Could you make a 8.8cm Flak 37 auf panzer IV Augsf H. using a panzer III chasis?
That would be a lot of work. The worst of it would be that you’d have to add another set of roadwheels, thus extending the chasis. Mucho putty job.
Considering that the key element of your question is that it’s an “auf Pzkpfw IV Ausf H” pretty much means you need a Pz IV hull to make it work. The Pz III hull dimensions were substantially smaller than that of the Pz IV. [;)]
Not to mention that even if you could overcome the differences in the hull dimensions, the suspension system is completely different between the Pz.III and Pz.IV families. It’s not just a matter of lengthening to add another pair of roadwheel sets. The Pz.III used a torsion bar suspension system whereas the Pz.IV used a leaf-spring setup on each bogie.
Not only would you need to modify/enlarge the hull, you would need an entirely new set of running gear
It would be far easier to start with a Pz.IV based kit.
Why not just buy one?
Was that thing an operational SPG or another “Paper Panzer”? If it was only notional, or design proposal that had a couple of prototypes built, I’d say “go for it” and just kitbash a Flak 37 onto a Panzer III chasis…
With Italeri’s old H available at low prices on evil-bay as well as Tamiya’s Flak 88 a kit bashed version would definately be cheaper.[2cnts]
You have a point but looking at the Dragon schematics for this kit there is going to be a lot of detailed scratch building involved to kit bash this subject.
Erik
I certainly agree with you on that point Geist, I would certainly have to have the Dragon offering ,but first the price will have to come down.[^o)]
It’s a CH white-box…so that means it’s a one-run only limited edition. Depending on the demand, the price is likely to go up not down over time. Something to think about…it isn’t an iron-clad rule but usually once the collectors get involved the prices sky-rocket.
tankluver: why don’t you compare the schematics of a Pz III hull and that of a Pz IV H hull. If the legion of differences don’t bother you, then go ahead. Frankly, I’m puzzled as to the fact you’d even ask such a thing.
One might as ask if you can make a hockey stick out of a baseball bat. On some level, one could. On some bizarre level, one might be able to squeeze a Pz IV H out of a donor Pz III hull …
IMHO, as long as there are only 4-5 pictures of the actual vehicle - none of them showing the upper side - there are not much reference data to study. For this reason and regarding the model’s details, this Dragon model might be a little sci-fi.
Does anyone know the answer to Han’s question - did this thing actually get fielded or was it just another one of the German’s crazy ideas?
The vehicle, never seen in combat action. There are only very few pictures, showing 2 vehicles found at the Pilsen airport of Czechoslovakia when captured by US Forces. So, the answer is “German’s crazy idea”. Have a look on few pics, as the vehicles found by US GIs.
!http://img11.imagehosting.gr/out.php/i1418095_a01.jpg
Thanks Nick. I had suspected as much. Was there anything the Germans DIDN’T try to mount an 88 on?
Yes,
The FW-190 and other figters, it proved difficult to open up the wing enough for the spent shells ejector hole and still maintain enough lift in the wing.
They tried it on the bombers though…
Svenne
Cheap date. LT finds a nice Czech girl and takes her out to pose for pix on top of wrecked German vehicles?!
[:)]
Thats tough love! I’ve seen a pic or two of this vehicle to.Have to dig out the refs…