Landships II

Centurion · Legend

German SPG

Bodlosh · Sergeant

A7V was only AFV to see service in WW1.. this is A7V Uberlandwagen - built on A7V chassis, in was non-armed carrier

Centurion · Legend

Bodlosh wrote:

A7V was only AFV to see service in WW1.. this is A7V Uberlandwagen - built on A7V chassis, in was non-armed carrier

I think that it is more correct to say that the A7V and the Uberlandwagen shared the same basic chassis jyst as some French SPGs had tank chassis so my question still stands.

JamesH · Major

I was shown a different picture of this vehicle by Max Hundleby 3 or 4 years ago. He said it had only recently come to light and he was doing some research into it. Unfortunately, owing to some rather unfortunate circumstances, I haven't been able to discuss it further with him. He sometimes sends A7V updates to Tankette, so there might be something in there.

By the way, Centurion, did you ever seek refreshment in The Buck or The Plough?

28juni14 · Hero

...a rare find, Centurion, and a reasonably clear image. The vehicle is a Rauppenschlepper M1917 mit Zwei 7,62cm K Flak auf a7V.

Yes the guns were Beute 7,62cm M1902 Ruskie. The Germans held the M1902, and earlier M1900 in high regard for anti-aircraft work, because of their "reach" , and excellent recouperator performance of the M1902 at high-angle fire. They began manufacture of ammunition for the gun by mid-1915 (interestingly, though the allied armies were ga-ga over the French "75", the Germans werern't impressed , and never manufactured the French round, prefering to re-bore them to ther own 7,7cm).

You will note both barrels in the photo are in full recoil postion. The only other pic I've seen also has the guns in this maintenance postion with tube oil drained.

Excellent find.

J Fullerton · Captain

Very interesting! Presumably this vehicle was entirely soft-skinned? This makes at least a fourth use of the A7V chassis, after the tank, supply carrier, and trench-digger (oh, and I guess the 'Hedis" make five..).

Centurion · Legend

J Fullerton wrote:

Very interesting! Presumably this vehicle was entirely soft-skinned?

One wonders about the camoflaged driving position. It isn't the same shape as the standard Uberland drivers section so who knows?