Favorite/best Pz-IV-based AFV?

[tomo pauk]

The Pz-IV was Heer's workhorse, and served as basis for many types of the AFVs. What one could be considered as the best, or, as a favorite for/by you? For the sake of discussion, the variants of the Geshutzwagen III/IV are also included, as are the tanks proper.

[davebender]

The Panzer IV chassis was not originally intended to be a main battle tank. It was supposed to be a platform for SP weapons. These are two of my favorites.

Sd.Kfz.165/1 10.5cm SP Howitzer.
heu_6.jpg



Wirbelwind 2cm Vierling.
wirbel.jpg

[davebender]

pzjag48.jpg

Jagdpanzer IV design similiar to the Hetzer but it was 9 tons heavier and that makes all the difference. Interior space was roomy enough for efficient weapons system operation. 1.85 meter height was even lower then the Hetzer and probably one of the lowest armored vehicles produced during WWII. When combined with nicely sloped armor 60mm thick this had to be among the most survivable of WWII era armored vehicles. Unlike the Hetzer, Jagdpanzer IV crews liked their vehicle.

The roomy and well armored upper hull offered good possibilities for mounting other weapons such as the Kugelblitz twin 3cm Flak turret.

[davebender]

Tankbuilder.net - Panzerfahre
OVRAL01.jpg


Another Panzer IV based vehicle that never got mass produced due to wartime production priorities. Like the earlier Landwasserschleper this amphibious vehicle would have been used by army float bridge units.

IMO the guy who built this model kit did an exceptionally nice job. Lots more detail then the few historical black & white photographs.

[Denniss]

Looks more like a US amphib tank body mounted onto a Panzer IV chassis.

[davebender]

Nl29398.jpg

The plastic model looks pretty accurate to me.