A Friend of Base Borden Military Museum

Jagpanzer 38T Hetzer

7.5 cm Pak 40/3 auf Jagpanzer 38 (t) (7.5 cm A/Tk Gun model 40 on Czech Model 38 Light Tank chassis). A redesigned gun carriage based on a 1939 Czech tank design 38 t. Developed in 1942, the first ultra-modern "Panzer Jaegers" or "Tank Hunters".

This vehicle was found deserted with motor running along the Mappen-Lingen Road in Germany, April 10, 1945. Mappen-Lingen is the name of a Germany Army training area. It was brought to Canada by the Canadian War Museum Enemy Equipment Collection and has been at the Borden Military Museum since March 1946. Since 2017 this vehicle is being restored in the museum's workshop.

This Jagdpanzer 38 t was one of 2,827 built by the Czech company Bohmisch-Mahrische Maschinenfabrik (BMM) AG from 4 March 1944 to 11 May 1945. The main gun was made with threads for a muzzle brake. The first 50 Hetzers off the production line were equipped with these threads. Originally called the "Hetzer" tank and designated as the first major secret weapon by Hi**er. Notable for its very thick "interlocking" armour and streamlined low silhouette. It first appeared in action after D-Day in Europe and widely used until the end of the war.

Paint Scheme: This Jagdpanzer 38 t was built by BMM in May 1944. It already featured a lighter Kugellafette (ball mount) and external mantle that was secured by only two external bolts.

Units authorised to apply camoflage patterns of stripes and patches of Olivgrun - RAL 6003 (dark olive green) and Rotbraun - RAL 8017 (dark red brown) over the base coat of Dunkelgelb - RAL 7028 (which was sprayed over the undercoat before leaving the assembly plant). These colours were supplied in 2 kg tins of paste that could be appropriately thinned by the troops. However, many of these initial production Jagdpanzer 38 were retained by training schools.

Technical Data
Crew: 4 men
Armament: 7.5 cm Pak 39 Anti Tank gun, 1 MG 34 machine gun
Engine: Praga 6 cylinder petrol 7.8 litres, 158 HP
Armour: 8 - 60 mm
Normal Use: Anti- tank and Assault work as opportunity permits.

Specimen Data
Serial Number: 321 042/754/12. This number is stamped into the lower glacis plate at the front of the hull exterior.
The reference notes "Identity: Exterior No. 211; Chassis No. 696503." These are probably numbers painted on the exterior of the hull in 1945. The 211 is probably the Call Sign: second company, first platoon, first vehicle. Chassis No. 69650, probably was the Army Registration Number.
Condition of the vehicle when sent to Canada: "Operational except for damaged water cooling system."
"Location: March 15, 1946, A 33, Camp Borden, Ontario. In 1946." A 33 was the complex of buildings housing the Armour School.

75 mm Gun Markings:
Left side of breech block rear: KX
RVV
Right side of breech block rear : R286, serial number
BS: FI 418 CXD (amt)
Vr: FI 4445 eyd

German words on the inside walls:
hulsenzieher shell puller
hauptschalter main switch
aus out of
MG Vorratsteile MG stock parts
verschlussvdrratsteile locking parts

Reference: Catalogue of Canadian War Museum Enemy Equipment, Collected by 1 Canadian Field History Section in North-West Europe May - Oct 1945, page 14.

It's Not a Firefly. It has a 17 Pounder gun with an armoured box at the back of the turret but the tank is not a Firefly. A Firefly turret was sent from England to the Armoured School at Borden to give Canadians a look at a 17 Pounder on a Sherman tank. It is one of the many unique items owned by the Borden Military Museum.

We have a World War II Japanese 10 Cm, Model 92 gun. We don't know where it came from. Could anyone help with translating some of the markings?

Sea King helicopter.

M4A1 Grizzly in a snow down position. It is Number 98 of the 188 Sherman tanks that were made at the Montreal Locomotive Works in Montreal. It is in the back of our museum next to the doors of the workshop. If you want to visit our workshop we are open on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm. Stop by.

This tank has been hiding a mystery for 80 years. Our Italian Medium 14/41 tank was recovered from the North African Desert in 1942-1943. In March 2025, during a cleaning, a lot of artifacts were discovered inside, turning the job into an archeological investigation. An excavation followed and this is what we found.

This is the Bobcat. It is an Armoured Personal Carrier developed in Canada from 1951 to 1959. One of two made to be tested at the Armour School here at Base Borden. In 1963 the Army chose the M113 as the new APC to transport infantry around battlefields.

This Bobcat survives in the museum as the only one in the World.

Base Borden Military Museum is located just south of Angus, Ontario at 27 Ram Street, on Base Borden.
Monday to Friday - 9 am to 3 pm,
Saturday - 10 am to 4 pm,
Sunday - closed
Admission is free.
Website: cfmws.ca/borden/facilities/borden-military-museum
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yJjgjP4ccrKNkChdA

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