Germany's Gepanzerter Selbstfahrlafette für Sturmgeschütz 7.5 cm Sturmkanone 40 Ausf F; Sturmgeschütz III Ausf F; StuG 40 Ausf F; Sturmgeschütz 40 Ausführung F; 7.5cm Sturmgeschütz 40, Ausf F; SdKfz 142/1

Design

Adolf Hitler had ordered the StuG III Ausf F to be developed so that the German Wehrmacht would retain superiority over the Soviet KV-1s and T-34s.⁶

Chassis

The chassis was similar to the StuG III Ausf E.¹

Superstructure

An additional exhaust fan was installed in the roof to remove gun fumes.^1,6 Early in production the superstructure was modified to improve protection.

The mantlet was changed to make room for the larger recoil of the 7.5 cm gun.⁶

Main Armament

Was introduced in early 1942 with the 7.5cm StuK 40 L/43.¹ The 75 mm gun fired a 15 lb HE with a muzzle velocity of 2,461'/sec to a range of 7,767 yards.³

Usually had rounded muzzle brake.⁴

Production

Production started in March 1942 and in June 1942, 182 had Zusatz Panzerung (additional armor) added. 31 had the L/48 gun installed.

• StuG III Ausf F:
  • Manufacturer: Daimler-Benz³

Usage

It was primarily issued as replacements. Was issued to the newly formed F Skl Kp 312, 313, and 314 (Remote Controlled Demolition Units) and to the Sturmgeschütz units of the Herman Göring Division.

Specifications

	StuG III Ausf F, StuG 40 Ausf F
Crew	41,2,3,6
Radio	FuG152, FuG162
Physical Characteristics
Weight	47,960 lb6 21,800 kg6 21.6 tons1,2,5, 25.6 tons3
Length	18'3, 19' 2"6 6.31 m2,6
Height	6' 7"6, 7.1'3 2.15 m2,6
Width	8' 11"6, 9.7'3 2.92 m2,6
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.75"3
Ground contact length
Ground pressure	14.5 psi3
Armament (mm)
Main	75 mm StuK 40 L/431,2,4,5
OR	1: 75 mm StuK 40 L/482,3,6
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG342,6
Side arms
Quantity
Main	442, 543
Secondary
MG	6002
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	11 - 506 Front: 2"+1.2"3 Side: 1.2"3
Hull Front, Upper	50 or 50+30@10°2 Mantlet: 50@0°2
Hull Front, Lower	50 or 50+30@21°2
Hull Sides, Upper	30@10°2 Mantlet: 30@17°2
Hull Sides, Lower	30@0°2
Hull Rear	30@30°2 & 30@30° + 10°2
Hull Top	11@78° to 90°2 & 17@85°2 Mantlet: 30@90°2
Hull Bottom	16@90°2
Superstructure Front
Superstructure Sides
Superstructure Rear
Superstructure Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 120 TRM2,3,6
Bore / stroke	4 cycles3
Cooling	Water3
Cylinders	V-123
Capacity
Net HP	300@3,000 rpm3
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio	6.5:13
Transmission (Type)	Synchromesh3 6 forward, 1 reverse2,3
Steering	Clutch brake3
Steering ratio
Starter	Hand inertia and electric3
Electrical system	Starting: 24-volt3 Normal: 12-volt3
Ignition	Magento3
Fuel (Type)
Octane
Quantity	82 gallon3
Road consumption	1.7 mpg3
Cross country consumption	0.7 mpg3
Performance
Traverse	10° left, 10° right, hand.2, 20°3
Speed - Road	25 mph3,6 40 kph2,6
Speed - Cross Country	15 mph3
Range - Road	92 miles6, 96 miles3 140 km2,6
Range - Cross Country	59 miles3
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-6° to +17°3, -6° to +20°2
Fording depth	2' 8"6, 2' 11.4"3 0.8 m6
Trench crossing	7.6'3, 8' 6"6 2.59 m6
Vertical obstacle	2'6, 2' 11.6"3 0.6 m6
Climbing ability	30° (57%) slope3
Suspension (Type)	Torsion bars3
Wheels each side	63
Return rollers each side	33
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin3
Length
Width
Width of link
Diameter
Number of links	923
Pitch	4.7"3
Tire tread
Track centers/tread