Originally designed as an infantry support tank with a unique tactical role. Although the Panzer IV had thin armour, it carried a powerful 75mm gun and could match any other tank at that time. The prototype of the Panzer IV was given the code name Bataillonfuhrerwagen. The Panzer IV was ordered by Hitler from Krupp, MAN and Rheinmetall Borsig to weigh in at 18 tonnes with a top speed of 35 km/hr. The Krupp design - the VK 200 1 (K) - was eventually selected to enter into full-scale production in 1935. Along with the Panther, it was to become the main combat tank of the Third Reich.
The PzKpfw IV was perceived as the ‘workhorse’ of all the Panzer divisions and more were produced than any other variant in the 1933-1945 period. The Ausf A was built as a pre-production vehicle and only 35 were produced. The modifications from this gave rise to the Ausf B which emerged in 1938 with an increased frontal armour thickness and a six-speed gearbox, which enhanced its cross-country performance. That same year Krupp-Gruson produced the Ausf C and 134 of this model were in production until 1939.
Panzer IV Ausf. C
The Ausf D/E saw an upgrading of its armour thickness and improved vision blocks for the driver. The Ausf E was the first of the Panzer IV fitted with turret mounted stowage bins. The Ausf F 1, produced between 1941-1942 was the last Panzer IV to be based on the short version chassis. 25 of the F Is were converted into Ausf F2s (it had the British nickname of “Mark IV Special” because it was far superior to any other tank at the time). It was followed by the modified version of the Ausf G in May 1942.
The Ausf H, introduced in April 1943, was exclusively armed with a newer version of the 75mm KwK 40 L/48 gun and was fitted with steel/wire armour skirts. Over 3,770 of the P/zKpfw IV Ausf H were made and saw action. Even in 1945 the last model, the Ausf J, was an effective weapon given the right crew. A selected number of the Ausf H and J were also converted into command tanks or observation tanks towards the end of the war period.
To its ultimate credit, the PzKpfw IV was the only German tank to stay in production throughout all the war hostilities. It was spacious inside and preferred by crews over the Panther, Tiger and King Tiger as it was more technically reliable.
PzKpfw IV Ausf. D
CONVERSIONS
Flakpanzers (Air Defence)
• Mobelwagen - Sd.Kfz. 161/3
• Wirbelwind
• Ostwind
Panzerjägers / Sturmpanzers
(Tank Destroyers and Assault Guns)
• Hornisse / Nashorn - Sd.Kfz. 164
• Hummel - Sd.Kfz. 165
• Panzerjäger IV - Sd.Kfz. 162 162/1
• Sturmgeschütz - Sd.Kfz. 163 / 167
• Sturmpanzer IV Brummbar - Sd.Kfz. 166
Prototypes / Projects
• Geschutzwagen IV (Sd. Kfz. 165/1) - 105 mm L/28 howitzer carrier
• Geschutzwagen IV (Sd. Kfz. 165/1) - 75 mm Pak 39 L/48 gun carrier
• Geschutzwagen IV (Sd. Kfz. 165/1) - 105 mm L/28 howitzer carrier - (Rh) prototype
• Heuschrecke 10 / Gw IVb - 105 mm L/28 - 3 prototypes built
• Panzerjäger 105 - 105 mm K18 L/52 gun - 2 prototypes built
• Panzerkampwagen IV mit hydrostatischen Antrieb
• Ostwind II
• Zerstorer 45
• Kugelblitz
• Panzer IV with 2 x 75 mm rifles and 20/30 mm target gun (planned)
• Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf C/D/E mounted with rocket projectors (experimental)
• Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf F2/H mit 75 mm Kwk. 42 L/70 (experimental)
• Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf D mit 50 mm Kwk. 39 L/60 (experimental)
• Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf H with Schmallturm turret (project)
• Sturmpanzer IV - 305 mm Morser M 16 carrier (planned)
• Pz. Kpfw. IV Ausf C mit Minenrollen - Pz. Kpfw. IV with mine roller
Other
• Befehlswagen IV Ausf H/J - command tank
• Beobachtungswagen IV Ausf J - observation vehicle
• Munitionspanzerwagen IV - ammunition carrier
• Panzer IV Ausf D (75 mm L/24 gun) - submersible tank
• Bruckenleger IV - bridging vehicle Ausf C/D
• Infanterie Sturmsteg auf Pz. KPfw. IV - assault bridge
• Panzerfahre - amphibious armoured ferry
• Munitionsschlepper fur Karlgerat - Ausf D/F - ammunition carrier
• Bergepanzer IV - recovery vehicle
