Published on
September 10, 2010 in
German.
This is the light armored ammunition carrier with the chassis of a light semitrack prime mover. Except for its sloping rear superstructure and small personnel compartment it is similar in appearance to the Sd. Kfz. 250 and 253, all of which are armored counterparts of the Sd. Kfz. 10. Unlike the Sd. Kfz. 10, however, the suspension of this armored version has only four straddle-mounted bogie wheels on each side instead of five.
The power plant and power train in this vehicle are the same as those of the Sd. Kfz. 10 and, although the Sd. Kfz. 252 is heavier, the road performance of the two is similar.
The maximum highway range of this vehicle is 198 miles on a fuel tank capacity of 35 gallons. Its maximum speed is 35 m.p.h. and is operated by a crew of two.
The net weight of the vehicle ready to drive is 10,406 pounds. The combat weight is 12,606 pounds. Weight distribution on the front axle is 2,618 pounds and on the track 9,988 pounds. A power cable winch having a lifting power of 5,500 pounds is fitted as standard equipment. Outside measurement of the turning radius is 35 feet.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
5.2 tons |
| Length |
|
15 ft., 5 ins. |
| Width |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height |
|
5 ft., 4 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
11 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
5 ft., 5 ins. |
| Ground contact |
|
3 ft., 11 ins. |
| Width of track |
|
9 1/2 ins. (wheel 7.5 ins.) |
| Pitch of track |
|
6 5/16 ins. |
| Track links |
|
40 |
| Weight on front axle |
|
2,618 lb. |
| Fording depth |
|
27 ins. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
198 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
130 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
|
35 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
|
25 m.p.h. |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
|
15 mm (est.) |
| Sides |
|
8 mm (est.) |
| Armament |
| Ammunition |
| Engine |
|
Maybach, 6-cyl., 100 hp., HL 42 TRKM |
| Transmission |
|
Preselective—7 speeds forward, 3 reverse |
| Steering |
|
15° and over, epicyclic controlled differential |
| Crew |
|
2 |
German: p. 46
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 25, 2010 in
German.
This six-wheeled armored car is a heavy, highly mobile vehicle with a four-man crew. It is armed with one 20 mm KwK 30 and one M. G. 34 coaxially mounted in the turret.
Like the 8 Rad Panzerspähwagen, the six-wheeled vehicle can be operated from either the front or rear, duplicate controls being fitted at either end. Steering is by front wheels only. It has a six-wheeled final drive; single wheels at the front, and dual double wheels at the rear. The front springs are fitted to the frame with shock absorbers. The rear springs are suspended by tubular traverse, semi-elliptical springs. It has six forward and six reverse speeds.
Special gripper chains are available for fitting over the rear wheels, thus giving each pair the function of a track. Slightly smaller wheels may be fitted outside the front wheels giving extra traction on soft ground.
The engine, manufactured by Bussing Nag, is a water-cooled, 100 horsepower, gasoline type. The superstructure is built by Deutsche Werke, Kiel.
This vehicle carries the same nomenclature as its 8-wheeled counterpart. Model 231 is the heavily armored variation carrying both the cannon and the machine gun. No. 232 is a wireless command vehicle and No. 263 an armored wireless vehicle without the 20 mm gun.
These cars are used for reconnaissance, police patrol work, as command vehicles, and as radio receiving and sending stations.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight |
|
6 tons |
| Length |
|
18 ft., 5 ins. |
| Width |
|
6 ft., 1 in. |
| Height |
|
7 ft., 4 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
9 ins. |
| Suspension |
|
Dual double wheels at rear, single wheels at front |
| Wheel base |
|
Between axles 1 and 2—8 ft., 3 ins. |
| |
|
Between axles 2 and 3—2 ft., 11 ins. |
| Size tires |
|
8.27 x 18 |
| Fording depth |
|
2 ft. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
156 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
93 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
|
45 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
|
20 m.p.h. |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
|
15 mm |
| Sides |
|
7.5 mm |
| Armament |
|
2 cm Kw.K. 30 |
| |
|
7.92 mm M.G. 34 |
| Ammunition |
| Engine |
|
Bussing Nag, 100 hp. |
| Transmission |
|
Constant mesh, helical gear—6 speeds forward, 6 reverse |
| Steering |
|
Worm and nut |
| Crew |
|
4 |
German: p. 42
Published on
July 25, 2010 in
German.
There are three main types of German four-wheeled armored car, the Sd. Kfz. 221, 222, and 223, of which the 222 is the most common. The main differences between the types are in weight, armament, and turret construction.
Sd. Kfz. 222—Weighs 4.7 tons and has a crew of three. Its turret of 8 mm thick plates, set at a 55° angle to the horizontal, is ten-sided and traversable through 360°. The roof is fitted with two hinged frameworks covered with wire mesh which, in a closed position, form a bird-cage cover as a protection against grenades and as a framework for camouflage.
The four wheels are independently sprung. Power is furnished by an Auto-Union, Horch V-8 gasoline engine developing 85 B.H.P. at 2,000 r.p.m. The transmission is of the crash type, providing five forward speeds and one reverse. The drive is through all wheels and steering may be either two-wheeled or four-wheeled as desired.
A 2 cm Kw.K. 30 or 38 is mounted on a central pillar, together with a coaxial 7.92 mm M.G. 34 to the left. The car has a W/T transmitter and receiver with a radius of about 4 1/2 miles.
Sd. Kfz. 221—Similar to Sd. Kfz. 222. Weighs 4 tons and has a crew of two. Its turret is a seven-sided truncated pyramid with a wire-mesh grid over the fore part only. It mounts only an M.G. 34, although a machine carbine M.P. 38 or 40 is carried as auxiliary armament. It has no wireless.
Sd. Kfz. 223—Similar to Sd. Kfz. 222. Weighs 4.3 tons and has a crew of three. It mounts the 7.92 mm M.G. 34 as main armament, and carries a machine carbine M.P. 38 or 40. It has W/T and R/T communication. A horizontal rectangular aerial is supported above the car on four uprights which can be folded downward and backward, giving the gunner a clear field of fire.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Sd. Kfz. 222 |
| Weight |
|
4.7 tons |
| Length |
|
15 ft., 9 ins. |
| Width |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height |
|
6 ft., 7 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
10 ins. |
| Suspension |
|
4 single wheels, independent springing |
| Wheel base |
|
9 ft., 2 ins. |
| Size tires |
|
8.27 x 18 |
| Fording depth |
|
2 ft. |
| Theoretical radius of action |
| Roads |
|
175 miles |
| Cross-country |
|
125 miles |
| Speed |
| Roads |
|
30 m.p.h. |
| Cross-country |
|
25 m.p.h. |
| Armor |
| Front plate |
|
8 mm |
| Sides |
|
8 mm |
| Armament |
|
2 cm Kw.K. 30 or 38 |
| |
|
7.92 mm M.G. 34 (coaxial) |
| |
|
9 mm M.P. 38 or 40 |
| Ammunition |
|
2 cm 100 rds. A.P., 120 rds. H.E. |
| |
|
M.G.—2000 rds. |
| |
|
M.P.—350 rds. |
| Engine |
|
Auto-Union, V-8, 85 B.H.P. |
| Transmission |
|
Crash type—5 speeds forward, 1 reverse. |
| Steering |
|
2-4 wheel steer |
| Crew |
|
3 |
German: p. 41
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: leichter Panzerspähwagen (Fu.) (Sd. Kfz. 223) mit Einheitsfahrgestell I für schwerer Panzerkraftwagen.
English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight |
|
3,950 kg |
|
8,707 lb. |
| Pay load |
|
450 kg |
|
193 lb. |
| Gross weight |
|
4,400 kg |
|
9,700 lb. |
| Weight: Front axle |
|
1,650 kg |
|
3,637 lb. |
| Weight: Rear axle |
|
2,750 kg |
|
6,062 lb. |
| Length (overall) |
|
4,800 mm |
|
15 ft., 9 ins. |
| Width (overall) |
|
1,950 mm |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height (overall) |
|
1,750 mm |
|
5 ft., 9 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
230 mm |
|
9 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
1,610 mm |
|
5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Wheelbase |
|
2,800 mm |
|
110 ins. |
| Wheel width |
|
190 mm |
|
7 1/2 ins. |
| Angle of approach |
|
|
|
50° |
| Angle of departure |
|
|
|
35° |
| Seating capacity |
| Fording depth |
|
600 mm |
|
23 ins. |
| Climbing ability |
|
|
|
20° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) |
|
|
|
40° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) |
|
|
|
30° |
| Turning radius |
|
14 meters (front wheel) |
|
46 ft., 4 ins. |
| |
|
8 meters (all wheels) |
|
26 ft., 3 ins. |
| Trailer load |
| Engine horsepower |
|
75 c-v |
|
74 hp |
| Piston displacement |
|
3,500 cu cm |
|
210 cu. ins. |
| Fuel tank capacity |
|
110 liters |
|
29 gal. |
| Highway fuel consumption |
|
|
|
6.7 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain full consumption |
|
|
|
4.3 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.62
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: leichter Panzerspähwagen (Sd. Kfz. 222) mit Einheitsfahrgestell I für schwerer Panzerkraftwagen.
English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight |
|
3,750 kg |
|
8,267 lb. |
| Pay load |
|
1,050 kg |
|
2,315 lb. |
| Gross weight |
|
4,800 kg |
|
10,582 lb. |
| Weight: Front axle |
|
1,850 kg |
|
4,078 lb. |
| Weight: Rear axle |
|
2,950 kg |
|
6,503 lb. |
| Length (overall) |
|
4,800 mm |
|
15 ft., 9 ins. |
| Width (overall) |
|
1,950 mm |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height (overall) |
|
2,000 mm |
|
6 ft., 7 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
230 mm |
|
9 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
1,610 mm |
|
5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Wheelbase |
|
2,800 mm |
|
110 ins. |
| Wheel width |
|
190 mm |
|
7 1/2 ins. |
| Angle of approach |
|
|
|
50° |
| Angle of departure |
|
|
|
35° |
| Seating capacity |
| Fording depth |
|
600 mm |
|
23 ins. |
| Climbing ability |
|
|
|
20° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) |
|
|
|
40° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) |
|
|
|
30° |
| Turning radius |
|
14 meters (front wheels) |
|
46 ft., 4 ins. |
| |
|
8 meters (all wheels) |
|
26 ft., 3 ins. |
| Engine horsepower |
|
75 c-v |
|
74 hp |
| Piston displacement |
|
3,500 cu cm |
|
210 cu. ins. |
| Fuel tank capacity |
|
110 liters |
|
29 gal. |
| Highway fuel consumption |
|
|
|
6.5 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain fuel consumption |
|
|
|
4 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.62
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: leichter Panzerspähwagen (Sd. Kfz. 221) mit Einheitsfahrgestell I für schwerer Panzerkraftwagen.
English designation: Light armored scout car with standard chassis I for heavy armored car.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight |
|
3,750 kg |
|
8,267 lb. |
| Pay load |
| Gross weight |
|
4,000 kg |
|
8,818 lb. |
| Weight: Front axle |
|
1,500 kg |
|
3,307 lb. |
| Weight: Rear axle |
|
2,500 kg |
|
5,512 lb. |
| Length (overall) |
|
4,800 mm |
|
15 ft., 9 ins. |
| Width (overall) |
|
1,950 mm |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height (overall) |
|
1,700 mm |
|
5 ft., 7 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
| Tread centers |
|
1,610 mm |
|
5 ft., 3 ins. |
| Wheelbase |
|
2,800 mm |
|
110 ins. |
| Wheel width |
|
190 mm |
|
7 1/2 ins. |
| Angle of approach |
|
|
|
50° |
| Angle of departure |
|
|
|
35° |
| Seating capacity |
| Fording depth |
|
600 mm |
|
23 ins. |
| Climbing ability |
|
|
|
22° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) |
|
|
|
40° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) |
|
|
|
30° |
| Turning radius |
|
15/8 meters |
|
49 ft., 2 ins./26 ft., 3 ins. |
| Trailer load |
| Engine horsepower |
| Piston displacement |
| Fuel tank capacity |
|
110 liters |
|
29 gal. |
| Highway fuel consumption |
|
|
|
7.1 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain fuel consumption |
|
|
|
4.3 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.61
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: schwerer geländegängig gepanzerte Personenkraftwagen (Sd. Kfz. 247) mit Einheitsfahrgestell II für schwerer Panzerkraftwagen.
English designation: Heavy cross-country armored personnel car with standard chassis II for heavy armored car.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight |
|
3,700 kg |
|
8,157 lb. |
| Pay load |
|
760 kg |
|
1,675 lb. |
| Gross weight |
|
4,460 kg |
|
9,832 lb. |
| Weight: Front axle |
|
2,260 kg |
|
4,982 lb. |
| Weight: Rear axle |
|
2,200 kg |
|
4,850 lb. |
| Length (overall) |
|
5,000 mm |
|
16 ft., 5 ins. |
| Width (overall) |
|
2,000 mm |
|
6 ft., 7 ins. |
| Height (overall) |
|
1,800 mm |
|
5 ft., 11 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
230 mm |
|
9 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
1,640 mm |
|
5 ft., 4 ins. |
| |
|
1,640 mm |
|
5 ft., 4 ins. |
| Wheelbase |
|
3,000 mm |
|
118 ins. |
| Wheel width |
| Angle of approach |
|
|
|
50° |
| Angle of departure |
|
|
|
35° |
| Seating capacity |
|
|
|
6 |
| Fording depth |
|
500 mm |
|
20 ins. |
| Climbing ability |
|
|
|
21° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) |
|
|
|
40° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) |
|
|
|
35° |
| Turning radius |
|
13.50/9 meters |
|
44 ft., 3 ins./29 ft., 6 ins. |
| Trailer load |
| Engine horsepower |
|
75 c-v |
|
74 hp |
| Piston displacement |
|
3,500 cu cm |
|
210 cu. ins. |
| Fuel tank capacity |
|
160 liters |
|
42.2 gal. |
| Highway fuel consumption |
|
|
|
6.7 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain fuel consumption |
|
|
|
4.3 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.61
Published on
July 23, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: schwerer geländegängig gepanzerte Personenkraftwagen (Sd. Kfz. 247) mit Fahrgestell des leichter geländegängiger Lastkraftwagen (o).
English designation: Heavy cross-country armored personnel car with special chassis of the light cross-country truck.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight |
|
4,600 kg |
|
10,194 lb. |
| Pay load |
|
600 kg |
|
1,269 lb. |
| Gross weight |
|
5,200 kg |
|
11,463 lb. |
| Weight: Front axle |
|
1,400 kg |
|
3,086 lb. |
| Weight: Rear axle |
|
1,900 kg |
|
4,188 lb. |
| Length (overall) |
|
4,600 mm |
|
15 ft., 1 in. |
| Width (overall) |
|
1,960 mm |
|
6 ft., 5 ins. |
| Height (overall) |
|
1,700 mm |
|
5 ft., 7 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
240 mm |
|
9 1/2 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
1,580 mm |
|
5 ft., 2 ins. |
| |
|
1,565 mm |
|
5 ft., 1 in. |
| |
|
1,565 mm |
|
5 ft., 1 in. |
| Wheelbase |
|
2,445/900 mm |
|
96/35 ins. |
| Wheel width |
|
190 mm |
|
71 ins. |
| Angle of approach |
|
|
|
50° |
| Angle of departure |
|
|
|
40° |
| Seating capacity |
|
|
|
6 |
| Fording depth |
|
600 mm |
|
23 ins. |
| Climbing ability |
|
|
|
20° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) |
|
|
|
50° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) |
|
|
|
35° |
| Turning radius |
|
16 meters |
|
52 ft., 6 ins. |
| Trailer load |
|
1,000 kg |
|
2,205 lb. |
| Engine horsepower |
|
65 c-v |
|
64.1 hp |
| Piston displacement |
|
3,500 cu cm |
|
210 cu. ins. |
| Fuel tank capacity |
|
110 liters |
|
29 gal. |
| Highway fuel, consumption |
|
|
|
7.8 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain fuel consumption |
|
|
|
4.7 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.60
Published on
July 23, 2010 in
German.
German nomenclature: Funkkraftwagen (Kfz. 14) mit Fahrgestell des mittleren Panzerkraftwagen (o).
English designation: Radio car with special chassis of the medium armored car.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Net weight |
|
1,900 kg |
|
4,188 lb. |
| Pay load |
|
350 kg |
|
772 lb. |
| Gross weight |
|
2,250 kg |
|
4,960 lb. |
| Weight: Front axle |
|
900 kg |
|
1,984 lb. |
| Weight: Rear axle |
|
1,350 kg |
|
2,975 lb. |
| Length (overall) |
|
4,200 mm |
|
13 ft., 9 ins. |
| Width (overall) |
|
1,700 mm |
|
5 ft., 7 ins. |
| Height (overall) |
|
1,500 mm |
|
4 ft., 11 ins. |
| Ground clearance |
|
180 mm |
|
7 1/8 ins. |
| Tread centers |
|
1,430 mm |
|
4 ft., 8 ins. |
| Wheelbase |
|
2,840 mm |
|
112 ins. |
| Wheel width |
|
170 mm |
|
6 3/4 ins. |
| Angle of approach |
|
|
|
55° |
| Angle of departure |
|
|
|
35° |
| Seating capacity |
|
500 mm |
|
20 ins. |
| Fording depth |
| Climbing ability |
|
|
|
15° |
| Overturn gradient (lengthwise) |
|
|
|
50° |
| Overturn gradient (crosswise) |
|
|
|
30° |
| Turning radius |
|
15 meters |
|
49 ft., 2 ins. |
| Trailer load |
| Engine horsepower |
|
60 c-v |
|
59.2 hp |
| Piston displacement |
|
3,000 cu cm |
|
180 cu. ins. |
| Fuel tank capacity |
|
70 liters |
|
18.5 gal. |
| Highway fuel consumption |
|
|
|
9.4 m.p.g. |
| Average terrain fuel consumption |
|
|
|
6.7 m.p.g. |
German: p. 74.60
