Germany's Gepanzerter Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Kanone Ausf D; Sturmgeschütz III Ausf D, SdKfz 142

Design

Very similar to the StuG III Ausf A with some minor chassis variations. Was built on the PzKpfw III Ausf H chassis.

New superstructure was main change. The gunner's direct vision sight was eliminated. The gunner's hatch was redesigned so that the gun sight could be raised beside it while the hatch remained closed. Some of the StuG III Ausf Ds were modified to be a commander's vehicle by adding a pannier to the right side of the superstructure.

Usage

3 StuG III Ausf Ds were sent to North Africa in the Sonderverband (Detachment for Special Employment 288) in early 1942.

Specifications

	StuG III Ausf D
Crew	4
Radio	FuG15, FuG16
Physical Characteristics
Weight	20.2 tons
Length	5.4 m
Height	1.98 m
Width	2.93 m
Width over tracks
Ground clearance
Ground contact length
Ground pressure
Armament (mm)
Main	75 mm StuK37 L/24
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Quantity
Main	44
Secondary
MG
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)
Hull Front, Upper	50@10° Mantlet: 50@15°
Hull Front, Lower	50@21°
Hull Sides, Upper	30@0° + 9@30°
Hull Sides, Lower	30@0°
Hull Rear	30@30° + 10°
Hull Top	11@78-90° @ 17@85°
Hull Bottom	16@90°
Superstructure Front
Superstructure Sides
Superstructure Rear
Superstructure Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 120 TRM
Bore / stroke
Cooling
Cylinders
Capacity
Net HP
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio
Transmission (Type)	Pre-selective. 6 forward, 1 reverse.
Steering
Steering ratio
Starter
Electrical system
Ignition
Fuel (Type)
Octane
Quantity
Road consumption
Cross country consumption
Performance
Traverse	12° left, 12° right, hand.
Speed - Road	40 kph
Speed - Cross Country
Range - Road	160 km
Range - Cross Country
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-10° to +20°
Fording depth
Trench crossing
Vertical obstacle
Climbing ability
Suspension (Type)
Wheels each side
Return rollers each side
Tracks (Type)
Length
Width
Diameter
Number of links
Pitch
Tire tread
Track centers/tread