Soviet clssification – German self-propelled gun SU-88 Shershen (Hornisse) / Nashorn, on the base tank Panzer IV, 1943, serial (official catalogue)
German name – «Nashorn» («rhinoceros»), — 8.8 cm PaK 43/1 auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sf) — german assault gun, tank destoroyer. Sometime named as 8,8 cm Pak 43 (L/71) auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen III/IV (Sf) or 8,8cm Pak43 (L/71) auf Geschützwagen III/IV (Sd. Kfz. 164)
Nazi service name – Sd.Kfz. 164 Before 27 jan 1944 was named “Hornisse” («hornet»)
Assault gun was developed in 1942. Serially produced from 1943 to 1944. Operated by the army of Nazi Germany. It participated in the battles of the Second World War.
Tank destroyer Jagdpanzer III/IV ‘Nashorn’
German tank destoryer Jagdpanzer IV Nasgorn (Kubinka tank museum)
Tactical technical characteristics of Jagdpanzer IV Nashorn:
- Weight — 26.4 tons
- Crew- 5 people
- Overall dimensions (length x width x height) – 8500 х 2880 х 2940 mm.
- Weaponry: gun- 1 piece, caliber – 88 mm.
- Armored protection: front – 30 mm., turret – 20 mm.
- Engine power — 300 hp
- Maximum speed — 40 km / h
- Cruising on the highway — up to 200 km
- Depth overcome the water barrier — 1.1 meters
Nashorn design features:
Base -tank Panzer IV.
The overall layout – typical for the self-propelled guns.
Armament – a long-barreled gun mounted on the machine, offset to the rear of the vehicle body, there is a hydro-pneumatic balancing device.
Protection – armor protection compared to the base tank, but is weakened; semi-cabin has considerable dimensions and the weak armor.
Chassis – mounted 12-cylinder carburetor engine made by company “Maybach”, liquid cooling; Chassis consisted of the rubber road wheels of small diameter, two in block; Average ground pressure of 0.82 kg / cm; there is a radio station and tank intercom