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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

Motor-Karrete (Austro-Daimler) ADMK: Wheeled/Tracked Reconnaissance Vehicle

Motor-Karrete (Austro-Daimler) ADMK: Wheeled/Tracked Reconnaissance Vehicle

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