Quote:
Originally Posted by unkated
To be fair, the Hetzer was derived itself from the Czech Pz-38t (t = Tzech in German), developed just before Czechoslovakia was overrun and dismembered by Germany (with help from Hungary and Russia). The Germans used the Pzr 38 light tank early in the war (better armor and weapons than a Panzer 2), and kept the chassis in production and development through the war - the factories were churning them out and they worked fine.
In addition to the Hetzer, the chassis carried SP AA guns, SP artillery and SPAT (some versions of Marder). Katzchen was another derivation.
Uncle Ted
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Very similar story for the earlier LT vz35 AKA Pzr 35(t) although it never had the conversion desirability that the LT vz38 had. I reckon the Germans were probably put off by the pneumatic drive system and the engine heat getting into the crew compartment and figured it wasn't worth converting it further?
Interestingly, a British company was looking for a production licence for the vz35 just before the Germans began their occupation of Czechoslovakia. Another interesting point, there was also a variant built for Afghanistan.