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ATENÇÃO:
A publicação de qualquer imagem ou informação referentes ao nazismo, fascismo ou quaisquer outros regimes totalitários deve ser entendida como reprodução do rigor histórico e não como apologia a estes regimes, líderes ou símbolos.

Bergepanzer IV mit schneeräumer system Schmidt - ARV with snow-plow - case report

Kolleginnen!!!
      In my new build project, let's see a vehicle that could not be glamorous, but it was extremely useful: the German Recovery Vehicle Bergepanzer IV. Unfortunately, there are (so far ...) no photographs of this vehicle and there are no surviving examples of Bergepanzer IV.
Bergepanzer IV - Dragon art
History:
      The recovery of damaged armored vehicles in a battlefield is a risky task but very important. Recoverable friendly vehicles or armored enemies collected for study or as prisoners of war are priceless. In WWII, the German Army in relied on half tracks such as the SdKfz 9 Famo 18 ton Zugkraftwagen to recover damaged or broken down vehicles. The Famo fulfilled it’s role very well, however soft ground was a problem and they could not be produced fast enough to satisfy demand.
Three SdKfz 9 Famos pulling a damaged Tiger
(see the 1st Famo pointed by arrows)
      In addition German tanks were becoming heavier and several Famos, each with a towing capacity of 15 tons, were required to recover one Tiger or Panther.
At least four SdKfz 9 Famos dragging a Panther;  hill above ...
      The first recorded production Bergepanzers were converted from the Panther Ausf. D and debuted at Kursk in July 1943. The SdKfz 179 Bergepanthers continued to evolve through the Ausf. A and Ausf. G.
SdKfz 179 Bergepanthers Ausf A
      As a result of reports in Autumn 1943 on the high numbers of tanks lost due to the shortage of Famos it was decided to convert other Panzer chassis to recovery vehicles. In March 1944 rebuilt Panzer III chassis were converted to SdKfz 144 Bergepanzer III and starting in October 1944 rebuilt Panzer IV chassis were converted to SdKfz 164 Bergepanzer IV. Hetzer Chassis were also converted in Bergepanzer 38, starting in May 1944.
SdKfz 144 Bergepanzer III with Panzerbergeanker
Bergepanzer 38
      The Bergepanzer IV was a simple conversion of hulls which had been returned for major overhaul. The turret was removed and the turret ring opening was covered with wooden planks held by steel frames, with a simple hatch on the right side. Sockets (Pilze) were welded to the superstructure roof to mount a 2 ton Kran, which was a hand operated tripod, jib crane. Brackets were attached to carry a wooden unditching beam and to stow the Kran together with tow bars. A vertical coupling was attached to the rear to tow other vehicles using the tow bars. Other recovery equipment was stowed inside the vehicle on wooden planks above the fuel tanks
Bergepanzer IV - Trumepeter art
      A total of 21 or 36 (dependant on which reference you use) Bergepanzer IV were completed between October 1944 and March 1945. It was planned to install a winch inside the Bergepanzer IV. However production of the AK5-80 transmission, which was required to create a power take off, did not get into series production before the end of the war. Instead the old practice of breaking the tracks and using the front sprocket as a capstan winch continued. The Bergepanzers IV were issued to the following units:
  • 1.Kp./Pz.Jg.Abt.51
  • 11.Inf.Div.
  • 2.SS-Pz.Div.
  • 212.Volks-Gren.Div.
  • 276. Volks-Gren.Div.. 
  • 4.SS-Pz.Gren.Div.
  • 559.Volks-Gren.Div.
  • An unnamed SS.Pz.Jg.Abt.
  • 4.Kav.Div.
  • Training grounds at Burg, Mielau and Neuhammer for issue to newly formed Panzerjaeger-Abteilung
  Typically, they carried the following Special Equipment:
1- Coupling centered on rear and rigid towing bars
1- Wooden beam
1– 2 ton Kran (jib-boom crane)
1- Double pulley
1- Single pulley
1- Panzerbergeanker
Panzerbergeanker
Panzerbergeanker was like an anchor, helping to draw a tank.

Specs:

SdKfz 164 Bergepanzer IV

Type
 armored recovery vehicle
Place of origin                                
Nazi Germany
Service history
In service
1944–1945 (Nazi Germany)
Production history
Designer
Krupp
Designed
1936
Produced
1944–45
Number built                                               
21
Specifications
Weight
20 tonnes
Length
5.92 metres 
Width
2.88 m
Height
2.10 m 
Crew
2 (commander, driver)

10–88 mm
Main armament
none
Sec. armament
1 × 7.92 mm
Maschinengewehr 34 Panzerlauf (600 rds.)
Engine
12-cylinder Maybach HL 120 TRM V12
300 PS (296 hp, 220 kW)
Power/weight
12 PS/t
Transmission
(Synchromesh ZF SSG 77) 6 forward and 1 reverse ratios
Suspension
Leaf spring
Fuel capacity
470 l 
Operational range
200 km 
Speed
42 km/h  road
20 km/h off road
The kits:
      You guys remember the Academy's hull that remained from Bergepanther mit aufgesetztem Pzkpfw IV (H) turm Project??  For it is...Here is the old Academy kit saying: I'm back!!!
Academy kit Panzer IV Ausf H with armour (#1327)
      With the invaluable help of another dinosaur: Verlindens PanzerIV Bergepanzer conversion (kit #927). My closet is a real sarcophagus!!!
Verlinden Conversion resin kit n. 927
      Now, just mix ...
Panzer IV H Academy kit plus Verlinden conversion kit.
      Today, I know there are (excellent) Bergepanzer IV kits from Dragon and Trumpeter. But I wanted to recycle the old Academy hull and still use the oldest Verlinden conversion kit (that I bought century ago ....).
      In our hobby, I follow the First Law of Lavoisier in Military Modeling: "In the hobby, nothing is lost, much is scratched and everything is transformed".
      Starting the fun:
The Academy's chassis with Verlinden wood hatch (in resin)


      While I digging in my closet searching old kits and neolithic spare parts, found a Dragon's snow-plow that was presented to me by the Track-Link team few years ago (Thanks, Gents !!)
Dragon PzKpfw IW with snow-plow
       I had kept so well this snow-plow that he had lost (Do you remember the final scene of Raiders of the Lost Ark?) My closet is very, very similar to this:
Where is the bloody part that  I know that I kept, so as not to miss ???
      But you guys know me ... I love different and unique things ...Why not put the snow-plow on the nose of this specialized vehicle??
      First of all, a little research about schneeräumer system Schmidt: I found two actual pictures:

schneeräumer system Schmidt
...and I drew a blueprint to guide me through rough seas never before sailed!!!
       Thus, emerged the Bergepanzer IV mit schneeräumer system Schmidt:



Bergepanzer IV mit schneeräumer system Schmidt



With jib-boom crane in position... Ready for painting...
Kameraden Mechaniker!!
      Returning to work on this little beauty. Painting the tank. As the vehicle has a snow-plow, nothing more logical to make a winter cammo ...
Dark-yellow with green and brown stripes. Above all, the winter cammo...
left side
rear view...
      Now, it is time to place the vehicle in the correct historical period. As we saw in the previous chapter, this girl was built in 1944 and distributed to a few units. I chose the markings of the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" , fought in Manhay, in the Battle of the Bulge, December -1944. 
      I made a layout of markings for my own guidance. And so was born Löwe (Lion), our little engineer girl ... 
SdKfz 164 Bergepanzer IV "Löwe" from 2nd SS Pz.Div. Das Reich
      After the Future, decals:
Bergepanzer IV from 2nd SS Pz. Div.
Bergepanzer IV "Löwe" - front view
Bergepanzer IV - right side
Bergepanzer IV -rear view
Bergepanzer IV - next step: weathering...
      And now, I decided to apply snow on the vehicle. I had never done this before. I used Future as "adhesive" and sprinkled white aluminum oxide as snow. I think it looks cool ...
The recipe...
...and the results....Now, let's wait for tomorrow to see the results...
I really hope haven't done anything stupid... 
OMG !!!

      Gents, I finally finished this frozen Girl: "LÖWE" Bergepanzer IV mit schneeräumer system Schmidt from 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich" , fought in Manhay, in the Battle of the Bulge, December -1944.
     The logs are branches of pomegranate (Punica granatum), which are fantastic in scale effect. I applied many layers of Future (with airbrush) to simulate the "wet" appearance of the snow melting. I hope to have hit ...
Bergepanzer IV mit schneeräumer system Schmidt - "LÖWE"
2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich"
Battle of the Bulge, December -1944. 



Bergepanzer IV - right side
Bergepanzer IV - rear view

Bergepanzer IV - left side

Bergepanzer IV with Kojak and Rover, the dog...

Bergepanzer IV mit schneeräumer system Schmidt -"LÖWE"
2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich"
Manhay, Battle of the Bulge, December -1944.
      Thanks for following, Gentlemen!!!

6 comentários:

  1. Very, very original panzer. Good job Marcos. Have a lot of fun to finalize this project my friend.

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  2. Thanks, Alain...The jib-boom was a trully nightmare, but was done...Now, time to painting...

    Big hug and all the best !!!

    ResponderExcluir
  3. Muy buen trabajo, veo que compartimos el mismo concepto del hobby, yo tambien uso kits viejos y nuevos sin desperdiciar nada porque todos tienen su encanto, eso si, respetando la veracidad histórica y tecnica. Acabo de conseguir el de CMK que trae el viejo chasis TAMIYA y estoy buscando referencias.

    ResponderExcluir
    Respostas
    1. Muchas gracias, Ricardo!!! Disculpe la demora en la respuesta, pero su publicación quedó en un limbo del sistema... ¡Pero más vale tarde que nunca! ¡¡Muchas gracias por su contribución!!

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  4. Nicely done Sir! I've got a Verlinden conversion set and will be using your build as reference. Several ideas and options already rattling about.....thanks for the inspiration!

    ResponderExcluir
    Respostas
    1. Thank you very much for the courtesy of writing, my friend. I'm glad I could help you with your project! Let's modeling!! And come back often... The Bunker is ours!! Hugs!!

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