Thomas L. Jentz, Hilary L. Doyle - Panzer Tracts no.7-3, Panzerjaeger (7,5 cm PaK 40/4 to 8,8 cm Waffentraeger) development and employment from 1939 to 1945, rok vydania 2006, ISBN 0-9771643-3-0
URL : https://www.valka.cz/8-8-cm-PaK-43-Ardelt-Krupp-Waffentraeger-t106513#503564
Version : 0
On 19.4.1944 representatives of the company Krupp visited the company Ardelt for the purpose of discussing the designs of wafenträger with 8,8 cm anti-tank guns. The firm Ardelt already had experience with a similar wafenträger, but the originally intended cannon PaK 43/41 of the firm [i:PaK 43 Kreuzlafette by Rheinmetall-Börsig was replaced by PaK 43 Kreuzlafette by Krupp due to the cessation of its production. However, this gun was not entirely suitable for the design of this fighter and therefore a collaboration between WaPrüf 4 and Ardelt and Krupp was proposed by the Ordnance Department to design a new form of the 8.8 cm Waffenträger.
On a modified platform from a previous project by Ardelt, the PaK 43 Kreuzlafette gun was mounted on the platform, protected by the series-mounted protective shield used on the towed version, whose side hinged operator protection shields were enlarged. The fully forward-facing cannon had a -8°/+25° bearing, the rear-facing cannon had a -8°/+15° bearing, and the side-facing cannon had a +40° bearing. The height of the tank fighter was 1750 mm, the ground clearance was 450-500 mm. The weight was about 9 tons. The chassis used the proven design Pz.Kpfw.38(t)/Jagdpanzer38(t). The first prototype had tracks from the Steyr RSO artillery tractor. The ammunition supply was stored under the floor (36 pcs) and in a standby storage box mounted on the shield on the right side of the gun(6 pcs). Interestingly, the fighter used all-metal running wheels. The prototype was demonstrated at Kummersdorf on 30.5.1944. The first prototype was intended to be used for WaPrüf 4 (gunnery tests) and the second prototype was intended to be used for WaPrüf 6 (handling tests). After the prototype was demonstrated, an order was placed for 100 of the so-called Series 0 machines. Of these, 82 machines were to be fighters and the remaining 18 machines were to be produced in the form of ammunition trucks to supply the fighters with ammunition. The Ardelt company, at the suggestion of military experts, prepared some modifications to the original prototype. Plans for the delivery of the machines were constantly postponed and postponed. Problems arose with the supply of material (chassis parts). By the end of 1944 only two prototypes were produced (2nd prototype - 23.9.1944) The prototypes differed slightly from the later production vehicles. A total of 7 machines were produced. The Soviet post-war report after the capture of the Ardelt factory mentions the discovery of six unfinished hulls, one 8.8cm calibre gun and six engines.
Identified differences:
1st prototype: Barrel support mount, shape of front hull armour, side guards of gun operator, towing hooks, shape of drive and tension wheel, RSO tracks...
2nd prototype : Different drive and tension wheel, different shape of the front hull armour, different side guards of the gun operator, different tow hooks, tracks from Pz.Kpfw.38(t)/Jagdpanzer 38(t)...
Serial machines : Different barrel support attachment.
According to K.St.N. 430 of 1.11.1944, separate Batterie 8,8 cm Kanone 43 (Sf.)(6 Gesch.)(tbew/mot.) were to be formed. There were to be 6 tank fighters in each. All 7 fighters produced were concentrated in the Panzerjäger-Alarmkompanie Eberswalde. The commander of the unit became Oberleutnant Ardelt (he was killed in action in this fighter). The unit fought as part of Heeresgruppe Weichsel in the area of Eberswalde (a town 50 km northeast of Berlin). One captured production machine was tested by the Soviet Army after the war in the spring of 1946. This machine is now part of the museum collections in the tank museum in Kubinka
URL : https://www.valka.cz/8-8-cm-PaK-43-Ardelt-Krupp-Waffentraeger-t106513#657513
Version : 0
RH 8/1608 contains nine reports written between 8/1944 and 1/1945 about trials with Ardelt/Krupp Waffenträger in Kummersdorf, specifically Versuchsfahrzeug Nr.2 (Test Vehicle No. 2). The first photo shows some details of the fuel tank and air filter openings located between the Pak 43 gun shield and the rear of the driver's/engine compartment. The fate of this particular vehicle after 6/1944 remained unknown to me, but according to the reports, it arrived at Kummersdorf on 7/31/1944 and was handed over to the Schule für H.Mot. on completion of all tests. Wünsdorf on 3/1/1945.
URL : https://www.valka.cz/8-8-cm-PaK-43-Ardelt-Krupp-Waffentraeger-t106513#731599
Version : 0
Join us
We believe that there are people with different interests and experiences who could contribute their knowledge and ideas. If you love military history and have experience in historical research, writing articles, editing text, moderating, creating images, graphics or videos, or simply have a desire to contribute to our unique system, you can join us and help us create content that will be interesting and beneficial to other readers.