The Jadpanzer 38, or Hetzer, was a light tank destroyer produced from 1944 – 1945. 2584 were made, and it was used by Nazi Germany and its allies. Modifications of it were used by the Czech Republic and Switzerland. It replaced the Marder III, keeping the same chassis. It was better armoured than the Marder, with armour plate of 60 mm sloped at 60 degrees. It has a hexagonal appearance, owing to the sides of the hull sloping 15 degrees. The Hetzer carried a 75mm gun. It also had the advantage of being reliable, compact and cheap. Previous tank destroyers had suffered from mechanical difficulties.
The Jadpanzer was fully enclosed by armour, making it heavier than the Marder III by 5 tons. In total, it weighed almost 16 tons. This increased weight meant that the track had to be widened from 293 mm to 350 mm.
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