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The countless variants of the Panzer 38(t)

41.5k MrVaultech  6.8 years ago

Recently, I managed to find an interesting rabit hole when searching up the Pz 38(t), as it had dozens of radical variants. From the traditional 38(t) Ausf. A, the Marder 1 H, to an amphibious boat/tank, I wish to show everyone these to increase the chance of one showing up on the front page.
Now, I'm only going to include ones of interest, as there are quite a few to see, so seeing the rest will be up to you.
(Also, pics are clicky clicks)


Now, lets start off with the "traditional" Panzerkampfwagen 38(Tschechoslowakei)

Everyone should know of this little piece of Czech machinery, being pressed in the Heer after Czechoslovakia was annexed by Germany. It became the base for pretty much every tank that's being shown below.



The 7.5 cm Sturmkanone Panzer 38(t)

This is an interesting attempt to turn an outdated chassis into a capiable tank destroyer. Mounting a StuK 40 7.5 cm gun on an open cockpit, much like the Marder series built off the same chassis.



My favorite of them all
The Panzer 38(t) Ausf. A mit Schwimmkörper

This, from what I could tell, was a failed first attempt to make an amphibious tank for Operation Sealion(Like the Sherman DD and Valentine DD). There was a version of this, the biggest differance was it being a Panzer 2.
Also, something very similar to this



The Flammpanzer 38(t) Hetzer

Basically a Hetzer, but with a flammenwerfer instead of a whatever-mm-gun.



The Vollkettenaufklarer 38D

It is unknkwn what exactly what this variant of the 38(t) would of served as, but with an educated guess, it would of been either a tracked APC or Munition carrier (not like they didn't have 3-4 variants already).



The Aufklärer auf Fgst Panzer 38(t) mit 7.5 cm KwK 38

The Aufklärer, another attempt to make the outdated chassis into an up-to-date tank destroyer to combat increasing enemy tanks. I say, unlike the Sd.Kfz 234/4, never got past the prototype stage.


Anyways, that would be a list of some interesting variants of the Pz 38(t).
And before you yell about the Wespe, Grille, or Flakpanzer...
You already know of those, and they aren't too rare to hear of in WW2 discussions.
Anyways again, enjoy this small grouping of tanks, and lets hope you've been inspired.

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    aaaaaAAAAAAAAAaaaaaah...
    Everything’s Explained
    @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    The designation "Sd.Kfz" was given to literally every tracked or wheeled piece of combat equipmemt in the Wermacht, like the Sd.Kfz 234/2 Puma for example
    @Opise227

    6.8 years ago
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    Sturmtiger, yep, exactly
    Sdkfz... well, no...
    When a german commander asks for a Sdkfz, it’s like if an american asks for an M1...
    @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    Heh, love that idea. Nah, the names given to all these things are unusually very technical, and tell pretty much exactly what they are.
    @Opise227

    +1 6.8 years ago
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    One thing I like from German WWII armament:
    Choose the longest and the most unpronouceable name for each tank you create, so the ennemy will loose time trying to type it correctly In morse code

    6.8 years ago
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    Lol @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    Perhaps so?
    @Kevinairlines

    6.8 years ago
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    What lol @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    Yes? No?
    @Kevinairlines

    6.8 years ago
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    Crispy rat

    6.8 years ago
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    11.5k shipster

    @F4f879 yeah, boat tanks weren't so bright.

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    Which is probably why no-one has heard if the Valentine DD. Amphibious tanks never were a good idea with the technology of then.
    @F4f879

    6.8 years ago
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    21.6k F4f879

    Hmm, sounds vulnerable to gunfire lol... I guess floating tanks are never really a good idea (the DD Shermans sank a lot too) @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    I'd presume they'd be wooden pontoons, and I'm not sure it says from where I got the infi.
    @F4f879

    6.8 years ago
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    @F4f879 if I remember that I was supposed to make one I will tag u XD.

    6.8 years ago
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    21.6k F4f879

    That would be awesome. Mind tagging me if you do? @BlazeInfinity

    6.8 years ago
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    21.6k F4f879

    It looks so big and slow though Lola, probably an easy target for beach artillery... Was the boat section armored too or was that just like a regular boat? @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    Nice, nice! Can't wait to see what ya do if you make one
    @BlazeInfinity

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    That's an understatement, but it is an understandable kinda crazy. Germany needed some way to practice with amphibious crafts for Operation Sealion, and they had a fair number of Czech tanks afterall
    @F4f879

    6.8 years ago
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    I might make one when I have free time from ship experiments

    6.8 years ago
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    21.6k F4f879

    That boat one is so crazy @MrVaultech

    6.8 years ago
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    41.5k MrVaultech

    Ja, much interest, such wow!
    @F4f879

    6.8 years ago
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    21.6k F4f879

    Very interesting!

    6.8 years ago