British view of german SPG vehicles, Part 1.

This report describes the studies undertaken on the four  german SPGs used in service in the war. They are the Panzer Jager 35(t), Jagdpanzer IV, Jagdpanther and Jagdtiger. The object of this study was to examine the main armament loading arrangement and assess the loading times, and  examine the crew's controls, accomodation and comfort.


Seems simple enough. British researchers made several brief conclusions -  controls were badly positioned and accomidations were generally unsatisfactory, but ammo stowage was well-positioned.


(i) When the gun is traversed left or right, it hems in certain members of the crew, to the detriment of the performance of their duties.

(ii) Crew seating is badly designed and positioned.

(iii) Vision devices are badly mounted and positioned, and in many cases inadequate.

(iv) Gun controls are badly positioned.

(v) Driving controls are badly positioned.

(vi) Basically, the ammunition stowage is well-positioned, but bin fittings and the position of rounds in the bin is unsatisfactory in some of these vehicles.

(vii) Loading times, though reasonably fast, could have been reduced if the disadvantages in (vi) had been eliminated. "



However, its not all as bad as it seems, as researchers leading the study admit that "(ii) to (vii) are minor  points of design, since they could easily have been eliminated by more careful attention to the design and positioning of minor items. Item (i) is not as serious as it would seem, since the vehicle could be steered to face the target while keeping the gun on central traverse."


Well, lets see what the final verdict is:

" Although certain comparatively small disadvantages exist in the S.P.G's studied, these could have been easily overcome. The basic design of all four vehicles is excellent, and the advantages and disadvantages of this type of A.F.V are compared in this report with those of turreted vehicles (tanks. In our opinion, the results show that in many respects, the S.P.G is a better vehicle.")




From WO 291/1307 - Motion studies of german S.P equipments, pg. 3-4(NARA), more on specific vehicles to come in future articles.

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