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Don Doom -> Try this from Achtung panzer (5/23/2002 9:27:21 PM)
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In 1942, Krupp-Gruson designed very intersting construction of self-propelled gun (Waffentrager - weapon carrier) on Geschutzwagen IV chassis, with fully rotating turret that could be removed with the use of the crane mounted in the back of the vehicle. Turret could be removed and mounted on the wheeled cart (carried on the vehicle) and moved to a designated position. It could also be removed and placed next to the vehicle on a prepared concrete based as an armored pillbox. At the same time, the turretless vehicle could be used as ammunition carrier or recovery vehicle.
Prototype turret was armed with 105mm leFH 18/1 L/28 (light field howitzer) but for production models 105mm LeFH 43 L/28 (light field howitzer) was planned to be used. The armament was mounted in fully traversible turret unlike 10.5cm leFH 18/1(Sf) auf Geschützwagen IVb. Its 5 men crew (commander, 3 gunners and driver) was provided with armor protection that ranged from 10mm to 30mm. Prototype was fitted with 12-cylinder Maybach HL90 engine with total power of 360 horsepower but production models were suppose to have 12-cylinder Maybach HL100 engine. The vehicle was based on the chassis developed for Hummel. In 1942/43, Krupp produced only 3 prototypes (Serial Numbers 582501 - 582503) that were designated as Heuschrecke 10. This design never reached the production stage.
Similar design by Rheinmetall-Borsig (10.5cm leFH 18/40/2 auf Geschuetzwagen III/IV (Sf)) was built by Deutsche Eisenwerke in competition with Krupp's Heuschrecke 10. There were also similar projects by Skoda based on their project of T-25 medium tank and on VK1602 Leopard. Finally, it was decided that Panther chassis will be used to create Heuschrecke 15, which was also never realized.
In general, concept behind Heuschrecke 10 was to provide mobility for artillery pieces, while they could also perform the role of fixed artillery if required. Today, new German Panzerhaubitze (PzH) 2000 based on Leopard 2 is a continuation of wartime designs such as Heuschrecke 10.
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