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Description
The Nashorn was an incidental byproduct of the Geschützwagen-III/IV platform design (Hummel). In the summer of 1942, officials gave Rheinmetall-Borsig and Alkett the task of developing a vehicle using components of both the Pzkpfw-III and Pzkpfw-IV tanks. The vehicle was to have a 15cm sFH18 field gun mounted toward rear of the chassis in place of the engine compartment. In turn, the engine compartment took the place of the crew compartment at the center of the chassis, allowing better total weight distribution of components within the vehicle. Drawing up plans, designers decided to use the engine and suspension from the Pzkpfw-IV. From the Pzkpfw-III, they took the six-speed transmission. Since the role of the vehicle was to provide indirect fire, the vehicle was to have only enough armor to protect against shrapnel and small arms fire. In an attempt to maximize the role of the vehicle, some designers suggested mounting the 8.8cm L/71 Pak43 in the place of the 15cm sFH. This would allow the GW-III/IV platform to fill two different roles, one as a self-propelled heavy artillery piece, and the other as a tank destroyer. In October 1942, Alkett presented the two prototypes - one Pzkpfw-III/IV mit 8.8cm L/71 Pak43 (Nashorn) and one Pzkpfw-III/IV mit 15cm sFH18 (Hummel). Hitler, present at the demonstration, saw the 8.8cm Pak43 Pzkpfw-III/IV as a stopgap measure; nonetheless, he considered it an important weapon design ordering immediate manufacture. Deutsche Eisenwerke started production of both Nashorn and Hummel in February 1943. Troops in the field soon nicknamed the new tank destroyer 'Hornisse' (Hornet). Hitler, however, disliked the unofficial name demanding the name officially changed to 'Nashorn' (Rhinoceros) in January 1944. A total of 494 Nashorn were producee by Deutsche-Eisenwereke from February 1943 until March 1945.

Description
The Nashorn was an incidental byproduct of the Geschützwagen-III/IV platform design (Hummel). In the summer of 1942, officials gave Rheinmetall-Borsig and Alkett the task of developing a vehicle using components of both the Pzkpfw-III and Pzkpfw-IV tanks. The vehicle was to have a 15cm sFH18 field gun mounted toward rear of the chassis in place of the engine compartment. In turn, the engine compartment took the place of the crew compartment at the center of the chassis, allowing better total weight distribution of components within the vehicle. Drawing up plans, designers decided to use the engine and suspension from the Pzkpfw-IV. From the Pzkpfw-III, they took the six-speed transmission. Since the role of the vehicle was to provide indirect fire, the vehicle was to have only enough armor to protect against shrapnel and small arms fire. In an attempt to maximize the role of the vehicle, some designers suggested mounting the 8.8cm L/71 Pak43 in the place of the 15cm sFH. This would allow the GW-III/IV platform to fill two different roles, one as a self-propelled heavy artillery piece, and the other as a tank destroyer. In October 1942, Alkett presented the two prototypes - one Pzkpfw-III/IV mit 8.8cm L/71 Pak43 (Nashorn) and one Pzkpfw-III/IV mit 15cm sFH18 (Hummel). Hitler, present at the demonstration, saw the 8.8cm Pak43 Pzkpfw-III/IV as a stopgap measure; nonetheless, he considered it an important weapon design ordering immediate manufacture. Deutsche Eisenwerke started production of both Nashorn and Hummel in February 1943. Troops in the field soon nicknamed the new tank destroyer 'Hornisse' (Hornet). Hitler, however, disliked the unofficial name demanding the name officially changed to 'Nashorn' (Rhinoceros) in January 1944. A total of 494 Nashorn were producee by Deutsche-Eisenwereke from February 1943 until March 1945.