Germany's Bergepanther; SdKfz 179

Design

To recover large broke down tanks in the field two large halftracks were used. However, it wasn't always possible to get two halftracks into some locations or even have two available. Some Tigers were converted to be recovery vehicles but it was decided to modify Panthers as Tigers were in short supply and more valued at the front.

From July to August 1943, Henschel produced 70 with a 40 ton winch in place of the turrent. There was a wood and steel superstructure with a canvas that protected the crew. A hinged spade was placed on the rear to be use as a counterbalance and lever. The spade wasn't installed on all vehicles.

The middle part of the hull roof was removed and a metal box was mounted across the hull. Additional boards were added to increase it's height. The boards on the sides could be folded down to allow for people to walk or work on them.

The compartment held the equipment, winch, cable drum, and the steel arm that ran above the winch area. The engine had to be turned off every time the winch was to be turned on. Rollers guided the cables over the rear of the Bergepanther.

Production

Ruhrstahl of Hattingen supplied the armor.

• Bergepanther: 297, ~300, 350
  • Conversion: DEMAG in Berlin, Demag in Berlin-Falkensee, MAN and Henschel
    • PzKpfw V Ausf A: 232 (June - September 1943)
    • PzKpfw V Ausf G: 107 (September 1944 - March 1945)
    • 2 (August 1944)

Usage

It was intended to have two in every Panther battalion.

Kursk

In June 1943, MAN sent 12 Panthers, without their turrets, to two Panther battalions that were to be used at Kursk.

The Panzer Regiment Lauchert and the 51st & 52nd Panzerabteilungen each had 4 at Kursk in July 1943.

Specifications

	Bergepanther
Crew	4 or 5, 4, 5
Physical Characteristics
Weight	92,400 lb 42 tons 42,000 kg
Length	26' 9" 8.153 m
Height	9' 2.74 m
Width	10' 9" 3.276 m
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	1' 10"
Ground contact length
Ground pressure
Turret ring diameter
Armament
Main	1: 20 mm 1: 20 mm KwK 38
Secondary
MG	1: 7.92 mm MG 1: 7.92 mm MG34 MG
Side arms
Quantity
Main
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	8 - 40
Hull Front, Upper	80@50°
Hull Front, Lower	80@55°
Hull Sides, Upper	40@40°
Hull Sides, Lower	40@0°
Hull Rear	40@30°
Hull Top	15@90°
Hull Bottom	20+13@90°
Turret Front
Turret Sides
Turret Rear
Turret Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL210 P30 Maybach HL230 P30
Bore / stroke
Cooling
Cylinders
Capacity
Net HP	HL210: 642, 642@3,000 rpm HL230: 690@3,000 rpm
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	AK 7-200, 7 forward, 1 reverse
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)	Gasoline
Octane
Quantity	1,075 liters
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse
Speed - Road	20 mph, 21 mph 32 kph
Speed - Cross Country	10 - 15 mph
Range - Road	105 miles 169 km
Range - Cross Country	53 miles 85 km
Turning radius
Elevation limits
Fording depth	4' 7", 5' 7" 1.7 m
Trench crossing	6' 3" 1.91 m
Vertical obstacle	3' 0.91 m
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)
Wheels each side
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)
Length
Width	2' 1.75"
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire tread
Track centers/tread	8' 7 1/8"