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Armor/AFV: Axis - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Axis forces during World War II.
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Animal names for German vehicles
Wolf-Leader
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New Hampshire, United States
Joined: June 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,225 posts
Armorama: 520 posts
Posted: Friday, January 24, 2003 - 02:55 AM UTC
Does anyone know what the correct translations are for the German vehicles? I would like to know if there is a complete list of vehicle names and their translations Example;
Wespe - Wasp, is this correct?
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
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Posted: Friday, January 24, 2003 - 03:26 AM UTC
I am not an expert by any means.

I believe that SP guns had insect type names like Wespe=Wasp; Grille=Cricket; Hummel=Bumblebee; I also think Nashorn is some type of beetle. I also think grasshopper was a type of SP gun (Heuschrecke).

I know later tanks/AFVs were named after cats like Tiger(II), Puma, Luchs (Lynx), and the heavy tank Maus=mouse. Also the tank destroyer Elefant (originally Ferdinand) is elephant in English. I also have an assault gun by Alan called the Bison and I think Hetzer is a type of birddog or hunting dog. The Brummbar is their word for brown or grizzly bear.

I think they went to naming their vehicles once war broke out and they were no longer hiding their AFVs behind the "Special Purpose Vehicle" SdKfz title.
ukgeoff
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: May 03, 2002
KitMaker: 1,007 posts
Armorama: 703 posts
Posted: Friday, January 24, 2003 - 03:37 AM UTC
Here's some more that Rob missed,

Nashorn = Rhinoceros
Hornisse = Hornet (I seem to recall it was the early name for the Nashorn)
Marder = Marten (as in Pine Marten)
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