_GOTOBOTTOM
History Club
Military history and past events only. Rants or inflamitory comments will be removed.
Hosted by Frank Amato
Best tank destroyer of WWII?
Lucky13
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Member Since: June 01, 2006
entire network: 1,707 Posts
KitMaker Network: 530 Posts
Posted: Saturday, April 14, 2007 - 08:14 PM UTC
Just thought that since we have a thread for anti tank guns, why not for the tank destroyers?

So, which is your favorite? Which one do you think was THE best tank destroyer of WWII?

This lassie is getting my vote......

Tojo72
Visit this Community
North Carolina, United States
Member Since: June 06, 2006
entire network: 4,691 Posts
KitMaker Network: 668 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 03:53 AM UTC
I second that.............Jagdpanther......at least the meanest and coolest looking,although I do like the Stug III G Saukoft
Delbert
#073
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Member Since: October 05, 2002
entire network: 2,659 Posts
KitMaker Network: 865 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 05:02 AM UTC
I'll have to vote for the M18 Hellcat, not the heaviest armored, not the biggest gunned, but because tank destroyers were best employed by shooting and scooting, and the M18 could get gone the fastest...

generalzod
Visit this Community
United States
Member Since: December 01, 2001
entire network: 3,172 Posts
KitMaker Network: 612 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 05:27 AM UTC
Soviet SU 100
Halfyank
Visit this Community
Colorado, United States
Member Since: February 01, 2003
entire network: 5,221 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,983 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 08:23 AM UTC
I'd have to agree with the Jagdpanther. One really awesome looking vehicle with excellent armor, mobility, and gun. I'd have to say the only serious contender would be the Stug III, only because it was so effective for so long.
Drader
Visit this Community
Wales, United Kingdom
Member Since: July 20, 2004
entire network: 3,791 Posts
KitMaker Network: 765 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 12:30 PM UTC
Defining 'best' as most successful, then there's really only one contender - StuG III.

'Favourite' on the other hand would cover a random range of vehicles under the 'portee' heading - best way of overcoming the mobility handicap built into the 2pdr.

David
Golikell
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Member Since: October 25, 2002
entire network: 1,757 Posts
KitMaker Network: 126 Posts
Posted: Sunday, April 15, 2007 - 02:05 PM UTC
If firepower is a criterium, this baby has topmarks:

If impact on the course of the war is the most important, and litally a "Tank Destroyer":
m4sherman
Visit this Community
Arizona, United States
Member Since: January 18, 2006
entire network: 1,866 Posts
KitMaker Network: 67 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 16, 2007 - 05:45 AM UTC
I will give my vote to the Stug III series. Not the best looking girl at the dance, but she spent the most time on the dance floor.
blackbug67
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Member Since: April 25, 2005
entire network: 80 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 16, 2007 - 07:35 AM UTC
Three come to mind, the P - 47, the Russian Stormoviks and the Stuka, or did you mean armored tank destroyers?

Larry
Brigandine
Visit this Community
Dunedin, New Zealand
Member Since: July 12, 2006
entire network: 553 Posts
KitMaker Network: 148 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 16, 2007 - 04:10 PM UTC
In the short time it was around the Jagdpanzer 38(T) (according to Jentz and Doyle it was never called the Hetzer...) was very effective.
Jagdpanzer 38(T)

propboy44256
Visit this Community
Ohio, United States
Member Since: November 20, 2002
entire network: 1,038 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Monday, April 16, 2007 - 04:21 PM UTC
The authors original post, jagpanther is my vote
Pak_40
Visit this Community
Minnesota, United States
Member Since: August 12, 2003
entire network: 392 Posts
KitMaker Network: 96 Posts
Posted: Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 11:07 PM UTC
Hi,
For the sheer number of kills, The StuG lll long barrel. I had a nice pic once of an M18 blown apart by a StuG with the commander standing next to it.

Chris
Tapper
Visit this Community
Alabama, United States
Member Since: July 26, 2003
entire network: 664 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 06:53 AM UTC
Jagdpanther, baby!!
hellbent11
Visit this Community
Kansas, United States
Member Since: August 17, 2005
entire network: 725 Posts
KitMaker Network: 320 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 12:32 PM UTC
If the Jagdpanther could have been fielded in large numbers it would definately be. The Stug probably takes the award though, for time in service and I bet # of kills as well.

I do have to admit that the JSU-122 being the counter to the King Tiger and produced from drawing to finish in only 12 days has to be up there though.
Savage
Visit this Community
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Member Since: June 04, 2003
entire network: 1,405 Posts
KitMaker Network: 592 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 06:57 PM UTC

Quoted Text

..but because tank destroyers were best employed by shooting and scooting, and the M18 could get gone the fastest...



Actually the British Archer (Valentine 17-Pounder, Self-Propelled A30) was the quickest off the mark, as the 17 pounder was mounted facing the back. Thus the only time reverse was needed was to get in position.
210cav
Visit this Community
Virginia, United States
Member Since: February 05, 2002
entire network: 6,149 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,551 Posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 08:02 PM UTC
What about Elephant/Ferdinand? Love the DML model...performance on the field of battle?
generalzod
Visit this Community
United States
Member Since: December 01, 2001
entire network: 3,172 Posts
KitMaker Network: 612 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 05:42 AM UTC

Quoted Text

What about Elephant/Ferdinand? Love the DML model...performance on the field of battle?


DJ

It wasn't too bad at long range gunnery However,it was prone to breakdown quite a lot It was slow.12mph or so,plus the first batch had no hull mg It did have great armor up front I do like the way it was set up with the fighting compartment in the rear

Easier to move cross country with that long barrel it had
210cav
Visit this Community
Virginia, United States
Member Since: February 05, 2002
entire network: 6,149 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,551 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 06:53 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What about Elephant/Ferdinand? Love the DML model...performance on the field of battle?


DJ

It wasn't too bad at long range gunnery However,it was prone to breakdown quite a lot It was slow.12mph or so,plus the first batch had no hull mg It did have great armor up front I do like the way it was set up with the fighting compartment in the rear

Easier to move cross country with that long barrel it had

Chad
I imagine the steel road wheels and the all steel track had a great deal to do with the difficulty of mauvering it. I am building the DML kit now (a beauty) and the vehicle looks awesome. Unusual suspension system. I assume it is unique among German vehicles.
DJ
generalzod
Visit this Community
United States
Member Since: December 01, 2001
entire network: 3,172 Posts
KitMaker Network: 612 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 08:19 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What about Elephant/Ferdinand? Love the DML model...performance on the field of battle?


DJ

It wasn't too bad at long range gunnery However,it was prone to breakdown quite a lot It was slow.12mph or so,plus the first batch had no hull mg It did have great armor up front I do like the way it was set up with the fighting compartment in the rear

Easier to move cross country with that long barrel it had

Chad
I imagine the steel road wheels and the all steel track had a great deal to do with the difficulty of mauvering it. I am building the DML kit now (a beauty) and the vehicle looks awesome. Unusual suspension system. I assume it is unique among German vehicles.
DJ


DJ

I read a book on the 653rd heavy AT unit that used them Part of the driving guidelines for them was not to follow the curves in the road If they came up on a curve,the driver was to go off road in as straight a line as possible then get back onto the straight part of the road

Ole Dr Porsche had some interesting designs

210cav
Visit this Community
Virginia, United States
Member Since: February 05, 2002
entire network: 6,149 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,551 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 06:39 PM UTC
Chad-- interesting point.
thanks
DJ
yagdpanzer
Visit this Community
Ohio, United States
Member Since: August 21, 2002
entire network: 415 Posts
KitMaker Network: 0 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 10:33 PM UTC
The best German TD..........Jagdpanther

The Best alied TD................M18 Hellcat

210cav
Visit this Community
Virginia, United States
Member Since: February 05, 2002
entire network: 6,149 Posts
KitMaker Network: 1,551 Posts
Posted: Friday, April 27, 2007 - 11:52 PM UTC
The Hellcat is certainly a trend setter. I wonder hy they maintained three distinctly different systems? I am referring to the M-10, M-18 and M-36? Realizing the 36 mounted the 90mm why retain the other two?
DJ
Lucky13
Visit this Community
Scotland, United Kingdom
Member Since: June 01, 2006
entire network: 1,707 Posts
KitMaker Network: 530 Posts
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 12:03 AM UTC
Good question DJ? Anyone??
generalzod
Visit this Community
United States
Member Since: December 01, 2001
entire network: 3,172 Posts
KitMaker Network: 612 Posts
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 03:21 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The Hellcat is certainly a trend setter. I wonder hy they maintained three distinctly different systems? I am referring to the M-10, M-18 and M-36? Realizing the 36 mounted the 90mm why retain the other two?
DJ


A guess? Not enough 90mm guns to go around
gator
Vendor
GATOR'S PAINT MASKS
#027
Visit this Community
Louisiana, United States
Member Since: April 13, 2005
entire network: 5,422 Posts
KitMaker Network: 146 Posts
Posted: Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 03:46 AM UTC
M-36 Jackson gets my vote. Awesome TD.
 _GOTOTOP