Sturmpanzer II German 15 cm self-propelled gun
Ark Models 35012

Dimensions: 157
No. of parts: 710

From the ballistic and destructive effectiveness standpoint, the gun sIG 33 was judged to be outstanding. Due to the short range and poor mobility of the towed gun, it rarely got into action during attacks. Before the first 15 cm sIG 33 (Sfl) on the Pz.Kpfw.I chassis has been tested in combat in May 1940, the Waffenamt was already engaged in development of an improved model based on the Pz.Kpfw.II chassis. On its wheeled carriage, the sIG 33B was mounted too far to the rear. Firing resulted in the Pz.Kpfw.II unacceptably tipping backward. Without wheels on the carriage, the sIG 33 could be mounted considerably farther forward, which was significantly advantageous for stability of Pz.Kpfw.II when firing. Since the room inside the standard Pz.Kpfw.II was unacceptably small, a lengthened and widened hall was made. Additional space for fighting compartment was also achieved by mounting engine transversely across the rear. A transfer case mounted in the right rear redirected power forward through a drive shaft which ran along the right side to the transmission and transverse mounted Pz.Kpfw.II steering unit. Unlike the normal Pz.Kpfw.II suspension, the sixth road wheel was added to the lengthened chassis. A trial series of 12 sIG 33B (Sfl) was ordered from Alkett for delivery starting in August 1941. Being months behind the schedule, Alkett finally completed seven sIG 33B (Sfl) in December 1941, five in January 1942. The vehicles, organized in two independent companies were sent to Africa Corps in Libya to take part in the intended attack on Tobruk. sIG 33B (Sfl) were engaged in the major offensive Operation "Venezia". Combat experience immediately revealed the engine weakness and many other design faults, aggravated by African conditions. The greatly overloaded vehicle immediately overheated and was too unmaneuverable. The vehicles were reported as having been lost by December 1942. The British reported capturing six of them abandoned during the withdrawal, all in a dismantled condition in tank workshop.