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)
Armour	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!!!