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Jagdpanzer IV was in production from January to November of 1944 with total of 769 to 784 produced by Vomag (chassis number 320001 to 321000). Average output per month was around some 70 vehicles. When the production of Jagdpanzer IV (Sd.Kfz.162) was stopped, 26 additional chassis were left unused and were converted to other special purpose vehicles. In August of 1944, two new variants armed with 75mm L/70 gun entered production – Jagdpanzer IV/70(V) (Sd.Kfz.162/1) and Jagdpanzer IV/70(A) (Sd.Kfz.162/1). Both were also known as Panzer IV/70(V) for Vomag and Panzer IV/70(A) for Alkett. From August of 1944 to March/April of 1945, 930/ 940 Panzer IV/70(V) vehicles (chassis number 320651-321000 and 329001 to unknown) were made and from August of 1944 to March of 1945, only 278 Panzer IV/70(A) vehicles (chassis number 120301 to unknown) were made. Vomag of Plauen produced IV/70(V) with monthly rate of 103 vehicles. Nibelungenwerke of St.Valentin (Austria) produced IV/70(A) with monthly rate of 34 vehicles. By December of 1944, new variants, especially Vomag completely phased out its predecessor armed with 75mm L/48 gun. In August of 1944, Hitler ordered that production of PzKpfw IV in its battle tank form was to be stopped by the end of the year and instead Jagdpanzer IV was to be produced with a monthly rate of 800 vehicles. Production of PzKpfw IV was not stopped and it remained in production till March of 1945. Since the beginning of this project, Heinz Guderian, who was the Inspector-General of the Panzertruppen, was against Jagdpanzer IV as he saw Stug III to be sufficient and was against diverting the resources from PzKpfw IV tank production. As a result, Jagdpanzer IV entered production but at much slower rate of production as originally planned.
New Jagdpanzer IV used basic chassis and drive train of PzKpfw IV and only front hull had been modified by replacing the original vertical front plate with two-piece sharp edge nose. The upper nose plate armour was 60mm thick and lower 50mm thick, instead of original 50mm thick vertical plate. In addition, interior layout of components inside the hull was changed to accommodate the new superstructure. The changes included changed location of fuel tanks, ammunition racks and floor escape hatch and elimination of engine that powered the turret along with new heating and ventilation system. The superstructure was made up of sloped plates, what almost doubled the protection. All parts of superstructure were made from large interlocking armour plates that were welded together making manufacturing process easier and faster. The 75 mm L/48 gun was mounted in the frontal plate along with two machine gun ports (with conical covers) and driver’s periscope. The main gun was mounted 20 cm offset to the right and had limited hand traverse of 12 degrees to left and right. The gun could be elevated 15 degrees up and lowered 8 degrees down. Side plates were 30 mm thick and frontal plate was 60 mm thick. In May of 1944, upper nose plate armour was increased to 80 mm along with frontal plate and side plates were increased to 40 mm. Thick and well-sloped armour offered adequate protection for the crew of four – commander, gunner, loader and driver. Additional protection was offered by vehicle’s 1.85 m low silhouette. 79 rounds of 75 mm ammunition were stored inside along with 1200 rounds of 7.92 mm ammunition. Its maximum road speed was 40 km/h, while its weight was around 24.5 tons. Early vehicles had some minor defects but those were soon solved. From March of 1944, only one 7.92 mm MG42 machine gun was installed (on the left side of the gun). From May of 1944, the muzzle break was eliminated as the dust cloud crated after firing reduced the visibility and gave away the position. This was done after crews complained and often removed the muzzle breaks in the field. In September, number of return rollers was decreased to three per side. Many vehicles were fitted with Schurzen and were factory applied with Zimmerit anti-magnetic paste until September of 1944. Jagdpanzer IV was also produced in command version (Befehlswagen) and was fitted with additional radio equipment operated by fifth crewmember – the radio-operator. In September of 1944, experimental Jagdpanzer IV (neuer Art Starr) armed with rigidly mounted 75mm Pak 39 L/48 gun was tested. Two prototypes were tested but many problems were encountered and further tests were carried on Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer.
