Panzer IV/70(A)

History: The Panzer IV/70(A) was the Alkett version of a tank-destroyer mounting the long-barrelled 75mm PaK42. It was mounted on the normal chassis of the Pz Kpfw IV from the same production line producing normal Pz Kpfw IV Ausf J at Nibelungenwerke. The Panzer IV/70(V) and (A) were produced simultaneously from August 1944 to March 1945. 

Specific features: The Panzer IV/70(A) had a chassis unaltered from the Pz Kpfw IV series. The superstructure was of similar design to that on the Panzer IV/70 (V) and differed only in that the lower superstructure was vertical, extending out over the tracks, and a visor was provided for the driver. The gun was mounted in the front of the sloped, upper superstructure, in the same type of mount used for the Panzer IV/70(V). The Panzer IV/70(A) was nose-heavy and was, therefore, fitted with steel-rimmed wheels on the first four bogie stations. 

Combat service: The Panzer IV/70(A) was employed in the same manner as the normal Pz Kpfw IV in tank detachments, or as an assault gun in place of the tank-hunter in independent assault gun brigades. Most of them were issued to or were replacements for units fighting in the East.

	Panzer IV/70 (V)	Panzer IV/70 (A)
Crew	Commander Gunner Loader Driver
Physical Characteristics
Weight	25.5 t	27.0 t
Length	8.50 m	8.87 m
Width	3.20 m	2.90 m
Height	2.00 m	2.20 m
Firing height	1.40 m	1.80 m
Ground pressure	0.91 kg/cm²	0.96 kg/cm²
Armor
Hull, front	50-80 mm	80 mm
Hull, sides and rear	20-40 mm
Hull, top	10-20 mm
Hull, bottom	10-20 mm	10 mm
Performance
Maximum speed	35 km/h	38 km/h
Road speed	25 km/h
Cross-country speed	15-18 km/h
Maximum grade	30°
Trench crossing	2.20 m
Vertical obstacle	60 cm
Fording depth	155 cm	120 cm
Fuel capacity	470 l
Mileage (road)	2.24 l/km	2.35 l/km
Mileage (cross-country)	3.62 l/km
Cruising range	210 km	200 km
Cross-country range	130 km
Engine
Make and model	Maybach HL 120 TRM
Type	Water cooled
Cylinders	12
Displacement	11 900 cc
Fuel	Gasoline
Max. governed speed	2600 rpm	2800 rpm
Net h.p.	265	272
Armament
Main weapon	7,5 cm Pjk 42 (L/70)
Secondary weapon	7,92 mm M G 42
Auxillary weapon	9 mm M P
Ammunition Storage
Main weapon	60	90
Secondary weapon	1200
Auxillary weapon	192