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German Sturmgeschutz III Ausf E / Sd.Kfz. 142
Ausf A was followed by improved Ausf B, C, D and E, all armed with short 75mm StuK 37 L/24 gun. All versions featured number of modifications specific to vehicles that followed them in production. Last Ausf E was produced in March of 1942. Total of 822 Ausf A, B, C, D and Es was produced by Alkett and their official designation was Gepanzerter Selbstfahrlafette fur Sturmgeschutz 7.5cm Kanone Ausf A-E / Sd.Kfz.142. Early Stugs remained in active service until mid 1943. Many Early models were recalled to the factory to be rearmed with newer guns and up-armored by addition of armor plates. Some older variants returned for repairs were often re-equipped with parts from newer variants creating completely non-standard variants (e.g. Stug III Ausf C armed with 75mm StuK 40 L/48 gun in Saukopf mantlet destroyed at Altdamm, 1945 and Stug III Ausf E armed with 75mm StuK 40 gun destroyed in Berlin, May 1945). Stug III Ausf E was the first of the series to be provided with 7.92mm MG34, which was carried inside the superstructure for local defense.
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Main Data
| Weight, tonns |
20.8 |
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| Lenght,m |
5.4 |
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| Width, m |
2.93 |
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| Height, m |
1.98 |
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| Crew, men |
4 |
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Armament
| Machine gun MG-34, mm |
1 x 7,92 |
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| Gun StuK. 37 L/24, mm |
75 |
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Ammo
| MG-34, rounds |
600 |
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| StuK. 37 L/24, rounds |
50 |
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Armor thickness
| Hull front, mm |
50 |
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| Hull side, mm |
30 |
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| Hull back, mm |
30 |
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| Hull top, mm |
16 |
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| Hull bottom, mm |
17 |
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Engine & Speed
| Engine type |
Maybach HL120TRM, carburetor |
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| Engine power, h.p. |
300 |
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| Max speed, km/h |
40 |
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| Max range, km |
165 (Road) |
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