Bergepanzer 38 "Bergehetzer" Driving Demonstration

The Bergehetzer is finally completely finished after intense testings since beginning of the year and is now shown on events since this summer.
You had the chance to see and hear the only one worldwide existing example 16th and 17th of July 2022 at the former Military Airport in Leipheim.
Enjoy how well this ultra rare historic vehicle runs and how virtuos the driver handles the raw beast.
This whole project was a huge team effort! Thanks a thousand times to everybody involved. You did an amazing job!
Also a big thank you to the Fliegerhorstmuseum Leipheim for letting us use their facilities for some video shoots prior to the official show.
There is more to come.
Watch out!

[@adlerarmory8382]

PzJgr 38t was my father in law's favorite SdKfz, he said it was like driving a sportscar compared to PzKwII Ubungs, PzKwIII, IV, V, VI even T34. He was a former 2 Kompanie FBB Veteran. I hope you produce a video of the story behind your restoration. I wasnt sure if "100% made in Germany" meant you built a ground up Nachbau.

[@vo1non]

What an incredibly cool little vehicle!

[@andrewwoodhead3141]

It looks thoroughly modern.

[@Wayoutthere]

Cutest panzer I have ever seen

[@byyourself7537]

Pure beast!

[@MRNDESO-ps7bz]

Amazing tank 👍

[@Th.M.]

Wonderful to see this amazing vehicle in full glory! Wished I had visited Leipheim. Maybe next year?

[@stahlfahrer2246]

Thank you!. Will keep you posted by the time this tank is in public again

[@Th.M.]

Sieht so aus als hätten wir diese Schönheit 2023 verpasst .@@stahlfahrer2246

[@Tankbrusher]

Awesome stuff! Gz on the restoration. Would like to see a vid in the future about the 2cm gun: Mostly if it would have been a viable option to put one on series production vehicles.

[@stahlfahrer2246]

Thank you Tankbrusher! The 20mm Flak was placed in the center of the Bergehetzer mainly for selfdefense in the field but also for supporting the normal battle tanks against enemy aircraft attacks. As far as our information reaches, this was normally done offsite, after factory delivery. A so called "Feldumbau". Historic pictures exist showing exactly such a version as we've rebuilt it. The clear disadvantage is a huge loss of cabin space, while the cabin was tiny before anyway. I am not sure if there would have been a realistic chance to put the 20mm on top of the closed version of the Hetzer. But aside from all these thoughts: From today's perspective the "Cabriolet-Feeling" in a tank is big fun!

[@Tankbrusher]

@@stahlfahrer2246 For the historical stuff around the 2cm: you know that, I know that ; ) My intension is more focused around the practical side: Would that gun perfom in its AA role during marching and unfolding when mounted that way (adding defencive combat value) (It can be compared the PzKpfw 1 modified chassis) - or would a "tow-it-behind" be more practical? Would it allow to be used to help dissengage during recovery missions (again can be compared to the practical fate of the PzI AA, them being used up in ground-to-ground support roles) or can't it been lowered enough to make that even viable. You guys are the only ones who can crank these wheels while having a look through the sights ; ) Again I find it super awesome you guys restored a one-of, specially since there are a lot of holes in public literature... That's some real informational value too what you guys have there : )

[@stahlfahrer2246]

@@Tankbrusher We believe we mounted the 20mm exactly the way they did it when in use. The result is: You can lower the gun to horizontal position at lowest. So, that does not help in all cases when battling ground to ground. A clear advantage over a tow-behind solution is that the gunner is ok protected against infantry fire from the sides. In AA situations it may have had some real effect, because it is not static but can switch position for better tactical defense. I may do a video showing more details how things work inside the tank. That may help you to get an own idea of the combat value this tank might have had.

[@ItsRainyInFrance]

Ce véhicule utilise t-il le moteur originel du véhicule ?

[@TheMarty35]

Great piece of history. Perfectly renovated.It is able to hear full story about how it survive till today? From promo video I understand it was demilitarized by German law before - filled former square holes in hull. It is awesome anyway, good job.

[@stahlfahrer2246]

Thank you, Martin, for your kind words. I will post more stuff over the coming months, giving more insights in how we've restored it and about the enormouse effort we've put into all details to make is as accurate as it could be. As most collectors I am not happy that all historic tanks in Germany need to be demilitarized, not so much because of the guns, but because of the armor. It feels just wrong to have cut huge holes into the body...