Pz.Sfl. IVb
Pz.Sfl. IVb
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[Client Values; Actual values in
150,000  Cost |
| 30561 HP Hit Points |
| 17.81/1813.49/20 t Weight Limit |
- Commander (Radio Operator)
- Driver
- Gunner
- Loader
| 140180 hp Engine Power |
| 35/10 km/h Speed Limit |
| 2022 deg/s Traverse |
| 7.8613.34 hp/t Power/Wt Ratio |
| YesYes Pivot |
| // mm Hull Armor |
HE
HE Shells |
128/0
128/0 Shell Cost |
| 410//410// HP Damage |
| 27//26// mm Penetration |
|
3.87 r/m ▲
3.87 r/m Standard Gun ▲ Rate of Fire Standard Gun |
|
1586.7 ▲
1586.7 Standard Gun ▲ Damage Per Minute Standard Gun |
|
0.76 m ▲
0.72 m With 50% Crew: 0.941 m ▲ Accuracy With 50% Crew: 0.892 m |
| 5.5 s 5.5 s Aim time |
| 1010 deg/s Gun Traverse Speed |
| 70° Gun Arc |
| -10°/+40°-10°/+40° Elevation Arc |
| 120105 rounds Ammo Capacity |
| 2020 % Chance of Fire |
| 255 m 255 m View Range |
| 310 m 700 m Signal Range |
IV
150000
The Pz.Sfl. IVb is a German tier 4 self-propelled gun.
An SPG prototype equipped with a 105-mm howitzer. The original variant was developed in 1939 by the Krupp company. In 1940, some changes were introduced to the project. The first two prototypes were manufactured by January 7, 1942. In the same year, the prototype series of 10 SPGs was produced: 6 vehicles entered service, while the other 4 were used by the Wehrmacht training units.
The Pz.Sfl.IVb is an excellent SPG due to its versatility, high ammo capacity, and excellent gun elevation and depression; it also has an excellent camouflage factor, making it a serious threat to enemies. To top it off, it can even fire AP rounds which can easily penetrate the roof armor of enemies and cause devastating effects, that is, if they manage to land on it. The downside of this SPG is its very long aim time and very poor mobility.
The Pz.Sfl. IVb marks the end of its German self-propelled gun line.
Modules / Available Equipment and Consumables
Modules
Guns
| Tier | Gun | Penetration (mm) |
Damage (HP) |
Rate of fire (rounds/minute) |
Dispersion (m/100m) |
Aiming time (s) |
Weight (kg) |
Price (  )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | 10,5 cm le.F.H. 16 L/22 | 27 | 410 | 3.87 | 0.76 | 5.5 | 490 | 13900 | |
| IV | 10,5 cm le.F.H. 18 L/28 | 26 | 410 | 3.87 | 0.72 | 5.5 | 585 | 34110 |
Engines
| Tier | Engine | Engine Power (hp) |
Chance of Fire on Impact (%) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | Maybach HL 62 TR | 140 | 20 | 550 | 4220 | |
| IV | Maybach HL 66 P | 180 | 20 | 550 | 8650 |
Suspensions
| Tier | Suspension | Load Limit (т) |
Traverse Speed (gr/sec) |
Rmin | Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | Pz.Sfl. IVb | 18 | 20 | 0 | 10000 | 2000 | |
| IV | Pz.Sfl. IVb3 | 20 | 22 | 0 | 10000 | 4750 |
Radios
| Tier | Radio | Signal Range (m) |
Weight (kg) |
Price ( )
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| III | FuG 5 | 310 | 50 | 630 | |
| VI | FuG 7 | 415 | 70 | 8160 | |
| VIII | Fu.Spr.Ger. "a" | 700 | 150 | 27000 |
Compatible Equipment
Compatible Consumables
Player Opinion
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Superb gun range for both guns
- Widest gun arc out of all non-turreted arty (70 deg total), gun depression great for TD mode
- Very good accuracy and damage
- Second gun can fire AP rounds
- Very high ammo count, even on second gun
Cons:
- Very slow, even for a SPG, weak engine hampers its mobility
- Traverses are quite bad, lacks agility
- Burst radius is unimpressive, but normal in comparison with other nations' SPGs
- It is unlikely, but still can happens, that the turret will be jammed from direct unlucky shots.
Performance
This tank is incredibly fun to play. While it is quite serviceable as a standard artillery, its very high damage gun, plus its ability to fire AP rounds from its top gun, mean that it can fulfill a very effective ambush TD role as well. Its gun suffers the same issues facing other SPGs trying to play as TDs: a lack of the sniper view, slow shell trajectory, low accuracy, and long aim times. As a result, you will likely have to rely on a good bit of luck or simply sitting still for a while to let the aim circle narrow; playing as an ambush-type TD allows you to pre-aim at likely avenues of approach and start counting down the 5.5 second aim time.
If you do choose to act as a TD, stick to enclosed spaces or bottlenecks where tanks have to come through in single file or at lower speeds. If you get into a close-range fight with multiple tanks on each side, you probably don't have time to relocate, so take up a punishing position and fire AP rounds at vulnerable parts as enemies try to peek and shoot. The long reload time on both guns will make this a risky venture, however.
Scouts are going to be a pain, but less so than other SPGs; while you'll be able to one-shot most of them much like any other SPG, you have a much wider arc of fire, which will render circling less effective against this SPG. As always, being tracked or simply outmaneuvered will leave you at a disadvantage, since your pitiful traverse will make you an easy target.
In the traditional SPG role, the Pz.Sfl. IVb benefits by being the most accurate artillery for its tier (tied with the Birch Gun), and indeed, one of the most accurate artillery in the game. This makes its AP and HEAT shells notably more useful thanks to the increased probability to score direct hits on enemy tanks. While it cannot unload DPM like the T82 HMC, it can do so with greater accuracy. A Brothers-in-Arms crew, gun rammer, gun laying drive, and chocolate can bring the reload time down to around 12.5 seconds (and the rate of fire up to about 4.8), the aim time down to 4.5 seconds, and the dispersion down to .65, making this vehicle extremely lethal when upgraded and fully equipped. As a result, this SPG remains competitive even in higher tiers; much like the Birch Gun or FV304, some players grow to hate this SPG for its ability to constantly keep a tank tracked.
For consumables, consider using the 100 or 105-Octane Gasoline for the 5%/10% boost (respectively) to both engine power and turret traverse speed. Due to its low health, poor speed, and weak armor, most engine fires are not survivable, and a fire extinguisher is usually unnecessary.
Early Research
The stock configuration isn't terrible, and upgrades don't bring anything very new to the tank except some minor stat upgrades. Sadly, none of the radios from the Wespe, or even the G.Pz. Mk. VI (e) carry over, as the Pz.Sfl. IVb is closer to an actual tank than a self-propelled gun. The Fug 7 is a staple of earlier tanks and goes back as early as the Pz. I and II. The Fug Spr. A can be picked up from Pz.Kpfw. II Ausf. G, or maybe the Pz.Kpfw. I Ausf. C, if you've delved any into the German scout tree. You may wish to pick up the engine or the upgraded gun first; traverse speed is less important on this SPG, compared to others, because of its turret’s wide field of fire. The suspension isn't required at all, as you can mount every module without having to upgrade it.
Suggested Equipment
Gallery
Historical Info
Pz.Sfl.IVb also known as Heuschrecke 10 (English: Grasshopper 10) was a prototype self-propelled gun developed by Krupp-Gruson between 1943 and 1944. The official designation of the vehicle was 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 auf Waffenträger Geschützwagen IVband was scheduled to be built in Magdeburg, Germany. The Pz.Sfl.IVb featured a removable turret which could be deployed as a pillbox or towed behind the vehicle as an artillery piece. Krupp produced only three prototypes from 1942–1943. The Heuschrecke initially made use of a shortened Panzerkampfwagen IV hull, but it was later switched to the Geschützwagen IV chassis, developed for the Hummel self-propelled gun. Mass production of the Pz.Sfl.IVb was scheduled to start in February 1945, but never occurred.
Development history
Towards the end of September 1939, Krupp designed the "first real self-propelled artillery piece", the Sonderkraftfahrzeug 165/1 (Special Purpose Vehicle 165/1, abbreviated Sd.Kfz. 165/1). The Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was similar in design to the Pz.Sfl.IVb, but did not have the chassis-mounted launching mechanism to remove the turret. After a series of tests, the Sd.Kfz. 165/1 was accepted by the Wehrmacht in early January 1940. In 1941, Krupp built prototype vehicles armed with the 105 mm leichte Feldhaubitze 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer 18/1 L/28, abbreviated leFH 18/1 L/28) cannon based on a modified Panzer IV chassis. The prototypes were fitted with a smaller six-cylinder Maybach HL66P engine, which had a power capacity of 188 hp (140 kW). Although 200 vehicles were ordered, Krupp completed only 10 prototypes in the final four months of 1942. These saw service on the Eastern Front.
Design features
The distinguishing feature of the Pz.Sfl.IVb was its removable turret. A lifting gantry attached to the chassis could remove the turret for use on concrete fortifications or the ground. Although the howitzer could equally be fired from the chassis, the vehicle was designed to carry the artillery piece to a firing emplacement for removal before usage. The turretless vehicle could be used as an ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle. The prototype turret was armed with the 105 mm leFH 18/1 L/28. The production models, however, were to have the 105 mm leFH 43 L/28. The hull was consisted of a welded steel plates, with thickness ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, and sloped armour to deflect incoming fire more effectively. It had a large ammunition stowage, making it one of the chosen ammunition-carriers to help alleviate losses of ammunition that could not otherwise be transported. The original prototype engine was the twelve-cylinder Maybach HL90, but for the production models, the twelve-cylinder Maybach HL100 was chosen.
Prototypes
The design phase began in 1942, when Krupp conceived a new type of self-propelled artillery. In 1943, Krupp produced three prototypes, with serial numbers from 582501 to 582503, which were designated as either Heuschrecke 10 or Heuschrecke IVb. The cehicle designed by Krupp was similar in design to a vehicle built by Alkett and Rheinmetall-Borsig, the 105 mm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschützwagen III/IV, which was ready in March 1944. The competing Rheinmetall-Borsig model had overall slightly better performance than that of Krupps' vehicle. It was decided, however, to utilize an alternate chassis on the Rheinmetall-Borsig model, that of the Panzer IV. Production was to start in October 1944, but the chassis choice was changed to that of the Geschützwagen IV in December 1944. Production, in Magdeburg, was then intended to commence in February 1945, but none were produced. The Nazi high command thought that the production of the Pz.Sfl.IVb would disrupt the production of the needed Panzers. The quantity of materials required for the construction of weapon-carriers were so great that companies like Krupp were told to halt production. The majority of weapon-carriers never left the production stage. The Pz.Sfl.IVb was seen as interesting by the General Inspector of the Panzer Troops, Heinz Guderian, however, Guderian agreed that their development was not worth the disruption to tank production. The development of the Pz.Sfl.IVb was therefore canceled in February 1943.
Survivors
It is believed only one Pz.Sfl.IVb survived the war. This sole survivor was originally on display at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. It was transferred from there to the Fort Sill Field Artillery Museum in Fort Sill, Oklahoma along with several other World War II self-propelled guns.
Historical Gallery
Sources and External Links
| USA | IIT1 HMC • IIIT18 HMC • IIIM7 Priest • IVT82 HMC • IVM37 • VM41 HMC • VIM44 • VIIM12 • VIIIM40/M43 • IXM53/M55 • XT92 HMC |
| UK | IILoyd Gun Carriage • IIISexton II • IIISexton I • IVBirch Gun • VBishop • VIFV304 • VIICrusader 5.5-in. SP • VIIIFV207 • IXFV3805 • XConqueror Gun Carriage |
| Germany | IIG.Pz. Mk. VI (e) • IIISturmpanzer I Bison • IIIWespe • IVPz.Sfl. IVb • IVSturmpanzer II • VGrille • VIHummel • VIIG.W. Panther • VIIIG.W. Tiger (P) • IXG.W. Tiger • XG.W. E 100 |
| France | IIRenault FT 75 BS • IIILorraine 39L AM • IVAMX 105 AM mle. 47 • VAMX 13 105 AM mle. 50 • V105 leFH18B2 • VIAMX 13 F3 AM • VIILorraine 155 mle. 50 • VIIILorraine 155 mle. 51 • IXBat.-Châtillon 155 55 • XBat.-Châtillon 155 58 |
| USSR | IISU-18 • IIISU-26 • IVSU-5 • VSU-122A • VISU-8 • VIIS-51 • VIISU-14-1 • VIIISU-14-2 • IX212A • XObject 261 |
| China | |
| Japan | |
| Czechoslovakia | |
| Sweden | |
| Italy | |
| Poland |
