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JAGDPANZER
38 HETZER (BAITER)
Crew 4 Weight 16tons (Dimensions in Meters) Width 2.36 Height 2.10 Length 4.87 Max. Speed 40 Km/hr Range 180Km (On Road) Armament 1x7.5cm Pak 39 L/48 1x7.92mm MG (mounted on top) Engine Praga E.P.A., 6cyl 159 H.P. 5 Speeds Forward 1 Reverse Fuel Capacity 320 liters Manufacturer BMM-Skoda (1577 Made) |
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The
Hetzer (Swiss G13) before rebuild.
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Modifications
made by the Swiss are removed.
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| Many additions were made to the hull to meet Swiss requirements. |
The original light fixture will be restored to working order. Information from the Patton Museum and Aberdeen Proving Ground was used to make correct modifications. |
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Antenna
mounts are replaced and loops are removed or added as WWII configuration.
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The engine deck is modified to accept the correct exhaust system. The exhaust parts are fabricated in our shops. |
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| The new exhaust system as configured in late 1944. | Close up of exhaust connection to engine. |
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| The exhaust screen made by Marc Sehring allows cooling of the engine by air pulled in through vents under fenders. | The track drive and suspension system is removed and restored to the last detail. |
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| John Billeter checking bearing adjustment for road wheel hubs. | Cleaning off residue after applying zinc chromate to protect the steel from corrosion idgod. |
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After the zinc chromate, red primer is added to support the base coat of dark yellow (dunklegelb). The three color ambush camouflage scheme includes Dunkelgelb RAL7028 (Dark yellow), Olivgrun RAL6003 (Green) & Rotbraun RAL8017 (Redbrown) |
The Hetzer now in base coat, Marc adds suspension system parts. After assembly, the road wheels and tracks will be installed. |
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| Robert is replacing the hubs to which the road wheels will be attached. |
Bearings,
suspension arm and spring for road wheels.
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| More pieces in base coat. | Bruce Oppenhagen mounting road wheels . |
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| Controls for the MG34 machine gun. Parts were missing, so shop technicians made an exact copy of an original unit. | The mount, less shields and optics. The time spent to research and fabricate was enormous. |
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| A close look at the control rods and optics for the MG34 mount. | The complete mount, less the left shield. |
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| The upper and lower parts of the mount. This allowed the MG34 to controlled from inside of the Hetzer. | Installation of the commanders periscope. |
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| The Hetzer in dark yellow. | The second color, dark green, is added. |
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| The three color scheme is completed with the addition of the red brown. The color flecks will complete the process. | The restored Hetzer in late 1944 camouflage. |
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| The spare track links, tow cable, jack as seen from the rear of the Hetzer. | After being in the shop for months, a little engine smoke is OK! |
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| The wood block to the left is used to support the jack on soft ground. | Gunners scope (beside MG34), commanders hatch and scope, spare track and shovel. |
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| The MG34 is added to the restored tank destroyer. All optics are WWII German made and correct for the Hetzer. | Top view from front of vehicle. |
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A well done to the following for preserving the past for future generations..... Virginia Museum of Military Vehicles John
Billeter |
| Top view from rear of vehicle. This model of MG34 machine gun was designed to be used with armored vehicles. Notice that the barrel shroud is not perforated as with the infantry MG34s. |
VMMV thanks the following for their assistance to this project. Frank Jardim, Director and Charles Lemons, Curator of the Patton Museum of Cavarly and Armor. Dr. Jack Atwater, Curator, U.S. Army Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen Proving Ground. |
