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.

Chassis

The chassis was similar to the StuG III Ausf E.

Superstructure

An additional exhaust fan was installed in the roof to remove gun fumes. 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.

Main Armament

Was introduced in early 1942 with the 7.5cm StuK 40 L/43. The 75 mm gun fired a 15 lb HE with a muzzle velocity of 2,461'/sec to a range of 7,767 yards.

Usually had rounded muzzle brake.

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-Benz

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	4
Radio	FuG15, FuG16
Physical Characteristics
Weight	47,960 lb 21,800 kg 21.6 tons, 25.6 tons
Length	18', 19' 2" 6.31 m
Height	6' 7", 7.1' 2.15 m
Width	8' 11", 9.7' 2.92 m
Width over tracks
Ground clearance	15.75"
Ground contact length
Ground pressure	14.5 psi
Armament (mm)
Main	75 mm StuK 40 L/43
OR	1: 75 mm StuK 40 L/48
Secondary
MG	7.92 mm MG34
Side arms
Quantity
Main	44, 54
Secondary
MG	600
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	11 - 50 Front: 2"+1.2" Side: 1.2"
Hull Front, Upper	50 or 50+30@10° Mantlet: 50@0°
Hull Front, Lower	50 or 50+30@21°
Hull Sides, Upper	30@10° Mantlet: 30@17°
Hull Sides, Lower	30@0°
Hull Rear	30@30° & 30@30° + 10°
Hull Top	11@78° to 90° & 17@85° Mantlet: 30@90°
Hull Bottom	16@90°
Superstructure Front
Superstructure Sides
Superstructure Rear
Superstructure Top
Engine (Make / Model)	Maybach HL 120 TRM
Bore / stroke	4 cycles
Cooling	Water
Cylinders	V-12
Capacity
Net HP	300@3,000 rpm
Power to weight ratio
Compression ratio	6.5:1
Transmission (Type)	Synchromesh 6 forward, 1 reverse
Steering	Clutch brake
Steering ratio
Starter	Hand inertia and electric
Electrical system	Starting: 24-volt Normal: 12-volt
Ignition	Magento
Fuel (Type)
Octane
Quantity	82 gallon
Road consumption	1.7 mpg
Cross country consumption	0.7 mpg
Performance
Traverse	10° left, 10° right, hand., 20°
Speed - Road	25 mph 40 kph
Speed - Cross Country	15 mph
Range - Road	92 miles, 96 miles 140 km
Range - Cross Country	59 miles
Turning radius
Elevation limits	-6° to +17°, -6° to +20°
Fording depth	2' 8", 2' 11.4" 0.8 m
Trench crossing	7.6', 8' 6" 2.59 m
Vertical obstacle	2', 2' 11.6" 0.6 m
Climbing ability	30° (57%) slope
Suspension (Type)	Torsion bars
Wheels each side	6
Return rollers each side	3
Tracks (Type)	Dry pin
Length
Width
Width of link
Diameter
Number of links	92
Pitch	4.7"
Tire tread
Track centers/tread