SD.KFZ.4/1 PANZERWERFER 42 (PZW42 EARLY, 15CM)

The Panzerwerfer 42 (another designation: PzW 42) was a German self-propelled missile launcher from the Second World War. The first prototypes of the vehicle were created at the beginning of 1942, and serial production continued in 1942-1943, ending with the production of about 300 examples of this vehicle. The Panzerwerfer 42 was powered by a single Opel Adam engine with 68 HP. It was armed with a ten-guided 150mm Nebelwerfer 42 launcher and a single 7.92mm MG34 or MG42 machine gun. The first works on the Panzerwerfer 42 began shortly after the successful Nebelwerfer 41 missile launcher was introduced into the line. They were aimed at increasing the mobility of this launcher, as well as reducing the time needed to withdraw from the firing position. For this purpose, it was mounted on a significantly modified chassis and hull of the Opel Maultier half-track transporter. The changes mainly involved a slight strengthening of the vehicle's suspension, far-reaching changes to the shape of the hull or the addition of crew compartment armor with a thickness of 6 to 10 mm. The rockets were fired electrically, which additionally increased the safety of the crew. Finally, in serial specimens, the main weapon was the 150 mm Nebelwerfer 42 launcher - 280 mm launchers were rarely installed. The new weapon turned out to be very effective and reliable. The Panzerwerfer 42 vehicles were used primarily in mechanized and armored units of the Wehrmacht and Waffes-SS on the Eastern Front in the period 1942-1945.