Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
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
Published on
August 28, 2010 in
German.
The invasion of Crete (1941) revealed for the first time the use by the Germans of the motorcycle tractor. This vehicle, which retains the standard front wheel and handle bars of a normal motorcycle with the rear wheel replaced by two caterpillar tracks, is used primarily for towing light guns and supply, trailers, and for carrying dispatches in localities where difficult terrain precludes the use of wheeled vehicles. The mobility of this vehicle is as good as most tanks and its ability as a light prime mover, because of its wide gear selection, is excellent. Without load attached it has a maximum speed of 45 m.p.h. on level ground, and is capable of climbing 60 per cent grade.
The chassis is a boxlike structure of pressed steel in two sections, welded together in a horizontal plane below the track guards. It contains the driving compartment, engine, and a transverse seat accommodating two men facing the rear. A hand rail is provided on each side of the back. The driver is seated on a saddle seat directly above the transmission and clutch housing. Gasoline tanks are mounted on each side and, together with the battery and tool compartments, make up the side walls of the vehicle.
Power is furnished by the centrally mounted Opel Olympia 4-cylinder, water-cooled gasoline engine developing 37 gross B.H.P. in a displacement of 91.5 cu. in. Cooling is accomplished by a radiator, with a shaft-driven fan coupled to the crankshaft, at the rear. Six forward and two reverse speeds are available.
The suspension consists of four straddle-mounted, rubber-tired bogie wheels on torsion bars, a front driving sprocket, and a rear idler. The inner bogie wheels are of the hollow-spoke type while the outer wheels are of the removable disk type. The track, made up of 40 links per strand, is equipped with needle bearings and replaceable rubber pads.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | |
3,400 lb. (combat) |
| Weight | |
2,700 lb. (empty) |
| Length | |
9 ft., 10 ins. |
| Width | |
3 ft., 3 1/2 ins. |
| Height | |
3 ft., 11 ins. |
| Ground clearance | |
9 ins. |
| Tread centers | |
2 ft., 8 ins. |
| Ground contact | |
2 ft., 8 ins. (approx.) |
| Width of track | |
6.7 ins. |
| Pitch of track | |
4 3/4 ins. |
| Track links | |
40 |
| Fording depth | |
20 ins. (approx.) |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads | |
155 miles |
| Cross-country | |
100 miles |
| Speed |
| Road | |
45 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country | |
25-30 m.p.h. |
| Trailer load | |
980 lb. (normal weight) |
| Size of front tire | |
3.50 x 19 |
| Engine | |
Opel, 37 hp. |
| Transmission | |
3 speeds forward, 1 reverse with high and low range |
| Steering | |
Controlled differentially, mechanical brakes |
| Crew | |
2 (driver and helper) |
German: p. 50
Published on
August 28, 2010 in
German.
This vehicle is used as a troop carrier and for towing light artillery and supply trailers. Accommodation for a crew of seven, including driver, is provided in the well of the body, the sides of which are sufficiently deep to obscure personnel to shoulder height when seated. With all inspection hatches of the hull closed the main body of the vehicle is practically watertight in traversing deep water.
The chassis of this vehicle is used for several specialized mountings: (1) for the 2 cm Flak 30 gun; (2) for gas-detector truck (Sd. Kfz. 10/1); (3) for light decontamination vehicle (Sd. Kfz. 10/2) carrying a hopper for spreading bleaching powder; (4) for light bulk contamination vehicle (Sd. Kfz. 10/3) fitted with a tank for blister gas and spraying device.
The power plant of the later models consists of a Maybach H.L. 42 T.R.K.M. straight-six, water-cooled engine rated at 100 horsepower. The Maybach N.L. 38 T.R.K.M. rated at 95 horsepower was formerly used. The power train is comprised of the twin-plate clutch, the preselective type transmission with four forward and one reverse speeds with high and low range, and the differential unit of spur-gear and pinion type. Steering is effected by normal steering wheel for turns under 15°; turns over 15° are negotiated by the combined action of turning the front wheels and braking the appropriate epicyclic-drive sprocket by means of the steering brakes mounted on the driving shaft.
The pneumatic-tired front wheels are of the disk type and are fitted on a normal type axle suspended by a single transverse semi-elliptic spring. Two hydraulic shock absorbers are fitted. Each of the flexible rear tracks is borne by a driving sprocket at the front end and an idler wheel at the rear, while between these are five pairs of pressed-steel, rubber-tired bogie wheels.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
3.7 tons |
| Length |
|
15 ft., 7 ins. |
| Width |
|
6 ft. |
| Height |
|
5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
13 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
5 ft., 2 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
4 ft., 6 ins. |
| Width of track |
|
9.4 ins. |
| Track links |
|
41 |
| Pitch of track |
|
6.25 ins. |
| Fording depth |
|
27 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
176 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
93 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
|
40 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
|
25 m.p.h. |
| Trailer load |
|
1.1 ton |
| Engine |
|
Maybach HL 42 TRKM—100 hp. |
| Transmission |
|
4 forward speeds, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering |
|
Over 15° epicyclic |
| Crew |
|
7 |
German: p. 51
Published on
August 28, 2010 in
German.
The German wheeled/tracked reconnaissance vehicle is particularly effective in steep and hilly terrain, and in swamps and marshy lowlands where high traction and light weight are desirable. The personnel-carrying capacity is six, and it is capable of towing a trailer load of 2,640 pounds. The Motor-Karrete is capable of operating as a wheeled vehicle and will turn on a radius of 27 feet. It can also operate as a half track vehicle with a turning radius of 8 feet, 2 inches. As a full track vehicle its turning radius is 6 feet, 8 inches.
The three adaptations are accomplished by raising or lowering the front wheels which appear to be mounted on a bell-crank, torsion-type front axle, while the rear wheels (when dismounted from the rear suspension) are mounted on a false axle supported above the rear of the vehicle. The dry-pin steel track is guided from the outside center over a single-tooth front sprocket and a single-flange rear idler. Four small bogie wheels articulate in pairs on a common structure attached to the rear axle. The suspension includes semi-elliptic spring over the rear axle, while rotation of the vehicle is stabilized by a quarter elliptic spring from the front sprocket axle.
The 20 hp. engine is mounted in the rear. The fuel tank capacity is 10 gallons and fuel consumption on highways is 14 m.p.g.—on average terrain 6.8 m.p.g.
The net weight of the vehicle is 3,806 pounds; combat weight, 5,060 pounds. The weight distribution is: front axle 990 pounds; rear axle 4,070 pounds.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | | 3,806 lb. |
| Length | | 12 ft. |
| Width | | 5 ft. |
| Height | | 4 ft., 9 ins. |
| Ground clearance | | Unknown |
| Tread centers | | (wheel, 50 ins.), (track, 34 ins.) |
| Ground contact | | 53 ins. |
| Width of track | | 7.5 ins. (wheel, 5.5 ins.) |
| Track links | | 70 |
| Pitch of track |
| Fording depth | | 20 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads | | 124 miles |
| Cross-country | | 68 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
| Cross-country |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
| Sides |
| Armament |
| Ammunition (rds.) |
| Engine | | 20 hp. |
| Transmission |
| Steering |
| Crew | | 6 |
German: p. 49
Published on
July 11, 2010 in
German.
This 18-ton vehicle is the heaviest of the German semitrack prime movers. It is often used by the Germans in the evacuation of their damaged tanks. It has a net weight of 16.8 tons and a combat weight of 19.8 tons. Its personnel capacity is 8, including driver and helper, and it can tow a trailer load of 20 tons. The maximum highway range of action is 160 miles on a fuel tank capacity of 72 gallons. Its weight distribution is as follows: front wheels, 5,289 pounds; track, 34,320 pounds.
The front suspension is comprised of a tubular floating axle mounting two pneumatic-tired, heavy duty wheels with transverse leaf springing. The track suspension is the standard semitrack system consisting of straddle-mounted rubber-tired bogie wheels sprung on torsion bars housed in cross tubes; front sprocket, rear idler, and needle-bearing track.
The power plant is the V-12 cylinder, Maybach gasoline engine rated at 230 horsepower. The transmission provides four speeds forward and one reverse with high and low range. Steering is effected by normal steering wheel and an epicyclic-controlled differential drive for the track with a brake linkage connected to the front-wheel steering system.
In addition to the electric starter, this vehicle is also equipped with a Bosch airplane-type inertia starter located on the right side of the engine.
A power winch is located at the rear, with facilities for passing the cable beneath the vehicle and out the front end. The winch-driving mechanism and the drum are located near the center of the chassis. The drum is horizontal and is driven by a propeller shaft from the rear of the transmission. The hub of the winch-driving mechanism is fitted with a slide gear which enables the operator to engage and disengage the winch from the rear of the vehicle. The winch-lifting capacity is 7.7 tons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | |
16.8 tons |
| Length | |
27 ft. |
| Width | |
8 ft.. 6 ins. |
| Height | |
9 ft., 1 in. |
| Ground clearance | |
21 ins. |
| Tread centers | |
(wheels, 82 ins.; track, 78 ins.) |
| Ground contact | |
9 ft., 4 ins. |
| Width of track | |
17.3 ins. |
| Track links | |
47 |
| Pitch of track |
| Fording depth | |
30 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads | |
161 miles |
| Cross-country | |
62 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
| Cross-country |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
| Sides |
| Armament |
| Ammunition |
| Engine | |
Maybach HL 98 TUK, 230 hp. |
| Transmission | |
4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering | |
Normal and epicyclic-controlled differential |
| Crew | |
8 |
German: p. 56
Published on
July 9, 2010 in
German.
This vehicle is a medium armored personnel carrier with the chassis of the Sd. Kfz. 11 (light semitracked prime mover). The Sd. Kfz. 11 has been modified by placing armor on the chassis, altering the cooling arrangement, and mounting the steering wheel in an inverted position. The armor plate thickness measures 7.5 mm on the radiator cover, 8.5 mm on the sides, and 15 mm on the lower front plate, set at angles to the horizontal of 81°, 55-60°, and 55° respectively. It has been reported that these vehicles were used by the motorized infantry of armored divisions. Eight variations are known to exist with designations 251/1 through 251/8. The vehicles are used for infantry, ammunition and as command vehicles with built-in wireless, or ambulances.
The suspension is the same as that utilized for the Sd. Kfz. 11, as is also the power plant and the power train.
The armament normally consists of two 7.92 mm M.G. 34′s, one on a mount welded to the front of the chassis and one on an antiaircraft pedestal mount in the rear of the vehicle. Reports have been received that the 2 cm Kw.K. 30 is also mounted. The vehicle has a seating capacity for eleven men, including the driver.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
7.7 tons |
| Length |
|
19 ft. |
| Width |
|
7 ft. |
| Height |
|
7 ft. |
| Ground clearance |
|
12 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Width of track |
|
11 ins. |
| Track links |
|
55 |
| Pitch of track |
|
5.5 ins. |
| Fording depth |
|
20 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
185 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
80 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
| Cross-country |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
|
15 mm |
| Sides |
|
8.5 mm |
| Armament |
|
2 7.92 M.G. 34′s |
| Ammunition (rds.) |
| Trailer load |
|
3.3 tons |
| Engine |
|
Maybach, NL 42 TUKRR, 100 hp. |
| Transmission |
|
4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering |
|
Front wheel and track epicyclic |
| Crew |
|
11 |
German: p. 45
Published on
July 9, 2010 in
German.
This is a light armored personnel carrier with the chassis of a 1-ton light semitrack. It is often used by antitank units and, towing a small trailer, by infantry units in motorized formations. The front of the chassis, with its pneumatic tires mounted on disk-type wheels, and the forward superstructure are similar to that of the ordinary motor car. The riding compartment at the rear is built low and has a seating capacity for six men including the driver. Four vision ports are provided, two in the front plate of the driving compartment and one at each side thereof. The thickness of the superstructure plate averages from 10 to 15 mm.
The vehicle is powered by a Maybach, 6-cylinder, water-cooled engine rated 100 horsepower. The transmission, of the semiautomatic preselective type, provides seven forward speeds and three reverse. The drive is taken to the final drive sprockets from the spiral beveled gear on the forward end of the lower gearbox shaft, through a gear train and a differential unit of the spur gear and pinion type. The steering brakes, utilized for turns over 15° are built into the gear train and act on the epicyclic reduction units.
The flexible track suspension consists of front sprocket and rear idler and four pairs of rubber-tired bogie wheels on each side. The front of the vehicle is mounted on two single pneumatic-tired wheels, fitted on an axle suspended by a single transverse semi-elliptic spring.
Armament for this vehicle is a machine gun mounted within a shield at the forward end of the riding compartment.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
5 tons |
| Length |
|
15 ft. |
| Width |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height |
|
6 ft., 6 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
11 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
5 ft., 5 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
3 ft., 11 ins. |
| Width of track |
|
9 1/2 ins. |
| Pitch of track |
|
6 5/16 ins. |
| Track links |
|
38 |
| Fording depth |
|
27 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
190 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
130 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
| Cross-country |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
|
15 mm (approx.) |
| Sides |
|
10 mm (approx.) |
| Armament |
|
M.G. 34 |
| Ammunition |
| Engine |
|
Maybach, 6-cyl., 100 hp. HL 42 TRKM |
| Transmission |
|
Preselective—7 forward speeds, 3 reverse |
| Steering |
|
15° and over, epicyclic controlled differential |
| Crew |
|
6 |
German: p. 44
Published on
May 30, 2010 in
German.
The 12-ton heavy prime mover is highly mobile despite its bulky appearance. It can handle a trailer load of 13 tons and carry a crew of 11, including the driver. It has a weight distribution as follows: front wheels, 5,200 pounds; track, 21,300 pounds. Its combat weight is 16 tons.
The front suspension consists of a tubular axle of the oscillating, floating type carried by two pressed steel wheels, size 11.25 x 20, mounting extra heavy-duty tires. A traverse leaf spring is on a pivot in the center of the frame. One end of the spring is mounted to the axle through a shackle while the other end is free to slide. The rear, or track suspension, is made up of six twin rubber-tired bogie wheels mounted on torsion arms, attached to torsion bars and housed in cross tubes. The front drive sprocket and rear idler complete the assembly. The track is of the needle-bearing type with removable rubber pads.
Steering is by conventional steering wheel and through epicyclic-controlled differential to the track sprockets, being actuated by hydraulic brake bands.
Power is furnished by a Maybach V-12 over-head valve, liquid-cooled, HL 85 TUKRM gasoline engine, rated at 185 horsepower. Ignition is the conventional 12-volt Bosch magneto located behind the carburetors. All ignition wires are carried in a flexible aluminum conduit to the side of the engine.
The transmission provides four speeds forward, one reverse, with high and low range.
This vehicle is equipped with an inertia starter and a cable winch with a lifting power of 5.5 tons.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | | 13 tons |
| Length | | 24 ft. |
| Width | | 8 ft., 2 1/2 ins. |
| Height | | 9 ft., 2 ins. |
| Ground clearance | | 16 ins. |
| Tread centers | | 6 ft., 3 ins. (wheels, 6 ft., 9 ins.) |
| Ground contact | | 8 ft., 3 ins. |
| Width of track | | 15.7 ins. |
| Track links | | 55 |
| Pitch of track | | 8 ins. |
| Fording depth | | 25 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads | | 155 miles |
| Cross-country | | 62 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads | | 30 m.p.h. (est.) |
| Cross-country | | 18 m.p.h. (est.) |
| Armor |
| Front plate | | None |
| Sides | | None |
| Armament |
| Ammunition (rds.) |
| Engine | | Maybach HL 85 TURRM, 185 hp. |
| Transmission | | 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse, high and low range |
| Steering | | 15° and over—Epicyclic controlled differential |
| Crew | | 11 |
German: p. 55
Published on
December 30, 2009 in
German.
This is the 3-ton, armored semitrack mounting triple 15 mm or 20 mm heavy machine guns of the Model 151 aircraft type. The equipment is an assault weapon intended for ground combat, and engagement of low flying aircraft is a secondary role.
The three guns, which are cocked manually and percussion fired, are set coaxially and in the same plane. Each gun is held in a standard MG 151 aircraft cradle, less the body extension. The cradles are bolted to a common block on the top bracket of the pedestal, pivoting on trunnions for elevation and depression. The top bracket is bolted to a bottom conical skirt and the whole rotates freely on a cone pedestal fixed to the floor of the vehicle. Elevation (-5° to 49°) and traverse (360°) are shoulder controlled by the firer. A brake locking device is provided for traverse.
The guns, capable of firing 700 r.p.m. each, are belt fed, the belts being contained in steel boxes, one for each gun. A total of 3,000 rounds of ammunition in belts is carried in the vehicle. Penetration of A.P. projectiles fired from the 15 mm MG 151 is reported as 18 mm from 100 meters at 30 degrees.
Sighting apparatus consists of a telescopic sight with a magnification of 3 and a field of view of 8 degrees; a cartwheel type antiaircraft sight, and a hand periscope with a magnification of 8 and a field of view of 7.5 degrees.
A further description of the components of this equipment is available on pages 45 and 252.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | | 8 tons |
| Trailer load capacity | | 3.3 tons |
| Length | | 19 ft. |
| Width | | 7 ft. |
| Height |
| Ground clearance | | 12 ins. |
| Tread centers | | 5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground contact | | 5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Track width | | 11 ins. |
| Track links | | 55 |
| Radius of action | | 186 miles |
| Fuel tank | | 42.5 gals. |
| Fuel consumption (roads) | | 5 miles per gal. |
| Fording depth | | 20 ins. |
| Speed | | 30 m.p.h. |
| Engine | | Maybach, NL 42 TUKRR |
| Bore and stroke | | 90 x 110 mm |
| Horsepower | | 100 |
| Ignition | | Bosch magneto |
| Battery | | 12 volt |
| Transmission | | 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse. High and low range. |
| Steering | | Front wheel and track epicyclic |
| Crew | | 4 |
German: p. 46.2 (April 1, 1945)
Published on
December 30, 2009 in
German.
This flame-throwing vehicle is employed in association with more heavily armored panzer units. It is an adaptation of the medium armored personnel carrier on which have been mounted the various items of equipment required.
There are two large projectors mounted well back on either side of the vehicle in V-shaped shields. Each of these has a nozzle .55 inch in diameter, and a traverse of 160 degrees. The third flamethrower takes the form of the cartridge ignition projector used in the small portable flamethrower Model 42, on the end of 33 feet of hose, connecting it to the propulsion unit and fuel tank through the back of the vehicle. The nozzle of this projector is .28 inch in diameter.
Fuel propulsion is by a pump driven by a small gasoline engine supplied by a 5 1/2-gallon tank which will run the engine for two hours. One hundred and fifty-four gallons of fuel for the flamethrowers is carried. This allows about eighty bursts of one or two seconds’ duration each.
The effective range of the large flamethrowers is about 40 yards; that of the portable unit about 30 yards.
1,850 gallons of fuel are carried in the three 3-ton lorries of platoon transport. This is sufficient for two refuels for all six flamethrower vehicles of the flamethrower platoon.
The crew of the vehicle consists of one vehicle loader who also acts as wireless operator and machine gunner, two flamethrower operators, and a driver.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight (approx.) | | 8 tons |
| Trailer load capacity | | 3.3 tons |
| Length | | 19 ft. |
| Width | | 7 ft. |
| Height | | 7 ft. |
| Ground clearance | | 12 ins. |
| Tread centers | | 5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Ground contact | | 5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Track width | | 11 ins. |
| Track links | | 55 |
| Fuel tank | | 42.5 gals. |
| Fuel consumption | | 5 miles per gal. |
| Fording depth | | 20 ins. |
| Speed | | 30 m.p.h. |
| Engine | | Maybach, NL 42 TUKRR, 100 hp. |
| Bore and stroke | | 90 x 110 mm |
| Ignition | | Magneto |
| Battery | | 12 volt |
| Transmission | | 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse. High and low range. |
| Steering | | Front wheel and track epicyclic |
| Crew | | 4 |
| Armor |
| Radiator cover | | 7.5 mm at 81 degrees |
| Sides | | 8.5 mm at 55-60 degrees |
| Front plate | | 15 mm at 55 degrees |
| Armament | | 2 large flamethrowers |
| | 1 portable flamethrower |
| | 2 7.92 mm M.G. 34′s |
German: p. 46.1 (April 1, 1945)
