The Wespe was officially called "10.5 cm Leichte Feldhaubitze 18 auf Fahrgestell Panzerkampfwagen II" by the Waffenamt, but known by every foot soldier as the "Wespe" ("Wasp"). This self-propelled artillery was the most famous and durable in service in the German Army throughout the war, but not the most produced. This title belonged to the bigger Hummel, fitted with a 150 mm (5.9 in) howitzer.
The superstructure was also model-specific, well sloped, but only 10 mm (0.39 in) thick and with an open top. The suspension was reinforced, in order to cope with the stress of the recoil, and the space between the last roadwheel and the idler was widened. The driver compartment was at the front and fully enclosed. The ZFA SSG 46 Aphon gearbox (6 forward and 1 reverse) served the same Maybaych six-inline engine fed by two 140 liters fuel tanks.
