Product Details

The Grille (Cricket) was a series of self propelled artillery vehicles used by Nazi Germany during World War II. The Grille series was based on the Czech Panzer 38(t) tank chassis and used a 15 cm sIG 33 infantry gun. The first variant of the Grille was based on the Panzer 38(t) Ausf. H chassis, which had its engine in the rear. Instead of a turret the vehicle had a low-slung superstructure and fighting compartment. The official designation was 15 cm Schweres Infanteriegeschutz 33 (Sf) auf Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Ausf. H (Sd.Kfz. 138/1). The second Grille variant was based on the Ausf. M chassis which was specifically designed for self-propelled mounts. The engine was relocated to the center of the vehicle, permitting the gun to be mounted at the rear. The fighting compartment at the rear of the vehicle was somewhat smaller and higher than in the previous version. The official designation was 15 cm Schweres Infanteriegeschutz 33/1 auf Selbstfahrlafette 38(t) (Sf) Ausf. M (Sd.Kfz. 138/1).