castelnuovo
Ummm...I don't quite understand the "evolution" idea. Any pictures?
No pictures, just paste 'Evolution' over a 38(t) and a arrow pointing to a Hetzer. Let me explain further:
The annexation of Czechoslovakia by Germany captured industry including the iron works that produced the 38(t) Despite popular belief the Germans never have superior numbers of tanks going into the invasion of France, the 38(t) was given a coat of paint, some stowage was 'Germanized' and it served them well as the basic vehicle was mechanically reliable & of sound design.
Operation Barbarossa pointed out the 38(t)'s flaws as the turret, armor and main gun were to small to be effective. The need for anti-aircraft mobility seen some of the 38(t)'s with the turret removed and a 20mm Flak gun mounted on the hull. The desperate need for more anti-tank mobility and improvisation by the German manufactures developed the Marder series of anti-tank guns. One version mounted captured Soviet 76 mm pac 38 (r) weapons on the 38(t)'s reliable hull & drive train.
The Marder series of anti-tank weapons were very successful, yet lack of crew protection, thin armor and a high silhouette were its Achilles heel. The Germans had great success with conversions and then production of larger tanks without turrets. The 'Jag' series began with the Jagpanther. Its thick sloped armor and lower silhouette made it a lethal anti-tank weapon. Also with no turret the vehicle could mount a larger gun, the Panther fielded a 75mm L/70 high velocity cannon, the Jagpanther fielded the famous 88mm L/56
Bigger is not always better and the evolution seen a Jagtiger in limited numbers. (around 50 produced) Fielding a 120mm L/90 Its Achilles heel was a all ready over worked drive train with now tons of added weight to move, slow speed and a huge target for roaming allied aircraft. The idea was successful in the development of the Panzer IV, a more powerful 75 mm L/70, low silhouette and reliable drive train made the Jagpanzer L/70 very lethal.
Back to the 38(t)
Its final expression of battlefield lethality was called 'the Hetzer' (Jag 38(t) wouldn't sound cool enough) This design fielded a 75 mm L/50? cannon, VERY low silhouette. Mobility, speed, armor was excellent. At this point in the loosing war Germany was on the defensive, the Jag series was well suited to this roll of ambush tactics.