[Mobhack]

There is a version which is an SPA. The scenario designer has decided that this is the one to use. That was his decision for some reason known to him.

Myself, I would never bother with it - use a wespe or whatever with thinner (=less expensive) armour. My SPA never get into direct LOS of any enemy (bar hairyplanes). Nor do I bother with the Soviet KV-2 SPA, sticking with the direct fire version.

You do get 8 more HE rounds, so if biffing up infantry is your sole concern then that may sway it over 4 more HEAT shots at half effect with no blast radius.

As to any whys and wherefores as to why they are in the scenario, or even in the OOB in the first place - then ask the scenario designer or original OOB designer. If they are still around, they may enlighten you as to their reasoning.

Andy