Specification Crew : 6 Engine power : 265 bhp Combat weight :24,380 kg (53,757 lb) Max speed : road , 42 km/h (26.08 mph) Length : 7.17 m (23.52 ft) Range : 215 km (133.51 miles) Width : 2.97 M (9.75 ft) Main gun : 150 mm (5.91 in) Height : 2.81 m (9.22 ft) Armour : 10 mm (0.39 in) to 30 mm (1.18 in)

The Hummel(Bumble-Bee)was a 15 cm(5.91 in)heavy artillery howitzer mounted on a special chassis created by combining features from both the Panzer III and IV chassis.First proposed in July 1942,it shared the same chassis as the Hornisse(Hornet),an extemporised 8.8 cm(3.47 in)anti-tank gun carrier of which 500 were built before the Jagdpanzer IV was available in sufficient numbers. Both the Hornisse and the Hummel had their ordnance mounted in large open four-sided superstructure towards the back of a lengthened Panzer IV hull.The engine was moved forward from its normal position at the rear to a more central location to provide more room at the rear as a fighting compartment There was space for only 18 rounds on the Hummel chassis so Hummel batteries were supported by identical ammunition carriers.On the move the Hummel crew travelled in the fighting compartment with only the driver and a radio operator seated under all-round cover at the front.Protection against the weather could be provided by canvas covers.A single machine gun was carried for local defence.The first Hummels were ready in time for the 1943 Kursk offensive and thereafter each Panzer division was supposed to have at least one Hummel battery.