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German

m. gp. Beob. Kw. (Sd. Kfz. 254): 4-Wheeled/Tracked Armored Observation Vehicle

Saurer m. gp. Beob. Kw. (Sd. Kfz. 254): 4-Wheeled / Tracked Armored Observation Vehicle

The four-wheeled, tracked armored observation vehicle is designed to run on either wheels or tracks. Four pneumatic-tired wheels are mounted on the outside of the tracks. These may be lowered when the vehicle is stopped, by power take-off from the transmission, thus raising the tracks from the ground. It is operated by a crew of five.

The superstructure is constructed of sloping, welded plate ranging from 10 to 15 mm in thickness. The hull is roomy due to the absence of a basket and turret. The driver’s entrance is located forward in the right side of the hull. There are two double doors at the rear and two hatches, with double-hinged flaps, on the roof. A railing type of aerial for W/T is fitted round the top of the superstructure.

The track suspension, used for difficult terrain, consists of six small hollow steel bogie wheels on each side mounted on four hull stub axles. The front and rear bogie wheels are mounted singly and each is sprung by a coil spring. The remaining four are in articulated pairs sprung by coil springs. There are also a front drive sprocket, rear idler, and four hollow steel return rollers. A girder connects the first three hull stub axles on the outside of the suspension assembly.

The alternate suspension, used for normal terrain and hard roads, consists of four pneumatic-tired wheels sprung on torsion bars with a wheel base of 7 feet, 10 inches.

The vehicle is powered by a 4-cylinder, water-cooled Diesel engine rated at 70 horsepower. The power train is comprised of a single-plate, multiple-spring type clutch incorporated in the flywheel, a synchromesh transmission with five speeds forward and one reverse, controlled differential, and final drive reduction gears to the sprockets.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         7 tons
Length 14 ft., 10 1/2 ins.
Width 7 ft., 4 1/2 ins.
Height (on tracks) 7 ft., 3 ins.
Height (on wheels) 7 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance 12 ins. (on tracks)
Tread centers 4 ft., 3 ins.
Ground contact 7 ft., 9 ins.
Width of track 9 1/2 ins.
Size tires 8.25 x 20
Wheel base 7 ft., 10 1/2 ins.
Fording depth 3 ft. (on wheels)
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 310 miles (on wheels)
     Cross-country 62 miles (on tracks)
Speed
     Roads Unknown
     Cross-country Unknown
Armor
     Front plate 15 mm
     Sides 10 mm
Armament L.M.G.
Ammunition
Engine Diesel, 4 cyl., 70 hp.
Transmission Synchromesh—5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering
Tracks Controlled differential
Wheels Normal steering wheel
Crew 5

German: p. 48

Categories
German

l. gp. Beob. Kw. (Sd. Kfz. 253): Light Armored Reconnaissance Car

l. gp. Beob. Kw. (Sd. Kfz. 253): Light Armored Reconnaissance Car -- SdKfz 253 leichter Gepanzerter Beobachtungskraftwagen

This vehicle is an armored version of the l. Zg. Kw. 1 ton (Sd. Kfz. 10) used for reconnaissance purposes. In appearance it closely resembles the light armored personnel carrier (Sd. Kfz. 250). There are a number of minor differences in the suspension of the armored versions as compared with the Sd. Kfz. 10, the principal one being one less bogie wheel.

The mechanical components of the chassis are the same as those utilized in the Sd. Kfz. 10, therefore the road performance of the two vehicles is similar.

The net weight of the vehicle ready to drive is 11,022 pounds; the combat weight 12,540 pounds. The weight on the front axle is 2,552 pounds; the weight on the tracks 9,988 pounds.

Its maximum highway range is 198 miles on a fuel tank capacity of 35 gallons. The crew consists of four, including the driver.

This vehicle, like all semitracks, is equipped with a power cable winch having a lifting power of 5,500 pounds. The turning radius measures 35 feet.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         5.5 tons
Length 15 ft., 5 ins.
Width 6 ft., 4 ins.
Height 5 ft., 11 ins.
Ground clearance 11 ins.
Tread centers (Wheel, 64 ins.), (Track, 62 ins.)
Ground contact 3 ft., 11 ins.
Width of track 9.4 ins. (Wheel, 7.5 ins.)
Track links 38
Pitch of track 6 5/16 ins.
Fording depth 27.5 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads 198 miles
     Cross-country 130 miles
Speed
     Roads 40 m.p.h.
     Cross-country 25 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front plate
     Sides
Armament
Ammunition
Engine Maybach 6-cyl. NL 42 TRKM—100 hp.
Transmission
Steering Under 15°—normal; over 15° epicyclic
Crew         4

German: p. 47