SdKfz 124 Wespe

German self-propelled gun SdKfz 124 leFH18 on Panzer II ‘Wespe’ (‘Wasp’).
History, development, specifications, statistics, pictures and 3D model.

3D model Wespe
3D model of SdKfz 124 Wespe

Wespe (SdKfz 124, leFH18 on Panzer II)
Type: Self-propelled light field howitzer on tracked carriage.

History:

The Wespe (Wasp) was designed by Alkett early in 1942, and was chosen as the most practical self-propelled mount for the leFH18 over the Panzer 3 and Panzer 4.

As an interim measure, the Wespe proved a great success and in February 1943, all further Panzer 2 chassis were ordered to be used for its production. The initial order for 1,000 was cut back to 835 late in 1943. This total included 159 (without leFH18/2) designated Munitions-Sf auf Fgst PzKpfw II (Ammunition-SP on chassis (of) AFV II) which carried 90 extra-rounds with a crew of three.

The Wespe was built on a modified Panzer II (PzKpfw II) chassis with the hull slightly lengthened, the engine moved forward, line glaces extended and the cooling-system louvres completely re-designed. The suspension was altered slightly by reducing the number of return rollers from four to three, and by adding spring bumper stops for the road wheels to absorb the recoil loading. The driver occupied a small compartment forward, next to the transmission, and separated from the remainder of the crew who were located in the rear fighting compartment which was built up from sloping plates. The design of the Munitions-Sf version still allowed the installation of the leFH18/2 by Field Maintenance as replacement for unserviceable Wespe.

The Wespe was issued to SP detachments of the artillery regiments in Panzer and Panzergrenadier divisions. Its first major action was at Battle of Kursk 1943 in Russia, and it saw active service in the east, west and south-west until the end of the war.


 

Users: Germany.


Specifications for SdKfz 124 Wespe (leFH 18 on PzKpfw II)

Specifications:

SdKfz 124 WespeSpecification
TypeSelf-propelled light field howitzer on tracked carriage
EngineMaybach HL62TRM with 140 hp
Gearbox 6 forward, 1 reverse
Crew total5
Turret crew4
Length4.81 m
Width2.28 m
Height2.3 m
Weight11 tons
Maximum speed40 km/hr
Cross-country speed24 km/hr
Fuel consumption per 100km road 120 litres, cross-country 180 litres
Fuel170 litres (in 2 tanks)
Road radius140 km
Cross-country radius90 km
Vertical obstacle0.42 m
Trench crossing1.70 m
Fording depth0.80 m
Turning circle4.80 m
Gradient30°

Armor:

SdKfz 124 Wespemmangle
Turret front--
Turret side--
Turret rear--
Turret topopen-
Superstructure front2030°
Superstructure side15
Superstructure rear8
Superstructure top1090°
Hull front3015°
Hull side15
Hull rear1510°
Hull bottom590°
Gun mantlet1016-24°

Armament and Equipment:

SdKfz 124 WespeSpecification
Main armament10.5cm leFH18M L/28
Rounds 32 (ammunition carrier: 90)
Traverse 17° left; 17° right
Elevation -5°; +42°
Muzzle velocity AP: 470 m/s; HE: 495 m/s
Shell weight AP: 14.0 kg; Gr39 H1/A: 12.3 kg; Gr39 H1/B: 12.1 kg; Gr39 H1/C: 12.35 kg
Secondary armament7.92 mm MG 34 (loose)
Radio?
Telescopic sight Rblf36 (range 2,000 m)


t_arrow1see also: 105mm leFH 18

Penetration mm at 30° armor plates of the gun:

RangePzGr39Gr39 H1/AGr39 H1/BGr39 H1/C
100 meters63 mm80 mm90 mm100 mm
500 meters59 mm80 mm90 mm100 mm
1000 meters54 mm80 mm90 mm100 mm
1500 meters50 mm80 mm90 mm100 mm
2000 meters46 mm---

Production:

SdKfz 124 Wespefigures
ProductionFebruary 1943 - July 1944
Combat deliveryinstantly
Price per tank ? (PzKpfw II: c. 50,000 RM)
Total production figure (all) 676 + 159 ammunition carriers

Service statistics of SdKfz 124 Wespe:

YearAvailableProductionLosses
before 1939---
1939 (Sep)---
1940---
1941---
1942---
1943-514?
1944?162?
1945?-?
TOTAL-676?


Animated 3D model SdKfz 124 Wespe


References and literature

Kraftfahrzeuge und Panzer der Reichswehr, Wehrmacht und Bundeswehr (Werner Oswald)
Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two (P.Chamberlain, H.L.Doyle)
Panzer und andere Kampffahrzeuge von 1916 bis heute (Christopher F. Foss, John F. Milsom, Colonel John Stafford Weeks, Captain Georffrey Tillotson, Richard M. Ogorkiewicz)
Panzerkampfwagen des 1. und 2. Weltkrieges (Andrew Kershaw)
Krieg der Panzer (Piekalkiewicz)
The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II (Chris Bishop)


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