/76 resin - old Milicast
Model built by Jim Norian - 1/35 - www.alpenflage-hobbies.com
Model built by ? - 1/35 - www.dbmodel.com
38(t) Mörserträger Ausf.M
The Mörserträger was a new design from 1944 for supplying self propelled artillery formations, it was not adopted.
1/76 resin and scratchbuilding - old Ostmodels
38T with Pontoons - Amphibian
Model built by Tony Ivey - 1/72
Fahrschule - Lehrpanzer - based on 38T or Hetzer Chassis
38T Fahrschule vehicle with holzgasgenerator
Fahrschule - Lehrpanzer based on Hetzer chassis
ST-III Fahrschule - Lehrpanzer based on Hetzer chassis
38T and 38D variants - proposals and drawingtable vehicles
Leichter Einheits Waffenträger 38(D) ARDELT with 8.8cm Pak43/2 L/71
One of the developments in the last year of the war was the waffenträger series.A large variety of vehicles were designed (it seems that
every firm which could make a tractor tried to built one) but only a few were actually produced. Some of these Ardelt Waffenträgers were
used in action and a surviving example can be found in the Kubinka tank museum.
Remaining example in Kubinka Museum - tanksinmoscow.com
Model built by Zatsepin - 1/72 - acemodels.com
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72 - Ace
38D - Vollkettenaufklarer - APC "Käetzchen" - Prototype
It was eventually decided to just order a prototype from CKD in Prague, maker of the Hetzer 38(T) Panzerjager. The CKD prototype was actually built
in 1944. It was wider than the Auto Union model and heavier, being much better armored. Its front plate was 50mm, sides 30mm and rear 20mm.
It retained the general layout with the open top and the engine in the rear, but disposed with the kugelblende for the front MG, wich was instead
mounted behind an armored shield as carried by the SdKfz.250 and 251 halftracks. A rear mount for another MG was also provided.
Below: Built prototype with 38T wheels - This vehicle has on rearside the same air-intake as by the Panther "Käetzchen" concept (see below)
38D "Käetzchen" - Model built by ? - 1/35 - panzermodelkit.valka.cz
38D "Käetzchen" - gunpoint-3d.com
Vollkettenaufklarer - APC "Käetzchen" - Prototype SWS
Pictures taken from nast-sonderfahrzeuge.de - is this a original concept or nice built "fake" vehicle?
Panther "Käetzchen" - APC with elements of the Panther chassis and fully enclosed armour.
38D Proposals and drawingtable vehicles
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 8cm Paw 600
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 7.5cm KwK L/70
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 10.5cm StuH 42/2
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 7.5cm KwK L/70 (Motor Mitte)
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 10.5cm Paw 1000 (Motor Hinten)
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 10.5cm Paw 1000 (Motor Mitte)
Aufklarungspanzer 38D mit 7.5 cm KwK L/48
Aufklarungspanzer 38D mit 12cm Mortar
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 7.5cm Pak 42/1 L/70
Flakpanzer 38D "Kugelblitz"
Jagdpanzer 38D mit 10.5cm Paw 1000
Bergepanzer 38D
Krupp Vorschlag
38T - with Pz.IV turret - 7.5cm Stu Kwk 43 L48
Model built by Zhenmin Han - 1/72
38T - with Pz.IV turret - with 8cm Paw 600
Krupp (II-Wolfert) Waffentrager fur 8.8cm Pak 43 L/71
Krupp (Egen) Waffentrager fur 8.8cm Pak 43 L/71
Krupp (Egen) EinheitsWaffentrager fur 12.8 cm K81/3
Krupp (II-Wolfert) Waffentrager fur 10.5cm leFH18
Krupp leichter Waffentrager fur 10.5cm leFH18/40/4
Krupp leighter Waffentrager fur 8.8cm Pak 43/1 L/71 (GW 638/18 Sf)
Rheinmetall-Borsig Vorschlag
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 8.8cm KwK 43 L/71
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 5.5cm Flakzwilling
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 8.8cm KwK 43 L/71 (mit Praga motor)
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 10.5cm leFH18 (mit Praga motor)
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 8.8cm Pak 43 L/71
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur leFH
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 12.8 cm Sf (5 rollen laufwerk)
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 15cm Sf (6 rollen laufwerk)
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 12.8 cm Sf (4 rollen laufwerk
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 15cm sFH 18 Rohr
Rheinmetall-Borsig Waffentrager fur 12.8cm Jagdtiger Rohr
Skoda Dampfschlepper
38T based variants in Swedish Service - Wartime and Postwar
STRV - M37
STRV - M41
Sturmgeschutz SAV 101 - M43 with 105mm gun
PVB301 with 20mm gun
PVKVII
E-mail to Henk Timmerman / HenkofHolland
